"Then I'll do it."
"Laurens- John, do not throw away your shot."
Alexander hated Charles Lee. He knew John also hated Charles Lee. He'd be surprised if there was someone who actually liked Charles Lee in this army because everyone hated Charles Lee, but per General Washington's orders, kept their mouths shut.
The past weeks were a mess. The revolution had started. The war had started. He had been appointed General Washington's Right Hand Man. Going from battle to battle, losing soldiers left right and center with no end in sight.
They had just returned from the Battle of Monmouth. Mr. Charles Lee was appointed General - and he completely fucked everything up. A thousand soldiers dead because of him. And afterwards had to go and insult General Washington, tell everyone how he felt, tell everyone lies about the General. Which is how they ended up here.
Alex wanted to be the one that dueled Lee. Not John.
Alexander was given direct orders to not duel Lee. So was John.
Still, he agreed to be John's second. He had thought it was a good idea in the moment. Brought in a doctor that he knew. He stood by, negotiated with Burr - who was Lee's second - talked with Lee and John too, and when negotiation didn't work, when Lee refused to apologize, the duel was agreed upon. And so it commenced.
Standing in a large circle, each waiting for the moment the count got to ten. Pistols in hand, studying the terrain, waiting for it to start.
Then it started.
1
Alexander wasn't even the one in the duel and he was terrified. What if John was shot?
What if he, Alexander, threw away his shot by waiting?
2
He watched them take their positions, ready their pistols.
His heart was pounding, the adrenaline of the fight that wasn't even his own was coursing through his veins.
Most disputes end, no one shoots, maybe this would be one of those times?
3
The feelings hadn't wavered - he wondered if Burr could see how he felt in this moment as he watched John prepare to fire.
Was this really happening?
4
No, this was too fast, he wanted to step in and stop it - but Lee needed to pay for his words.
Laurens wouldn't appreciate being pulled away like some damsel needed to be saved.
5
He saw the doctor turn around, so he could have deniability.
It was looking like a shot was going to be fired, looking less and less like a dispute that would die.
John please, don't do this. We can kill him some other way.
6
He was getting desperate now - it seemed like time was going way too fast and yet, way too slow.
He didn't notice Burr look over and see the strain on his face. The notice that Alexander was trying not to run in and yell stop.
7
It was midday, sun high in the sky. Any minute the General might find them.
They'd all get in so much trouble. Was it bad he wanted the General to find them now, before the pistols could fire?
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How Does a Man Have Another Man so Helpless?
FanfictionAlexander finds himself falling for a man - John Laurens - for seemingly the first time. Not understanding what's happening, he tries to ignore it to little avail. Or Lams first meeting + 10 duel commandments + winter ball/helpless this story and mo...
