Hamilton One Shots

Teach Me (2)

Requested by: iPaintMelodies & TMNT5ive
OC: Fiona Jey

"Don't second guess yourself, dear. It's only a few more." Pressing a hand to the parchment on the table in front of her, Fiona cleared her throat. Her husband had been trying to understand her language, just as she once took the time to learn his. Just like every beginner, the words got stuck on the tip of his tongue every time he spoke.

John leaned his head against her shoulder. He felt defeated. Words spiraled through his mind as he tried to make sense of the letters on the page before him. All he wanted to do was make his wife proud. But he couldn't seem to catch onto the meanings behind each word.

"Once more?" Fiona's gentle tone brought him back to his senses. She linked their hands together, feeling her husband's tense attitude change. John barely nodded.

They had only gotten through two words, when John pushed back his chair and practically cried out, "I can't do this! I can't!" He covered his face, ashamed of himself.

Fiona let out a sigh. Her husband had been fidgety lately, unable to sit still. She was worried for him. When she had initiated the kiss almost two years ago, she never would have expected to find herself by his side for the rest of her days.

"John," she murmured softly into his ear. He pushed away from her and said something about needing a moment. Leaving his wife alone on the porch, he shoved his way into the house, feeling himself beginning to break down.

She tried to think of something else, something that would distract her. Once her husband found himself upset, he'd often write madly until he fell asleep. There was no greater pain to her dear John, than writing until his hand ached and he couldn't conjure up anymore clever sayings.

Plucking a fresh flower from the ground, Fiona sniffed it, savoring the scent. Her eyes shut as the aroma filled her heart. How she wished her husband could just take a breath of fresh air and wipe away all his stress.

She let her fingers run along the porch railing, the wood pinching her skin. Fiona flinched back, shaking her head. She mentally reminded herself to tell John to finish up painting the railing.

"Fiona." Looking up, she met eyes with her husband, who had only been in her train of thought a few seconds prior. As she went to say something, he cut her off.

"I'm needed in the field." When he noticed the affect of his words, the way her face crumbled in disappointment, he patiently said, "If I disobey this order, there could be-"

But he was silenced. His wife flung her arms around him, running a hand through his curly ponytail. His breathing had quickened the second she had leaped at him. It had been a while since they had shared this kind of affection.

John placed a hand on her back. "I'm going to be alright. Don't worry, love." Although his words were meant to be comforting to the both of them, neither of them felt anymore reassured.

Fiona could feel tears forming in her eyes, so she buried her head further against him. There was no words exchanged between them for quite some time. Occasionally, John would hush her cries, but otherwise stayed silent.

"Why do you have to leave again? What if this is the last time I see you? How am I supposed to live on my own?" Bursting in hysterics, she gripped her husband's shoulders. She couldn't afford to see his name on a tombstone.

"You'll see me again. I will home before you know it. Don't lose hope." He kissed her forehead and then her lips before slipping back inside the house to pack his things.

The next morning arrived almost too quickly for the two of them. John barely ate a meal, which only made her more nervous. Fiona tried to make conversation, to keep him for as long as she could. But when he insisted it was time to go, she couldn't force him to stay any longer.

"Have faith," he whispered, kissing her hand, as he stood in the doorway of their home. He shut his eyes momentarily, pressing his lips to her soft skin. He'd miss the sweet feeling of her embrace.

Fiona wiped her eyes. "Write to me. Your letters keep me hopeful of your return." He nodded several times, pulling his bag higher up on his shoulder.

There was the sound of whistles from other soldiers who had been assigned to the leave as well. John turned his head and sighed. He knew it was time to be on his way. But he wouldn't leave his wife just then.

Linking their hands together desperately, he murmured, "I will, with all the words my ink and heart can muster." He gently lifted her chin up and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.

"I love you," Fiona said when they broke the kiss apart. John paused before replying the exact phrase.

Forcing himself to turn away from her, he grabbed his bag and headed down the porch steps towards the street. Fiona leaned against the doorway, watching him walk away. When he reached the white painted gate, he turned and waved to her.

She waved back until he was just a dot on the horizon. And then his blue coat disappeared from sight. Once again, she found herself alone, with only the memory of his voice.

No one was even there to tell her that she would never see her husband breathing ever again. The next time she'd see him would be when his casket arrived in town.

Fiona couldn't predict any of that. So she just kept her head high and prayed for her husband's life. Prayed until she felt weak. And she wouldn't be aware until a few months ahead, that all her praying and efforts had only ended his life, not ignited it.

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A/N: Thank you iPaintMelodies and TMNT5ive for requesting a second part! I hope that you enjoyed it. And yes, I'm currently working on many one shots, so I'll probably be posting a few sometime soon for you guys. So if you requested something; its on the way!