What The Heck I Gotta Do To Be With You (Lin-Manuel Miranda x Reader)

Rewind

"Hey, Y/N," Leslie greets.

You were at rehearsal the following Monday, strategically avoiding Lin. You got there just a few minutes before it started, then made sure you were always talking to someone whenever there was breaks.

Right now, Lin was singing "The Adams Administration", and was at the part where he was rapping. You honestly loved that part. The rhymes in that section are insane. Plus you thought it was funny when he was like, "B****, please!" It always made you laugh.

"Hey," you reply.

"So, uh, you have any plans after work?"

You think for a moment. Art class had gotten canceled, right? "No, I don't think so."

"Would you want to get something to eat?"

You look at him, surprised. "Are you asking me on a date?", you ask with a smirk.

Leslie lightly chuckles, then shifts his weight, nervous, which was weird, because Leslie always seemed like a calm, cool, and collected kind of guy. "Um..." He straights his back a little. "Yeah."

You let out a small laugh, then involuntarily glance over at Lin. Would it be fair to date him while you had a crush on Lin?

It was only one date though, right? Plus, it might help you get over Lin. And Leslie is a super great guy. Benefits all around.

You pause, then turn to him. "Yes. That sounds fun," you say.

A grin spreads across his face. "Awesome. I'll pick you up at 7:00, okay? Where we're going will be a surprise."

"Okay." You smile. This'll all work out. It'll be okay.

Leslie grins at you again, then hurries onstage for "We Know".

After "Hurricane" and "The Reynolds Pamphlet", it's time for "Congratulations". Once again, you're grateful for that song. You weren't exactly mad at Lin, but things were just weird between you at the moment. This allowed you to sing out your frustration.

After Pippa finishes singing "Burn" and "Dear Theodosia Reprise" starts, Lin suddenly appears at your side.

"Hey," he whispers.

"Hi," you reply cautiously, turning your attention from the stage to him.

"Um, I know things are weird right now..."

"Dear Theodosia, how to say to you?"

"And I know it was kind of just one thing after another..."

"Sometime last night, your mother breathed your name."

"That just made things increasingly more tense between us."

"And like a flame, that flickers out too soon, she died."

"And it sucks."

"She's gone." Leslie sobs onstage. You hate that part. Well, you love the song, but it always made you want to cry. Leslie was such a freaking good actor. And Lin was such a freaking good writer.

His gaze never strays from you. "We were just getting to be good friends, and things got all messed up."

Good friends.

"She dedicated every day to you. She changed my life, she made my life worthwhile."

"And I'm sorry."

"And when you smile, I know a part of her lives on. I know I can go on."

"You didn't do anything," you whisper almost angrily.