Raise A Glass {Lams}

::Seventeen::

"Are we going to talk about this?" 

"I don't think so."

"Tell me one thing..."

"Yes?"

"Do you not love me?"

"I will always love you."

John let himself be enveloped in hugs when he stepped back into their New York apartment. 

"We were so worried, mon ami!" Lafayette chided Alexander. "Oh mon dieu, you are okay, right John?"

John laughed a little as Hercules rubbed his thumb over the dark bruises on his cheek and the small cut on his arm. Alexander smiled, letting his new boyfriend be comforted by their best friends. John glanced over at Alexander, nervously. Alexander gave a small, comforting smile at John and John's eyes glazed over with tears.

"C'mon," Alexander said, throwing an arm over John. "Let's go put your bags away."

John nodded, burying his face into Alexander's side. He was never happier to be back in their cramped apartment with their tiny kitchen. Because he was home. With Laf and Hercules. Home with his turtle and boxes of cookies and cereal. And home with his Alexander. 

Alex tossed John's luggage onto the floor and sat on John's bed. He opened his arms to John and John practically dove into them, letting his body curl around his quilt. He was safe again. 

"You're gonna be okay," Alexander whispered, kissing the top of John's head while rubbing soft circles on John's back. "I promise."

"How do you know?" John whimpered, so helpless it hurt Alex physically. John buried his face into Alexander's chest, willing himself not to cry when he felt the familiar hot tears forming in his eyes. "How do you know my dad won't track me down? Hurt me?"

"Listen to me, John Laurens, you are safe. You are loved. Lafayette, Hercules, and I...we wouldn't let anything bad happen to you. You aren't alone here, you aren't exposed, we're going to protect you. I, me, your boyfriend, your best friend...I will protect you. Both physically and mentally, we are here for you. We won't let any fucking bastard lay a finger on you. Alright?"

John didn't answer, the only noise Alexander heard were soft sobs. He could feel John's fragile shoulders shaking against his torso and his lips producing little hiccups. Alexander smiled, slightly, down at John. He didn't tell John not to cry, he knew John deserved to cry. After the hell he'd been through, it would be worse if he didn't cry. If he didn't just let it all out and have a good cry. Cry out the Henry Laurens. Cry out the abuse. Cry out the South Carolina. 

"Need a tissue?" Alexander asked, in the softest voice possible. 

"N-no," John looked up from Alexander's chest and ran the back of his hand across his puffy eyes. He fully sat up, leaning slightly against Alexander. "I'll be alright."

John felt Alexander's hand being intertwined with his own. Their bodies so close, John could feel Alexander's heart fluttering against his back. And, for once, John believed his words. He'd be alright.

"Sorry for the mess," Maria said, quickly, as she opened her dorm door to Eliza. Eliza took a step in, Maria was in the middle of getting ready. She had one earring on and was currently putting the other on. "I didn't really get the chance to clean it up..."

"It's alright," Eliza said, situating herself on Maria's unmade bed. She sat and watched the other girl flitter around the small room, grabbing things. Eliza noticed she was having trouble zipping up the back of her dress so she got up.