Nothing /// Mullette Asylum Fic

14 - George Pls Win

Hercules
You could've heard a pin drop.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
"You can't be serious", Hercules said, tone flat despite the tears that came to his eyes.
George looked like he was about to cry, too. "I am. Schmidt has a grudge against you and reported to his superiors. They've deduced that your alcoholism has been cured and they're calling for your removal."

"What about Lafayette?" Hercules' voice cracked with emotion on his name.
George pinched the bridge of his nose and squeezed his eyes shut. "He has recovered greatly", he said finally. "But for health reasons, we need to keep him for another year at the very least. Maybe two."
Hercules' heart dropped. "T-two years?" he said faintly.
George nodded. Tears were falling down both men's faces now. "I'm so sorry, Hercules", he whispered.

"Is there anything that you could do, like convince them that I'm still struggling?" Hercules asked desperately.
"Are you?"
Hercules hesitated. "The addiction has lessened, but I still feel like if I left here, I'd go straight to the nearest bar", he admitted, hating to have to say the words out loud.
"We could plead against them", George said thoughtfully. "Although I don't want to go to court with the matter, I could plead that you're still recovering."

Hercules sighed with relief, feeling the energy drain from his body.
"But... they're admittedly probably going to win the debate", George said, wincing.
Hercules immediately was filled with adrenaline once again. "How big are our odds?" he asked worriedly.
"Pretty small."
"How small, George?"
"10% chance", George said quietly.
Hercules slumped in his seat.
"That's-", he said weakly. "That's not the best chance."
"I know."

"But, me leaving could result in Lafayette having a relapse", Hercules said, fresh tears falling even heavier from his eyes.
"That is a problem. A pretty major one. I could try and use that fact against them. I just don't know, Hercules", George sighed, looking as drained as Hercules felt.
Hercules nodded, and left, stumbling in a daze to Lafayette's room.

The Frenchman was curled up, asleep.
Hercules climbed into the bed with him and pulled him close to his chest.
"Hercules?" Lafayette mumbled, opening his eyes.
Hercules didn't respond, just grabbed his boyfriend by the waist and buried his face in the crook of his neck.
Lafayette placed a hand on his cheek in concern. He must've felt the tears because he muttered something in French and whispered, "What happened, mon amour?"
"I don't wanna say", Hercules murmured.
"You're still crying, Herc. Please."

"It would hurt you too."
"Hercules."
"Don't wanna."
"Hercules Mulligan, I swear to God, if you don't tell me what's wrong with you..."
Lafayette's voice sounded strained. Hercules slowly looked up at him. Tears were just barely visible in the Frenchman's eyes.
"Please don't cry, that makes it worse", Hercules frowned.
"Tell me."

"I'm being discharged next week."

Lafayette stared at him. Without saying a word, he wrapped his arms around Hercules' torso and sobbed into his chest.
Hercules pressed his cheek against Lafayette's curly hair, tears of his own sliding down his face.
"W-why?" Lafayette choked out.
"Schmidt really hates me", Hercules mumbled.
"Asshole."
"Basically."
"What's going happen? Where are you going to go? What am I going to do? I can't do this!"

He was panicking, breathing heavily and clutching at Hercules desperately.
"Breathe, Laf", Hercules said calmly. "Just breathe. In and out. Steady."
The Frenchman followed his instructions, slowly calming.
"What's going to happen?" he repeated quietly.
"I don't know", Hercules admitted. "But you'll most likely be flying solo for a while."

Lafayette stiffened. "I don't want to do that."
"I know, Laffy, I know, I don't either. We literally have no choice. George is fighting over it as we speak."
Lafayette sighed unhappily. "So we can only wait, non?"
"Seems like it."

[Yo, I'm Alex, I'm taking over the rest of this chapter cuz OG Author™ lost inspiration.]

Alexander (...I'm biased)
To say the power couple had lost their spark would be wrong. Quite the opposite, actually. Lafayette spent every moment he could clinging to Hercules, and panicked when the older boy was nowhere in sight.
Alex had no idea what was happening. He tried to get it out of Theodosia at his private therapy, but nothing. She changed the subject as quickly as possible when he asked.
Finally, Angelica approached him, looking grim.

John and Alex had been gazing over at Lafayette, who was curled into a half-asleep ball on Hercules' lap, with concerned expressions on their faces.
Angelica sat next to them. "Herc is being discharged in 5 days."
Alex and John simultaneously snapped their heads around. "What?" they chorused.
"That's why Laf is being so clingy", Alex added thoughtfully.
John looked on sadly as Hercules protectively wrapped his arms around Lafayette when the Frenchman finally surrendered to sleep.
Hercules looked over at John, Alex and Angelica. "I heard every word", he whisper-shouted. "Pretty sure Laf didn't. I'm gonna miss you guys."

"You shut up, George isn't done fighting for you yet!" Alex whisper-screamed back.
Hercules shrugged and looked sadly down at his sleeping boyfriend.
"How are we supposed to live without Hercules?" John exclaimed frustratedly.
"With Eliza and James running around after everyone again, probably", Angelica sighed, standing up. "I'll see you guys later."