Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Burr! Burr! Open your eyes!”

Aaron’s brows knitted as he wondered why he was laying on the hard ground. Burr recognized the voice calling his name.

Pain was ripping up his left leg like it were on fire. Dimly, he remembered hiding from a pair of oncoming British soldiers who were traveling down the same path. Even in civilian clothes, Burr did not want to take the risk of being stopped and questioned, so he had guided his horse into the woods. Something had struck him as he knelt down and he glanced down to find a rattlesnake had bitten into his calf. Burr stifled a scream by biting into his riding gloves so as to not garner the attention of the passing enemy soldiers.

He blearily had climbed onto his horse and kicked it into motion, hoping that consciousness would stay with him long enough to return to safety behind the lines. His vision had blurred, awareness becoming shorter and shorter until he felt himself fall onto the dirt road, darkness swarming and overtaking him.

His vision was blurred even as he opened his eyes to see the familiar countenance of Alexander Hamilton peering over him with equal confusion.

"H-hamil -" he groaned; the pain made him bite his lip. " H-how?"

" I was on my way back to camp when I came upon you. What the hell happened, Burr?"

He clutched at his wounded leg. “B-bitten... in the leg. Rattlesnake."

Alexander tensed, looking from him to his wounded leg. " Oh God ...." Instantly, his fellow soldier went to his knees to check over the wound, Burr groaning as Hamilton unfastened his calf buttons and pulled off his boot, which led to another agonized cry from the stricken man. Burr’s expression was tight, even as he nodded. Pain seared up and down his body, and he tensed as the stocking was removed.

“Shit, Burr,” Hamilton muttered, “this looks bad.” Hamilton glanced at the sky, where the sun was dappling the trees with golden light of late afternoon. “We need to get you help, and there’s no way to get back to camp in time.”

Burr took shallow breaths, a painful sensation flaring in his chest as he spoke. “T-then leave me, Hamilton. My life is forfeit.” He felt his stomach crawl up his chest. He weakly pushed Hamilton out of the way and crawled onto his hands and knees, retching onto the gravel. Alexander's hand was on his back in a comforting gesture.

"No," Alexander snapped, not looking at him and more at the road in front of them. " I'm not just going to leave you out here alone to die.”

He took off his cravat and tied it tightly around the ailing man's leg. " That should help stop the spread of the venom for now." Hamilton stood, glancing at the horses as if he were puzzling out something. " You 'll have to ride with me and I 'll lead your horse. There’s a small village not too far from here where we can get help." In an undertone, he added, " Now how to get you on my horse is another problem..." He grinned, stepping over to his horse, taking the reins in his hands.

Down, Hermes.” The horse knelt on all four of its legs so that it was close to the ground. He took Burr's arm and threw it over his shoulder. Burr grimaced and cried out as he was led over to the beast. " Sorry," Alexander said quietly, shooting him an apologetic glance. " You'll have to sit behind me and put your arms around my stomach to hold on."

Burr started to protest but saw reason in the idea and intertwined his fingers over Hamilton’s middle as his head began to swim.

“Giddy-up, Hermes!” Hamilton called to the horse, who started off in a trot.

They rode in silence, when Burr spoke up hoarsely. “Hamilton...if I don’t make it...”

“Shut up, Burr. I’m not gonna let you die, do you hear me?” Alexander shouted back at him. His chest was tightening, and the pain radiated through him. He let his head fall onto Hamilton’s shoulder.

“Burr, keep talking to me.” Alexander yelled back to his companion. “What are you doing out here, any way?”

Aaron laughed weakly, “I was seeing a friend.”

“A friend?” Alexander’s voice was incredulous, while trying to look back at him.

“A friend of the female persuasion, Alexander.” Burr huffed, rolling his eyes and instantly regretting it, as his head was pounding now.

“Ah…. the lady who’s married to a British Officer?” Alexander inquired, though there was no hint of sarcasm or disdain in his voice. “That’s who you were visiting, huh?”

“Shut up, Alexander.” He laughed, though it brought about a painful cough that radiated through his chest. They’re friendship was often fraught, they disagreed about many things, but Hamilton saved his life, even if it were all for naught.

The sky was getting pitch-black, even as the sun had just begun its descent down to the horizon. Or was that a trick of his eyes? Dark spots danced in front of his eyes. Each breath felt heavier, harder to take in as if he were suffocating with every passing moment. Darkness, the inevitable shadow that claims every soul was fast approaching for Aaron.

Smiling wanly, he whispered to no one in particular. “Raise a glass for me.”