Requested by: Gigi_the_writer
OC: Georgia Grace

Little whispers filled the air in the town circle, only to erupt into loud shouts. As usual, some men had too much to drink and had completely gone mad. For those who hadn't drank, they began to have sensible conversations that turned into violent remarks.

It was usual behavior. Most didn't stop them from talking rudely about the crown or whatever they discussed. As long the redcoats didn't overhear, they could say anything.

Their remarks grew stronger with every word and phrase. Spitting at one another, they joked about the King and his loyal followers. Still no one spoke up and stopped them.

From aside the crowd of men, stood a young woman, her face pale but attentive. She was listening to the remarks being thrown back and forth and her interest only peaked at the mention of her gender.

"Ah, women, lovely creatures aren't they? How they provide such little for us, while we're fighting for this country!" There were roars of agreement and the men all leapt up and down.

She couldn't see who was talking, but the woman knew she be aware soon enough. If she heard another snarky remark, most certainly there would be no questioning her further actions.

A different voice spoke up. "All women are meant to do is clean, give us food, and be our companions, if you know what I mean." There were snorts of approval but no other words.

Pulse rising, she refrained from interrupting their little conversation. But their little conversation was slowly turning into something more and she was disliking it very much.

"They're nothing more than women. You know, I overheard one saying yesterday how she wanted to fight for this land. Hah! Go back to pouring me some ale, right?" Hoots and hollers only grew stronger. That was the last straw.

Taking her steps quickly, she shoved through the crowd of men to the center. All of them whistled at the sight of her, but it grew silent once more. She glared directly at the couple of men who had been saying the remarks.

Before any of them could say something to her, she shouted, "How dare you!"

One of the men, wiped his mouth before saying, "Go back to cooking, miss. It'll do you good to be slaving away by the fireplace." He smirked, showing his unclean teeth.

She stalked towards him. "That makes you pleased? Sending me back to where I supposedly belong?" There were sarcastic jeers at her comment.

"Mind you sir, but while you're away fighting, we're back here cooking and cleaning your suits. While you lazily chug down your beer, I am the one who has to clean up the vomit to your left. And if you think for one second that women do nothing to secure your safety here, then you need to reexamine your facts." She was close enough to touch him.

His breath reeked of alcohol. "Well, whatever you say, go and get me an ale. You don't belong out here in the crowds. Do your duties." He waves his hand as if to shoo her away.

"And what's your duty, sir? Isn't it protecting this country? You're not doing that duty any good, look at yourself. Can't even properly wipe your face nor dress yourself. I'm sure that if you were to put a woman in the field, she'd knock the enemy dead." Although she knew it would be best to step back, she didn't.

"Maybe that's why I need a woman. Someone who can cook for me, clean me, and satisfy me." The man spat and she narrowly avoided that feature.

Resting her hands on her knees as she leaned down to be eye to eye, her whisper was only loud enough for him to hear. "I'm not an object for you to play with. Anyone would be out of their mind to actually want to be with you, sir." As she went to stand up, he grabbed her arm.

"You never said your name. I'd like to put a name to the feisty, but attractive face before me." When he tightened his grip, she winced and bit back anything more.

"Georgia Grace. Pleasure to meet such a pathetic soul such as yourself. Get your hands off me." She smiled dryly at him, with no sign of brightening up.

The man grinned, once again showing his unclean smile. He wrapped an arm around her waist and the other men hollered. "Try me."

Just as he had her too close, there was a loud shout. Georgia was ripped from his grip, much to her relief. Two secure hands dragged her safely from the crowd of intimidating men.

After being a distance away, she was let go and collapsed on the ground. Wiping her mouth, she glanced up and faced the person. "T-thanks." He helped her to her feet without saying anything.

"Are you out of your mind? They could've ripped you to shreds." The man immediately corrected himself. "I-I mean, you could have easily taken them on, but still."

Georgia crossed her arms. "No, you're right. I went a little too far over there." She stuck out her hand shyly. "It's improper of me to not introduce myself. The name's Georgia Grace, or at least that's what everyone calls me."

When he didn't shake her hand immediately, a nervous sweat went down the back of her spine. The curious man circled her, making her very anxious.

"You said quite a lot back there, miss. And I will say this, I agree." The last words hissed in the air a few second afterwards. Georgia raised her head to say something, but she refrained from doing so.

He surprised her, when she wasn't prepared for his gesture. Raising his hand, he murmured, "The name's Hercules Mulligan, miss." She gave him a look, but he ignored it and shook her hand a little forcefully.

Hercules rubbed his hands together timidly before saying, "I have never seen anyone that open about them-self in front of a crowd of men like that. You certainly have some guts."

Crossing her arms, Georgia flipped a curl of brown hair from her eyes. Did he think she was just some worthless woman? He seemed awfully surprised by her actions.

"Well, someone's gotta say something. They can't just be going on about women like that, do they think it's actually okay to do that?" It felt like she was blurting out everything she had held back. And she barely knew the man.

Hercules gave her either a confused or intrigued look. His mouth hung open for a while before he murmured, "They're reckless, there's not much anyone can do about it, honey. Once they drink, they go bonkers."

Georgia shoved her glasses up her nose. She often did that when she felt vulnerable and anxious. "But even when they're not drunk, someone needs to keep their minds straight."

The man just shook his head before laughing out loud. "You have a lot on your mind, miss."

Georgia bit back a smile. He was enjoying her thoughts on the subject. She nodded and replied, "Of course. Women deserve equal rights, just like men. What makes you higher than us?" When he opened his mouth, she glared at him and continued.

"Wasn't it our very own Thomas who wrote that all men are equal? What about women being equal?" Her snarky comments echoed around them.

Hercules thought before he spoke. "Well, if you're so concerned about this, give Thomas a wake up call." He leaned forward on his feet, eyeing her expression.

"Do you not agree with me?"

Panic arose in his veins, as Hercules struggled to find an answer. There was no words to convey what he wanted to say. If he said one wrong thing, he would be defeated. "I-I do believe with what you're saying-"

"Oh, stop stuttering and just speak like the man you're supposed to be." Georgia gave him a satisfied smile. He smiled back.

"You see, I'm not like other men. I agree with equal rights for women and all, but you can't put me down for feeling attracted to one at first sight." Hercules took a step closer and she felt her cheeks heat up.

She hastily whispered, "I don't let men into my life because half of them treat me like I'm some object and maid." She huffed a little bit on the spot, not caring if he found it unattractive.

"I wouldn't treat you like an object. I'd treat you like a lady, a normal human being." Lifting his head up, Hercules made eye contact with the woman in front of him. At the sight of her cheeks turning a bright pink, he knew he had done well.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, sir. We've only just met." Georgia didn't ignore his outstretched hand, as she took it gently. He understood her views, and she felt suddenly safe around him.

Laughing, Hercules said, "And that can lead to a lot of things." The couple began walking, not really having a destination in mind. Georgia felt her stress of the earlier morning wash away, as she strolled side by side with a man who actually understood her.

Maybe their synced heartbeats and ambitions would lead them somewhere. But they knew that their serenity would certainly lead them much further.

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A/N: Thank you Gigi_the_writer for the request! I enjoyed writing more of Hercules and of course this character, their relationship turned out cute. And guys, thank you so much for 9k, almost 10k reads! All your support and feedback really means the world to me, so thank you.