Requested by: MaggieBorchardt

*cracks fingers* woo it's been a while. Let's see how this goes

*3RD POV*

Hamilton walked to work without the normal pep in his step. Why, you may ask?

This was the day Alexander's mother died in his arms. The twelve year old boy had held her as tight as he could, as if holding it would hold her together and maybe, just maybe it would keep her there with him and James. As if it would change the reality of the fact that his mother wouldn't be in his life from that day on.

The man shook his head, hoping to clear these thoughts. Eliza had tried to persuade him to stay home and just take a mental break. (Oh shit I just made a reference without realizing it-) She reassured her husband that Washington would allow it.

First off, Hamilton hadn't taken a day off. Ever. A day off was a day wasted when he could be providing for his family. Second, even if Alex hadn't taken work so seriously, Washington would have let him off. People need a day away from work once in a while.

Alexander, of course, declined.

He had to go to work. He had to. Just because he was a little... sad, didn't mean he couldn't handle a few papers, or a fight or two with Jefferson.

Though, a day without the walking headache we know as Thomas Jefferson would have been nice...

No. He could get through the day. Once the day was done, he could go home, hug his wife and kids, and sleep it off. That easy.

Alex plopped down at his desk with a sigh. The quicker he began, the quicker it would be over. At least he had a distraction...

~~~~~~~~~TIME SKIP~~~~~~~~~

"Hellooo Hamilton!"

"I'm not in the mood Jefferson."

"Oh, Ham's sad?" The man faked a pout, his bottom lip sticking out in exaggeration.  "Please, never call me that again." Hamilton muttered his words bitterly. A headache was already beginning to bloom behind his eyes.

"Hm. I think I've just found my new favorite nickname for you." Fucking great.

"You sick Hamilton?" For a moment, the man thought Jefferson was asking a genuine, friendly question out of concern. Though, his foe made sure to not leave out a teasing tone.

"Nope. Just not in the mood for your bullshit. I'd love for you to leave my office and let me work."

Thomas narrowed his eyes and seemed to contemplate if he'd listen for once, or just keep pestering Hamilton. It was fun after all.

"Welp. This is my farewell for now. I'll be sure to check in again very soon Ham." The man waved like a diva, making sure to smirk at Alex before leaving.

"Or don't.."

For a short while, everything was fine and peaceful. Really, there was nothing that happened, Hamilton just let his mind wander.

He began thinking of his mother once again.

"Alex! Come here I want to show you something!" His mother's voice seemed to echo. The younger Hamilton had padded his way over to where his mother had called for him.

"Yes ma-?" Before he could finish his sentence he was swooped up into her arms. Her playful laughter and a "gotcha!" could be heard. She planted a few kisses on his cheek. Alexander laughed along with his mother.

Hamilton took a sharp breath as he broke out of the daydream.

God, it felt like yesterday.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"-And James listen time this, he was like 'I'd love for you to leave my office and let me work' and I did but he seemed kinda off." "Work probably finally caught up to him. No sleep, no food, barely any water... That'll do it," James said with a small shrug. "You worried about him?" "Nah. It just caught me by surprise that he- and I quote- 'wasn't in the mood for my bullshit.' Normally he at least puts up a fight, ya know?"

"Like I said, he's probably sick." "He said he wasn't."

"Alexander's sick? I think we've all been around him enough to know he's probably hiding it." "Oh- hey Mr. President." "Hello Mr. Jefferson. Mr. Madison."

"Sorry to butt in but you believe Hamilton's ill?" The older man's eyes furrowed in concern. Jefferson then waved it off as something unimportant. "Eh, Maybe. He didn't really seem sick he was just off today. Then again, we all have those days."

"Of course. Well, I'll see you two later." "Bye sir."

Washington strode through the halls to Hamilton's office. Had he really been sick? Nothing particularly worrisome had been going around, not that he'd heard anyway... Maybe the boy really just wasn't in the mood today. Jefferson could be tiresome and Alexander tended to let him get on his nerves.

Washington knocked on the door softly.

At first, there was no answer but after a few moments, a small 'come in' could be heard on the other side of the door.

~~Alex's pov? I'm confusing myself lmao~~

Alexander gave up on his work as his mood got worse and worse with the passing minutes. 'I can just finish it later,' he supposed

God, he could practically hear his mother's painful, wheezed, breaths. She fought to stay alive but it wasn't enough

Alex blinked back the tears.

Her body went limb against him as he pleaded and screamed, 'Mother! Please don't leave- please! Mom!' His brother sat with him as the two sobbed against their fallen family member.

No matter what, Alex would never forget the dull look in her eyes. Her cold, pale skin against his grip.

Alex gasped sharply as he was pulled back to reality by a quiet knock at the door. He then noticed the salty tears dripping down his face.

He quickly wiped them away. Bitterly, he thought, 'God, I'm a grown man. This happened when I was a child. I shouldn't be crying just as much.'

"Come in." Alex silently cursed at himself for the emotional crack in his voice.

"Hello Alex." "Oh- hey sir. Is there something you need?" "No, no there isn't. I just wanted to come and check on you." "Check on me? For what?" "You seemed... off. Are you Ill Alexander?" "No, of course not." Washington stared at the boy for a moment, looking for any signs of lying. Though, he seemed serious.

Another thing the president noticed, was the rims of his eyes. They were slightly red, showing signs of... crying? Washington felt his heart break. He never thought Alex was one to cry. He was always so good at keeping himself serious. He would always hide any sign of weakness.

"You don't have to worry your excellency." "Are you sure?" "Of course." It was silent for a moment.

"Come here, stand by me son." Looking smaller, Alex timidly walked over to his boss. The two stared outside the window. "Peaceful, isn't it?"

"Yes sir."

Washington huffed out a small sigh as it clicked.

"I'm sorry for your loss Alexander. May I ask who?" Anxiety practically radiated off Alex. Of course Washington knew. Of course he knew what it felt like to loose someone.

His mouth was dry and tears pooled in his eyes.

"My- uh... my mother," he began. Alex contemplated if he should talk to Washington or just leave it at that. Surely he wouldn't want to hear his 'sob story,' right?

Though, part of him told him that Washington would understand.

"She died when I was twelve. My brother and I were left alone until we moved in with our cousin. He uh- he also passed. Then I lost contact with my brother."

And then John dying on the battlefield...

He took a sharp breath as more memories flooded through his mind. "Since her death, everything seemed to go downhill... I can still see it all. Her trying to breathe, how cold she was-" A tear trailed down his face. Quietly sputtering an apology, he lifted his hand to wipe it away. "I'm sorry sir I should be over this by now-"

"Alexander, don't be sorry for grieving. I'm sure your mother was a wonderful woman." Avoiding eye contact, Hamilton gave a small, jerky nod.

"She really was."

Suddenly, Washington's arms were wrapped around him. The comfort that came with it caused a wave of grief to wash over him. Hot tears began to slowly streak down his cheeks. He grabbed onto Washington's shirt tighter, allowing himself to enjoy being comforted for the first time in years, maybe longer.

After a few moments, Washington let go, leaving his hand on Alex's shoulder. "I have a bit of work to do. Will you be alright? Though, I can stay as long as you need, if you want to talk about it." "No sir. I'm alright. Thank you." "You're welcome. Now don't overwork yourself son."

Alexander gave a small smile, genuinely happy for the first time in a very long time.

"I won't sir."

~~~~~Extra~~~~~

"Hey sir. You talked to Hamilton?" Jefferson asked, seeing as Washington had just left Alex's office. He wasn't worried, he would just rather not have his favourite person to annoy drop dead or something.

"Yes he's fine. He wasn't ill, just not in the mood for a fight for once. We have those days as you know."

"Of course sir."

~~~~~~~~~~~~
Words- 1555

Sorry for the bad ending but I hope you enjoyed!

Edit: I remembered this other washingdad fanfic I read a few years ago and realised the similarities between them right when I published this and started feeling guilty about it so if you want to read the other one, it's on Fanfiction.net. The fic is called 'Not alone' by redcoatsredder! They're an amazing author aaaand I think I'm gonna go read more of their fics again-