#this hozier song is def in universe clayhoun

[antebellumite]

For the fic title game: Don’t you hear me howling, babe? (Hozier lyrics always seem to be good titles)

Title: Don't you hear me howling, babe? Author: antebellumite Fandom: Political RPF-US 19th C. Rating: M Summary: AU in which the Nullification Crisis blows up in 1831, resulting in, among other things, South Carolina and Georgia both nullifying federal law, military action being sent into these states, a combination of unlikely allies as attempts to stem a revolt kick in, and much more. This story is told through a THEN and NOW format.

The NOW aspect is the main storyline. It takes place in 1838. It features a post-war/currently-occupied Georgia and SC negotiating a rejoining of the Union. This is told through the POV of Henry Clay as he battles post-war reconstruction through the roadblocks of a tired Van Buren administration, a struggling economy, and disgruntled colleagues who aren't willing to compromise (Benton, Webster, Clayton). Along with that, Clay must contend with an ex-Vice President on the run, the ever-present issue of Native American sovereignty, and his own political ambitions. that he's struggling to keep afloat. It's a juggling act, hard for anyone, and especially for Clay. Some of Clay's enemies even suspect that he himself might have played a roll with John C Calhoun's apparent escape...an allegation that might have more merit than the people know.

Spread among the NOW aspect are occasional flashbacks showing the politics, point of divergence, backroom deals, emotions, etc that led up to this point. Some revelations include why Georgia joined up in Nullification, how the Jackson administration actually dealt with the secession in the early years, what happened to the Cherokee and Seminoles as they negotiated with the federal government in order to make the best out of this new situation, what the political situation was like in the Union during the war, how many people died during the war, what's the occupation like now...and perhaps most interestingly for our audience... how did Vice President Calhoun actually escape prison (where he was supposed to be executed) and where is he now?

It's a longfic, probably non-chronological, and yes, hozier makes for amazing titles.