The Second Shot

Chapter Four

"Why are you here?" Eacker asked, opening the door to see Hamilton.

Hamilton looked at his feet with his arms crossed. "I'm locked out of my house, and I can't ring the doorbell because then my parents will get mad, and I need a place to stay the night."

"How do you even know where I live?" Eacker asked.

"I saw you walk into this house, so I assumed it was yours."

"Well there's a nice homeless shelter two streets over, I'm sure they'll let you stay there for one night." Eacker said, going to close the door.

"Please!" Hamilton pleaded, stopping the door with his foot.

"No."

"But it's October, and almost eleven at night!" Hamilton argued.

"Congratulations- you know what month and time it is!" Eacker said sarcastically.

"If you don't let me in, I'm going to freeze to death on your front step, and then you'll go to jail for letting me die."

"Not if I say I didn't know you were there until the morning, you should know this since you study law, you idiot."

"With our history? I doubt the court will believe that."

Eacker realized he wasn't going to be able to get rid of Hamilton. "Fine." He said harshly.

"Really?" Hamilton asked, his face lighting up.

Eacker opened the door wider and sarcastically gestured for Hamilton to come in.

Hamilton didn't hesitate, and hurried inside to escape the cold.

"If you touch anything I'll kick you out." Eacker called to Hamilton, who was exploring the small house, as he went upstairs to find the younger man a spare pillow and blanket.

"Where am I sleeping?" Hamilton asked when Eacker came down the stairs again.

"Couch or floor, your choice." Eacker answered, tossing the blanket and pillow to Hamilton.

"Where are you going?" Hamilton asked as Eacker began to climb the stairs again.

"To bed. Goodnight."

-time skip-

"Eacker." Hamilton said as he shook Eacker out of sleep.

"What?" Eacker grumbled.

"It's cold downstairs."

"So?"

"I'm cold."

"Again, so?"

"I can't sleep because it's cold."

"It's better than sleeping on my front steps."

"Eeeeeeackerrrrrrr." Hamilton whined, shaking Eacker again.

"If I let you sleep in the bed with me, will you shut up and leave me alone?"

There was a beat of silence as Hamilton considered the option. "Ok." He agreed, crawling under the covers.

Eacker closed his eyes and let sleep take him once again.

(I think that this is going to take place back in 1803 like I said it would, but with more modern clothing, heating, plumbing, lighting, and better treatment of the mentally ill.)