Hamilton Oneshots!

Waves {Laurens x Thalassophobic! Reader}

bAm teaser fulfilled

pairing; john laurens x thalassophobic! reader

time; modern

warnings; near-drowning?? idk

type of oneshot; kinda fluffy kinda angsty

requested?; n a d a

thalassophobia; fear of the ocean

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Your POV

I was ten; John was thirteen. We were at the beach with our families. The ocean was one of my favorite places to be, even if I wasn't the best at swimming. That's why John and I usually stuck to turtle-searching, because he also knew (but also because we both loved turtles, him especially).

Now though, we were in the water. John was farther out than I was, but we could still talk to each other. If only he knew how badly I was crushing on him, and how much I enjoyed his presence really.

John was preoccupied jumping over waves. I was too, barely getting over some. Looking back out, I didn't see John. How did he disappear so fast?

I was knocked out of my thoughts by a huge wave. Because I hadn't been paying good attention, I was swept off my feet. Narrowly preventing my head from going under, I felt the undertow gradually start pulling me out. Still no John either.

"John?! Where'd you go?! This isn't funny!"

Was he pranking me? Did he seriously find it funny? I was barely keeping my head above the water! Yet I saw another big wave coming.

Trying to swim even just a few feet toward the shore, I heard the crashing of the wave. This was not going well.

"John! I can't..! You know I can't--!"

I was cut off by the wave finally crashing over me, sending me under. I held my breath, trying to push myself back up. Every time I thought I was getting somewhere, a wave seemed to hold me back down. Over and over again.

I was struggling. I felt the world getting more distant the more I tried to get up. I was too scared to realize what I was doing was only bringing me closer to death.

When I was about to let go of whatever air I somehow had left, a hand grabbed mine, yanking me back up.

Breaking the surface, I broke into a fit of heavy coughing. The person who saved me was keeping me above the water; I eventually identified the person as John when everything was less fuzzy and blurry.

John had a secure hold on me, hazel eyes looking over me worriedly. "I-I'm so sorry I didn't see you sooner! Please, please forgive me!"

I held back a cough. "I-It's okay. J-Just... help m-me.."

He only nodded, keeping his hold on me as we got closer to shore. When we did, I nearly fell onto the sand. John helped me sit and sat down next to me. While looking at the waves, now terrified of them, I didn't notice John grab my hand for comfort.

~ many years later ~

"Come on!"

"John, I-I can't go back there! Not after what happened!"

My freckled boyfriend was currently trying to get me to go to the beach. After the whole beach experience as a child, I hated going to any beach. When I did, however, I refused to step foot near the water. The one time I did again, I panicked and went under. I managed to save myself though. To say I was terrified was a bit of an understatement.

"I'll help you, chickadee. I promise. You won't go under," John spoke after a moment, hazel eyes looking at me reassuringly.

I was quiet, thinking. I trusted John, of course I did. But what if he let go for one second and then--

Realizing my breathing had hitched and I was trembling, I was snapped out of my thoughts as John pulled me into a hug, a hand running up and down my back.

His voice was quiet, calming. "I'm sorry for trying to push you into that, baby girl. I just want to help you feel better and get over your fear."

Resting my head against his chest, I was silent a moment. "..I'll do it."

John seemed surprised. "A-Are you sure?"

I nodded, looking up at him. He looked back at me a moment before smiling softly. Lacing our fingers together, he led me down the stairs.

~

I looked at the beach. At the waves rolling up to the shore. John's thumb ran over the top of my hand gently as we stepped onto the sand, walking down to the shore.

As we got closer, I felt my heartbeat pick up. I was scared, but hopeful.

Standing at the shoreline, John looked over to me. "Are you ready?"

I felt water just barely wash over my feet and jumped a bit. "Y-Yeah... I suppose..."

I watched John start walking into the water, turning to face me. He held out his hand. "C'mon, baby girl. You'll be alright."

"Promise..?" I asked hesitantly.

He nodded. "I promise."

Taking cautious steps, I ignored the feeling of the water as I held John's arm. Every time a wave crashed over my legs, I jumped slightly and resisted the urge to run back to shore. I only held onto John's arm tightly.

Eventually, I was barely up to my waist. Waves hit my stomach but I felt slightly calmer. John looked at me, a sense of pride in his eyes. Seeing a wave, I decided to jump over it. A smile crossed John's face as his splay of freckles spread even more across his cheeks.

Spotting a bigger wave, I looked up at John quickly and worriedly. He only looked at me reassuringly, turning me so I was facing him and pulled me to him. I felt the wave crash against almost to my neck and jumped.

John looked at me, concern in his eyes after I pulled back. "Are you doing okay, chickadee?"

I nodded slowly. "..Yeah."

We didn't go any deeper, staying right where we were. John held onto me most of the time, not that I minded. I still flinched when a bigger wave pushed by us, but the smaller ones didn't bug me so much. All thanks to John.

Maybe, after some time, waves wouldn't be so bad.

---

hey y'all!

what do you guys think of it? I hope you like it!

the next thing that comes out should hopefully be the re-done space mermaids prologue! if that isn't it, my guess is it'll be more scenarios or another preferences

again, I hope you like this, and I'll cya next time!

~ Galaxy