DC Headcanons 2: Electric Boogaloo

Babysitting Part 3

Florida loaded up the Disney+ and stuck around to watch Frozen with Riley and a reluctant DC, who each time he tried to answer a work email would get his phone smacked by the two-year-old telling him to 'watch da movie'.

One by one the other states started to trickle in, including some of the main five, and even though they roasted DC relentlessly for watching Frozen, they all gathered around together to watch it. DC for his part, let Riley ramble on and on about the movie, talking about Elsa and Anna, and let her rewind Let It Go a few times so she could belt it on the top of her lungs. DC's other boyfriends couldn't help but think he was adorable at the way the movie entranced him, how after the third time Riley made them play Let It Go he was humming along, and how he gave Riley his full attention like she was his daughter, and not New York's drinking buddies daughter.

He didn't get the twist though.

"Alright. So kiss her then." DC muttered confused, watching Hans begin to monologue to a dying Anna.

"Unkle Dee he...."

"No, no let him figure it out." Louisiana whispered, enjoying the impending chaos.

"Dude stop talking and kiss--" DC froze as realization hit him. "You....son of...." California quickly dove down and covered Riley's ears.

"YOU SON OF A BITCH."

"But 'm not tired." Riley whined, snuggled in DC's arms as he led her to one of the bedrooms in the Statehouse.

"Your mommy says you need a nap and you sound very tired." DC pointed out with a soft smile going into California's room. He gently put the toddler into the bed and put a light blanket over her, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

"Story!" Riley begged.

"Oh...oh I don't know many stories." DC muttered looking around the room desperately for something to read Riley. All of California's books were mostly his books that the two traded on and on, and they were too big and wordy for a toddler.

"But I can't sleep without a story!" Riley whined. DC bit his lip then snapped his fingers, realization hitting him.

"Alright, I've got one, my mom used to tell me this." DC announced. Riley clapped her hands and snuggled into bed.

"Once upon a time there was a Little Old Woman who lived in a Shoe. This shoe stood near a great forest, and was so large that it served as a house for the Old Lady and all her children, of which she had so many that she did not know what to do with them...."

"Why did they live in a shoe?" Riley asked.

"Wouldn't you like to live in your shoe?" DC asked.

"I'm too big!" Riley announced making DC laugh.

"But the Little Old Woman was very fond of her children, and they only thought of the best way to please her. Strong-arm, the eldest, cut down trees for firewood. Peter made baskets of wicker-work. Mark was chief gardener. Lizzie milked the cow, and Jenny taught the younger children to read." DC continued.

"MOOOO." Riley called making DC laugh again.

"Now this Little Old Woman had not always lived in a Shoe. She and her family had once dwelt in a nice house covered with ivy, and her husband was a wood-cutter, like Strong-arm. But there lived in a huge castle beyond the forest, a fierce giant, who one day came and laid their house in ruins with his club; after which he carried off the poor wood-cutter to his castle beyond the forest. When the Little Old Woman came home, her house was in ruins and her husband was nowhere to be seen." Riley gasped, and DC briefly wondered if the story was too dark for the little toddler, but with curious eyes that signaled she wanted him to keep going, DC continued on.

"Night came on, and as the father did not return, the Old Lady and her family went to search for him. When they came to that part of the wood where the Giant had met their father, they saw an immense shoe. They spent a long time weeping and calling out for their father, but met with no reply. Then the Old Lady thought that they had better take shelter in the shoe until they could build a new house. So Peter and Strong-arm put a roof to it, and cut a door, and turned it into a dwelling. Here they all lived happily for many years, but the Little Old Lady never forgot her husband and his sad fate. Strong-arm, who saw how wretched his mother often was about it, proposed to the next eleven brothers that they should go with him and set their father free from the Giant. Their mother knew the Giant's strength, and would not hear of the attempt, as she feared they would be killed. But Strong-arm was not afraid. He bought a dozen sharp swords, and Peter made as many strong shields and helmets, as well as crossbows and iron-headed arrows. They were now quite ready; Strong-arm gave the order to march, and they started for the forest. The next day they came in sight of the Giant's Castle. Strong-arm, leaving his brothers in a wood close by, strode boldly up to the entrance, and seized the knocker. The door was opened by a funny little boy with a large head, who kept grinning and laughing."

"It's like Kristoff!" Riley gasped.

"Strong-arm then walked boldly across the court-yard, and presently met a page, who took off his hat and asked him what he wanted. Strong-arm said he had come to liberate his father, who was kept a prisoner by the Giant; on this the little man said he was sorry for him, because the part of the castle in which his father was kept was guarded by a large dragon. Strong-arm, nothing daunted, soon found the monster, who was fast asleep, so he made short work of him by sending his sword right through his heart; at which he jumped up, uttering a loud scream, and made as if he would spring forward and seize Strong-arm; but the good sword had done its work, and the monster fell heavily on the ground, dead." DC smiled at Riley's reaction, as her expression went from fear to pure happiness as the father was freed. According to IDC, this was DC's favorite part of the story as well when their mother told it.

"Then the father and the Little Old Woman and all their children built a new house, and lived happily ever afterwards." DC announced as Riley jumped up.

"MORE!" Riley begged, but DC gently pushed her down.

"You need to nap." DC gently ordered. Riley pouted but soon snuggled under the covers, and faster then you could say 'let it go' was fast asleep. DC stayed behind a little to make sure the toddler fell asleep, before quietly leaving and shutting the door behind him.

"You're....you're really good with her." New York whispered behind him, making DC jump.

"Oh....uh....I'm....they just flock to me for some reason." DC said with a shrug, trying to act like this was no big deal. New York gave a half smile and leaned in to kiss his boyfriend, who accepted the kiss with a small smile.

New York was lying, and knew it wasn't totally possible with the six of them, but he couldn't help but imagine being a family someday. Just the six of them.