DC Headcanon's 6: Sparkle Sparkle!

A Difficult Choice

"Well aren't you a fine barrel of apples." West Virginia said with a smile, touching the small baby's fist with his finger. DC yawned and blearly looked up at his cousin, trying so hard not to fall asleep.

"You're gonna make a fine government someday." West Virginia said softly, not glancing up when his cousin approached.

"And she is going to be an amazing government too." Kentucky said with a smile, rocking IDC gently in his arms. West Virginia stood up and faced his cousins, stuffing his hands in his pants.

"You happy cousin?" West Virginia asked.

"Course why wouldn't I be? I've got an amazing husband, beautiful babies....what more would I want?" Kentucky asked.

"Well it's just that..." West Virginia bit his lip. "We were all worried about you for a while there....when Vania...."

"Oh." Kentucky whispered, dropping his eyes. West Virginia instantly felt regret, he knew he pushed too far, and instantly started looking around to save face. His eyes fell on his knapsack, thrown carelessly on the loveseat, and quickly grabbed it.

"Actually that reminds sme." West Virginia announced, opening the bag. He pulled out two toys, a stuffed green bunny and a small doll, and held them out to Kentucky. "I brought these too."

"West. You're already spoiling the babies, they don't need more toys." Kentucky pointed out taking the toys with his free hand.

"They're not mine." West Virginia revealed making Kentucky raise an eyebrow. "They're from Virg--"

"No." Kentucky said, shoving the toys back into West Virginia's chest. "Take it back."

"Ken, he's trying." West Virginia said with a sigh.

"Was he trying when he flipped out on me for leaving?" Kentucky yelled. IDC let out a cry, and Kentucky began jiggling the baby, settling her back to sleep.

"He didn't mean it. He was just hurt." West Virginia pointed out.

"Yeah. Real hurt." Kentucky hissed, gently putting IDC in the crib next to her brother then storming out of the house. West Virginia flinched as the door slammed, looked at the babies to make sure they were still asleep, then followed his cousin. He waited until Kentucky finished lighting his cigarette before approaching him, not wanting to spook his angry older cousin.

"Do you remember....the brooke we played in when we were kids?" West Virginia began. Kentucky didn't respond, just blew smoke out.

"I remember finding this really cool rock at the bottom, and I wanted it so bad that I used a tree to keep me steady so I could grab it. And I still fell in!" West Virginia continued, laughing. He watched his cousin contemplating, the cigarette smoke rising about his head.

"You and Virginia laughed so hard." West Virginia chuckled, shaking his head. "But then you held me so I'd stay steady so I could get the rock. That was one of my favorite memories."

"I know you have happy memories of him, Westie." Kentucky whispered, blowing out more smoke. "But those happy times changed when I left him."

"Just give him a few more years Ken, he'll get over it." West Virginia begged.

"Have you talked to him? About your plan?" Kentucky asked and Virginia immediately shut up. "Didn't think so..."

"Kentucky, just because he hates you doesn't mean he'll hate me for leaving. Maybe if you left him nicely...."

"Nicely? NICELY, right, right." Kentucky snorted, taking the cigarette out of his mouth again. "Was it nice when he just ignored the fact that my sperm donor of a father beat me within an inch of my life everyday? Was it nice when Virginia blocked me from becoming a state for years? Was it nice when he didn't even say shit when VANIA DIED?" West Virginia sighed as Kentucky smashed the cigarette under his heel. He could still hear the shouting, the loud banging of items being thrown around, and Kentucky getting kicked out of the only safe home he'd known to start his newfound state with no help.

"It might be different for me." West Virginia whispered. "I have his name, he might....he might accept me."

"Westie, let me give you some advice." Kentucky whispered, patting his cousin on the shoulder. "Don't trust that man as far as you can throw him." His attention turned back to a small cry coming from the house, and he quickly left his cousin to attend to the twins.

"Did your sister wake you up?" West Virginia heard Kentucky coo and through the window he watched Kentucky pick up DC, cradling him in his arms. West Virginia sighed and stuffed his hands in his pants. Kentucky had to be wrong....right? Virginia loved him; he wouldn't care if he wanted to become a state.

Right?

West Virginia shook the thought out of his head and re-entered the house, watching Kentucky settle DC. The fatherhood role suited his cousin; underneath that tough exterior was a man wanting to give out as much love as he could. He loved his babies, and West Virginia knew he'd do anything for them.

"I should probably go..." West Virginia whispered, noting wanting to break this happy moment.

"No, no stay for dinner. Geo's expecting you too." Kentucky begged.

"But I..."

"Westie, you don't have a choice." Kentucky pointed out, a sly grin on his face and West Virginia sighed. He knew he didn't, if Kentucky couldn't get him to stay Georgia most certainly would. West Virginia didn't say a word, but picked up IDC from her crib, putting her against his shoulder and rubbing her back.

At least it'd be a nice delay before going home to Virginia.