Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The door slammed behind him, the winter chill nipping at his face. Shit Seabury was going to be so fucking mad. It wasn’t even his fault this time, he bit his tongue, he did what he was told, stayed quiet. He did everything he was supposed to do! Alex cursed under his breath kicking the snow off the front porch, this was just great another home ripped from him. Though home with King was a very strong word, more like a fucking prison. He shuddered, honestly fuck it, he’d find his ways on the street he wasn’t fucking going back. Not with King. Not with how he treated him like his pet.

He groaned, pulling the thin blue hoodie closer to him. Why the hell is New York so damn cold. It doesn’t make any damn sense for one place to be so cold all the time. The hoodie wasn’t doing enough to stop the bitter wind. He gripped the bag on his shoulder, it was surprising light. King didn’t let him take anything he deemed ‘his’, even his phone that was provided from CPS was taken.

Alex began walking briskly, just getting away from that God forsaken house. With the creaky steps that told on him when he risked leaving his room ‘stealing’ food. He wouldn’t of have to steal from King if he just fed him prior but no that was too damn hard for King. He huffed bitterly.The windows that shook with the smallest breeze, the scratchy blanket full of holes that let the cold in. The harsh floor where he was forced to sleep, he lost bed ‘privileges ’ a long time prior. It was tauntingly close, he was forced to sleep in front of the beg like a damn mutt. That was King’s favorite name for him.

Every time he tried to sleep on the bed King found him, he still came into Alex’s ‘room’ throughout the night, though if Alex was awake King left him alone, he didn’t do anything he only watched before leaving,he learned that quickly. His footsteps awoke Alex like dogs to the bell, anything to avoid that.

The sun was getting lower and lower, the snow heavier, and he was colder. His fingers were numb to the bone, it was getting hard to walk. His feet were aching, his throat dry and the perpetual hunger he was far too accustomed to. Central Park came into view, he must have walked a lot further than he had thought. He was all the way from Southern Queens. He had never been allowed this far or in Manhattan at all. King said Manhattan would rot his brain. That he was to never ever to go there under any circumstance. “Sucks to suck King, you don’t own me anymore.” Alexander ran forward into the park ducking underneath trees without leaves, before finding a secluded bench in the park. Sighing in relief Alex laid down using his black bookbag as a makeshift pillow, curling into himself trying to save the last bit of heat he had left.

Chapter Text

Alex woke up shaking his fingers curling around the blankets on his bed. Wait- blankets? A bed? Where the hell was he? He scrambled out of the bed nearling falling onto the floor. Gripping the side of the nightstand next to the overwhelming large bed. Alexander glanced around the very fancy room, a large white bed, two dark oak nightstands on either side of the large bed. Across from the bed was a mahogany desk with a TV mounted above it. Light gray curtains hid the large window. A walk in closet by the door. Where is he, how did he get here? “Did I die? Is that why everything is white?” Alexander thought to himself frantically.

A loud knock rang out from the door across from him. Alex ran to hide, throwing open the closet door and hiding behind it as a large man walked cautiously into the room. “Son?” He glanced around walking by the closet, Alex’s heart rate raced, clutching his chest breathing heavily. Eyes peered in between the shades of the closet door.

“Son? Hey, it’s okay-” The large man stepped back away from the closet putting his hands out in front of him. “Do you want to come out?” He paused before continuing, “Okay, that’s okay. My name is George Washington, my son Gilbert found you with some of his friends. Me and my wife Martha brought you to our house, Son Gilbert thought you were going to die. You will be okay though, my wonderful Martha is a nurse she took care of you ”

Alex slowly opened the door, fright was etched into his face. George felt his heart twist in his chest. The poor teen in front of him, underweight and scared. How could anyone let their kid get like this? Shaking like a leaf in the wind, matted hair and a sunken frame. Those eyebags you could sink into like a ship in the ocean. Alex stepped out but just barely, halfway in halfway out, his eyes darting around the room glancing towards the exits. His hands gripped his thin hoodie pulling on the hoodie strings as if looking for comfort. Washington felt his heart twist in pity, he was so young but here he was freezing on a park bench earlier, wherever he was before didn’t take care of him. Washington clenched his teeth, a rage bubbling under his throat. He took a deep breath swallowing it down, that rage is for later, whoever did this. It was rather obvious that this teen was neglected or abused or that’s what Martha had told him while examining the boy.

Speaking of that, “Son? Can I get your name?” George waited patiently in front of Alex. He replied meekly, “Alex- Alexander Hamltion.” George backed up and beckoned him forward. “Do you want to come downstairs?” Alex froze before hesitantly nodded walking towards George. The tall man stepped out from the room leading Alex down a large hallway with gray plush carpet to a set of stairs. Dark hardwood stairs led into the side of the living room, hell even just the stairs themselves were worth more than anything he had ever owned combined. Alex was confused, why even bother with him, he was homeless on the street in NYC no one normally bothered him before when he had done this.

The stairs creaked beneath him, a gasp escaped his throat, shit just like King’s stairs in his house. His breath picked up as his hands shaked as he went down the stairs, curling into the living, curling into his death. George turned back to check on Alex, he froze, oh God he knew that he was fucked up. George’s eye pierced his soul, Alex scratched against his arms, deep red marks lined his wrist, not all of them were from him.
Alex looked down, un deux trois, he breathed in, uno dos tres, breathe out. Inhale, exhale. His hands shook, he gripped the dark railing. Un deux trois, one two three, uno dos tres, one two three. He walked down the stairs. His feet landed on the hardwood floor, he let out a shaky sigh. George stood in front of him, “Son?” Alex looked up, “Yes… Sir?” George ushered to the living room, “Follow me please. My wife would like to see that you are doing well.” He stepped forward.

The living room was spacious, large sofas and a soft recliner chair, as well as a large TV on a mantle over the fireplace. Alex shivered, his clothes were still damp, he gripped his hoodie string, rolling it over his fingers. He stepped further into the room. George walked past Alex and into the kitchen. An older lady sat on the couch, a baking show played in the background, her hair was up in a bun on the top of her head. She glanced over and broke into a smile, “Oh! Good! You’re awake, can I get you anything? Maybe some new clothes?” She paused, “I didn’t want to scare you by being in different clothes when you woke up.” She stood up and frantically looked him up and down, “Oh! Gilbert!” she called upstairs. “Please grab some spare clothes!”

There was a thump on the stairs before a head popped out, “Oui mama?” A tall highschooler stood there, black curly hair and dark skin. “You called?” The woman looked up and beamed, “Please grab some extra clothes for..” She paused, “I’m sorry I didn’t get your name.” She gasped, “And I didn’t give you mine, I’m Martha, Martha Washington, I see you’ve meant my husband George, and Gilbert is our son.” Alex just nodded, everything was overwhelming, Gilbert ran down the stairs and held out his hand, “Please call me Laf or Lafayette. Only my parents call me Gilbert,” He shot Martha an exasperated look. “I’ll grab you some clothes. Don’t worry I have impeccable style.” Laf shot him a smile and went back up the way to fancy stairs Alex’s thought. “It’s Alex-.. you can call me Alex.”

Martha smiled, “It’s wonderful to meet you Alex.” A loud sounded out from the kitchen Alex jumped, “Ah that must be George, he is quite the cook.” Martha walked to the kitchen as a voice rang out from upstairs, “Oh Alex! I have clothes for you.” He fidgeted before walking up the stairs counting the stairs that creaked, just in case. He wasn’t going to be caught, not again, he couldn’t live through what King had done.

Alex ducked his head into the room where Laf was standing. “I saw your clothes and that wouldn’t do.” He shoved a pile into Alex’s hands, “Here's a bunch, you can take all of them!” Alex just stood there, “Thank you.” Alex mumbled. He glanced around the room, purple walls covered in posters and photos, one caught his eye. A group of three highschoolers with Lafayette in the middle, one side a short stocky teen with a blue bandana across his head, on the other side was a tan teen with numerous freckles and long curly hair pulled into a ponytail, dark green eyes with his mouth curled into a smile. God he was gorgeous, Alex turned away, Lafayette laughed, “I see you’ve noticed John” Laf grabbed the photo and pointed to the freckled face. “That’s John Laurens, he’s over here all the time, I swear he’s here more than I am. And I live here!” He exclaimed, “ The person on my other side is Herc, Hercules Mulligan. He’s also here all the time,” Laf blushed, “He’s my boyfriend.” Lafayette smiled softly, “Anyways! Go and try on the clothes!” Alex smiled and walked to the room he had woken up to early this morning.

At least Lafayette wasn’t lying, he did have good taste. He grabbed a dark green sweater and baggy sweatpants, a tad too big but it works. And now he wasn’t in damp cold clothes, he shivered. He grabbed his backpack that he noticed was on the edge of the bed, just like he used to be. He grabbed a hairbrush he stole back from King, he fixed his hair and ponytail. Un deux trois ,one two three, uno dos très. Hopefully his next ‘home’ wouldn’t be to bad, fuck he had to call Seabury.

Chapter Text

Alex sat on the bed wearing Laf’s clothes, he really needed to call Seabury, but God, what was the point anymore, everywhere he had been was his own hell. At least for now he was warm, nor was his hair matted from running, King hated that his hair was long but wasn’t willing to take him to get it cut, and for once Alex was thankful for that, he liked his hair longer thank you very much.

The dark green sweater hung off of his frame, it was far too big, there was the same issue with the pants, both too tall and too loose though at least it hid everything that King did, or Alex sighed, what he did to himself. His leg bounced, what was he going to do now, he can’t go back. He won’t go back, King will fucking kill him, choking him out again, not letting go, til he couldn’t breathe. Un deux trois, one two three, uno dos tres.

Alex walked downstairs, shit he needed to ask to borrow a phone, he walked into the living room, everyone was there. His breath quickened, the three inhabitants of the house sat on the couch chatting, they stopped as soon as he stepped down the stairs. He looked to Laf, “Thank you, for letting me borrow your clothes.” Laf just smiled, “Of course mon ami!!”

Alex forced a smile, “Excuse me Laf is there a phone I can call with?” Laf shot up in an instant, “Of course my friend,” He pulled out a small phone, unlocked it and handed it to Alex. “If you would like, you can go and take it upstairs to call in private.” Alex nodded, “Thank you, I’ll be right back.” He climbed the stairs to the room he has been staying in.

His hands shook, breathing in, un deux trois, breathing out uno dos tres, he punched the numbers in, the phone rang, and rang, and rang, no one picked up. Fucking typical of Seabury to not pick up when he needed him to. It went to voicemail, whatever he could just leave him a piece of his mind, ‘Seabury? It’s Alex. I left King’s just like I said I would, he was choking me, among other things- not that you believed me, he mumbled, ‘I’m at George Washington's house, his family found me covered in bruises, they believed me unlike you, I’m not going back with King. Call me back.’

He covered his face with his hands sighing, now what? No one to take him in, he doesn’t even know where he is, New York probably? Though maybe not too close to the city, Alex peered out of the window, he couldn’t see the skyline. Hyping himself up Alex got up and went back downstairs, he needed to give the phone back to Laf.

“Laf?” Alex turned the corner walking into the kitchen, Laf stood there talking with Martha animatedly throwing his hands around a bright grin plastered on his face. “Laf?” He turned around gesturing to Alex, “Mon ami, how’s it going?” Alex gave a shaky thumbs up, “It’s going alright, I have your phone, thank you for letting me borrow it.” Laf smiled, “Of course! Is yours dead, I have some chargers you can borrow!” Alex paused, “I don’t have a phone.”

Laf stopped staring questioningly , “But you need a phone?” Alex shrugged, “I don’t, haven’t been giving one, and if I do buy one I’m not allowed to keep them.” Laf didn’t say anything till Martha interrupted, “Alex darling, were you able to get in contact with your parents sweetie?” Alex held his breath waiting for their imminent freak out, “I don’t have parents. I’m a foster kid”

Martha merely nodded, “Did you get in contact with your guardians then? Or your caseworker?” Alex shook his head, “My caseworker didn’t pick up, I did leave him a voicemail though.” Martha just sighed, “Sounds about right for the foster care system. Anyways, would you like something to eat? You’re practically skin and bones my dear.” Alex nodded, “Yes please ma'am.” Martha beamed, “Wonderful!” She clapped her hands together, “We made mac and cheese for lunch! Though if you don’t like it, or if you are allergic I can make something else.” Alex spoke again, “No need ma’am that sounds perfect to me.”

Martha smiled, “Marvelous, Gilbert dear would you please grab some bowls and silverware for everyone.” Laf nodded and ran to the cabinets, “Thank you mama” He handed the dishes to her, Martha looked around, “Oh Darling! George, I made lunch!” The looming figure walked into the kitchen with a smile, “Thank you Martha you doll-” He quickly spotted Alex standing awkwardly in the corner, “How are you feeling son? I noticed that Gilbert lended you some clothes, that was smart.” Alex smiled meekly, “I’m okay sir, thank you.”

He nodded, the kid was still shaking like a leaf but at least he was in some warm clothes and getting something warm in his stomach small mercies. A buzzing filled the air as Laf fiddled with his phone, an unknown number was calling back. “Alex? I think it's your caseworker?” Alex walked over briskly and glanced down, fuck it was, he was in so much shit. “It is, may I take this into the other room.” Laf nodded “Of course mon ami.” He shooed him out into the living room.

“Seabury? Hello?” Static cut throw before screaming started, “ALEX- WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU- WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU LEFT KING- I KNOW HIM PERSONALLY HE WOULD NEVER DO THAT YOU LIAR-” George stormed out and grabbed the phone from his hand, “Who do you think you are talking to like that-” He sounded pissed, “How could you not belive him, the boy is covered in bruises and thirty pounds underweight- You IMBECILE!” George paused for a minute before continuing his rant, “Get Alex another caseworker, you have proved yourself useless, Mr. Seabury.”

Alex could hear a scoff sound out from the phone, “Or what-? Who do you think you are?” George took a deep breath, “George Washtigon, perhaps you know me as a sitting member of the board of New York State, ACF? The Administration for Children and Families, though I’m not sure you would be informed due to the lack of knowledge you seem to acquire, or lack thereof.” Alex stood there in shock, how did he manage to get picked up by one of the dudes who run the entire system that he so hates. “Transfer me to your supervisor, I can not stand your attitude and negalence, I will make sure you are fired, you pathetic excuse of a guardian.”

Martha ushered him towards the kitchen as George stepped outside. “You might want to let him handle this, he does not do well with people abusing or neglecting their kids, that’s why he ran for board, to fix the mess of the system. Alex just nodded in disbelief, what the fuck. Martha smiled, “Anyways- you need to eat honey I made a bowl for you!” She led him to the dining room where Laf sat there chowing down on his food, his face brightened when he saw them both. Alex began to eat, it was rather good all things considered, he was just still perplexed, but at least it means no more King, a win is a win none the less. “Is papa taking care of the nightmare caseworker? I could hear him yelling from the phone even from here.” Martha nodded, “How there are people so lazy to not watch their children or foster kids is beyond me, it serves him right.” Martha turned to him, “How are you doing honey? George can be a bit intense but never mean, he is very passionate.” Alex stared before answering, “I’m okay, a tad shaken but mostly confused, he doesn't know me why is he fighting for me, none of you know me but you all are being very kind. It’s a tad strange.” Alex shrugged, “But thank you, I appreciate it.” Martha stared back at him with a concerned look on her face, Laf mirrored her expression, “You don’t have to know a person in order to care about them and want the best for them.” Laf nodded in agreement.

Alex turned as the backdoor opened, George stepped in looking satisfied, he handed the phone back to Laf thanking him. “Son, I have-” He paused, “Discussed with your caseworker, we have decided that it might be best for you to get a new one, for now if you would like you can stay here.” Alex was silent for an uncomfortable amount of time, “Alex?” Laf looked at him, “You could meet John? I saw how you looked at the picture.” Alex blushed before nodding, “If I am able to I would not be opposed as long as I am not intruding.” Martha shot him a comforting smile, “You are not intruding honey, stay as long as you need.” Laf and Geroge nodded, “I should hear back from another caseworker by tomorrow.” Laf stood up, “Alex my friends will be here soon, would you like to go upstairs in the meantime? I can help find extra bedding for the guest room.” Alex stood up and nodded, “Thank you Laf”, he turned to the couple, “Thank you both for your hospitality, I’ll be out of your hair soon.” Laf ushered him upstairs, all things he was excited to meet this John Laurens, his freckles and eyes were breathtaking in the photo, probably more in person.

As the two teenagers went upstairs Martha and Geroge sat down in the living room, Martha looked at her darling husband. “We are keeping that boy, he needs someone who is steady and understands.” George nodded, “Already planned on it, I talked to Seabury supervisor, Seabury is fired first off, and made sure our fostering license is up to date, tomorrow I should get the phone call with the official offer and paperwork.” Martha turned on the TV and hummed, “Thank you honey, I love you.” He looked at her, “I love you more my darling.”