Smile More (Hamilton Fanfiction)

Chapter 11

"Wake up, comrades!" You yelled at the ass-crack of dawn. Alexander flinched awake. "It's time for training."

Consistent with routine, the men all groaned in unison. You laughed at them.

"When did she become a morning person?" John asked. 

"About a week ago," Alexander grumbled.

"Someone has to be," You tell them. "If not, then you'd all sleep in until noon. Up!"

You pulled Lafayette off of his cot.

"Those in favour of kicking Y/n out say 'aye'," Lafayette called.

"Aye," Everyone said. 

"Hmmm, what was that?" You leaned forward, cupping your hand to your ear. "I didn't hear anything. Come on, guys, it's been a year now, you should be used to it."

That's right it's now 1777. A year of training and fighting and living like paupers has gone past. It, quite frankly, was your idea of heaven. The men had worked their way up to your level and Burr didn't seem so troubled after battles anymore. Philip has written a few times and you have written back, letting him know how you were faring.

And the tension between you and Alexander is at an all-time high. You can barely get to sleep at night, knowing that he is a few feet away. Sometimes you can hardly think when he's around. You are sure that the others have noticed too, but none have spoken up about it.

"Hurry up, hurry up, hurry up!" You beg, hand twitching toward the hilt of your sword.

You loved training, soo much that at this point, you've begun leading the movement occasionally. You have taught the men some of your manoeuvres and tactics.

"You just want to beat us up again," Mulligan accused.

"Yep," You admitted without hesitation. "Come on!"

When the men were finally dressed you forced them outside and towards the smell of food. Meal times were the second favourite part of your day even though the rations were dwindling due to new soldiers joining the army. 

After breakfast, you went to the training grounds, the men traipsing after you dutifully.

"Who shall be my victim today, I wonder?" You mused, drawing your sword.

"It's too early for this," Lafayette complained but drew his sword anyways.

"Come and have a go if you think you're hard enough," You taunt as you rotate your wrist, spinning your sword at your side.

Lafayette lunges, thrusting his sword. You gracefully stepped to the side and batted the sword away with your own. You go to crush his nose with your elbow but stop yourself with mere millimetres to lose.

"Shame," You pouted. "I would have hoped for a better challenge."

Lafayette growled and moved out of John's way, letting him step up to the challenge. You grinned at John, waiting for him to raise his sword.

"Go easy on me, please?" He asked.

"Would the British go easy on you?"

John's shoulders slumped, "No."

You swing your sword and he barely had time to dodge it. He parried your next blow and returned the favour with one of his own. You whacked his sword away and lunged, but you weren't aiming your sword at him, not yet. In the blink of an eye, you were behind him, sword at his neck.

"I yield," John squeaked as he dropped his sword and lifted his hands above his head. 

You duelled each of your friends. That was just a warm-up. Afterwards, much to their displeasure, you taught them moves. You not only teach them moves with the swords but also teach them how to dodge and roll out of the way.