Do Angels Wear Blue

Author's Note: As requested by quilhan. My attempt at a one shot from Will's perspective. Set during Chapter 33 of "A Smart Match."

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Why am I even here?

The last thing I need is for Brown or Norrington or Elizabeth herself to discover me lurking about the shadows trying to get a glimpse of the party inside. I shall never be able to explain such a thing and Elizabeth will know I'm lying. Straight away. She always does.

Why won't my feet take me home then?

There she is. Stepping from the carriage. Her skirt floats about her like a little bell and her bodice. . . .Sweet Jesu, I'd give the world to trade places with Norrington. To have her little hand on my arm, hear her laughter, know that all her smiles and sweet looks are mine for the taking. If I were braver by far, I'd tell her my true heart. Instead, I am left to breath the words in secret to no one but myself.

We are not children any more, Elizabeth. I should have told you. . .I should have told you every day since the moment we met that. . .I love you.

My mind creates many reactions to such a declaration. It is the vision of Elizabeth laughing and calling me a "silly goose" that halts such words when they wish to escape.

I stand tip toe to peer inside once the music stops. Norrington is, as usual, making an overinflated, pompous speech and the crowd is lapping it up like kittens at an over turned milk canister. Elizabeth's face goes deathly pale as he places something around her neck.

Clapping? Whatever for?

I jump to the shadows when the door swings open, not wishing to be caught.

It is only Elizabeth but she is. . .crying?

"Elizabeth?" I call softly from the shadows.

"I'm not crying!" she exclaims, wiping at her eyes before turning toward the sound of my voice. "I am allergic to the perfume of one of the ladies inside."

"You should know you can't lie to me. What is the matter?"

"Will?" she asks, squinting into the darkness. "You told me you wouldn't come."

I step into the pool of light. "I told you I wouldn't attend the dancing part. I never said I wouldn't come to the building."

"Oh, Will, how glad I am to see you," she says, wiping under her eyes once more and attempting a smile. I shan't tell her her nose has gone red from crying and her face is all splotchy. It shall only make her self-conscious. "If you wouldn't terribly mind," she begins, waving a hand as if that will help the words out. "Could you. . .could you hold me for a time?"

I open my arms wide, nodding and smiling encouragement. "There is nothing in the world I would enjoy more, Elizabeth."

I should have told you every day since the moment we met that I love you.

She steps into my arms and I close my eyes, resting my chin atop her head and imagining – for just a moment – that I braved all to tell her my heart and she answered in kind.