Fearless // Lafayette x Reader

18. She Runs

She woke up in the middle of the night, feeling like something was wrong.

She thought for a moment, and then placed it. Her throat scratched uncomfortably every time she swallowed.

Wiggling her toes before pressing them against the cold floor, (Y/N) rummaged around for her gray jacket to wrap around herself. When she found it, she gave it a sad smile before thrusting her arms into the sleeves.

She didn't like the jacket very much, mostly for its color. Whenever she wore it amongst the redcoats, it was a clear reminder to her and those around her that she wasn't a soldier.

She didn't belong.

She thought about her blue coat as she felt around the floor for her slippers. Since Laf was going overseas as well, she'd entrusted the jacket to John while she was gone. A small thing that could be replaced, maybe, but they both knew the meaning behind it was far deeper than the tattered, faded cloth.

A true soldier.

She smiled, thinking about them all. How she missed them.

(Y/N) carefully lit a candle, padding across the room to the door. Silently, so as not to wake any of the soldiers in nearby rooms, she turned the handle and slipped out of the room, closing it behind her.

She moved soundlessly through the dark halls, the eerie stillness swallowing everything but the faint glow of the lantern in her hand. Every little noise caused her heart to beat a bit faster as she quickened her pace towards the kitchen.

When she reached it, she quickly set down the lantern and fumbled around for a glass. (Y/N) filled it with clean water from an ice bucket and took small, careful sips, relieving her tired throat.

She heard voices outside.

The girl froze, slowly setting the cup onto the counter. Soldiers weren't really supposed to be out of their quarters at this time of night - her included - so if they heard her, they could all be in serious trouble.

Despite every warning running through her head, her curiosity got the better of her. She would follow them, seeing who they might be and what they were doing.

She weighed the options of wandering around without a light, but stealth won out. Careful to make no sound, she licked her fingers and quickly pinched the hot wax, causing the extinguishing heat to sizzle a bit louder than she would've liked.

As soon as she was sure no light or smoke was left over, she picked up the lantern and carefully snuck into the hallway.

She could see where the two men were immediately. Just barely illuminated by their own weak candle, their outlined shadows danced along the wall like flickering marionettes waiting to be moved by their masters.

"Are you positive about this?" The shorter man spoke, gravelly voice barely above a whisper. She quickly tried to place it amongst the few soldiers she knew, but nothing quite came to mind. "If what you say is true, it is a big blow to the cause. And will have to be dealt with in the worst of ways."

She held her breath, pressing as far back against the wall as she could. Whatever they were saying could be extremely useful to Washington and his men. If they just talked about what it was, she could get the information to Herc and then to America -

"As much as I hate to believe it, it's true." The second man nodded, snapping her back to reality. This man's voice - as well as his outline - seemed so intensely familiar, but she still couldn't quite tell who it was. "And it'll have to be dealt with at once."