And that, I suppose, was pretty much how Lafayette's weekends went over the next three weeks, until suddenly it was Hercules' birthday.
Lafayette stared at the little blue box, wondering if this was a good idea. He'd be leaving America in just 3 and a half months, so was giving something like this to Hercules his best idea? No, probably not. Was he going to give it anyway? Yes, yes he was.
His harsh phone rung, cutting through the stressful silence and jerking Lafayette back into reality. He picked it up, stammering for no reason other than surprise. "Bon-bonjour, John!"
"Hey, Laf!" Johns boisterous voice boomed through the phone. "You remembered Herc's birthday, right?"
Lafayette smiled, "oui, I do. What did you get him?"
"Me and Alex chipped in together to buy a new sewing machine, his is shit. Or so he says." Lafayette could tell John was smirking, "what'd you buy?"
Lafayette looked down at the box in his hand. "A surprise."
"A surprise? Ooh~" John snickered, "putting you on speaker, one sec!" There was rustling as John put the call onto speaker. "What's the surprise?" John teased.
"Yeah! Tell us!" Alexander joined in, practically cheering.
"I can't say, it's stupid." Lafayette smiled, placing the box in his pocket, and slipping his jacket on. "Plus, I should come over now. It's almost three." Lafayette kept the phone to his war, exiting his apartment. He started walking, listening to Alex and John plead to know what he got.
"Come on! It can't be stupid! I'm sure it's nice. We got a stupid gift too-" There was the sound of John hissing, 'it's not stupid', and him hitting Alex's shoulder who owwed in response.
"But mine's is ridiculous." Lafayette chuckled, walking down the street, just to quickly stop at the coffee shop for a French latte.
"Please!"
"I'm gonna have to leave you, see you in five." And he hung up.
Hercules smiled, John and Alex were in his apartment, just leaving the phone call from Laf. He hadn't said anything on the call, just listening to whatever they were saying.
"Hey, Happy 24th, Herc!" Alex said again, for possibly the nineteenth time that day.
"Thanks, Lexi." Hercules chortled, taking a sip of coffee.
"So, once Laf's here, we give you gifts, watch a movie then we're going out for dinner, right!" John recited, mostly so he could remember.
"Yup!" Hercules smiled, awaiting the knock at the door. And it came, he got to his feet, walking over and opening the door only to be suffocated in a hug.
"Happy birthday, Hercules!" Lafayette smiled, releasing him.
"Thanks, Laf. Come on in." Hercules gestured inside.
"Finally! Can you open gifts now?" Alexander questioned, looking over the back of the couch.
"Yeah, sit down, I'll start." Hercules rolled his eyes with a chuckle, sitting down. His coffee table had a bundle of presents on top, most from the Schuyler Sisters, and ones from Thomas and James.
Alexander chose one and threw it to Hercules, who caught it, ripping of the paper swiftly. He was starting to feel more and more like a kid, excitement bubbling away. The gift was from James, a mug which read, "look at me, adulting and shit." On it. Which made Hercules laugh.
Lafayete watched as he continued opening gifts, Thomas actually got a good one, getting him some shoes. Maria got an Amazon gift card, the sisters each chipped in for a few small things and Burr just got him an action book. John excitedly got up.
"Ours is in the apartment, it's not wrapped but I'm gonna go get it!" A few minutes later he was back, and Hercules' smile only widened.
"To replace my shit one?" He watched John place it on the floor, panting.
"That fuckers heavy." He pointed an angry finger to the machine, scowling.
Hercules thanked both Alex and John, and Lafayette realised it was his turn. "Oh, right."
"Huh? You alright?" Hercules asked, shifting to be more comfortable in his seat.
"Yeah, sorry, my gifts terrible compared but here." Lafayette handed over the box, blushing.
Hercules shook his head. "It can't be rubbish." He insisted, wiggling the top of the box off. He smiled, taking a good look at the gold chain.
John craned his neck, as did Alex. They both smiled. "Do you like it?" Lafayette asked bashfully.
"I love it." Hercules grinned, giving Lafayette a quick hug before taking the chain out properly and hooking it around his neck. Lafayette's head pounded, but at least he wasn't feeling sick. That's a plus.
"What movie are we watching?" Alexander questioned, already screwn himself across John's lap.
Lafayette shrugged, turning to Hercules. "Black Panther?" He suggested. Alexander seemed incredibly pleased with that choice, kissing John's cheek before settling back down. Hercules placed an arm around Lafayette's shoulder, and the Frenchman found himself leaning into the touch.
John wooped as the credits rolled and shoved Alexander off him onto the floor. Lafayette smiled, laughing at their antics. Hercules' deep laughter sounded above him and he realised the position they were in. Both were lying across one couch, Lafayette between Hercules' legs and his head resting on the Irishmans chest. Hercules had one arm around Lafayette's waist, the other hand fiddling with his hair. Lafayette sat up quickly, blushing profusely and apologising relentlessly.
"We can go eat now!" John exclaimed, throwing himself up to his feet, Alexander still whining about being pushed.
"Who has a car?" They questioned each other.
Lafayette shifted. He could drive, had a car, and a chauffeur. But he hasn't driven in America much, three times to be exact. With a reluctant sigh he raised his hand, "I can drive." The other three wooped in delight and Lafayette chortled. "I'll have to go back to my apartment to get it, I'll be back."
Lafayette arrived back, and the others were already waiting inside. "Get in, losers."
"You've got a nice car." Alexander pointed out, clambering into the back seat.
"I've got a nice job." Lafayette corrected as John climbed in beside Alex, and Hercules slid into the passenger seat.
"Are these tinted windows?"
"Oui. Where we going?"
"We'll give you directions. It's the same place we've been going for eight years." Hercules grinned and Lafayette started up his silver car.
"Left." Hercules instructed as Lafayette turned, humming.
"Turn on the radio if you want!" He smiled and Hercules nodded, clicking the button.
Is this the real life?
"Is this just fantasy?" Alexander muttered.
Caught in a landslide.
"No escape from reality." John murmured.
Open up your eyes.
"Look up to the skies and see." Hercules mumbled.
I'm just a poor boy, I need no sympathy.
"Because I'm easy come, easy go." Lafayette whispered.
"Another left turn here." Hercules smiled again.
A little high, little low
"Hey, Herc. Have you're parents said anything yet?" Alexander asked.
"Yeah, I got a 'Good morning' text and a phone call with my siblings on speaker this morning." He smiled widely thinking of his family. Little did he know that every time he smiled Lafayette's heart would melt a little goddamn more. What is this man doing to him?
"Mama..." Alexander sang a little louder, and John joined in, and soon the car was belting Bohemian Rapsody as they drove. The song ended and the radio man talked a little about traffic and such.
"Take a right and stop outside the red diner." Hercules smiled and Lafayette complied, turning and stopping the car.
"This looks..." Lafayette didn't really know what to say. The crimson paint was peeling slightly off the shop and in the window was a flickering open sign. It looked quite rundown, not a place Lafayette would usually attend.
"It doesn't seem like much, but the foods great." Alexander exclaimed, unbuckling his seatbelt.
"If it wasn't run by Charles Lee then it would be even better." John smiled, clicking his seatbelt.
Hercules gasped. "John! But Charles is your best friend!" He snickered.
"Shut the fuck up and let's go inside." John opened the car door, annoyance ringing in his tone.
"Was that profanity I heard, John?" Alexander chortled, sliding out onto the pavement.
John grumbled something and Lafayette sighed, clambering out. He locked the car and the four entered the diner, Lafayette couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. A waitress he didn't know took them to their seats and was already writing down orders.
"'Appy birthday, 'Erc." The waitress smiled, she obviously knew them. And had a French accent. She turned to Alex and said aloud. "Qui est la bombasse?" Alexander burst out laughing and Lafayette flushed red.
"Je suis Lafayette, et tu es?" He smiled, and this time the waitress blushed.
"You... you're French?" She stammered.
"Oui." Lafayette giggled. "I appreciate being called hot though, thank you."
"N-no problem. I-I'm Adrinnette."
John smirked and said. "I'll have a pint of Sam Adams."
"Me too!" Alexander waved his hand.
"Ah, hell. Me three." Hercules smiled.
Lafayette bit his lip. "I'll just have a water."
Adrinnette scribbled it down, "okay, I'll... uh... bring it over."
After she walked away, the four collectively burst into laughter. Hercules smiled over the table at Lafayette, who was sat by Alexander. The Frenchman smiled back, still chuckling to himself. "You handled that well." John snickered
Lafayette flicked his hair back. "What can I say? I get it a lot." They started laughing again and this time a different waitress came over, holding a tray of their drinks.
"Hey, Angie." Alexander waved as the girl placed their drinks in front of them.
"Alex, John, Hercules and Lafayette. Yup, seems about right." Angelica giggled, "What you wanting?"
John ordered apparently what he got every time, which was Macaroni Cheese. Alexander got a pizza, Hercules chicken waffles and Lafayette a burger.
"John, are you vegetarian?" Lafayette asked.
"Oh god, why would you-"
"Why yes I am! Thank you for asking! I believe that people should be allowed to eat whatever they want, so don't think I'm pushing my beliefs on you, but I think the way that us humans kill animals is wrong! I think that if we found a more humane way then perhaps I would eat meat. Until then, I'm fine munching on carrots and pasta." He concluded by taking a sip of his Sam Adams.
Hercules did the same and set his glass down. "I'm starving."
"Me two."
"Me three." Alexander jumped into the conversation, a little loud.
"Et moi!" Lafayette exclaimed, slurping some water.
Just a few minutes later, Angelica was placing the food in front of them. "I'd like to point out that Adrinnette is ranting in the back, she's so stressed."
"Oh, why?" Lafayette frowned sadly, she seemed nice too.
"She's thinking she ruined her chances with you, actually."
John 'ooooh'ed, wiggling his eyebrows. Lafayette chuckled, smiling. "Such a shame I'm gay."
"I'll inform her." Angelica sniggered, flouncing off whilst fixing her apron.
The four, once again, erupted into feets of laughter. They ate and chatted and laughed and joked, it was great. In fact, Lafayette could describe it as one of the best nights of his life. They had cake, (Hercules' treat) which was remarkably great. The four left, and Lafayette drove them back to the apartment block they lived in.
"Au revoir, mes amis!" Lafayette called out his rolled down windows as Hercules turned and waved, smiling widely.
"Bye, Laf!" The burly male hollered back, lowering his hand and waltzing into his apartment, John and Alex following behind them, their hands clasped.
Lafayette's smile faded, and it became a frown. He rolled his window back up and drove off to his apartment, ready for a good night's rest.
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*singing* la, la, la, la, la! Be prepared for angst!