It's funny how influential a strong and kind adult figure can be when it comes to children. Especially if said children have little (or no) father figure to speak of. Because everyone needs a dad to fall back on, whether they know it or not.

Here's five times Class KGW called Washington 'dad'.


5.

It was no surprise that Lafayette was the first one. The frenchboy had no father of his own, and had been fixated on Washington since the very first day, when the man had given his hair a ruffle and laughed at his joke, before calling him son.

No one had ever done that before. None of it, especially not at the same time.

So yes, Lafayette had been calling Washington 'dad' in his head, subconsciously at least, for quite a while by the time they reached the start of second term*. It wasn't until a small slip up in class, though, that he, along with John and Herc, took to saying it out loud.

It had been silent reading time. Everyone, except Aaron and Alex, hated silent reading time. Aaron because he was just weird like that, and Alex because he had to be better than Aaron, and that meant being faster and more advanced at reading.

So while those two were competing passive-aggressively at the book shelf, Lafayette, Hercules and John sat together on a green beanbag, reading 'The Hungry Caterpillar' together. Or, truthfully, talking amongst each other with 'The Hungry Caterpillar' sitting open on their laps.

"There is no way Alex is reading that fast." Hercules whispered to the others.

John snorted, "yeah, he's just doing it to impress Eliza."

Lat hummed thoughtfully. "I am not sure, I think Aaron is the one he is trying to impress."

They had laughed at that, quietly at first. It didn't stay that way, though, and soon they were leaning on each other just to say upright. That is, until Mr Washington interrupted.

"Boys, I'm noticing you haven't turned the page for a while. Is the material too hard for you?"

The boys had scoffed. "Nothings to hard for us!"

"Well in that case, maybe your all just too busy talking to read. Separate."

Laf groaned loudly. He didn't know what separate meant, but since John and Herc were both getting up to leave him he could guess.

"Come oooooooon dad!" He whined, then froze realizing what he had said. So did the rest of the class, it was called 'silent' reading for a reason. Everyone had heard. Lag got thinking, what if he scared Washington? What if he embarrassed him?

Seeing his friend's embarrassment, Hercules took action.

"Yeah dad." He said, as if it were the most normal thing in the world, "come on."

John joined in, and soon all three of them were calling him dad, and demanding to sit together. Washington's smile seemed so big it was as if it were going to break his face in half, and eventually, with a roll of the eyes, he left them.

The three friends cheered at the victory, and laughed over it like it was one big joke. Like it wouldn't happen again, and it was just a way to get what they wanted.

And yet, the next day, all three of them greeted Washington with a 'hey dad'.

And they weren't joking.


4.

"Ugh."

James looked up from his jigsaw puzzle, the one that made an elephant. Thomas sat next to him, as usual, but wasn't helping the puzzle, which was strange. The elephant puzzle was his favourite because it was Alex's favourite and Thomas liked to finish it faster than him. But he wasn't racing now. James didn't think he had put a single piece down.

And another strange thing, Thomas kept making these strange sighing/grunting noises. Every time they got louder. It was strange, if Thomas was upset why not just tell James instead of making those weird noises? He must not want to talk about it...

"UUuuuuuuugh."

James was beginning to think maybe Thomas did want to talk about it. That was his 13th sigh, and the longest one yet.

"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugh."

Oh no. That was number fourteen. James couldn't count much higher than that...he had to act, and quickly.

"Are you ok, Thomas?"

Thomas immediately snapped out of his slumped, dramatic position and sat ramrod straight, a smile on his lips.

"You're the best friend ever Jamesy! How'd you know I was sad?"

"Uhhh..."

"Doesn't matter. I'm not alright!"

James gazed at the puzzle longingly. Play time was almost over, and once Thomas started talking he didn't stop. But his friend duties were calling, the elephant would have to wait for another day. He turned back to Thomas, accepting his fate.

"What's wrong?"

"Washington!"

"Really? I like Mr Washington. He brings cookies, and he talks real cool like."

James regretted the words immediately. The look Thomas was giving him was pure torture. It was a look of complete and utmost disappointment. He immediately went over what he said, trying to find what he should take back, but Thomas spoke first.

"So he has you too. I trusted you, Jamesy."

"What! No, Thomas, no I hate Mr Washington!"

Thomas gave him a strange look. "Hate's kinda strong..."

"Right, yeah. I don't hate him. I just don't...like him?"

"Yeah. Me too. He's so weird, it's like he thinks he's our dad or something. I don't need a dad!"

"mmhm."

The friends sat in a comfortable silence for a small while, before James spoke quietly.

"I think I would like it if Mr Washington was my actual dad."

Thomas sighed, equally as quiet. "Yeah, me too..."


3.

Next up was Eliza and Peggy. Perhaps this was a strange one, as the Schuyler sisters had a perfectly good father at home. Except, when he had been working he wasn't around very much. And, actually, he wasn't around very much now either, which was strange because he said he was coming here so he could spend more time with them

Peggy said the reason he wasn't around was because he had been 'cheating'. She had heard her mother say so over the phone one time, when she was practicing her cool spy work. Cheating at what, though, they didn't know. They were betting on monopoly.

It was during arts and crafts time when it happened. It had been perfectly innocent, Washington was circling the room, giving advice and encouragement where he deemed it fit. When he got to the table where Peggy and Eliza sat (he was still furiously refusing to acknowledge Peggy wasn't part of his class) he had knelt down beside them to help with their 'brush technique'. Eliza stands by the fact that it was Peggy he was really helping, her painting was perfect and anyone who suggested otherwise would have to deal with her. Or she might let Alex onto them. If she was feeling merciful.

After showing Peggy that the lines were there for a reason, not as a misprint, he had stood to leave. Eliza nudged her sister, a reminder to use her manners. Peggy took the hint.

"Thanks dad!" She had called as Washington left. Washington froze for a split second, then waved over his shoulder and continued on his way.

He didn't stop smiling all day.

After Peggy's outburst Eliza had turned to her, eyes wide.

"What did you just say?" She whispered furiously through her teeth.

Peggy shrugged. "What? Herc and John and Laf all do it."

Eliza had pondered that all day. She didn't know why, but she wanted to join in too.

At the end of the day, as the students had been filing out of the room, she had finally made up her mind. As she passed her teacher, she turned to him and gave him a wide, bright smile.

"Bye dad!"

Angelica had heard of this incident, and hadn't been happy. "We already have a dad," she had whispered in harsh tones at lunch, after pulling her sisters to the side. Peggy had started crying. Eliza had comforted her, pulling her into a hug and glaring at her older sister over her younger's shoulder.

This was the first time the Schuyler sisters had fought.

And, as Eliza and Peggy continued to refer to their teacher as 'dad', and as they ignored Angelica and her warnings, it seemed obvious that it wasn't to be the last.


2.

Aaron took up on the trend too, to everyone's surprise. He wasn't the type to follow a crowd if he didn't think it was worth it.

Apparently, in this case, he did.

It wasn't dramatic, really. Aaron rarely was. In fact, it had taken Washington a few minutes to realize that, after he had given the boy advice on book suggestions (the kid really liked to read), Aaron had left with an offhand:

"Thanks dad."

And that was it. Short, to the point, and utterly natural.

It was almost as if, like Lafayette, Aaron had been doing it for a long time in his head...


1.

Alex was, unsurprisingly, the exact opposite of Aaron. He had made it as dramatic as possible, whether it be purposeful or not.

After John and Alex got into a fight with Mr Lee, the teacher had brought them to Washington, demanding punishment. Washington had let John go, as it was a first time offense for him.

Alex, however, had done this sort of thing before...

"Son-"

"'Don't call me son."

Washington paused. He often called people son, especially his students. Why was this suddenly an issue? He continued cautiously.

"School is hard enough without fighting, especially with teachers."

"Lee said you were a bad teacher! We taught him!"

"You taught him nothing, Alex. You've just made an enemy."

"You're right...next time we'll really hurt him."

Washington sighed. "Son-"

"'M not your son!"

"Watch your tone!" another sigh, "I don't wed you to defend me."

"But everyone does it! Everyone says your bad and you're not! You're really good!"

"...thank you Alex. IT means a lot to me to hear you say that, but-"

"Why?"

Washington paused. "I'm sorry?"

Alex rolled his eyes, as if Washington was slow and, in that open way only children can, said "Why does it mean lots to you? You're really, good everyone knows that. That's why they all call you dad. Duh"

Washington stared at the small figure in front of him. Alex stared right back at him...for a few seconds. Then he started rocking his feet in his chair and looking around Washington's office curiously.

Washington snapped out of his shock when the boy went to touch the things on his desk.

"No." He warned. "Look, Alex...I don't have any children. Martha, my wife, can't do it."

"Why?"

"She just can't."

"Doesn't she want to?"

"No, its medical. The point is...it's nice. I've always wanted children. And it's nice to know you think of me that way."

"I don't think of-" Alex bit his lip, and it seemed like he was struggling to say something. Finally, he slipped out of his seat and left the room. Washington didn't reprimand him for leaving without being told, that could wait for another time. Instead he busied himself with paper work.

A few minutes later, there was a small knock on the door.

"Come in." Washington called, without looking up from his work.

He heard the door swing open, and someone walked hesitantly into the room. They stood there for a while, and Washington was about to look up to see why they wouldn't talk when a small, easily recognizable voice spoke up.

"Thanks dad."


* I don't know how Americans do it, and google offered no answers, so i'm going by the Australian school year. We have 9-11 weeks of school (first term) then two weeks break. This repeats fourtimes, four terms, every year. If you don't know, now you know ;)

Upcoming (Feel free to request relationships or story ideas):

Peggy-John centric

Burr-Theodosia centric

Alex-John centric

Schuyler Sisters + Family Issues centric

Spies P2

Blow Us All Away P2

Orphan-verse