John Laurens Centric Oneshots

Different Circumstances 2.0 ༄ Lams 🖤

Summary; What if Charles Lee shot first?
[Credit to gayer_than_you_00 for this idea, they asked me to rewrite their oneshot]
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On account of disobeying orders and disrespecting his commander, John Laurens challenged Charles Lee to a duel.

Alexander Hamilton was the one who wanted to duel Lee in the first place, but General Washington forbade him, so John agreed to duel Lee for him.

Now John sat in his tent, on the bunk he and Alexander shared, staring blankly at the gun on his bedside table. "Do it for Alex." He reminded himself.

The tent opened and Alexander came in, a worried expression on his face.

"Are you sure you're able to do this?" He asked, sitting next to John. "I know my grudge again Lee isn't yours, I know you two are friendly with one another."

"I'm fine, Lex. I can put my personal opinions aside for you." Alexander frowned.

"You shouldn't have to! I never should have asked you to duel Lee for me, I should have just-"

"Alexander! You're the closest friend I've got. I'd even die for you, if that's what you would ask of me. One duel wouldn't change that." John leaned his head on Alexander's shoulder, when Alexander didn't reply, he continued. "Honestly, after all we've been through together I think you'd realize I'd do just about anything for you."

John looked up at Alexander, who was staring at him with a red face. The realization of what he had just said finally hit John, and he distanced himself from Alexander. "That is, I mean- as friends, of course! Nothing else!"

Alexander looked away, disappointed. "Oh, right. As friends, of course."

The tent opened again, and Aaron Burr poked his head in. "Lee accepts. He wants to duel once the sun is in the sky." John nodded in agreement as Aaron left them.

John and Alexander sat in silence for a few seconds, an awkward tension in the air. "I... I should go. Washington said he wanted to speak with me." John didn't reply as Alexander hurriedly left him in his own company.

John picked up his pistol, methodically fiddling with the trigger. A feeling of dread loomed over him like a dark cloud, but he forced it down. It's just a duel, Lee and I aren't aiming to kill each other. He thought desperately.

John and Lee weren't exactly friends but they had always gotten along fairly well, at least until Lee insulted General Washington, then John had to side with Alexander. Would Lee consider that an act of betrayal and think John was a threat that needs to be disposed of? Surely not, Charles Lee was a coward, he wouldn't kill out of malice.

Still, John couldn't shake the sense of impending doom which was threatening to crush him like a bug.

So like the rest of his problems, John decided to push it all away to deal with later. The sun would be high in the sky now, John figured he'd rather not be late.

John opened his tent and took in all the sights, unsure if he'd see them again. It's not as if he was scared of death, in fact he often saught it out during battles. But something about this duel didn't sit right with him, he couldn't put his finger on it.

"John!" Alexander ran up to him and dragged him back into the tent.

"Alex? Let me go, the duel-"

"I love you." Alexander grabbed John by the shoulders, forcing John to look at him.

John was taken aback. "Y-yeah, I love you too? I mean we're best friends and all."

"No. John, listen-" Alexander faltered slightly, John could tell he was searching for the right words. Alexander huffed and pulled John in for a kiss, John gasped and pulled himself away.

Alexander stared at him, hurt. They were silent for a moment. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that-"

Alexander couldn't finish his sentence before John launched himself at him, returning the kiss. "Don't... don't apologize." John buried his face into Alexander's neck.

The two embraced each other, every once in a while sharing small kisses.

Then Alexander just had to open his mouth. "Shit- the duel! We're late!" John huffed and pulled away from Alexander.

"Stupid duel."

Alexander and John rushed over to the field, where Charles Lee was waiting impatiently. Aaron Burr was standing next to him, ushering the two over.

"Sorry, Lee. Lost track of time."

"Likewise. Let's go."

"Lee, our seconds need to meet." John spoke up, slightly unnerved by Lee's hateful stare. John felt his heart speed up. It's okay, Laurens. We aren't aiming to kill.

Burr and Alexander walked away from the duelers, and John watched as their conversation got rather heated before Alexander stormed off to rejoin John.

After a few more minutes of waiting, the doctor arrived, Burr hurried over to hand him some money and turn him around.

"Did you write a note?" John gulped. I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die. He handed Alexander his letter, which he hoped he would never have to open.

This was it. The duel was about to commence.

John and Lee nodded briefly to one another before stepping away.

One, two, three...

John once again fiddled with the trigger of his pistol.

Four, five, six...

The South Carolinian drew in a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves.

Seven, eight, nine...

John didn't have another thought before the sound of a gunshot ripped through the air. Lee shot early.

But John couldn't feel the bullet hit him. Surely Lee had missed?

The agony hit him full force as he crumbled into the grass, and he cried out.

Alexander was quick to pull him up to his lap.

Lee's voice sounded distant, but John could still male out the words. "Laurens, do you yeild?!"

Alexander let out a sob as the world became blurry. "You shot him in the heart..."

The heart? Is that where all the blood is coming from?

The doctor was ushered over to John's slowly dying figure, he took one look and sighed. "He's already just about gone."

"No, fuck! I shouldn't have let you challenge Lee, I'm so sorry, John." Alexander pulled John closer, not caring that he was getting blood all over his uniform.

John breathed shakily, bringing a trembling hand up to Alexander's cheek.

"Don't... Don't blame... yourself." He smiled. "I'll see you on the other side."

Then everything stopped.

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A/N: Thank you for reading, idk what to put here.

Please request oneshot ideas!