Wine Woods

21. Drunken Fits.

"Michigan Lansing!" he scolded, grabbing the child and picking her up, pulling on her cheek, "Behave! It is not time to act a fool!"

"But mama-" the child whined, wiggling in his grasp, "I want to come with you to the outside world."

"No," Alfred replied, "you are too young, I will not be having you get hurt!"

She pouted, and he placed her down. He swore he heard York giggle and he looked over, but York was behaving as well as he normally was. Jersey was in the saddle of the Electric Sea Dragon, named Eel, with the other two triplets behind her. Hampshire was braiding her hair.

"Dildane, you're in charge!" he called, pushing himself up onto his dragons saddle. Michigan pouted from where she was standing, and Wisconsin ran up, smiling like an idiot and waving.

"Bye-bye mama!" she cried, Confederacy running up to pull her back. Valtio flashed a smile, and his red eyes went up to Alfred. They were the same age now, physically, even though he was younger. Both were seventeen. He was pretty sure Matthew was sixteen or so, still.

Pennsylvania grabbed onto his shirt, Delaware shutting his eyes tight from right next to her. Columbia was behind them, reveling in the coolness brought on by the elevated air.

He flew, Jersey following behind and below him, just above the cloud cover. Pennsylvania was going breathing exercises behind him, her eyes tightly shut. She was turned around in her seat, trying her best not to look down. She was scared of heights, as was, that he knew, Hampshire was.

Hampshire was practically crying, clutched onto her brothers arm. He let out a few jokes about how prissy she was, but Jersey didn't listen, or laugh, or really care. So, he instead chose the second best option, and comforted her.

Delaware was just looking down at the greenery. He liked heights. Alfred was always worried he would jump off.

"Mama?" Pennsylvania asked, obviously trying to distract herself, "when's papa coming home?"

"Eventually," he replied. He really didn't know. He hadn't gotten a letter from him in some time- he hoped he was alright. He still didn't know if Ivan had received his letter of the grievance that was his Capital. Although it was getting rebuilt, it still hurt.

They landed half a mile out, walking the rest of the way into the city. The children played games along the way and Alfred smiled to himself, watching them. They got into town and Alfred gave Delaware some money and told him to be careful and watched as they all ran off. 

He walked into the Post Office and looked around. Nobody was in except for the man at the desk.

"Name, sir?" he asked.

"Alfred F. Jones," was his reply. He put his hands in his pockets and smiled, seeing the three letters that got handed to him, "thank you."

"You're welcome," the man said, going back to doing whatever he was doing. Alfred went through the seals, finding the one from Ivan and breaking the wax, opening it up and playing with it for a second, trying to open it.

He walked outside, his eyes scanning it.

My dearest, dorogoy,

Your latest letter has instilled a great sense of fear into me. You say you're okay but I know better. There were tear stains on your last letter. You cannot trick me that easily.

It will be a long time before this war is over. Every time we believe it ends someone starts it again. It is my duty to my people to be here and see them suffering. Alas, though, I will be attempting to get a pass from my boss to go to the states. I understand my dear children, Michigan and Wisconsin, have never even met me, and it breaks my heart to know I have been gone, from you and them, for so long.

My heart weeps every night, wishing for you to be by my side, and I understand you are going through something horrible. I want to be with you, as I am sure you do.

Your Love, Ivan.

He smiled, kissing the blot of ink that wrote out Ivan's name.

He folded it back up carefully, putting it back in the envelope before he put it back in his bag. He got the second one, seeing his fathers seal on it. How'd he miss this? Damn.

He opened it, pulling out the short note.

Dear Alfred,

The war is continuing. I understand it must be difficult with all the children. I can't be there for some time. I hope you understand.

Your mother is with Russia now, as I'm sure you know, and Norway has just arrived at my home. I will be sending him back to you. He is tired of the squabbles.

Love, Berwald Oxenstierna.

He put it back and away. The last one was from his government. He pursed his lips as he read it.

Greetings, Alfred Jones,

On July 23rd you will be meeting with the personification of Spain, Antonio Carriedo, in St. Augustine, Florida. He will find you in the city center. You will attempt to make peace by any means necessary.

Sincerely, Congress of the United States of Amer-

Jesus, they really wrote it out every time.

He counted the days. Today was the 22nd. He looked at the sky, his mind in a fritz. It was dusk. He would probably be meeting in the morning and be gone for an entire day-

"Mom!" Delaware yelled, and his head snapped up. The boy pushed through the people running up to him. He was holding candy in his hands, "There you are!"

"Where's your siblings?" Alfred asked, looking over him. The five trailed behind him. Columbia was chewing on a licorice stick.

"Right there," Delaware replied, pointing behind him.

"Great, it's time to go home," he said, ignoring their groans and protests, "c'mon, let's go."

When he was finally back home he started writing a list. He would be leaving early in the morning. He gave the list to Dildane.

He slept until three in the morning, and then he started getting ready. He was out of the house at four, after waking Columbia up and telling him to tell his siblings he would be gone for the day.

He arrived at St. Augustine at nine in the morning. The wind had been against him for most of his flight, so now he was in a mostly bad mood. He sat in the city center, knowing that Goldie was far out in the marshes.

"Hola!" Spain said, waving over his head. Alfred plastered a big, fat, fake smile on his face and waved and greeted and did all the things he was told to do. They went around town for a long while, Alfred occasionally pickpocketing items he liked.

Spain was fine company. Extremely joyful, most of the time.

He wished he never walked into that bar. 

Now, he'd seen Antonio drunk before- but never this drunk. He always had Romano there to baby him or get him to stop, but this man did not stop.

Not to mention. He was threatening. Alfred always saw him as a garden variety twink but holy shit that man was strong. Very strong. Stronger than him when he was having an adrenaline rush. Just strong enough to overpower him.

Antonio called him 'Lovino'. He whispered about why he wasn't speaking his true language instead of Spanish, why he was fighting so much.

He'd drunk so much he'd become delusional.

Alfred regretted ever going into that bar.

Nine months later, he read the newest letter from his darling.

My Sweetest, ferret, 

I wish I could be there. I would love to meet your newest child. Is it a boy or a girl? I want to guess girl. 

I love you, little ferret. Don't you ever forget that. Send me what you named her, I'd love to know.

Your Love, Ivan.

Alfred smiled, cradling Florida in his arms, as he started composing his next letter. She whimpered, cuddling closer to him, and he kissed her on the forehead. 

"I love you," he whispered to her, "I love you and don't you forget that."