Smile More (Hamilton Fanfiction)

Chapter 4

The journey from London to New York took three weeks. After a week, you stopped throwing up as soon as you woke and finally got used to the constant rocking and swaying. During the second week at sea, you made a significant advance in your reading skills. At the beginning of the third week, you had finished the book Hamilton lent to you. You liked it very much and thought it was intriguing. 

It was midday and you stood at the railing, watching as the ship entered New York Harbour. Alexander strolled over and leant against the railing, gazing up at you. You had felt something between the two of you during the voyage but Alexander never made a move, an intentional one, at least, falling asleep on you doesn't count. You had decided to bury your feelings and move along with your life, worrying more about surviving than living. But when Alexander made eye contact it felt as though it was all for nought so you refused to look at him.

"Y/n?" Alexander mumbled. You ignored the shiver that ran down your spine when he said your name.

"Yes?" You replied as you pulled your eyes away from the approaching bay to finally meet his eyes. 

"What are we going to do when we are ashore?" He asked. You gave him a look to tell him you didn't know what he was talking about. To be truthful, you did, he had been bringing it up often within the recent week but you hadn't given him a straight answer yet. "Are we to part when we disembark?"

You sighed. "I think it would be for the best," You whispered, Alexander looked hurt so you fed him a lie. "I have some things I need to do, people I need to find."

Alexander nodded and straightened up, looking away for a moment. Your stomach constricted and you prayed you wouldn't throw up again. "Alright," He uttered after a while, he held out his hand and you turned to face him. "It was nice knowing you."

You shook his hand and mentally kicked yourself when you began to cry. You couldn't stop the tears from flowing. You hadn't released the handshake and Alexander used the connection to pull you into a hug. Sobbing into his shoulders, you felt... at home. Alexander's arms snaked around you as you clung to him, unwilling to let go.

Eventually, you talked some sense into yourself and recoiled your arms from around Alexander's neck. "Thank you," You said one last time. "For everything you've done for me. You've been extremely generous."

"You are welcome," He replied with that wholesome smile of his. 

Neither of you said anything as the ship docked and people started filing off. You had hoped for one last hug, maybe even a kiss but Alexander left without another word. The last you saw of him was when he turned around, now on dry land, and gave you a nod farewell. 

You walked down the boarding plank and found that walking on land made you just as queasy as standing on that ship. You travelled into the city until you found an open tavern and sat down at an empty table. 

You still felt slightly nauseous from the change in environment so you didn't order any drinks. 

You were just beginning to debate drowning your sorrows when a bunch of young men carrying a pint of ale each approached your table. You tipped the hat Alexander had given you so it hid your face. 

One of the men stepped forwards. "Excuse me," He said, the first thing you noticed about him was his rich french accent that reverberated throughout your body. "Would you mind if we sat at your table with you? Every other table is taken."

You surveyed the tavern the best you could from under the brim of your hat, true to his word all the other tables were crowded. You sighed and gestured for him and his friends to take a seat. The two men who had been waiting for their friend's thumbs-up slid into a seat. You were at the head of the table and two men took a seat on your left while the french guy sat to your right.