Trigger warning: mentions of suicide and depressing stuff so... Yeah.... Angst guys. Angst.

Herc's P.O.V.

I looked around at the setting before me. It was beautiful. The wedding was being held out in the middle of the country. There was a path - the aisle - with white wooden benches lining it. There weren't too many people, only close friends.

Magnolias lined the aisle, clung to the door, and everyone was given one at the door. I had mine in my lapel. Magnolias were always Laf's favourite. I smiled at the thought of him.

Me and Laf have been friends since we were fifteen. We met in high school, and sort of hit it off. We were now twenty-three, both of us.

The setup of the wedding was exactly as Laf always described it. It was perfect. Small, saving his father money. His grandfather was the one to preach. Out in the country. Magnolias everywhere. He wore a stunning navy blue suit with a black tie. I stood next to him, in a black suit, a rainbow tie, as he had requested when I made it.

I stood next to him, but not where I wanted.

I stood next to him as his best man. Not his fiancee, which was my dream.

Everything was perfect.

He's getting married.

But not to me.

Adrienne walked down the aisle, her princess dress flowing in the wind. It had a beaded bodice, and the long, flowy skirt designed from tulle. From the sweetheart neckline to the silver trim, it was everything Laf had asked for.

Everything was precise for my best friends - and crushes - best day. I watched the female walk down the aisle in a poised manner. I could feel tears trying to escape my eyes, but I held them back.

John patted my back subtly. He was the only person who knew that I liked Lafayette in that way. He was the only person who understood how much this hurt me. Of course, he and Alexander got their happy ending together. I wouldn't get that option.

I would never be satisfied.

~time skup to after the ceremony~

Still Herc

I was sitting on my isle at home, filling up a silvery flask with the strongest alcohol I could find in my house. I had a bit of time before the reception, and I knew I would be needing something strong.

John walked over to me. Lafayette was with Adrienne, getting ready for his reception. Alexander was on my couch; probably making out with John before John had come over.

My back faced him as I set the flask on the counter, sighing as I dropped my head into my hands. John placed a comforting hand on my back. "You'll find someone, Hercules."

I paid no attention to him. Instead I was reliving a moment from a few years ago, in college.

~flashback~

I stood under the maple tree, my arm slung around Lafayette's shoulder. I was busy studying his features, constantly getting stuck on his lips. I wondered how they would feel against my own.

You could kiss him.

I leaned closer, panicking internally. What if he doesn't like me? I moved back again. I knew my best friend was pansexual, but I didn't know how he felt about me. Maybe he liked me in that way. I'd find out another day.

~fast-forward a couple years, around a year before the wedding~

I sighed, coming back in from getting the mail. The day where I had turned down my thoughts to kiss Laf lingered in my mind. I couldn't kiss him now even if I got the courage to do so. He had a girlfriend.

I looked down at the pile of mail before me. Bills, junk, and - what's this? I skimmed the lilac purple envelope I held in my hand. On the front, printed in a fancy font I would recognize to be Lafayette's handwriting, read:

To: Hercules Mulligan.

From: Marquis de Lafayette and Marie Adrienne Françoise de Noailles.

I pursed my lips, opening the envelope carefully. It read (in Lafayette's handwriting again) :

My dearest Hercules,

I, Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier de La Fayette, Marquis de Lafayette, and my fiancee, Marie Adrienne Françoise de Noailles, do cordially invite you to our wedding, to be held on the eleventh day of April.
Signed,
Lafayette.

(A/N: I've never gotten a wedding invite I don't know how that works. Sorry)

As I read the letter, hot tears fell from my eyes. He was getting married. I couldn't believe the news. He was going to get married, and to someone that isn't me.

It's too late.

His dad must be dreading this. If only he knew he wasn't the only one giving him away.

It's too late...

~End flashback~

I felt tears streaming down my cheeks, and John's hand on my back.

I got up, walking to my room without a word.

I wrote a note.

After an hour of drafting, rewriting, and editing my note, I decided it was okay and got ready to leave.

~At the reception~

I sat next to Lafayette at his wedding reception. As his best man. Not his husband. I looked down at my glass of champagne, watching it bubble.

My note was in my pocket, right above my heart. I would give it to him later.

At least I kept him in my life. He's still here, just not in the way I want. At least I still had him. I don't know what I would do without my best friend in my life.

I was snapped back into reality with something John said.

"Alright, Alright! That's what I'm talking about! Now! Everyone give it up for the best man! Hercules Mulligan!" I chuckled slightly at my friends behaviour, sliding my chair back and standing up. I raised my glass into the air. I had prepared for this moment. The moment I would tell him. Tell him that I was okay with giving him away. With giving him to her.

"A toast to the groom! To the bride! From your best friend, who's always be your side. A toast to our squad, to the four of us." Laurens and Hamilton chuckled.

"To freedom." I turned to Laf, gazing into his deep brown eyes. I chuckled before continuing with my 'toast'.

"Something you will never see again! No matter what she tells you." He smiled, chuckling. My heart dropped in my chest, but I kept my smile. I wish he was mine. I know it's selfish, but I yearned for him. He was the only thing I needed. I realized my arm had begun to lower, so I raised it again.

"To the newlyweds, and the hope you will always be satisfied."

With these words, I sat back down, and the maid of honour, Peggy Schuyler (shhhhh roll with it), made her speech.

I zoned out, studying Laf's features. His chocolate eyes had bags under them; he must have been stressing out about the wedding. His hair was pulled into its usual fluff, and he was laughing at something Peggy had said. God, he was perfect. I waited for Peggy to finish her speech, and once it was okay for me to, I got up and walked out on the balcony.

I leaned against the railing, getting lost in my thoughts as I gazed up at the stars. I took a strong shot of my whiskey straight out of the flask, sighing. Soon after that, a voice startled me out of my thoughts.

"Hercules? Mon ami?" I turned to see my best friend, a look over concern spread across his face. I hummed in response, turning back to face the stars.

"Are you alright, Herc?" He leaned onto the railing as well, about a foot away from me. I simply nodded and hummed in response.

I could tell him now... Get it off my chest. But... I don't want to ruin anything.

"Congratulations, Laf."

I didn't look at him as I said it; instead I continued staring into the distance. He smiled in response.

"Merci, mon ami." To this, I nodded.

Now. Give it to him now.

I reached into my pocket, turning to my best friend. I grabbed his hand, setting the note in it, and holding it for a bit.

I soon dropped his hand, smiling and walking back inside, leaving a confused Lafayette standing alone on the balcony.

Lafayette P.O.V.

My dearest, Lafayette,

Congratulations on your marriage. I am honoured to have been your best man, although I would have been happier with a different role; the role of your husband.

I wish we could be more, but seeing as you are now married, it seems I will have to move on.

But you see, my dearest Lafayette, I cannot move on from you. You're dark eyes are so entrancing, and your smile contrasts it perfectly. Your caramel skin and dark hair are more perfect than anything. You, my dearest Lafayette, are handcrafted by the gods themselves.

I fear this is goodbye, Lafayette, for I shall not stay on this Earth for much longer. I must go find another angel such as yourself, and the only way to do this is to go to God himself.

Do not worry, my love, for I will see you soon. I wish you the best of luck with Adrienne, and I will be with you every step of the way as you create a life that is fuller than my own.

I love you Lafayette. Until my last breath.

Your dearest,
Hercules Mulligan.

My heart shattered. I looked around, trying to find Hercules, praying it wasn't too late. I scrambled into the ballroom, looking around for my best friend.

"Hercules!" I shouted, running into John. I explained my situation to him, and I heard his loud voice boom through the ballroom, capturing the attention of all our guests. I ran in to the bathroom, finding my best friend. Gone.

The beginning of my life turned into the ending of my best friends.

And it's all my fault.

Word count: 1666

A/N: Yo, yo, yo! I'm back already! This time, with angst!! Go me! Whoo! Next will be better I swear :3

This One-Shot is based off of Thomas Rhett's song 'Marry Me'

So yea! See you guys later! Bye bye!

Edited: August 12, 2018