helpless (lams oneshots)

sabotage

alt. title: if i can't have you, no one can

this is for itsevelynrose!! sorry if this wasn't what you pictured, if it's not i can write a totally new oneshot that's happier. also sorry it's really fucking shitty

It had been months since Alexander had met Elizabeth and he was still talking John's ear off. It was upsetting to John to see his crush since the third grade talking about someone else without paying attention to how John felt. He still acted happy for his friend and nodded along to all he said because that was what friends do.

"Did you know Eliza's been texting me day and night?

"Yes, Alex."

"I trust her with all my problems."

"Alright, Alex."

John had to listen to everything. Every little fact, every little quirk. He had grown to hate the woman. Hate was a strong word, but jealousy can do bad things to a person and jealousy had completely taken over John.

John had started a plan, a small plan to start off with. He thought of a million different ways to ruin their slowly forming relationship. His initial plan was to contact Eliza's sister Angelica and tell her Alexander was interested in her. This was about two weeks after they had met and John figured he would get caught for what he did. He knew the Schuyler sisters were all close.

He also knew there was one sister that was usually overlooked. She was going to be the key to his plan. So one day, he decided to ask Alexander about the third sister.

"Yeah, Angelica and Eliza are planning to-"

John held up his hand to ask the question, "Don't they have a third sister?" He asked. Alex looked shocked almost, "Yeah, she goes by Peggy I think." He stated. John hummed, "Why don't they talk about her?" Alex shrugged, "I have her number though, if you want it." He offered. John nodded and quickly texted her right away with a quick "thank you" to Alex.

After a few days, the two had become incredibly close. John had realized why Peggy wasn't talked about often, her family was ashamed of her. She was seeing a woman in secret who had gone by the name Maria Reynolds. Everyone knew who James Reynolds was, everyone knew he abused Maria but no one seemed to bat an eye except for Peggy.

Their relationship was sweet, though it was threatened when Eliza had found out. Peggy begged and pleaded for her to tell no one, but no secret can be kept forever. Philip Schuyler had heard, and despite Eliza and Angelica assuring him it was okay, Peggy was deemed the outcast.

Elizabeth had a kind heart, she really did. Yet everyone has a fatal flaw. Her fatal flaw was her inability to keep a secret. Peggy's heart was filled with love, but she could not help but feel a bit of resentment towards Eliza. Her relationship with Maria was now dangerous because you would never know who knew the secret and who didn't.

So when John offered up the option to sabotage Alex and Eliza's relationship, Peggy wasn't exactly opposed to the idea. She had met up with John and told him her story, plus some. She expalined that hurting Eliza's relationship would be the perfect revenge since her own was damaged.

John and Peggy did not have an exact plan, but they had an agreement that they would work together to ruin what Alex and Eliza had.

It took many days of planning and brainstorming but one day Johm had thought of a perfect plan and called Peggy to meet with him late at night when Maria would be over. John pitched his idea.

Maria would show up one day and give Alex her story. She would seduce Alex into sleeping with her and then somehow the word would get out, John hadn't worked out the kinks yet.

This is where Peggy first asked if we could make a different plan. Maria took her aside and assured her that this relationship would have no significance at all. This somewhat eased Peggy but you could still tell she was uneasy.

Now, guilt had hardly crossed John's mind throughout this entire plan. The one time it had struck him was when he decided to take advantage of Alexander's inability to shut his mouth.

They would write an anonymous letter to Alexander, accusing him of cheating. They would make sure this word would get to James Reynolds. That way, Alexander would most likely be shamed by everyone. Of course, Alexander would write until his hand fell off trying to explain himself yet only failing miserably.

Their plan was set.

Three weeks later Maria was knocking on Alexander's door an hour after Eliza had left his home. Alexander invited her in after a minute of talking and she gave a made up story of being kicked out of her parent's home.

Alexander, like the kind soul he thougt he was, allowed Maria to stay. It hadn't taken long for her to make her way into Alex's lap, kissing his lips softly and pushing off his coat.

Maria had nights like this with Alexander for a few months. Peggy had slowly relaxed because she knew Maria was loyal to her. One night, Alexander seemed angry and upset. As Maria wrapped her arms around his neck he had pushed her away gently.

"Not now."

Maria was persistant though, starting to undo the button-up shirt he had on. Alex had once again pushed her away and Maria huffed, letting her hands fall to her side. She followed Alexander into his office and spun his chair around. She sat on his lap, nibbling softly the underside of Alex's jaw.

"Don't you want this?" She purred, "Don't you want me?" Alex pushed her off of him and she landed on the floor with a soft 'thud'.

Maria looked up at Alex with wide eyes, feeling a fear only James Reynolds had struck into her. Alex looked furious, "Get out." He ordered. "A-Alex.." She stuttered, standing and almost tripping over her own feet as she scooted away. "Get out!" He repeated. "I can't cheat on Eliza like this, go!"

Maria stood, rushing to Peggy's where she cried and told her about what happened. This had sparked something new in John. He felt rage, rage towards Alex.

They all got together and Peggy started to draft an email. For good measure, they signed it as James Reynolds just for the extra fear factor. They sent it, now all there was to do was wait.

~

Alexander examined the email, his eyes wide as he stood to go get dressed and talk to James face to face to clear everything up. He passed his bed, where a sleeping Eliza lay. He had his back facing her as he dug through his closet to find clothes. He didn't hear Eliza stand or make her way into the living room, he hadn't even noticed she woke up until he heard a loud gasp.

He turned as he was pulling on his pants, making his way to the living room. His eyes fell on Eliza who's eyes were glued to his laptop screen. Alex dropped the belt that was in his hands, "Eliza..." He said weakly. She looked up at him, her eyes were not harsh. They looked broken.

"How could you?" She asked, her voice quiet. "Eliza, I- that's not-!"

"Shut it!" She cried, tears filling her eyes as she slammed his laptop shut. She ran past Alexander and into his room, slamming the door behind her and locking it.

"Elizabeth please!" He pleaded. She only cried.

He yanked out his phone and texted John.

To: John 🐢
help i fucked up
read at 9:32 am

Alexander cursed, Eliza rushing back out in her normal clothes. She looked Alexander in the eyes and drew her hand back as if she were about to slap him. Her hand just fell back to her side and she scoffed, rushing out of the dorm, "I hope you burn." She said in such a harsh tone it sent shivers down Alex's back.

~

John smirked as he listened to Alexander cry over the phone. He felt Alexander deserved this, he knew he did. Still, he faked remorse and comforted his friend.

"I messed up."

"Yes, you did."