Modern University AUThird POV
John Laurens wasn't exactly the type to bring roses and a cheesy Hallmark card to a Valentine's day dinner. But that said, that was exactly what he was doing late one February night, standing in the doorway of one Alexander Hamilton. John knocked on the door, timid at first, then louder. It opened to reveal Alex, beaming with a stained apron hung around his neck. He opened the door wide for John, before pulling him into a warm hug. It's good to finally see him, thought John.
John had been in South Carolina, for an obligatory family reunion. John loved his family deeply but there was something about the place's overwhelming heat and blatant conservatism that made him altogether uncomfortable. It had been years since John had come out to them, but there were still painful moments in the dinner table discussions that made him want to board a plane and get back to New York with Alex as soon as possible. But this trip had been worse than the others.
It started with the bus. John had stood at the bus station outside the airport in the blistering heat, praying that the bus would have air conditioning. Alas, it did not. He stepped onto the bus only to find it packed, with only space to stand. John picked up his suitcase as headed to the back of the bus.
John's POV
"What's on your shirt?" A little girl, maybe 5 years old pointed to my shirt. It had a picture of Jonathan Groff on it surrounded by rainbows. Nice. "Oh, uh, that's Jonathan Groff," I replied. The girl's mother looked up at me, confused. "Uh, he was in Glee? Looking? This musical- uh- Spring Awakening? Hamilton?" The girl was no longer interested but her mother continued to stare. "Glee?" She looked at the rainbows, the edges of her mouth turning into a slight frown. "Isn't that a little- you know..." I left before she had the chance to spew the inevitable insults to follow. I pushed my way to the front of the bus and got off as soon as I could, a few stops early and walked the rest of the way to my dad's house.
While the encounter on the bus could have gone so much worse, it left a sour taste in my mouth, a reminder of what privilege I had to live in New York. There, I could wear the Groff shirt without getting a second glance, except maybe by the occasional Broadway fanatic. The sun was starting to set as I reached the house, providing a much wanted relief from the heat. Long shadows stretched across lawns and driveways. There was still enough light, however, to read the large sign planted squarely in the center of my father's garden.
"TRUMP"
My breath caught in my throat. The Laurens family didn't talk politics that much, as it would inevitably lead to a fight but, my god, how am I supposed to finesse my way out of a fight this time?
To be continued...
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Raise a Glass to Freedom
FanfictionJust regular ol' Laurens x Hamilton oneshots Mostly fluff Comment story ideas you want me to write! ~Cather