Zero Two Three One | John Laurens X Reader [Hamilton]

XLI: Three Sides

❝Whoever controls the media, controls the mind.❞
—Jim Morrison

There are plenty of things to do in New York, but some part of me fears to venture out. Manhattan isn't the comfortable place Anchorage was. I don't feel endangered per se, but I prefer sticking home when I can.

Alexander doesn't have this same kind of anxiety, and he often hits the city on his own to run some errands. It's during these alone times that I do some work around the house. Water my plants. Clean up. Do laundry. Plan dinner.

Alexander thinks it's quite funny, mocking me for being a "perfect little housewife". He gets a good smack on the back of the head each time he says that.

Right now, Alexander is out in the city doing some business with Fedir, our forger. Something about removing records of our fake driver's license to get real ones.

That leaves me alone at home. I'm in a call with Peggy. I called her up after I got some texts from John. Naturally, I needed another woman's advice.

February 1, 2059

"John Laurens is not an idiot, Peggy," I laugh.

"Most men are."

"Fair point, but he isn't... I don't think so, anyway."

"Listen, girl," Peggy says. I can almost hear her twirling her hair through the phone. "Whether or not he's trying to suggest something, this is good."

I bite my lip, holding my phone with one hand as I fluff the couch pillows. "How?"

John texted that he, along with all the military officials he's been in meetings with for these past several months, is going to be coming to Manhattan in a week or so for a press conference.

"If he is trying to suggest something, then you go along with it. If not, you can be the one to suggest it!"

I stride to the window across the living room, pulling back the curtains to reveal my several pots of flowers. "And what exactly are we supposed to be 'suggesting'?"

"Sex."

"Peggy!"

"Just kidding! Unless..."

"Peggy, I'm not going to-"

"Okay, fine. Don't rock his socks. But I think the whole reason why he told you he'd be in Manhattan is that he wants to see you!"

I grab the watering can, pouring some water into my pot of White Jasmines, smiling at the milk-colored buds. I weigh the validity of Peggy's words. We did both agree that we wanted to spend some time together before we get sent back into the crossfire. Spend time as civilians. Does he hope that time could be now?

"If he does want to see me," I say, "then I should ask him for a place and time, right?"

"Wait!" Peggy chirps. "You have to draw this out, (Y/N)!"

"Draw it out?"

"Deny him for a while. Make him desperate for a minute with you."

I raise a brow as though Peggy could see my confusion. I water my Wax Begonia plant. "How?"

"I'm something of a professional when it comes to romantics," Peggy giggles. "I'll teach you. Before you know it, he'll be slobbering over you."

"Who said I want that?"

"You don't?"

I remain silent for a moment as I water my pot of roses. These are the roses Alexander gave me a long time ago that I managed to keep alive. As my muteness reaches the five-second mark, Peggy catches on.