so obvs laurens is now in the modern au and it’ll take him time to get into things but when he does go out and try to find all his friends/family, etc and when he goes to see alex, how will alex take it?? i keep going over it but i’m just not sure — i mean it’ll obviously come as a shock but would he be frightened, angry, happy, confused, frustrated with himself for thinking that laurens couldn’t have come back???

Naturally, Alexander would be surprised—but probably not entirely shocked. After all, he’s reconnected with other contemporaries, so why not Laurens? 

I have a feeling it would be a lot like running into an old high school or college friend after nearly 25 years. Since I’m not familiar with Laurens, the first thing I need to know is how often, exactly, were Hamilton and Laurens actually in contact with each other—that is, how often/long were they physically in the same vicinity? Do we have any recorded interactions between the two men? I would need to know how they interacted with one another (besides the letters) before I could make any definite answer about how Hamilton would react at a reunion. 

If the two men did indeed have romantic feelings towards each other, there would probably be an initial re-surfacing of those feelings. Most likely, Hamilton would get a surge of affection towards his old friend and be the one to get a bit nostalgic. What did Laurens say in his letters responding to Hamilton’s? (If, in fact, he said anything in return. I can’t remember ever reading any letters from Laurens to Hamilton that matched Alexander’s flirtatiousness.) 

Naturally they would reminisce about the War and probably re-tell all the old stories. But Laurens wouldn’t be able to connect with Hamilton in reference to anything else Hamilton did during the rest of his life, because he simply wasn’t there. Alexander might find this disheartening. I see him as trying everything in his power to explain everything that happened after Laurens’ death, and Laurens doing his best to play catch up. It’s exceedingly difficult for me to imagine how Laurens would react to everything because of the lack of letters/papers/opinions from his side. 

Laurens has no idea who Burr is. He doesn’t know Burr’s story, doesn’t know his politics; doesn’t know his shortcomings. I would assume, as a good friend to Alexander, that John would respect his old contemporary’s decision in a partner. Like I’ve said before, Alexander got the chance to “move on”, John didn’t. This doesn’t have to be a negative thing, however. John’s emotional and memorial baggage is considerably lighter than the other figures’, and so he is a lot freer to pursue new options and careers without being held back and tied down to old biases. 

Aaron would, obviously, know the history between the two other men, and would feel slightly threatened. Burr is viciously protective of Hamilton and anything surrounding him—if Hamilton goes down, Burr goes with him (and vice-versa). Alexander has explained, vaguely, his relationship to John. He never reveals explicit details, but Aaron prefers it that way. They have a bit of an unwritten understanding not to go into too much detail about their past “amours” (sexual and otherwise). Clearly both men are dealing with an overabundance of baggage as it is. 

That being said, Aaron would not take kindly to this old contemporary showing up, especially considering what he was to Alexander. He would be polite, out of respect to Alexander, but is violently adherent to their relationship. To give up Alexander to an old love would be tantamount to reliving the duel: Burr fights, and loses Hamilton again. He would essentially be in the same position he was all those years ago, except in stead of being haunted by an ever present ghost, Alexander would be alive and well. Yet still entirely unreachable. Aaron would most likely fall into his old ways—a wanderer, a loner, a degenerate, desperate and possibly even despairing or suicidal. After all, in real history, he was at least “comforted” by the idea that after his exile, he could see his daughter again. When that didn’t happen, he lost all hope and felt ‘separated from mankind’—unable to feel. I would see his potential ‘break up’ with Alexander as ending the same way. 

It is assumed Alexander would know this, and out of selflessness, (and even selfishness) would want to stay with Aaron. If only because he’s already made his decision and to uproot his children again would be madness. But mostly, without Aaron, Alexander, too would fall into his old ways: indiscreet, self-destructive, impetuous, belligerent and argumentative with all the wrong people and isolated. From what I know about Laurens, he was all these traits magnified. Definitely attractive to Hamilton for a good time, but I would think that modern!au Alexander would realize that a good time doesn’t necessarily guarantee stability. Add into the mix John’s entirely avoidable and tragic death and Alexander would think twice about leaving Aaron. After all, Alexander, as a parent, was a ‘lead by example’ sort of man. Though Laurens was brave, brilliant and honorable, in the end he made a very rash decision. 

To summarize, Alexander would be ecstatic that his old friend returned—but not too shocked. Old feelings of affection would immediately resurface, replaced by a desire to help him find his way. Aaron would be suspicious and protective and probably argue with Alexander with respect to John. He would feel no choice but to back down in this fight and defer to Hamilton any decisions involving Laurens (because Burr simply has no say. As long as Alex stays faithful, who is Aaron to deny his partner the joy of helping and old friend?) Alexander would do everything in his power to get his old friend situated in his home state of South Carolina (where John feels most comfortable). John Church takes an immediate liking to Laurens (they share names, the boy reasons. This is as good a reason as any to make friends.) Clearly, Hamilton would be flattered and exhilarated that his old companion would wan to be a part of his life, but isn’t going to throw away all he’s worked for and accomplish to regress back to ‘the good old days’. The issues would begin to arise if John wanted to be more a part of Aaron and Alexander’s life, and re-attach himself to Hamilton on a more-than-platonic level. After all, Burr is not above a challenge or two to protect what he holds dear.