So, it's March 6th, Elisha's birthday-

And I want to write a fic- :D

So, yeah!

George Washington is caring in this so fuck you- /j /lh

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~Story Starts~

Elisha trudged from his tent, scanning the ground below him. He blinked a time or two, glancing over his shoulder. Another year away from home, another year he'd be receiving a late letter, wishing him pleasantry on his birthday. He grimaced at the thought. He was used to it- fairly used to it. It's been years of the same thing.

He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, taking a deep breath of the morning air. It was cool, almost appropriately. The sun had yet to rise, and the temperature remained in the mid-forties. Another thing Elisha had grown used to. 

He sauntered his way down the path, arms crossed behind his back. He observed every detail, taking into grasp that upon March, some of the earliest Spring flowers bloomed. Dandelions with their yellow pedals, each standing up enough to draw attention. He plucked one from the damp Earth, fingers delicately tracing the petals, the droplets pooling into his hand. A sigh of content passed his lips, and he moved on, stepping to the stables. The horses nibbled at their troughs, plucking whatever bit of hay and pieces of corn that had been left.

Elisha reach over, patting his horse gently. 

"Colonel Sheldon," A man greeted, also stepping in to gather his horse.

"Hello." Elisha smiled, drawing his horse from the stables.

"How are you this morning, sir?"

"I'm well." Elisha now grew suspicious. "Why do you ask?"

"Just checking in with you, sir. Happy birthday." The man offered a smile, saddling his own horse. Elisha couldn't find his words, but he smiled.

"Oh- thank you! I didn't know anyone knew my birthday-" 

"Oh, it must've been a hunch then-" The man offered, laughing softly. He rode past Elisha, offering the Colonel a wave. Elisha threw his hand up in return, waving to the man. 

The galloping faded, and Elisha laughed softly, shaking his head. He didn't know why it felt so refreshing to be acknowledged. 

He brushed the horse's mane, rubbing its nose after a moment. He felt oddly giddy standing there. He glanced up, catching sight of the other men, coming to do their rounds about the border of camp. 

"Morning, gentleman," He spoke softly. Though, he got an abundance of greetings in return. He turned, confused. "You are all in a good mood this morning... Did you manage to rest well?" He questioned, smiling.

"Not that entirely, sir... Today just feels like it's going to be nice." 

Elisha grinned, looking towards the dense forestry. He considered it, honestly. Today felt different from the usual routine, and maybe it would be better- refreshing. 

He adjusted the saddle, stepping into the stirrup. He tossed a leg over, adjusting himself comfortably on the horse. Though, he couldn't help but halt his steps, catching sight of someone moving in the distance. He knew the figure well, seeming not too many men stood as high- or no where near as broad. General Washington. He smiled gently, clicking his tongue, moving closer to the figure. "General Washington, sir."

The man's head shot up, and he offered a smile. "Colonel Sheldon. I had almost expected you to sleep in."

"Why would I do that?" The younger of the two inquired, tilting his head to the side. "I have duties today."

"But, it is your birthday. Shouldn't you take the day to relax?" Washington questioned. Though, he knew Elisha better than that. He offered an almost playful smile, reaching a hand up to the Colonel. 

Elisha took Washington's hand, and tilted his head. "Sir, if every man took the day off on his birthday, then we'd lack quite a bit of progress. If the men don't take the time off, neither shall I." He reasoned.

Washington sighed. "And if I ordered you to take a break?"

Elisha grinned now, tilting his head. "Under general's orders, I'd have to do exactly that." He spoke softly, tilting his head to the side. "I wouldn't expect you to do that, though... Would you?" 

"Under my orders, you are to relax- and take today off." George grinned, pulling Elisha forward. Elisha slipped from his horse, yelping, though laughing breathlessly when he realized George had caught him. 

"A warning would've been nice, sir..."

"I knew I would catch you." George offered a soft smile, helping Elisha balance on his feet. He dusted the man off, examining his uniform. "How about you rid the overcoat? I've already explained to the guards I had a couple of plans today-"

"Plans?"

"Yes," George smiled. "For the last couple years, we haven't quite been able to celebrate your birthday... And... I wanted to do something special for you... To make up for it."

"Oh- George... You don't have to," Elisha flushed. "We've barely been able to do much for yours..." He whispered.

"But you're always there for it." He cupped Elisha's cheek, grazing a thumb over the gentle skin of his cheek. "So, take a break today... Enjoy your birthday!" 

Elisha chuckled softly, meeting Washington's gaze. "For you, I will." He grinned softly, fingers intertwining with Washington's. "What did you have in mind, dearest?" He questioned, leaning into George's palm, enjoying the warmth. He adored the general more than he believed he could comfortably confess. 

"You remember that small crik along the edge of the eastern ridge?"

"I do. With recent snows melted, it should be in its fullest," Elisha chuckled warmly, looking over Washington's shoulder. "Were you intending we go there?"

"Just out past it, through the small meadow." The General explained, looking up at the horse. "I can go get Nelson, and we can make our way towards the crik-" He offered, a soft smile on his lips. "It's been a good while since I've taken Old Nelson for a good run."

Elisha smiled gently, shaking his head. "I forget that you named your horse Nelson-" 

George cleared his throat, pushing some hair back from his face. "Yes, I found the name almost appropriate for him- he's held me for awhile- carried me through this war for so long. It's almost an honor to name him Nelson-"

"What's it mean?"

"Champion," the general recalled. Elisha smiled softly, placing his hand on Washington's shoulder. 

"That's nice... You should probably go fetch him, then." 

Washington nodded swiftly, turning on his heels, hurrying to the stables that held the chestnut horse. The horse itself was a gift to him, from his dear friend Thomas Nelson in Virginia. That's where he picked the name up from, but found the meaning interesting as well. He could've simply explained that it was named for his friend, but... The horse really did hold as a champion. He had to be, especially as a replacement for Blueskin. 

George shrugged it off, coming to a halt at the stables. He looked in, seeing the chestnut standing there, tail flicking. He chuckled, petting the white blaze that traced the horse's nose. "Hello, Old Nelson." He whispered. The horse sputtered it's lips, moving from the pen. George laughed softly, hopping onto the horse's back. "No need for saddling." He insisted. He clicked his tongue and the horse took off, soon joining Elisha (who had re-saddled). 

"I've returned." He teased, looking at the Colonel. Elisha chuckled, looking the general over. 

"Bareback?" 

Washington gave the man a soft smirk, lip twitching up in amusement. Elisha froze for a long second, and his face reddened. "You know damn well that's not what I was implying-"

"Oh, I know. But, can't help a man's thoughts from wandering." George snickered, giving a soft kick to Old Nelson's side. The horse took off, and Elisha started laughing, clicking his tongue. His horse took off, trailing behind George's. 

"Wait up!"

George exclaimed, his horse whinnying a bit, halting. Elisha's horse flew past, and George laughed. "Sheldon!"

"See you at the crik, George!" He shouted over his shoulder. George grinned, looking over his shoulder to the camp for a second, before laughing and whistling, Nelson taking charge after Elisha. Both men laughed, as the morning faded. For the first time in years, they felt like their young selves- the young lovers they once were. 

What a birthday.

A/N

Short story, but I didn't know what I was doing. 

Anyway, happy birthday to Elisha- 

And yes, this is the same ship as the last fic- don't ask- 

(Word Count: 1383)