A/N

Nooooooooooooooo!

Because of this book I am STARTING TO SHIP THOMGELICA 😱

Guys, what do I do? Seriously! I am in the middle of a crisis, and I don't know how to say no to this ... 😩🕯

:::

Angelica put a lot of thought into this through the next hour. There was a couch on the side of the dance floor, for those who wanted to a break from dancing. Although it had been a while since they were dancing, Angelica and Thomas took two seats on the couch anyways, watching the crowd wander passed them.

"You sure you don't want to dance?" Thomas asked again, for the third time in the last ten minutes.

Angelica gave him a look, "Thomas. I don't want to dance, but for the ten thousandth time that shouldn't stop you from dancing!"

"Yeah, but," his hand reached forward and entwined into hers, sitting on her lap. Angelica stared up at him through curious eyes, as he said, "I don't want to leave you alone."

"I'm fine sitting by myself," she told him, leaning into his body warmth. "Please. Go dance. Right now."

"Not unless you come with me."

"I can't dance anymore, I told you."

There was a gentle moment of silence, and then Thomas grumbled.

"Fine," he breathed out, and collapsed back next to Angelica, one arm slung over her shoulders. "Then I guess I'm just going to have to sit here, and annoy you all night."

Angelica groaned, "Oh, no."

"Mhm."

She laughed, "You idiot. I hate you."

They sat there for another five minutes, leaning comfortably into one another, Thomas shading Angelica from the colourful basking lights and people who nearly tripped on the couch and fell on them.

"Hey, watch it," Thomas barked this one time, as someone nearly fell right on top of Angelica.

"Oh, shoot. Sorry," It was John.

"John!" Angelica exclaimed, face alight. "Hey there."

"Hey," John replied, slightly sheepish. "Sorry about that. I wasn't looking where I was going." His gaze darted to Thomas through the dark, wary and not very kindly, but to Angelica's relief Thomas made no other remark about it.

"It's fine," she said. "Where are the others? I haven't seen anyone in a while."

"Last I saw, Aaron was nearly puking from all the dancing, and Lafayette and Hercules were downing shots."

Angelica quirked an eyebrow, "Shots of punch?"

"Trying to get wasted as much as they can at a school dance," John said, grinning. "Although, I don't think it's working. The most they're getting is too full for dessert."

Angelica laughed at this. Lafayette and Hercules were the oldest of the whole group, as they both just turned 18. To throw away a shot for the two of them, was like throwing away a life-changing experience.

"And Peggy?" Angelica asked, realising she hadn't seen her baby sister since she and Thomas had first left the dance floor.

"Probably nagging at the two of them, reminding them of what idiots they are," John said.

"Ah," Angelica said. "Yeah, that sounds like her."

"She's getting quite close to Lafayette," John said, suddenly thoughtful. There was an unreadable expression on his face, but from the looks of it he seemed almost sad. "You don't think ... I mean, Lafayette goes back to France next year."

Angelica watched him, puzzled, "Okay. What about Lafayette going away?"

"I mean," John ducked his head slightly, completely unsure of himself. He ran a hand back through his curly hair, distraught. "Your Sister ... Lafayette is leaving ... you don't think ..."

"She likes him?" Angelica realised finally, her face alight with understanding. "Oh ... wow, um. Probably." Peggy had never given anything away about Lafayette before, but thinking through it all now ...

"That's right. And then what happens when he leaves?" John pressed further, face clouded with — worry? Was it worry? "Peggy is so naive sometimes."

"Well, you got that right," Angelica said.

John sat back against the arm of the couch, arms folded timidly. His eyes stared down onto the dance floor, as if he didn't like what he was seeing.

Just then, it occured to the eldest Schuyler what could be happening.

The lights dimmed as quick as Angelica's thinking, into something soothing. A gentle melody began to play, in place of the electric beat.

The jumping crowd stopped jumping, looking around at the sudden change of tempo. Only a minute later did people realise it was a slow dance, and start to pair into couples for the slow swaying.

John still stared at the floor, even more distressed than ever.

Angelica knew what was happening.

"Where's Peggy now?" She asked John, but he simply shrugged.

"Beats me."

A second later Peggy, Lafayette and Hercules came bursting into the room, disrupting the left half of the slow dance. The trio were hardly trying to hide their snickers, and it was peeping out of their hand-muffled mouths.

Angelica watched as her sister's eyes widened, realising it was a slow dance. Peggy turned and grabbed Lafayette by the hand, dragging her onto the floor. He hardly protested this time, as the couple were synced instantly to the humble tune and quiet beat.

John's face was awash with... calm. A calm so deep and dark, it was sad.

"Do you want to dance?" It was out of Angelica's mouth before she had thought it through.

John turned to look at her, at this surprising suggestion. He watched her, wide-eyed for a minute, before his face softened into a sad smile.

"Naw. I'm good," he smiled at her. "Thanks, though."

"Of course," Angelica said, smiling back, encouraging. "Anytime."

She watched him stand up to his full height, and disappear into the crowd of bystanders.

Behind her, Thomas cleared his throat.

"Ohh," There was mock annoyance in his tone. "So you want to dance with him."

Angelica rolled her eyes, but she was grinning.

"Shut up," she said, shifting so that she was facing her date again. "He's a Friend. I wanted to make sure he was okay."

Thomas mumbled something that sounded like, "...you didn't have to ask him to dance..."

Angelica sighed dramatically, face flushed with light, "You jealous twit," she took his arm and hauled it upwards, standing up. "Come on. Let's dance."

"Ha!" Thomas exclaimed. "I thought you'd never ask!"

She laughed at this, a melodious tinkling sound among the quiet swaying. She dragged him onto the dance floor, and he slipped his hands firmly around her waist, drawing her towards him. They swayed slowly, with the rest of the crowd, Angelica's arms draped around his shoulders, fingers playing with springs of his hair.

"Ow," Thomas winced. "Ow. OW."

"Oh, hush," Angelica said, grinning. "If you didn't want people to play with your hair, you shouldn't have grown it so poofy."

"Hey, I didn't ask for it to be poofy," Thomas said back. "If I could, I'd make it long and flowy like Hamilton's. Disney style. Would you like that, princess?"

Angelica laughed out loud at this, "You snake!"

Thomas smiled, "I'm committing no crime here."

They continued to sway. Slowly. Back and forth to the enchanting tune. Over his shoulder, Angelica caught sight of Peggy making funny faces at Lafayette, as they danced together. Lafayette made one back, and Peggy burst out in rambunctious laughter, drawing attention to herself. Lafayette's cheeks heated.

Angelica smiled at her sister, looking so happy tonight. She thought briefly about John's words, suddenly understanding what he meant.

"Hey, hey," Thomas said, and she turned back to him. "Come on, now. No worrying tonight. Tonight is supposed to be stress-free."

Angelica grinned, "Okay."

"Okay?"

"Okay."

She felt Thomas's hands slide firmer around her waist, as she turned her head and lay it down on his shoulder, curly hair fluffed against the crook of his neck. His lips turn into her hair, whispering, "That's better ..."

She closed her eyes, actually taking Thomas's advice and relishing in the warmth, the peaceful silence. She wished this moment could go on forever.

That life could always be this peaceful.

:::

Sway. Sway. Back and forth. Back and forth. 'You're Beautiful' by James Blunt was playing sweetly off the speakers.

Angelica's head lay still on Thomas's shoulder, allowing him to do the swaying for them. Her eyes had been closed for the longest time, simply listening to the music.

Now, she opened them.

Alexander was the first face she saw, stunning her momentarily as she remembered what was happening. Alexander was also on the dance floor, but he was swaying with Eliza, arms tucked around her as they swayed. He held her against him, but his face seemed wary. As if he were on the look out for danger.

Or Thomas Jefferson, Angelica realised. His head turned slightly in her direction, eyes sharp and steely, proving her suspects more.

"Princess," Thomas said, bringing her attention back to him. "...I want to say thanks."

This came as a surprise to Angelica. She had never heard Thomas Jefferson say thank you to anyone.

"What for?" She asked, puzzled.

"For giving me a second chance."

Her heart melted like candlewax. She smiled at him.

"Well... of course," was all she could think to say. "Of course."

They continued to sway, morphing into one shadow on the dance floor, amongst the surrounding rainbow lights.

Peace and quiet engulfed them.