Requested by: andfreakingpeggy
OC: Cleo Mulligan

Winter was nearing, which also meant the various balls would be occurring. Dresses would be delicately selected, while flaunting suits were sized. The rich were their usual selfs as this time of year rolled around.

After all their frantic preparations, the event would happen and go just as quickly. Partners would pair up and the singles would stand to the side. Everyone was used to the routine of these rather elaborate balls.

One woman found herself overwhelmed every time one of these balls occurred. Surrounded by other women, who seemed interested in everything about her, she tried to wipe away the anxious feeling at the back of her neck.

She was known as Cleo and that was the way she'd be told as for centuries. Compared to the other women, her style was simple. It wasn't that she didn't adore the flashing jewels on their gowns. She just couldn't see herself wearing such things.

"Do you have your eye on anyone this evening, my dear?" A woman to her left snapped her back into reality. The others in the circle leaned forward, eager to hear.

Cleo gulped loudly. "Not at all." Her hands trembled as she took a sip out of her glass. If she had said yes, then there would be no escaping them and their pesky behaviors.

"Look at the men though. How could you not adore at least one of them?" All of the women around her swooned, falling for every man in sight. Cleo downed another glass of the drink.

As the ladies gossiped, she felt her stomach flip a few times. Her eyes were wandering, as they often did, to places they didn't belong. She noticed a couple kissing in the corner, to a couple with their hands linked together. Every direction she turned, everyone was with someone.

An empty feeling filled her heart. She would never admit it, but she felt lost without a man on her side. It was what every woman needed, or at least what was expected.

And at the rate she was going, she had no hope at all of finding someone who was her missing puzzle piece.

Just as that thought crossed her mind, she glanced over at a man who was disguised by his eager smile. Curls pulled back into a ponytail, swaying to the music, he was the ideal man.

Cleo tried to hid her thrill, as she set down her glass. She excused herself from the group and headed towards the man. He hadn't noticed her her, but she was sure he would soon enough.

And indeed he turned and saw her. For all the sights he had seen that day, she was the most beautiful one. Lips pressed into a smile, she looked like an angel in that moment. But when he blinked, all he saw was an average woman.

"Miss," he held out his hand. Almost too eagerly, she took it. The man chuckled nervously before saying, "What's your name?"

She glanced up at him. "Cleo. And I'd like to apologize for interrupting whatever you might have been invested in prior to my entrance."

The man shook his head. "No, don't apologize, miss. You haven't interrupted a thing. But might I say, what excellent manners and respect you have." He seemed genuinely impressed with her.

Cleo clutched his hand tighter. "I suppose that's one characteristic of me. Learning from the best, you know." As foolish it sounded from her point of view, the man with an accent chuckled happily.

"Well, whoever might be teaching you, they're certainly brilliant." He could see her blush at his words. "Gilbert Lafayette, that's the name I was given at birth."

There was something about the way he said it that made Cleo feel weak in the knees. He most certainly knew how to keep a conversation running smoothly. And she loved that characteristic about him.

"Not to be impolite, but is that accent of yours perhaps French?" Cleo uneasily said the last word. She had heard many people in her time speak the same way, but yet again, she hadn't heard other accents much.

Lafayette nodded his head. "Yes. I've only been here a little while, to fight." Letting out a deep sigh, he looked like he wanted to say more.

"You mean you're a part of the army? The people who are going to bring Britain to the ground?" Cleo eagerly jumped up and down at his side. Having been under the rule of a tyrant for far too long, she was ready for change.

He nodded again. "Yes, you're correct. There is absolutely no better honor than being able to fight for this country's independence." A few people around him snorted or looked at him with disgust.

Loyalists, Cleo thought to herself. Still so proud to be under the rule of their king, any word of freedom was offensive. But they were slowly becoming outnumbered by the ones who were choosing to speak up and say something.

Lafayette waited until the group of loyal followers passed along. He leaned over to Cleo and whispered, "How blind some people can be, to not even see the torture they're being put through."

She nodded. "Very well spoken, sir."

Tapping his foot on the ground, Lafayette looked back and forth. Everywhere he looked there was people linked with another. His friends had managed to connect their lips with some woman or talk to one. However, he was the only left without any success.

"Would you like to dance?" The words came out too quickly. Lafayette cursed under his breath, palms beginning to sweat. Cleo looked up at him, a dash of interest in her eyes.

"I'd love to."

He reached out his arm and linked it with hers gently. When they stood side by side, it was almost like a fire ignited between them. It could have been anything, but whatever it was, it made them not want to let go.

So they danced the night away. Twirling away all the worries of the future, of the other people in the room, all of their lost hopes. The only thing that mattered in that moment was dancing alongside their partner. And they certainly stole the show by the end of the night.

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A/N: Thank you andfreakingpeggy for the request! Loved getting to write with this character and Lafayette! And a big thanks again for all your kind words and support, you guys.