(Charles POV)

"Hey, can you excuse me for a minute?" Y/N asked.
"Sure. I'll get us all drinks." I left for the right, as Y/N turned left. The sophistication of the dance was intoxicating, dragging me deeper into such a bliss that I could not escape. I walked on, my body screaming to give in. I wanted to dance so dearly, but if it were to damage Y/N's reputation still further, then I shall remain silent.

My feet quickened its pace, aching to thrive with the beat of the music. Though I passed unnoticed, a solemn wreck cowering upon the shadows. Mr John drank pleasantly, enjoying the nighttime sequence that I chose to ignore. I resembled somebody in his mind, which frankly frightened me, for I have no memory of his face. Perhaps we'd have met in another time, and our reconciliation brought hope from our past lives.

Nevertheless, I approached the bar. I smiled to General Washington as I awaited service. He may have been eager to talk, therefore drawing himself closer to me. Out of hesitation, I forced myself to call out for the waiter, but the General held out his hand for a halt in motion. "Allow me." He indicated for the waiter to come over. "What would you like?"
"Uhm... Just thre- Just drinks for uh..."
"Four glasses, if you will." The General ordered.

"...Thank you." I murmured.
"It's no problem." he responded, withdrawing a sum of money. "You're lucky to have someone like Miss Hamilton."
I tensed up. "N- No, sir, you've misunderstood, we're not... together or anything--"
"Then perhaps you should confront her on your feelings." The General suggested. "She seems happy around you, and it's great after all of the things she has recently been through. Besides, you're well-spoken, good looking..."
"...Thank you, sir..."

"Have you considered joining the war?" he probed, receiving the drinks.
"I'm afraid not really, sir." I admitted. "I've been sick for quite some time now, and I await a recovery process."
The General nodded. "Very well. It would be better for you to stay at home tending to your health than be out there." I took the three of the drinks, as he took his. "And son?" -I turned myself around- "Take care of Sophie. On my behalf."
"Yes, sir..."

Hadn't I have noticed that the music had stopped. I clambered my way around the sides, listening to the mighty clap of hands and the tremendous orchestration begin once again. I scuttled behind the dancers, the rhythm no longer filling my lungs as I concentrated on keeping the drinks intact.

I shuddered beside Y/N, handing her her drink. Prepared to pass another to her sister, I observed as she was at the centre of the ballroom with Mr John. I resumed to see that a tender woman smiled beside Y/N, and I supposed it would be generous of me to provide her with one. "Well, I suppose one wouldn't hurt for you, Miss." I gave the extra glass to her.
"Why thank you, kindly!" she accepted.

I brought my attention back to Emily, feeling the slight warmth of Y/N's skin as I hovered near.

She was beautiful.

"She seems happy."

°~5 Minutes Later~°

(Y/N POV)

John finished with a bow, leading Emily off towards Martha. Kissing her hand a final time, he was brought back into Martha's arms. "Shall we?"
Martha blushed, following John back onto the dance floor.

Out of nowhere, Charles' arm was suddenly hooked around mine. He gestured to the dance floor, smiling affectionately. "I can't dance." I muttered.
"Would you rather it be with me or with somebody else?" he persuaded. "Besides, you can't be lumbered here all night."
I rolled my eyes, hiding a smile. "Fine."

I was escorted out, looking around to the other participants: John and Martha, Alexander and Eliza, and Washington and Martha. We got into position, the music starting quite rapidly. "Huh." Charles stated in the middle of a bow.
"What?" I questioned.
"It's the Allemande." he recognised, taking my hand. "Our first dance together."

I reminded myself of how horribly that had gone, before the room started prancing around dramatically. With more experience of the dance since then, I had a rough idea of what I was doing and held my hand up for Charles to tread in a small circle. I repeated after him, and the dance continued on from there. I couldn't help myself from laughing as we spun around, accidentally twisting each other's arms. Charles tried to hide his joy, but couldn't help himself and relented into a giggle.

And this entire time, as I looked out whilst the dance was coming to an end, Washington was staring at us. He smiled, as if he were proud, meeting my eyesight. I concluded the dance with a curtsy, turning back to Charles. For no apparent reason, we just laughed, reliving our awkward childhood memories. "Let's get some fresh air. We deserve it." Charles insisted.
I glanced back over to Washington, still staring at me creepily. "Sure, I just... need to talk to the General."

We left the dance floor, tracing Washington's footsteps back over to where he'd fled. "Miss Hamilton, just the person I need!" he exclaimed. "Could I talk with you alone? I'd just like to catch up."
If he was going to apologise for what happened, for kicking me out, then I was prepared to take my leave away from him. "Of course."

I followed him into the hallway, leaving Charles alone with Martha (Washington). Washington closed the doors, leaning against the wall. "So how have things been going since...?"
"Great." I stated sarcastically. "Everyone just despises me that tiny bit more than they already did."
"Oh I'm sure that's not true..." he sighed.
"How would you know? You never have or ever will be in a situation like this."

He nodded in agreement. "I was afraid that you weren't going to arrive tonight."
"I wasn't. But I couldn't let my sister down." I grunted.
"You love her very much, don't you?"
"Mmhm."

"..I'm just sorry if what I did made you feel sorrow. I only intended for the best for you, and I stand by it." he apologised.
"It doesn't matter now." I brushed off, opening the doors back up. "He doesn't exist anymore." I paced over to Charles, taking his arm and leading him through the hallway. Washington was still on the wall as we passed, looking down in shame.

~

"So you...?"
"Right." Charles confirmed. "I didn't even know the English language existed; I believed that everybody was Spanish."
"That's ironic." I joked. "And yet you're so invested in it now."
"My father ordered me books on English history, and I was tutored on the fluency of the language by my mother."

"And your sister?" I asked curiously.
"Not interested." he admitted. "My mother tutored the both of us, but she was 4 when our parents died. So she couldn't remember much. She adapted to the language over time, as we were surrounded by English speakers from day to day. As for me?" -He swiped his hair back- "I was as great as ever."

I laughed at his attempt at humour. We were sat on the steps to the house, gazing at the moonlight. I pleaded to just put my hand onto his, but my mind stopped me from doing so. He was... perfect. I just wanted to end all of the trauma he'd been put through, to reconcile him that I'd always be there for him.

But I didn't want him to get hurt.

Not a minute of thought longer and he'd presumably read my mind. His hand interlocked with mine, stroking his thumb over the back of it.  "...I wish we could have more times like this." I broke the silence.
"...We could." he whispered, his blue eyes searching through mine. "We could do this forever."

He used his other hand to caress my cheek, his mouth gaped open in an enchantment. His eyes moved about rapidly, unsure of where to look.

But I couldn't resist.

I grappled his shoulder, using it to lean in closer. And with that, our lips touched. I had no experience kissing, and I doubt he had any either, but we got ourselves through it. We closed our eyes, and he slipped his hand into my hair. I had no intention of full-blown attacking him, and neither did he, for I'd make myself look like a fish trying to catch its breath. But I kept it simple, deepening the kiss by pressing against the back of his head.

But abruptly, his throat made a croaking sound. He pushed himself away, the croak evolving into a violent cough. "Are you alright?!" I shrieked, patting his back. He continued to cough, arching himself forward. When it ceased to end, he immediately put his hand to the side, hiding the palm of his hand on the nighttime steps. "Charles?"
"I'm fine, yes." His voice shook, as he wiped his mouth with his sleeve.

(Charles POV)

I felt the blood thicken around the palm of my hand.

"I'm fine."

~~~~~~~~~~

I have never cringed.

So God.

Damn.

Much.

Help.