Chapter Text
1776, New York City
The sun slowly sets, giving every building a warm glow to it. Three people— Hercules Mulligan, Marquis de Lafayette and John Laurens shuffle over to a bar, their typical afternoon activity is now a weekly ritual. Go out, chatter over a couple of drinks, wreak havoc on the streets and usually end up at one of their places.
Today’s no exception, of course.
They barge in, shoving the doors open without a second thought of embarrassment. Safe to say, they turn some heads. Catching the attention of quite the amount of guests.
"Fools who run their mouths off wind up dead."
Catching the attention of Aaron Burr and a new face sitting next to him, drinking together.
No harm in making your presence known. The three laugh and yell as they sit down at a vacant table, ordering a few beers as always.
"What time is it???" Laurens yells out enthusiastically.
"Showtime!!!" Mulligan and Lafayette join in, together forming a not-so-pleasant to hear choir amidst the crowded bar. Bartenders, the sounds of talking, laughing, arguing— it all fades into the background anyway, as if they don't make enough noise by themselves alone.
"Like i said..." Burr comments, accentuating the point he was just making to the newcomer, who just politely chuckles and turns his head back to the trio, very noticeably intrigued.
It only takes three rounds of Sam Adams and a whole lot of criticizing politics for them to finally notice the two men not sitting too far away, obviously staring.
John is the first to spot them, and being the impulsive, outgoing fool, immediately calls him over loudly.
"Well, if it ain't the prodigy of Princeton College!"
Hearing his friend, Mulligan turns his head and grins. "Aaron Burr. Drop some knowledge!"
They laugh as the man walks over reluctantly, a downturned smile adorning his features as to not seem too judgmental. Meanwhile, the younger male that he was sitting next to kept observing, keeping quiet for now.
"You know..." Aaron started, putting a hand on their table, eyeing the various shot glasses and empty beer mugs "you three sure do run your mouths a lot. I'll sit back while you go around parading about the revolution, we'll see where we land.
Another laugh escapes their mouths, slamming yet another beer mug onto the table- now empty to match the others.
"Burr, that revolution is imminent! What are you waiting for?" Laurens replies with a smile.
That's when the newcomer finally sits up from his seat, keeping glass between his hands and looking down at the floor.
"If you stand for nothing, Burr, what will you fall for?"
Silence. Nobody expected this guy to suddenly join their conversation, let alone side with them and go against Aaron's beliefs. He seems young, his eyes darting around, a hint of peach fuzz on his face. Surely on the poorer side, his clothes are raggedy, frame hidden beneath a long, brown coat.
He caught Laurens' eye. Young, bold, interesting...
"Who are you?" Lafayette asks, raising an eyebrow. Less in suspicion, more in... curiosity.
"Who is this kid?" Hercules mumbles in shock.
The young man raises his gaze to the others, clutching his beverage in a tight and nervous grasp. Nervous but determined. Of course, he has to make a good first impression, right?
"Alexander... Hamilton... I'm only 19."
No surprise. His eyes have that sparkle in them. A flicker of something deeper than just a poor wanderer.
"But my mind is older!" He exclaims, as if it was something important. "I'm planning to get a Scholarship at King's College, I mean... I'm not one to brag, but I've been told I do amaze" he chuckles out of slight stress.
After exchanging words and giving him a quick introduction, the shyness seems to wear off, as he begins to very passionately, well... ramble. About America, about justice, revolution, change. He's everywhere with his talking, the monologue seems to long to be written down. What they thought was an anxious and shy kid became a loud, smart genius. At least that's what one person in their circle thought.
"They tax us relentlessly, and then Britain throws our money away like it's nothing. If we continue like this, we're never gonna be free! So there will be a revolution in this century!"
The others catch on, nodding. And John stands up, walking over to Alexander and joining the conversation.
"But we'll never be truly free until those affected by slavery have the same right as you and me" they nod to each other, Alexander patting his shoulder and smiling "you and I. Do or die. Just wait until I gather up the first black batalion!"
Laurens grabs a shot off their table, generously offering it to Hamilton. Burr cuts through their moment, grabbing his book.
"Geniuses, lower your voices. Just stay out of trouble and you double your choices! Of course, I'm with you, but you've got to be careful and sit back down" he scolds them.
"Sorry, sorry..." the younger one apologizes sheepishly, sitting back down by the table "but check what we've got! Mister Lafayette, Hercules, Laurens, i like you a lot!"
Alexander keeps going as if that one compliment didn't bring his ego higher than the clouds. "What are the odds the Gods would put us all in one spot? A bunch of revolutionary, manumission abolitionists? Give me a position, show me where the ammunition is!"
Another pause, he stops himself. He's rambling again. Laurens takes a glance at him, not affected by his inner turmoil, in fact...
"Let's get this guy in front of a crowd."
That's how they spend their afternoon instead. Leaving Burr at the bar and stealing his new friend, they lead him to a crowded part of town. Even in late hours, it's buzzing with life. Laurens isn't new to this, he knows exactly how to plan this out. They go around and spread the word, the chance of a new nation, the promise of hope. Trying to get to as many people as possible, the four stand in the most busy areas, having a good time all the while helping others understand what their goal is. With their new acquaintance, Laurens finds it finally convincing enough for others and actually... fun. The two get along better than expected, a unique duo, no doubt about it. John thought they suit eachother quite well.
The four were walking together, Alexander smiling and chatting, not the only one who didn't expect the day to go so well, one arm loosely slung around Laurens' shoulders.
"I'm laughing in the face of casualties and sorrow- for the first time I'm thinking past tomorrow!"