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weirdestbooks · 3 months ago

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A Civil Disagreement Chapter 8

It Begins (Wattpad | Ao3)

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December 20, 1860

Something was wrong. America couldn’t tell what exactly. He had never felt something like this before. But something was wrong. He felt sick and nauseous, a nausea that was growing into pains in his stomach. America was slightly dizzy, and he wasn’t sure why.

Was he sick? But how could he be sick? Sure, there were internal conflicts between his states due to the election, but nothing that would cause him to feel this awful.

Right?

“Pa? Can I talk to you? I have something important to say about a diversion my government has made, and I’d rather you hear it from me first.” America heard South Carolina’s familiar voice ask. America turned to his son and smiled, a smile that quickly dropped when he noticed the nervous, almost fearful expression on his face. Yet even then, there was a kind of resolute determination there.

Was this connected to how awful he was feeling? No, surely it couldn’t be. America couldn’t think of any action South Carolina could take that would hurt America like that. It must be for another reason, then. America would have to ask DC if she knew of anything that could be causing it the next time America saw her.

“Of course, South. What is it?” America asked. South Carolina exhaled a breath, looking slightly guilty as he did so. But then his face changed to one of resolve, and he straightened his back, looking America right in the eye.

“You’ve known for a while now that my people and I have had a problem with Abraham Lincoln's election, right?” he asked. America nodded, unsure of where this was going. Did South Carolina have more complaints to give on the topic? It had only been a few months since the election; it's only logical that he’s not over it yet.

“You have made that very clear, South. Very, very clear.” America said, “What is it this time? What complaint do you have?”

“It’s not a complaint.” South Carolina said. America raised an eyebrow at that before a realization came to him.

“Oh, are you finally accepting that President-Elect Lincoln is the next president?” America asked, smiling at South Carolina.

“It doesn’t seem like he will do that, though,” James said.

“No. No, I’m not. I’m leaving. I…I’m leaving the Union, Dad.” South Carolina said. America stared at him in shock before letting out a nervous laugh.

“Okay, South, there is no need to be this dramatic about threatening to leave again. We’ll work things out like we normally do.” America responded. South Carolina had threatened secession before. It was just a threat. He wasn’t actually serious about this. It was just a threat, a bump in the road that would be solved with some overly complicated political compromise like usual.

“It’s not a threat!” South Carolina insisted, hands curling into fists, crinkling the paper he held.

“You…you can’t actually be serious. South, you can’t leave the Union.” America said, hoping to talk some sense into his son. Leaving the Union wasn’t something that he could do. Why did South Carolina think he could do that?

“Why the hell not? It’s a union I chose to enter, and I have the choice to leave. The Union… it's not… it's not something that I want to be a part of anymore. I know I helped create it, but I can’t stay here when my interests are being ignored in favor of the North and the abolitionists. You won't listen to reason, and you won't help the slave owners. You made an abolitionist president. He’ll destroy the economy if he gets rid of our slaves. And I, for one, am not going to stick around and wait for that to happen.” South Carolina ranted, and America's nausea grew as the state did.

He was actually serious. How could he be serious?

“South…” America said quietly, at a loss for words, as his panic grew. America clamped his lips shut, trying to keep the vomit he could feel welling up from spewing out. That wasn’t something he needed right now. America had to talk South Carolina out of this stupid mistake he was making.

“I’m sorry, Pa. But I just can’t stay here anymore. I…I’m sorry, Pa. But…this is for the best. You’ll see.” South Carolina said, giving America an apologetic smile before he left, returning to his state.

America just stood there in shock. How could this be happening? States had threatened secession before. Hell, basically, all of New England had threatened secession during the War of 1812.

But none of them had actually left. None of them went through with their threats.

But South Carolina just did.

What did this mean? Would America have to fight him, like Britain did with them? Would America be able to find a peaceful solution?

There had to be one. South Carolina was stubborn, but he wasn’t an idiot. Surely, he would see sense. He had to.

America stumbled out of his office, still reeling in shock, walking outside, where he then proceeded to puke in the grass. Was this what it was like for Britain when America declared his independence? Or was it different because he was a colony, not truly a part of his country?

“If more states secede, his physical health will get even worse,” James said, sounding like he was talking to someone else.

“Is it possible that he could be at risk of dying?” Utah asked, sounding worried.

Oh, Britain. If he found out about this America would never hear the end of it. America needed to resolve this, and soon.

Before some other country took advantage of his weakness.

Or before any other states got any idea. If New England’s threats during the War of 1812 taught America anything, it’s that when one state tries to succeed, their region might follow.

————————

January 9, 1861

Not again. This couldn’t be happening again. South Carolina was supposed to be a fluke—just a single event that could be handled diplomatically quickly. It was supposed to be like those other secessions. It wasn’t supposed to be serious, to get bigger than South Carolina, the one state that threatened secession a lot.

Mississippi wasn’t supposed to secede. No other state was supposed to secede.

This wasn’t supposed to be happening.

America’s nausea only continued to grow as a headache began to accompany it. He felt awful and knew if these successions continued, things would only worsen. America was thankful it was only nausea and a mild headache. It hadn’t become painful yet. But knowing his luck and how things were going, it was only a matter of time before he was in pain.

“Ippi, you can’t just secede! There’s a solution we can come to to address your concerns. Seceding will only make things worse.” America pleaded with her.

“I need to secede! It’s the only way to protect and preserve slavery. And slavery is an institution that is vital in our culture and identity, and it’s vital to our economy. You can’t elect a president who plans to destroy our workforce! South was right to leave. That’s why I followed his example.” Mississippi argued back. America groaned, annoyed, stressed, exasperated, and felt so many other emotions he couldn’t describe. The South seemed not to understand anything President-elect Lincoln had ever said about anything. They were making a mountain out of a molehill, and now America had an extreme internal crisis on his hands.

This could end horribly for everyone. They could get invaded by another country during this, they could end up not becoming states anymore, and they could end up going to war with America’s government. America didn’t want that! Why can’t they see the worst-case scenario? Why can’t they see that staying with America is what they need to do? Why don’t they understand they can’t leave and were his states?

“Was the fact that they couldn’t leave ever made clear to them?” New Mexico asked.

“It was never directly stated, but between the Nullification Crisis and Neville’s reaction to South Carolina leaving, I feel like it’s pretty clear that leaving isn’t allowed.” James explained, “And Neville, tread carefully. Now’s not the time to burn bridges more than they already have been burnt.”

“I told South this, and I'll tell you too. It is illegal for you to secede from the Union. It is illegal for you to leave. Stop this, please, before you make things worse for yourself.” America begged.

“I’m not making things worse for myself. I’m making things better. Things will be better if I leave. If you can’t see that, I’ll make you. I will be successful. I will protect slavery from people who want to destroy it. And I’ll protect my fellow Southerners from the damage you want to do to their culture.” Mississippi said, every bit the stubborn girl she had always been.

“Keep your siblings out of this, Ippi,” America said. Mississippi laughed.

“They are already a part of this. You made them a part of this, not me,” she said before leaving, smiling softly at Delaware, who had been watching the fight from the doorway, a nervous fear on his face.

“You should leave too, Delly. Before things get worse for you.” Mississippi told him. The First State shook his head.

“I was the first state to join the Union Maggy. I’ll be the last to leave it.” He said. Mississippi’s smile turned sad, but there was still something in her eyes that didn’t reflect the sadness of her smile. Mississippi didn’t say anything else, though, and just walked out. Delaware sighed, his shoulders dropping as if a heavy load had just been placed on him.

“Things are only going to get worse, aren’t they Da?” He said. America nodded, wishing he could deny that fact.

“Things always get worse before they get better, though, right?” Washington asked.

America didn’t want things to get worse. But he didn’t have control over that.

“Things will get worse, Del. I only hope God will have mercy on us when they do.”

——————

January 10, 1861

Less than a day. That’s how long it took for the next state to leave—less than a day.

This only hurt the most emotionally. Even worse than one of his original states leaving. Mississippi and South Carolina were both biologically America’s children, but Florida, he was adopted. And he wanted to leave.

Was America not a good father to him? America tried to do his best for Florida, respect his boundaries, and understand his abuse. Was that not enough? Or was this like when Florida betrayed him for Britain during America’s War of Independence? Was Florida just someone who could never be trusted, and America was a fool for ever doing so?

“I know you think this is personal, Papí. You always overthink things like that.” Florida said calmly as if he didn’t just give America horrible news, as if he wasn’t betraying America again.

“I…why…Florida, why do you think leaving is the solution? We can come up with a solution if you just stay and work with me. Leaving isn’t the answer. Please back down from this silly endeavor and just work with me. Please. I don’t want to be forced to hurt you.” America said. Florida shook his head.

“I won’t back down, Papí. I made my choice. And I’m sticking with it. You understand my perspective somewhat, don’t you? After all, you did the same thing when you decided to be independent. I'm following in your footsteps. I hope you don’t follow in your Father’s.” Florida said, staring America in the eyes, a confidence in his voice and body that America had never seen in him before.

“He compared him to Britain?” Caleb asked, shock in his voice.

“That’s not going to end well,” James said.

He had grown so much from the scared kid America had taken in, the scared kid America used to teach English back when they were both just British colonies. America couldn’t help but be proud of Florida, even if he was betraying him, even if America did feel like he had failed Florida.

“Britain is not my father, the same way New Spain isn’t yours,” America said, gritting his teeth. America didn’t want to yell at him to make things worse. Maybe if America just tried hard enough, he could convince him to stay.

“Britain might not be your father anymore, but you act like him sometimes. I knew him personally, remember? You are kinder and less manipulative, but you have the same issues with being possessive and always insisting you have to be the best. You might not be the same, but you are certainly similar enough that I would think you'd be even if I didn’t know you were father and son.” Florida said, the words cutting into America. They were personal attacks, in a way.

Florida used to be terrible at speaking English. Now, here he was, emotionally devastating America in English. He really has grown a lot.

Dammit America! Stop being sentimental while you're trying to deal with a severe political situation! America thought angrily to himself. Florida exhaled before switching to Spanish, looking away. He always had an easier time expressing himself in his first language, just like Louisiana did.

“Dad, I love you, but please let this happen. I have made my choice. Please accept that. You fear the worst. I also fear the worst. And if you keep trying to make me and the others stay, something bad will happen. Don't be like Great Britain. Let us go.”

“Stop comparing me to him!” America said, his voice more stern. Florida’s posture straightened, and he looked me in the eyes again.

“Once you stop acting like him, I will,” he said.

And then he was gone.

—————

January 11, 1861

America had once thought South Carolina would be the only one. But now, three days in a row, he’s had a southern state come up to him to tell him they were leaving.

Not that they needed to inform America. He could feel it in his ever-increasing nausea. He could feel it in the headache that pounded against his skull, growing more painful as the days passed and states left. He could feel it in the emptiness in his chest where his connection with that state once was. Every part of him knew when they decided to leave.

It was a terrible feeling. America hated it with all his might. It ate away at him and left him feeling weak and drained, leaning on the others for support.

Alabama was the newest one to leave. America should have expected him, too. He’s the same stubborn brand as the rest of his region. However, America didn’t expect him to have changed his flag so soon. Or for him to gain new animal features from that.

“I want to make thisss quick,” Alabama said, clasping a hand over his mouth as the s came out as a hiss.

“He’s actually a snake now!” Kansas spat out, sounding bitter, sounding so unlike herself. Between these states attempting to leave and the events of Bleeding Kansas, she had become bitter and jaded, directing much of that toward the Slave States.

“The others are not going to let him forget this, will they?” Unorganized Territory asked.

“Rattlesnake?” America stated simply, looking at his scales decorating Alaabama’s face and arms, the forked tongue that peaked out of his mouth, a mouth that was held open, probably to account for the new fangs. Alabama nodded, looking embarrassed.

America didn��t think this was how he planned his betrayal to go.

“I don’t want to talk about it. I’m ju—I…you know why. I am going to leave like my brothers, and Maggy did,” he said, avoiding saying the letters s. Probably because he seemed to be unable to speak the letter normally now, he just hissed it.

Like a snake.

“While snakes have been associated with traitors, the devil, and many other negative things, snakes have also been associated with me, most commonly during my revolution. I know you, and I aren’t on the best terms right now, especially because you think you have the right to leave because you think I want to get rid of slavery. But although your siblings might see the snake as meaning something else, meaning you have taken the appearance of the traitor you are, I don’t see snakes as being negative. It’s just another part of you.” America said, partially to reassure his son and partially in a feeble attempt to show Alabama that America still loved him and that America wanted him to stay.

“It is poetic that the signs of his treasonous nature have become a permanent part of him. No one will ever be able to look at him again without learning that he is untrustworthy.” Nebraska snarled.

“Apologiesss won’t change my mind, Pa. It’sss been made up for a while now. I am leaving. You haven’t ssstoped the othersss yet, ssso I hope that meansss you won't ssstop me. But if you try to, you will have a fight on your handsss, and I don’t think either of usss wantsss that.” Alabama said.

“I've tried to convince President Buchanan to let me take action instead of just sitting in office waiting for President-elect Lincoln to be sworn in as president in March, but with no luck. The only reason no action has been taken, Bama, is because we have a lame-duck president who refuses to act. But as soon as President-elect Lincoln is in office, I will bring you and your siblings back home. So please, stop this foolishness before you get yourself in more trouble than you want to be in.” America said. Alabama looked him in the eyes, and America saw how his eyes were now yellow and slitted, as opposed to the pale green they had been before.

“Florida wasss right. You really are like Britain.”

And with those final, hurtful words, his son left.

—————

January 19, 1861

“So, fourth to enter, fifth to try and leave.” America said to Georgia after she told him about her plans for her attempted secession, “If you were fourth, it would be more ironic.”

“You’re taking this well.” She said. America let out a bitter laugh.

“He is far from taking this well,” James muttered, and America could feel him get closer.

“Don’t act like I can fool you, Gia. You know just as well as I do that this is all an act and that I'm falling apart at the seams. My only comfort is that I haven’t lost any height yet, meaning you aren’t really gone, just pretending to be.” America said. Georgia shook her head, taking a step back.

“I am leaving Pa. Permanently. Nothing you do will change that.”

“You need me, Georgia. You need me to help you, to protect you. You can’t survive on your own. None of you can!” America said, punching the wall as he tried to force down his emotions: the anger, the betrayal, the sadness, the pain. This was diplomacy. No emotion was better than any emotion.

But America couldn’t help but lose control of that skill England hammered into his mind until he could do it without a second thought. America’s children knew exactly how to poke and prod him until his walls came down. They made it so hard to be diplomatic.

“We did so before. I, Florida, and South Carolina have all been independent of you before.”

“But not of others. You were colonies before you were states. Even then, you were under another's protection. You don’t know the first thing about being a country. You don’t know how hard it is. You think you understand because of the political power I’ve given you, but you don’t trust me on that, Georgia. This will only hurt you more.” America explained to her. He knew what it was like to be a colony, convinced they knew how to be a country. America didn’t know how to be a country, not at first, and thinking that he knew how to be a country nearly killed him. Georgia was there. She should know. America almost broke under that stress and pressure.

Georgia would too.

“Unlike you, Dad, I’m not leaving without a proper government. I know how to run things internally, and I’ve watched you enough to get an understanding of how to run things internationally. I have experience, something you lacked when you declared independence. My situation is nothing like yours.” Georgia snarked back.

The fucking audacity of his kids.

“I wonder where they get that audacity from,” Rebecca muttered.

“I'm trying to help you! Things can be fixed if you just stay and work with me. Leaving and ignoring your problems does nothing.”

“I am fixing my problems. This is the only way to fix them. You’ve made it clear you don’t want to listen to me or my concerns. Or the concerns of any slave states. You let the balance of free and slave states vanish and allowed us to be outnumbered. That was our first clue you wouldn’t listen to us anymore. But then you fucking went and allowed an abolitionist to be elected as president. Lincoln will destroy our culture and economy. He wants to get rid of slavery. I’m protecting my interested Dad. Just like you are protecting yours by trying to convince me to stay. You don’t care about me anymore. It’s just a political game now.”

“That's not true! I do care about you, Gia.”

“You have a really funny way of showing it. Just admit the Free States are your favorite! We all know it's true.”

“It’s not Gia.”

“Save your breath, Dad. I'm not blind. Everyone can see it.”

“Gia—”

“Just accept the truth, Dad. It’ll hurt less for everyone that way.” Georgia said before leaving. America shook his head, causing a wave of dizziness to sweep over him.

“It’s not the truth. I love you all. I didn’t vote for Lincoln. Please don’t hurt me for other’s actions.” He muttered.

America wasn’t sure who he was talking to. If it was just himself, to the others, to Georgia. He didn’t know. His head hurt. His soul hurt, his everything hurt. Everything seemed to blur.

“America, you need a break. Let me take care of things for a little bit.” James requested. Biting down a sob, America nodded.

“Let me know if anyone else tries to leave. Get me back.” America practically snared out, surprising himself with his own ferocity.

“Of course,” James said, his voice so comforting. America buried his face in his hands, feeling silent tears begin to fall before he receded back into their mind, letting James take control of the body.

But everything still hurt.

—————

January 26, 1861

“Did you hear that South Carolina changed his flag? Next time you see him that'll be different.” Louisiana said awkwardly.

“Should I go get my alcohol since I’m about to be informed of another betrayal?” America stated, his tone eerily blank. But it took too much effort to summon any emotion other than a dull anger. Louisiana looked surprised at that, her eyes widening.

“How did you—”

“I know that feeling by this point,” America responded. It was easy to tell when someone left. He felt incomplete and broken. He felt empty, like he was being drained of everything, leaving behind an empty shell.

America had never dealt with anything like this before, and it scared him badly. America didn’t know what this would mean for him or any of his states, both loyal and traitors. What would happen if their country turned into an empty shell, a lifeless husk? What would happen then?

“Maybe this will motivate you to listen to your states and not ignore our problems. And show you that electing people who want to destroy our culture is wrong. You can’t possibly think that Lincoln isn’t an abolitionist!” Louisiana insisted. America sighed, used to this same argument from the traitors and the other southern states. Future traitors, most likely. It seemed they were all planning on betrayal. If only Buchanan had let America do something, he could nip those problems in the bud, reminding the states that their autonomy did not make them countries.

“Lincoln has stated multiple times he will not end slavery. He just wants to end its expansion into the new territories. People who hold those beliefs have been elected into Congress before. This isn’t new, so I don’t know why you overreact like this.” America told her, walking over to the small cabinet in his room where he stored his liquor.

Liquor made everything easier to handle. It always had.

“Don’t get too drunk. You still need to project a good image for your people and show them you are strong. Now’s not the time to let your incompetence and foolhardy nature take control.” Rebecca said, surprising America with her somewhat supportive attitude.

“It’s the president Popá! That’s not like congress members. That’s a completely different thing!”

“Yeah, but the president is the executive, not the lawmaker.” Nebraska snapped.

“But he doesn’t make laws, Ana. Congress does. They are the ones who would make a law ending slavery. If that concerns you, you must worry about Congress, not Lincoln. By leaving, you are just removing all influence you have in Congress. You are just making the government less pro-slavery. You are making your problems, not me.” America said, bringing up Nebraska’s point. Louisiana clenched her fists.

“You aren’t listening!” She said.

“I am, and I'm stating facts. If you would just stop this temper tantrum and see the facts, then you wouldn’t want to leave.”

“That…was probably not the best thing to say,” James said, sounding so tired.

“It’s not a temper tantrum! I am furious at you, and for good reason. You are ignoring everyone….I don’t know how to describe how furious and angry I am now, Popá! Not in English, not in French, not in Spanish, and not in any language I know. Your head's so far up your own ass—”

“I could say the same about you!”

“Just because I am your daughter doesn’t mean I have your bullheaded stubbornness. Instead, I seemed to have gotten the ability to use common sense from my biological parents. I can see how things really are. When will you finally see that Popá?” Louisiana yelled before storming out, slamming the door shut with a force that seemed to shake the whole house.

America looked down at his liquor cabinet and sighed before pulling out a bottle of whiskey. His life was one disaster after another. He took the top off the bottle and began drinking immediately.

This was not a situation where he would only drink a little bit.

America just hoped they got Kansas into the Union before the next state left. America needed some good news and something to keep his mind off the stinging pain of betrayal.

Maybe finally being able to hug his daughter would relieve some emotion in his body.

—————

January 29, 1861

Little Kansas. Finally, she was able to become a state.

And she was adorable.

“Dad, you can’t hold her forever,” Maine commented with an amused smile. America held the sleeping state close to him.

“Yes, he will,” James said, sounding so unbelievably fond that it warmed America’s heart. Despite the throbbing pain and the ache of the emptiness inside him, he felt warm and loved.

“I can, and I will,” America said, his voice a whisper, as he didn’t want to wake up his daughter.

“Trust me, Maine, he will. Dad is very attached to his youngest kids.”

“I'm attached to all my kids. Even the ones who are misguided.” America said, thinking back to the states that had betrayed him. America pushed the thought out of his mind, not wanting to focus on them.

“But especially the younger ones. They have you wrapped around their fingers so easily.” Rhode Island said with a small smile as he joined them, eyes focused on his newest sister.

“They do not!” America insisted a little too loudly, causing Kansas to shift in his arms. America looked down, worried he had woken her up. Kansas lifted her head and blinked.

“Papa?” She muttered tiredly. America ran his hand through her hair and smiled.

“Hey, Kan. Sorry I woke you.” America apologized. Kansas smiled, and America felt his smile grow.

“Oh yeah, she definitely doesn't have you wrapped around her finger.” Rhode Island muttered sarcastically, shaking his head in amusement.

“He has you there. You do act like they have you wrapped around their fingers.” James said like he wasn’t just as bad with the younger ones.

Shut up, James. America thought before turning to Rhode Island.

“Rhody?”

“Yeah, Dad?”

“Shut up,” America said. Rhode Island and Maine laughed at that, and America couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face. But the smile quickly faded as another dull stabbing pain from the secessions hit. America’s smile faded. Kansas could make America feel better emotionally, but physically?

Nothing but his states ending their little rebellions would stop that.

America only hoped they could finish that quickly. Kansas has enough blood in her history; if things went wrong, she would have to endure more bloodshed.

And America didn’t want that for her.

The State of Kansas deserved a break. America only hoped he could make sure she got one.

—————

February 1, 1861

“You know why I’m here, don’t you, Pa?” Texas asked his pa as he walked into his pa’s office. Pa put down the bottle he was holding and rubbed at his eyes, his eye bags standing out sharply against his skin.

“I should have expected you to want to leave as well. Are you always planning on trying to leave your parent’s countries? Because this is the second time it’s happened. You have a theme of not liking to be told what to do.” Pa said, his tone bitter and sharp.

“I got that from you,” Texas responded. His people, being Americans themselves, had been inspired by America’s War of Independence.

“If you wanted to be a country, Texas, then you shouldn’t’ve let me annex you. You gave up that right long ago. Besides, the last time you were a country, you nearly collapsed due to internal conflict and debt issues. Do you really think that you can survive again? You need me to help keep you stable. That’s why you joined. If you were going to leave, you shouldn’t have joined me and stayed independent,” Pa said. Texas laughed at that, trying to hide how much the words stung.

“I don’t need anyone. I can do everything on my own.” Texas shot back, “You’re a huge hypocrite, Pa. You claim you are different from the limey, yet you act much like him. If Britain is the villain in your War of Independence, then you're the villain in this. You're acting just like he did. When I joined your country, I thought I would have a family who cared about me and wanted me to have freedom. You are just like Mexico. The both of you are the same!”

“I am not like Britain or Mexico!” Pa argued back.

“Yes, you are! You are both overbearing and over-controlling and think that I should belong to you. But I was my own country! And I'm going to be my own country again. Because now…now I see that joining you was a mistake. You’re right! I should have stayed independent. Dying would have been better than dealing with you,” Texas said, partially regretting the words as he said them. Pa did help him a lot, but…he wasn’t now, and Texas needed to make him see that he was just being unreasonably stubborn.

Texas was so glad he didn’t inherit that trait from Pa.

Pa jerked back like Texas had shot him, his eyes widening. It was obvious Texas’ words cut him deeply. Not that Texas didn’t expect them, too; that was the point. Texas pushed down the little bit of guilt he felt and forced himself to be determined. This was his Pa, yes, but this was politics, and Texas couldn't appear bothered when he’s supposed to be resolute and determined.

Texas didn’t need Pa to convince himself that he had regrets.

Because Texas didn’t, he didn’t regret this at all. All of his people wanted this.

Texas ignored the small part of him that said the opposite.

—————

February 8, 1861

“I can’t be the only one who feels a little bit weird about this, am I?” Louisiana asked.

“No, I feel weird too. It’s weird that we are doing something so big without Dad.” South Carolina said.

“Well, we are independent countries, so if we want to make a confederation between ourselves, we can!” Mississippi said. Alabama nodded in agreement.

“Yesss, we aren’t under Pa’sss control anymore. Maybe it’ll ssseem weird at firssst, like my sssnake partsss, but we’ll get usssed to it. Besssidesss, thisss isss for the bessst. Pa hasss already threatened to ussse violence if he hasss to. Usss working together and becoming a confederation will help usss.” Alabama hissed out. Adjusting to being part snake along with his wings was hard. His voice was stuck at one volume now, a low hiss. It was hard to raise his voice. He had fangs, his tongue had changed, and all of his senses were screwed up.

It was very annoying and stressful. Alabama was grateful for the distraction making a confederation was giving him. It gave him something else to focus on, especially since he was hosting the constitution writing sessions in his country.

Although he and his siblings weren’t doing much writing, even if they were the personifications of countries, they were still treated differently, like kids, even though only some of them looked that way. The confederation wouldn’t be much better, as they would look younger than Alabama and all his siblings.

“Holy ssshit, I will be a father once the Confederate Ssstatess of America isss born,” Alabama said as the sudden realization hit him.

“Oh my god, Bama’s gonna be a Dad,” Georgia said as Florida and Louisiana exchanged money.

“You bet on that?” Mississippi asked, amusement in her voice.

“It was funny,” Louisiana said in her defense.

“It’ll beat you up for that.” Alabama said, “My teeth are very sharp now.”

“Are you threatening to bite me?” Louisiana exclaimed. Alabama shrugged but didn’t give a verbal response. He did try to hide his smile at Louisiana’s reaction to his threat.

“No one is getting bit. We are trying to make a country here.” Florida said.

“You’re next,” Alabama said, pointing to him. “Alssso, you’ve bitten people before. Why can’t I?”

“I’m responsible with my biting. You aren’t.” Florida answered while Louisiana nodded in agreement. As much as Alabama hated to admit it, Florida was right. He didn’t have fangs like Alabama did, and they still hadn’t tested to see if they had venom like an actual rattlesnake did.

Alabama didn’t say that out loud, though. He didn’t want to give Florida the satisfaction. Alabama opened his mouth to comment about Florida’s biting habit before something stopped him. Alabama froze, trying to figure out what that odd feeling was.

“Al?” Georgia asked, concern in her voice. Alabama stood up and began walking towards the door.

“The Confederate Ssstatesss isss here. I…I can feel it.” he said. Was this what Pa felt every time one of them was born? That was weird. This entire thing was strange. Alabama heard a thud from behind him, probably someone’s chair, as he exited the room, following the feeling.

As soon as Alabama left the building, he saw the Confederation. His face was the Bonnie Blue Flag similar to the ones used by Texas and the Republic of West Florida.

Alabama wondered why that was. The Confederate State didn’t have an official flag yet; they were still working on that, and he didn’t have a seal either. This must have been the symbol of their new nation that God decided to give him.

“Hello,” Alabama said, grabbing his attention. The Confederate States of America turned to him and smiled.

“Hello, Father.”

Something about it felt right, and Alabama quickly pulled his son into a hug, squeezing tightly.

“I’m ssso happy to sssee you. You’re going to be a great country!” Alabama said, pulling away, smiling as his siblings began to offer Confederate States their greetings. Confederate States looked very happy.

“I hope to do you proud, Father. To do you all proud.”

“I know you will.”

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