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vannahfanfics · 3 years

Text

Raincheck

Category: Angst, Drama, Romantic Fluff

Fandom: My Hero Academia

Characters: Hitoshi Shinso, Ochako Uraraka

Hello everyone! This is my story for the @shinsoubigbang! When you get a chance, also check out my partner's artwork; they did an amazing job illustrating a scene from the story. :)

The wind tugged at Hitoshi’s lavender locks and whipped at the capture weapon around his neck as he perched on the edge of the rooftop. He hunched like a gargoyle as he carefully surveyed the sprawling mess of back alleys below his sneakers. Crime always festered in dark places, especially on cloudy, moonless nights like these. Hitoshi could almost hear the whispers of malcontent and mischief rising with the wisps of fog. His instincts were buzzing, tingling just beneath his skin, indicating that his hunt for criminals would soon bear fruit.

His lilac-hued eyes snapped to the side as the air suddenly rang with the rhythmic clacking of heels. A young woman in a waitress’ garb quickly strode down a cobblestoned back road. She clutched her purse tight to her chest and feverishly looked to her left and right. Despite her vigorous attempts, her caution did not avail her. Hitoshi watched a shadow slink out from behind a dumpster. A knife glinted in the dark as its blade caught the dull yellow light spilling from the nearby streetlamp. The shadowy figure crept up behind the unsuspecting woman, reaching for her brunette hair bunched in a bun—

and that’s when Hitoshi swung down in a dark fury, his capture weapon wrapping tightly around the man’s wrist. The woman screamed and stumbled into the wall as the hero wedged himself between her and her would-be assailant. The mugger cursed and tugged violently against his bindings, but he could not best the hard-earned muscles of Hitoshi’s arms, which flexed as he drew the capture weapon so tight that it ceased the man’s blood flow and forced his fingers apart. The knife clattered to the ground, useless, and the startled thief met Shinso’s cool, cold purple eyes.

“Someone taught you the wrong way to pick up women, mate,” Hitoshi tsked while wagging his finger scoldingly. The mugger’s face turned an ugly red-purple hue, and he vehemently resumed clawing and yanking at the capture weapon.

“You motherfucker! I’m gonna—” He wasn’t going to do anything, actually, which he realized when his jaw slackened and his eyes clouded over as Hitoshi’s Quirk washed over him.

“Do me a favor and stop struggling, will you?” Hitoshi tutted. The man obediently lowered his arm, standing still as a statue as Hitoshi loosened the bindings and looped them back around his neck. The hero returned his attention to the young woman, who was still pale-faced and hugging the dirty brick wall while staring at the mugger in horror.

“He… He won’t do anything?” she squeaked as Shinso abandoned him to walk over to her.

“Him?” he asked with a jab of his thumb. “Nah,” he reassured with a wily smirk. “He’s completely under the control of my Quirk. He won’t do anything I don’t put in his empty head. Now, miss, are you hurt?” Still gawking apprehensively at her attacker, she slowly shook her head. To Hitoshi’s relief, however, her rigid body slowly relaxed, and she turned to look at him.

“Thank you for saving me… I should have known better than to use this shortcut, but it’s my daughter’s birthday party and I wanted to hurry home after my shift since I couldn’t get off for her party…”

“I’m sorry you had to miss it,” Hitoshi said genuinely. “It’s dangerous around here, though. I’ll call in a police escort to get you home safely in addition to handing over this guy if you don’t mind waiting a little longer, okay?” Though she probably didn’t want to waste any more time, the near-catastrophe rattled her thoroughly enough to comply. Hitoshi walked out of the side street onto the sidewalk flanking the main road. After phoning the police, he paused to open a video message.

“Hey, ‘Toshi!” Ochako’s bubbly round face dominated the screen, cheeks rosy and brown eyes sparkling as she waved excitedly. “I just got back from my P.R. trip to America. You wouldn’t believe all the amazing things I saw! We should get together for lunch tomorrow so I can tell you all about it. I’m sure you’re on patrol right now and will be until morning,” she said, leaning back in the camera frame, and he could see that she was dressed in a pair of fluffy white pajamas printed with green aliens in spacesuits. It made him chuckle; she always had adored silly pajamas like that. “I’ve got a bit of jet lag so I’ll be awake for a while, so call me when you get off, okay? Bye-bye now!” she chirped while waving before the video cut off.

Hitoshi stared at the frozen image of Ochako’s big bright smile, a soft one forming on his own lips. After he’d joined Class A in U.A.’s Hero Course, he’d become fast friends with all of them. However, to everyone’s surprise including his own, he’d gravitated the most to Ochako. She was just so bubbly and bright, the perfect counterpart to his subdued and relaxed personality. He found her endless optimism and drive refreshing, so much so that they still kept up with one another even after graduation.

His big fat crush on her might have had a little to do with that, though.

Hitoshi waited impatiently for the police with the waitress. He asked her questions about her daughter, and though she eagerly embraced the small talk to ease her nerves, Hitoshi really just let her responses go in one ear and out the other. He was too busy mentally configuring his schedule, trying to figure out the soonest he could call Ochako. In the end his impatience got the best of him, as he ended up calling her number as the police officers were loading the suspect into the back of the squad car and the other was taking a report from his would-be victim.

“Wow, that was fast.”

Hitoshi smiled at her cheery voice buzzing on the other end of the line. He leaned against the hood of the patrol car and slid one of his hands into his pants pockets.

“I just happened to have a break,” he shrugged. “I wanted to call and see how you were settling in after your trip.”

“I’ve only been gone two weeks, but it still feels kind of weird to be back!” she giggled. He could envision her grabbing one of her fluffy pillows— probably the big sun plushie wearing sunshades— as she reclined against her headboard. “America was incredible! I can totally see how it was the birthplace of heroes. I can’t wait to tell you all about it, ‘Toshi.”

“Are you sure you can wait until tomorrow?” he joked. In the background, he could hear the police radio crackling about a carjacking and a high-speed chase through town. As the sirens began to wail and red-and-blue lights painted the dark night sky, Hitoshi straightened up and looked around with narrowed eyes. “Hey, Ochako, hold on a minute. I think—”

He never got time to finish the sentence.

Everything was a blur as the car came careening down the street, followed closely by a police cruiser. The air filled with squealing tires and burning rubber as the police car braked harshly, but the carjacker had no care to do so, instead opting to plow right through the two police cars parked in the middle of the road in his effort to get away. One of the police officers managed to tackle the waitress into the safety of the alleyway, while the other was bowled over by the criminal, who was attempting to use the chaos to escape, even though he was handcuffed.

Hitoshi was not so lucky. As the car zoomed past the cruiser, crunching the metal with a sickening sound, it glanced him. Even being glanced by a car going over one hundred miles an hour was enough to send Hitoshi flying back into the alleyway. His phone was slung from his hand as he crashed against the rough ground; he released a strangled gasp as he felt several of his bones snap. As he rolled down the alley, the back of his head smacked against the cobblestone. A white rush flooded through him from head to toe, filling his brain with cotton and his ears with a persistent ring. When he finally came to a rest on his back in a mangled mess of limbs, he was staring uncomprehendingly at the sky, blood leaking out of his lips.

Dimly, he could hear Ochako’s voice echoing through the alleyway. He’d somehow managed to turn the phone on speaker.

“‘Toshi? What happened? ‘Toshi? Hitoshi?!”

The sirens continued wailing. The blue-and-red lights flashed around him like the stars falling to earth. He could feel blood leaking out from the back of his head, coating his lavender hair in thick, sticky globs. The woman was screaming and crying, while the police officers were shouting into their radios for an ambulance. As the darkness encroached on the edges of Hitoshi’s vision, he hung onto Ochako’s frantically screeching voice like a lifeline.

He had to live. He had to live. He was going to meet her for lunch tomorrow…

~~~~~~~~~~

It began with a dull pounding ache. It thundered at the base of his skull, rising in intensity with each inch he crawled towards consciousness. The persistent pain made him want to drift back into the sweet embrace of sleep, but unfortunately the ache prevented it. He groaned lowly, lolling his head from side-to-side and hitting the hard plastic of the neck brace hugging his throat. His purple lashes fluttered open, and his eyes were greeted with bright, burning white.

He blinked slowly, uncomprehendingly, at the nondescript white tiles above him. He could hear a heart monitor blinking steadily beside him. He could feel a thin hospital gown rubbing against his bruised skin, the casts wrapping his right arm and leg to immobilize them, and the bandage covering his swollen right eye. He was in a hospital, clearly, but what had landed him there in such a deplorable state?

As he tried to remember, there was nothing. Emptiness. A blank slate.

He furrowed his eyebrows in mild panic. Now that he thought about it, he couldn’t summon up memories about much of anything. He knew his name— Hitoshi Shinso— but that was it. As he shifted on the bed, breath hitching and his heart rate jumping on the monitor, it alerted the nurses outside.

“He’s awake!” a nurse called as she bustled in through the doorway. “Hey, hey, it’s all right. You’re safe, in the hospital,” she cooed as she leaned over his bedside. Hitoshi looked at her with wild eyes. “What’s the matter, hun? Are you in pain? Do you need medication?”

“Don’t remember,” he grumbled.

“What, honey?”

“I don’t remember anything…”

The nurse gasped and straightened up, hand flying to her mouth. She looked nervously at the other nurses crowding the door. As they began to murmur worriedly to one another, the doctor strode in, frowning over Hitoshi’s chart.

“Doctor, he says he doesn’t remember anything,” the nurse reported in a quiet voice. The professional looked at her before walking to Hitoshi’s side. Hitoshi squirmed uncomfortably under his stern, inquisitive stare.

“Son, do you know your name?”

“Hitoshi Shinso.”

“Do you know how you got here?”

Hitoshi shook his head as much as the neck brace would allow. “Can you remember anything from the last week?” Another shake of his head. “Last month?” Again, he shook his head. “What do you remember?”

Hitoshi squeezed his eyes shut as he struggled to summon something, anything, from the recesses of his mind. A few snippets floated up in the sea of emptiness, which served to ease him just a little. “I’m a hero… I graduated from U.A. High School… But I don’t remember going there. I just know I did.”

“Well,” the doctor sighed as he straightened up, tapping the pages of his chart, “you suffered a basilar skull fracture and an epidural hematoma. We had to puncture your skull to relieve the pressure on your brain, but you still developed a very severe concussion. It seems the head trauma has induced amnesia.”

Hitoshi’s heart rate skyrocketed, causing the monitor to wail shrilly.

“Will I get my memory back?”

“Most likely. It may take some time, however, with an injury like yours. Some of your classmates are here; they’ve been waiting for you to recover from surgery. I can bring them in if you would like. Their presence may help to jump-start the process.”

Hitoshi nodded robotically, still trying to process the great hole that had suddenly developed in his life. Time seemed to blend together, because the next thing he knew, a green-haired young man was inching into the room with a shaky smile. The doctor probably informed his supposed friends of his amnesia because the freckled boy treaded lightly and carefully— like he was afraid Hitoshi would shatter with one wrong word.

“Hey, ‘Toshi,” the boy smiled as he pulled up a chair to his bedside. Hitoshi squinted at him. There was something familiar about that quivering smile, nervous twitching, and bright emerald eyes, but that was all. “I’m glad to see it’s okay… It’s me, Deku— er, Izuku Midoriya! Not that you would know that, I guess, considering the amnesia and all… We went to school together, y’know?”

Hitoshi swallowed, but his mouth was dry so it made it a little difficult.

“I see,” was all the lavender-haired boy said. At this time, a blond-haired skinny boy with a lightning-shaped streak of black in his bangs bustled in, red-faced and looking like he’d run all the way there.

“Holy crap, is it true, Deku?” the boy panted, rushing up to grip the back of his chair. Izuku pouted over his shoulder at him.

“Yeah, Denki… He doesn’t remember anything…”

“Oh, man,” Denki said while nervously running his hand through his hair. “Ochako’s gonna be devastated…”

Hitoshi perked up at the name. As soon as it passed Denki’s lips, it sent a jolt of recognition through him. Oddly, aliens and stars and the color pink suddenly came to mind. The two boys immediately noticed his reaction and exchanged hopeful glances.

“Do you recognize that name?” Izuku asked hopefully.

“I think so…” Hitoshi said quietly, fisting the scratchy white hospital blanket. “Ochako…” The name seemed to roll off his tongue so perfectly, and it sent a bubbly, happy feeling rising up inside of him.

“That’s great! She was so worried about you, Hitoshi! It took her forever to get answers out of the first responders, and then she had to handle calling all of us, and then she was really upset when they wouldn’t let her see you because you were in surgery, so she’s been a mess all night—” Izuku babbled, but Hitoshi ignored it as he tried to process the way his heart was fluttering at the hazy image of a sweet round-faced brunette trying to surface in the void of his mind.

“I think… I think I was in love with her.”

Izuku stopped mid-sentence, emerald eyes blowing wide. Denki had his hand over his mouth as Hitoshi looked at them in muddled confusion. “Were we dating?”

“Uh… no,” Denki coughed uncomfortably. Hitoshi’s frown deepened and he looked back down at the blanket. If that was the case, then why did just the mention of her name summon up a sense of deep fondness and happiness within him? “But, uh,” Denki continued, scratching at the side of his face, “we’ve all known you’ve had a crush on her for a long time— everyone but Ochako, that is.”

“Denki!” Izuku gasped scoldingly, whirling around in his chair.

“What?! The man’s got amnesia! I gotta help him out, right?” the blond argued defensively. Hitoshi was too busy blushing to listen to their quibbling. So, I do love her… But she doesn’t know. So, did I never tell her? Why not?

“‘Toshi? Where is he? ‘Toshi! Hitoshi!”

As she came barging in the room, tears streaming down her ruddy cheeks and brunette hair a mess, he immediately knew why. Even flustered and sobbing and disoriented from lack of sleep, she was the most beautiful creature he’d ever clapped eyes on. Even with no memories, he knew that. She tripped over his IV cord in her effort to scramble to him, face-planting against the tile floor. He jolted up in bed, the heart rate monitor picking up the leap in his heartbeat, but she was so frantic that she immediately recovered and practically threw herself down on the bed beside him.

“I was so worried!” she sobbed, grabbing at the blankets as her tears rained down on his face and into his lavender hair. “We were— we were on the phone, and, and then, there was this big crash, and then the sirens, and— oh my God, ‘Toshi, you wouldn’t answer me, and no one would tell me anything, and I-I-I— oh, ‘Toshi, I’m so glad you’re alive!” she rambled through her tears before burying her face into his chest. Hitoshi grunted when pain flared across his body as his broken ribs crunched under the assault, but like hell he was going to say anything. Ochako wailed into him, drowning the thin cloth of the gown with tears and snot. As her body wracked and heaved, it jolted Hitoshi a little, but he gritted his teeth through the little stabs of pain.

When she’d calmed down enough, she quietly asked against his chest, “Is it true? You have amnesia?”

“Yes,” he admitted in a small breath. Ochako breathed in deeply, shakily. Then, she shot up, her teary brown eyes gleaming with determination.

“That’s okay! We can work through it!” Hitoshi’s heart fluttered at her use of “we.” She grabbed his hands and squeezed them tight, giving him a watery smile. “I’ll be with you every step of the way, ‘Toshi. We’re gonna get you better, okay?” she said softly and threaded her fingers through his lavender hair. Her fingers skimmed over the shaved patch in his head and the sutures from where they’d had to split his skull open, and she hiccuped as a fresh wave of tears streamed down her cheeks. “I-it’s gonna be okay.”

He wanted to tell her that of course it was, now that she was here. But words failed him, as he was too lost in the watery sea of her chocolate-brown eyes and the feeling that everything really was going to be okay. He remembered Ochako, and that was enough comfort to him to face all the trials ahead.

~~~~~~~~~~

He was discharged from the hospital a week later. In addition to his head injuries, he’d sustained a broken arm and leg, three broken ribs, two fractured cervical vertebrae, and a myriad of scrapes and bruises. Because of the severity of his wounds and his amnesia, it was difficult for Hitoshi to manage by himself, so his friends took it upon themselves to care for him. Nothing humbles you like being unable to do even the most menial tasks, like put on clothes or bathe yourself. Hitoshi’s friends took it in stride, though, and always batted away his emotional expressions of gratitude. “It’s just what friends do,” they said.

It made Hitoshi wish he remembered their friendships. Maybe then it would make him feel less like a charity case.

Though his friends rotated shifts around their hero duties to help him throughout the day, Ochako always cooked dinner for him— without fail, every night. They would always insist on sharing the load, she stubbornly refused them. Toting in groceries, sometimes still in her hero uniform and beat up from the toil of the day, she’d grin determinedly.

“My mom always said that nothing helps you heal faster than a good meal. That’s how I can help!”

Hitoshi couldn’t find the words to tell her that her presence helped him heal more than food ever could. He’d sit in his wheelchair watching her cook, the way she turned up the radio and danced around the kitchen singing into the wooden spoon. Swinging her hips, she’d whirl around to serenade him with a goofy smile. Hitoshi never knew the words to the songs. He’d just grin back, charmed by her zest for life. It was so dazzling, so blinding, that even now he couldn’t find the courage to tell her how he felt. She was like the sun, so radiant and sublime that he felt like he couldn’t ever compete.

He should say something to her. Really, he should. But… the words just couldn’t come, just like his memories.

Three weeks in, Hitoshi’s memories had trickled in somewhat. Most of them were dredged up by old stories his friends told him, so there were still tons of gaps. Still, it made Hitoshi feel a little better; he no longer felt like he was trapped in a void and a stranger to himself. Looking back, it was a terribly scary and lonely feeling, for others to know more about you than you did. Though the doctor kept telling him to give it time, Hitoshi had already resolved himself to the fact that maybe he might not ever get them all back. His past would just be a jigsaw puzzle of little snatches of memory and secondhand information.

As much as he tried to convince himself that it was all right, he couldn’t. He hated the not knowing— the not knowing all that time he was in love with Ochako besides those feelings. He wanted all of it, every moment he’d ever had with her to treasure and savor. It was maddening, not having that, so Hitoshi decided to just make do with the new moments. Now, if he could just get over himself and ask her out.

“‘Toshi? Do you not like it?”

Ochako’s sweet voice dragged him out of his thoughts. He was reclined on the couch with a bowl of noodles growing cold in his hand, the fork still halfway raised to his lips. It had been a new recipe, Ochako had said. Hurriedly, he scooped the noodles into his mouth and gave her an approving hum.

“No, sorry. I was just lost in thought. It’s really good.”

Ochako smiled relievedly, melting into his armchair. She set her empty bowl of noodles on the coffee table, idly flipping through the television channels as Hitoshi finished off his food before it really did grow cold and unappetizing. Eventually, Ochako decided there was nothing worth watching and flipped off the television. She rose to get their dirty dishes, and Hitoshi watched her with lidded lilac eyes. How could every move a person made be pure magic? As she waltzed out the room into the kitchen, the fluidness of her body just amazed him.

Yet… something was wrong. He could tell. Her body was tense, the edges of her smile crinkled, her eyebrows just barely furrowed. She tried to pass it off with a smile to him as she walked back in, but Hitoshi wasn’t buying it. As she proposed renting a movie, he cut her off, gesturing for her to approach. Confused, she walked over and sat on the edge of the coffee table beside him.

“Tell me what’s wrong,” he ordered. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment at Hitoshi’s brusque command. She shifted on the wood, pressing her hands between her thighs and rolling her bottom lip under her front teeth. Hitoshi waited patiently for the girl to gather her thoughts.

“I haven’t been sleeping,” she admitted finally. “I’m tired.” Now that she brought it up, he could see the dark lines ringing the undersides of her eyes and the way that her body sagged. He wordlessly ordered her to elaborate, making her cheeks flood darker. “I… Ever since the accident, I’ve had nightmares, ‘Toshi,” she said hoarsely. The tears sprung to her eyes and began to roll down her cheeks, making her try and wipe them away with the heels of her palms. “That was the worst night of my life, hearing those awful sounds and not knowing what was going on, and— it felt like forever before I could finally find you, and then they told me you were in surgery and you might not make it, and I just— oh, I can’t get it out of my head. That night is just on replay for me, over and over.

And the worst part is that it’s so selfish of me!” she wailed, leaning over and burying her face into her hands. “You were the one in the accident, not me! If anything, you should be the one who’s haunted by it and I have no right to complain, but I… but I… I feel trapped…” she moaned miserably. “If I hadn’t picked up the phone… Then maybe you wouldn’t have ended up like this…” she revealed in a harsh whisper.

“Oh, Ochako, no!” Hitoshi cried. In his effort to comfort her, he slid off the couch a little, making his brittle bones flare painfully in protest. He didn’t care. Clumsily, he gathered the crying girl into his arms and dragged her onto the couch with him. It was a tight fit, but she still curled into his side, crying into his shoulder as he hugged her tightly with his good arm. “God, Ochako, don’t blame yourself for what happened to me. It wasn’t your fault.”

“But… If I had done something different…” she protested weakly, shaking her head and smearing her tears across his shoulder. To snap her out of her spiral, he pinched her cheek and tugged hard. She shot up into a sitting position, looking at him with wide eyes and her teeth and tongue peeking out from underneath her stretched lips. “‘Toshi… Ow… Tha’ hursh...” she slurred in protest and blinked rapidly as the tears continued to prickle at her eyes.

“Listen to me,” he said sternly. “The accident was not your fault. It was just a freak thing, okay? If anything, it’s my fault for picking up the phone because I couldn’t wait until my patrol was over to call you.” As he spoke, the memories of that night and all the nights before came flooding back. As they rushed in like water, the flow of his words rose in tandem. “I was just so excited that you were back that I just had to hear your voice, right then, and I wasn’t paying attention to anything but you, and—”

He stopped short, cheeks flooding pink as he realized what exactly was tumbling out of his mouth. Ochako stared dumbly at him, a little drool leaking from the corner of her mouth as he was still stretching it. He stiffly released her, causing the skin to snap back. There were pink imprints in her skin where he’d pinched it; she slowly reached up to rub at it, blinking sluggishly.

Well. The cat was out of the bag now, so Hitoshi might as well let it go wild.

“Ochako… I don’t want you here every day because you feel responsible for what happened to me.” He smiled softly and reached up to cover her hand in his own, cupping her cheek. “I want you here because I love you. I’ve always loved you.”

“You remembered?” she asked meekly. As a fresh wave of tears streamed from her eyes, Hitoshi’s smile widened, and he thumbed them away.

“No,” he said with a shake of his head. “I never forgot, Ochako.”

She sucked in a breath, then let it out shakily. Her throat bobbed as she swallowed a few times, tearfully processing the situation. After a few minutes of just silently crying next to Hitoshi, her cheeks began to flood pink again.

“I… I would really like it if you kissed me right now,” she admitted bashfully. Hitoshi snorted with laughter, but hell, who was he to refuse? He gently moved his hand to the back of her head to pull her forward. Ochako melted into his touch, allowing him to maneuver her as he would to bring her face close. Her hands felt onto his chest, digging into the soft fabric of his tee-shirt. Hitoshi held her there for a moment, centimeters away, to admire the gorgeous view of her lidded brown eyes and flushed cheeks.

“You’re so beautiful,” he breathed. Her blush darkened and she shyly bit down on her bottom lip. He chuckled as she wiggled in impatience but opted against teasing her more. He closed his eyes and the gap between them, pressing their lips together in a sweet but passionate kiss. Ochako hummed as his mouth smoothed over hers, so naturally like it had always belonged there. Hitoshi kissed her languidly, savoring the softness of her lips and the aftertaste of chicken broth that was oddly pleasurable. Nothing promotes healing like a good meal, he thought with a mischievous smirk. Ochako would probably explode from mortification if he told her that. She was so cute when she was flustered, though, that it might always be worth saying.

They kissed idly for quite a while, until their faces were flushed and they were a little out of breath. Ochako had draped herself over his chest and wormed her legs between his, careful not to jar his mending bones. She looped her arms around his neck to play with the ends of his fluffy lavender hair, chin propped on his chest so close that he could lean in and peck her lips every once in a while.

“What are you thinking?” she asked him after he’d been quiet for some time. A smile slowly spread across his lips.

“I was thinking…” he said, pausing to give her another soft, sweet kiss, “that we never had that lunch date, did we?”

A smile slowly spread across her face, lighting her up like the sun. Bright as it was, Hitoshi couldn’t tear his gaze away; he wouldn’t, even if it blinded him forever. He would be glad if it was the last thing he ever saw. Giggling, Ochako snuggled into him, fluttering her long brown lashes.

“No, we didn’t. You asked for one heck of a raincheck.”

Hitoshi scoffed, making her stick out her tongue mischievously at him. One heck of a raincheck, indeed. That was okay, though. Even sad moments were moments, too, and Hitoshi valued every moment with Ochako like the most priceless jewel on Earth. Though he’d like to collect every one he could, he thought as they cuddled and began to drowse, he wouldn’t mind stretching this one out a little. It marked the beginning of new memories, after all.

Enjoy this oneshot? Feel free to peruse my Table of Contents!

#shinchako #shinso x ochako #shinsou x ochako #shinso x uraraka #shinsou x uraraka #ochako x shinso #ochako x shinsou #uraraka x shinso #uraraka x shinsou #hitoshi shinso #hitoshi shinsou #ochako uraraka #uraraka ochako #shinso hitoshi #shinsou hitoshi #my hero academia #mha #boku no here academia #bnha

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goldbirdd · 3 years

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Ok so now I'm trying to figure out what the episodes will have based on the trailers... This just a theory, it might be dumb.

So in s4 too many things are happening... I still haven't recovered from them and all the spoilers give us so many excitement. So now I try not to get clowned by each episode and I kinds figured out how not to get clowned... I think... Or get clowned in a good way.

In the past few days I watched every trailer for the current episodes from s4 and I watched the whole episode too, and I gathered 3 possible things that might happen in the new episodes based on the trailers.

If we got a trailer when there's a new hero or character included it's going to be about them and not the 2 main idiots of the show. There won't be any scenes from the love square or any conflict between them. It's going to be a normal episode with normal stuff happening. This is why we didn't get any marichat in Sole Crusher because the episode was about Zoé, and not about marichat :c

If the trailer includes some big thing happening, then we will get clowned. Remember the spoiler from the elevator scene in Optigami? They are only there to get our hopes up so more people will watch the episode. This could be anything honestly. A ship, some major event or other stuff. I try not to get hyped up about these spoilers because then I'll always get disapointed after the epiosde :c

So when will we see the major events coming?

My answer is that we won't see any spoilers about these stuff. Not even a very very pixelated image. That is going to be the scene the whole fandom will talk about for at least 2 weeks. We didn't saw any spoilers about the reverse umbrella scene. Or any spoilers about Marinette giving Alya the fox miraculous prenamentlly. Yes we saw Marinette telling Alya that she's Ladybug, but I think many ppl already suspected that she'd tell someone this secret. At least I did.

So about the major events/ships we won't get any info. Maybe a little, but only a little because we wouldn't be able to find out what will happen. Of course Whismaker will be a big episode, because we heard some interesting thing about it, but I don't recommend making theories about the reveal or other stuff based on a trailer/spoiler.

So yea that's what I wanted to say. If you want to figure out what'd happen in the upcoming episodes I try to think with Thomas' head because he's the author and he knows the best what and how will the show go forward.

I'm also sorry for typos, I was writing on phone and I can't even speak english 🥲

#miraculous #miraculous tales of ladybug and chat noir #marichat #miraculous fandom #miraculous ladybug #miraculous season 4 #miraculous chat noir #chat noir #ladybug #adrienette #ladynoir #ladrien #marinette dupain cheng #adrien agreste

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danideservedbetter · 3 years

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Alright so, here’s how things are gonna work.

First off, welcome to this side blog. Since it won’t be jolly fun fandom content and will be a little more personal I decided to separate my health and writing journey from my fandom stuff, although all my fandom content will still be linked on my main blog here.

(I write Izuocha/bnha content which isn’t super popular so if you’re not here for that then yeah, I don’t blame you. But if you are I have a link to our discord and community content pinned so def check it out if you’re interested.)

Secondly, you guys will hear details about stuff relating to my health like what kinds of things affect my disorder based on the tests some doctors are ordering, how I’m trying to improve my diet and activity, and routines and goals I’m attempting for myself. I am underweight, and that’s something I’m going to be talking a bit about, so if that’s triggering following this blog might not be the best thing for you. Details under the cut.

So, what kind of disorder do I have and why did I decide to make a health journey blog? My disorder is called idiopathic hypersomnia. Basically what that means is that when my disorder is acting up (based on factors like stress especially or my generalized anxiety rearing its ugly head) I have the capacity to sleep. And sleep and sleep and sleep and sleep. My longest recorded uninterrupted “sleep-attack” was 26 hours long and ever since I caught Covid in January, my body had been slowly growing weaker to the point I was starting to develop atrophy. I’ve had this ten years and my neurologist suspects inactive cells from mononucleosis I caught at 14 was the cause, because other IH patients have linked their sleeping problems to a case of mono or have had it at some point in their lives.

This disease stole many years and many things I’ve looked forward to from me. I lost friends and experiences and failed so many college classes I had to drop out.

I’ve decided I’m taking them back.

It’s not going to be easy. Just as it took ten years to convince myself that my tiredness was something I chose to give into, it took several extra years and many fights with my family to convince them that I had a real actual neurological disorder and that I need help sometimes. My parents and grandmother finally understand that I have to finish college and find a very special boss willing to work around my erratic progress on projects, but the outsiders they married are not as convinced. My grandmother’s husband kicked me out of their house because he wants to be the center of attention and doesn’t like that some days I’m so weak that I needed my grandmother’s help, and my father’s wife thinks I’m a lazy and ungrateful leech who “gets anxiety just being around” me. Both told my father I’ll never be happy so why even bother with me, but my dad is actually striving to understand his own recently-diagnosed PTSD so while we still butt heads he’s understanding that I have to take things day by day because every tiny circumstance affects my disorder.

Now, why did I decide to air all this out? Well, being open about my disorder and how it affects me has helped at least two people that I know of find out that the tiredness they experience isn’t the typical “American work force exhaustion” they were trained to believe is normal. So if I can help even one more, I’ll gladly talk about what this entails and how I deal with it day to day. Another reason is that I’m also one of those big advocates who believes talking candidly about mental health destigmatizes it and sharing ideas can help us grow as people and maybe make it a little easier to deal with.

So now that you know a little bit about me and my disorder, here are my big goals for the next three months provided my university takes pity on me and actually lets me go back.

First up: create routines to train my body to get used to living a full day fully awake. This includes waking up at the same time and going to sleep at the same time. It means getting dressed and going out and doing things, even little things— which I’ll get to in a sec.

Second: I write. I have a novel in limbo and I write fanfics. Writing is a big part of who I am and I’ve written one thing this year, which for a whole six-month stretch is upsetting and disappointing. Today is my reset. In the next 569 days I want to to finish the six stories I have in limbo (except the larger one) and finally reach my goal of posting 200k words in a single year. I wont be hard on myself if I can’t accomplish this because honestly finishing anything in the chaos of my life is going to be a miracle but. There ya go.

Third: go back to freakin college. I don’t care what it takes. Sit down with every official, every lawyer, and every professor it takes to get me back enrolled in classes in the fall.

Fourth: I have several smaller things I have to do, short term goals, stuff like that. I’m gonna create a to do list each day of small tasks I want to get done and while some of these things will be part of my daily routine I am throwing in like one or two things a day that just need to be done. My writing goal will change daily and I’ll keep y’all updated on that with every post I make.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. Dani! That’s so much!! Well, a few months ago I remembered hey!! I basically have a computer in my hand, why make it hard on myself. So I downloaded certain apps to help me out. This isn’t me saying “hey go subscribe to these apps because I said so” it’s just that through a lot of trial and error I’ve come to find that these certain apps work for me and I’ve yet to come across one that has the functionality of everything I need.

Tiimo — so this is an app I found developed by people with autism for people with autism to help them develop good habits and routines. It has preset daily schedules (things like morning routines or nightly routines or work routines) and an internal alarm to let you know when to move on to the next task. I myself have extremely low-level aspergers (to the point where my doctor won’t give me an official diagnosis because I didn’t want people think that *it’s* the reason I have issues with school), so moving from task to task can be difficult sometimes and I also deal with getting distracted. This widget also appears on my home screen so I know what I have to do at a glance. You can program in weekly and daily tasks to fully customize your schedule, which is fantastic for someone like me who wants to for example rotate chores. This is hopefully going to help me get my body in the habit of adjusting to routines and transitioning from one task to another, as well as getting important things done responsibly.

Promptly Journals — I’ve been told for a while that journaling is helpful mentally to kind of recenter yourself, so a bit ago I downloaded several journal apps to add to my morning routine. Now some will prefer more creatively free journals, but I prefer this one that gives me small prompts I can do in a short amount of time that just allows me to get my thoughts down. I can even add pictures at the bottom that go with the theme! I’m scared I’ll run out of prompts eventually lol but until then this app works very well for my needs.

Stretchingexercise — Now idk if it’s from lack of sleep from my disorder, the position I sleep in when I do sleep, all the physical labor I’ve had to do in the past couple weeks, my medicine, or w h a t but I suffer from body aches like no one would believe. I know stretching is supposed to help with that, so I downloaded this app to help me do non-demanding physical activity that wakes me up in the mornings and helps relieve pain so I don’t keep having to take pain relievers. This one has different plans for things like muscle tension, back pain, warm ups— and it also gives you rudimentary weight updates (I’m underweight lololol so we’re looking to fix that) or plan updates. It’s worked really well for me so far and gives you animations and descriptions of the workouts (some taken from yoga) as well as timed breaks and a narrated guide. It’s been pretty helpful in temporary relief and if nothing else gets my blood flowing in the mornings.

Widgetsmith Step counter — in addition to the stretching thing one thing my doctor and I discussed that helps with the sedentary lifestyle is simply walking. I’ve needed so bad to relieve my stamina and reverse the atrophy, and walks have been stellar for that. Now I live in the New Orleans area so humidity and heat force me to go at the crack of Dawn, but honestly my weenie dachshund Charlie really enjoys our time out so he goes with me! The CDC recommends 10,000 steps a day which seems like a lot and it is if you don’t get out much. But this gives me an excuse to get dressed and do the hygienic thing and help Charlie be healthy too, as well as give me time for brainstorming because we walk in a truly beautiful area. I’m sure everyone installed widgetsmith with the last iOS update (Apple users anyway) and while at first the step counter was just interesting I’ve since come to rely on it! We do our 5000 in the morning, which of course is half, and I find that other things I do throughout the day typically drive the counter higher. Anything leftover can easily be accomplished by an evening walk in our neighborhood. Now the caveat is that I have to remote have my phone in my pocket because I don’t own a watch or anything fancy lol, but honestly I need to keep it on me anyway so that serves as a good reminder.

Todoist — this one is my FAVORITE. Ever since I’ve decided that I have trouble keeping track of things I need to do and small stuff I need to keep in mind and appointments, etc, I decided to find a list app. This is the one I found that absolutely helps me for everything from my list of room supplies I need to buy, to my reading list, to general tasks I have coming up I need to complete. And its widget functionality keeps it right on my Home Screen! More organized individuals can just use tiimo, but I’m definitely not one of those individuals so this app is sorely needed and appreciated.

And of course, I know building habits the first few weeks is HARD. So for days my body doesn’t respond to my alarms, I have a checklist of the key things I have to do to keep my life as functional as possible.

So that’s that on that. I’m going to try to keep writing updates and my daily goals in a post in the morning, and reblog what I accomplished in the evening. It’s gonna be tough. But I’m thinking if I can start small I’ll be able to build my stamina enough to return to college and be successful when I do. I hope that anyone watching this journey draws some kind of meaning or inspiration from it. And you guys can even follow along if y’all want! Especially for writers or people trying to get healthier. I can’t promise what works for me will work for you (and honestly I expect things to change especially if I get accepted into college again) but hey, I figure it’s worth a shot.

I hope you guys enjoy watching this journey, if nothing else I hope it’s entertaining. And maybe it’ll be successful. I do know that I’m just gonna try for it, and hope it works out.

First daily update to follow

Xoxo

Dani

#idiopathic hypersomnia #health and wellness #writing challenge

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katierosefun · 3 years

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so after one really big latte, a muffin, a run which resulted in a near accident with an oncoming car, and a shower in which i contemplated my own mortality, here’s my thoughts on the adorable me & au podcast, because babe wake up new hyperfixation dropped. very spoiler-y, i’m sorry in advance for how f*cking long this is, this might only have like two people reading this but i have many thoughts please listen to this podcast because it’s so cute and i listened to it all in about 2.5 hours?

- firstly: the main character is super relatable. like, scary relatable. meet kate “acunningplan” cunningham, a gal about to enter her senior year of college and just kinda,,,lost. she works as a barista and very confused, very...stuck gal by day, fic writer (and still very stuck gal) by.........not barista hours.

- honestly, i love kate. idk i’m about to enter my senior year of college, and bro i related so hard to her fears of “bro i can’t even think about next week without feeling overwhelmed”. she misses her best friend whitney a lot, who is currently on the other side of the country for an impressive internship. so that can be kinda lonely.

- but fear not, kate has an escape, like so many other fic writers/fandom people: fanfic. this whole story references tumblr without actually naming tumblr (let’s be real....it’s tumblr, from the “notes” to “this stupid app keeps crashing”), and kate follows this tv show about werewolves and supernatural creatures. very gay. only problem is that there’s not a whole ton of people active in the fandom, since this show is relatively new.

- however, in this small fandom, kate meets ella: otherwise known as “hella-enchanted”, who is another fic writer.

- kate is very obsessed with the idea of alternate universes, and for that alone, i love her.

- okay, so even if you’ve never fallen in love with a person online/in fandom circles, i just wanna say that ella and kate’s interactions are still so super relatable. the shooting messages, the starting random conversations and getting a little thrill when you see someone liking your personal post or whatever. it’s very wholesome.

- also, at the end of episode 1, kate goes on about how “yeah, fanfic is kinda odd, but it led me...to you” and it was so soft and gentle you just know your heart is gonna melt huh

- at one point, kate decides to be vulnerable via vent post about something that came up on the show (and oh god yeah i feel...things. kate relates very hard to one character in the tv show she’s following, and tbh,,,yeah. i can’t quite word it right now, but i think anyone who feels kinda.....stuck? would relate.)

- the “EXACTLY ONE PERSON ASKED FOR THIS ESSAY SO HERE IT IS” please

- also oh :’)))) kate talks about ella’s playlists and when i tell you i squeaked a little bit because oh hey--

- anyways lol yes can you relate to like,,,posting a vent post and forgetting to delete it and being mildly horrified (but also mildly touched) when someone actually responds?

- ella’s very sweet, just responds with “seems like one of my favorite fandom people needed a pick-me-up” and :’))) i would die for ella! (i mean, i would die for all the characters)

- okay yes also all the bits where ella and kate scream at each other about fic. very relatable, very real, you can tell that the writers of this podcast really knew this feeling, and i just :’)))

- THE TWO DEBATE OVER TITLES,,,,,kate keeps sending in crack-y titles and also song lyrics, and ella comments on “well,,,i just read this whole wikipedia page, so i think i’ve lost the high ground”, so if y’all KNOW i started laughing at that

- also LMAOOOO the moment when conversation diverts from fic and fandom to slightly more personal things! kate being like “oh,,,,,you have an actual job! like,,,you’re an actual adult and.....how’s that?” and then quickly rambling on via message “actually let me change the topic because that’s probably too personal”...

- okay so there’s this bit where ella drops the fact that she’s never read anne of green gables because “listen,,,,you have an ex-girlfriend who sang the anne of green gables musical all the time--” and kate’s “.......ex-girlfriend? you had an ex-girlfriend? girl--” (and BACKSPACING ALL OF THAT because “god i’m such a freak”)

- much gay disaster

- so much gay disaster

- opportunity for kate and ella to meet irl comes up! at a fan convention! in toronto! (and kate lives in bc). kate’s best friend (remember, internship one?) invited kate over to toronto for this thing anyways, and then ella posts something about “heeeey i’m gonna be in the area so if anyone wants to meet up for the fan convention...”

- let me just say......kate chucking her phone across the room because she freaked out about that. again. very cool, very nicely done, very relatable, etc.

- ALSO,,,,i forget if this was one of kate or ella’s fics or if it was the actual tv show, but there’s this tidbit where the characters in the literal fandom has this conversation:

“don’t waste your time.”

“what?”

“don’t waste your time on me.”

and the way that reflects kate’s feelings-but-she’s-not-trying-to-think-about-it for ella please let me just die here

- okay, so kate does decide to message ella about the meet-up, and let me just tell you, kate’s inner monologue about the worst possibilities for ella’s responses:

“1. no response. which is terrible.

2. you find out you’re not wanted after all. :(((((

3. the most terrifying response of all.......” (an enthusiastic “yes i’m so glad we can meet up!!!”)

- well, of course ella responds with #3.

- gay disaster kate not knowing how to acknowledge her feelings for ella...she goes on this “you don’t wanna come across as....y’know because if they suspect that....y’know.....and like, i don’t....y’know--” oh my god kate

- anyways, kate works at a coffeeshop, right? and her co-worker stewart (nonbinary pansexual co-worker! we love to see the rep!!) being like “oh yeah maybe you can bring over your friend!” and kate panicking because “ohhhhh i’m not too sure about that,,,,she’s,,,,,,,,,busy......” (ie. the awkward moment of having to explain that,,,,,,your online friend isn’t exactly someone you’ve met in real life,,,,,,,,and not sure exactly how to explain that so you just,,,,,,“ohhhh uhhh......y’know...............it’s really hard to.......get her out of.....work.....”

- kate and ella video-chatting for the first time is very cute, very gay. very gay.

- they swap “how’d you know you were gay / liked girls” stories :’)))

- “that’s a cute story!” “you’re a cute story” [awkward silence] “please let me hide under the desk now” (have i mentioned that kate’s a disaster? i love her, but you’re a disaster. we need to be best friends.)

- kate.....describing herself as “irl fanfic disaster waiting to happen” and the whole “i didn’t know we were actually dating until she asked if she could kiss me” lmaoooooooooo (but okay yes this is also a mood? like,,,,,,idk something about heteronormative standards so like,,,,,it’s so stupidly hard to figure out if a girl is flirting with you or if they’re just being nice i am glad kate’s such a disaster)

- in other news: kate’s “how tf do i write a kiss scene i don’t like the word lips ughhhhHHHHH” (yeah, mood kate)

- lmao stewart (kate’s co-worker!) just chilling with kate and being like “oh yeah i figured you had a girlfriend? the one you’re talking about? ella?” and kate blanking because “wait you thought ella was my girlfriend? she’s not....uhhh....” and then later drinking with stewart and rambling about ella and panicking because “what if she realizes i can’t talk about anything except this tv show what if she thinks i laugh too loud what if i have horrific body odor what if she realizes i have NOTHING to say what if our meeting goes SO terribly that i need to deactivate and change my name just so i could like her posts at 3 am” and then her small “please forget i said any of that”

- oh kate :((((

- kate :((((((

- k a t e :(((((((((((((((((((

- anyways, kate does go to toronto.

- meets ella.

- very cute.

- ella...........very gay. they go into a coffeeshop and kate doesn’t know what to do.

- okay but what’s hilarious is that ella,,,,,seems so cool and suave and i too would be kind of intimidated by her but then these two idiots really talk about writing kissing scenes and the build-up and ella’s voice gets all,,,,,,suggestive and there’s this.....awkward gay silence between the two oh my GOD they’re both IDIOTS

- also okay yes kate and whitney, a irl friend, having a heart-to-heart. good. we love that. also, whitney being like “I MISSED YOU!!! YOU IDIOT!!!! and i’m glad you have a new friend, and you’re happy, but I MISSED YOU!!! I HATE THIS CITY AND I DON’T KNOW WHAT I’M DOING!!!” (whitney is also very relatable. ily whitney.)

- they’re so cute. they hug, and it’s sweet :’)) also, then kate says in a stupidly small voice “i think i’m....kinda in love with [ella]?” and whitney being best supportive friend--

- OKAY so we finally get an episode of ella’s perspective

- listen, you’re gonna think ella’s this cool, suave person who has all her own gayness put together (i mean, she kinda knew since she was 9 or 10 years old? she’s had a girlfriend? she seems like she has her life together? she’s waiting to get into grad school? she has a job? she just seems....cool and knows what she’s doing).

- but then you realize. ella is just as much a pining mess. (her bullet point list/schedule in her head is so relatable. as someone who uses her notes and reminders app religiously, that was just :’)))

- ella: reasons why this is not a date. and then....kate sends a message. (ella: reason why this....might be a date....kate keeps saying stuff like...that.)

- kate rehearsing how to tell ella that she maybe kinda likes her? very cute. (”you know the feeling in your chest when....uh, you know when you feel like you have a frog in your stomach--oh god not the frog NOT the frog”)

- the love confession is very cute, and also very relatable. “i like you a lot” “i like you too!” “no i mean,,,,like i like you. wait. which like do you mean? wait that’s not english. uh. what did you say?”

- kate’s “I HAD A WHOLE DRAMATIC FANFIC CONFESSION PLANNED OUT”

- kate and ella just spilling everything made me :’)))

- “i like how your brain works” “i made so many posts hoping that you would just talk to me” “you always make me laugh” “you just make me feel...better” “you make me smile”

- “this whole summer you’ve been making me smile and i guess it kind of freaked me out? ...i don’t know where my life is going but if i have a choice, i want to go in any direction you’re going because you are cute and smart and amazing and i like you a lot, ella. like that. so yeah. that’s what i was thinking i’d say.”

- i essentially explaine dthe whole plot but

- i love this podcast a lot

- it was very sweet

- and very cute

- very wlw

- i don’t even mind that i almost got hit by a car while i was running and listening to this it was worth it

- idk. just like. anyone who’s ever read or written fic or just like...not necessarily fallen in love with another person? but at least relating to that feeling of “oh god i am not qualified to talk to this person” and “oh god what if they realize i’m actually,,,,a loser” and “oh god wait how to friend” can probably hit a lot of people

- but that said. the romance was very cute, very sweet, makes me :’)))

- okay i’ll stop talking now but i just. it’s very cute, very relatable, i wish we had a season 2 but i think it’s a limited series. (but they’re living rent free in my head! forever!)

#caroline talks #oh god.......oh god #i'm so sorry for how long this is #but in case you couldn't tell i have literally so many feelings #so many feelings #yo @ me and au creators: thank u for making me feel seen and wanting to cry because of it!#it's beautiful #and very gay #and like idk even if you've never fallen in *love* with a fandom friend i think you can still hardcore relate to this?#just because like......bro there's something..........so soft about this #also.....gay disasters #also really saying 'hey everyone's actually super awkward there's no such thing as being cool and suave'#also just......AGH no someone please scream with me about this #i am going to SCREAM about this forever #i also....once again: feel WAY too seen #like.....WAY too seen #anyways #me & au

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peppersonironi · 4 years

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Batfam/Avengers Crossover Chapter Three: Morning Routines

Tagging: @the-fair-maiden-of-fandom

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Category: Gen

Fandoms: Batman - All Media Types, The Avengers (Marvel) - All Media Types

Relationships: Selina Kyle/Bruce Wayne, Natasha Romanov & Damian Wayne, Clint Barton & Cassandra Cain, Tim Drake & Peter Parker, Peter Parker & Tim Drake & Duke Thomas, Pamela Isley/Harleen Quinzel, Tim Drake/Kon-El | Conner Kent, Dick Grayson/Wally West, Roy Harper/Koriand'r/Jason Todd,

Characters: Bruce Wayne, Selina Kyle, Jason Todd, Dick Grayson, Tim Drake, Damian Wayne, Cassandra Cain, Stephanie Brown, Barbara Gordon, Justice League (DCU), Alfred Pennyworth, Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, Natasha Romanov (Marvel), Clint Barton, Thor (Marvel), Bruce Banner, Peter Parker, Alfred the Cat (DCU), Bat-Cow (DCU), Goliath (DCU), Selina Kyle’s Cat Isis, Kate Kane (DCU), Duke Thomas,

Additional Tags: Batbrothers (DCU), Avengers Meet The Batfam, MCU/Batfam crossover, Crossover, no beta we die like robins, rated T for Jason’s language, I bleeped it out though. Just to be safe, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, canon? What’s canon?, Deaf Clint Barton,Deaf Character, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Happy Batfamily (DCU), Birdflash and joyfire are implied/referenced,

Summary: Now that the Avengers have begun to settle into the Manor, they get to know the inhabitants.

Notes: Yo, I do take requests for scenarios, pov’s, and characters to show up!

Steve awoke in one of the most comfortable beds he had ever slept in. For a moment he was relaxed as the sun streamed in through the large window. Then he sat straight up. How did he get here?

Then he remembered. After the Justice League had left, Batman - he still felt weird calling him Bruce - led them into an elevator which emerged in a richly adorned sitting room. The entrance to the elevator being in the Grandfather clock which lay to the side of the room. A butler - a butler! Even Tony didn’t have one of those - had met them there. Batman had informed him that they would be staying for a while, and the butler had quickly led them to free rooms, assuring the Avengers that clothes would be provided before dinner. He had spoken the truth, as a change of clothes were provided shortly. Steve suspected they were pilfered from the manor’s residents.

Steve got out of bed and went over to the neatly stacked pile of clothes, and got dressed. He had been given cargo pants and a gray t-shirt. He then left his room and began to follow the smell of breakfast - a heavenly mixture of coffee, maple syrup, bacon, and blueberry pancakes.

Nat, Tony, and Clint were already in the kitchen when he arrived. They were sitting on stools at the island along with Tim Drake and Cassandra Cain. The Butler was placing a heaping pile of pancakes on the table whilst handing Tim a pot of coffee.

Steve walked over and sat down. "Good morning," he said. "They look great sir, thank you."

The Butler smiled. "Call me Alfred, everyone else does." He spoke with a crisp british accent, which Steve hadn’t noticed the evening before.

Steve nodded as he took some pancakes and bacon. Everyone else started chowing down as well, with the exception of Tim. Tim looked horrible, if Steve was being honest. He had dark circles under his eyes, and his lids were drooped.

Tim was about to pour some coffee, when Steve noticed he was clearly going to miss the mug. Steve opened his mouth to say something when Cassandra Cain reached over and casually pushed the mug over.

Tim filled up the mug. He either hadn’t noticed, or hadn’t cared.

Cassandra went back to her seat. "You sleep?"

Tim shrugged. "No more than usual. I had patrol, then worked on that eastside murder case."

Cassandra frowned. “ Sleep ,” she said vehemently.

"What's patrol?" Clint asked curiously.

Tim frowned. “We go out and patrol Gotham. Take care of crime. Typical vigilante stuff.”

This gave Steve pause. “You handle petty crime?”

Tim blinked. “You don’t? I thought you said you were superheroes?"

Natasha nodded. “So you’re like Peter. He protects Manhattan. The rest of us only got together due to an alien invasion. We’re what you would call the . . . heavy hitters.”

Cassandra nodded. “City needs us. Without . . .” She pursed her lips and moved her hands around. “Bad things happen.”

“Once you have finished, might I suggest you explore the manor or cave?” Alfred said as he placed more bacon on the table. “Master Bruce has a full gym and training areas in the Batcave which you are welcome to use. After all, if you are to stay here, you might as well have something to do.”

Steve stood up from his now finished meal. “Thank you Alfred, I believe I will. I think I remember the way to the cave. Thank you for the meal.”

Tony nodded. “See you down there, I guess.” Clint and Natasha agreed.

*****

Steve entered the cave to find that he was not the first one there. Standing on the main platform was an honest-to-god cow.

It was brown and white, with stubby horns and a baleful look. On its forehead was a brown patch that looked suspiciously like a bat. The cow mood.

“Bat-Cow! Get away from the invader!” Damian Wayne swooped in out of nowhere and landed in front of the now named Bat-Cow. “What are you doing in the cave?” He asked, his sword drawn and pointed at Steve’s chest.

“The butler - Alfred - said I could come down here to workout,” Steve replied. He was still trying to get over the fact that a cow was in front of him, being guarded by an eleven year-old in black training clothes that looked a lot like a ninja’s.

“T-t,” Damian replied, clearly unimpressed.

“Well, um. . . Is that a cow?” Steve couldn’t help himself.

“Yes of course. Are you blind? This is Bat-Cow. Bat-Cow, this is one of the invaders by the name of Steve Rogers. Stay away, he’s probably not even a vegetarian.” With that, the boy and the cow strolled away, and Steve turned to go.

*****

Steve found the gym platform and set to work. It was quite nice equipment, and Steve enjoyed using it. He wasn’t the only one, as both Jason Todd and Stephanie Brown were there with him in gym clothes. They both wore gray sweatpants, but Stephanie also wore a purple sports bra, almost the same color as her suit. Stephanie was using some resistance bands and Jason was bench pressing.

Steve walked in muttering about cows, which gained a smile from Jason, who inevitably heard him.

“If a cow surprises you,” Jason said between lifts, “then wait till you see Goliath.”

“I’m sorry, what?” Steve asked as he settled into a warm-up.

“One of Damian’s other . . . pets.” Stephanie said, a grimace on her face. “But boy, I can’t wait till I see your face!” She laughed as she finished up, and moved onto chin-ups.

Steve frowned, but let it slide. There was silence after a while as he settled into his routine. Eventually he moved over to bench presses. He began to set up the weights, glad there were so many, as he usually needed a lot more than the average man.

Steve looked over at Jason, who was still pressing. On closer inspection he was benching almost 400 pounds.

“Do you have super strength,” Steve asked before he could help himself.

Jason snorted and finished up his last few reps, setting the bar down then sitting up. He wiped his face as he answered Steve. “Nope, I don’t need superstength to get these babies.”

He lifted up his arms and flexed. This sent Stephanie into a giggle fit. “You,” She said between snorts, “Jason Peter Todd, are utterly ridiculous.”

Jason smiled as well before turning back to Steve. “But really, none of us bats have super strength. All we have is skill, and kicka** personalities.”

Steve frowned, but nodded anyway. He went to begin bench pressing when Stephanie asked him, “That Stark guy said you were a supersoldier, I assume that super strength comes with it?”

“Yup. There was an experimental serum that the scientists of World War II chose me to test. I worked in the army for a while, before I got frozen in ice due to taking down a Nazi ship. I got rescued and joined the Avengers to help stop an alien invasion.”

Jason muttered something that sounded suspiciously like “cheater.”

Stephanie glared at him. Before standing up and speaking cheerfully “Well, I’m going to go spar with whoever’s available. See you later?” Stephanie walked off, grabbing a purple water bottle on the way out.

Jason nodded. He moved on in his workout, and Steve went back to his bench presses. After a while, Jason had left to spar. Steve finished up himself, then decided to follow. He remembered seeing a fighting area on his way down, so he left the gym and started his search.

*****

Steve didn’t have to search for long, as the platform in question was easily the most crowded. It was the largest, with some thin mats on the floor. Steve wasn’t sure that they would provide much protection.

Thor was standing near the center, holding Mjolnir, and looking quite uncomfortable. He was seemingly being questioned by Damian, Jason, and Cassandra. Tim, Duke, Peter, Nat, Bruce (Banner), Tony, Bruce (Wayne) and Clint stood to the side. Their faces were a mixture of worry (Nat, Bruce Banner, Tony, and Clint), Amusement, (Tim, Dick and Duke), and confusion (Peter and Bruce Wayne).

Steve walked up to Nat. “What’s going on?” He asked.

“They're questioning the technicalities of being worthy of the hammer,” She said with a frown. “Specifically how many and how often you murder to be excluded.”

Steve frowned right along with her as he turned to the conversation.

“But is there a time frame?” Jason was asking. “Like say you don’t kill for like two weeks, and you’ve been super good? Would that get you points?”

“Uh. . .” The look on Thor’s face was priceless.

“T-t,” Damian said. “What about the technicalities behind the actual murder? Perhaps if a seven year old went on a killing spree? Would age exempt him?”

“I’m not sure a child would-”

“Not their fault?” Cassandra asked. “Forced? Didn’t know?”

Jason frowned. “Yeah, would the kid be declared unworthy if they were forced to kill? Or they didn’t know what they were doing?”

“Well, I-”

“What about mind control? Manipulation? Amnesia?” Jason asked.

“I’m sorry, but -”

“Do the more you kill, the more unworthy you become?” Damian asked, “Or until you hit a certain body count, it's a free-for-all?”

Thor sputtered. “Free-for-all?!”

“Or what if they were really bad people?” Jason asked. “Like other murderers? Pedophiles? Rapists? Drug dealers who sell to kids? If they did something wrong, would that cancel out your own wrongness?”

“These kids are hard-core,” Clint muttered.

“They raise a good point though,” Duke replied.

Tim nodded. “Ten Bucks its Damian who throws dear Thor off the edge.”

“Cass is feisty though.” Dick replied

Duke snorted. “Hah, never bet against Jason!”

All three exchanged handshakes.

“Okay,” Jason said, waving his arms about as he spoke with the utmost seriousness. “Does the way you kill affect how bad it is? Like would slowly and painfully bleeding to death be worse than a bullet to the head? Or say a sniper rifle compared to a handgun? Since one is more personal?”

Thor gaped at the young man.

“ Why kill.” Cassandra asked. “Told? Want? Accident?”

“What if it was to save yourself?” Damian asked. “If it was self-preservation, would that account for anything?”

“What if you were saving someone else?” Jason added. “Either directly, or just making the world a safer place?”

Thor frowned. “I do not speak for Mjolnir, but I assume all murder is murder.” The kids looked disappointed, so Thor continued. “However, if you wish to try to lift it, You have my permission to do so.”

“Naw, it's okay,” Jason said as the kids walked off looking dejected. “Doubt we could anyways, as Thor here just clarified.”

This caused the most uproar out of everything else in the conversation. Thor looked stricken, along with Peter, Bruce Banner, and Tony. Natasha and Clint looked at each other worriedly, Bruce Wayne, Tim, and Duke just rolled their eyes. And Steve was just confused.

“You kill?” Steve asked, as he started to worry if this universe was much more different than he had originally thought.

“Cassandra, Damian, and Jason had … unusual circumstances.” Bruce Wayne said simply. There was a silence after that. Then Bruce continued. “Well, we were about to start some sparring. If you’d like to join us, you are more than welcome to.”

Steve stood straight. He’d been looking forward to seeing them fight. “Sure,” he said as Tim, Dick and Duke exchanged ten dollar bils. “Sounds fun.”

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mercuryonparklane · 3 years

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An attempt at objectivity on the topic of Tayliz/a summary: Part 2

(Kind of...)

I’ve been busy with irl stuff the last week, so I haven’t been posting much lately. I finally have a day where I have nothing else to do and I’ve been considering making a post about where I currently stand on Tayliz/Gaylor in general for a while, so I thought now would be a good time to do that.

Disclaimer: I don’t know any of these people personally and this is all my own interpretation of publicly available information. I apologize for the length of this post...

I’ve been a Taylor fan since 2006 and a Gaylor since at least early 2009 when I was posting fanfics on LiveJournal (I stopped writing rpf a long time ago, btw). I’ve been in and out of the Gaylor fandom since then. I’ve created and deleted multiple blogs/accounts in the past 12+ years. I was mostly active between 2009 and 2015, but I did a lot of lurking during that time and only engaged when I felt I had something to contribute. 2015/2016 was a crazy time and I was going through some of my own stuff, so I stopped following Gaylor as closely for a while. I listened to reputation and Lover, I read the Gaylor theories, made a couple comments, and moved along. When folklore was released it drew me back in.

I created this blog in September 2020, before I even had an inkling that Liz might be more than just another name that has been thrown into the potential exes list, along with Claire C. and Kellie (I don’t believe either of those two had anything beyond friendship with Taylor). I had never looked into it too much because it seemed like there was not as much information as there was for the main 3 (Emily, Dianna, and Karlie). Now, after researching Tayliz for 5 months, I believe there is at least as much, if not more, to go on as there is for the main 3.

As for Taymily, I believe that, at the very least, Taylor had a massive crush on Emily. I don’t like to get too in-depth about that because there is a very suspect age gap. I’m not saying that those things don’t happen, but I will reiterate my statement from an earlier post that I am not comfortable essentially accusing someone of committing a crime when all that can be deciphered is that Taylor seemed to really care about her. I do think there are multiple songs about Emily.

I also believe that Taylor did date Dianna and possibly had some kind of relationship with Karlie. I think both of these possible relationships are long over at this point. Taylor may have been looking back on those relationships (along with others) in her last few albums.

I still personally think it is possible that Taylor is a lesbian, but there are reasons to think she might be bi and I understand why people think that she is. I don’t really talk about the guys Taylor may have dated, but I will say that, to me, all of the boyfriends she had after high school seem like beards. I could be wrong, of course. There are way too many signs that she is queer for me to not think that she is at least bi.

There have always been sapphic themes in Taylor’s music, even in early songs like “Me And Britney” and “Angelina”. Her entire discography is littered with sapphic themes. In recent years, she has seemed to hint at being some form of queer in other ways as well. This has all been examined by others, so I won’t get into that in this post.

Anyway, on to Tayliz…

There is some compelling “circumstantial evidence” suggesting that there may have been something beyond friendship between Tayliz (a lot of this was covered in my first post and all of the information has been mentioned at some point on my blog):

They met multiple times between December 2006 and February 2009, when Liz first performed with Taylor, but it is hard to tell how well they knew each other at that time. Based on the information available, I actually think they might have even been close, or at least friendly, before Liz was hired, but I could be wrong.

The “official” story is that Liz met Taylor at a meet and greet in December 2006 and again in July 2007. She asked if she could sing for Taylor and Taylor gave her advice, including suggesting that she enter a talent contest and that she should move to Nashville. Some accounts say that Liz sang for Taylor in her dressing room, but I have never found a source for this part of the story.

Taylor wrote the following sentence about Liz in her blog on February 5, 2008, after performing on the competition show that Liz was a contestant on: “It sounds strange, but there was always something different about her that stuck out in my mind”. That is super suspect to me...

Taylor was the only musician to perform on the show, btw (although they did have the touring cast of HSM on the next week). Taylor allegedly said, during the interview portion of her appearance, that she knew Liz and that Liz had gone to “all” of her shows and meet and greets… whatever that means.

According to Liz, she moved to Nashville in June 2008 and sometime within the next 6 months she received a call to audition as a backup singer, but did not know for which artist she was auditioning. I feel like it would be an incredible coincidence that Taylor suggested she move to Nashville two years earlier, they met multiple times after that, and randomly Liz got a call to audition for Taylor without knowing it was for her within 6 months of moving there. I don’t know, maybe I’m being too skeptical, but it seems almost more of a reach to say that Taylor didn’t somehow have a hand in her getting that audition.

Liz already seemed very comfortable around Taylor in that picture with George Strait taken on the day of her first show with the band in February 2009.

At the one-off shows after Liz joined the band, there was a little skit between Taylor, Liz, and Grant during YBWM, where Grant played the love interest and Liz played the “Cheer Captain”. There was even a talking bit. During the Australia one-off shows, there was a talking bit before F&A where Taylor introduced Liz and they had a little conversation that ended similarly to the one Taylor has with the interviewer during the Fearless Tour. After this, they rarely interacted on stage.

Taylor seemed to allow Liz’s input during the auditions for the Fearless Tour dancers, two months after she joined the band, and Taylor ended up hiring two of her friends.

Liz went with Taylor to visit Abigail at her university in Kansas two months after joining the band.

Taylor took Liz with her to see Britney Spears’ Circus Tour show in Chicago right after the Kansas trip.

Taylor said in an interview for Oprah’s website, released in May 2009, that Australia and Lawrence, KS were her two favorite places to visit, which just so happen to be two of the places she had recently been with Liz.

The fact that they shared a hotel room in London a few months after Liz joined the band. Caitlin, who had been in the band for a while at that point, and her mom were both there for that trip. Maybe Taylor was just happy to be able to hang out with another woman around her age. It seems strange, but it could be a completely platonic situation.

Taylor and the band, including Liz, recorded a cover of “American Girl” by Tom Petty (one of Liz’s favorite artists) in front of the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon in May 2009. The secret message for “Sparks Fly” is “Portland, Oregon” and she mentions the Rose Garden in “The Lucky One”.

Taylor mentions going to dinner with Liz, seemingly just the two of them, in her vlog from May 29, 2009, which was around Liz’s birthday (May 27).

The amount of Liz content in the vlogs. Plus, the choice to put the line “I like where you sleep, when you sleep next to me” right before showing Liz sleeping on a couch (this was the trip where they shared a hotel room, which does make that fact more suspect, imo) and including the song “She (For Liz)” in another vlog, in which she dedicates a whole section to Liz’s habit of falling asleep “All. The. Time.”

In fact, in both of those vlogs, which were posted a year apart from each other (May 2009 and April 2010), Taylor wears a black dot shirt, in clips that include only her and Liz, that is similar to the one she wore in the IKYWT mv.

Honestly, just go watch the video she made for Emily and then watch the vlogs after Liz joined the band… I just get a similar vibe in the clips she chose to include of both women.

They went to a Paramore concert together the weekend before Taylor hosted SNL in November 2009. At the concert, they were filmed by other attendees dancing next to each other on the balcony. One of the songs they were filmed dancing to is “That’s What You Get” and Taylor asked Hayley to perform that song with her (and the band, including Liz) at one of the Nashville shows on the SN Tour in 2011. In November 2019, Liz released her own song called “That’s What You Get” that sounds like it could be the opposite side of the relationship much of Red is about (and a couple other Taylor songs from other albums).

In Taylor’s Glamour interview published on 10/5/2010, she mentions that she designed the two guest rooms at her Nashville condo with Caitlin and Liz in mind.

After tweeting about attending the Katy P. concert in Dublin with Taylor (and Grant and Caitlin) someone asked Liz what her favorite KP song was and she responded “Thinking Of You”. This is suspect because at the time Liz did have a bf, but she may have just liked the song and didn’t necessarily relate to it personally.

There are tweets from people who are either not really well-known or aren’t in the industry at all that mention Taylor and Liz hanging out outside of touring. They are mentioned together in quite a few tweets actually. They seemed to have a good number of mutual friends during that time (spring/summer 2009-fall 2012). After Liz left the band, Taylor stopped hanging out with most of those people, while Liz continues to maintain some of those friendships to this day. This could be explained by the fact that Taylor began spending less time in Nashville.

One such friend is the photographer who Taylor hired for Red. She is actually a longtime friend of Liz. Supposedly she took some photos of Liz that Taylor saw and Taylor hired her after that. There are some pictures from Taylor’s Red photoshoot that are similar to Liz’s photos.

There are rumors that Liz was fired, but the “official” story is that she left to pursue her own music.

Liz did not wish Taylor a happy birthday on twitter in 2012, which she had done in previous years. She did not tweet @ or mention Taylor for almost a year. Taylor didn’t respond to any of her tweets or mention her until October 2014.

Some of the songs Liz released in late 2012/early 2013 have similar lyrics/themes to Taylor’s music and may be about Taylor.

The lyric video for Liz’s song STFU&HM includes polaroid pictures with the song’s lyrics written on them and neon signs, which is basically the 1989 aesthetic. The actual mv has some potential parallels to the IKYWT mv. (side note: Liz specified in an interview that the kind of “sour candy” she is singing about in the song is Watermelon Sour Patch, which Taylor mentioned in the June 2008 issue of Teen Vogue was something that she “couldn’t live without”)

The love interest wears a key necklace in the STFU&HM mv and Taylor wears one in the IKYWT mv.

The bridge of IKYWT is very similar to lyrics from a song by Patty Griffin called “Nobody’s Crying”. Liz once said that Patty is her favorite singer (this was when she was still in Taylor’s band) and has mentioned her and that particular song multiple times over the years. Side note: Taylor mentioned last year that another one of Patty’s songs was the inspiration for “betty”.

Liz played the other woman in the mv for TSOU and in the photoshoot for SN. At the end of the mv for her song “H8U”, Liz interrupts her love interest’s wedding and kisses his tall, blonde, curly haired bride.

This one could be a crazy coincidence, but Liz recorded the backing vocals on a song called “Dear John” that was written by the backup dancer who came out to Taylor during the Fearless Tour. Btw, by no means am I saying DJ is about Liz because that would make zero sense.

Liz’s birthday is on one of the board games in the “Lover” mv that reference “Cruel Summer”. Most people think CS is about Karlie and that makes sense, but it also seems to reference “Love Story”, which was potentially written sometime around when Taylor performed on the show Liz was a contestant on. I don’t know if LS is about Liz and I am not trying to claim that, but it is interesting. Even if it’s not, they performed that song together a lot and Liz helped out with the onstage costume change during that song. CS could be about her experiences with both Liz and Karlie. Or it could just be about Karlie and the date in the “Lover” mv has nothing to do with Liz’s birthday.

In “the 1” and “dorothea”, Taylor potentially references Liz’s song “Never Know” and by reference, I mean that she essentially uses the exact same lyrics: “I guess you never know, you never know” = “I guess you never know, never know” and “I guess I’ll never know” = literally just the same line. Not to mention in “dorothea” Taylor also sings “Do you ever stop and think about me?” and in NK Liz sings “I wonder if you think about me” right before the line “I guess I’ll never know”. I am not saying that either of those songs are about Liz, but it is interesting, especially since Liz tweeted about “the 1”, which was the thing that really sent me on my deep dive into Tayliz.

The “cardigan” looks like the cardigan she wears in the first vlog she included Liz in. It could be nothing, but it is interesting because I have a theory that Liz is the first woman she had a “relationship” with and that “cardigan” is about Liz, Dianna, Karlie, and possibly some other women she might have dated/been with.

These are just some of the highlights and are more focused on the facts as opposed to some of my more tinfoil hat, fun, crack theory stuff or just some of the things that are loosely related to Liz or might involve a little (or a lot of) reaching to connect them to her.

Everything I have mentioned could just be a series of strange coincidences, even though there appears to be quite a few of them. Whether anything ever happened between them or it was just one of those intense, romantic friendships that some women tend to have, I don’t really know. Based on what I have seen, I tend to think there was something going on there beyond friendship, but possibly it was never anything official.

Liz seemed to have a boyfriend most of the time that Tayliz were working together/hanging out, which is one of the main things that makes me question my own theory. Of course, it is always possible that she had something with Taylor, while she also had a boyfriend. There are many reasons for that (poly, closeted, etc.), so that does not exclude the idea that she may have actually been involved with two people at one time and one of those people could have been Taylor.

If they were together in some capacity, while Liz also had a boyfriend, it could explain the messy relationship that Taylor seemed to write about during that time. I think it is possible that Emily was just a crush and Liz was her first actual experience with another woman where the feelings were reciprocated to some degree. OR they could have just been really good friends and I am utterly, completely wrong.

Maybe Taylor is just a straight girl, who doesn’t realize that she’s been sending signals that she is queer for years. Whenever that thought crosses my mind, I think about all of the things she has said and done that imply she may not be straight and I just can’t help thinking that it is intentional. I don’t think she is queerbaiting or unintentionally signaling that she might be queer. I think she is queer and has dropped multiple hints to suggest that over the years.

Anyway… Liz has a bf right now and seems to be in a good place, so let’s let her be, please. I hope we get some more new music from her soon.

As far as researching Tayliz goes, I’ll probably keep looking into it when I have time, but at this point I think I have seen pretty much all there is to see (of the content available online currently). I’ll be waiting for the songs from Taylor’s “vault” to drop to see if there are any potential connections there (at least in the “vault” songs for Fearless, Speak Now, and Red).

In conclusion (TL;DR)...

My personal opinion is that there is enough “circumstantial evidence” to include Liz on the list of Taylor potential exes. For me the Gaylor timeline looks something like this:

(Fair Warning: this is all total speculation based on song lyrics and other information that is publicly available)

Summer 2006-December 2007: Taylor develops a crush on Emily. Emily possibly finds out somehow and it doesn’t go over well (OR it does). She is fired from the band AND maybe she is paid off to pursue other interests…

2008/2009- Spring (Summer? Fall?) 2012: Taylor has an on/off relationship with Liz, while Liz also dates men. The relationship may have even started developing as early as the first time they supposedly met back in December 2006, but Taylor definitely was feeling something by the time she posted that blog in February 2008. It’s complicated and non-exclusive. Maybe Taylor wanted more of a commitment and maybe there were promises made that things could/would change, but they never did. By the time she started hanging out with Dianna she was ready to move on. So, she ended things in March/April… but still met up with Liz a couple times after (possibly as friends).

Taylor may have also dated Julianne H. at some point in 2008/2009.

Spring 2012-Fall 2013 (?): Taylor has an on/off relationship with Dianna that may have ended, in part, due to interference from Taylor’s team. Maybe it is the one relationship with a woman that could have actually developed into something more concrete, but maybe that also scared Taylor a bit.

Winter 2013/Early 2014-Fall 2016: Taylor has an on/off relationship with Karlie, while Karlie is also involved with Josh (hence my comment about how CS could be about her experiences with both Liz and Karlie because they may have been similar circumstances, where sometimes they were single and other times they had a serious bf).

Fall 2016-Present: There are at least a couple potential girlfriends within this timeframe. I lean towards Tily being a thing from at least fall 2016-Summer 2019. I am open to Zaylor and I do find it interesting, but I’m not as sold on that one. I personally do not think Taylor is with Joe nor do I think that Joe is WB.

The straight explanation could be that Taylor gets into really, intensely close friendships with other women and eventually they grow apart and move on with their lives.

The funny thing is that I remember Taylor once saying something about how after a breakup, she completely cuts that person off. That fits with her relationships (whatever the nature) with Liz, Dianna, and Karlie. With each of these women, Taylor shared a friend group with them, but Taylor seemed most interested in them. She has had a few friendly/cordial interactions with them, but she seems to have completely separated her life from them after their “friendships” ended. In fact, she moved to entirely different cities on opposite sides of the country (and in one case a different country, with a whole ocean in between) after she stopped hanging out with them.

That’s where I stand and it’s not really much different from where I was back in October when I posted my first summary on Tayliz.

Although, I do have more information now than I did then that leads me to think something was going on. 70% of the time I am convinced they had a relationship beyond friendship and 30% of the time I think they were only ever friends. 99.9% of the time I think I am a clown.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I am inclined to believe that Tayliz is more likely to have had some sort of relationship than Taymily and is slightly less likely to have happened than Swiftgron and Kaylor. Other Gaylors might think they were only coworkers or friends. I’m not out to convince anyone. I am just presenting the information I have found and I don’t mind a friendly discussion/debate if anyone wants to talk about it.

#tayliz #random tayliz thoughts #random gaylor thoughts

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the-truest-sentence-i-know · 3 years

Text

Rogue Demigod - Chapter One

Fandom: Percy Jackson & the Olympians

Pairing: Annabeth Chase x Percy Jackson

Summary: Two years after Luke Castellan's demigod rebellion was ruthlessly crushed by the Olympians, Annabeth realizes that a string of attacks against minor gods across the country might be the actions of another half-blood. Determined to not let history repeat itself, she leaves camp to meet them. Au where Percy never went to Camp Halfblood.

Word Count: 3.5k | 1/?

ao3 ||| ff.net ||| wattpad ||| quotev

As Annabeth walked into Chiron’s office in the Big House, she noticed the shimmering remnant of an Iris message. Behind the glimpses of rainbow that hung in the air, Chiron’s face was grim.

“Another attack?” she asked.

Chiron nodded wearily. “A minor god in Texas, not far from Houston. Tyche, goddess of luck, destiny, and fortune.”

“Did she see what attacked her?” Annabeth sat down on the edge of Chiron’s desk.

He shook his head. “Same as the others. A sudden deluge of water, which got her off-guard as well as temporarily blinding her. But she swears whatever it was had a celestial bronze weapon.”

“Maybe it’s not a monster,” Annabeth suggested, putting a pin in Houston on a map already covered in pins.

“What else would it be?” Chiron asked. “All the Titans were accounted for, as well as the other minor gods and goddesses. Besides, they would have been able to do a lot more damage. Tyche was shaken and a bit injured, but not severely. It is entirely possible that a monster happened to have a celestial bronze weapon that it got from a previous fight.”

Annabeth stared at the map, unconvinced. There was something weird about this.

“With camp starting up again this week, we’ll be able to send out a quest,” Chiron said. “Then we will know more about this, and hopefully be done with it. The gods are growing impatient with our inaction.”

Annabeth frowned. “And of course they can’t do anything about it,” she muttered.

Chiron looked at her reproachingly.

“I didn’t mean that,” she said quickly, then sighed. “So, who are you going to send?”

“Not you, Annabeth,” Chiron said, kindly but firmly. “You know the gods wouldn’t approve of you going, and besides, I need you here.”

“Of course, I didn’t mean me,” Annabeth said. “I was just curious. If this thing can take on minor gods, we need to send someone who can handle it.”

Chiron nodded. “I’ll ask for volunteers and choose from them.” He watched as Annabeth continued to look at the map. “Can I have your word that you’ll focus on getting the camp up and running and not on this?”

Pulled out of her thoughts, Annabeth quickly turned away from the map. “Of course,” and she quickly left the room.

Something about this was nagging at her though. There was something odd about this case.

Back in the Athena cabin, she pulled up the local news for Houston on her laptop. The main story was of a freak wave on the coast – the attack on Tyche. But further down, there was a story about a large, burly man rampaging in a bar before being pulled out into an alley by someone no one saw and disappearing leaving signs of a struggle. The description was how Annabeth imagined mortals would see a minotaur through the Mist.

These two events happened not an hour apart, and Annabeth could not help but wonder if it was the same thing that was involved in both. But she had never heard of monsters attacking each other.

There was only one logical conclusion here, and as Annabeth investigated previous attacks, it became clearer and clearer, but she did not want to think about it.

The attacks on both minor deities and monsters, seemingly indiscriminately. The fact that it never pursued or even attacked demigods. The celestial bronze weapon.

Annabeth closed her laptop and leaned back in her chair and wondered if maybe she was reading too much into it.

The first week of camp was a flurry of activity. Campers arrived, old and new. Annabeth helped to show them around and did not have a lot of time for her own research.

Thalia arrived at the end of the first week. While Annabeth had decided to hold off on college for a year, Thalia had gone last year.

She hugged Annabeth tightly. When she pulled back, she smiled. “How have you been?”

Annabeth’s relationship with Thalia was a bit odd. Although they were now kind of the same age, they had not always been. When they met, Thalia was five years older than Annabeth, but now, due to some magical shenanigans involving a pine tree and the Golden Fleece, they were basically the same age. Nonetheless, Thalia still felt the need to protect her.

“I’m alright,” Annabeth said. “Keeping busy.”

Thalia nodded. “Me too.”

“I actually need your perspective on something. A… research project I’ve been working on.”

Thalia rolled her eyes, smiling, “Of course you would do a research project for fun. I’m forced to do that shit for classes.”

“Don’t swear around the younger campers,” Annabeth said absentmindedly as they headed to the Athena cabin.

In the cabin, campers were unpacking. They all nodded hello as she and Thalia entered. A few stole glances at Thalia in particular. In addition to having once been a tree, she was one of the only two children of the Big Three gods – Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades.

She and Annabeth had also been close to Luke Castellan. Before.

As they approached Annabeth’s bunk, Thalia spotted her bulletin board with a map of the US with the pins of the attacks. Thread connected them in chronological order and cut-out headlines pinned alongside them.

“Wow,” Thalia said. “and I thought you didn’t like conspiracy theories.”

Annabeth frowned. “It’s the attacks,” she lowered her voice so that the other campers could not hear. “They’ve been happening all year, more frequently lately.”

“I’m sure Chiron’s got a handle on it,” Thalia said. “Why do you need me?”

“Chiron thinks it’s a monster and is going to send out a quest to kill it.”

“But you’re not so sure.”

“Exactly.” Annabeth pointed to one of the pins and the headlines pinned near it “April fourth, attack on a group of satyrs in Sacramento. Two days later, an empousa was killed in Concord, which is on the way to San Francisco, where to next attack happened.”

“And monsters don’t generally kill each other. They’re attracted to demigods.” Thalia sighed. “Annabeth, if Chiron thought it was a demigod, don’t you think he’d be handling the situation differently?”

“I didn’t tell him what I thought, because he wouldn’t believe me.”

Thalia studied to board again. “If it was a demigod – and I’m not saying I think it is – why would they be attacking minor gods and satyrs?”

Annabeth raised her eyebrows meaningfully and Thalia sighed again.

“Annabeth, this is why I thought you should go to college too, and not stay cooped up at camp. You need to move on, not try to find a second chance at saving Luke.”

They had not said the name in months, but Annabeth never went a day without thinking about him. “It’s not that –”

“Yes, it is,” Thalia said. “We couldn’t save him and now you think you see someone like him, someone you can try to save.” She put her hands on Annabeth’s shoulders. “We need to let him go.” Annabeth could see the pain in Thalia’s eyes. Luke had meant as much to Thalia as he had to her.

“Chiron’s right,” Thalia said. “It’s just a monster.” She smiled again. “I’ll see you at the campfire.”

When Thalia left the cabin, Annabeth noticed that a lot of her siblings were glancing at her cautiously. She quickly straightened her shoulders and took a breath. She was the head counsellor of the Athena cabin and basically Chiron’s assistant, she had to at least look like she was keeping it together.

She looked back at the board. One thing she hated was feelings clouding judgement. It made plans and conclusions unsound and unreliable. She always tried to approach problems with an unbiased eye. Hadn’t she done that here?

She had not suspected the attack was a demigod until she had looked into it. After that, every new piece of information seemed to fit into place. Nothing else made sense.

Because she had tried other explanations. Whatever Thalia thought, the last thing Annabeth wanted was a demigod attacking gods. She did not want to have t deal with that, much less try to save whoever it was.

If there was one thing Annabeth was confident in, it was her ability to research and come to logical conclusions. She knew she was right.

She just had to convince someone of it.

As the sun started to set, Annabeth made her way across the strawberry fields. At the far end, nestled between some trees, was a small cottage.

She knocked on the door.

“Who is it?” a voice called from inside.

“Grover, it’s me, Annabeth!”

Annabeth heard the various locks click open before the door opened. Grover looked tired, as he always did these days. “Hey, Annabeth.”

She smiled as she stepped inside. “How’ve you been, Grover?”

“I’ve been alright,” he said. “It’s nice to hear all the campers around again. It gets so quiet during the school year.”

The cabin was small, just one room, with a bed in one corner and a couple of lazy chairs in the other. A cabinet of cans stood at the far wall.

Annabeth sank into a chair. “I saw Thalia earlier. Has she been by yet?”

Grover nodded. “Briefly.”

“I’m sure we can all catch up at the campfire tonight,” Annabeth said hopefully.

“Oh, I don’t – I wasn’t planning on going,” Grover said.

Even though she wanted to, Annabeth knew better than to pressure him. “Grover, I need your expertise on something.”

“My expertise?” Grover asked incredulously.

“Yes, as a Searcher.”

“And a great Searcher I was,” Grover muttered.

“Come on, what do we keep saying about the negative self-talk.” Annabeth sighed. “I think I may have found a demigod, but I’m not sure. You have the instincts for this.”

Grover sighed. “Okay, how can I help?”

Annabeth pulled out her laptop and showed him the digitalized version of the bulletin board. It would be more efficient to have it digitalized and not physically, but Annabeth liked to think with her hands.

“These are the monster attacks,” Grover said cautiously.

“Yeah, but not just on gods and nature spirits. I found attacks on monsters that fit into the timeline.”

As Grover surveyed the connecting headlines, Annabeth saw the realization cross his face. He immediately stepped back. “No.”

“What?”

“I am not getting involved in this.”

“Come on, Grover, I just need your help to convince Chiron, so he doesn’t send a quest to kill the person doing this.”

“Annabeth,” Grover said. “This is a demigod attacking minor gods. If the gods got wind of this…? It’s the last thing we need; repairing our reputation is hard enough as it is without there being a demigod fighting gods.” His voice rose to a bleat at the end.

Annabeth put a hand on Grover’s arm. “I know this brings up a lot for you, it does for me too, but maybe we can help this person – it’s just one person.”

“Luke was just one person too, and he led hundreds of demigods against Olympus.”

They were both quiet for a good moment. Annabeth closed her laptop and stood up slowly. “I’ll see you later, then,” she said, smiling softly.

“Yeah,” Grover said, grabbing a can and nibbling it nervously. “Later.”

As Annabeth closed the door behind her, she sighed. She had known that Grover would not be happy to hear it, but at least he did believe her. Maybe with more time, he would back her up to Chiron.

But she didn´t have time. She suspected that Chiron would call for volunteers at the campfire tonight.

Annabeth made her way down to the campfire early that evening, hoping to talk to Chiron before too many campers got there.

Chiron stood talking to a few satyrs who had recently brought in new campers / probably asking if their changes seemed particularly promising. He saw her coming down the earthen steps that doubled as seats around the fire pit and quickly finished his conversation.

“Annabeth,” he said. “I actually wanted to talk to you about the attacks.”

“Don’t worry, I ‘m sending out a quest, they’ll be on their way by morning.”

“But that’s exactly what I’m worried about.” Annabeth took a breath. “I don’t think it’s a monster. I think it’s a demigod.”

“What?”

“I did research – in my free time – that I can show you.” She could see that Chiron was wholly unconvinced. “Grover thinks so too.”

“Grover is hardly a reliable source.” There was an exasperated edge to his voice.

Annabeth huffed. “Grover was one of our best Searchers.”

“Exactly: was. He has not left the camp in over a year and a half! I care about Grover, but I couldn’t be surprised if his instincts have dulled a bit.”

“Come on, Chiron. Surely you see there’s something weird going on.” Annabeth looked at him imploringly, but he did not budge.

“I’m sending out a quest. That’s final.” Chiron turned and made his way to his regular spot on the far end of the fire pit.

Annabeth sighed. This was really not going how she had planned. She had hoped that this summer would be the one everything would go back to normal. The camp had been her home since she was seven and she hated how it had changed.

There were still traces of the battle that had taken place two years ago. Burn marks on buildings that Annabeth had been working to slowly get fixed. New scars on basically every camper. And so many empty bunks. The missing kids were not all reflected on the Wall either.

The Wall of Valor was in the Big House and was engraved with all the names of the demigods who died in battle. But only those fighting for the gods – rebels did not count, so they were left off and did not receive pyre burnings.

Annabeth had tried to argue for their names being included, of course, but had not been successful. She had argued unsuccessfully for a lot of things in the aftermath.

She remembered standing in the throne room of Olympus, the gods and goddesses towering above her. Trying to stand tall, she spoke as loudly and confidently as she could muster. “We request that the gods and goddesses claim their children within a reasonable time – at thirteen or fourteen, for example. Many of the rebels –”

“Traitors,” Hera spat.

“Traitors,” Annabeth amended quickly. “Many of the traitors were unclaimed and felt forgotten and neglected. Claiming them could prevent this from happening again.”

“So, you’re blaming us for this?” Zeus asked.

“No, of course not, Lord Zeus,” Annabeth said. “I’m just saying, there were contributing factors that could be eliminated to lessen the chance of this happening again.”

“This is absurd,” Hera said. “Your camp rises up against us and now you are making demands?”

“Not our whole camp,” Annabeth said, trying to keep her voice calm. “We fought against them – for you.”

“You were a close friend of this Luke fellow, weren’t you?” Demeter asked.

Annabeth turned to her. “Yes, we were close.”

“Why didn’t you stop him?”

She blinked. “I – I didn’t know until it was too late.”

Annabeth pulled herself out of the memory and sat down shakily. It had been a lie. She had known – at least that something was going on.

Other campers had started to filter in, and Annabeth quickly turned Thalia and they sat together. She did not pay much attention as the Hephaestus kids started the fire and the Apollo kids started up the sing-along.

Food was served and Annabeth ate silently, staring into the fire. She could see no way to convince Chiron or anyone of authority. And she could not go to any god with her theory, they would strike the rogue half-blood dead first and ask questions later. Annabeth wanted to help them.

Maybe Thalia was right. Maybe this was just a second chance for her. But that did not mean that it was not true. Whatever her motivations were, she wanted to help.

An old plan from years ago began to reform in her mind. Back before she went on her quest two years ago, she had been very impatient to leave camp. At one point, she had gotten the idea in her head that Chiron would never let her go and that she would have to do it herself. The main tenets of that plan could still work.

Annabeth looked around. If she left tonight, she would have a head start. And besides, she knew about this person’s movements and habits. For one thing, they tended to travel up to New York every couple of months and were due for another visit soon.

Across the fire pit, Chiron rose. “Good evening everyone. I trust you have all had a good week back. A special welcome to all the newcomers. We hope you come to see this place as a home away from home, as many here do.” He smiled warmly. “Now, as I am sure many of you have heard, there have been a large number of monster attacks all over the country over the past year. We believe they are all the work of one creature. These attacks have escalated in recent months and therefore, I am sending out a quest.”

Whispers erupted among the campers and the enchanted flames jumped green and yellow, reflecting their excitement. There had not been any quests last year.

“We do not know what kind of creature this is, so this quest is not for the faint of heart. However, I believe there is a candidate for the job.” Chiron turned to a group of Aphrodite kids. “Olivia Marcelin, daughter of Aphrodite.” He inclined his head slightly to her. “Will you undertake this labour?”

Olivia, petite but muscular, had arrived at camp just before the rebellion. She was thrust into battle situations at fifteen and handled herself well. She was a good fighter, skilled in multiple weapons, and benefitted from being underestimated. Annabeth would have to be smart if she was going to beat her.

Olivia, although first taken off her guard, quickly straightened and smiled. “I would be honoured.”

“And who will you choose as your companions?” Chiron asked.

She looked around. “Adam Flavius.” Her brother, another son of Aphrodite. Unassuming, but had wickedly good aim with throwing knives. “and Sabine Stentz.” No surprise there. Sabine, daughter of Demeter, was Olivia’s girlfriend. Like all children of Demeter, she had power over plants, but she specialized in the art of offensive plants. Annabeth had seen her in action and would hate to have to tangle with her.

“Very well,” Chiron said. “Tonight you will go to the Oracle and prepare, for you leave at first light tomorrow morning.”

“But first,” said Michal – a child of Apollo. “More sing-along.”

As they strummed the opening chords of ‘She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain,’ Annabeth turned to Thalia. “I think I’m gonna turn in for the night,” she said quietly.

Thalia looked at her with a little suspicion but nodded. “Sleep well.”

Annabeth slipped away quietly. In her cabin, she quickly packed the essentials in her backpack: ambrosia, nectar, change of clothes, a few drachmae, and everything else needed for a last-minute quest. Before she hurried out, she stuffed a pillow and extra blanket under her sheets, so it looked like she was asleep. The longer head start she could get before people noticed she was missing, the better.

Even though it had been a solo plan, Annabeth found herself knocking on Grover’s door.

“What is it?” he asked when he opened the door, looking like he had been sleeping. Then he saw her backpack and the sword that joined her dagger that was normally on her hip. “Whatever you’re doing, I do not want to be involved.”

“Grover, I need your help.”

“I am not going on your redemption quest, especially not if it’s a non-sanctioned one.”

“I have a better chance if you come along, you know that. You can track demigods.”

“I also know that I haven’t left camp since… you know, and I’m out of practice.”

“If we don’t do this, there’s a pretty good chance the demigod will be killed.”

“So what? Maybe it’s better that way.”

“Better that way? Are you hearing yourself?” Annabeth tried not to lose her cool. “This is a demigod who needs our help. Finding and protecting demigods is supposed to be your job, as a Searcher.”

Grover just shook his head.

“Look, I know that you feel like you failed Luke, like what happened was your fault, but that was on all of us, okay? But maybe we can make it right, by helping this person.” She squared her shoulders. “But whether you decide to come or not, I’m going.”

Grover sighed and closed his eyes. “Fine,” he said through gritted teeth.

Annabeth sighed a breath of relief. While she had been ready to go along, she hadn’t like the idea. She hadn’t had to survive along since before she met Luke and Thalia after running away from home.

“I thought you said this wasn’t to make up for what happened to Luke,” said a voice behind her.

Annabeth jumped and spun around to see Thalia standing behind her.

“Thalia, I – we –”

“I can’t let you two dumbasses go along, and you seem pretty hell-bent.” She rolled her eyes and sighed. “Fuck it – we’re all going on this unsanctioned quest – which I still don’t entirely approve of.”

#percabeth #pjo #pjo fanfic #fanfic #annabeth chase #percy jackson #【ｒｏｇｕｅ　ｄｅｍｉｇｏｄ】#ao3 #ff.net #wattpad #wattpadlife #quotev #amwriting #writing #my writing

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authenticcadence18 · 3 years

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30 Questions About Me

THANKS FOR THE TAG @bugaboo-n-bananoir ILY!!!!

(Nick)name: Cadence

gender: cis female

Star sign: Pisces

Height: uhhhhh I am not sure, it’s taller than 5ft at least

Time: night! (Well I wrote most of this last night, but now it’s the evening of the next day!)

Birthday: well I’m a Pisces, so my birthday is between Feb 19th and march 20th!

Fave band/group: Pentatonix! Or For King and Country. Or the piano guys, the vitamin string quartet, Voctave.....also Phineas and the Ferbtones👌

Fave solo artists: I really like Lauren Daigle, and Jackie Evancho used to be my FAVE. Aaand idk if this counts but Michael Giacchino! love his scores, especially the score for Inside Out. There’s also this guy called Clay Kramer on YouTube who makes KK Slider covers of popular music, his stuff gives me so much seratonin😅

Song Stuck in my Head: Well I’m listening to music rn and “I’m Me” from Phineas and Ferb is on so I’ll say that! (I’ll revisit this one when I finish the list and update it with whatever song i’m listening to/is stuck in my head then) (ok the music has since been turned off and now I have “Status Quo” from High School Musical stuck in my head so! There ya go!) (now it is the next day, and I’ve got “when the party’s over” stuck in my head...i think these three songs are an accurate reflection of my taste in music🤣)

Last Movie: uhhhhh oh yeah, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice! It was SO GREAT because Jay Baruchel plays the main character (and the main character is super awkward), so I felt like I was watching Hiccup from the How To Train Your Dragon franchise learn magic and it was GLORIOUS. And also Nicholas Cage is great. And I liked the love interest in the movie as well!! She had a role to play in the story and felt authentic and genuine, which I appreciated!

Last Show: ok well the last show I watched by myself was Phineas and Ferb! Specifically, the episode with the Mardi Gras block party and then the one where Candace and Stacy compete in an obstacle course against Isabella and Ginger (omg wAIT ginger and Stacy are sisters and Isabella and Candace are GOING to be sisters mY HEART I—AH🥺). I hadn’t watched those episodes in forever, so they were really fun to revisit! I think the last actual show I watched was Kids Baking Championship or something, lol. (Those kids are AMAZING. So skilled!)

When i created this blog: November 2019! It was riiiight after the season 3 finale of miraculous aired and absolutely wrecked my emotions. I had some fanfic written that I’d never posted and had been thinking about making a tumblr/ao3 for awhile, and seeing the finale made me finally go, “.....you know what, yeah. The finale is aired, no more spoilers.....it’s time to make a blog.” So I did! And I posted my first fic! And I’m so happy i did :)

What Do I Post: a bunch of multi fandom stuff XD. This blog started off as 90% Miraculous, 10% other fandoms I like...but now it’s just kind of a hodgepoge of my favorite fandoms (with a focus on Phineas and Ferb, lol). I reblog a lot of posts, and then I post original stuff too! I write fanfic, nowadays for Phineas and Ferb but for Miraculous in the past (and probably in the future!), I draw art (mostly Phinabella art because I’ve been drawing them since i was 11 and it feels good to return to my roots), and OCCASIONALLY I will write an analysis post (I’ve got one in the works rn actually 👀), attempt to make a meme, or dip my toe into salt just SLIGHTLY before quickly backing away, lol. If I were to list the fandoms I post about in the order of how frequently I post about them, I’d probably say: Phineas and Ferb, Miraculous....and thennnnn everything else is pretty random and depends on the day, lol.

Last thing i googled: Jay Baruchel 😂. Couldn’t remember how to spell his last name!

Other blogs: this is my only blog! Sometimes I think about making a separate blog for my art and writing, but I am not sure if I should or not....maybe I will someday, but idk. I also have an AO3 for fanfic and an Instagram for art! All are under the name “authenticcadence18.”

Do I get asks: sometimes, yeah!! Sometimes I reblog ask games/prompts and get some asks for those (I’ve got so many prompts in my inbox I want to write/draw things for...ah it’s fine, I’ll get to it eventually😅), and sometimes lovely people will leave thoughts or nice messages in my inbox🥺💕. I’ve got a specific tag for all those nice messages so I can read back over them whenever I need a boost!

Why this url: it’s a music pun! When a song/section of a piece of music ends with a dominant chord resolving to a tonic chord (if you’ve read a certain fic of mine you should know allll about dominant and tonic chords👀🤣), it’s called an authentic cadence! There are different kinds of cadences, and authentic ones are my favorite. One example of this is “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” I also use this blog to be my authentic, fandom-loving self! So I like authentic cadences, and also, I’m Cadence and using this blog to be authentic! Woo! (And 18 is just my favorite number, lol) I’m glad I ended up choosing a name that doesn’t tie to a specific fandom becaaaaaause this ended up being a multi fandom blog!

Following: 232!!

Followers: 292!!! (THANKS SO MUCH Y’ALL ILY 💕)

Average amount of sleep: wellllll for the past week and a half I was sick so I was probably getting 9ish hours a night (because I would sleep in really late, lol). but NOW? In my immediate future? I suspect my average amount of sleep is going to go down because I’m really bad about staying up late even when I have to get up early😅. Hoping to be good about getting at least 7ish hours a night!

Lucky number: 18! But y’all probably already guessed that, lol.

Instruments: my voice, piano, ukulele, viola (but it’s been a HOT minute), aaaand i used to be able to play guitar but then I got a ukulele and forgot all the guitar chords. (I also dabble in songwriting! I primarily use voice and piano when writing music.)

What I’m wearing: my favorite sweatshirt (that was last night, rn I have on a tanktop), some leggings, and socks!

Dream job: I’m currently learning to be a teacher, and I LOVE teaching and working with kids so that is definitely a job I’m really excited about!!! I would also love to portray characters at Disney or something (well, maybe not at Disney because I hear they’re strict, but like....I want to be Rapunzel or Anna or something, that would be so fun). OR, I would LOVE to work in tv animation somehow, be it voice acting, writing scripts/music, and/or story boarding. basically if I could do what Dan and Swampy did for Phineas and Ferb/Milo Murphy’s Law, I would LOVE THAT. (Especially the writing music part. Getting to write music for established characters and get PAID for it would be SO COOL.!.!.!) Also I think it would be so fun to write Disney storybooks! Like, those books that are about Cinderella baking a cake or Ariel befriending a seahorse, stuff like that. Those brought me a ton of joy as a child!

Dream trip: I want to visit alllll the Disney parks someday😅. (Not right now because, ya know, Covid...but someday!)

Fave food: uhhh i really like pizza. And popcorn. Also hummus and guacamole!

nationality: American

Fave songs: “Times” by Tenth Avenue North; “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (I made an entire playlist of just this song when I first started writing my fic of the same name, so I like the original and a ton of covers of it!), “Show Yourself” from Frozen II, “What Might Have Been” from Phineas and Ferb (and lots of other songs from that show, i made a whole post about that once but I can’t find it, oof); “Rescue” by Lauren Daigle; “Thank You” by Pentatonix; “I See the Light” from Tangled; “Your Hands” by JJ Heller; “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran.....i like a loooot of songs so this is just the tip of the iceberg, but I think that’s good for now, LOL! (As soon as I post this I’m going to remember another song I love, lol)

last book: I got the book Unbirthday for Christmas! It’s basically Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, but if she’d never gone to wonderland and things went horribly wrong there. (I think, I’m not that far into it yet, lol)

Top 3 fictional universes I’d love to live in: 1. DANVILLE, PLS. Especially as a kid, I SO would’ve loved to hang out with Isabella and Phineas and the rest of the gang! Danville is so vibrant and unique and people are always randomly breaking into song there, that’s my kind of place! 2. Fairytopia (from the Barbie movies!) because I could be a fairy OR a mermaid OR BOTH and eat seeweed to breathe underwater even if I wasn’t a mermaid. Like, that’s the dream right there. (I’ve always loved mermaids and fairies, lol!) 3. Maybe San Fransokyo from Big Hero 6? All of the technology in that universe is really cool! And I would love to eat a noodle burger, lol .

Oh! That’s the last one! Wow! This was so FUN!!!!!!! Thanks again for the tag, Maddy!!!! :)

I’ll taaaag @sketchy-panda @macaronsforchat @simplynewyorkbound @inkjackets and anyone else who’d like to do this! (And pls don’t feel pressured to play at all, or answer all of the questions! I was definitely vague with a few of my answers, lol)

#long post #cadence rambles #tag game #this was so funnnnn!#i also got your other tag maddy🥺#going to get to that post soon!

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fiction-fun · 4 years

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Hidden in Plain Sight

@braidedchallah @alexanderdamnhethin @creedtheconquer @rthoney @2pintsofjohnlaurens @pixiepip @andpeggy21 @little-nymph-claro @hamiltimes @haha-gunsgoburrr

Fandom: Hamilton

Pairings: Laf/Oc, ElizaAlexander, Hercules/Elizabeth (both Hamliza and Herc/Elizabeth are secondary)

Words: 17,791{sorry not sorry}

I tied my hair back quickly after pulling on my jacket, boots already on. I took a breath and hoped today wouldn’t be the day I was found out.

“Sinnette, you look like the Majors going to eat your head!” One of the soldiers beside me called.

I turned and glared.

“I do not!” I said my accent coming out thickly.

The soldier shrugged and turned back to whatever he was doing. I took a breath; these English soldiers always knew just how to press my buttons. I walked from the tent and paused before the Major-Generals tent, I coughed softly to clear my throat.

'You just have to stay formal. You’ve got this.’ I thought.

I walked around the side of the tent; the main flap raised. I paused at the doorway, a chill going down my spine

'I hadn’t realized that Washington was going to be here! And who is that?’ I thought as I looked between the other people in the room.

“Ah! There you are Lyon! Come say hello!” the Major-General called and waved me in.

I nodded and stepped forward pausing in front of the only open side of the map table.

“You wanted to see me, sir?” I asked my eyes flicking between him and the others.

‘I'm stood to close; they’re going to see.’ I thought frantically.

“Ah! Oui I did! This is Alexander Hamilton right hand and fellow Ade-de-camp for General Washington. He’s going to be staying with us for a week or so. I want you to…...easier in French. Show him around.” The Major-General said quickly.

I nodded sharply.

“Of course, sir. I was just preparing to head on a patrol I can show him around now if you’d like.” I said my hands fisted tightly behind myself.

The Major-General shook his head and waved a hand. He looked to the side at General Washington and pointed to me.

“This is why he's my right-hand. Always ready at the drop of a hat. It also helps he speaks fluent French and English and can translate when I can’t think of the words, or when I slip into French, like I seem to have.” The Major-General said before looking at me.

“The Major-General said that it helps I speak fluent French and English and can translate for him when he needs it.” I quickly filled in.

General Washington nodded and looked at Hamilton.

“You learn everything you can from him. Understood?” The General asked and he made it clear it wasn’t a question.

“Yes, sir.” Hamilton responded.

Washington turned to the Major-General and raised a brow.

“Where did you find him anyways, Lafayette? We could use more like him.” The General said with a laugh.

Lafayette laughed beside him.

“He is one of a kind. There is no one quite to his level.” Lafayette said.

The Major-General turned to where Alexander and I stood, on the opposite sides of the table.

“Oh, go on, I have something to discuss with the good General. But come back in a little bit, I may have orders for you.” He said waving a hand dismissing me.

I nodded and saluted.

“Yes, sir!” I said before spinning on my heels and heading from the tent.

“What are you waiting for, Hamilton!” General Washington's voice carried from the tent.

It was followed by the hasty “Yes, sir!” and then Hamilton’s frantic footsteps running out after me. I stopped sharply and turned to look at him.

“First and foremost. I don’t know what you do in your unit. But we don’t run, we march. We salute and we are respectful. You will keep pace with me and not hold me back or I swear I will hang you by your bootstraps from that tree. Understood?” I said firmly, accent thick.

Hamilton nodded and fell into step beside me. After that I showed him around the camp. From the duties to were the food and rest areas were. I turned and looked at him, seeing him staring at me.

“What is it?” I asked voice tight.

Hamilton jumped.

“I just didn’t expect someone so young looking. That’s all. Sorry, I have a bad habit of getting lost in my head.” He said with a small laugh.

I shot him a look quickly before pulling him to the side. To anyone passing by it would look like I was disciplining a junior officer.

“You lose yourself in your head here, you lose your head out there. You will not be a casualty on my watch, understood?” I said firmly.

I had lost to many men who lost themselves in their heads. Hamilton nodded and looked towards the ground.

“Sorry, it’s a bad habit of mine. I’m not used to needing to be fully focused all of the time. Besides, when in actual battle.” He said in explanation.

It was then I realized why I recognized his name.

“Great, I get saddled with the idiot who stole British canons.” I muttered turning to stalk away.

“I am not an idiot!” Hamilton shouted after me.

I paused and turned slowly to him.

“You speak French.” I said it was a statement.

“Oui.” Hamilton said stopping in front of me.

I crossed my arms self-consciously, but slapped a glare on my face when he stopped moving.

“Just what are you doing here, Hamilton?” I asked voice strained through clenched teeth.

Hamilton shrugged slightly.

“I was told to learn from you. Apparently, Lafayette picked you about as soon as you walked into the field but you’d know that better than anyone.” He said.

I flared my nose and glared harder at him.

“That is Major-General Lafayette. And so, what? You want my position; you’d have to duel me for it.” I said firmly.

Being Lafayette’s right-hand was a dangerous position everyone wanted it, I had already been challenged and won 20 duels. Hamilton put his hands up like he was cautioning off a scared animal.

“No! I don’t want your position, I’m happy being Washington’s right-hand. He just wants you to get me used to the position requirements. And Lafayette is a friend of mine, he won’t mind me calling him that.” He said quickly.

I loosened my arms and nodded faintly.

“Fine, we need to report in now. Let’s go.” I said spinning around on my heel and walking back to the Major-Generals tent.

I heard Hamilton take step beside me and nodded. He was capable of learning. We paused outside the Major-Generals tent and I held a hand up when Hamilton went to enter. I shot him a look.

“You wait until you are summoned inside.” I said firmly.

Hamilton nodded, and stopped beside me. Hands at his side, my hands folded behind me.

“Ah! Come in you two!” Lafayette said looking up.

I stepped forward, Hamilton at my side.

“Sir, all is clear at the perimeter, sir.” I said quickly, I used English purely for Washington’s benefit.

“Very good, and Alexander’s training?” He asked watching me.

I shifted my weight from my left foot to my right and looked at him.

“He has much to learn, but it should be doable.” I informed switching to French quickly.

The Major-General nodded.

“Good! Lyon, he’ll be in your tent then.” Lafayette said.

I froze, my eyes darting around the room.

“Sir, are you sure that’s the best idea? Not to question your decision but sir, he’s so new and he’s new to camp, the others may become suspect and, you know the issues we already have.” I said quickly trying to talk myself out of sharing a tent with him.

Lafayette raised an eyebrow before waving off my concerns.

“You’ve handled it just fine so far; besides he’s only going to be here a week or so.” Lafayette said.

I bit my tongue and nodded.

“Yes, sir.” I said resignedly.

Lafayette didn’t seem to hear my tone as he just nodded and waved for us to join them at the table. There we discussed plans and attack strategies.

“No, we should focus here.” Hamilton said pointing to a spot.

I lifted my head and shot a look at him. The Major-General and the General having stepped to the side when we started this debate.

“You’re insane! The French forces are Naval Hamilton! Just because your American forces are land based doesn’t mean a thing! We out number you ten to one and they out number you a hundred to one! Learn your spot Hamilton, then suggest suicidal battle plans! I’m not losing men because you think you’re smart!” I said switching part way to English, unconsciously.

Hamilton slammed his hands on the map.

“You’re being intransigent!” He exclaimed.

I leaned closer to him and glared.

“And you’re too big for your bootstraps!” I said back firmly.

“Lyon, take a walk.” Lafayette called from the side of the tent.

My head whipped over to him, as I stood from my leaned over position.

“Sir!” I exclaimed.

He shook his head and gave me a look, waving me off. I clenched my fist and nodded.

“Yes, sir.” I said finally and stormed from the tent.

I took to my horse and ran off on a border patrol, needing the air. After twenty minutes I heard another horse ride up behind me. I made a split-second decision to stop, my hand on my sword.

“I was worried I’d have to chase you further.” Lafayette’s voice came from behind me.

I swallowed thickly and turned my horse to face him.

“If I had realized you were behind me, I would have stopped sooner, sir. I apologize. I said quickly.

Lafayette waved off my apology and moved closer to me, looking me in the eye.

“What was that with Alexander?” he asked.

I bit my lip, and looked away.

“He’s completely unwilling to accept direction. He thinks he knows best and refuses to accept he’s wrong!” I said my tone firm.

Lafayette nodded and watched me.

“He has always been like that. But you have been with me long enough to know where we stand.” Lafayette said and I knew he knew exactly why I was being so harsh.

I looked at him.

“I just, he speaks French. You didn’t tell me that. I’m used to being included in information like that. How am I to know what you have planned for new people coming in. Not that it matters, if you wished to replace me it would be entirely within your right.” I said carefully, my tone soft.

Lafayette placed a hand on my shoulder.

“You have nothing to worry about. You helped me to even get here, we are a pair until this and our own war are over. Actually, should the need call for it, you should expect to be my aid for a while. And if it doesn’t, you’re my friend, just because we’re commissioned doesn’t change that.” He said tone even, but firm.

I swallowed and looked to the side; I remembered the day we met. I was just a stowaway on a merchant ship he had bought the only reason I exposed myself was because we were boarded. I remember I grabbed the sword from a downed passenger and used it to go through the attackers, ending up at one point back to back with Lafayette who had also grabbed a sword. We nodded to each other and sprung back into the fray. When all was said and done, Lafayette and I along with most of the crew still stood, blood stained, but uninjured. It was then that Lafayette had asked me to be at his side in this and our own war, I had accepted without thinking.

‘If you only knew.’ I thought looking back to him.

“Sir.” I started but was interrupted.

“I don’t see any other officers out here. Not that that’s a requirement, I told you, you can call me Lafayette.” He said firmly.

I nodded.

“S…Lafayette I understand that, but I don’t have military training, he does. The others do. I was just a stowaway.” I said, he knew that much.

Lafayette let his head drop and he shook it laughing.

“He has no more training then you did! You learned on the field just as he is. As for just being a stowaway, sure that’s what you were, but if you hadn’t have been there we all would have been dead. I needed someone I could rely on, someone to have my back, that was you. That still is you.” He said just as firmly.

I swallowed and shook my head. We were to close, he’d find out.

“I should finish my patrol, and you have guests.” I said quickly trying to pull my horse from his.

He reached over and tugged my reigns from my hands, causing them to fall into my lap.

“We have a minute. Why are you so jumpy?” he asked.

My hands shook where they had instinctually fallen onto my lap, I quickly moved them.

“No reason.” I said trying not to let anything out.

Lafayette gave me a look but shook his head leading his horse a step away. I picked my reigns back up.

“Perhaps you’ll tell me one day.” He said before turning his horse around and leading it away.

I dropped my head and my shoulders shook.

'You have no idea how bad I want to tell you everything, Lafayette. But I can’t.’ I thought before pulling my horse back into a trot.

I made it back to camp twenty minutes later and retied my horse.

“There you are Sinnette, the Major-General is looking for you. At least I think he is, he’s only speaking in French again.” One of the soldiers said.

I nodded and turned quickly heading towards the Major-Generals tent. I paused in front of the tent and waited to be waved in. Inside sat Alexander and Washington. Lafayette at the side of the tent looking over some papers. He looked up when General Washington coughed slightly, and pointed over to the tent entrance.

“Come in, come in.” He said distractedly.

I stepped inside and folded my hands behind me.

“Sir?” I asked looking at him.

He glanced up and waved me over.

“The winters ball is in a few months, Washington’s invited me, and I’m bringing you.” He said still distracted.

I blinked slowly and swallowed thickly.

“Should we both be away at the same time, what if something were to happen?” I asked trying to get out of it.

He looked up briefly nodding to Washington and Hamilton.

“They are going to send spare troops for the duration of the ball. There shouldn’t be any issues.” He said finally looking up from the papers in front of him.

“Did you come to see me for a reason?” he asked confusion evident in his voice.

I backed up a step as he stood straight up.

“No, sir. I just got back from my ride and an officer came up and said you were looking for me. I believe it was because you were only speaking in French, you still are by the way.” I said quickly in response.

Lafayette lifted one hand and held it to his forehead the other naturally falling to his sword, he leaned to the side to look at Washington and Hamilton.

“How long have I been speaking in just French?” He asked them.

Hamilton looked up, before looking to Washington.

“Probably twenty-five minutes or so. Since you got back from your ride at the very least.” Washington said, not looking concerned.

I assume Hamilton had taken to quietly translating for the General. I looked away and out of the tent like I was checking the soldiers from a distance.

‘It’s my fault. I locked him in a French loop then wasn’t here to break him out of it.’ I thought faintly.

Lafayette tossed a hand up.

“Oh well, it’s a good thing both of our right-hands speak French and English huh?” He asked sending a smile to Washington.

Washington nodded with his own smile.

“It’s very good.” Washington agreed.

After that day the rest of the week went quickly but trickily, I normally had my own tent since I was promoted. So, I didn’t have an issue keeping my secret but with Alexander Hamilton staying with me it was rough. Despite our rough start Hamilton grew on me, at least as a soldier. One day towards the end of his time with us, we stood around the map table, Lafayette at the other side.

“We'd have to meet up here.” Hamilton said pointing to a spot.

I shook my head.

“That wouldn’t work.” I muttered moving his piece over to a different spot on the map, nodding.

Hamilton looked at me and I felt his annoyance.

“Why are you so….” He started before being interrupted.

“Let Lyon explain.” Lafayette cut in quickly, nodding to me.

I nodded back in thanks before turning back to the map.

“Your plan is technically achievable. But your missing something In your factoring, see this patrol line? It cuts right through here and it’s such a tight line. I’ve tried to strike it before, for supplies. There’s a cavalry line that follows that path, that’s one rider every maybe two minutes. We’d never get a full unit through before they saw us and alerted the others. They have twice as many troops as we do, it wouldn’t be a fight that we’d win easily. Over here, is a break in their lines. It would be easy to get in and out.” I said quickly indicating the points.

“You crossed enemy lines for supplies?” Lafayette asked looking at me.

I swallowed and nodded.

“Oui, last winter. You were gone, but we were running low on food and medical supplies. I used the night as a cover, which considering the line runs at night as well, wouldn’t help us before you suggest it Hamilton. I got in hit them hard and got out as quickly as I could. But that’s how I got the scar you saw on my arm and asked about.” I said pointing to the general spot of the scar.

Lafayette nodded and turned back to the map.

“Well as long you’re ok. And clearly you are. I agree with Lyons view point. I’ve seen the cavalry line myself. It’s a good plan Alexander, it just wouldn’t work here.” Lafayette said pushing back from the table and turning to his desk.

Hamilton nodded also rising to his feet, I stood as well.

“Go prepare.” Lafayette called and waved us away.

“Yes, sir.” Hamilton said turning quickly to the exit.

I turned as well.

“Yes, Sir.” I said just as quickly.

“Lyon, wait.” He called just as I was about exit the tent.

I paused instantly before nodding to Hamilton to keep going I spun back as soon as he was away from the tent.

“Yes?” I asked walking back to the map.

Lafayette took a long time to turn around, he sighed and finally turned, pulling his hair tie out and shaking his head.

“After a week, how do you think Alexander is doing?” he asked sitting down in his chair.

I swallowed and looked to the side, as if in thought.

“He’s doing better then I expected, I will admit. Will he be effective? I think he’ll be more effective in a land locked area then he will on a water camp. But he’s smart and should be able to effectively help General Washington.” I said finally.

Lafayette nodded and waved at the seat in front of his desk, pouring me a drink.

“You prepare in less than five minutes. Let Alexander rally them, if he fails you can get them going quickly. Have a drink with me.” He said head resting on his hand.

I moved slowly to the chair and sat down taking the offered drink, I was watching him. I saw his fingers gently moving against his head.

“Headache, Lafayette?” I asked taking a long drink off the glass.

He nodded and closed his eyes.

“I haven’t been sleeping very well lately. A lot has been happening and I’ve been planning.” He said without opening his eyes, taking a drink of his glass.

I hummed lightly.

“Why not let me help? That’s what I’m here for.” I asked quietly.

Lafayette huffed out a laugh.

“I know, I know. But you have been dealing with training Alexander and planning today’s attack. I didn’t want to add more to your plate.” He said just as quietly.

I sighed softly and shook my head.

“Let me help you from now on. I don’t like seeing you work yourself into a state like this, especially when I am ready willing and able to help you.” I said careful of my word choice.

Lafayette opened an eye and looked at me, before sighing.

“You’re right of course. Perhaps tomorrow when things calm down from our fight, we can discuss the things that are happening.” He said softly.

I nodded and we sat in silence for a bit. Hamilton came in after a while.

“Sir, the soldiers are ready!” He announced quickly.

I rose to my feet Lafayette doing the same. In the same motion Lafayette had his hair tied back and his hand on his sword.

“Let us ride.” He called.

I laid a hand on my sword and ran from the tent.

“Saddle up!” I shouted, my group running to our horses quickly.

I saw Lafayette jump onto his horse and Hamilton took charge of the foot soldiers. We waited for just a minute before I drew my sword, seeing Lafayette do the same. At the same time, we lifted our arms, swords aimed towards the sky.

“LETS RIDE!” we shouted in tandem.

With that the horses were sent into a run, the foot soldiers moving quickly behind us. Lafayette and I spurred our horses on, jumping over logs and dodging hanging branches. We moved quickly, reaching the spot we had chosen to hold back faster than expected. Lafayette and I pulled our horses to a stop, the others stopping beside us. The foot soldiers catching up to us now. Lafayette waved Alexander forward and he stopped between our horses. Lafayette looked between us.

“We are ahead of schedule; how badly will this throw us off?” he asked looking between us.

I looked around, taking in the dark trees and listened for the sound of the enemies nearby.

“It shouldn’t throw us off at all, we planned to be there in darkness, and we will be.” Hamilton said quickly.

I held up a hand and brought it to my lips quickly, hushing them.

“We have company.” I said quietly.

That got their attention, Lafayette sat up right on his horse and looked at me. Hamilton watched us both, Lafayette closed his eyes and listened for a minute. Within thirty seconds his eyes popped open and he looked at Hamilton.

“Get the men ready, we’re getting ambushed.” He said quickly.

Hamilton nodded and turned back to the ground soldiers. Within a few seconds they were all drawing their weapons. Lafayette nodded to me, I turned slightly to see the cavalry men.

“Swords and guns out men!” I called quickly.

“Come out come out little British soldiers!” Lafayette called teasingly.

The next two hours were a blur. I threw a man onto my horse and spurred him forward with a quick slap. I spun back to back with Lafayette.

“We need to stop meeting like this “Lafayette said a smile playing on his lips.

I laughed, even surrounded in blood and death I couldn’t help it.

“You need to stop smiling while soaked in blood, you look like a maniac.” I said with another laugh.

“Says the one laughing with blood stains soaking on his coat and a bloody sword in his hands!” Lafayette called before spinning away back into the fray.

I laughed again and ducked before jumping back into the fight. I looked over ducked and ran sliding on the wet grass, the night barely taking from my ability to see and make decisions. I slammed my sword hilt into the back of a guy’s head and spun bringing the blade down hard and fast.

“Be careful Hamilton!” I shouted before using a nearby tree as a runaround.

I spun and swung my sword using the momentum I grabbed a tree branch and used it to swing up kicking a couple of redcoats out of the way I landed in a crouch and drew my gun firing twice I stood holstered my gun and went back after them with my sword. I swung my sword one last time, the redcoat falling to the ground spraying blood from the wound I had just inflicted. I rose up out of my crouch, and looked around. I kept my sword held in my hand in case there were any stragglers. I saw Hamilton rise up a few feet away, and kept looking seeing ally after ally rise up. I didn’t see Lafayette and I froze; I took a breath.

“All those with horses grab a buddy and get back. Hamilton you’re with me.” I called swinging my sword to knock off the blood and sheathing it.

Everyone slowly started to disperse back towards camp, Hamilton stopping beside me. I watched the surrounding woods with an eagle eye.

“What are you looking for?” Hamilton asked.

I lifted a hand and shushed him.

“Come on, you’re too good for this. Where are you?” I whispered as I listened.

I kept listening, I heard a soft rustle in the bushes. I took of running towards the sound, one hand on my sword the other motioning Alexander to follow me. I jumped over a thicket and paused. Looking around for any signs. I lifted a hand to stop Hamilton. He paused beside me giving me a look. I slowly walked over to something I saw on the ground. I lifted it up and saw that it was a golden tassel, I looked up and saw another one a little further away. I waved Alexander over to me, showing him what I found.

“French only, whisper. We go this way; we need to find him.” I said quietly.

Hamilton nodded and we took off running. He had his gun out and I drew my sword again. I paused at a line of bushes, Hamilton beside me watching me. I nudged the bushes apart, and took a breath. I stepped to the side letting Hamilton see what I was seeing. There In the middle of the enemy camp sat Lafayette, tied up and coated in blood. I glanced around and saw his sword on a table, counting a half dozen men or so in the camp I stepped back.

“Hamilton.” I started in a whisper.

He looked at me, I shot him a look.

“Yes?” he whispered back just as softly.

“We go in guns blazing we’re bound to either die or get him killed. There’s about six of them, maybe more. We go around the outside, you knock them out, I finish them. If we get seen you start shooting, worry about yourself. My priority is to get Lafayette, and his sword. After that we’re golden.” I murmured barely understandable.

Alexander nodded mutely and we started around the outside of the camp. Taking out four enemies before we were discovered. I nodded at Alexander and he started shooting. I jumped over the bushes surrounding the camp and ran into the center of the camp first grabbing Lafayette’s sword, before sliding past him and slicing his ropes.

“Are you ok, sir?” I asked standing up and handing him his sword.

He jumped to his feet with a smirk playing on his lips, as Hamilton joined us.

“Better now. Although I did miss all of the fun.” He said rolling his shoulders.

I let out a shaky laugh and shook my head, Hamilton holstering his gun.

“Fun isn’t exactly what I’d call it. But at least Hamilton got some tracking training. How did you even get caught?” I said looking at him out of the corner of my eye.

Hamilton was starting to move around the camp and put things into piles of importance. Lafayette whistled sharply, and both of our horses came racing out of the woods.

“I found your horse. I got surrounded, lead them into the woods and missed a jump.” Lafayette said slipping his sword away.

I put mine away as well and nodded.

“Well, we have transportation and supplies, so I suppose mission successful. We’ll have to see how many dead we have when we get back. But they definitely took a larger hit.” I returned as I moved to help organize the supplies.

Lafayette moved deeper into the camp turning back to look at us.

“As long as I don’t have to go back home anytime soon.” He called laughing.

Hamilton shot me a look with a raised eyebrow. I just shook my head; it wasn’t my story to tell. I grabbed a couple of bags and started putting things in order. Another hour later we were loaded up. I looked at Alexander and went to reach down a hand, a risky move, but Lafayette beat me to it.

“Let’s go!” He called quickly.

I nodded and we took off into the trees. We made it back to camp and tied our horses back.

“Alexander organize our supplies; Lyon take stock of our injured and dead. I’ll be in my tent.” Lafayette said, shaking his head.

I watched him for a few seconds before moving to the medical tent to collect the information I needed. After that I walked through camp to see who else may be missing. I sighed and shook my head, turning on my heel I headed towards Lafayette’s tent. I paused in the doorway, seeing him with his shirt off, wrapping a bandage around a slowly bleeding wound. I walked inside and clicked my heels twice.

“I hope you cleaned that first.” I said voice soft.

Lafayette turned his head and looked at me for a second, before going back to wrapping the bandage. I walked over to him and took the roll, carefully but quickly wrapping it the rest of the way around the large cut.

“I did.” He said finally when I was taping up the bandage.

I nodded and stepped back, as he turned to pull on a clean shirt.

“Good, we don’t need you getting sick from something preventable.” I said carefully.

Lafayette laughed softly.

“Sick, that’s one way to put it.” He said, his tone soft.

I knew where his mind was, I let out a soft sigh before walking to his desk. I opened the drawer, he watched me an eyebrow raised. I grabbed two cups and his bottle of alcohol. I poured us both a glass before passing his to him and taking the seat on the opposite side of the desk.

“It’s not my place, but I’m here if you need to talk. Otherwise, we can just have a drink and then discuss business.” I said softly.

Lafayette did say anything for a long time, then his head dropped back.

“I don’t even know what I would say.” Lafayette said softly.

I swirled my drink and watched him.

“You don’t have to say anything, or you can just talk. Whatever is easier for you.” I said gently.

Lafayette took a sip off his glass before setting it on the table.

“It would have been so easy, just say the wrong thing. Let them kill me, just one wrong thing and…” he trailed off and shook his head.

I stayed quiet and just listened, I wasn’t sure I’d actually trust my voice enough to speak if I had wanted to. Lafayette sighed softly.

“But then I thought about everything. The wars, you and our men, the dreams we all have. I couldn’t do it; I couldn’t let it happen. But you amazed me once again.” He said softly tilting his head down to look at me.

I raised an eyebrow.

“O-oh?” I asked softly.

He nodded and slouched down in his seat, the image reminded me that he wasn’t just some experienced Major-General, he was a kid barely older than me.

“One second I’m surrounded, trying to figure out how I’m going to get out, then I heard a soft thud and another and then more. Then I heard gunshots, and there you were in front of me, ropes cut and offering my sword to me. I don’t know how you managed to track me.” Lafayette said watching me.

I nodded to him.

“Your shoulder patches. The tassels must have been ripped off while they brought you into their camp. I followed them, after I heard a noise in the bushes.” I said shrugging lightly.

Lafayette shook his head, a smile on his face as a laugh escape.

“And you’re worried about what, again?” He asked looking at me.

I bit my tongue.

'So many things.’ I thought before shaking my head.

“You can’t blame me for being worried, anything can happen tomorrow.” I said softly.

Lafayette went to say something when Alexander came in.

“Everything’s organized and put away.” He said pausing at the door.

Lafayette waved him in, I finished my drink and stood.

“I’ll let you two talk. Good night.” I said slipping out of the tent.

I walked back to mine and sighed softly, quickly getting ready for bed, crawling into my cot I closed my eyes. Hours later I heard Hamilton walk in and get in bed. Two months later I rode beside Lafayette as we made for New York and the Winters Ball.

“You look like you’re going to be hanged, it’s a ball!” Lafayette said with a bright smile.

I offer him a small smile and nod.

'If you only knew.’ I thought.

“I’m just not particularly fond of balls. That’s all.” I said in response.

Lafayette nodded and let the matter drop. We rode through town and paused briefly.

“Come, I want to say hi to a friend of mine.” Lafayette said dismounting his horse.

I swing off mine as well, making sure my sword was secure at my side, I followed Lafayette inside.

“Mulligan! How are you, Mon Ami?” Lafayette shouted as he entered the small tailors’ shop.

The man at the counter smiled large and laughed walking from behind the counter and met Lafayette halfway for a hug.

“I’ve been good my friend, and you? You seem alright.” Mulligan said looking him over.

Lafayette nodded and waved me closer.

“Oui, I am well. Mostly thanks to my right-hand, he keeps me alive. Mulligan meet Lyon. Lyon, my friend Mulligan.” Lafayette said in introduction.

I smiled and shook the man’s hand, firmly.

“Good to meet you, he needs a watcher and you seem like a good one. Keep him alive alright?” Mulligan said with a smile and a laugh.

I shook my head and laughed softly.

“I will do the best I can, but he can be a bit wild.” I said in gentle teasing.

Lafayette smiled between us; obviously happy we were talking like this. Then he turned around and raised a brow.

“You two chat, I’m going to go check something. I think I just saw someone else I know.” He said as he walked back through the shop.

Mulligan walked back behind the counter and I looked around the shop.

“So, how did you two meet?” Mulligan asked, looking up at me.

I froze for a second before dropping the skirt of the dress in front of me.

“When we were both coming over here, I was on the same ship.” I said leaving out the fact I was a stowaway.

Mulligan nodded, and looked back down at his papers, I saw him glance up at the doors. He waved me closer and locked eyes with me.

“He doesn’t know does he?” Mulligan asked in a voice barely over a whisper.

I froze as dread seized me, I swallowed thickly and looked around.

“K-know what?” I asked trying to play it off.

Mulligan looked at me with a serious look on his face.

“That you’re a…” he started.

“Shh! No shh! You can’t say that. No, he doesn’t.” I said fervently, looking around frantically.

Mulligan took my hands and put them on the desk.

“Relax, I’m not going to expose you. But you should tell him at some point.” He said softly.

I looked down.

“I know, but it’s illegal, and besides I don’t want him to look at me like some weak little….” I said trailing off not even wanting to think the truth.

Mulligan looked at me and nodded.

“Come back tonight, before the ball. You can get ready here. That way you can make an impression.” Mulligan said quickly.

My eyes widened, before I slowly shook my head.

“I can’t, he expects me to be there.” I said softly, just as the doors opened.

“We’ll figure something out.” He said softly.

I nodded faintly.

“Mulligan! Look who I found!” Lafayette called walking in with his arm around the shoulders of another guy.

“Laurens!” Mulligan called.

I stepped to the side and let them talk for a minute, before attention was turned back to me.

“This is, literally, my life saver. Lyon! This is Laurens. Laurens meet Lyon.” Lafayette said leading the man to me.

“Hello.” I said in greeting.

He nodded and smiled.

“At least you’ve got someone to take care of you.” The man, Laurens said with a laugh turning back to Lafayette.

Lafayette threw his hands into the air.

“Why does everyone think I need to be looked after!” he exclaimed.

“Getting drunk and lost, a block from where you’re staying.” Mulligan started.

“Swinging your sword around as you talk, almost taking out your own eye.” Laurens continued.

Lafayette turned to me and raised an eyebrow; I lifted my hands.

“What? All I do is organize his information! And save your ass from time to time.” I said before whispering the last bit.

Lafayette pointed at me.

“See! I’m perfectly reasonable.” He said crossing his arms.

Laurens and Mulligan laughed.

“He works for you; he’ll protect your reputation even from your friends!” Laurens said with a laugh.

“Or he’ll try.” Mulligan cut in.

Lafayette shook his head and pouted a bit. After a few seconds he brightened back up and they kept chatting for another little while. After a bit, Lafayette and I were back in our horses racing through the streets to get to our accommodations.

“See!” Lafayette called a smile on his face.

I laughed and shook my head.

“It’s not a campsite in the middle of a forest, it’s already an improvement!” I said smirking a bit

We tied our horses up and walked inside.

“Ah good! You two made, great time.” Washington said walking up to us.

Lafayette laughed tilting his head back.

“Even making a stop!” he said in return.

They chatted for a few minutes before we were ushered up to where we would be staying for the next few days. I sat on the provided bed and sighed at the softness. A few hours Later had Lafayette bouncing outside my door.

“You go ahead, I’ll catch up.” I said finally.

Lafayette nodded.

“Just don’t take too long!” He called back his tone light.

I laughed.

“I won’t, don’t worry. Go you can’t get into that much trouble for a few minutes!” I called with a smile playing on my face.

Lafayette laughed and waved as he walked away. I watched from my window, waiting for him to leave. Then I grabbed my jacket, slipped it on and ran down the steps. I jumped on my horse and spurred him into movement, heading back to the tailors’ shop. I arrived in record time and paused at the door, taking a breath I walked in.

“You came!” Mulligan exclaimed seemingly surprised.

I nodded and took a shaky breath.

“Yes, now remind me that the risk is worth it before I run.” I said quickly.

Mulligan shook his head and took my arm.

“It’s worth it because you clearly care about him. Now I’ve put the perfect dress in the back for you, go get ready.” He said giving me a small push.

I stumbled a bit but made it to the dress. I took a deep breath and pulled back the curtain. It was a beautiful blue dress that almost matched my uniform color. The white cuffs and collar added to the look. I quickly changed and stepped into the blue heels.

“How is everything?” Mulligan called softly from outside the room.

I took a deep breath as I pulled the pins from my hair letting it tumble down past my shoulders and to my mid-back. I tucked the pins in with my clothes and turned opening the door.

“I feel vulnerable. And I hate it.” I said looking at him.

His eyes were wide.

“Wow.” He said softly.

I reached up and ruffled my hair, tucking part of it behind my ear.

“What? Do I look bad? Is it too obvious?” I asked quickly already moving to go back into the room and change back.

Mulligan grabbed my hand and pulled me in front of a mirror.

“You look amazing, completely different.” He said as he messed with my hair, adding small white bows throughout it.

I took a breath and looked in the mirror, gasping slightly. Even I barely recognized myself.

“But what if he asks for me?” I said softly.

Mulligan locked eyes with me in the mirror.

“If he can pull his eyes away from you long enough to ask, I’ll tell him your walking around. Making conversation, but I wouldn’t worry.” He said softly.

I took a deep breath and nodded.

“My clothes?” I asked quietly.

“I have a bag you can bring with you. Change in the bathroom at the end of the night. He won’t know the difference.” Mulligan said turning to get said bag.

I nodded and took the bag carefully bundling my clothes into it, so as not to lose the pins. With that we set out to the ball, my horse safely hidden behind the shop. We got to the ball and I froze.

“I can’t.” I whispered.

Mulligan took my arm and lead me inside.

“You can and you will. You’ve got this.” He said softly.

I took a breath and nodded.

‘I wish I had my sword.’ I thought.

Mulligan let go of me and started to move through everyone. I cast my eyes around the room and started to make my way around the room. I stopped by the back-wall hands folded in front of me.

“It’s a lovely party.” I said quietly.

His head lifted and he looked at me, his eyes widening.

“it is now.” He said softly turning fully towards me.

“Kaleyanna Sinclair. A pleasure “I said softly curtseying slightly.

He took my hand and dropped into a bow, kissing my knuckles.

“Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette. The pleasure is all mine. My fair lady.” He said smiling up at me.

I smiled at him, taking a breath.

“Shall we?” He asked looking at me.

I took his offered hand and nodded.

“Yes, but please forgive me. I have two left feet when it comes to dancing.” I said laughing gently.

He smiled and led me out to the floor.

“I'm certain that’s not possible!” he exclaimed as he spun me around the room.

I laughed as he spun me. We danced for hours before he broke away from me. I saw him speaking quietly with Mulligan, looking concerned. I caught Mulligan’s eye and nodded. I moved quickly to the bathroom, making sure not to draw attention to myself. I quickly but carefully changed, flipping my hair up and wrapping it down, tucking the pins in to keep it together, I tied it back. I straightened my jacket and nodded, tucking the dress and heels away. Glad I hadn’t worn any makeup. I tucked the bag into my jacket and moved out of the bathroom. I walked towards Mulligan and Lafayette.

“Sorry to interrupt, I heard rumors that you were looking for me?” I asked stopping beside them.

Lafayette looked at me like he had seen a ghost, but smiled.

“There you are. Where have you been?” He asked me unconsciously slipping into French.

I smiled and nodded towards the crowded room.

“I’ve been getting to know people. Was that not why we came?” I asked with a small smirk and a raised eyebrow.

“Very true! But that doesn’t mean we can’t spend time chatting together.” Lafayette said, wrapping an arm around my shoulders like he had done with Mulligan and Laurens earlier.

I laughed and shook my head.

“Right you are! But I think Hamilton or Laurens were looking for you.” I said aiming a thumb vaguely over my shoulder.

Lafayette nods, lifts his glass to both of us and wanders off. I slide over besides Mulligan, sneakily passing him the bag back.

“Are you sure?” He asked me.

I nodded.

“Yes, it was nice and I enjoyed it. But it’s just too big of a risk trying to live a double life right now. We both know he needs someone there for him, I’m no good to anyone if I’m exposed.” I murmured softly.

Mulligan nodded and looked out at the crowd.

“Alright let me know how it all goes.” He responded just as quietly.

I nodded and moved off into the crowd. I realized a problem about twenty minutes before the end of the ball. I looked around to find Mulligan but he wasn’t anywhere to be seen.

‘I’ll just have to deal with it when the time comes.’ I thought as I slowly spun around the room.

The end of the night came quicker then I realized and before long Lafayette and I were walking outside. I had to do a double take when I saw my horse tied off by Lafayette’s. Lafayette mounted his horse and gave me a look.

“Are you coming?” He asked laughing a bit.

I shook my head before mounting my horse.

“Lets go.” I said and we spurred our horses on.

We rode through the streets back to Washington’s New York home. We arrived and tied our horses up, before heading inside. We walked up the stairs and just as we reached the top of the steps, Lafayette reached over and laid a hand on my shoulder.

“Let’s have a drink.” He suggested.

I laughed and nodded.

“Alright, let’s have a drink.” I agreed easily.

We walked into his room and he pushed me to the bed. I laughed and sat down as he poured us drinks. Lafayette sat beside me and lifted his drink.

“Tonight, was amazing.” Lafayette said voice soft.

I blinked as far as I know he only really spent time with Mulligan and I.

“Oh? How so?” I asked looking at him.

I took a sip of my drink.

“I danced with the prettiest girl tonight.” He said softly with a slightly wistful tone.

I promptly choked on the drink I had just taken. I coughed and cleared my throat.

“O-oh you did?” I said watching him.

He nodded.

“She wore the loveliest dress. It was blue and white, she had nice ribbons in her hair. We spent hours dancing.” He said smiling softly.

I nodded and tried to think but I couldn’t.

“Thats good!” I said throwing excitement into my tone that I didn’t really feel.

Lafayette paused sending me an unreadable look, before sighing.

“I don’t think it’s going to go anywhere though.” He said a bit sadly.

I raised an eyebrow and swallowed.

“Oh? Why not?” I asked.

'I really am a glutton for punishment.’ I thought disbelievingly.

He shrugged and looked at me.

“I only got her name, that’s all. And I’m almost certain it’s fake. Since the Sinclair daughter is supposedly missing.” He said watching me.

I nodded.

“Makes sense, maybe she just wanted to fit in.” I suggested trying to defer his attention.

Lafayette nodded.

“It’s possible. I’m going to get some sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.” He said.

I stood taking the dismissal as what it was. I settled the glass on his desk, and paused for a second.

“If it changes anything in your mind, I know she had a good time tonight and really enjoyed dancing with you.” I said softly, so softly I wasn’t sure he heard me.

Then I darted across the hall, into my room and I closed the door. I walked over to my bed, before turning back and locking the door, before going back to bed. The next few days were tense between Lafayette and I, we got on our horses the last day and I looked at him.

“We aren’t going back to camp. They’ve already been moved. We’re headed for Monmouth.” Lafayette said quickly spurring his horse to a quick gallop.

I quickly kicked my horse into action following after him on the path. It was mid-day when he slowed down enough for me to catch up to him. We were in the middle of the forest. I looked down at my horse, knowing he would follow Lafayette’s horse without my direction.

“Sir, have I upset you in some way?” I asked finally, sucking up my courage.

Lafayette looked over at me, and sighed shaking his head.

“No, no. You haven’t.” He said quietly.

I looked up at him and he was giving me a smile, I smiled back and we rode into Washington’s camp at Monmouth. A week later and I was ready to scream.

“I’m going to snap that skinny twig pathetic worthless, piss poor excuse of a solider in half!” I growled stalking around the medical tent.

My arm wrapped tightly in a bandage my jacket slung over the footboard of the bed. I heard quick footsteps and turned towards the door. I saw Lafayette pause in the doorway and suck in a deep breath.

“You’re ok, oh thank God.” He said walking over to me.

I gave him a small smirk and shifted my arm carefully.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just caught a bullet with my arm. The doctor set me right, pretty quickly. But I heard you got the command out there, congratulations.” I said offering him a smile.

The frantic look didn’t exactly leave his face as he looked me over, I tilted my head and watched him.

“Sir?” I asked softly.

He seemed to freeze for a second before lifting one hand and resting it on his forehead, fingers splayed out and pushing his hair back. He turned slightly and looked at me from the corner of his eye with a smile. I felt my heart stutter, and my breath caught in my throat.

“I’m glad you’re ok, Lyon. We have a meeting with Washington and Alexander. Let’s go.” He said, and like that everything was back to normal.

Or at least closer than it had been the last few days. I grabbed my jacket and carefully pulled it on over my arm. I kept a step behind Lafayette, a glare on my face directed at anyone who came close to us. We stepped into the meeting room and I sucked in a breath through my nose, my eye twitches and my hand inches towards my sword.

“Let me kill this bastard.” I hissed quietly.

There sat Charles Lee at the table with Washington and Hamilton. Lafayette laid a hand on my shoulder and shook his head.

“No, he’s being dealt with. Come, sit by Alexander.” He said softly.

I nodded, a hard look on my face. I sat beside Hamilton, carefully. He looked at me and I took a breath, refusing to look at the fifth person at the table. Lafayette settled beside Washington who nodded before turning to me.

“I’m glad to see the injury in the field wasn’t dire.” He said and I nodded.

“Thank you, sir.” I said as politely as I could.

Washington nodded before turning back towards Charles Lee. What followed was a two-hour dressing down, and me fighting not to laugh.

“Dismissed, Lee.” Washington said looking down at the stack of papers in front of him.

“Sir!” Charles Lee yelled out and my hand instantly fell to my sword.

Lafayette shot me a look, and I flared my nose letting my hand fall from my sword.

“Lee, leave before I let you get stabbed.” Washington said voice firm.

It was then Charles Lee realized exactly who else was in the room with him. He quickly made his way out of the door. Hamilton raised an eyebrow.

“Would you have really let him get stabbed, sir?” he asked curiosity clear.

Washington laughed and shook his head.

“I wouldn’t have allowed it, but I probably couldn’t stop it if I tried. Not that I would. Look at who’s at the table Alexander. Lafayette, the quickest swordsman we have. And Lyon, the quickest fighter in any regiment. If one of them decided to actually ignore rules, Charles Lee would be as good as dead before either of us could blink.” Washington said firmly.

“I wouldn’t have hesitated but then I’m a little angry, after getting fucking shot for that pathetic little piss ant…” I started muttering.

Alexander sent me a look and Lafayette shook his head.

“I’m with you, but you need to calm down.” Lafayette said softly.

I took a breath and nodded. Washington spread out a map on the table.

“I’m going to refuse a translation, and say it was some less then nice comments on Lee’s person.” Washington said looking at Lafayette and me.

I looked towards the map, but I assume Lafayette nodded, as Washington laughed softly.

“We have some strong minded right-hands, don’t we?” Washington asked turning to Lafayette.

Lafayette smirked and nodded.

“That we do, that we do.” Lafayette said nodding in agreement.

With that we went to planning. Two weeks later Alexander was sent home. After a duel. I raised an eyebrow.

“Is he going to make it?” I asked him before he left.

“I don’t know, but I don’t think It was bad enough to end him.” He said quietly.

I nodded my head and dropped a hand onto my sword.

“Don’t, they are going to need at least one of us. I’m getting sent home. Washington and Lafayette need you.” Alexander said quickly.

My nose flared as I took a breath to calm down, I closed my eyes and nodded.

“Yeah I know. Laurens should have shot him in the mouth.” I muttered darkly.

Hamilton laughed as he moved towards the door.

“That’s what I said to Washington, and I’m sure part of the reason I was sent home. Keep them alive ok?” Alexander asked me.

I nodded.

“I’ll do my best.” I said firmly.

He nodded and walked from the room. I heard footsteps, and didn’t need to turn to know who it was.

“He’s going to live, isn’t he?” I asked.

Lafayette laid a hand on my shoulder.

“Unfortunately, however Washington has already downgraded him. That’s all that can be done. We need all the men we can get. France isn’t sending another ship; I haven’t had the chance to tell Washington yet. But as far as I know we’re alone in this.” Lafayette said softly.

I nodded and turned to look at him.

“Then we’ll do what we do best.” I said as I turned and started towards the planning room.

“Plan and fight.” Lafayette said catching up to me easily with his long legs.

I laughed and shook my head.

“Win.” I said simply.

Lafayette nodded with a smirk, his hand dropping to his sword. I let mine drift to my sword as well. We must have made quiet the sight, when we opened the door and stood there. Washington hunched over the map looked up at us, his eyes wide.

“Well? Are we planning or just going to let the British fully claim the York providence?” I asked sitting down at the table.

Lafayette raised an eyebrow at Washington before also moving to sit at the table.

“You two have a new energy to you.” Washington said.

I looked up at Lafayette and raised an eyebrow, he sighed and nodded.

“As far as I know, there is currently no plans to send more French aid.” Lafayette said finally.

Washington nodded, but looked at the map. Concern etching his face. I laid my sword on the table, causing them both to look at me.

“We don’t need French aid more then we have. You have me and Lafayette. You have our swords. You have our service, don’t look so dire about it. We more then make up for a singular French ship.” I said firmly.

Lafayette nodded sending me a smile. Washington nodded.

“You’re right.” He said, turning back to the map.

I looked up at Lafayette, he raised an eyebrow. I lifted my sword tilted it towards him and then slid it back into place. The rest of the afternoon was spent planning. The rest of the next few weeks were spent planning. I dropped back into my seat and crossed my arms.

“You’re playing this stupidly! With all due respect sir, you really aren’t thinking this through!” I exclaimed.

I glanced at Lafayette, who stood tall.

“If we rendezvous with Rochambeau consolidate their gifts…” Washington started.

I groaned and Lafayette slammed his hand on the map. I looked up it was rare he got annoyed like this. But we had both done everything in our power to get another envoy and it would still be a miracle to win this.

“We can end this at Yorktown. Cut them off at sea, but you know as well as we do, for this to succeed, that there is someone else we need!” He exclaimed looking at Washington.

Washington shook his head; I rose to my feet.

“He knows what to do in the trenches sir, he’s ingenuitive and fluent in French a skill your men desperately need. The more stressed we get the less we’re going to be speaking English because French is easier!” I exclaimed standing beside Lafayette.

Washington still didn’t look fully convinced.

“Sir, you are going to have to use him eventually. What is he going to do on the bench?” Lafayette asked.

I saw Washington starting to crack.

“No one has more resilience or matches our practical tactical brilliance!” I said firmly.

“Do you want to fight for your land back?” Lafayette asked raising an eyebrow, crossing his arms over his chest.

Washington nodded and grabbed a quill and parchment, beginning to write.

“You’re right, we’re going to need him back. I gotta get my right-hand man back.” Washington said firmly.

It was a few days later that Alexander arrived, I paused in what I was doing and looked up at him.

“General Washington said he wanted to see you as soon as you got in.” I said tossing the rag I was using to clean my sword down.

“Hello to you too.” He muttered softly.

I stood and swung my sword around, sheathing it quickly, I turned and cast a sideways glance at him.

“Alexander Hamilton, Lafayette and I fought Washington to get you back. Go see your commander, and don’t disappoint us.” I said as I started to walk away.

“I’m going to be a father!” Alexander called.

I paused and looked down at the ground for a second, swallowing thickly.

“Congratulations.” I said before continuing away quickly.

I found Lafayette sat at a table. I stood at his side until he motioned to a seat.

“We’re leaving for Chesapeake Bay the day after tomorrow. This is it.” He said and his voice sounded distant.

I nodded and glanced at him.

“Well, for the Americans at least. We still have a war waiting for us at home.” I said softly.

Lafayette laughed a bit and shook his head.

“All I’ve done my whole life is fight. I can’t even see the end anymore. I know why I fight, but why do you?” Lafayette asked turning to face me.

I looked at the table before turning to look at him.

“Fighting seemed the only option for me.” I said softly.

Lafayette nodded and went silent for a few minutes.

“it’s going to be dangerous.” He said voice still soft.

I couldn’t help but laugh, causing him to look at me.

“I’m sorry. That just made it sound like the rest of this has been a walk in the park. It’s all been dangerous. But we always have each other’s back. We aren’t called the quickest draws for nothing. The British don’t stand a chance. Will we loose people? Absolutely. But we have this.” I said firmly, and I wasn’t entirely sure if I was just trying to convince him.

He looked at me and nodded.

“You’re right of course. I meant to ask, is Alexander in yet?” Lafayette asked watching me.

I nodded.

“Just in, he’s with General Washington.” I said.

He nodded. The next day we prepared what we would be taking with us, barely having time to sit and eat. Then I was sat on my horse, awaiting leave orders.

“Monsieur Hamilton!” Lafayette called with a smile on his face, and tension in his eyes.

“Monsieur Lafayette!” Hamilton returned a similar looking forced calm on his face.

“In command where you belong.” Lafayette said nodding.

Hamilton lifted his hands.

“How you say, no sweat!” Alexander said and Lafayette laughed.

“Finally, on the field we’ve had quite the run.” Alexander smirked at that.

Lafayette laughed and shrugged.

“Immigrants…we get the job done!” Lafayette started but Alexander shouted the ending with him.

“So, what happens if we win?” Alexander asked.

Lafayette looked back at me and smiled.

“We go back to France, bring freedom to our people if we are given a chance.” He said before turning back to Hamilton.

“We'll be with you when you do.” Alexander promised.

I saw Lafayette shake his head with a smile on his face.

“Go lead your men!” Lafayette said turning and racing to his horse

“I’ll see you on the other side!” Alexander called.

“Until we meet again!” both Lafayette and I called.

Lafayette looked at me and with a nod we spurred our horses on. I glanced at Lafayette he looked confident.

“We seize in and out make them think there’s more of us then there are!” Lafayette said turning his head to face me.

I nodded.

“We go until we can’t, then we go some more.” I agreed firmly.

We struck with our unit in early afternoon. It took a full week before finally a young man stood on a parapet, waving a white flag. I had turned when everyone stopped fighting to look. I heard the gunshot, and saw Lafayette’s eyes widen. Before I could turn, I felt the searing burn. I fell foreword, Lafayette lunged over a railing and caught me as I fell. He held me close.

“I’m ok. I'm ok.” I said faintly.

Lafayette’s hands rubbed my back until they found the wound, pressing on it. I gasped and grabbed his jacket.

“Stay with me, you promised me you wouldn’t leave me.” He whispered faintly to me.

I nodded and tried to swallow.

“I keep….my….prom..is…es…” I said softly, my voice trailing off.

I heard a choked sound and wasn’t entirely sure if it was him or me. I wasn’t sure how long I was out, I opened my eyes and looked around. Lafayette had his head on the side of my bed. I looked up and saw Hamilton and Mulligan at the door, seemingly guarding it. I took a breath, feeling my body, I groaned softly as the pain laced through my back. Lafayette’s head sprang up at the small noise.

“You’re awake, thank God.” Lafayette said voice shaky.

I tried to give him a smile, but even I knew it was weak.

“I told you, I keep my promises.” I whispered.

He laughed and nodded; it was then I noticed the tears, falling down his face.

“You had me worried.” He said softly.

I smiled shakily and weakly lifted a hand.

“I told you, I was going to help free America and our own people.” I said softly.

Lafayette nodded, and glanced at the door. I looked up to seeing both Alexander and Mulligan gone from it. I looked at Lafayette, and then his hands were on the sides of my face and his lips pressed to mine. I gasped softly, before practically melting into the kiss. After a few seconds I realized exactly what would happen if we got caught. I pulled back, slowly hesitantly.

“Lafayette, if we get caught….” I trailed off.

“You’re right.” He said hesitantly.

I looked around, before looking down. Registering that Lafayette’s coat laid over me. I looked at him, he shrugged lightly.

“They fixed your back up with you on your stomach before rolling you. I laid my coat down to cover you.” He said.

I closed my eyes and laughed a bit, coughing a bit right afterwards.

“How long?” I asked softly.

Lafayette leaned closer to me, wiping my face gently.

“Since the ball.” He said softly.

My eyes popped open and I smiled a bit.

“Damn it, Mulligan.” I whispered.

Lafayette laughed softly.

“Don’t blame Mulligan for you missing a bow in your hair.” He said just as softly.

I groaned softly, closing my eyes.

“I tried so hard. Who else knows?” I whispered softly.

I felt Lafayette’s hand in my hair, and I sighed softly.

“As far as I know, the only ones who know for sure are Mulligan and myself. Although I think Alexander suspects. And you succeeded for a long time, you can keep going. I’m not going to out you and neither of them will either, that is if you want to continue.” Lafayette said gently.

I opened an eye and looked up at him.

“You’d still fight with me? Knowing the truth?” I asked softly.

Lafayette smiled down at me.

“Of course, you’re still one of the only ones who can match my practical tactical brilliance!” He said and I laughed a bit.

I let my eyes close, and I felt Lafayette’s hands on me again.

“Hey come on, stay awake.” He said and his tone had turned begging.

I smiled softly and opened my eyes again.

“Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere, I’m just tired.” I said softly.

Lafayette hesitated but nodded. I closed my eyes and felt him grab my hand. I smiled and drifted off to sleep. The next month was spent recovering.

“I CAN WALK MYSELF YOU PHSYCHOTIC FRENCHMAN!” I shouted on the day the doctor had finally released me.

Lafayette laughed at that and looked up at me.

“I know, just let me do this.” He said quietly.

I looked into his eyes and sighed nodding.

“Alright. Where are we off to?” I asked gently.

He smiled and nodded towards Washington, thankfully I was able to be fully in uniform at this point so the risk of exposure was minimal.

“I’m glad to see you are up and about.” Washington said smiling at me.

I smiled and huffed a laugh.

“I’m glad to be out of that medical room, I have to be honest.” I said smiling softly.

Washington nodded before his look turned serious. I nudged Lafayette’s shoulder.

“Let me down, I think something happened.” I said softly.

Lafayette looked between me and Washington before carefully setting me on my feet. He turned to look at Washington, I looked around, I saw Mulligan but not Hamilton or Laurens.

“What happened?” Lafayette asked him softly.

In response Washington handed him an envelope. He looked down at it and froze up. I glanced at it, and swallowed harshly. He slowly, mechanically opened it. He unfolded the parchment and began reading, I looked up at Washington he didn’t look ok. I turned my attention back to Lafayette; his face blanked the more he read. He looked up.

“Excuse me.” Lafayette said softly spinning on his heel and walking away.

I looked after him, before turning back to Washington.

“Which one?” I asked softly.

He closed his eyes taking a deep breath before opening them.

“John Laurens.” Washington said softly.

I nodded and spun on my heel, carefully.

“Excuse us.” I called back over my shoulder.

I stalked off down the hall and looked for Lafayette. I finally found him outside leaning against the horse fence. I stopped in front of him.

“We can stand here and be quiet or you can talk about your thoughts. I’m here for you.” I said gently.

Lafayette took a deep breath and looked up at me.

“He wanted to free the slaves here in the colonies, well now I suppose it is America. But he gets shot and killed after the damn war is over! How is that fair? How is anything about that fair?” He asked hands fisted and he slammed one into the fence below himself.

I stepped closer to him, taking his hand in mine. And just holding it for a second.

“We will keep his memory and his wish alive. If we have to start in France and work towards freedom here then we will. Between us I know we can do it. It isn’t fair that he was killed after the war, but we knew there would be some areas that would be slower to get the news. We were bound to lose more people. It isn’t right that it was John. It isn't right to lose more people than we did during the battles. But look at me, I know I almost died, and I was there at the last battle. I was ten feet from you, and I was shot. Laurens was miles away, news didn’t reach him for days, if not weeks to reach down there. Lafayette I’m sure he did his best to survive. You four, you’re brothers, family. He didn’t want to leave you. But he did, and now we carry on his dream.” I said firmly.

Lafayette had started staring at me, watching every word I said. When I finished speaking, he nodded and pulled me close. I wrapped my arms around him, offering him comfort. He tilted my head up and pressed a soft kiss to my lips.

“How do you always know what to say?” Lafayette asked me softly.

I smiled and shook my head.

“I don’t, a lot of the time it’s just luck and speaking from my heart.” I said softly.

Lafayette smiled faintly and slowly let me go. The next few weeks were a blur of political negotiations and terms of surrender. When it was all done, I leaned against a wall outside of the building taking a deep breath. Lafayette found me there nearly twenty minutes later, and settled next to me. He bumped our hips together and reached behind them, grabbing my hand. I let out a soft sigh and smiled at him.

“I didn’t realize I could be more tired than fighting a war.” I said softly.

Lafayette nodded looked at me from the corner of his eye.

“Marry me.” He whispered.

I felt my breath hitch in my throat.

“W-what?” I whispered just a softly.

Lafayette turned to me, and gently placed his hand against my cheek.

“Marry me.” He said again firmer this time.

“Lafayette…. I…” I started but couldn’t form words my brain froze.

He leaned down and kissed me softly, a risky move.

“I can’t lose you too. Don’t make me beg, marry me.” He said lips hovering above mine.

I took a breath and nodded, daring to lean up and connect our lips.

“Of course, I will.” I whispered against his lips.

Lafayette gifted me a bright smile and pressed another kiss to my lips, before we separated before we got caught. Two weeks later and Lafayette had managed to successfully spread that I had gone back to France already, when in reality I just let my hair down and slipped into a dress and heels. I smiled as I stopped beside Lafayette, one day, Seeing Eliza beside Alexander also smiling. Today was a good day. Lafayette and Alexander were set to be honored for their help with the war, technically I was too, but I was in France already. Lafayette looked down at me and took my hand in his, bringing it up to press a kiss to my knuckles. I sighed softly and smiled at him gently. I saw Washington watching us and, swirled my finger at him and he looked down at the parchment in front of him. Mulligan stood to the side smiling at us, he had already been honored earlier that week.

“Oh boy, forgive me Lafayette. But I have to read your full name I am going to mess something up.” Washington said, to laughs.

Lafayette raised a hand.

“The name you have is about 4 names shorter than my actual name. Be glad you aren’t a pastor…. Although I suppose you technically can perform marriages.” He said and murmured the last bit to me in French.

I gently patted his arm.

“Still, alright.” Washington started pausing for a second.

I giggled softly.

“Someone needs to teach that man French.” I whispered to Lafayette.

Washington cleared his throat and looked up.

“Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette.” He called, and Lafayette laughed and walked up to him bending slightly and accepting his honors, simultaneously accepting mine as well.

He stood up straight and nodded at the crowd. Before making his way back down to me. Washington sighed thankfully, and turned back to the crowd.

“Alexander Hamilton.” He said sounding relieved at the easier name.

Alexander followed Lafayette’s lead and bowed to accept his honors, turning to the crowd with a smile, before making his way back to Eliza.

“Thank you for your service, a special thank you sent out to those we lost.” Washington called.

Everyone in the crowd cheered. I leaned against Lafayette, my back still hadn’t actually fully recovered yet, he wrapped an arm around me, leaning down and pressing a kiss to the top of my head. I sighed contently. I saw Alexander leading Eliza over to us, Mulligan moving closer from the other side of the room.

“Lafayette, who is the lovely lady you have been hiding?” Alexander asked with a smile and Eliza shot him a look.

I giggled softly and leaned into Lafayette more. Lafayette shifted slightly to let me take some weight off of my injured back. Lafayette smiled at Alexander.

“This is Kaleyanna, you met her at the Winters Ball. Of course, I don’t blame you for not remembering.” Lafayette said with a small laugh.

Alexander looked at me again and smiled.

“Well I apologies. It’s lovely to see you again.” Alexander said with a smile.

“You as well, sir.” I said softly.

Lafayette kept talking to the guys for a little bit, Eliza and I just stood there wrapped around our guys. Eliza nudged Alexander, a while later.

“We have to get going, Phillip.” She said in a hushed voice.

Alexander nodded and smiled at us all, before waving.

“I will see you again.” He said walking away.

Lafayette turned immediately to look at me.

“Are you ok?” he whispered.

I shook my head quickly; something had popped in my back. Lafayette looked over at Mulligan and tilted his head to a back room. Mulligan nodded and cleared a path for us without drawing attention. Lafayette carefully guided me to the room. I groaned softly when we finally got away from the crowd.

“What happened?” Mulligan asked quickly.

I huffed and leaned heavily against Lafayette.

“Something popped in my back.” I whispered softly.

Lafayette lifted his hand before looking at my back, I saw his face go pale.

“Get a doctor.” Lafayette said quickly moving me to sit down.

I held Lafayette’s hands.

“Exposure, what I did was illegal.” I said worriedly.

Lafayette shook his head looking into my eyes his hand going up to the side of my face.

“I can’t lose you too.” He whispered fervently.

Washington decided that moment was the best time to come in, he looked around at us before turning his attention to Lafayette.

“What happened?” He asked looking at the blood on his hands.

Lafayette swallowed thickly and I nodded minutely.

“I think I’m stuck…...she was shot that’s what!” he murmured before turning to Washington and raising his voice a bit.

Washington raised an eyebrow.

“He said I was shot.” I whispered looking away.

“What?” Washington asked moving closer to us.

I nodded and Lafayette looked up at Washington, he took a deep shaky breath and I lifted a hand gently running my fingers through his hair.

“She is…was Lyon.” Lafayette said finally after a second if opening his mouth silently.

Washington looked between everyone in the room.

“Wha…what? I don’t understand. Women can’t fight, it’s against the law.” Washington said quickly.

Lafayette had turned back to me, and I could tell by his expression I didn’t look good.

“With all due respect sir, we don’t have time. Get a medic! And then pardon one of the best strategists we had.” Mulligan shouted, raising his voice for the first time that I had ever heard.

Washington nodded and turned back to the door, racing out of it. Lafayette’s hands lifted and rested on either side of my face. I smiled weakly at him.

“I'm ok, I’m ok.” I whispered softly, beginning to get light headed.

Lafayette gave me an equally weak smile and nodded.

“I know you are, you’re strong and you don’t break promises. Kaleyanna, come on stay awake.” Lafayette said patting my cheek.

I hummed, my eyes closing as I fell forward.

“I'm...ok…” I whispered.

Lafayette’s arms wrapped around me.

“No, stay with me, please don’t go! I can’t lose you too. Please, don’t go…” Lafayette begged softly, rocking us.

I don’t remember anything after that, not for a while a long or short one I’m not sure. I opened my eyes slowly, taking in the room. A bright white hospital room greatest me and I winced slightly, I looked down and saw Lafayette laying with his head on my bed, holding my hand and I could just make out tear tracks on his cheeks. I looked around the room as best as I could, seeing a chair on the opposite side of the bed as well and then on the bedside table what I could just make out as both my War Honors and a Presidential Pardon. My eyes slid back to Lafayette; I gently squeezed his hand. His head popped up, before his eyes even fully opened. I smiled weakly at him and he immediately leaned over me sobbing hands on either side of my face he pressed kiss after kiss to my face.

“I'm ok, shh shh, I’m ok.” I whispered to him.

Lafayette nodded, still openly crying.

“Ah, I see our patient is awake.” A doctor said coming in.

He tried to look me over but Lafayette just wouldn’t move so he could.

“My love, let the doctor look me over ok? I’m right here, I’m not going anywhere.” I said softly.

Lafayette finally seemed to register the doctor and nodded backing up just enough for the doctor to look me over. The doctor smiled and nodded.

“You are mostly healed.” He said.

Lafayette’s head snapped up at that.

“We’ve heard that before! And look at where it got us!” He said sharply.

I reached over and took Lafayette’s hand.

“Breath, breath calm down.” I said softly.

Lafayette nodded and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, letting it out slowly. I looked at the doctor with a small smile.

“Sorry about that.” I said quietly.

The doctor shook his head, smile still in place.

“We are well use to his quick attitude. Actually, it’s been a few friends of yours that have been able to actually calm him down, while you were out.” The doctor said and it caught my attention.

I turned my head a bit catching Lafayette’s eye.

“How long have I been out?” I asked a small measure of shock running through my tone.

Lafayette looked at me.

“Almost six months.” He said softly.

I swallowed thickly and closed my eyes looking at the ceiling. The doctor made that the moment he left. I took a shaky breath and opened my eyes.

“I’m so sorry.” I said softly.

Lafayette shook his head.

“You have nothing to apologize for.” He said just as quietly.

I lifted the hand he didn’t have in a death grip and wiped my face.

“I kept you waiting, I put you through so much stress. I missed our wedding!” I said voice choked and shaky.

“You came back. That’s all that’s important to me, we can get married anytime. I don’t mind waiting if it means you're ok. Stress is a normal part of life, I’m ok as long as you are.” He said softly, gently running his fingers through my hair.

I took a shaky breath and nodded, smiling softly.

“I’ll always be here no matter what.” I whispered softly.

Lafayette smiled at me and nodded watching me. I smiled softly at him, seeing his eyes in the distance I took his free hand in my hand and gently rubbed his hands with my thumbs trying to bring him back to the present. It took a few minutes before he shook his head and looked back at me.

“There you are.” I said gently, watching him.

He gave me a small smile and pressed a kiss to my hands.

“I didn’t mean to get lost just….” Lafayette said trailing off.

I shook my head and smiled softly.

“It’s ok, I understand.” I said gently.

Lafayette gave me a small smile and leaned forward, moving one hand to run through my hair, giving me a gentle look.

“Get some rest, I’ll be here when you wake up.” He said gently.

I nodded and let my eyes drift shut. The next time I came too I heard soft voices whispering beside me. I opened my eyes and looked around, seeing Alexander and Mulligan chatting softly I tilted my head looking for Lafayette.

“He had to run to the bathroom, he’ll be right back.” Alexander said looking away from Mulligan.

I looked back over and slowly, with some help, sat up. I nodded, and watched the door, Alexander and Mulligan went back to their conversation and I barely paid attention to it.

“She ripped me up one side and down the other!” Alexander said with a small laugh.

Mulligan laughed and shook his head.

“You were new to her camp can you blame her!” Mulligan came back with, and I tuned in then.

I turned my head slightly so I could see them as well.

“Are you talking about when I yelled at you for running in camp, knowing French, trying to take my position, or the incident with the map?” I asked with a small smirk and curiosity in my tone.

Mulligan looked between me and him and laughed sharply.

“You, tried to take her spot?” He asked Alexander sarcastically.

Alexander threw his hands up and shook his head.

“No! I didn’t want your position!” Alexander exclaimed, and I couldn’t help but laugh a bit.

It was quiet for a few minutes as Hamilton pouted. Alexander looked up at Mulligan and gave him a small smile.

“At least Lafayette will be able to breath now.” He said and Lafayette’s name caught my attention.

I turned and saw Mulligan nod, as he leaned against the wall.

“Yeah, I was getting worried about him.” Mulligan said just as much relief in his tone as was in Alexander’s.

“Yeah especially after what the doctor said.” Alexander said softly with a small shrug.

Mulligan nodded and closed his eyes. I took a breath a chill going down my spine at their words.

“Yeah, barely eating, hardly sleeping. I was worried we’d have to keep him from doing something stupid.” Mulligan agreed.

I swallowed thickly and turned my attention to Mulligan specifically, Lafayette had let slip that he knew what had happened as well.

“What did the doctor say?” I whispered softly, staring at him.

Alexander looked at me, confused. He clearly didn’t know.

“That, since it’d been almost six months, he shouldn’t expect you to wake up.” Alexander said.

My eyes widened, as it all made sense.

“No, tell me he’s not telling me the truth Hercules.” I whispered, my voice shaking.

Mulligan nodded, raising an eyebrow at me. I lifted my hands and covered my face.

“No wonder he acted like that….” I said softly, my throat feeling clogged.

I heard the moment Mulligan realized what I had. I heard him let out a breath and then slide down the wall.

“What? What happened?” Alexander asked looking between us.

I couldn’t lift my head, feeling so horrible about being away for so long, even though it wasn’t my fault. I heard Hercules take a breath and shift.

“He was married when he first came over.” Hercules said finally.

“W-what?” Hamilton asked.

I took a breath and looked up.

“It’s not our story to tell.” I said softly.

“It’s ok, he should know too.” Lafayette said voice barely over a whisper as he rejoined us.

He immediately sat in the chair closest to me, taking my hand and pressing a kiss to my cheek. I looked at him and opened my mouth, he shook his head giving me a soft smile.

“It wasn’t anything you could control. It’s ok, I’m ok now that you’re ok.” He said quietly.

I swallowed and nodded; Lafayette looked up at Alexander.

“I was married when I came over here to fight. My wife was pregnant at the time with our first child. I tried to go back as often as I could in the beginning but….” Lafayette broke off and shook his head.

I reached up and ran my fingers through his hair gently, he looked up at me, I nodded and turned to Alexander. I took a deep breath.

“His wife died in child birth, his daughter followed hours later.” I said softly, explaining the rest to him.

Alexander took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

“I’m so sorry, I…I didn’t know. I never…” He said voice shaking, my head turned to him then and I leveled a glare at him.

“Never should have what, Alexander Hamilton?” I asked my voice low and dark.

Lafayette lifted a hand and placed it against the back of my neck carefully turning my head. Alexander meanwhile, stood out of his chair and started backing up away from me.

“It’s ok, he didn’t know. He was trying to be helpful, but without knowing…. everything it didn’t come out right. I’ve already forgiven him, breath it’s ok.” Lafayette said softly voice even and gentle.

I took a deep breath and nodded.

“Ok, I won’t gut him.” I said tone soft and joking.

Lafayette laughed at that, which was good. The less he dwelled on the past the better. He lifted his head, looking away from me and looked over at Alexander.

“Relax, you both took all of the sharp pointy things out of the room already. The only thing she has is her hands.” Lafayette said laughing softly.

I smiled gently hearing his laugh. Mulligan laughed and shook his head, also looking at Alexander.

“and we’ve seen where those two want to keep their hands lately.” Hercules said laughing at Alexander’s reaction.

Alexander brushed his hair behind his ears and straightened his jacket, a face-saving move if ever I’ve seen one.

“Sorry, but when you spend two weeks getting threatened to be hung by your boot straps by an angry Frenchman…err excuse me, French woman…with a sword, you get cautious when you see the same person giving you angry looks!” Alexander defended himself.

I couldn’t help it, I broke out into laughter and looked at Alexander, Lafayette looking over at me.

“You aren’t even wearing boots, Hamilton!” I exclaimed, a smile lighting my face at the image Alexander made.

That set Lafayette and Mulligan off into fits of their own laughter. Meanwhile Alexander tried to look upset but we all saw the small smile playing on his face. After a few more minutes Alexander had to excuse himself home, Mulligan left shortly after that. I turned to look at Lafayette, a smile lighting up his face. He lifted my hand and pressed a kiss to it.

“Are you sure you’re ok?” I asked, I’d seen him putting on fronts for others before.

“I am ok, and I’ll be better when we can get you home.” He said softly with a small smile.

I laughed softly and nodded.

“I agree with that motion!” I said laughing a bit.

We sat quietly for a little bit after that just relaxing. Another month down the road and I was finally released, and the doctors assured us both that I was fully healed. Lafayette lifted me into his arms and I laughed softly shaking my head.

“I can walk you know.” I said gently, making no move to make him put me down, taking comfort in his arms instead.

Lafayette laughed and shook his head.

“I know just let me do this, also our lovely friends have set up a surprise for us.” Lafayette said softly as we walked from the hospital.

I sighed softly and wrapped my arms around his neck, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

“Then lead on, my lovely knight.” I whispered with a giggle.

Lafayette let his head drop back and he laughed with me. We reached Lafayette’s home in the city after a little while and walked inside.

“There you are! Let’s go! Lafayette the boys are waiting for you upstairs!” Angelica said swooping down on us as soon as we entered the house.

Lafayette carefully sat me on my feet and pressed a kiss to my lips.

“I'll see you soon, love.” He said quietly.

I raised an eyebrow watching as he ran up the steps. I didn’t get long to look after him, as Angelica grabbed my hand and led me away to an office, I turned my hands on my hips.

“Lafayette’s office? Why?” I asked.

That’s when I saw Eliza and Elizabeth step forward. One held a long dress in her hands and the other a long white veil.

“We put together a wedding for you both. And his office because Alexander said good luck to Lafayette letting you walk up the steps currently.” Eliza said smiling.

My eyes watered and I smiled softly.

“Oh you, thank you.” I said softly.

“Of course, you both deserve this.” Elizabeth said smiling as well.

I was sat in a chair as Angelica and Eliza did my make-up and hair. Elizabeth untying my dress. Elizabeth being Hercules' wife, I had met her briefly in the hospital. I looked at the dress and laughed softly, shaking my head.

“Hercules made the dress himself, he said it held special meaning to you both.” Elizabeth said in response.

I smiled and looked down for a second swallowing.

“It’s almost exactly like the one I wore to the Winters Ball, the first time I interacted with Lafayette as a girl.” I said softly.

The girls all awed at that, before we quickly got back to work. Before I knew it, I was dressed in the beautiful dress, my hair twisted into a braid. A bright white edge blue ribbon was twisted into it and tied off into a bow. I slipped on the shoes and took the bouquet of flowers from Eliza.

“We have to get out there, but Washington should be in shortly. You look amazing.” Angelica said as she ushered the other two out of the door.

I took a breath and looked in the small mirror on the wall, trying not to cry in excitement.

“Nervous?” I heard behind me, turning I saw Washington stood there.

I shook my head, smiling.

“When it comes to Lafayette, I’m never nervous. I’m just beyond excited and happy.” I said a small tremor to my voice.

Washington nodded a small smile playing on his face. He offered me his arm.

“We should go, everything is ready.” He said as I took his arm.

I smiled and nodded, Washington led us out of the back of the house and my eyes watered. Stood at the end of the aisle, was Lafayette in his blue uniform sword at his side. I saw him blink and swallow a bit. I smiled as Washington led me down the aisle.

“You look amazing, hopefully I’m not to awe struck to remember the words…” Lafayette said with a small smile.

I smiled back and nodded.

“You look handsome, and I think I’m in the same boat.” I whispered just as softly.

With that the ceremony started. I cried at Lafayette’s vows, and he sobbed at mine. We both did end up saying most of them in French, having very few people, including the pastor, understand us. When the pastor asked us to say “I Do” he also specified, “English please.” To which both us and those in attendance laughed a bit. When I was all over, we were presented as a married couple for the first time. Leading the procession back into the house we celebrated most of the night. Late into the evening Lafayette walked up to me and held his hand out, I took it and he led me away from the party and up the stairs. I smiled softly at him as he led me to the largest bedroom in the house, we stepped inside and he wrapped his arms around me spinning us slowly around the room. I giggled and leaned into him, he reached up and tilted my head back pressing a gentle kiss to my lips.

“My love.” Lafayette whispered leaning his forehead against mine, and brushing his nose against mine.

I giggled softly and brushed my nose against his.

“My heart.” I whispered just as softly.

We fell onto the bed softly and smiled at each other sharing small kisses. I sat up a few minutes later.

“I’d like to continue, but we should probably change…” I whispered softly trailing off a bit at the end.

Lafayette nodded also sitting up.

“We should, would hate to ruin that lovely dress.” He said smiling gently.

I giggled softly and nodded, before pausing. Lafayette already moving towards the closet turned to look at me.

“What are you waiting for, love?” He asked turning back to me.

I smiled softly and looked at him.

“I don’t have clothes here, well any that I know of.” I said standing up.

Lafayette nodded and turned back to his closet.

“You can use one of my shirts tonight, and we can collect…...or our friends planned more than we thought.” Lafayette said laughing and shaking his head a bit.

I raised an eyebrow and walked over to him, inside the closet sat what was in essence, a brand-new wardrobe for me. I smiled and laughed, seeing a note attached I reached up, pulling it down.

“Happy wedding, happy life. From your best friend Hercules.” I read and laughed softly.

Lafayette laughed softly beside me, and nudged me gently, pointing towards the top of the closet. I looked and couldn’t help but laugh, on the top shelf sat both of our uniforms, and our swords and guns. I shook my head, pulling a sleeping gown down I smiled and turned, taking a step behind Lafayette’s back. We had already talked about it and would just be sleeping tonight. After I pulled my sleeping gown on, I felt arms wrap around my waist, and leaned back.

“Let’s get some sleep.” Lafayette whispered against my ear.

I nodded and gently took his hand, letting him lead me to the bed. We laid down and curled into each other, relaxing together for the first time in a while. Over the next six years we spent a lot of time moving back and forth between France and America. We had a few children, who hated the travel but understood. Then one day it happened.

“France is officially at war with England.” Lafayette said one day as he dropped his hat onto the counter beside me, leaning against it.

I took a breath and nodded, looking up at him. We were currently at our French home.

“What are we going to do?” I asked softly.

Lafayette looked over to the children and gave them a gentle look, turning to face me.

“I’ve already contacted Hercules. He said he and Elizabeth could take the children if….” Lafayette started trailing off.

I looked up at him and raised an eyebrow.

“If?” I asked trying to lead him.

He smiled and lifted his hand.

“If you’ll come back as my right-hand.” Lafayette said smiling softly.

I lifted my hand and clasped his with it, our rings shinning in the dim light.

“Of course, I will. Let’s prepare.” I said smiling gently.

Lafayette nodded and we turned to the children. Over the next week we prepared what we needed, and sent the children to America. Two weeks after he told me, I was dressed in my uniform beside him. Our hands resting on our swords as we stalked down the hallways of the palace. With a smile to each other, we stood shoulder to shoulder and shoved the door open. The king looked up and his face relaxed into a welcome, thankful look. I glanced at Lafayette and let him take the lead. The next 10 years were difficult especially the years when Lafayette had been falsely arrested. I took over in his time away, leading us to many battle victories and also tight retreats. I stood beside the short dictator who had ordered Lafayette’s immediate release from the prison, amidst Lafayette’s uncle’s arguments. I turned swiftly, my sword out in a second and blade against his neck.

“It will take less then a fraction of a second for me to slice your throat open, less then a minute for you to bleed out. Stand there and be quiet or you will join my enemies in the ground, is that understood.” I stated in a growl.

“Lyon, stand down. It’s alright, I know he is not fond of me.” I heard Lafayette’s voice call from a few feet away.

I turned and even though he was dressed in full uniform, sword at his side I saw the weary look on his face. I turned and stalked to his side, swishing my sword through the air, to sheath it as I did so. I stood at Lafayette’s side through the following days and weeks as he had meeting after meeting.

“With all due respect sir, I’m going to America. The war is practically won. The rest of the men can lead a victory wave without me.” Lafayette said firmly on the last day of meetings.

The king turned to me and nodded.

“Well, we’ll have Lyon to help out.” He said confidently.

I shook my head.

“Apologies sir, but I’ve already accepted placement in America as well. I’ll be helping get their troops up to par in case they should ever be attacked again.” I said just as firmly as Lafayette had spoken a moment before.

The king looked momentarily defeated before his face brightened.

“I’ll deny your travel papers. No ship will give you access without them.” He said clearly thinking he had won.

Lafayette smirked and sat back, and I placed my hand on my sword turning slightly to the side.

“You forget, we have our own ship. You can deny our papers, but we will still be leaving.” Lafayette said with a smirk and a small laugh.

I ducked my head and shook it laughing as well.

“Yeah, there’s also the fact that we both have citizenship in at least one state so there’s nothing you can really do to stop us.” I said a smirk playing on my face as well.

The king looked to the side.

“I’ll send my guards after you, if you survive them, you’ll never be allowed back in France.” He said threateningly.

With less than a thought I was over the desk, sword drawn.

“Is that really something you want to do?” I asked softly.

Lafayette folded his hands and leaned back in the chair; ankles crossed.

“Are you not going to do anything?” The king asked him.

Lafayette laughed and shook his head.

“We saved your life repeatedly, and you want to deny our right to leave. I will say Lyon shouldn’t kill you. But if he does, we’ll get away fine, and probably be forgiven by the people. No one really likes you.” Lafayette said leaning forward a dark look crossing his face.

I smirked and twitched my blade against the king’s neck. He gasped and started to sweat.

“N-no, you can both leave. J-just let me be, please!” The king begged.

I looked at Lafayette who nodded, I slipped my sword away and lunged back over the table. Before the moon was fully in the sky, we were on our way back to America. We stood at the front of the ship the wind blowing across our faces.

“Would you have actually let me kill him?” I asked quietly.

Lafayette laughed and shook his head.

“Probably not, then again if he kept being an asshole, I likely would have done it myself.” He said just a quietly.

I nodded and we lapsed into silence. The two-week trip took its toll on the crew and we reached America with a few less crew then we had started out with. We were welcomed as hero’s, our children racing up to Lafayette, not recognizing me in uniform. Washington invited us to his Mount Vernon home, and we accepted, as soon as we were out of the public eye, I pulled my hat off and let my hair down.

“You both look a little worse for wear then the last time I saw you.” Washington said as Martha passed out the tea.

The children had jumped on me as soon as my hair was down, and I quickly changed when we reached his home, having kept a few dresses there for visits.

“Well, that’s because we are. But we’ll get into that later.” Lafayette said looking over at me with a smile.

I looked up and smiled at him as well.

“Yes, perhaps after the children are asleep.” I suggested softly.

The men nodded and we turned to lighter topics. That night we discussed the war, Lafayette’s arrest and my attempt on the king’s life.

“Why am I not surprised?” Washington asked shaking his head.

Lafayette laughed and shook his head.

“Maybe because we have threatened others.” Lafayette said smiling at me.

I shrugged.

“It’s not my fault people piss me off and I’m defensive.” I said smiling and looking to the side.

“Technically I think it would be protective. But still, valid point.” Washington said shaking his head.

We laughed at that and nodded. We settled in for the night and the next morning woke up early. Martha was watching the children and Lafayette and I suited up.

“Ready to try and teach these soldiers the way of the French?” Lafayette asked lifting his hand.

I clasped my hand around his and nodded.

“Let’s go.” I said smiling.

Lafayette dropped my hand and we walked from the room, meeting with Washington in the entrance hall.

“Let’s see how this works.” Washington said opening the door and putting his hat on.

Lafayette and I followed after him, slipping our hats on as well. Mounting our horses, we made the quick trip to the training grounds. That’s what we did, for a long time, we trained the soldiers taught them French. Well at least we did for a long time. The day Jefferson came to the training grounds was also the last day I trained anyone.

“I’m going to beat the man senseless.” I muttered by Lafayette.

He laughed and shook his head.

“Don’t, he isn’t worth it.” He returned smiling down at me.

I nodded and took a deep breath, relaxing for a bit. The peace didn’t last, and I ended up punching Thomas Jefferson in the nose.

“Well at least I was only relieved of my duty!” I said as Lafayette looked at me.

He shook his head and I couldn’t tell if he was trying not to laugh or yell.

“You shouldn’t have done that.” Lafayette said finally.

I shrugged and nodded walking around our bedroom.

“Yes well, what’s done is done. And now I can play the perfect wife and take care of the children.” I said settling down on the chair by the desk.

Lafayette turned to me and laughed softly.

“You’ll be bored in a week.” He said shaking his head.

I shrugged lightly.

“Then I’ll sneak away to the city and visit the others. Jefferson deserved that punch in the nose, and you know it. Not just for the crap he said to and about us, but also because of what he’s said and done to Alexander.” I said firmly.

Lafayette raised his hands and nodded.

“I’m not saying he didn’t deserve it. I was just saying you could have challenged him officially. But what’s done is done.” Lafayette said finally, walking over to me and wrapping his arms around me.

I sighed and leaned into him. That was that when I got bored, I went to visit Alexander and Mulligan, teaching the children the best I could as I did. Over the years we saw friends turned enemies and we lost friends, those we considered family. Then the day happened and I laid beside my Lafayette one last time. We had both gotten I’ll and hadn’t been taking the best care of ourselves. Both of us thinking we were still in top soldier shape. I reached over and took Lafayette’s hand, he turned his head and looked at me, giving me a smile.

“I’ll see you on the other side my love.” Lafayette whispered softly.

Our children stood around us trying not to cry but we knew the truth.

“Until then my love.” I whispered just as softly.

With that we closed our eyes, and I felt first his grip slip, the. I slipped.

#fanfiction #hamilton #marquis de lafayette #oc #alexander hamilton #eliza schuyler #hercules mulligan #john laurens #george washington

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zenonaa · 4 years

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Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Dangan Ronpa 3: The End of 希望ヶ峰学園 | The End of Kibougamine Gakuen | End of Hope's Peak High School, Dangan Ronpa - All Media Types Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Fukawa Touko/Togami Byakuya, Naegi Makoto & Togami Byakuya Characters: Togami Byakuya, Naegi Makoto Additional Tags: togafukaweek2020 Series: Part 4 of TogaFuka Week 2020

Summary: Togami enlists Naegi's help to practice what Togami should say to Fukawa when they reunite in Towa City.

Comments: Day 4! This time, it’s one prompt - thanks. However, it can be interpreted as a nightmare for Naegi.

***

The elevator door opened with a groan. Makoto emerged into the corridor, dressed in his work suit at Future Foundation’s main headquarters on a Saturday, as opposed to in his casual clothes playing video games at his apartment with Yasuhiro like he originally planned. Since passing through the main entrance on the ground floor, he had not seen a single person. Not heard a single voice. No one greeted him at the reception desk or galloped up or down the stairs nearby, and he couldn’t hear anything beyond the door that led to the offices on this floor.

Part of healing included rest, and as the world was finally healing now, Future Foundation allowed employees to have weekends off. Yet, despite that and the eerie silence around him, Makoto knew someone else was here, on this very floor, waiting for him.

Makoto exhaled and approached the door to the other offices. He stopped in front of it and extended his hand, but he didn’t open it, hovering his hand next to it. His faint reflection stared back at him from the door’s glass pane. Over the years, Makoto imprinted many faces onto many reflective surfaces. Bright-eyed, optimistic faces. Angry, determined faces. Tired, haunted faces.

The one peering back now was tired, but optimistic.

He looked up, breathed and opened the door.

Wooden caramel panels covered the floor. Either side of Makoto, framed photographs and motivational posters claimed any available space on the white walls. Though he hadn’t been on this floor many times before, most had the same layout. Makoto walked down the corridor until he reached a door with a symbol of someone wearing a dress on it then went inside, where he immediately found himself face-to-face with his colleague, Byakuya Togami.

A fan whirred over their heads, already in action. Same with the lights. The bathroom had been refurbished, more colourful than the understated monochrome schemes on other floors. Both the floor and the ceiling were tiled in white, and the furthest wall from Makoto boasted pastel pink. Sinks stood to his left, each garnished with a rosy bar of soap despite the dispensers above them all, and the dispensers were fixed onto mirrors that took up the entirety of that wall.

Byakuya clicked his tongue. Makoto’s eyes flitted back to him.

“You’re five minutes late,” said Byakuya, arms folded over his chest.

His glare weighed down on Makoto, who tensed and rubbed the back of his neck.

“Sorry, I got here as fast as I could,” replied Makoto, slapping on an apologetic smile. He lowered his hand slowly and squinting slightly, added, “But if we live in the same apartment block, wouldn’t it have been easier to meet at your place instead?”

As opposed to the girls’ bathroom on the eighth floor of Future Foundation’s main building.

“No,” said Byakuya with a small shake of his head. “I don’t want to risk us being overheard, and I know for a fact this bathroom doesn’t have any hidden cameras. Andou made a big deal of it during a meeting, and the memory stuck with me.”

When Byakuya phoned Makoto the night before, he had refused to divulge to Makoto what this sudden meeting was about, only referring to it as ‘important’ and saying that he couldn’t tell anyone else about it. Makoto didn’t disbelieve him, but he hadn’t realised how many precautions Byakuya put in place so their conversation would remain confidential.

The quiver of a smile on Makoto’s lips flatlined. This must have been serious. More serious than Makoto realised.

Byakuya pushed up his glasses. Jutted out his chin.

“As you will know, in a week, we are being flown to Towa City to retrieve two of our friends,” said Byakuya, prompting Makoto to give a nod, and Byakuya wagged a finger. “You are going because one of them is your sister. Now, you must wonder why I am going too. Why I insisted on it.”

Not really. That was what Makoto wanted to say, and what he almost said. Byakuya twitched his finger one more time, then left it pointing vaguely in Makoto’s direction.

“It is because of Fukawa,” said Byakuya. He paused. Stared. Waited.

Makoto felt obligated to respond.

“... Right,” said Makoto, eyeing him. That seemed like a safe answer. He already suspected that to be Byakuya’s reason, but he didn’t know what Byakuya would steer the conversation to from here.

“You see,” Byakuya carried on, and he now clasped his hands together tightly and bobbed them up and down, his index fingers the only digits pointing outward, “when I collect Fukawa, there are a few things I wish to address with her. I want to commend her for her efforts during our separation, as well as the previous period which I failed to acknowledge prior to her departure, and I want to discuss plans for what is to happen next.”

He stopped moving his hands, staring at Makoto intensely.

“Uh... okay?” said Makoto, and he scratched his temple. “Is that what you wanted to tell me?”

A tremor convulsed on Byakuya’s face. His features darkened as he gritted his teeth.

“Don’t get passive aggressive with me. If you don’t wish to assist me, come out and say it. I will remember, though,” warned Byakuya.

Makoto winced and patted the air. “S-Sorry! I mean, I would be glad to help. So what is it you want my help with?”

The cold glint in Byakuya’s eyes lingered as he straightened and adjusted his glasses. He placed one hand onto his hip.

“I will recite what I plan to say to Fukawa, and you will advise me on any amendments I should make,” said Byakuya. “Even though I have become more considerate of people’s feelings, no switch has flicked within me and I may say something too harsh. I also don’t want to say something that Fukawa might misunderstand. You know how her imagination can run wild...”

Once Makoto processed what Byakuya requested from him, a grin broke out across Makoto’s face. Makoto couldn’t imagine Byakuya wanting to practice so as to avoid accidentally hurting someone’s feelings when they first met.

“I would be happy to help you with that,” Makoto said, nodding. “All right, you start.”

Byakuya positioned his fist to his mouth and cleared his throat, then moved his hand away, his expression serious.

“Fukawa, at first, you irritated me and I wished for you to disappear, but over the years, I came to know you better and no longer want that to happen,” said Byakuya.

Makoto frowned. Already, he thought it could do with some work.

However, Makoto didn’t say anything yet, because Byakuya stared into space with the same level of focus one would direct at a person they were talking to, so Makoto thought Byakuya had more to say. Advice could come afterwards, when Byakuya was finished. Byakuya began pacing back and forth, waving one hand about as he spoke.

“As time went by, you seeped into my subconscious. I began to think about you when I had nothing else to think about,” Byakuya revealed. He cupped his chin and slowed his pace, but he didn’t stop walking, his steps turning to shuffling. “Then, I thought about you when I was supposed to be thinking about other things. Even now, my mind still strays to you without my intention. I have come to... acknowledge that you play a significant role in my life.”

Byakuya came to a halt. A beat of silence passed between them. The body language of the two men differed greatly. While Byakuya stood stiffly with his jaw clenched and his lips pressed together, Makoto’s mouth hung ajar. He didn’t know how to respond, but fortunately for him, Byakuya resumed speaking.

“You are an enigma, and now that we are back together, I will keep a close eye on you,” said Byakuya quietly, edging close to a murmur. “I wish to learn more about you. I want you by my side. Thank you.”

The ceiling fan hummed. Rattled faintly. Byakuya turned to Makoto.

“Well? What do you think?” asked Byakuya, his voice returning to its usual volume.

Makoto shifted his weight between his feet.

“Are... Is this a love confession?” blurted Makoto.

Byakuya twitched.

“No! I am thanking her,” Byakuya snapped. “This is nothing like a love confession.”

If his gaze was a knife, it would have cut right through Makoto.

“S-Sorry!” yelped Makoto. He threw his hands up, showing his palms in surrender, and added timidly, “It sounds kind of like one though, Togami-kun.”

“Well, it’s not one,” replied Byakuya with a small jerk of his head. His brow scrunched then relaxed a bit, but not much. In a tight, level voice, he said, “No matter. I have, of course, prepared another speech, in case you found fault in this one.”

Of course he did. Byakuya pulled out a piece of paper from his jacket pocket, skimmed through it, then spoke again.

“Fukawa, we have been through a lot together, haven’t we?” he asked. Neither Makoto nor the room answered. That didn’t deter Byakuya, whose voice spread throughout the bathroom. “When we first met, I thought I had you sussed out, but you have continued to surprise me. I realise you are not just a stuttering girl with a persecution complex, but a stuttering girl with a persecution complex that is brave, intelligent, resourceful, attractive and incredibly loyal. You have proven yourself to be an invaluable asset to me, and with you by my side, we can look to the future together. Thank you.”

Byakuya faced him again.

“Thoughts?” he said calmly.

Makoto braced himself and said hesitantly, “Togami-kun... that also sounded like a love confession.”

“How so?” asked Byakuya, narrowing his eyes.

“How...?” Makoto repeated blankly. He flung up his hands and couldn’t help raise his voice. “All of it, Togami-kun! You even called her ‘attractive’!”

Byakuya’s eyes flashed wider, and he turned his head to one side. “... No, I didn’t.”

If this had been a written story, Makoto could have pointed to the word ‘attractive’ in Byakuya’s recent dialogue, but he couldn’t, so he folded his arms over his chest and hunched his shoulders, pouting.

“I shall now recite my third version,” announced Byakuya, sticking his nose up. Makoto stared.

“T-Third...?” Makoto spluttered.

Either Byakuya ignored Makoto or took this exclamation as a sound of consent. He got out yet another piece of paper from his pocket and unfolded it. Then he glared at Makoto, like he expected Makoto to interrupt, and when Makoto didn’t, Byakuya glanced at it before speaking yet again.

“I have been meaning to confess my feelings to you for a long time now,” said Byakuya, chin held high. “For a long time, I took you for granted, and during your long absence in Towa City, I realised how much I came to not only be used to having you at my disposal but also how much I approved, no, desired your presence.”

By this point, Makoto couldn’t even muster up any emotion to liven his face. He didn’t even wish that the tiles above and below him would splinter, become teeth, and swallow him up. All he did was stand there, motionless.

Meanwhile, Byakuya remained unperturbed. Carried on with his speech, gesturing passionately.

“I remember your dark grey eyes and how they would follow me around the room, how they danced in and out of view behind your glasses so befitting a literary girl.”

The only indication of life from Makoto was how his eyes tracked Byakuya’s movements around the room. It wasn’t that Makoto wasn’t happy for the guy. The opposite was true. Makoto just didn’t know how much more of this he could take. Of Byakuya being so oblivious to something so painfully obvious to Makoto. Byakuya paused from his pacing and gazed up at his elevated hand, palm up and fingers splayed like he was grasping the globe.

“What once unsettled, annoyed me... now gives me reassurance. Security. This is because I know you would be my knight,” said Byakuya. His fingers closed in to create a fist. “Your long, aubergine hair, once tied in braids, now flies wild and unkempt, framing your pale face in a stark contrast between light and dark... You, once a wallflower, now a rose, demanding attention from all those present...”

Byakuya trailed off, standing as still as a statue. Makoto didn’t know if Byakuya was finished yet but dared not ask.

“... I have been able to see your face on video call, but you were intangible,” continued Byakuya. Good call by Makoto. Byakuya spoke barely above a whisper. “But now, if I wanted, I could bring my hands to your hair... comb my fingers through your hair... cradle your cheeks in my hands...”

The guy had it bad.

“Togami-kun,” said Makoto, unable to refrain any longer.

As if the vision of Touko that only Byakuya could see suddenly fractured, freeing him from his trance, Byakuya turned to Makoto sharply. “What?”

“This really sounds like a confession,” said Makoto.

“It’s not!” insisted Byakuya.

Makoto wanted to shake him. Instead, he dragged his fingers down his own face. “You’re talking about combing your fingers through her hair and caressing her face...”

“Theoretically,” said Byakuya.

“What?” asked Makoto, gaping, and Byakuya fidgeted with his glasses.

“I’m saying I theoretically could,” explained Byakuya. He brought a hand to his chin. His gaze drifted upward, clouding in thought. “I could also nudge her glasses into place, or even... touch her... hand...”

Byakuya stroked his thumb against his chin. Makoto laced his fingers together and shook his hands pleadingly at Byakuya.

“Togami-kun, if you have feelings for her, it really is okay,” said Makoto.

In fact, Makoto and the others had spent many conversations trying to decide how best to get Byakuya to confess his feelings because his pining was becoming too much to leave alone. Many times, they all heard Byakuya talk about how he would go personally to Towa City to retrieve Touko. They all heard Byakuya talk about Touko during lunch breaks, sharing facts like how they had both seen the same cult movie before and quoting different parts of her various novels which he had taken up reading. And all of them had heard his sighs, seen him drum his fingers as he stared out of a window and knew who he was thinking about.

Makoto pleaded in his head with Byakuya to confirm what everyone already knew. His inner voice begged. Strained.

Finally, Byakuya’s brow cracked.

“Are you in on this with the others?” asked Byakuya.

That was not what Makoto expected. Makoto tilted his head.

“Others?” he said.

“You are saying what the others said when I came to them for help,” sneered Byakuya. He pointed at Makoto. “Hagakure, Asahina, Kirigiri... They all told me that my speeches sounded like confessions of love.”

Apparently, Byakuya had gone to everyone else before seeking Makoto out. Makoto didn’t know how to feel about that, or if this was a good time to feel anything about that. Byakuya rested his head in his hand.

“I just want to thank Fukawa for the work she has done,” Byakuya told Makoto, the rough edges to his tone softening. “Not just for her role with Towa City and rescuing me. Not even for all the errands she has run for me. In my family, as you know, it’s tradition for the heir to be selected from a pool of siblings. I was a business investment first and foremost. Everyone was my opponent. Anyone could be getting close to me just to try to take me down and replace me.”

A sad twinge puckered in Makoto’s chest. He cocked his head to one side. Though he looked at Byakuya, Byakuya didn’t look back at him, not as Byakuya lowered his hands or as he began talking again.

“The conglomerate was powerful. Rich,” said Byakuya. “It was the elite of the elite. Now it’s just me. And yet... knowing this, Fukawa stayed by my side. Her feelings, her opinion, didn’t waver. She doesn’t see me as a Togami first and foremost, but as Byakuya. Byakuya-sama.”

Makoto’s brow creased, and he lifted a hand, faltering, but he ended up resting his hand on Byakuya’s shoulder. Byakuya continued not looking at him. He didn’t shove Makoto off either.

“I thought I was helping her by teaching her to be more independent, to improve herself, but I didn’t realise until later that she taught me as well,” said Byakuya, his eyes downcast. “She gains power from her emotions, rather than let them drag her down. You and her... both showed me emotions and bonds can give strength. That depending on others doesn’t mean you’re weak. And she... with how she feels for me... how she can draw strength from her love...”

Byakuya’s features hardened, and he switched on the brakes on his verbalised train of thought. Makoto felt him tremble faintly under his hand. His chest gave a sad clench, and he tilted his head to one side. Perhaps they had all been too harsh on Byakuya. Too impatient. What seemed obvious to them was another world for Byakuya, one that Byakuya had for so long been taught was lowly enough for him to grind his heel against.

“Togami-kun, I know you will think this is a copout answer, or complain I’m being too nice, but I don’t think you need to prepare a speech or worry about what you will say to her,” said Makoto. Byakuya didn’t stir, but Makoto wasn’t discouraged. “It’s good that you’re able to articulate your thoughts, and all of us shouldn’t make assumptions about what you’re talking about. I think... it’s one of those times when it’s best to wait until the moment to say what you think is appropriate, but if what you said in your speech is how you feel, then I think... you should tell her that.”

No response from Byakuya. Makoto’s lips curled up at the ends and he waved his hand, keeping his other on his friend’s shoulder.

“If you find out you don’t know what to say, you can always offer her a hug,” Makoto suggested in a light tone. “I’m expecting to have bruises after Komaru’s done hugging me.”

A laugh escaped Makoto, shaky but good-natured. Byakuya finally turned to him, and Makoto felt sure Byakuya was smiling very slightly.

“Yes, I think you’re right,” Byakuya decided quietly. “A hug may suffice. Here. Let me practice on you.”

Before Makoto could understand what was about to happen, Byakuya closed the gap between their bodies and wrapped his arms around Makoto, giving The Most Awkward Hug that Makoto had ever experienced. The hug wasn’t bad, but Makoto’s face was smothered in Byakuya’s chest, and he didn’t sink at all into Byakuya. It was like pressing his face against a window.

After a while, Byakuya stepped back, and Makoto breathed again, head spinning slightly.

Their first hug.

Probably their last too.

Still, Makoto appreciated it. Both of them regarded each other. Makoto broke the ice first.

“I think this sort of thing should also wait until the moment it’s happening,” said Makoto. He adjusted his collar. “But... um... I recommend loosening up a bit when you do it next time.”

“I think so too,” agreed Byakuya. “I’ll keep note of your critique.”

Then, Byakuya added,

“Now that is out of the way, there is one more thing. When I meet with Fukawa again, I wish to give her a present. I don’t want to give her any food, though I know her diet needs attention, so I thought I would give her a piece of jewelry. A ring - ”

Makoto could only handle so much in a day. He threw up his hands and flounced out.

The door nearly smacked into Kanon Nakajima’s face. Byakuya must have scheduled an appointment with her too, but Makoto was too exasperated to dwell on it.

She started, “Is - ?”

“In there,” said Makoto, passing by, and he went home to play video games.

#togafuka #byakuya togami #makoto naegi #dr3 #danganronpa #fanfiction #togafukaweek #one shot

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