Countryhumans Oneshots

The New Father

Canada and Britain the first time they are alone after Canada becomes a British colony, requested by NewLostIslands. Bonus Scene from The Shot Heard Around the World.

When Quebec arrived at Britain's house, he was quick to be ushered away into an office as Britain's existing colonies led the other newly acquired colonies away to different rooms.

"Britain?" Quebec asked cautiously, unsure of what was happening.

"Remember what I told you before?" Britain asked. Quebec nodded.

"That I was to be the best of your new colonies because I had a lot of British people living within my lands?" Quebec asked nervously, feeling like he was being tested.

"Very good. Well, I want to get into that more. I'm sure you know that we have had to remove people who do not sign an oath of loyalty to my empire. I do not tolerate disobedience, you see. But I know that this land might not all be yours and that in your land and against your will, there are people harboring sentiments of disloyalty to me." Britain said. Quebec frowned.

"I promise I will not be dis—" Quebec began before he was cut off.

"Oh, I'm sure you won't," Britain said, sounding dismissive like he didn't even care what Quebec was trying to say. Quebec didn't like to make trouble, and despite his father's and grandmother's resentment of Britain, Quebec and the other colonies given up were told to be obedient because that was their role in society. Quebec knew many of his fellow former French would have trouble with that, but it was their role, and Quebec would try his best to fulfill that.

Britain reached into his desk and pulled out a piece of paper.

"This is an oath of loyalty. It is a document that you are required to sign. It is a...test of your loyalty, we shall say. It is also the document that, by law, will make you my child," Britain said. Quebec startled at the last part. Britain wanted to replace his father, so soon after he had died?

"But my father just died today, surely—" Quebec began before Britain grabbed him by the throat and slammed him against the wall.

"Is that a declaration of unloyalty?" Britain asked, his voice sounding so kind as Quebec's fingers scratched against Britain's hands, trying to get some air back into his lungs, "Stop being overdramatic. Put your hands down and listen to me."

Britain's voice changed, becoming low and dangerous, and his grip on Quebec tightened. Quebec let out a strangled gasp and dropped his hands to the side, hoping the appeasement would calm Britain's rage and free him.

"Very good, Quebec," Britain said, his voice patronizing and full of false cheer as black spots began appearing in Quebec's vision, the lack of air making him dizzy. "Now, answer me. Was that a sign that you don't want to be loyal to me?"

Quebec shook his head, trying his best to force out a no. The words did not come easily, but eventually, he was able to force out a tiny, whispered no, and Britain released him. Quebec fell to the ground, gasping for air and relaxing as air made its way into his abused lungs.

"I'm sorry, Quebec. I didn't want to do that to you, but like I said, I do not tolerate disloyalty, and it is better to teach the lesson once and make it stick than have to teach it repeatedly. I'm sure you understand," Britain said, putting a gentle hand on Quebec's shoulder before helping the colony stand, leading him to the armchair in the corner of the room. Quebec collapsed into the chair, and Britain patted his shoulder.

"Do you need a minute to catch your breath? We don't have to proceed until you've recovered," Britain said, his voice sounding so painfully kind and understanding compared to the pain of his rage. Quebec knew then that he would have to do everything he could to keep this kindness, everything he could to avoid provoking that rage.

"No...we can continue," Quebec said, the act of speaking making him feel out of breath.

"You don't sound like you're ready. We can wait a bit longer. Don't feel like you have to rush yourself. Your health and safety is my top priority." Britain said. Quebec gave him a confused look.

"But—"

"That was just punishment. It's not common unless you are disloyal or choose to disobey me. As long as you're a good colony, one that listens and obeys, you won't have to deal with any of that again. Unless, of course, one colony is misbehaving so badly that it is better I punish the whole just to ensure no similar ideas come out. But I promise you, Quebec, that that is not something I want or like to do but rather something I do out of necessity and love." Britain said, grabbing Quebec's hand and squeezing it gently.

Quebec nodded, feeling conflicted. On one hand, his grandmother and father had never touched him like that. But on the other, Quebec had been a French colony since birth. Of course, he would not need to prove his loyalty to them in the same way Britain needed him to. Furthermore, Quebec was descended from Britain's worst enemy. It made...it made sense why he would go that far.

"I'm...I apologize for my disobedience," Quebec began as soon as his throat felt better, picking his words carefully to avoid inciting the empire's temper any further. "My...my French father passed away today, and grief clouds my mind. I did not mean to offend you. I just do not want to forsake the man who raised me on the day of his death. I apologize."

Quebec then bowed his head, waiting and willing to accept whatever punishment that would bring him. But he was surprised to hear Britain laugh as a hand was placed on his head.

"I'm not asking you to disown your father. I know his loss will be hard on you. What I'm asking is for you to acknowledge me as your father so my nobility and my leaders can be safely assured that you are a loyal colony and will not betray us for France. They get...somewhat unreasonable when it comes to French things, and I want to ensure that they will not advocate for your death or for you to be dissolved into another colony. This is less of a loyalty thing and more of a way to protect you," Britain explained, putting a gentle hand on Quebec's chin and forcing Quebec to look him in the eyes, "Do you understand?"

Quebec stared into his eyes, looking for any trace of deceit and finding none. Britain was telling the truth. It only served to make Quebec feel like a fool. Britain released his chin, and Quebec slowly dropped his head.

"Yes," Quebec said, feeling better. That...that made sense. Britain's extreme reaction was done out of love and necessity, just like he said. Quebec had just been dramatic and must have caused Britain to panic. Britain did say he was looking forward to having Quebec there the most and that Quebec had the most potential.

"Are you ready to sign it now?" Britain asked. Quebec nodded, standing up.

"I am," he said, trying his best to sound confident. Britain nodded and pointed at the chair at the desk. Quebec quietly sat down in the chair, preparing to look over the oath of loyalty he was about to sign before Britain pushed a pen into his hand.

"Sign," Britain commanded. Quebec opened his mouth, preparing to protest, before shutting it. He didn't need to look it over. It was fine. Britain probably just wanted to get this over with since Quebec had already dragged it on long enough.

With a quick flourish, Quebec signed his name, both his old French one and his new British one, just to be safe. As soon as he finished, Britain took the paper away, placing it on the bookshelf above Quebec's head as Quebec returned the pen.

"See, was that so hard?" Brit—Father asked as he began running a hand through Quebec's hair.

"No," Quebec said, feeling silly for having made such a big fuss about it when he had just planned to profess his loyalty from the beginning.

"No, what?" Father asked.

"No, Father," Quebec said, cheeks turning red in embarrassment. He hated this. He hated being treated like a child. But...better to be treated like a child than to be punished. Father was probably just ensuring that Quebec got the hang of things as quickly as possible.

"Very good. Like I said, you'll be the one to adapt to my household the fastest. You have all the traits of a good colony, Quebec. Once I am done purging your lands of the disloyal, I think you will be in a position where you will never need to be punished again." Father said.

"Really?" Quebec asked, nervous. Father smiled.

"Really."