it's the final oneshot holy sh*t-
pairing; john laurens x nurse! reader
time; hamiltime
warnings; lee being an *sshole
type of oneshot; angsty fluff?
requested?; nope
y'all I lowkey did some research so here you go take this improved oneshot
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~ a few days later: December 23, 1778 ~
Your POV
"Charles Lee has been challenged to a duel!"
' My darling (Y/N),
I am terribly sorry I couldn't see you tonight. I've been stuck writing letters and staying up late with Alexander and preparing to head out for God knows how long. I may be reckless, but I did not have the heart to say I am going to a duel.
General Lee could not get away with all the things he has said to General Washington; I had to do something. I hope you can forgive me no matter the circumstances.
Yours Always,
J. Laurens '
I had woke up to find that note folded neatly by my head. According to Lafayette, who was one of my only other male acquaintances in the army, said that a decent sized group of soldiers had left for the opposite end of Philadelphia for reasons I didn't know, including Washington, John, Alexander, Lee, and Burr. They had left late the night before.
The other end of Philadelphia was quite a bit away. We were in Pennsylvania, but I knew no matter when I left or how fast, I more than likely would miss the duel. So I had to wait and pray nothing went wrong.
John's POV
I felt like sh*t for just leaving (Y/N) with a note after not even visiting her like I said I would the night before. I wanted more than anything to see my wife right now and last night, but Alex had kept me with him writing letters, including another to (Y/N) in case this went south, before we had to leave.
As we got closer to the outskirts of the woods we were in, I knew what that meant. Lee and I's duel would take place right on the border of the woods. I could see the edge in the distance.
Alex was next to me, both of us on horseback as we rode behind Washington. He looked at me. "Are you ready, Laurens?"
I looked back at him. "Are you seriously askin' me that? Of course I'm f*ckin' ready! It's not like he's gonna apologize any time soon."
That threw the first dueling commandment out the window. Lee wouldn't apologize, so we had to duel. One of us would get the satisfaction.
We already had our seconds. That took care of the second commandment. Alex was mine. Burr was Lee's. Not the best combination of people if you asked me.
Alex and Burr had already - tried - to talk. But that only resulted in where we were going now. That took care of the third and fourth commandments. We had our pistols, we had a doctor on site.
The fifth commandment. We weren't exactly sure the time, but there was no sun in the sky just yet. We were lucky there was no snow on the ground; it was dry.
Six. I had wrote my note to (Y/N) already in case things went wrong. If things went wrong, perhaps I'd at least go to heaven.
As we got closer, my mind started wandering less rather than more. Confessing my sins. Did I even have any? If I did, it was leaving to this damn duel without a proper goodbye to my wife.
Before I knew it, we were on the edge of the woods. Eight. Sending in Alex and Burr for a last chance of negotiation.
I got into my position, glancing back only once to make sure Lee was doing the same only inches from me. I didn't turn back around, trying to keep my thoughts in control. Everything in me said "shoot him", because I knew damn well he wouldn't fire into the air. And I had (Y/N) to go back to.
When Alex came back looking somewhat pissed off, I knew it simply meant this was happening one way or another as the doctor turned around to have deniability. So that left two commandments.
Number nine. Look him in the eye, aim no higher. Summon all the courage you require, then count.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five.
Six.
Seven.
Eight.
Nine.
Ten paces. "FIRE!"
The word had barely left Alex and Burr's mouth as I whipped around, firing a shot straight into Lee's side. For my honor. For Washington's honor. For going home to (Y/N).
I watched as Lee stumbled over.
"Lee, do you yield?!" Alex called.
"You shot him in the side! Yes, he yields!" Burr responded, walking briskly over to Lee alongside the doctor.
"I'm satisfied," I smirked as Alex walked over to me.
"We gotta clear the--"
What Burr had started to say was cut off by another sound of pistol fire. I looked back over to Lee, who shakily held his pistol up. Mere seconds later, a searing pain started burning my chest.
I looked down at my chest, seeing a growing dark red splotch. I pressed my hand against the sudden wound, stumbling back against a tree. "Sh*t..!"
Alex's eyes widened. "What the--?! We need General Washington, stat!"
Everything after that moment was hazy. I simply remembered slouching against the tree from pain and that was that.
~
When I woke up, I didn't know what was happening at all. My eyes opened a little bit, but when I tried to shift a wave of pain washed over me and they closed again. I groaned quietly, suddenly feeling someone's hand in mine.
"Try not to move, John.."
At the sound of (Y/N)'s gentle voice, my eyes opened fully this time. Sure enough, my wife was standing next to the cot I was on, holding my hand tightly.
Her (E/C) eyes met mine, and she sighed in relief. "Thank God you're okay..."
"W-What happened?" I asked quietly, "I-I barely remember anythin'."
(Y/N) looked down. "Your duel happened, darling. Apparently after you shot General Lee, he fired a shot too and it lodged into your chest. If they had brought you back any later than they did, I-I wouldn't have been a-able to re-remove it before y-you d-died..."
Her eyes shut tight, tears threatening to spill. "Th-There was a lot of b-blood, John. You l-lost a lot.."
I was finally aware of the bandages wrapped around my chest, even though I couldn't see them. I squeezed her hand. "B-But you saved me though, did you not?"
"I-I did.." she whispered after opening her eyes, and I smiled.
"I couldn't be more grateful for you, angel. Now come closer so I can kiss you."
(Y/N) laughed slightly, stepping closer. She leaned down, allowing me to close the small gap between us. I cupped her face after wiping her tears. When the kiss broke seconds later, she smiled, pressing a gentle kiss to my temple before standing up straight again.
"I suggest you rest, darling. The more you do, the quicker you'll be up and out of this tent."
"At least stay with me?" I asked hopefully.
My wife smiled lightly. "Of course, darling."
Lee might've disobeyed the rules of dueling, the ten duel commandments now seeming useless in this situation, but I was still alive. I had (Y/N) still, and perhaps even soon we'd be able to go home. And that was the only thing I cared about.