Shy From The Spotlight - Alexander Hamilton x Reader

Sixty-Nine

"Let's go." I ordered, leaving the barracks with Alexander in tow. He made some odd requests; stay away from John Laurens, stop ignoring his letters, and hug him. Why stay from John Laurens? I get the letters thing. The hug though...why do I feel so content with it?

I shook away my questions and ran to the stern, looking around. "What ship do you command?" I asked Alexander, not looking to him. He chuckled nervously.

"I erm, don't command a ship. I'm an aide-de-camp." He said quietly, shifting on his feet. I whipped my head to him. "What?!" He frowned and nodded. "How do we get to the fleet then?! Fly?!?" I near-shouted, wanting to keep the plan secret.

He rolled his eyes and stepped closer to me, looking down the boat. I followed his gaze to a small rowboat. "You're bloody mad." I said in an exasperated tone, stepping backwards.

I looked towards the ruined boats as the ships loaded cannons again. They were so close. About one boat away. They were incoming.

I whirled to Alexander. "Give me your coat." I demanded. His bright blue militia coat, complete with tan lining and a dozen and a half  golden buttons. He gave me a skeptical look. "Why?" I frowned, pointing to the ships that only came nearer.

"Those ships are going to get to these. They will overthrow us. If they find a woman on board, and Schuyler woman no less, they will..." I didn't dare finished the sentence as horror filled Alexander's expression. "If I have a soldier coat, it will make me seem more like a man." I explained quietly.

He nodded and shrugged off his coat. I slid it on, accidentally taking whiff of Alexander's smell; husky wood and salt water. I hated to admit it, but I had to force down a blush.

I collected myself and bristled. "I have a plan." Alexander said, eyes on the enemy fleet. Cannons boomed and I yelped, jumping towards Alexander.

More cannons boomed and I shut my eyes, curling into Alexander for safety. I felt his arms wrap around me as our boat shook, knocking me over. We trembled to the ground, but Alexander didn't remove his arms.

Cannon after cannon blasted, from both fleets. It was a horrible chorus that made my ears ring. I yelped again, tensing.

"It's alright, Y/N. I got you, you're safe." Alexander said into my ear, barely audible above the booms and blasts. I nodded into his strong chest.

After several minutes, the cannons halted. Slowly, I peeled my eyes open. "It's done." Alexander whispered, removing his arms from me respectfully. I blushed and shot up, rising to my feet. Did that really just happen? Am I really blushing from it?

I cleared my throat and extended a hand to Alexander, an offer to help him stand. He gave me a small smile and grabbed my hand. He yanked himself up and I stumbled, giving a short laugh.

"Thanks, for helping me." I said shyly, heart thundering. Why was I feeling like this? Wasn't I scolding him earlier for loving both of my sisters? But there was something about him, a charm. I despised to admit it, but his charm made my knees weaken.

He blinked and his cheeks reddened. "Oh, anytime." He said. The silence between us was taut. That is, until I remembered the threat at hand.

"When those boats get here, I need you to follow me on one." I explained. His eyes widened. "Are you mad Y/N?!" I crossed my arms. "Like I said before, not the point." He frowned.

"Why do you even need to get one on?" He asked, matching my stance with a hint of sass. Ouch. "Because if we can control the fleet, we can add on boats and hold prisoners for bargaining." I explained truthfully. He blinked twice.

He gave me a crooked grin. "You'd make a great general, you know." He complimented. I blushed more and played with the buttons on his coat. "Being the captain of a ship is enough for me, thanks." I joked, drawing an airy laugh from him.

Our eyes met and we both smiled. His blue-violet eyes sparkled with joy, reflecting the ocean. His pink lips went from a smile to a grin, one that appeared just before or after someone laughs. Dashing, that's what he is.

I finally looked away and towards the ships. They were now so close, they were sneering at us. I looked to my boat, which was on the front lines.

Everyone was sailing forward, away. I said a silent prayer that they would make it, get to safety. I looked back to Alexander. "We move now." I said, adjusting his coat. He gave me a nod and followed me to the bow of the ship, Washington paying us no heed.

"Ready Alex?" I asked, choosing a nickname as an attempt to soften the tension between us. He gave me a small, worried smile that didn't reach his eyes as he said, "As I'll ever be."