Falling Through Time: Basking in Firelight: Book 2

Fight for Life

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Warnings: Heartbreak. Your heart is gonna break into thousands of little pieces.

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Hamilton stared at the empty place in the bed next to him. He was staying in a hotel room again. Jefferson was still at the hospital and the days were ticking away before the Convention would start. Screw the convention. Hamilton wanted Jefferson in his arms again.

He couldn't stand the empty bed. Jefferson was supposed to be there. He was supposed to steal all the blankets and pillows as they slept until Hamilton had to get up and climb inside the cacoon Jefferson had made, shoving Jefferson over so there'd be enough room. Jefferson was supposed to grumble every second of it but wrap himself around Hamilton as soon as he stopped moving. Jefferson was supposed to be there for Hamilton to bicker with. To be there so Hamilton could hold him and play music with him.

But he wasn't. And Hamilton couldn't stand it anymore. He launched out of bed, pulled on some clothes, made a cup of coffee, and then another cup, and then a pot which he drained in two seconds. He couldn't take another moment of this. He needed Jefferson. He couldn't live without him anymore. The door of the hotel room got flung open as he stomped his way downstairs and walked down to the hospital. He didn't stop when the lady tried to check him in. They knew who he was by now and if they couldn't just check him in themselves then fuck it. He didn't care. He burst into Jefferson's room, snatched up his hand and half shouted, half pleaded with him.

***

Jefferson was sitting comfortably on the couch in the library in Monticello reading a book while Hamilton was curled up beside him. Jefferson smiled, this was all he could ask for. This was all that he needed. A warm fire, a comfortable house, a book to read, and Hamilton by his side. He shifted and ran his hands through Hamilton's hair. Jefferson couldn't be happier than he was in that moment.

"Thomas!" Hamilton shouted. Jefferson jumped and looked down at Hamilton, but he was just reading, he hadn't even moved. "Thomas, please!" The fire guttered out in the fireplace. "Please! I can't take this anymore! Come back to me!"

Jefferson didn't understand, he looked down at Hamilton, but he was gone. "Alexander?" The house was suddenly cold and Jefferson shivered.

"I need you!"

Jefferson leaped to his feet. "Alexander?! Alexander, where are you?!"

"Please, Thomas!"

Jefferson ran. Where was Hamilton? Hamilton needed him, he had to be there for him. He burst out if the library door and looked around and ran upstairs and started checking rooms. He had to be here somewhere.

"Goddamnit, Thomas! Get your ass back here!"

Jefferson ran back into the hallway and glimpsed Hamilton disappearing down the stairs. He ran after him, taking the stairs three at a time as Hamilton walked out the front door, he turned to face Jefferson, reaching out to him, a kind smile on his face. Thomas, he seemed to mouth silently.  Jefferson stretched to reach, two steps away.

"Wake up!"

The door slammed shut right before Jefferson could touch Hamilton's hand. He pounded against the door crying desperately, but the door wouldn't open. He'd been too late. His fingers scratched the paint as he fell through the floor screaming, darkness enveloping him.

***

Hamilton collapsed back into his chair. Jefferson didn't even twitch.

"Alexander," Jefferson mumbled.

Hamilton was on his feet in an instant. "Thomas?" Jefferson didn't respond. Hamilton clutched Jefferson's hand tightly, praying with every bit of his body. After a couple of minutes and nothing new, Hamilton sat back into his chair. Lafayette walked in a moment later.

"Alex! How are you?" he asked wrapping Hamilton in a hug, "How is Thomas?" he asked after pulling away.

"I thought he woke up for a moment but no such luck."

"Really? That's good news, he might wake up soon."

"Maybe..." Hamilton looked over at the sleeping Jefferson, only to find him looking at Lafayette. Hamilton smacked Lafayette and nodded toward Jefferson. Lafayette turned and gasped.

Hamilton couldn't move. He was in shock. He was so happy that he was just frozen. Lafayette took a step forward, "Jefferson?"

"Hey Lafayette," Jefferson said, his voice raspy from the lack of use.

"You're awake!" Lafayette cheered, running forward and hug tackling Jefferson.

"How long was I out? What happened?" Jefferson asked after Lafayette released him and taking in his surroundings, figuring out he'd been unconscious for a while going by Lafayette's reaction.

"Over six months I think," Lafayette replied.

Hamilton finally found it in him to be able to speak, though for some reason he still couldn't move his legs. He felt if he tried, they'd give out. "Thomas," Hamilton forced himself to say, "I'm so glad you're awake."

Jefferson glanced to Lafayette for a second before smiling politely at Hamilton. "I'm sorry, who are you?"

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