Cliché Hamilton Imagines

#88 Lin~Just Breathe

People never took you seriously when you told them you were Mexican. "No, you're not. You're white," was the most common response. Your skin was incredibly light so you could pass for white, not that you wanted to, but you never let people's perceptions of your culture stop you. This determination was the main reason you got the part of Eliza in Lin-Manuel Miranda's new musical. You had to admit that you may have screamed when you found out that you got the part. In the Heights was your favorite musical by far, which saying something because in college you had an unhealthy with Falsettos.

You lay on the couch in the Schuyler Sisters' dressing room between shows. Renee and Jas had gone out to pick up lunch with some of the cast, leaving you alone with a few ensemble members and Lin. Seeing as he took the time between shows to nap and the ensemble members were running through a few numbers, you were alone. Or, you were at least alone enough to sing loudly without anyone caring. You dance around the dressing room, loudly singing along with the In the Heights soundtrack. As you finish the last note of "Breathe" you hear someone clapping behind you, causing you to freeze and turn around.

Lin smiles from his place in the doorway. "I have to say, you may be better than Mandy."

You blush and tuck a strand of hair behind your ear.

He takes a step so that he's inside the room and kicks the door shut. "Really though, I thought you were amazing. I mean, you're always amazing. I just didn't know-"

"Thank you."

He takes a seat on the couch. "Y'know, I never thought that it would do so well. Generally, the only people who care about people of color are people of color."

You sigh and take a seat next to him. "I know what you mean."

He raises an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

You roll your eyes. "You too? Growing up, I had to watch my parents struggle to send my siblings and me to school, just because they're immigrants. They never would tell us how bad it was, but we always knew. The way the acted when they had to go to business meetings or the way my dad would clench his jaw whenever someone made a snide remark about his race. He would never tell anyone that it got to him because he knew no one would care. They would always brush it off and say that he was overreacting. I was lucky enough not to have worry about it. My skin is much lighter than his, so the only problems I ran into was people not believing me, like you."

He shifts uncomfortably. "I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it. I've gotten used to it anyway."

He sighs and changes the subject. "When I came over here, I was actually wondering if you wanted to get lunch? Just the two of us? It's okay if you don't want to. I was just-"

You smirk and stand up. "Are you, Lin-Manuel Miranda, asking me on a date?"

He smiles and stands with you. "Only if you're saying yes."

You giggle and kiss his cheek. "Of course."

(A/N: Hope you liked it! I really want to write something with Rafa... Currently listening to Jesus Christ Superstar instead of studying for my theology exam)