Love and Liberty: A Lafayette x Reader Fanfiction

The Sunrise

      "Should we wake them up?"

       "Nah. Let 'em sleep. They might as well get a little peace before they find themselves out." Hercules chuckled, and John helped him outside the tent. They settled themselves into the soft morning grass.

       "How'd this happen, anyway? You know I didn't see it coming," John smirked.

      "Really? Haven't you noticed all the blushing and swooning they've been doing?"

      John rolled his eyes. "You're telling me. It's a wonder Laf got through that battle, she's all he's been thinking about."

      "You'd think I'd be more protective, huh?"

      "Me too, to be honest. I don't really think they need it, as they haven't even confessed yet, but they'll come around. If anything, I'm more scared that Y/N will break Laf's heart."

      Hercules considered that and found himself chuckling. "You're right. Hopefully they'll confess soon, though, then we might actually get some peace. At least Alex and Eliza have been obvious enough.  They'll be married by this winter."

      "Speaking of this winter, didn't Eliza say something last night about a ball her family is having?"

      Herc gasped. "You're right! A Winter's Ball, or something. Hoo boy, will that be an adventure..."

      John grinned. "Doesn't Eliza have some single sisters?"

      Hercules nodded, silently smiling, and the two boys began to daydream quietly while they waited for Lafayette and Y/N to greet the morning.

                  ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

      Y/N shifted, barely awake. She felt so warm, and it was summer, but she didn't mind. She didn't ever want to leave, wherever she was right now. This might have been the most peaceful sleep she'd ever had.

      She yawned silently. She snuggled into the figure beside her and nestled herself closer when she felt the figure move slightly.

      Her eyes shot open.

      Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she found that she was nestled next to Lafayette, whose arm she was laying on. He was still asleep, as far as she could tell. Y/N glanced around the tent and found that it was empty.

      She layed there quietly. She didn't want to wake him up, as she had no idea how he'd react to the fact that they'd slept in each others arms. She couldn't even remember how it had happened. At the same time, though, she didn't want to leave.

      Too late. Lafayette's eyes began to open. Y/N shut hers quickly.  Laf glanced over her a chuckled softly when he noticed her squeezed lids. He rolled over to face her. "I know you're awake, mon cherie," he smiled.

      Y/N felt a wave go down her spine, and her stomach fluttered at the sound of his voice. She stuck her tongue out at him, her eyes still shut, and snuggled closer.

      Not one to argue, Laf held her close, and he stroked her hair, dreading the moment they'd have to leave.

                                                                          ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

      The months passed like a breeze as the soldiers spent day after day marching, practicing, and battling until the ground began to turn white. The nurses followed them diligently, but they were running low on supplies. Everyone was looking forward to their Christmas break, especially the revolutionaries.

      Lafayette and Y/N hadn't been able to spend as much time together as they'd have liked, and what they did have was tentative at best. The occasional hand hold, hugs, and horse rides. Y/N was aching for him to ask her to the ball.

      Lafayette was planning to ask her. He just wasn't sure how. Herc had given him the okay, at least. ("Just hurry up with it!" Herc said.) Luckily, Laf's chance was just around the corner.

      They were marching back north with the New York regiment, and passing a creek, they stopped to camp for the night. Most of the day was spent washing, cooking, and cleaning.

      The sun was beginning to set when Y/N started packing up her load of laundry. Lafayette found her there, quietly humming to herself as she folded. His heart nearly fell straight out of his chest. Mustering up his courage, he called out to her gently.

      "Hey Y/N!"

      Her stomach somersaulted. "H-Hey Laf. What's up?"

      Lafayette swallowed and ran his hand through his hair. "I uh... I was wondering if you would like to go the the Winter's Ball with me?"

      Stay calm stay calm stay calm...

      Y/N leaped up and flew to Lafayette, embracing him tightly. For a whole minute she stayed that way, then remembered she hadn't actually answered yet. Giggling, she let go and stepped back. "I would be honored to attend with you, Monsier Lafayette."

      Lafayette smiled so wide his cheeks hurt. He offered his arm to her. "Then we must find you something to wear that will complement your heavenly beauty."

      Y/N flushed scarlet. He'd never called her beautiful before. "I'm sure my brother will have that done easily," she smiled. Then she dropped her formalness. "You did ask him, right?" She whispered.

     "Yeah."

      They looked at each other and began to giggle. Then, clasping hands, the two of them made their way back to the tent, blind to everything around them but each other.