Love and Liberty: A Lafayette x Reader Fanfiction

The Revolutionaries

      Y/N had barely fallen asleep when she was woken by Eliza at 4am. The camp had to be completely packed up before dawn, when they would march to Lexington. The six revolutionaries groggily folded up the tent, and Eliza and Y/N headed to the nurses tent to pack up the medicine and supplies.

      Y/N hadn't spoke to Lafayette at all before she left for the nurses' tent. No one had really spoken much, but Laf felt a certain iciness from her. Was it something he'd said? He thought back to the night before. She hadn't...she hadn't thought he'd meant  that there was another girl, did she? Of course, he didn't really want her to know about his feelings yet. I don't think she likes me, Lafayette thought, so it probably isn't that. Hopefully I'll find out soon.

      Y/N and Eliza lined up behind the small group of nurses atop the hill where the tent had sat. Below them, where rows of military tents had been the night before, stood a haphazard mass of soldiers. It appeared that Washington and a few other generals were attempting to line everyone up. Only about half the men had guns, and a quarter didn't have any form of weaponry. The girls tried to spot Herc, Laf, Alex, and John. Even Burr would have been a welcome sight at this point.

      Eliza pointed. "There they are!"

      Y/N followed her finger and caught sight of the boys, who were standing in their own four-person line, but not facing Washington. They looked up at the hill and saw Eliza waving frantically. Y/N gave them a small smile, but when Lafayette waved at her, she couldn't help but wave back. Mentally slapping herself, she began to fiddle with her bag's strap before realizing that the boys were headed towards them.

      Alexander glanced at Lafayette. "Whoever gets to their crush first wins," he whispered.

      Lafayette nodded, and the two raced up the hill. John and Hercules, completely clueless as to why their friends just ditched them, took off after them. Lafayette reached Y/N before Alex got to Eliza, and before Y/N had a chance to react, Laf placed a kiss on her knuckles. Her face turned bright red and she glanced helplessly at Eliza, who was receiving a kiss from Alexander. Gosh, why did Lafayette have to be so charming??

      Hercules cleared his throat and Y/N mentally sighed in relief while Laf, Alex, and Eliza gave him not-so-subtle glares. 

      "We've been instructed to tag behind the nurses to make sure you guys are safe," Herc explained. "We've got a pretty long walk, so we likely won't reach the Brits till this afternoon."

      Y/N nodded. "Thanks. We should let everyone take turns with the horses, so no one has to walk the whole time."

      "Good idea, mon amie," Lafayette said. "I will inform ze other nurses to, how you say, pair up. We can 'ave two on a horse at a time."

      Laf turned to head to the cluster of nurses in front of them. Hercules stepped over to Y/N. "I'd ask you to be my partner," he said, "but I think Laf will beat me to it."

     Y/N looked at him dubiously. "But--he's--he's over there...and he doesn't..." she gestured aimlessly.

      Hercules laughed. "I know you like him, Y/N. Besides, I want to get to know the other girls, okay?"

      Y/N rolled her eyes at her pleading brother. "Fine. But just so you know, Laf likes another girl. He told me himself."

      Herc frowned. He wasn't sure what Laf had said to Y/N, but Laf had asked Herc if it was alright for him to have a crush on Y/N, and potentially pursue her. Herc was fine with this, but he'd have to ask what Laf had told Y/N to make her think there was another girl. For now, though, he shrugged it off and hugged his sister's shoulders, then followed John over to the cluster of nurses who were pairing up. Y/N was about to go help Eliza and Alexander saddle their horse when Lafayette approached her.

      "Mademoiselle, would you like to be my partner?"

      Why Lafayette was asking her, Y/N didn't know. She was still pretty touchy about last night, but walking next to him for a few hours couldn't hurt, right? She decided to bury her doubts for the morning. Besides, she needed to be focusing on the battle. "Sure, Laf. I'd be honored," she smiled kindly.

      Lafayette beamed, and offered Y/N his arm, which she took. It appeared that everyone was finally heading out, so Lafayette and Y/N filed in behind all the other nurses, who were paired up. There were four horses, and Alex, Eliza, Hercules and his partner, and four other nurses were on them first. Lafayette and Y/N chose to bring up the rear.

      "Are you nervous?"

      Lafayette looked at Y/N. "I wish I could say no. We 'ave barely been with ze army for a day and it is very evident zat most of us are not trained fighters."

      "Unlike the British," Y/N agreed.

      "Yes. I 'ave no doubt that ze General is a great leader. Unfortunately he 'as not had time to prove himself. Zis battle will be costly."

      Y/N nodded silently. They walked in silence for a while, taking in the scenery. They were offered to take a turn on one of the horses, but they declined.

      Y/N looked up at Lafayette. "Do you believe that love and war can mix?"

      Laf chewed his lip. It dawned on Y/N how thoughtful he was about each question she asked. "I believe that love can strengthen ones' fervor to fight," Lafayette said. "I believe it is something that the enemy can use against you, but it is only one of many things. I believe that it makes people vulnerable, but I also believe that vulnerability is one of the greatest traits a human can possess."

      Y/N thought about this. Vulnerability had never been her strong suit. After her parents had passed, she had subconsciously folded into herself. She'd struggled to let anyone in besides Eliza and Hercules. It seemed that Lafayette had unintentionally slipped his way into her closely guarded heart.