Zero Two Three One | John Laurens X Reader [Hamilton]

XXX: One Lamb and One Shepherd

❝Find what you love and let it kill you.❞
—Charles Bukowski

November 25, 2058.

We snuck back into camp the next morning. Luckily, no one seemed to notice we were gone in the first place. We slipped in with the rest of the soldiers, all of whom were gathering their belongings to board onto the several Hawks, ready to fly off.

Right now, the Ocelots are getting directed onto the planes first, so we have some time before we have to board ourselves.

During that time, Alexander and I find Peggy and Rory, figuring that their company might make us less suspicious should anyone have their doubts. Luckily, it's very easy to find them sitting idly on a boulder.

We approach them, but we say nothing, as it sounds like they are already in a conversation.

"I didn't say I was going to miss Russia. I just said I was going to miss the weather," Rory shrugs.

"Are you kidding me?" Peggy scoffs. "It's cold as balls, and it's only going to get colder as winter rolls around! I'm glad we're going to be out of here."

"I like the cold."

"You complained about it every day for the past two weeks, Rory!"

"I think I'm starting to get around to it, yeah? Maybe I'll take Livonia to Alaska for our anniversary." After he says this, Peggy and Rory notice us.

"Oh, hey guys," Peggy smiles. "Where have you two been?"

Alexander shrugs innocently. "Just walking around."

Time heals all things I suppose. Peggy, no longer taking her medication, seems to be healing after the loss of Vincent. Rory is back to his usual self too. And although I am sure their hearts will still pang if they think about him too long, they have momentary peace. Like a lily in a vast field, blooming beautifully while it watches the scattered storms in the distance drift closer, flashing with lightning and roaring with deep thunder.

"Oh, and you probably shouldn't take your girlfriend to Alaska, Rory," I say lightheartedly. "There isn't much to look at."

"Hey, are you two going to miss Russia?" Peggy asks.

Alexander raises an eyebrow, seeming genuinely confused, as though Peggy just asked him why humans need oxygen to live. "Umm, no. Why would we?"

"I don't know," Peggy innocently grins, crossing one leg over the other. "I thought you might... Your mom is from Russia, isn't she?"

"Yeah, but not anywhere near here," I say, lying smoothly. "And it's been decades since she's been here."

"Ah, so you Russkies never visited Russia before? Well, before the war, yeah?" Rory asks. 

"No, we haven't," Alexander says, his tone somewhat tempered. "Russia is a shithole in case you haven't noticed. Not exactly the kind of place someone wants to visit for a little vacation."

"I'm sure the city is nice, yeah?" Rory says.

Alexander squints his eyes, seeming as though Rory asked him why we need thumbs. "It's not. Trust me."

"I think I'm just ready to get back to New York City when all this is over," I say.

"Yeah, but I wonder where we're getting transported now," Peggy sighs. "I think it's somewhere in Asia."

"I think we're going somewhere in Europe," Rory adds.

"Maybe the Middle East?" I suggest.

"I don't know," Alexander says. "And it doesn't matter. We keep failing wherever we go. Florida. Cuba. And now Russia."