Requested by: bravePEGGY
OC: Ariana Lewis

For the fourth time in a week, another ship landed on the shores, emptying around a hundred passengers. Loved ones flooded the docks, cheering, hoping to see the face of someone they knew. People were reunited again, clutching one another like they had never laid eyes on them before.

Pushing through the crowds, one of the several women craned her neck to see if she could spot who she was looking for. It was a little different than what everyone else was checking out. Formal attire, clean jacket, wig, something more notable than the poor.

There. She noticed the person she had been waiting for almost immediately. Waving her arms, she headed in the man's direction. He was descending the stairs of the ship, with such grace, waving at the people around him.

"Gilbert!"

Among the shouts, her voice was too timid to be heard. Desperately clinging to her gown, she yelled his name louder. Hear me. The intensity of the crowd around her was sending cold sweats down her back. She couldn't stand another second of it.

Much to her thanks, he took notice to her. Eyes lighting up with joy, their hands rushed to link together, and he lifted her up onto the dock. Hands and arms clawed down below them, begging to see their own loved ones, but the reunited couple didn't look down at them.

"Ariana," the man breathed deeply. He gently caressed her cheek, slowly leaning forward to kiss her lips. Neither of them were used to public affection, so they ended having their hands tangled up in between their bodies, with the salty air stinging their skin.

The roars around them became unbearable, so they broke apart. Lafayette pressed his lips together, savoring the passion. "Tu m'as manqué." He brought her shivering hands up to his lips and placed a kiss on each one.

"Oui, oui," she replied, practically bursting into tears. After months of only corresponding in letters, they were finally within reach of each other. To be touched, looked at, protected, it felt so real again.

Grabbing his neck, she pulled him close to her face, catching him off guard. The Marquis chuckled in reply, holding onto his hat. She buried her face into his chest, clinging to him as if the next gust of air would send him away.

The two of them parted from each other's embrace as another notable looking man approached them, handing over bags. Ariana insisted on carrying it for her partner, due to all his travels which had most likely taken the energy out of him.

Hand in hand, they boarded a carriage back to their shared place. The second the doors to the carriage shut, and the horses began heading on their way, some more kisses were exchanged.

Later that night, Lafayette read his collection of letters to her. He beamed in triumph as he gave her the news of the country across the sea. His stories of what they had accomplished were extraordinary, making Ariana beg to hear more. Their conversations led them into the early hours of the morning.

A few glasses of wine had been consumed, but it filled their hearts with more joy. Ariana wrapped herself up in her dearest's arms, putting her frame against his. In return, he grabbed her waist and pulled her even closer.

"Gilbert? I've been wanting to ask you something that's been on my mind for a while."

"Oui?" Even though he was fluent in his language, Ariana wasn't. She moved to France, but hadn't caught up on the way people's mouths and words worked. But there were certain things he taught her, things along the lines of basic and flirtatious.

"Do you love me?" The second it came out of her mouth, there was no taking it back. Look me in the eyes, she pleaded silently. The question had been bothering her recently, ever since she discovered how respectable women in America were. She dreaded him falling in love with one of them, no matter how foolish it sounded.

"I love you more than anything in this entire world. For you to question my love for you, that's unusual." He looked concerned. A feeling swelled in her heart at the sight.

Ariana blew a piece of hair out of her eyes. "In that country, there's so many women." Her partner let out a laugh, but she shushed him quickly. "No, I'm serious. One of them could have caught your interest. It's just been so long and I needed to be reminded of your faithfulness."

"Reminded of my faithfulness?" Chuckling, as he wrapped their hands together, Lafayette's lips curled into a smile. "You know just as well as I do that no woman could ever take my desire of love for you away." He pressed her hand tightly in his, placing kisses down.

A shaky breath escaped her mouth. His affection left her breathless every time. And he most certainly knew it.

"It's late," he murmured, not letting go of her hand. Late. Ariana pictured all the nights he had been alone without anyone to hold him, with only her letters to keep him warm. How cold and empty his heart must have felt in those months they were apart.

Ever since he began his travels back and forth to different countries, she had grown to understand the connection of being with a significant other. Gilbert was no stranger to intimacy and affection. Every second away was dreadful enough, so she could understand the feeling of finally returning home to a loved one.

"And you need rest," she replied. The journey over must have been rough. Sleep would be the best medicine for the two of them.

Letting out a groan, he lifted himself from the couch. Ariana followed him down the hall to the staircase to the upper level. Before they headed up to their room, he turned back to her and just smiled. It was quirky, but absolutely part of his character.

Ariana beamed in reply. In that moment, she couldn't have felt more lucky for two different reasons. She had been given the most charming man to have as her companion and he was finally home with her.

For the many times she waited for him to arrive back, it had all been worth it to be able to see that smile of his again.

. . . . . . . . . .
A/N: Thank you bravePEGGY for requesting this! I loved writing more of Lafayette and then of course with this original character. Lots of kisses in this one, just because he deserves all the love in the world when he arrives home.