Washington first noticed it a month ago.

He was yelling at Alexander after the duel with Charles Lee. He had not noticed at the time; the way Alexander shrunk back, the way he flinched.

But now he did.

All that lined up with why he hated being called son.

If rumors were anything to trust, he knew Alexander's father had left him when he was young.

Sometimes, it seems as though that was a good decision.

"Sir," Alexander began, his voice level. "Why are you treating me differently?"

"What do you mean?" Washington looked up from his papers.

"You haven't been mad at me, at all, even when I disobey your orders. You also have not called me son after the duel incident."

"I thought you hated being called son," Washington raised his eyebrows, evading the question.

"Yes, but you are not one to listen to me, sir. I had expressed the same thing before, and you didn't stop calling me son," Alexander pointed out.

Washington frowned, putting his quill down.

"Alexander... I am not an idiot."

"Of course not, sir," Alexander said, confused.

"I saw how scared you were when I yelled at you after the duel. I saw the way you flinched. I'm not stupid. I know you didn't have the best father, but I did not expect that," Washington said quietly.

Alexander stiffened, masking his variety of emotions.

"Sir?"

"Alexander, were you abused?"

Alexander was stiff as a statue, possible responses flowing through his head. Eventually, he decided on the truth.

"I... yes, sir. I was," Alexander confessed in shame, looking down.

Washington felt his heart break at the hesitancy Alexander was showing. He was obviously scared, unsure.

"Oh, my boy..." Washington murmured.

Alexander flinched.

"That's why, right? You do not like me calling you my son because of it," Washington guessed.

"It reminds me of him. Plus, I do not want you to leave me, too," Alexander admitted in a mumble.

The rumors were true, then.

"Alexander, listen. I will never leave you. I am nothing like your father. I will never hit you. I will try not to raise my voice. I won't call you my son if you do not want me to," Washington promised.

"I'm... I'm alright with you calling me son," Alexander mumbled, shifting slightly.

Washington smiled.

They had things to work through, but Alexander was doing better.

And that's what really mattered.