(Caleb Brewster x modern!fem reader)

"Dammit," you growled out feeling dirt digging into the skin of your knees. Your jeans had torn a bit when you fell. You could be clumsy at times. It happened. What had never happened before was ending up in a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TIME! You didn't know how it happened, but it had and now you were stuck in Revolutionary times, currently running from a few red coats. You knew, if they caught you, you'd probably be hanged as a witch or a mad woman or something. Fortunately for you, you were discovered by the right people.

The first person you met was one Captain Benjamin Tallmadge. He was kind, but reminded you far too much of Captain America. That wasn't really your type. A good friend perhaps, but nothing more. Not that you were looking for any sort of romance. At least that's what you thought until you met Caleb.

At first, you and Caleb did not get along at all. You fought like cats and dogs. Maybe it was because you both had such strong personalities. Or maybe it was the underlying sexual tension between you that neither one of you wanted to admit. You couldn't say. But the more time you spent with him, the more you started to like him.

Caleb had such compassion for people, even when he tried to hide it. He truly believed in what he was fighting for. And he could be quite charming and funny when it suited him. It made being in his care a little bit easier. Since Ben was a Captain and usually fairly busy, it gave you a lot of time with Caleb. He grew on you far more quickly than you ever expected. Over the months, you found yourself falling in love with him. Which was why your heart broke when everything went to hell.

You were currently sitting on a cot in front of Caleb and Ben who both wore disappointed, angry expressions. Ben was more furious than Caleb, which was surprising considering Caleb had more of a temper. Still, you wouldn't change what you did. John Andre hadn't deserved to die. Not like that. Having studied history(and watching TURN), you knew more about Andre than Ben, Caleb, or even Washington.

John Andre was just a man doing exactly what he was expected to do. He had been raised to believe he was inferior and was merely trying to prove himself to those above him. Mostly Peggy Shippen's father. Just because the love of his life had been forced to marry another did not mean Andre loved her any less. Andre did what he had to do to stay alive and keep Peggy safe. That wasn't worthy of execution in your mind. Not for him. For Arnold maybe, but not Andre. To that end, you decided to try and save him if you could. You hadn't counted on Caleb catching you leaving the scene.

"What were you doing?" Ben hissed while Caleb simply stared at you with an expression you couldn't quite place. "The right thing. Andre didn't deserve that." Caleb scoffed and reminded you that Andre was technically the enemy. "By whose standards? Aren't you fighting for something you believe in? Fighting for what you think it right? So is he! The life he is fighting for and spying for is the ONLY life he's ever known. While I agree with your stance, I can also empathize with people like Major Andre. I don't regret what I did and if that means I trade my life for his, then so be it."

Caleb, whose arms had been crossed over his chest, let them fall to his sides as he gaped at you in disbelief. Ben blinked rapidly for a moment before stalking out of the tent muttering under his breath. You and Caleb were left alone. His eyes were glued to you as if he were trying to decipher something.

After a few moments, the air between you became stifling. "Are you going to say anything?" you asked when you could practically feel the tension sitting on your chest like a boulder. Caleb opened and closed his mouth a couple of times. He seemed uncharacteristically...nervous. He ran a hand over his beard and sighed.

"Did ya think about anythin' else while ya were out there savin' the enemy, Y/N/N? What if Washington had seen ya? He'd execute ya fer treason, just like Andre. Did ya think about what would happen to ya? What I would do?" Your brows drew together in confusion. Caleb didn't strike you as the kind of guy to beat around the bush. He had always just come out and said what he was thinking to you. About everything from the war to Ben to the ladies (your least favorite topic when it came to him, if you were being honest). Caleb Brewster never seemed to run out of things to say.

"What do you mean?" you asked. "Do ya think I could just sit and watch ya die? Let Washington hang ya and not be able to stop it?" he answered, "Do ya think I'd be able to keep fightin' if I had to watch them kill ya?" While you were touched by his admission, you didn't know if you could believe him. "You'd be fine, Caleb. You have plenty of admirers."

Caleb put his hands on his hips and scoffed lightly, shaking his head. "Ya don't get it, do ya? There aren't any ladies. Haven't been since I met ya. How can there be when all I can think about...is ya?" His voice softened as he confessed. You stood on shaking legs and slowly moved to stand in front of him. His hands remained on his hips, his gaze down at the ground.

"Caleb? Look at me," you requested. Caleb looked up and nearly jumped seeing you so close. You reached over, taking his hands in yours while he regarded you with curiosity. "I think I love you too, Caleb," you whispered. His eyes widened, causing you to laugh a bit. "Ya do?" You nodded. "I do. And I'm sorry I hurt you with my actions. And that your friend hates me now." Caleb chuckled. "Tallboy doesn't hate ya. He'll calm down. Especially when he sees ya've got me outta his hair." You let out a giggle before wrapping your arms around him.