His Best Friend. (Hamlaf)

| chapter 10 |

Alex's POV

After that hug, I had this burning urge inside of me to protect Lafayette. But honestly? Unfortunately there wasn't much I could do. This was out of my control. His dad.. is horrible. His dad kinda reminds me of some of my old foster "parents," if they even deserve the title of a parent. Which they don't.

When we pulled back, Lafayette gazed into my eyes. I glanced away, because I'm bad at eye contact. Just then, my stepmom walked in.

"How are you doing, Alexander? Lafayette?" She said as she started dusting our decorative antique television. I turned around and glanced at her. "I'm doing well.." I muttered, picking back up Hamilton, (My cat-) who was peacefully laying on the couch before I decided to disturb him. Lafayette said, "I'm— I'm doing good, Madame."

He was in fact NOT doing good.

Apparently my stepmom knew, because she replied, "I..I'm sorry, but, I overheard your conversation.." She turned to face us and she walked over to Lafayette. She placed a hand on his shoulder as she said, "You can come over whenever you like, dear."

Laf did that upside down smile. It never fails to be adorable. "Thank you, Madame Washington." He murmured. She smiled back at him. "No worries. If there's anything you need, my husband and I are always here. You're always welcome." She said, kindly. Lafayette nodded and watched as my stepmom turned around and began dusting the television again.

"Your belle-mère (stepmother) is so kind, Alex." Lafayette muttered to me. I chuckled softly. "Yeah. She's nicer to you because she likes you, though. I can't necessarily say the same for Herc-" I replied. My stepmom doesn't like John and Herc too much, but she'll never admit it.

"Heyyy. Those boys you bring over are nice, I suppose. I don't.. dislike them-" She said.

"When did I say you disliked them??" I shot back, a playful smile painting my face.

Lafayette yawned and I could feel his hand toying with a strand of my hair as I talked to my mother. It made me wonder if Lafayette and I were this touchy at the party... Maybe that's why Eliza was acting weird? I wouldn't know. I was wasted during the party.

After a back and forth conversation with my stepmom because I'm inherently argumentative, she left to start cooking dinner in the kitchen. She starts cooking pretty early if it's a weekend.

It started raining not long after. Dark skies, loud noise, water droplets, I hated it all. I hate the rain. I just hoped it wouldn't start thundering.

Either way, my mom going to the kitchen meant Lafayette and I were left in the living room alone. He went back to watching his show. But to be honest? He looked a bit distraught. I furrowed my eyebrows and tapped his thigh. He flinched and he took a glance at me.

"Hi." I peeped.

He smiled sadly at me. "Salut."

"You doing okay?" I asked, rubbing his leg.

He nodded softly. "Just thinking."

I sighed and wrapped an arm around him and I rested my head on his shoulder. I just subconsciously made a move.. I could feel his breaths become heavier; I could only assume it was from how flustered this made him. "That's okay." I muttered in response. He rested his head on mine as we sat side by side on that couch.

I guess he was tired, and I don't blame him, because he fell asleep in that position we were in. That was.. the second time he'd fallen asleep today. I guess he's always sleepy after a night of drinking, though. I fell asleep, too.

I just remember waking up to my cat kneading at my jeans. I glanced down and Lafayette was now asleep.. in my lap! My face got unreasonably warm.

I drowsily glanced around until I saw my stepdad pass by the living room. "Sir, what time is it..?" I asked. He glanced down at his watch, and then said, "7pm, son."