Two Can Keep A Secret

Memory. 2

6 April, 1862

America let out a harsh breath, trying to keep his cool. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he ignored the sounds of chaos around him. Yet, he also couldn't keep the smile off his face.

They had won the battle of Shiloh.

Of course, victory did not come without sacrifice. They'd faced many deaths, thousands even. It had been the bloodiest they'd seen so far.

"Hey pops, what're you doing here all by your lonesome?"

America looked up, eyes meeting the tired ones of Oregon. America wrapped an arm around his son, leaning back in his chair as he sighs.

"Just wallowing in pity, as one does."

Oregon chuckled at his answer, watching his siblings celebrated around them.

"Yeah, I get it. Hey, hopefully this battle just signals that it's all downhill from here?"

Oregon raised an eyebrow in query, and America rolled his eyes. He mentally went over the amount of paperwork and battle plans he'd have to construct with the siege leaders, and sighed.

"We can only hope so, son."

"We can only hope."

-

17 September, 1862

America groaned, clutching his side and desperately trying to look through blood covered lashes. The pain was unbearable, to the point he felt he was unable to move.

But America had to get up, to fight, because his children were out there. His kids, only a few years younger than him in physical age, were fighting in another war.

Just as he had lifted himself from the dirt, another wave of agonising pain overcame him. He could hear the echoing cries of his people as they fell, each and every one.

America collapsed to the ground, blacking out from the pain. He didn't know when he awoke, but it was to panicked shouts above him.

"FATHER! FATHER, CAN YOU HEAR ME?!"

America sluggishly pried his eyes open, blinking the sand out. W. Virginia gripped his shoulders in a tight hold, tears dripping down her face. A line of blood fell from her forehead to Americas brow.

He brought up a weak hand, wiping away the red liquid on her face slowly. America gave a tired smile once he heard her suprised gasp, asking in a whisper of a voice,

"Did we win?"

W. Virginia sobbed, relief evident on her face. She grabbed him in a hug, mindful of injuries for the both of them.

"Yes, father. We won. We made it through."

America gave a happy chuckle, one that broke off into a bloody cough. W. Virginia startled, immediately standing up and calling frantically for a medic.

"I'm sorry you have to see me like this.."

America apologised, a grave look on his face. It was evident he wasn't all there, but he tried to stay awake, if only for his daughter.

"Its war, father. It's to be expected."

W. Virginia bluntly stated, yet not unkindly. Americas expression soured.

'What kind of father am I? To let my kids go to war?'

"Don't beat yourself up about it, father. We would've joined whether you allowed us or not."

America sighed. She had him there. Her pointed expression didn't help either.

"The medics should be arriving soon, you can rest so long."

He sighed deeply in relief, and goes to close his eyes. Not before America placed a hand on her shoulder (when had he dropped it?) and gave her a stern glare.

"Take care of yourself. Don't spend hours worrying over me. I'm the country, I will recover faster. Promise me."

W. Virginia hesitated. He can see it on her face, the way her mouth twitches and her brow scrunches. She'd always been the most like him, in the way their stubbornness almost always clashed.

And, to his dismay, alike him to the point she ignored her health. Always would she put her siblings first, others above her. Never would she put herself first.

"Promise me, West Virginia. Promise me,
Emma."

She startled at the use of her human name, never having heard it in such a serious tone. Despite this, W. Virginia nodded.

America sighed in relief, and finally embraced the black dots edging his vision.

-

There are no victors in war, only survivors.

-

Heyooo everyone! Again, everything I get is off Google, so please feel free to correct me. Happy to see you all again. Also, off topic, but does anyone else get really heavy nosebleeds?? I get them once every week in summer lmao and every few weeks in winter. Which just so happened to be today. Honestly, my nose is such a sensitive little bitch. Anyways, hope you enjoyed, Goeiemorê, middag, aand of nag!