(* - with a side of Papa!Herc)

Hercules Mulligan was one of the most observant men in the rebel army. He knew it, Alexander knew it, and Washington knew it. That's why he would be heading to Yorktown for a while as a spy. But before that, he had another job to do. He had to help two of his closest friends.

Hercules didn't say very much about his observations, but he had noticed the lingering gazes between you and John Laurens. He had noticed the light blush on John's face whenever the two of you spoke. He noticed the soft smiles and the way your hands sometimes brushed, only to be pulled away with muttered apologies. It was clear to him that you both adored one another. And you'd be perfect together. But he was tired of waiting for the two of you to make your moves. Time to give a little push.

He decided to talk to you first. You were a little less stubborn than John. Only a little, but still. He sat next to you in the tavern, sliding a drink your way. "Thanks," you told him before your eyes wandered back over to where John was talking to Alexander again. Hercules sighed. "You know, I think you and Laurens would be good together."

You let out a snort of light laughter. "Sure. The two of us together...With John's real love on the side. Face it, Hercules, John Laurens loves someone and it isn't me." Hercules shook his head as you walked away. You were a bust. Maybe he'd have better luck with John. Fortunately for Hercules, John approached the table just after you'd left. "Is Y/N okay?" he asked. Hercules took a moment to decide what to say. Opting for something a little more on the nose with John, he shrugged.

"Maybe you should go find out." John's brows furrowed. Still, he polished off his pint before heading out the door. Hercules smiled to himself. His work was done. He rose from his seat to grab a fresh pint for himself. The two of you could take care of the rest.

Your POV

You stopped when you heard the sound of footsteps following after you. Slightly on your guard, you stiffened. These were dangerous times after all. Revolutions were not exactly the most peaceful. "Hercules, I told you, John doesn't...oh," you cut yourself off when you turned to see that it was John standing behind you and not, as you'd hoped, Hercules.

"John doesn't what, Y/N?" John asked, a slight frown on his freckled face. You began stuttering out some random words you didn't even remember later. John's frown deepened as you tried to save yourself to no avail. "Did I do something?" he asked, "I can-I can leave you be, if you really want."

"NO!" you cried, causing him to jump slightly, "No. I don't want you to leave me be, John. But I don't want to screw up our friendship either." John looked a little like a confused puppy as he cocked his head to the side. "I-I, Hercules and I, we were having a conversation...about you. And me. Our relationship." You hated that you couldn't stop tripping over your words. As you tried to tell John what you meant without really telling him your feelings, you could feel yourself getting more and more frustrated until finally, you simply exploded.

"I LOVE YOU!" you exclaimed. And then, just like that, the world around you went quiet. Your heart was pounding in your ears while you waited for John to say something...anything. And, as usual when greeted with silence, you began to ramble once more. "I know you don't love me. And that's okay. That's what Hercules and I were talking about."

You honestly felt like you were going to be sick if John didn't say anything soon. Your heart was in your throat. You averted your gaze, not wanting to see the reject in John's expression. You were certain you couldn't take it.

A moment later, you felt a pair of hands on your cheeks. You shot your eyes over to meet John's. His lips held a small smile and his eyes were shining with adoration. "You're wrong." John leaned in and placed the lightest of kisses to your lips before pulling away. "Is this alright?" he whispered. The sounds of carriages and people surrounded you once more, but you didn't care. As soon as you nodded, John's lips were on yours again.