A Night in the City of Jazz (America x Reader)

(America x Reader)

"Alfred! Where are we going?" You inquired as Alfred dragged you down the crowded streets of New Orleans. He pushed through large groups of tourists as he completely ignored the rather loud question.

A few minutes later, the sandy blonde suddenly halted in front of a huge store. His abrupt stop caused you to ram into his shoulder, but he wrapped his long arms around you before any harmful contact was made.

"Alright, dude, we are looking for something very special." He finally answered you with a goofy grin on his face. Special? The pair stood in front of an enormous store with several gorgeous dresses, gowns, suits, and tuxedoes on display.

It wasn't too long before he pulled you into the shop. His excitement bubbled over and seemed to be contagious despite the fact you had no idea why you were here. A woman dressed in a dress suit without a single wrinkle approached the American with a polite smile.

"Good morning," she greeted.

"Hey," Alfred greeted with his giant goofy grin spreading wider. "I need you to get this girl a totally awesome dress and myself a suit."

"A-a dress?!" Your shock was ignored as the woman pulled you away from Alfred and to another portion of the store.

This woman pulled several dresses from hangers here and there before handing them to you and leading to the dressing rooms. The woman asked for your size and favorite color before leafing through the gowns lined up her arms. She didn't seem content with any of the choices so she politely requested for you to stay put before speeding to another area.

Several changes and beautiful dresses later, the employee returned for what seemed to be the hundredth time with a genuine wide smile. She ushered you into the dressing room with the neatly folded fabric. You cautiously slipped into it in fear you may tear the expensive article of clothing.

It was absolutely gorgeous! The color, fit, and style were perfect. It was completely different from all the others in a way that was hard to explain. There was something special about the beautiful clothing which presently adorned you.

"Your friend picked it out," the woman spoke up after you, admittedly, admired yourself. It did suit you quite well. "He has very good taste. Even said he would pay for it."

Alfred? He picked this out and wanted to pay for it?!

You quickly changed back into the clothing worn to the store to find Alfred. He was sitting in a chair picking at a loose thread hanging from his graphic t-shirt, but he perked up when you strode towards him.

"Did you pick one out?" He inquired before glancing at your empty hands.

"No they're all so expensive and-"

"I'm paying and you need a dress."

"For what exactly?" You were growing a bit exasperated by all of this. He hasn't told you a lick of information before dragging you to New Orleans and into this formal wear store. Alfred was your best friend, but his immaturity was overwhelming sometimes.

"Just trust me, dude." He shot you that goofy smile before purchasing you the dress he had picked earlier.

The two of you had arrived back in the shared hotel room to prepare for whatever Alfred had planned this evening. Was this a date? Your stomach flipped at the thought.

Of course you had a crush on that stupid idiot, but he was your best friend and sometimes he did act much too childish to be taken seriously. You loved everything from his common attire consisting of superhero graphic t-shirts to this piercing blue eyes and even that stubborn little cowlick that always adorned his perfect figure. Alas, you could never be with him or at least ruin the friendship you two had if you were to confess.

"Are you ready?" Alfred knocked lightly on the bathroom door bringing you back down to Earth.

"O-oh! Yeah." You sighed adjusting the outfit and your hair before stepping out of the small restroom. Alfred was turned away from the door and towards a mirror with a frustrated expression as he tried to smooth out his cowlick.

You giggled slightly until he turned around. He was absolutely dashing in the suit he wore. The vest beneath his coat matched the color of your dress perfectly, but that was not where your concern was at. His familiar t-shirt, denim bottoms and aviator jacket were gone and replaced with the fine fabric of this suit.

He cleaned up so well! He could have been mistaken for a completely different person if that signature smile wasn’t still glued to that adorable face. You could feel your cheeks heat up as the two of you stood there just taking in the others appearance. His face grew a bit red as well the longer he gazed at you.

"Y-you look very handsome, Alfred." You decided to break the awkward silence. You immediately averted your eyes in embarrassment.

"You too," Alfred grinned before catching his mistake causing his face to fall swiftly. "No! I didn't mean that- well I meant you looked good but not handsome you-" Alfred's face couldn't be any redder than it was at that moment. He sighed and took a deep breath.

"____, you look absolutely breathtaking." He finally spoke clearly. Now it was your turn to blush.

The streets were lit up in a soft ember glow reflecting off of the large crowds of people. The two of you decided on walking to the destination to admire the beauty of the city's nightlife.

Every so often there would be people trying to pull you in with kind persuasive words as well as sweet smells from their kitchens. Many of the individuals carried around wine or a bowl of what seemed to be a delicious looking stew. Alfred noticed your gaze and began to wonder when the last time you ate was.

<p<"Do you want some?" He inquired suddenly. You were surprised by the abrupt question.

"What?"

"Gumbo? Do you want some? They'll have plenty where we're going." So that's what it is. Gumbo? You've heard of that before. Louisiana was famous for it, right? You only silently nodded causing the dashing man to pick up his pace.

Only moments later the pair arrived in front of a tall thin building almost hidden between two other buildings which were attached to either side of the place of interest. Soft music could be heard from the outside, but it was hard to make out. Your confusion only grew as Alfred excitedly yanked you straight through the front doors.

Blissful laughter and light small conversations filled your ears, however, the music emitting from the distant stage was what caught your attention. Three men were coated in a white spotlight. Each played a different instrument with such passion. One played a trombone, another played a saxophone, and the last played an array of percussion items.

"Alfred why are we-" When you turned to glance at Alfred, he had disappeared from your side. The crowds of people blocked your view, but you managed to weave through them. Eventually, you managed to find a deserted table off to the side of the room. It had quite a nice view of the stage which had a new member join on it. From the back he kind of looks like-

"Alfred?!" You gasped. That sneaky American was standing alongside the jazz trio holding a shiny trumpet. He whispered something to them with a slight blush before they all began to chuckle and pat his back.

Within a few moments the four started up a quick paced song and couples all around the room began to dance. It was almost like you had been sent back in time to the twenties as you took in the atmosphere. Every man wore a suit and every woman wore a gown which usually had sequins. Some smoked, but everyone drank and danced as if they would die tomorrow.

Alfred was incredibly skilled with the brass instrument he wielded. How had you not known of this? You would think it would hurt for him to have hidden this for so long, but he seemed passionate as he played a few jazz tunes that it was impossible to feel anything but your heart race.

A song or two passed by with what felt like seconds when a few people pulled you from your seat and placed a drink to your palm. They were encouraging you to dance as well as any others who were still seated. You enjoyed the ambiance of the dimly lit room and swayed to the music along with the others as you softly sipped the delicious wine.

Alfred glanced at you and felt his heart leap as his eyes met your own. You grinned encouragingly as another woman handed you a new glass. He finished the final song and removed the mouth piece from the horn as he passed it to an old friend.

Your face was flushed and you felt slightly light headed. Perhaps it was time to stop drinking. Alfred approached you with an extended hand.

"Care to dance?" His cheeks were also flushed, yet he hadn't a single drop of alcohol. You giggled and hugged him nuzzling into his chest.

"You were very good~" You giggled again. He gingerly stroked your hair and swayed holding you protectively in his arms. He wanted to confess his love to you and kiss you with the same passion he had on stage just moments before, but he feared rejection and losing you forever.

"If only you knew what you did to me, ____." He chuckled into your hair. You glanced up at him with a "hmm?", but he just pat your head and kissed your hair.

It felt like the two of you danced for hours which it might have been, but it was late. Alfred led you out of the jazz club and back into the warm summer night air. The city had quieted down, but there was still a bit of noise.

The walk was made with a comfortable silence, but Alfred still wished he could say something. This was so unlike him. He always had something to say.

"Are you okay? You're so quiet." You observed. Was there something on his mind?

"Oh, just spaced out. I'm totally fine, dude." He grinned, but it faltered when you stumbled a bit. He gripped you close to him smashing your face to his chest. You lifted your head and found Alfred's face inches from your own.

The tips of your noses brushed each other’s. Alfred's glasses fogged from breathing so heavily when he noticed your eyelids flutter shut. He followed suit and slowly moved closer until his soft tender lips brushed against your own. He couldn't take it anymore and smashed his lips against you.

Every fiber in you tried to push your body closer to him as you shared the moment the both of you had wished for since you met. Your arms instinctively rose to his neck while your fingers tangled themselves into his now messy blonde locks. You pulled away in need of air when he rested his forehead on your own.

"I love you." He managed between pants. His cheeks grew warm under your loving gaze and matching blush.

"I-I love you too." Alfred lifted you into his arms and carried you bridal style back to the hotel room to finish your night with a perfect night of sleep.

Or perhaps more~