The World Is Our Stage - Alexander Hamilton x reader - SEQUEL

Twenty-Two

The first day at sea went by pain stakingly slow. All I got to do was change the mast directions and fight off discreet hecklers. More than once I was told to go clean or cook or wait for them in the barracks. More than once did I bruise them up when Washington wasn't looking.

At the end of the day when night shift was waking to go to work, Washington called me into his office. Just lovely.

"You asked for me, General?" I said as greeting, stepping into his office which was under the wheel.

He looked up from several books and maps, his brown-red hair slipping in front of his face. "Yes, I did. Come in, shut the door behind you please." As I did what he asked, he marked and closed the books, rolling up the maps.

"Have a seat," he said, gesturing to the chair in front of his desk. Though I wanted to decline, his tone made me slowly sit, hands in my lap.

"Y/N, I want you to know that if anyone here gives you any grief or comment on your gender or anything even remotely unfair, just tell me. I'll have it handled quickly and quietly."

A bit late, don't you think?

"With all due respect, General, I believe I can handle it myself. After all, I've dealt with such things before. Thank you, though."

His blue-grey eyes narrowed at me, analyzing me like a true soldier.

I started tapping my thumbs against each other, holding the man's stare. I meant what I said and I've already dealt with a few men today alone!

After many unnerving moments, he nodded, looking away. "The offer always stands. You're dismissed."

I stood immediately and started heading for the door when he said my name one last time.

Hand hovering over the handle, I turned to Washington. "Yes, General?" He gave me a small, knowing smile as he said, "Next time you bruise up my men for that, tell them not to cry to me about it."

Those snitches! I swallowed my anger and nodded, leaving.

Rain pattered against my face as I headed for the barracks, where my dinner waited. I didn't want to eat with the crew, not tonight.

I went into the barracks and thankfully found it empty. I locked the door and changed into shorter trousers and a light weight tunic, plaiting my hair down my back.

After unlocking the door, I crawled up to my bunk and say, taking a bite of the still-good bread that would stale in a week.

I looked around the empty barracks, sighing.

I felt lonely in Charleston without my siblings, without so many people living with me. Why did I despise it now that I got my wish?

Was Alexander sleeping right now? Or was he trying to get sent out as well? Or was he even writing to me or my parents? I didn't exactly want to know which he was doing, if he was doing any of them.

Why me? Why some girl from a political family that foolishly ran away for love and got lucky and unlucky again and again?

I took another bite of my bread before I started feeling sick. I sighed and wrapped up my food—just bread and an apple—and shoved it to the foot of my bunk before laying down.

The door opened and I immediately shut my eyes, laying on my hair.

Whoever walked in had brought a candle and was in one of my bunks near me, shuffling through things. I heard him curse as he went to the bunk under me, placing the candle on my bunk beside my stomach.

I poked my eye open just slightly and found him hunched over. I quickly blew out the light and shut my eyes.

I heard him huff and stand, the boards creaking underneath him.

"Are you awake, girl?" He asked, voice gruff. I forced my breathing to remain even as his breath tickled my face, the stench rancid. I would've gagged if I could.

After a few moments, I heard him walk away and out of the barracks. I relaxed and took a deep breath, laying on my back completely.

What was he looking for?

The door opened again and my eyes slammed shut. I heard footsteps go beside my bunk, a hand holding my mattress. Fight or flight kicked in and I grabbed his wrist, shoving it and making him fall.

"Ouch what the heck?!" Wait, that voice.

"Laurens?!" I blurted, peeking over my bunk. Sure enough, the blond was on the floor, rubbing his side.

He groaned and stood up. "Who else would be at our bunk?" I refrained from answering and he chuckled lowly. "Anyways, going to bed already? It's barely dark!"

I shrugged and lied, "Tired. First day thing, you know?" He gave me a knowing look, but I didn't back down from my lie. "I gotta get used to boat life again is all." A half truth for him.

"Y/N, I've been off a boat far longer and I'm fine. Plus, I was given more work today. What's wrong?"

The exact reason you were given more work. I wanted to scream the words at him, scream that was done with this sexist stuff. All that came out was, "Just tired, it's fine, Laurens."

Those bright blue eyes faltered before they brightened with an idea. Oh no.

"I'll introduce you to everyone! Personally! And I'll make sure they don't pull anything funny, sound good? You can leave whenever you want!"

I debated the offer, but I was honestly not feeling it and I'd given my all and suffered too many times to be fooled again.

"Laurens, I'm dealing with...lady things." His eyes widened and he stepped back, clearing his throat. "Oh, erm, sorry. I'll go now." I nodded and he left.

I sighed and fell back against my pillow, grinning slightly at his reaction.

I wasn't on my cycle. I hadn't had one in a while because if all of the stress I've had. My mother and older sisters had told me that could happen, pause cycles because of stress. It could also happen when a woman gets too thin too fast.

Of course, none of this stopped me from lying so I could laugh at a man's reaction. Always hilarious!

I fell asleep with a subtle smile on my face.