A/N This isn't historically accurate BTW. Also more time period typical homophobia, like there is every chapter. (Do I even need to write that anymore?) Low-key wrote this while listening to les mis, not Hamilton. Oops. Also introducing Eliza!

Eliza's POV

"Eliza, Eliza!" I turn my head and see my little sister Peggy running towards me, yellow dress swirling behind her.

"Yes?" She stops, catching her breath.

"Guess what!"

"What?"

"Daddy's scheduled a Ball this Friday! All the soldiers from the nearby camps are invited." My shoulders droop. I thought I was getting good news. Putting on a fake smile, I respond.

"That's fantastic!"

"Isn't it." And then, being her usual self, she starts going on and on about the decorations, the men, etc. I nod enthusiastically, only half listening, but she doesn't seem to notice. Or care. Then suddenly, my dad walks into the room.

"Are you girls discussing the ball tomorrow?"

"Yes Daddy! We're so excited." Peggy speaks for us. I nod along.

"I hope you girls will have a good time. Eliza, dearest, please try to find a suitor at this ball. There will be a lot of soldiers there."

"Ok Daddy." I swallow the pain.

"That's my girl." He smiles reassuringly and walks away.

"Do you want to help me choose a gown Eliza?"

"Sure, Peggy. Run upstairs I'll meet you there in a minute." She nods and races up the stairs.

A ball. This Friday. Great. I can feel the dread continuing to build up, making me want to choke. Try to find a suitor at this ball Eliza. I know I must marry, the downsides of being rich, but I… My sister Angelica, the wittiest, of course already has a fiancé and even little Peggy is being courted by a gentleman. If your sisters can get suitors, so can you. It's not that I couldn't get a man if I wanted to, despite being overall average. I don't want to, I've never been interested in any boy like that and I haven't let myself even consider women… or at least that's what I tell myself. But, alas, I must do what I have to for my family. Morosely, I head upstairs to choose a gown for Friday. You got this Eliza.

Alexander's POV

It's Friday, and like any other day I'm in camp writing. Not thinking about John, the ball, myself, nothing. Just translating and sending letters to the incompetent members of congress. Bullshit. In truth, I'm actually quite distracted. Everyone else has left, beside Washington, and I'm alone in the silence with my thoughts. I never liked the quiet. Needing sound, I get up and head towards Washington's section that's just off the aides section. When I walk in, his head lifts up and he nods his head in greeting.

"Hamilton. Are you here to tell me you're finally leaving? The ball starts soon." I don't really know what I was going to say.

"I- uh- yes sir. I have to get ready for the ball." He looks at me for a second, face pensive, before he spoke again.

"You don't really want to go to this ball, do you?" I freeze. Highly recommend! I open my mouth, ready to deny the claims, when he interrupts me.

"Permission to speak freely Hamilton." Still I hesitate a moment. Fuck it.

"This ball is the last thing I want to do right now." He gives a light chuckle.

"I can't say it looking forward to it either. Though I suppose our reasons for dread are a bit different." He looks at me pointedly. Probably.

"Most likely sir, though I do not know your reasons." He gives his no toothed smile again.

"I'm dreading this evening because Martha isn't coming. She can't do the commute, and frankly balls aren't as fun without her. What about you Alexander?" I'm missing my dead, illegal lover, why do you ask?

"I need to find a lady to court tonight." I pause, trying to think of a way to word it.

"You've never had too much trouble with that." He smirks, obviously referring to my nickname, tomcat.

"Yes, but tonight I won't be… on my game, I guess you could say. I've been, off lately. Ever since…" I trail off. We both know what I was going to say.

"Since John's death." I wince.

"Yes." He looks at me for a moment and then speaks again.

"You're allowed to grieve Alexander. It's ok to not always be strong." I look down at my feet, not responding.

"John was great man, and your… best friend. It's alright to have to take a moment to really process and move on."

"I'm familiar with loss, sir. Should I not be used to it by now?"

"I don't think one ever truly gets 'used to' losing a loved one. It's what makes us human." I look up.

"It's what makes men weak." He sighs.

"I hope you don't always believe that. Now, go. Distract yourself with the only non-watered down wine you'll have for awhile." I nod and start to walk out when he speaks once more.

"Oh, and Hamilton?" I stop. "Talk to someone. If not me, then Lafayette or anyone. Your friends want to help you."

"Sir-"

"Dismissed." I close my mouth and leave the tent. Time to get ready.

Lafayette's POV

I was almost hoping Alexander didn't want to go to the ball tonight. Not that I didn't want to go, despite the fact that my Adrienne is across the sea, I just didn't want to deal with a sad Alex. So imagine my surprise that when I show up to his tent, expecting mopey Hamiltilton, I see Alex wearing a determined look on his face. He looks a lot better than he has been, smartly dressed and combed hair. There's a small fire in his eyes, though it's dim, it's good to see something other than sadness in his eyes.

"Change of heart?"

"What, oh no. I just got a pep talk, I guess. Might as well use the night as a distraction rather than a burden." He paused then added. "And an opportunity to find a lady who's willing to have a poor man court her."

"Alright then, let's go." The walk to the ball was relatively short. Hamilton and I made easy conversation for a while before settling into an amiable silence. I hope this distraction helps him. Wait a minute...

"Hey Ham?"

"Ya"

"Who gave you this magic pep talk?" He hesitates.

"Washington." He admits.

"I told you he had a soft spot for you too. He gets really hurt when you-"

"He does not have a soft spot for me." he interrupts.

"Ok, ok. Whatever you say."

"Screw you Laf, let's go inside."

The second we walk through the doors we are handed a glass of champagne. It's almost like they want to get rid of the only good alcohol for miles. I look around the ballroom, it looks fantastic. Alexander seemed to be thinking the same thing, the way he was looking around. Then, a voice from behind interrupts us from our thoughts. General Schuyler.

"Marquis, it's good to see you could make it. And you're… Hamilton, right? Washington's man?" That won't settle well with him. Hamilton puts up such a good fake smile I wonder if I've ever been fooled by it.

"Yes sir, Alexander Hamilton. It's a pleasure to formally meet you."

"Of course, pleasure to meet you too." They shake hands.

"Are you boys looking for some ladies tonight?"

"No. I actually have a betrothed back in France. She's lovely so-" He interrupts me.

"I'm sorry I was not aware. Hamilton?"

"Actually, I was sir. I would like to find a lady who I could court soon."

"Ok, well if you ever need some help my daughter Elizabeth is still unmarried."

"Thank you for your offer, sir, but I'd rather meet a woman organically."

"Of course, authenticity is important. Love's a lot more true when it's not arranged. Be warned though, it's quite risky."

"I will keep that in mind, sir."

"Well, on that note, I will let you boys enjoy your night." He then turns and walks away. I snort and turn to Ham.

"Well that was straight-forward. He's obviously just trying to dish his last daughter off to whoever will take her."

"That's why I said no. She probably doesn't want that and I won't be apart of an arranged marriage." He snorts then adds, "Plus, if he knew Washington hired a dirt poor, illegitimate orphan he'd call off the marriage so quick." I laugh.

"Maybe." Then I spot someone in the corner. I tap Alex on the arm and nod to the man's direction.

"Is that Burr?" Burr and I have only spoken once or twice formally, but he and Alex are close friends. Ham turns his head and squints.

"I think it is." The most genuine smile I've seen in a long time fills his face and walk over to Burr.

"Aaron Burr, sir!" The man in question spins around.

"Alexander!"

"I didn't know you would be here Burr."

"I didn't think you'd come either, so I didn't let you know."

"Why wouldn't I… Oh"

"Are you okay Alexander?"

"I'm fine. What about you?" What happened to Burr?

"I am better." He pauses then adds, "And more honest then you apparently." Alex looks down, bashfully.

"Oh, Lafayette I didn't see you there. It's good to see you."

"The pleasures all mine Burr."

"No it's not." Hamilton pipes up, teasingly.

"I will kill you one day Alex, just you wait." They both laugh.

"Good luck with that Aaron." We all laugh again and find ourselves migrating over to a table to sit down and drink. After about a minute of mindless chatter I notice Alex's not really in the conversation.

"Ham?" He jumps.

"Sorry guys. Do you mind if I go talk to someone." We nod, and he get up and heads over to a table with a lone girl sitting at it. Ham's back in the game.

Alexander's POV

Washington was right. The ball was actually a really good distraction. I even ran into Burr, my good friend from college. I had a smile on my face that wasn't completely fake. And then I glanced over at a young woman sitting alone at a table. It was like looking in a mirror, but not quite. Her eyes were staring longingly at someone, like the way a dog looks a treat it knows it can't have. I follow her line of sight to see the gentleman that has caught her attention, but instead I just see a pretty woman. Oh. She's like me… sort of. I try to stay engaged in the conversation, but I keep glancing at the young lady. I can't just go up to her and accuse her of being a sodomite. Don't be stupid.

"Ham?" I jump at the sound of my name. There's no way I'll survive the night if I don't talk to her.

"Sorry guys. Do you mind if I go talk to someone." They nod their consent and I stand up and stride over to the young lady.

"Excuse me, miss. Would you mind if I made your acquaintance for a bit?" I ask, gesturing to the seat beside her. She snaps her stare from the lady and looks over at me. Then plasters on such a good fake smile I would be convinced if I hadn't been in her spot so many times.

"Yes, of course Mr…"

"Alexander Hamilton, pleasure to meet you.."

"Eliza." No last name? Poor? Married?

"Ok then Miss Eliza, may I offer you some advice." She looks at me like she wasn't expecting that. I smirk and lean over to her ear and whisper.

"I've found that when you stare at the ones who are in a couple it's less obvious." She freezes and I back away.

"I don't know what you mean." She says in monotone. I raise my hands in mock surrender and respond quietly.

"My bad, but It definitely looked like you were checking out that rather pretty woman over there."

"I wasn't-"

"If it makes you feel any better, the man who just approached her is quite handsome." She looks me in the eye, a look I can't describe on her face.

"Are you like me?" She breathes so soft I can barely hear.

"Depends, I would fuck them both. What about you?" She blinks at my crudeness. "My apologies M'lady." I add. She smiles.

"I would only take the woman." She admits, a red color filling her cheeks.

"I prefer men if I'm being honest, but if I must I can enjoy a lady." She smiles, stands up, and offers me her hand.

"Would you like to dance?" Smart girl.

"I would." I grab her hand and lead her to the dance floor.

"What is your current situation?" I ask once we settle into the dance.

"What?"

"Are you currently being courted?"

No I'm not." Then teasingly she adds, "Why are you offering?"

"Yes." I answer seriously. She looks taken aback so I continue. "Well I assume I am the only person who knows of your situation. If you were to marry someone like me, who also isn't interested in you like that, we could just be friends and have an… open marriage."

"Wouldn't it be suspicious if we never had children. Especially since I always preach about how I want to have kids." I shift a little.

"Well we could make love once or twice, I guess. WIth your consent, I'd try my best to at least make you comfortable. Maybe give you a little pleasure despite your favoring of women." She looks pensive.

"Ok. But we must make this look as authentic as possible, so you must court me properly."

"Of course." The dance ended, so I led her back to our table. "Will you do me the honor of staying with me for the rest of the night." She smiles.

"Sure." Suddenly a woman approaches us. She's regal and beautiful, wearing a flowing pink gown. Her eyes are sharp. She's a smart one, I can already tell. The woman addresses Eliza.

"Eliza, there you are. Father wanted to see you, but I guess it can wait." She glances at me. "And you are."

"Alexander Hamilton." I put on my best charming smile and kiss her hand. She's not fooled. "Nice to meet you Miss…"

"Mrs. Church nee Schuyler." I blink.

"Schuyler?"

"My sister." Eliza pipes up sheepishly. I spin towards her.

"You're a Schuyler?"

"You didn't tell him?" Angelica's face is incredulous, as if she can't imagine I'd be here if I didn't know she was a Schuyler.

"No I didn't. I'm sorry."

"No, it is ok. You go talk to your father, I'll meet you back here in ten minutes. I'd like to update my frends."

"Ok." She smiles and kisses me on the cheek. "See you again soon." And then walks away, Mrs. Church following in suit.

A/N So basically Eliza is gay and Ham is bi. Also they are agreeing to be in a queerplatonic relationship. An open one. Also, not planning on the Angelica, Ham, and Eliza 'triangle.' Stay tuned though, the ball is not over.