Fearless // Lafayette x Reader

16. She Slips a Bit

She made a couple of mistakes while she was there that led into the bigger problem.

The first was just a simple thing, but it was enough to get Henry's mind turning.

She was writing another letter, this time to Lafayette. He'd requested she pen all her letters in French, both as a secret code and a way to practice it while they weren't together.

Easy for him. He was in France.

Her French was growing steadily worse every day.

"Hey, Henry," she said absentmindedly. "Do you know the French word for 'close'?"

"Uh, I don't think so." He laughed, peering over her shoulder. "Why do you need to know?"

"No reason in particular," she sighed, rolling up the parchment. "This guy back in America was teaching me French and wants me to practice, that's all."

He laughed again. "When did you have time to learn French?"

She elbowed him in the ribcage. "I had plenty of time on my hands after you shot me."

His eyes widened, concern flooding them. "I told you, I'm sorry! I had no idea you'd be actually fighting."

"I know." She giggled, tucking her toes beneath the blanket around her. "You can stop apologizing for that. It was weeks ago. I'm better now, at any rate."

"Still, you're my sister." He rested his elbow on the top of her head. "Being concerned about you is a legal right that I have."

She laughed. Things were going fairly smoother than she'd expected back here - not as awkward between the siblings as she'd expected.

Of course, everyone else was as horrible to her as she remembered.

~~~

"Hey! (L/N)!"

The dining hall here was indefinitely messier than the one back in America. Washington had kept every soldier uptight and as clean as possible, while here they were as messy and wasteful as they wanted.

Or maybe the British were so sure they were going to win this war, they never felt the need to respect anything. They wanted to be the ones respected.

Ha.

She kept eating, anger boiling within her. Unlike before she'd left for America, however, she now knew how to keep it controlled.

"Why aren't you getting mad at me?" Jack whined from behind her, drawing out the last word annoyingly long. She rolled her eyes before turning to face him.

"Oh, I don't know," she said, eyes blazing. "I'm pretty mad right now. I just keep it inside of me until I need to use it."

"When will that be?" He leaned towards her with one hand on the table.

She turned back to her food, thoroughly disgusted. "Probably next time you step between me and the targets in the shooting ranges again." Glancing at his hand on the table, she added, "And please get away from me."

What she wouldn't give to be in America! Where people respected her and treated her right and were kinder. She'd be happy to see Charles Lee, even. Anyone from America would do.

Lafayette.

She almost choked when she thought of him. Never once yet had she been away from him - from any of them - for so long. She needed to see someone - anyone.

It was time to take a visit to the tailor's shop.

~~~

It took quite a bit of convincing for her brother to let her take the ripped laundry, but by playing the "I'm-a-soldier-with-chores-just-like-you-are" card he grudgingly allowed her to go. She piled up everyone's torn jackets (with their initials carefully printed on the insides) in a basket and set out for Hercules'.

She almost got lost twice, and wouldn't have found it at all if she hadn't stumbled upon it at the last second.

Gingerly, she pushed open the door, stepping in as the bell above it chimed.

The little shop was empty, but still showed signs of a cozy business. Bolts of brightly colored cloth lined both walls, along with thread to match that could have stretched out for miles. The windows were clean, sunlight streaming into them, and the happy whir of a sewing machine topped off the pleasant shop.

"Herc?" She called, boots echoing on the wooden floors.

The hum of the sewing machine stopped. The floor creaked as Herc made his way to her from a little room in the back.

When they spotted each other, they both brightened. He ran to her and squeezed her into a bear hug, both laughing.

When they broke apart, he grabbed her shoulders, grinning. "It's been far too long, kid. How's my favorite British soldier?"

She giggled as he bopped her nose, and then sighed as they regained seriousness. "I'm...alright."

He stared at her long and hard, then shook his head. "No, you're not. I can tell something's bugging you." He pointed towards the back room. "Want to talk?"

Smiling weakly, the girl shook her head. "I'm afraid I can't stay long. I've got to get back before Henry worries too much. It's just...I miss America, you know?"

He nodded. "I know."

"Here, I'm treated like garbage. Just when I was finally feeling like I meant something again - I'm back where I began."

He tilted her chin up. "No. (Y/N) (L/N), don't you dare let anyone tell you that you're not worth anything. Because even if you feel like you don't matter to hundreds of people - you better believe you're worth the world to at least four."

She laughed weakly, knowing that he was right.

"And especially to one French dude in particular." He winked, causing heat to rise to her face.

"Herc!" She laughed, punching his arm playfully.

"Well, I got your laundry," he said, pulling on her ponytail and grabbing her basket. "You probably need to scoot out, but I'll have it done by tomorrow morning. Come by my shop if you get the chance."

"Will do." She smiled again, twisting the rope handles of the basket. One small visit had been enough to have her humming on the way out, idly kicking pebbles, almost skipping.

If she'd been paying attention, she would have noticed someone watching through the window.

And if she'd have looked closely, she would have noticed that that someone had her (E/C) eyes.

_____________

Hey guys! Sorry this chapter isn't so exciting, haha. I promise things will start picking up really soon!

Also, I'm having oral surgery next Tuesday so prayers for that to go smoothly are appreciated!

AND THANKS FOR 4K READS. I WILL JUST CRY NOW. YOU PEOPLE MAKE ME HAPPY.

All the love to y'all!❤️