Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Everyone knew something was going on with Texas. It had been for a long, long time. But California was still the only one who understood the truth. After all, Texas had a more than sordid early life, and since the beginning, had not been the simple, gunslinging red cowboy he now presented himself as. And Austin had been there practically the whole time.

But it didn’t matter. Texas was a big guy with a strong personality, he was notorious for how independent he constantly tried to be, and he was around the table action almost as much as Florida was. But California…

California wasn’t a loner by choice, not by a long shot. All he really wanted was for everyone to get along and, well, to have some real and true friends. But no one ever stayed. No matter what he did, no one, no one seemed to care about him. It was… pretty isolating, really. He was trying his best, after all.

The first day he met Austin, he had been quite confused. He was in his room, trying to ignore the perpetual throbbing of his earthquake migraines and watching a new Blockbuster Hollywood movie, which was usually how he spent his Saturdays. He'd invited everyone to watch with him; Florida, Louie, New York, Alaska, he even chanced inviting Maryland. But no one stayed. No one ever stayed.

California nestled himself further in his blankets, freshly washed and dried so his space could feel a little less empty… it was pathetic, really. Having to rely on freshly watched blankets for a sense of security and comfort was something babies did, but he supposed he had something in common with them. He too felt most at peace when he had attention, and he too would probably cry the next time someone he loved left him behind.

In the midst of wallowing in his still perpetual emo hipster phase and the terrible ache of his head, he heard a knock at the door. "Hey, Cali? I heard you're having pretty bad earthquakes, and I was wondering if I could help." California heard the voice on the other side, furrowing his brow. He was willing to forgive the nickname, even if no one used it, because at least this voice was being friendly. On top of that, it sounded… almost familiar. But not quite. 

He opened the door, seeing a familiar red white and blue shirt and cowboy hat- but interestingly, not on the man's head. And in fact, he was smiling. "...Texas?" He asked skeptically, and was met with a sheepish expression.

"Not exactly? I'm Austin. And I've been raising some money for you, to help with the quakes. Take a look!" He then opened his phone, pulling up a relief aid page for California.

California examined the page, honestly in shock. He had thought that the rest of the country didn’t care about what lives his earthquakes claimed. He actually didn’t think anyone cared at all what was happening with him. "Wow… that's, that's really something- you don't know how much this means to me…"

Texas- no, Austin, placed a hand on his back. "Everyone needs a friend sometimes."

That sent California's heart rate through the roof. 

"You- you want to be… friends?"

"I mean, sure! You have great art and coffee too, don't you? And a big problem with poverty you gotta work through." A little bit of the Southern twang still came through in Austin's mostly neutral accent, but it was actually kind of charming. Even if he was insulting California's ability to handle poverty. "Well, me too, so I don't see why we can't be fr-"

Suddenly, he cut himself off, his face returning to an angry scowl as a shaking hand brought his hat to his head again. "Keep quiet, Austin," a much grittier version of that voice said. It took a moment to process the change in posture, everything about his demeanor seeming to have been possessed all of the sudden by something meaner. Ah… so Texas was back. 

Texas looked around, almost immediately realizing where he was, and clearly he was not happy about it. "What the- get away from me, snowflake." He then pushed California away so he was no longer close enough to touch and sprinted out the door.

Cali, meanwhile, sat still, deep in thought. That had really happened, right? He wasn't just imagining it? Did he… could he have a friend? And one who lived inside Texas's body of all things? “Ow…”

He wasn’t sure if he had even intentionally made the sound or not, but it was a nice reminder to him that the earthquake problem hadn’t been fixed yet. Distantly, he heard some sort of commotion in the meeting room and Florida's token laugh. But this time, just for a little while, he didn't feel the need to join them. He would be okay, alone. For now.

Chapter Text

The next day was worse. California had eventually been able to get to sleep, sure, but he felt like hell in the morning. He could blame the migraine, but he knew it wasn’t the true culprit. He couldn’t stop thinking about Texas. About Austin, really. About what this new chance for friendship could mean. What did friends even do? He’d seen Florida and Louie interact plenty, those two communicated almost psychically. They were always either playing pranks or partying, maybe gaming together. California had a Switch, maybe Austin would be interested in playing something with him?

He walked slowly to breakfast, not wanting to get any attention before he knew where everyone was, first. And of course he was keeping his eye out for the brazen cowboy. DC was playing babysitter to Florida as always, and there were no surprises there. The Northeastern states were complaining and shouting at each other, which was also no shift from the norm. But then there was Texas. Texas, for once in his life, was being quiet.

“Tex, you doin’ alright?” Tennessee asked at breakfast, to which Texas nodded immediately with too much enthusiasm.

“Yeah, yeah I’m alright. I just- uh, need to get out to the shootin’ range, relieve some stress, that’s all.”

“Mais, sha, what you need is a drink,” Louisiana cut in. “Can’t have one of my daiquiris, but there’s gotta be something around here for ya.”

“Or you can talk to Colorado if you need something a little more… mellow,” Florida suggested with a stupid grin.

California spoke up despite himself, cutting off both DC and Colorado who had heard and had something to say about that last remark. “Or, maybe rather than getting drunk or high, what you need is just a good mental health check-in!” He suggested, watching Texas’s face morph from discomfort to confusion. It was impulsive, sure, but he stood by it.

“Mental health?” Texas asked skeptically.

“Yeah! I mean, your relationship with your brain could always use some nurturing, you know.”

“What in the hell are you talkin’ about?”

Despite probably just sounding judgmental of California like he usually was, the golden state knew better. That question was loaded. Just like his own statement had been. He had a theory, one that seemed pretty strongly supported by everything going on. Texas had DID. Which meant his body wasn’t his alone… which also meant that California’s dream friend was real, and right in front of him. But naturally, Florida had to get in the way. “California, I think you’re the one that’s high right now.”

“You know what? That’s fine, don’t listen to me.” He got up from his seat, forfeiting his spot at the table once again as he felt Texas’s eyes follow him. They both knew what had happened with Austin. They both knew it would happen again.

—

And, well, that was exactly what happened, once again in the middle of the night in California’s room. This time, he was reading. Because even if he hated being called a nerd constantly, California liked reading. Today, he was reading I Want to Be Where the Normal People Are by Rachel Bloom, because he related strongly to that title and it was written by one of the only people who’d ever expressed any affection towards him and his state.

“Cali, can I come in?” The voice at his door said, and immediately, California chucked his book down and rushed to open the door.

“Austin?” He asked excitedly, the second he saw the other man.

“Yeah, hey friend. It’s me. You didn’t answer, though. Can I come in?”

“Yes! Yes, of course you can come in, please do.” He stepped aside, letting the bigger man in. “Did you… need something? I can show you around Hollywood or Disney or something if you wanted a break.”

Austin shook his head. “No. I don’t want that kind of break, anyway… I just want… I don’t know, for people to be able to get along, for once.” He moved to sit down on California’s bed alongside him.

“Oh… I get that. They make fun of you too, huh? For wanting to help people?” He was met with a near instant nod. “The rest of the country can’t stand me. The worst part is, none of them even have the same reasons, heh…”

“Texas calls me a pansy. And he never lets me talk… In fact I’m only able to talk as long as I am right now, cuz-” suddenly, he cut himself off, his eyes flocking to the side of the room. 

“Cuz what? Does it have something to do with his hat…?”

“Not really. The hat just makes him feel more like himself, I think, so it helps him stay stable. But that’s not why he’s here right now. He just… has a lot going on.”

Well, now, California was curious. Texas always had a lot going on, he was the second biggest state in both population and size. But usually, it didn’t shake him like this. “But then, what’s going on? And how can you help him?”

“It’s more complicated than that, Cali. And I’d rather not focus on him right now.” Somehow, the corners of his eyes were squinted just slightly into the impression of a smile, even though literally speaking, he was frowning. He just looked so… Kind, California supposed was the best word. And he intended to return the kindness in full.

“Oh, oh, yeah, for sure! Okay. Um, so, what can I do, then? For you?”

Before he knew it, Austin chuckled and slid an arm around him, snugly resting it just below California’s shoulder. “You can relax, for one thing. I just need a vacation, and… I guess a cuddle buddy?”

He suddenly felt a warm flow of blood to his cheeks. Cuddle? Someone wanted to… cuddle? With him? Having been touch starved for ages, California couldn’t even begin to resist Austin’s bright smile and the big, warm body he shared with Texas… He couldn’t say no. “Sure… Free hugs, huh?” He said, shifting around so that he could properly lean against the other.

“Free hugs are the best.”

Chapter Text

The loud crash of broken glass on the floor was what finally spooked Texas out of his haze. He looked around, immediately identifying that he was standing in front of his dresser in his bedroom. Upon which there usually stood a large mirror. Technically, there still was now. It was just broken into a multitude of pieces now, some of which were below him, surrounding his feet. Texas’s hat was noticeably missing from his reflection, and his hand…

He rushed to the medicine cabinet in the hall, fishing around for something to clean and bandage his hand with. Luckily, no glass had caught under his skin, but with his blood leaking out the way it was, this was still an emergency. He would worry about his hat later.

“Texas, what in-” Oklahoma had stepped out of his room next door and was staring at his clearly injured hand. “Holy mother of God,” he cursed quietly. “Got any good reason for wrecking your hand up like that?”

Texas just ignored him as he wrapped the wound. If there was one thing he didn’t want to deal with right now, it was Oklahoma.

“Fine, be difficult. I’m gonna go get the CDC,” Oklahoma declared, and then ran off. 

“Don’t you fuckin’-!” Texas was too late to protest, though, as Oklahoma was gone. Great. Now he had to deal with their resident doctor checking on him, when he really, really didn’t want to explain anything, and especially not to that guy.

Still, he had to find his hat. His room didn’t have it anywhere, somehow, so he checked the only other logical place, the meeting room. He had just made it to his usual spot and was about to check under the table when a rather large presence caught him off guard. “Looking for this?” A gruff voice that Texas promptly saw belonged to Alaska. In his hand, he held Texas’s wide brim, structured hat.

“Where the fuck did you come from?” He snapped as he turned around.

“I was here before you came in. But this is yours, right?” He held out the hat, which Texas hesitantly took. 

“...Yes.” He then placed it back on his head, relaxing a little before speaking again. “Where’d ya find this anyway?”

Alaska cocked his head. “Have you been drinking? No shame if you have.”

“No, I ain’t drank shit. Where did you find my hat?” He doubled down.

“Easy there, little buddy. You came in here a half an hour ago and threw it down. You seemed mad, so I took it for safe keeping and let you have the place to yourself.”

“I- I wasn’t-” Texas stumbled over his words. It wasn’t like he was lying, either, that wasn’t him. But he didn’t even know WHO it was, and he had no way to explain that. Plus, Alaska was basically a barrier of ice, so he wouldn’t give a very warm reception to any of Texas’s inner turmoil bullshit.

“Texas? Are you over there?” He heard a much squeakier voice call from the other room. Right, now the CDC was after him.

“Gotta head out,” he announced to Alaska, and then rushed off to go hide somewhere CDC wouldn’t find him. He ended up making it all the way outside, where he slid slowly down the wall, breathing hard.

Maybe you should take a break , a voice in his head said. A voice that pointedly was NOT his own. Not his inner voice, not his conscience. Well… not JUST any of that.

“Stay back,” Texas growled, tilting the brim of his hat over his face. “You done fucked up my mirror and my hand. I ain’t letting you out.”

You’re wrong, I wasn’t the one who did that. I’m here to help you.

“Don’t fuckin’ believe you. You and your liberal snowflake bullshit, you’re out to destroy me-”

That’s not true! If we could just work together, if you could just lay back and let me out there for a little while, we could both make sure we come out of it okay. We both know you need a break, Texas.

Texas let the words wash over him. He had a choice here. How easy would it be to just let go? Let Austin take control for a little while like he wanted to, just not have to live his own life… plus, Texas had failed. He had failed to keep the others back. Maybe Austin would not.

So he sat back, starting to feel the world go fuzzy around him. “I’m gonna stay watchin’,” he warned as at last, he gave up control. In response, he got a simple, soft, “Thank you,” coming from his own mouth.

—

Ah. How good to be out in the world again. Austin stretched out his arms in front of him, smiling all the while as he took off the hat again. Unlike some cities, Austin had respect for Texas’s identity, so he would be sure to put it back away in Texas’s room. 

He crept around the outside of the house a little longer before heading inside. His conversation with CDC was fairly quick and uneventful, as he was usually pretty alright at reassuring people. As soon as they were out of his hair, he refocused. First, on putting the ten-gallon back in its proper place, and then, once he’d finished that, finding the only person around he saw completely eye-to-eye with.

He found the bespectacled bookworm whistling to himself while scrolling through some forum online in the statehouse’s office (after much investigating and apologizing to some probably very confused states who were just minding their own business.) Austin took a moment to look around the room for a second- he’d never been fronting here before. It was most commonly used by DC, but the rest of the States rotated in and out here when they had some serious work to get done. He supposed it was nice-  “Hey friend, what are you working on?” He sat down across from him, seeing California look up, adopt a much more excited expression, and stop everything he was doing.

“Austin! Hey, dude!” Aw. That was cute. He was cute. “I’m actually just looking for information about how to increase access to mental health resources for certain stigmatized disorders,” he explained, and Austin hummed. Right away, he wondered if California’s increased interest in that topic had anything at all to do with him.

Regardless, Austin understood he had some responsibility to hold a position here. “I always wondered about that. I think as the state with the most registered guns in America, Texas as a whole should work on improving resources for that, among other things.”

“Yeah! Yes! I keep on trying to convince him of that, but he won’t listen to me about anything. Like, the fact that 61% of Texan suicides are by firearm. And when you start looking at the percentages of certain at risk groups who have had thoughts of suicide, it starts to make a pretty bleak picture.” Austin nodded, focusing on every word the state said. He really did admire California’s ability to speak on stuff like this.

“I try my best to help the people who live here and I do try to lead by example. Because you’re right, there’s a lot out there to be worried about.” He was leaning forward on his forearms now, looking intently at California and letting him take the lead on the conversation, which clearly he was eager to do. It was like he had never gotten a chance to share his ideas uninterrupted before. Like being listened to was totally new to him. And Austin… well, even as the most vocal of Texas’s cities, he never had a voice to begin with in comparison, so he thought maybe… he could say he related.

“You know, you’re actually nice to me,” California pointed out eventually, tilting his head with a small smile. “Actually, you’re really sweet. I wish you were around more… this place would be a lot better, you know, if you were.”

Austin was preening at every word of appreciation he got. This was all that, right? Sweet, nice, just really… easy. It was easy being around California. It wasn’t clawing for a chance to even share his own news like he spent every second doing inside. 

His smile vanished immediately as he felt the imposing presence of Texas watching over his every move, reminding him that this was his body, not Austin’s. Austin wasn’t a state. Austin wasn’t supposed to be able to speak at all.

“I’m… I’m sorry, Cali, I gotta go,” he told him, cringing at the way California’s excitement fell. 

“What?” But his ability to keep control was already wavering, feeling angry, bold emotions that weren’t his own mix with his very real thoughts and feelings. He was still conscious, still the one driving for just a moment longer... Cali’s face then shifted again, this time to determination. “I’m gonna get you out, buddy, I promise, he can’t keep you down forever.”

Chapter Text

It was a mistake not to keep Austin a secret from everyone else. Because letting him out for one meeting seemed to have given him the impression that he was part of the group, when he was decidedly NOT. “He ain’t available right now,” he hissed at California when he had the audacity to ask for Austin at one of their public meetings. That… was dangerous. What if his cities got powerful enough to permanently shut him out? He was supposed to be the personification of his entire state, so it wasn’t like he didn’t want to listen to them, but the fact was, they WEREN’T him. Texas was still the one meant to be in control, not his cities. Not even his capital.

Austin had at the very least gotten better at communicating with Texas on the inside. He’d made himself pretty clear, he wasn’t content to stand by and stand down. He needed time in the body, or else Texas’s stability was at risk. And so, they had an arrangement. Austin got an hour a week minimum and no more than three. He wasn’t allowed to interact with the other Southern states and should only use his time to convey his own personal news to Gov. He was also strictly forbidden from doing anything in the body that Texas would not approve of.

Well, it turned out trying to control another person living in his own head was easier said than done. Especially when he himself was dissociating more and more these days.

But he wasn’t mad about Austin wanting to be out in the statehouse. He wasn’t even mad that he’d bypassed the rules Texas had put in place. Well, maybe he was a little bit mad about that. But the thing he really couldn’t get past was the fact that Austin kept using his time in the body to hang out with California. Mother fucking California. As if Texas didn’t have enough problems with the guy, now his capital was playing buddy-buddy with him and California was only getting bolder in his assertions that Austin was better. More worthy of a place at the table.

He hated it. Hated seeing the way California lit up whenever Austin would be mentioned or start to front. Hated knowing that Austin was the same way in the other direction. He was not about to just stand by perfectly alright with this… friendship, or allyship or whatever it was. Texas had values to protect, he had a name and pride to protect. The Texas that Austin wanted wasn’t him at all. How could he let himself be stepped over like this? What if someday, he completely lost himself?

That was why when Louisiana and Florida invited him to a party they were apparently hosting, Texas immediately said yes. It was the perfect opportunity for him to show he was just as loud and brave and tough as he had always been, and to force everyone, especially California to recognize that he was still there. He wasn’t going anywhere.

"I'm boutta show everybody here how ta have a good and proper fais do-do," Louisiana had told him. "Everyone's invited, ain't that right, sha?"

Florida let out his weird, rolling chuckle and gave a big thumbs up. "Yup!"

Texas wasn't stupid enough to not be suspicious about what all this was about. Those two, when together, were never up to any good. Hell, anything Florida was involved in was bound to be trouble. But Texas needed a distraction, and nothing they could pull at a party would be worse than the endless joke that was his capital city betraying him to talk to that four-eyed west coast hipster. So he'd go, and he'd drink. After all, alcohol took away inhibitions. It made him feel on top of the world if he played it right, and no matter what it would at least help him stop fretting so much. So walking in, that was his one and only goal.

By the time Texas showed up to the very creatively named "party room," it was already pretty bustling. There weren't very many states on either side who didn't appreciate a good party, so that wasn't surprising. It did make it harder to find the bar though. The difficulty wasn't aided by the fact that one of the midwestern states Texas couldn’t be bothered to tell apart was playing bartender. It was fine, he just needed to drink. “Jack Daniels,” he announced, like he was addressing a person rather than his drink of choice. 

The faceless midwestern state poured him a drink, but he firmly caught the guy’s arm. “Leave the bottle,” he demanded, and then let go, in more ways than one.

Before he knew it, Tennessee had made it through the crowd and was at his side. “Betcha I can out drink ya,” he posited. “Let’s make a game outta this. I bet I can keep more down. Whoever can do more shots without passin’ out or hurlin’, wins."

Texas cocked his head. “Yeah, and what do I get when I win?”

“IF you win, y’mean. You think I got all those drinking songs just for show?”

Texas chuckled. “Everythin’ about you is for show, Nessie.”

As he predicted from that comment, Tennessee was immediately riled up. “All right, well now you’re just askin’ for a-”

“Sorry to interrupt, but did I hear a bet going on?” A third voice asked, and it took less than a glance to see the overly flamboyant head dress belonging to Nevada.

“Tennessee here thinks he can out drink me,” Texas explained, shooting a glare at his friend. 

“Classic Southern duel… All right, this should be interesting. But I think we can make it more interesting. How about this: loser has to spend a day following around the state of the other’s choice.”

Texas clicked his tongue. That would be a rough bet. If Tennessee won, he’d have several options for making Texas miserable. But then again, the lone star state wasn’t about to just let him win. He was Texas, for God’s sake, and he never backed down from a fight. “...Fine. You’re on. Let’s seal this like men,” he declared then, spitting into the palm of his hand. Tennessee nodded right back, returning the gesture and shaking his hand.

Chapter Text

He got into a rhythm fairly quickly. That enticing burn at the back of his throat just kicked Texas’s willpower into gear, and he could only faintly hear everyone who was watching yell and cheer for one or the other of him and his friend. The next symptoms of drunkenness set in one after the other: the world spinning all around him, the people moving slower, the distinct feeling that his body was rotating backward at a very small incline. The blurring of everything he saw and heard, including Nevada still counting aloud the whole time. He stopped for a minute when he knew he was too nauseous to keep going without losing for now, so he just stared hard at the shot glass in his hand until it stopped seeming to move. 

But why did he have such a strong chill washing over him now? He couldn’t tell. There were more people in his space now than just Tennessee and Nevada, he knew that much. There had to be, or else why did he feel so crowde- 

“Alaska,” he slurred out, when he saw that the giant was there next to him again. He always came out of fucking nowhere, that guy.

He couldn’t fully hear Alaska’s response, but he was aware that the other was CLOSE. It was weird. Now he felt practically trapped, and cold. Very cold. He hated it. The one word he could make out clearly was “California.” What about California? Where was he, anyway?

Well, apparently he had said that out loud, because the next thing Alaska said, he heard clear as day. “Oh, don’t worry, he’s here. Wanna piss him off?”

“HE can piss right off,” he responded, fantastic word association and logic on his part. 

Then, he felt his chin be grabbed and turned so that now, he was looking straight into Alaska’s eyes. He didn’t feel cold anymore, not like that. Now the alcohol settled in his stomach mixed with anxiety, alarm, and something else. Something red hot. “I’m not gonna do anything unless you say it’s okay. But I know you’ve been wanting a chance to do something that’s just for you. Am I right, cowboy?”

Texas didn’t fully know what he was doing anymore, but all the signals were there, and he followed them. Quite aggressively, he grabbed Alaska by the back of his neck, and kissed him. 

—

California was all over the place, emotions wise. What just happened? Like seriously, what the hell did he just see? Here he was, standing in the middle of a party, trying his best to be cool and have a fun time, and there in front of him was Texas and Alaska, in the middle of a full on make out session. They were both very obviously drunk, even if Alaska was better at hiding that fact, but still. He was just… in shock. 

Tennessee, who had just been in the middle of a drinking game with Texas, had also abandoned that now to just watch, his face looking exactly how California felt.

But why, why, why did he feel so sick? Was it seeing two guys kiss? Well, no, of course not. California had never had a problem with that, he was an ally. Although, he was more than a little surprised… he’d never expected something like this out of either of them, especially Texas.

That still didn’t explain why he felt the knots in his stomach that he did. He rushed over to where Washington and Oregon were together, hoping they would have something helpful to say. “Are you guys seeing this?!” He asked, ignoring for the time being their mutual annoyed expressions.

“Yeah, it’s a party. And honestly, not really your business,” Washington told him, and California frowned. 

“But it’s- it’s Texas, are you guys not shocked?”

They were about to respond when someone else yelled at him, “Oh boohoo, learn to loosen up you square,” and California bit his lip. So no one cared, then, did they?

That meant this problem was something exclusive to him, and he was obligated to figure it out. So he watched, the two biggest people in the room practically trying to devour each other. And he couldn’t stop staring at Texas. His hat had been knocked off his head, and that was when California’s hand clenched into a fist against his will. He was tipsy in his own right, but he never planned on drinking enough to do anything irrational. 

But he had a full glass in his other hand, and a burning rage building in his chest. He pushed past the others fairly easily and didn’t hesitate for a second before throwing the entirety of his drink on both Alaska and Texas. Alaska barely stirred, just paused for a second, but Texas was a different story.

At the initial impact, he shivered. But then, he slowly turned to California, and then, even slower, reached for his hat with a shaky grip and put it back on. 

He froze, his face deathly pail, and then fully keeled over, throwing up right in front of California.

Chapter Text

“I just think we should talk -”

“There ain’t nothin’ to talk about,” Texas cut off. He may have been pretty incredibly hungover, but could California just shut up for once? It was bad enough he lost the bet and that apparently Tennessee had been infected by whatever chaos bug Florida had, but if he was stuck with California today, he was not going to pay lip service to whatever bullshit he wanted to unpack.

The blue state was pouting now, but he was quiet. Texas wasn’t sure he liked that, either. It was off. “Ain’t you gonna scold me, insist on rehashin’ shit or somethin’?”

California shook his head. “Look, man, I’ve known you long enough to know you’re way too stubborn to get anywhere that way. But when Austin is ready to come out and talk to me, I’ll be here.”

“Austin? Is that all you ever think about?” He asked, getting a bit more irritated. California fully put down whatever he was reading this time, though he did not shift from his position on the couch.

“No, Texas. I think about a lot of things. Human rights, unhoused people, gun control, etcetera. It just so happens that he isn’t too thick to consider engaging that kind of thing. I mean, can you really tell me you don’t care about LGBTQ rights when-”

“Choose your next words carefully,” Texas warned.

“Can you stop interrupting me? I’m just trying to say that clearly you have a lot going on right now, and all things considered, you should try to be a little more open minded.”

Texas crossed his arms, and then moved to sit down across the couch from the other. He had only foggy memories from the night before, where there were any at all, but he had talked to enough people today to know exactly what happened. He’d kissed Alaska. And honestly, that was understating it. But he just kept telling himself he was wasted, it didn’t indicate anything about him… right?

“I was drunk. Everybody does stupid shit when they’re drunk. But if you’re so tolerant, care to explain why you gave me an ice bath outta nowhere?”

“I’m sorry about that.” Texas tilted his head at that answer. He had not expected him to be that up front with admitting fault here. “I- I wasn’t in the right headspace and I had an overblown emotional response, and that wasn’t fair to you, dude. So… yeah.”

He took a second, but eventually Texas gave him a courteous nod. It wasn’t polite not to accept an apology like that, and he liked to consider himself a person with strong morals. “It’s fine. You don’t have to… dwell on it. After all it’d be weak as hell for me hold onto somethin’ petty like that.”

“Well, thank you too, then.” California then just sat there, clearly feeling awkward and anxious.

“Well alright, clearly ya got another thing to say, so just go ahead.”

“...Are you going to talk to Alaska?”
If Texas had been drinking something, he would have spat it out. “Fuck no I ain’t gonna talk to Alaska! That smug bastard can do whatever the hell he wants for all I care. It ain’t like we’re actually friends or none of that.”

“Sure. Texas, that’s… Sure.” Another awkward silence. California was fidgeting with something, looking anywhere but at Texas. He, on the other hand, did not take his eyes off the coward until eventually, California looked up, a distinct sadness present there on his face. “Austin, buddy, if you can hear me right now, I’d really like to see you.”

That made Texas’s stomach crawl. Being looked right in the eye while someone asked for another person, it was, it was… dehumanizing. He didn’t care what reason California had for summoning him out, that shit wouldn’t fly. “What the fuck are you tryna accomplish here, California?” He asked, firm and confident with his delivery.

“I just want to talk to my friend. Is that so hard to understand?”

“What you want is to replace me ,” he responded, his volume now raising slightly. Now, California was no longer avoiding eye contact.

“One of these days you’re going to have to recognize that Austin has just as much of a right to be out here as you do,” he countered. “He’s a person just like you are, and you’re the one trying to silence him.” 

“You don’t know shit about me and my cities,” Texas shot back with. “So why don’t you just shut up?”

“I don’t need to know anything about you to know that he deserves to be here! You’re the one who should shut up, everyone knows Austin is the best thing Texas has to offer!”

Texas couldn’t stand it anymore. California was basically asserting that he deserved to die. So that was why, he rationalized, he deserved the hard punch to the face.

—

California felt the blood start to trickle from the top of his nose, accompanied by the hammering pain in the bridge as he immediately went to cover it, still not fully processing what was happening. But before he knew it, Texas had him pinned, and he couldn’t move at all anymore.

“Listen here, and listen good,” Texas hissed at him. The slightly smaller state nodded, as there wasn’t anything else he could do in this position. “Austin ain’t the one who lives here full time, kay? Austin has no fuckin’ power over me and you meddling ain’t gonna change anything. It’s just gonna get ya in deeper trouble. And besides, if ya don’t like me, ya sure as hell don’t wanna meet the others.” Then, he released his grip and California gasped for air.

“I- Texas, please, you know you have to talk about this with someone, man,” he pleaded.

“I already told ya, there ain’t nothin’ to talk about, understand, Cali?” 

California flinched. All he could remember was Austin’s use of the same name. But still, he didn’t back down. “Austin has just a much of a right to speak as you do. So do any of the other cities if they wanted to come out… in fact I bet if I took that hat off your head you’d be forced to let him out!”

In an impulsive move, California swung for the cowboy hat, which Texas promptly dodged. “The hat don’t control him! I do!”

“No! You don’t! You don’t have total control and that’s the whole reason he can talk to me- us, at all!”

“Will you just shut the fuck up, California?!” Texas shouted, a manic, desperate look in his eyes. And to his credit, California went silent. “I know. I know you and Austin have… somethin’ going on. But I jus’-” he took a step closer, and the golden state crossed his arms over his chest in defense. “You’d rather I was gone forever, huh? You’d rather it just be you an’ him. That my body was his instead. But that ain’t gonna happen.” 

California let the words sink in. Was he right? Was that what he wanted? No, right? Texas was annoying, but he didn’t want him gone… not like that. They were two perfectly opposed forces, the two most populated states, red and blue. California wouldn’t be the same without Texas there, even if Austin was … well. His best friend, his favorite person, and... “You’re wrong,” he told him quietly. “I mean, you’re right, Austin is… special to me, but it’s not like I want you dead.”

He watched Texas’s deep brown eyes turn downward, and then back to him. “...Are you in love with Austin, California?”

Chapter Text

There was a concept inside their inner world known as the front room. Essentially, if the inner world in its entirety was the interior of a train, then the front room would be the crew compartment. A place where the body was controlled from, where one could see and hear everything going on around it. Whoever was controlling the body had to be there, but it was possible to be there without controlling the body.

Austin knew this better than anyone. As capital, he liked to stay close to the front, just in case he was needed and so he could always know what current events Texas had to deal with. Lately, to get him a better shot at having a minute to himself there.

Imagine his surprise, then, sitting like a movie goer in a theater while he watched his host and Cali fight over him, of all things. Wrestling control away from Texas was never easy if he didn’t go willingly, but Austin was certainly trying. He had hit him, California was hurt and not even trying to fight back. That was… he wouldn’t tolerate it.

So he was moving closer, ceasing more and more influence. His and Texas’s emotions and thoughts mixing for one confusing moment. He just needed to see Cali again, needed to help him, save him-

“Are you in love with Austin, California?”

Okay, well, that was interesting. He wondered if it was his own influence there that had caused Texas to ask that… it didn’t matter though, now it was his turn to take over. He literally had to force Texas out of the way, but he pulled it off, blinking a few times and removing the hat in order to show that he was there and California could relax. “You don’t have to answer that, Cali.”

California looked up, relaxed for a moment, and then went back to panicking. “Oh my god, oh my god. How much of that conversation did you hear?”

“I- Well, I’ve been listening since you asked for me. I’m sorry I didn’t step in sooner. I couldn’t get him away fast enough, and now you’re hurt.” Austin moved closer, gently removing Cali’s hand from his face in order to see how badly Texas had gotten him. His nose was swollen, bleeding slightly and had a bruised purple color. “Yikes. I think it might be broken.” He very gently touched the spot to feel the texture.

Cali smiled, wincing through the pain. “Oh, it’s fine, I’ve had worse.”

“Sure, but, just let me take care of it for a second. I actually have a really strong medical program! It’s new, but I’m a fast learner, so… just, hold still, let me take care of this, okay?” California opened his mouth for a moment, but then shut it, nodding. Austin took that as his permission to feel around the bridge, knowing exactly what he was looking for. “Okay, so, good news, it doesn’t feel too bad. How’s your breathing?”

“Uh- Not terrible. It, definitely hurts, but, oh, ow, yeah, um, that spot-” he said as Austing applied a bit of pressure. The city gave him an apologetic look and Cali continued. “The left side is worse. But it’s not too bad to put up with.”

Austin shook his head. “I mean, you can say that, but I’m gonna grab you some ice. And maybe an antibiotic, or a painkiller-”

“Austin, seriously, it’s okay dude. Ice would be great. I don’t need anything else.”

This time, Austin took his word for it.

He walked away after a quick confirmation. It was very important to him that California was alright, and he would do a lot to ensure that. He was aware, at least in some measure, that a part of that was because Cali was the best thing about his life, in his opinion, and that he could consider that remarkably sad. He did have his own identity. One he cherished and protected with a firm wall around anything too personal or risky for him. But it was just… well, the core of his identity, his values or whatever else, was his desire to make the world better. To take care of others. To make them happy.

For the longest time, he felt rather alone in that. The others in his system were not necessarily bad people, Austin didn’t believe anyone was, but… they didn’t get it. Didn’t understand why he spent so much time focusing on improving the lives of minorities or helping people manage funding. That was okay though, he didn’t do it for their approval. He just believed everyone deserved someone to look out for them.

Even if he excluded himself from that. 

He rushed straight to the kitchen and fished around, looking for some kind of ice pack. This was proving to be pretty frustrating, he didn’t know the layout of this place near as well as he wanted to.

Nearby, and quite conveniently, he noticed a couple of the other states who he mentally categorized as Texas’s friends- fellow Southerners, then, sitting together at a table and talking about something Austin couldn’t quite hear. “Hey, guys? Does anyone know where the ice packs are?”

“Ice packs?” One of them responded. “Wouldn’t ya need to look up North for that kinda thing?” The others, besides the one who just spoke, were just staring at him. He didn’t much care for that… 

“I just need to help with some swelling, California hurt his nose.” He was not about to just tell them that Texas had done it himself, he had a bad feeling about how that would go over with these guys. 

“Oh, bless your heart. Just get a plastic bag and fill it up with ice.”

Austin furrowed his brow. “I mean, I’d rather use something a little less disposable, but-”

“Jesus Christ. I forgot Texas’s other personality was such a fuckin’ tree hugger,” One of them mumbled, shaking his head.

“He’s worse than that. He’s a goddamn liberal hippie traitor.”

Ouch. Austin no longer felt safe. And, he didn’t feel like pressing that issue any further, so he just grabbed a bag and filled it with ice. “Well, bye friends, it was nice talking to you,” he told them, because Austin was nothing if not gracious.

“We’re not yer damn friends!” One of them shouted at him while he walked away. That was okay, too… he didn’t need them.

California was right where he left him, laying back on the couch and watching the TV, and had plugged his nose with a tissue now. “Hey Cali. I got ya a present,” Austin announced, holding up the bag of ice before handing it over.

“I love it. Thank you, you seriously didn’t have to go out of your way like that.”

“I did, though. And it wasn’t out of my way. It was my fault you got hurt.”

California vehemently shook his head, evidently regretting that as he tensed up in pain literally the next second. “It was NOT your fault, and don’t you dare even suggest that. Besides, like I said, I’m totally chill.” He used the DIY ice pack, holding it to his nose and relaxing as he numbed.

“Well, maybe now you are,” Austin joked, nodding his head towards the ice.

“Ha, ha. You’re hilarious,” Cali deadpanned, but gave him a real, soft grin anyway. 

“I’m glad you think so. I met some of the others in the kitchen, I don’t think they’d be big fans of my sense of humor.”

“Oh, really? Northeast or South?”

“South.”

“Ah. Yeah, they have an odd definition of what they think is funny…” California had the slightest hint of sadness in his otherwise contented expression, and Austin was just short of confused by it. 

“They’re not very nice, are they?” He was speaking quieter than usual now. Look, he lived inside Texas, of course he knew the South wasn’t “nice” by conventional measures. But he maybe had some irrational hope that they could be people long enough to help him find something as simple as an ice pack.

“Yeah. I don’t think anyone around here really knows the meaning of the word, honestly.”

Austin watched his face for a moment. California was stuck talking to everyone here non-stop, Austin had seen it himself. “I’m sorry,” he said then, sighing.

“Sorry? What for this time?”

“I… Well, for not being a very good friend.”

“Austin! Are you INSANE? …I shouldn’t use that word. But seriously, I don’t know what you’re talking about, okay? You are so… just, endlessly kind to me. If anything, I’ve been kind of a shitty friend, I feel like I haven’t done nearly enough to help you.”

“You help me just by being there, Cali. I know it doesn’t seem like it but your support, your attention, everything. It’s kind of worth a lot. I used to kind of avoid coming to the front because I figured no one would listen. That it was making a bigger deal about things than they were worth. You, though, you’re never afraid to say what you believe, no matter what it costs… That’s why I’m sorry. That I haven’t been strong enough to stand by you or convince Texas to budge a little.”

“You’re too hard on yourself, man… I never blamed you for any of that. Have you ever thought that maybe it’s okay to just take care of what you need for a little?” 

Austin chuckled, moving a little closer on the couch. “I don’t really exist for me, Cali. I know that’s hard to understand, but I’m not like-”

“I’m gonna stop you right there, because you’re crazy. You have literally the most beautiful heart of anyone I’ve ever met. And you are so, so deserving of whatever the hell you want. If that’s to go out and start a protest, great! If that’s a voice at the table, that’s amazing. Even if it’s to just sit in the statehouse couch and eat potato chips, you fucking deserve it, and I won’t let you say anything to the contrary.”

As he spoke, California had taken his hand, enveloping it in both of his own like he was pleading with him. His eyes were so big, shining with a really distinct brightness that told Austin that he meant every single word of that. Austin was just about ready to explode. But he wouldn’t. “Well… right now, I think I just want to sit here with you.”

It was kind of adorable how visibly Cali flushed at that. “Uh- yeah, me… me too. I’d like that.”

Chapter Text

He kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. He had put on a movie and was now… cuddling, with Austin. He kept waiting for that sudden snap, that turn around where Texas would inevitably push him off. His muscles stayed tense constantly at the thought, because in the event that Texas did wake up and see him like this, practically his full weight resting against the other. Whether he would stop to process the sight of his own arm around California’s shoulder first, or react on impulse alone and maybe hit him again…

But that wasn’t what happened. In fact, Austin was both completely relaxed and totally absorbed in the action movie California had put on, which he actually found pretty charming. Oh God, he wanted to squeeze the life out of him and never let go again, because for once, if it seemed like someone wanted to stay… he wanted to keep him here. The worst part was that even physically stopping him from leaving wouldn’t keep Austin here. Texas would be back, and who knew how many more times he would let Austin out?

In a way, that thought only made him squeeze tighter, even if unintentionally. 

“You okay, Cali?” Austin asked eventually, shifting in his hold. 

“Huh? Oh. Yeah. Just thinking a lot…”

Maybe if he could keep hold of Austin, he could protect the people of Texas by proxy…? Oh, who was he kidding, he was just lonely . Not even just that, but he was so, so desperate for Austin to stay. For them to be able to relax, play games together, talk about new policies, go to movie premieres and theme park openings, watch the actual sunset on Sunset Boulevard. 

He heard Austin humming then, and focused on the sound. It took almost no time for him to recognize Texas’s state song. “Really?” He asked teasingly as Austin started to softly sing.

“...Deep in the heart of Texas,” Austin sang, and then smiled at California’s question. “What? I am the heart of Texas.”

“I mean, I guess that’s true, huh.” He thought to himself for a second longer, seeing that the movie was almost at its end. “Hey, do you know how to teleport? I mean, all of us states can do it when we need to move from here to back home, but I didn’t know if that power transferred.”

“It did, and I do. Why?”

“Well, I was wondering, if, you know, maybe you’d let me show you around my home land. The place I embody and represent… maybe I could even get you into Disneyland.”

“Yes. Not just Disneyland, though, all of it. I already know California is beautiful.” He said it so nonchalantly, but his wording… well, if California didn’t know better, he would think that was flirting. 

He did not know better.

And he wasn’t sure if he was quite ready to unravel what all this meant in combination yet. Why did it have to mean anything? “Haa– I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he practically squawked. 

“Oh really? I had a bad feeling already, Cali, but now I’m sure. I’m going to have to be the one that actually gets you to see yourself, huh? So, yeah. I’d love to go home with you.”

It suddenly struck him just how essential that particular wording was. It was “I’d love to,” not, “I will,” because of… well, the giant red elephant always present in the room. But he already knew he had a horrible habit of killing moods, so… “Awesome, dude, you’re gonna love it. I’ll even try to get us there when I’m not on fire,” he half joked.

“You don’t need to worry about that, I can handle heat, believe it or not.”

“I know, but it kind of ruins the vibe,” he complained. “And just trust me, I know myself.”

Austin nodded with an expression of pensivity as he seemed to process that statement one word at a time. “You do. It’s one of the things I love about you actually, I really admire that kind of… stability, in your own identity.”

“I-” he needed a second for that one. It made him feel bad. Just kind of queasy. He knew the feeling well: guilt. “We should have some kind of a code. Some way to communicate that you’re around and present, just to me, something that won’t upset him .”

“Them, but yeah, I’m in support of that. Ooh, I know! Longhorns.”

“...What?”

“Longhorns! You know, UT Austin’s mascot, hook ‘em horns?” He held up his hand with his middle and ring finger down in what California would usually think of as a rocker symbol. Austin, detecting his confusion, continued to explain. “Come on, I expected better from you, my longhorns are iconic! I have the most baseball championships of any college, ever , and we have fifteen national championships for football.”

California knew some about sports, all of the states did, but he was a little embarrassed that he didn’t know more in this case. The one subject he chose not to over research, and this was the karma he got. “I’ll definitely have to watch some of your games, then. But how do we make that a symbol?”

“Easy, it’s all about the hand signal,” he said, doing it again for demonstration. “Or the emoji over text. Wait, does Texas have your number?”

“He does… he mostly uses it to brag whenever something good for the Republican party happens, though.”

Austin smiled. “Yeah, that sounds like Texas… but tell you what, you see the hand sign, you know I’m present and you’re good to talk to me. It makes things a lot simpler. Plus, I don’t hate a good cowboy hat.”

California shook his head with a smile. “I keep forgetting you’re still a southerner. But I like that… Okay, I’ll make sure to remember. I’m pretty sure I would know it’s you right away anyway, though.”

Chapter Text

“Hey, Texas.”

He had barely cracked the door when he heard the greeting, so he had to take a moment to stir in confusion. “...How’d ya know it was me?”

“Not very many people come up here, and you have heavy foot fall.” Alaska looked up from his computer and nodded down to Texas’s boots.

“Oh.” Texas hummed, that made more sense than he was willing to admit.

“Did you need something?” The larger state asked him, and he hesitated. Did he really want to be having this conversation…? He supposed he had to. Oh well.

He gave it a few more moments of pause before responding. "I think we oughta talk."

"Oh? Do tell," Alaska said, seeming bored as ever.

"You still haven't invited me in," Texas pointed out, still standing awkwardly in the doorframe.

"I know."

Damn. Conversation was nearly impossible with this guy. He just didn't budge. So, Texas made up his mind that he'd have to be a little more direct. Maybe it would be awkward for him, but if it was the only way to get through to Alaska, so be it. 

"You kissed me."

"Actually, cowboy, you kissed me. I'm not surprised you don't remember, though. Did you have a point to make?"

“I don’t care how it went down, you started it... What in the hell made you think I was… like that?”

“Like what? Gay? Into men?” Alaska said, still laser focused on his screen.

“...Yeah. I don’t think I… look, like that. So why?”

“If that’s what you’re worried about, no. You don’t ‘look gay.’ I was drunk and bored. Figured I’d give it a shot.” He shrugged, but Texas was not nearly so relaxed. 

“Well- but- I-” His mind was spiraling. What was he even trying to say? What was he hoping Alaska’s answer would be? That he did seem gay? Would that make it better? Maybe. Because then he’d have an explanation or something to fight against. Right now, even if he wanted to suppress emotions, he had no idea where to start. California certainly seemed to think he was that way, and he had kissed a man. But had he ever been attracted to men before? No, right? 

…But Austin was. He made no secret of it either, and a long time ago Texas had given up on trying to control that part of him as long as he kept it to himself. Now that he thought about it, though, didn’t that mean that there was a part of him that was attracted to men? Austin shared his body, and some things about that were a physical response. With his suspicions about California and Austin, he knew his capital had at least some queer feelings for the other state, but then…

He felt like throwing up. Austin having those kinds of feelings for California of all people was a nightmare. What if he escalated it, somehow? What if they kissed, or worse? That would still be Texas’s body. The thought just made his skin crawl.

“You don’t look too good. Have a seat.” Well, at least now, going inside wasn’t trespassing anymore. Texas found his way to a comfortable looking arm chair and sat down, shivering.

“It’s cold as hell with the furnace out in here,” he mumbled, to which he heard a distinct, uncontrolled half blurted laugh from Alaska.

“Okay, buddy, whatever you say. Anyway, why’d it take you so long to reach out to little old me?” 

He knew Alaska was intentionally pushing his buttons at this point. Even still, he had no time for their usual dynamic. “You know Austin, right?”

“I mean, not really. But I’ve heard of him.”

“Well, he’s fixin’ to ruin me.”

“He’s a democrat, right?” Texas was able to find a bit of comfort at least in the small amount of disdain Alaska had on that word. Democrat. California had a point that those with more land tended to be more red. It at least made Alaska somewhat tolerable.

“That’s puttin’ it lightly. If he had it his way, he’d turn me blue an’ then run off and get gay married in my body.”

“Ah, so that’s what this is about.” Alaska said, his smirk now returning to its rightful place. “You’re scared people will start to see you as gay.”

“I ain’t scared of nothin’!” He retorted immediately, but found himself backpedaling as the words set in. “I mean- well, I’m not gay. What happened with you was a fluke, alright? I can’t let Austin run around doin’ that kinda sin, but he’s gettin’ more powerful, and a hell of a lot gutsier.”

“Look, Texas, I get it. You want to protect yourself. We both know that’s a right you should be allowed to have. How easy is it for you to communicate with Austin, though?”
“...Not very. He listens in on a lotta the shit I say and sometimes I can hear him, but… it doesn’t go the other way, very much.”

“Well that’s a problem, isn’t it? I don’t think you’ll be able to hold onto very much control if you can’t even reach the person trying to take it. But okay, if you can’t talk to him, you need outside influence. If you can communicate through someone else you both know well, you might be able to get somewhere.”

…

Texas got up from his seat and walked out into the hall. Alaska didn’t question it, thank heavens above. He just kept telling himself that there had to be another answer, a way to force Austin to stay in and stay quiet. But even trying to do that would probably just make the city more determined, less respectful of what he wanted. If his stomach hurt, it was because of how much pride he had to swallow to even consider this. But every solution was a dead end. Every solution but one.

Chapter Text

Austin was hovering, like he always did. Hovering, watching, reacting internally. Thinking. He hadn’t been present for everything Texas talked about, but he knew that now he was seeking out California, to talk to him about Austin. That was odd, and quite honestly, terrifying.

Like most people, Austin would have liked to be able to say he didn’t care what other people thought. He would have liked to say that, but if he did, he would have been lying. He cared, a lot. He wanted to be the best person he could and improve the lives of his people and others. Especially others. 

But people pleasing and moral compass aside, he cared what California thought. He’d talked to the others before- they all had their good in them, but none of them was quite so striking. Or creative. Opinionated and thoughtful. Somehow simultaneously extremely intelligent and extremely warm and fun. Strong willed, but so, so kind.

Yeah, okay, he had a bit of a crush. But was that wrong? He didn’t mean any harm to Texas and would swear it up and down. He just wanted Cali. To be close to him, talk to him, be recognized by him, whatever.  

Couldn’t he have just this one part of his life that Texas couldn’t touch?

“Are you feeling okay?” California asked.

Texas blinked. Texas. He could hear Austin thinking, but he still had control. “Yeah, I’m doin’ just fine,” he lied, his head foggy and everything out of focus. “Um.”

“Um? Here, hold on.” California rushed back into his room and brought a chair closer to the door. “Unlike some people, I actually like keeping my borders open.” 

Texas rolled his eyes and walked in to sit down.

"So… why are you- you know what, actually, do you want something to drink? You like sweet tea, right?" He was fumbling all over himself. It was actually pretty charming.

"Cali," Austin said with a smile, and Texas blinked profusely. "Uh, yeah, sweet tea, that, that sounds good." 

"...Okay, coming right up."

They watched him rush to the back of his room, brewing some regular tea and then adding a couple spoonfuls of sugar. It was insulting, really. "Here, let me help you out with that," they said, and then joined him. This was knowledge everyone should have, after all, lest they be disrespecting the South. 

"You gotta keep the water hot. The ratio is ¾ cups a' sugar for two packets of tea. Before you take out the tea bag, squeeze all the goodness outta there." It was Texas speaking, and his thoughts guiding his words. But Austin's presence pervaded all the while, his more gentle tone and body language, the openness to California, perfect proof of that. "Then when it's done, you add a slice of lemon. You got lemons in here?"

"Umm, maybe, let me check." Cali looked around, soon finding a lemon and tossing it over. Texas took it and carefully cut several slices while California poured the tea into a couple of glasses that Texas could add them to. 

Texas took a sip, nodding with a satisfied grin. "See, now that's real sweet tea, sweetheart." 

It still sounded like Texas, but that bit of flirty wordplay was so authentically Austin. 

Cali was blushing anyway. Very flustered, confused and stuttering. "So-" his voice cracked a little, and he shut up. 

They raised an eyebrow and waited patiently for California to continue. They could practically see the gears turning in his brain as he watched Texas, or Austin, of both, fiddle with their hands.

"You're both here, aren't you?" He asked then, and of course, he was right.

—

He wasn't pushing it because he really didn't want to be rude or cause any internal distress. Still, California couldn't help wondering why both Texas and Austin seemed to be occupying the body in front of him at once. Usually, one would yield for the other, but that wasn't happening now. Which meant they both had a reason for stubbornly clinging onto consciousness. 

That meant it was up to him. "So, Texas, obviously you came here because you wanted to talk about something. What's going on? And then I want to hear from Austin." He hoped that by clearly addressing Texas and telling Austin to talk to him afterward, he would help them get a clearer decision between their minds. Sure enough, Texas nodded, and was silent for a few moments as he settled down.

He took a sip of his tea, and let his shoulders fall. "Alright. I'm stable."

California did nothing, just nodded, an almost imperceptible motion.

"I'll get straight to the point. What are your intentions with my capital?" 

"What?!" He would give him points for getting straight to the point like he said he would, but Texas straight up sounded like a disapproving father. Intentions? He didn't have any intentions! 

"Your intentions. With this little relationship of yours."

"I'm not in a relationship with Austin," California protested, almost on autopilot. But somehow, that also upset Texas.

"Well why not?! He ain't good enough for ya? You like him, don't ya, so why're you so fuckin' ashamed?!"

"Wait, I'm-"

"Well he likes you, so what the hell do ya think you're doin' to him?!"

"Hold on, are you mad at me for not being in a relationship with Austin?"

"Absolutely not. But you're fuckin' with his feelings, and if you mess with him, you mess with me. And you don't mess with Texas."

If California had been expecting anything from an interaction when Texas showed up, it was not this. Being accused of leading Austin on, stretching things out, playing with his feelings. It sucked. Because what was he supposed to say? He had been keeping his distance. Why? Because Austin was important to him, sure, but having feelings for him…?

"Okay, and if I did admit to being interested in him… what would you say then?"

“Well, then… then I’d say we need to talk about that,” Texas said, his demeanor changing suddenly. “I ain’t stupid. I know that’s not somethin’ I can change. But the fact is he lives here,” he tapped his own head, “and anything he does and anything that happens to him is just as much my business.”

…He hadn’t thought about it like that. It was Texas’s body. “...So, bodily autonomy, huh? You don’t want to be forced to play host to someone else using your body and potentially undermining your wellbeing?”

He saw the redness overtake Texas’s face as he saw exactly what California was referring to. “Well, no, that’s…. This is different. I don’t wanna kill Austin.”

California had to make the decision to drop it right then and there, or else this would turn into a completely unrelated argument. “That’s good, I guess… if you have questions, you can ask them.”

“I’ll put it nice and simple. Do you want him, or not?”

Now totally backed into a corner, California was doing nothing but blinking, a distinct feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach. 

“Well?!”

“...Yes, okay, yes, I do.” And there it was. The first out loud acknowledgement. He felt like crying.

“Alright then, jus’...” Texas took a breath, clearly trying to calm his shaking nerves. “If you’re ever gonna actually do somethin’ about it… tell me. That’s it. And if I ain’t cool with it, I won’t let it happen. Tryna be hospitable, and I know he’ll never leave me alone.”

That was shockingly mature. California knew Texas had it in him, but now? Granted, he was saying he needed to know in advance if they wanted to do anything remotely romantic, but that was fine. California believed in clear, ongoing consent. He was pretty thankful, all things considered. “I can do that.”

Texas nodded, clearing his throat and avoiding eye contact. California fiddled with his glasses. It was beyond awkward, but it was essential. Like both had just forcibly broken down a wall they had put up in their own brain, and now they had to deal with the rubble of the aftermath. 

Chapter Text

This is how I imagine these two, and I wanted to give a visual to my story, so here you go :)

Chapter Text

It was his turn. Despite that, he was in no rush. No rush to speak, anyway. Austin was okay like this, just looking at California, for a moment not even letting him know it was him there. He wasn’t sure he could even summon words to speak if he wanted to. Texas had willingly given him the figurative mic, and he was doing nothing with it.

But… Cali didn’t seem upset. Austin had to remind himself that even if he felt very strongly about comforting him, communicating clearly and everything, Cali didn’t expect anything from him. Holding up his hand in a longhorn gesture and smiling how he was now, that was enough. Enough to earn a smile back from his person.

“Welcome back, A.”

Austin was confused for a second before he realized that was supposed to be a nickname. So, Cali wanted to level the playing field and call him something informal, too, huh? Well, they could do better. “A? Is that the best you can do?” He teased.

“I don’t know, man. I gotta call you something, right? I mean just saying ‘Austin’ every time is just so…”

“Yeah, I get it. I would say call me Aussie, but that makes me sound like Australia and that’s not really the legacy I want to leave.”

At that comment, Cali snapped and lit up. “Oh! Then, how about Ozzie? Or just Oz? It sounds similar, and… I think it’s cute.”

“It makes me sound like a wizard,” Austin replied, grinning. “It’s perfect.”

“Yeah?” 

“Yeah.”

California lit up even brighter, if possible. He had the prettiest smile, it was really a shame he didn’t get to show it off more. It could probably melt anyone’s heart.

“Great, um, and, we should probably talk about Texas.” He was still smiling, which Austin supposed he should consider a good sign.

“What did he say?”

“He said yes!”

“Yes?”

“Sorry, that probably made no sense. Do you want- let’s go for a walk actually, yeah?”

Austin cocked his head, but then just chuckled and got up. “Sure, I’ll walk with you.”

California looked up at him with those same, oddly wide eyes. Maybe it was just the glasses that had that effect, but when he was curious or excited, he looked almost puppyish. “You’re tall,” he noted.

“We are, but shouldn’t you already know that by now?”

“Sure, but I mean, I’m usually sitting down when I talk to Texas and I’m not usually… this close to him.” As if unaware of the correlation between his words and his actions, he had leaned forward ever so slightly, face to face with Austin as he tucked a strand of golden hair behind his own ear.

“Not for nothin’, Cali, but you aren’t small either.” He playfully brought up a finger, booping Cali’s nose as the other blinked rapidly in reaction.

“Oh wow. Do not tell Texas I was staring.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it. Besides, if you think I’m handsome, you really should just say so.” He smiled, still quite enjoying the way Cali blushed every time. 

“Handsome? ” Cali practically squeaked, his voice cracking again as he cleared his throat. “I-I mean, I do- But, Texas-”

“Won’t know, unless you tell him yourself.” He thought for a second about how exactly that news would go over. Would Texas get an ego boost from it? Probably. Would he be disgusted? Quite possibly. More likely, though, he would feel threatened. Like someone was somehow intending to screw him over. “On second thought, maybe not the best idea. But don’t worry, ‘kay? He’s not the one here right now. I am.” 

The two men walked for a short while now, just along the outer edges of the property. There were a couple of vehicles out on the street since Alaska’s residence in the garage meant they had to find somewhere else to put them. The rule here was that only those states with twenty or more electoral votes could have a vehicle of their own at the house full time, and so, there were seven, with the inclusion of Gov’s armored limo. Truth be told, all six state cars told some pretty interesting stories about their owners, but Austin of course had only ever been in Texas’s deep red pickup. It was kept nearer the back of the house though, on the makeshift dirt road with plenty of room to itself. 

“That one,” he said, pointing to a sleek, lavender electric model. “That’s yours, isn’t it?”

“Well spotted! Sure is, I call her Santa Monica. Fully electric, great mileage, low carbon footprint. Even has a ceiling window.” California approached the car’s side, running his hand along the roof. “Doesn’t do much for traffic, though.” Austin admired it for a moment, seeing the decals Cali had decorated the back window with. Separate ones he’d likely collected as souvenirs from Disneyland, LA, Hollywood, and of course, Santa Monica Pier among others.
“Hopefully I’ll get to see her in action someday, when you give me that tour,” Austin remarked softly, but then he saw Cali’s face fall. “Crap, did I do something wrong?” He immediately walked closer, but California shook his head.

“No, of course not. I just… I mean it man, we should really talk about Texas.”

“Ah. Right. Texas.” Because that was always what it came back to, ultimately. He always had to concede and yield, every time Texas was concerned. California seemed to notice his attitude and joined him again, walking along the breezy sidewalk. 

“It’s just, if you want to see my land, well, Texas would have to be there too, right?”

“Him… And the others, yeah.” Austin frowned and sighed. He didn’t want to make it about this right now, but he couldn’t count the amount of times he had wished he could just have his own body, his own form.

“So… that’s not exactly safe, is it? I mean, I don’t think he would really like being surrounded by democrats and… well, me.”

“To be honest, Cali, I don’t really care if he would like it. I would. And shouldn’t that matter, too?”

California didn’t answer right away, but Austin could practically hear him thinking. Even if California wasn’t trying to, it just reaffirmed what he already knew. Texas had the final say, even to Cali, who was closer to him than anyone else. And that in itself hurt quite a bit. Not enough to break away from their joint stride, but still… enough.

—

It was only when they finally circled around to the back yard and stopped to admire the plethora of unique plants, each catered to in an appropriate simulated biome, that California finally spoke.

“Of course it matters, Ozzie.” He told him, the new nickname playing his lips up in an unconscious grin. “Actually, that’s all that really matters to me. I-” He thought back to the conversation with Texas. He was still doing it, huh? Still not saying what he meant, still keeping Austin at arm’s length. But he knew it wasn’t fair. “I like you, Austin. Like, a lot. That’s what Texas and I were talking about. He got mad, and he finally pushed me to say it. Say that… Well, that I want you.”

“Well, you got me right here,” the city returned in stride, but as cool as he played it, California knew he was listening. He could see it, like he was chewing on every single word the state said.

“I know. But it’s not enough.” 

California reached out a slightly hesitant hand to grasp the other’s larger one, holding it and running a thumb over his skin. “I was kinda being a coward before, and I’m sorry for that. I didn’t want to be vulnerable or risk losing you if Tex decided… but you really are the best thing in my life. Friend or otherwise.”

“...You too,” Austin responded, and then just rested his warm eyes on California’s so he could finish. 

“You’ve never treated me like a liability or a joke. You’re interesting, and outspoken and caring and I always know that even when I need just a little bit of support, you’re there to give it your all. To be honest, you’re the strongest person I know; you have so much more to fight than the rest of us and you do it anyway. And sometimes, when I see you fight like that for me, I just…” He bit his lip, adjusting his glasses before re-locking eye contact. “I know… that it’s not that simple, not just friendship, I guess. And, oh, God, I want to kiss you right now.” He lowered his eyes momentarily to the other’s lips.

“I mean… I’d really like that too.”

“But I can’t.”

“What?”

Austin sounded betrayed, almost, and it stung. “I- I promised Texas I would tell him, if I was gonna do anything like that, I have to… I want you, I really do, but if we do this? If we have any kind of relationship, he’s going to have to be a part of it at least in part… so it’s fair…”

“Cali, please. I’m… not him. You’re not wrong, either, but please, I want this, I want you, for me. He already has everything else. Please don’t tell me you’re going to let him push you away. Or that you won’t touch me just because you’re afraid of him.”

He wanted to say that wasn’t true. That California wasn’t afraid. But if that was the case, he wouldn’t have held out so long in the first place. “He can’t stop me from caring about you, Austin. I promise you that. I’ll always be here for you. I’ll do it, I’ll kiss you and sweep you off your feet even though you’re much, much heavier.” He chuckled, now holding both of Austin’s hands in his, close to his heart. “But for now? This,” he gave them a light squeeze and then moved to rest his head near Austin’s neck and shoulder in a warm embrace. “This is enough.”

Chapter Text

The statehouse had a small chapel on the top floor, consisting of a couple pews, a crucifix and some stained glass windows depicting various religious scenes. There was no easy way for him to go to church, so Texas had started a makeshift mass here every Sunday with some of the other states, mostly his fellow Southerners. Sometimes, though, he just needed to come here for guidance alone. 

Today he came probably at the humblest he’d ever been. Thankfully, no one else was here today. Still, he did wish there was a real priest here, a Father he could confess to and seek counsel from. That would make everything so much easier…

But greatest counsel came from God Himself, and Texas believed that prayer could lead him to the answers he wanted. So, he kneeled, clasping his hands together and looking up above him at the statue of his savior and the light flooding in above Him. 

“Lord hear my prayer,” he muttered quietly. “Help me to know your will and to obey.” He pursed his lips, hesitating in even admitting his predicament in prayer. Holding something back from God, though? That was pathetic… “I know you must have a reason for not lettin’ me be alone in my head and I respect your plan, so jus’, help me understand it. I don’t know what’s right anymore. I can’t control Austin anymore… but I’ll take his sins under my own name like Adam did to Eve with the original sin. It’s my responsibility.”

Already, this was helping. Maybe it was just the light, warm atmosphere, but when in prayer here, Texas always felt he could think more clearly. To him, it felt like the holy spirit was guiding his thoughts along. They need you, something told him, and he was quiet, just listening. And you need each other.

Who? Him and Austin? Did that make sense? He supposed that in some ways, maybe it did. He’s in pain. You can’t just keep letting this continue. And that was true, too. “But I don’t know how, how to stop it, how to make him stop, I-”

If you can’t handle the pressure, give it to someone who can, the voice, which he could hear much more clearly now, told him. Just take down that wall.

“... No. I know Austin, I know he don’t mess with the way I do things, but you? If I let you out there, I don’t know if I’ll be able to hold anybody back anymore.”

I’m strong. I can handle it.

“But what if you can’t?”

You really think I couldn’t take it? After everything I’ve done and been through?

“You could get hurt again. And if you get hurt, you take us all down with ya.”

I know. If I have the most say in here, I deserve it out there, too. I can handle Austin. I can handle California. I can handle anything, remember?

“...If I let you out there and it f- messes everything up again, you’re in for it.”

He had to self censor, he was in a holy place after all. But his biggest city left with only one more, clearly defined, clearly vocalized thought. It’s worth it. I promise.

—

The first thing he did was head straight for the kitchen. Was Texas starving himself on purpose? Unacceptable. It would be a problem Houston would fix immediately, though, because he thought best on a full stomach and after some actually good food. So, he devised a clear list of priorities in his head. First, food. Next, announce his presence to Gov and brief him on current news. Then he would find California, grill him for every detail of the emotional hurricane that seemed to be plaguing Austin, and come up with a definitive plan. Houston worked best in big moments after all, from spaceships to, well, literal hurricanes. 

He also was admittedly an extremely ambitious and forward looking city. Everyone inside knew it, and just a few decades ago, the rest of the country knew it. He was the city with no limits. He walked fast and talked loud, was friendly until he got behind the wheel. He had people who came from everywhere and had every belief imaginable. He certainly was the best at actually communicating in their inner world, and perhaps representing it in the outer one, because being honest, they all knew Austin was completely out of touch with the rest of them. Houston, though? He was deterred by nothing. 

Except hunger. Both literally, and sure, metaphorically too, maybe. Luckily, this kitchen had no shortage of great options. Right now, he was in the mood for some good old, classic Cajun cuisine. 

The only problem was that the gigantic food storage unit was impossible to navigate. “Um- hey, anyone know where I can find some Cajun food?” He called out, hoping someone nearby would be able to help out. What he was not expecting was to be jumpscared.

“You called?” Louisiana asked from literal inches away, causing Houston to back up several inches just to avoid completely falling. 

Louisiana? Louisiana! Sure, maybe he’d done it accidentally, but he appreciated having summoned Louie here. “Yeah, I’m in the mood for some Cajun, think you could help a brother out?”

“Mais, of course I could-” He interrupted himself, giving Houston a suspicious look. Oh. Right. He looked like Texas out here. He’d forgotten that part. Well, no point in being coy.

“It’s me, Louie. It’s Houston.”

“Mais, sha! I knew I was lookin’ at da Bayou City! You been away too, too long.” He shook his head and pulled Houston into a hug. The two had something of a friendship and had for a while, mostly thanks to Houston’s involvement in helping him heal from Katrina and a shared ability to talk for hours on end about their complicated and occasionally dark histories. 

“How’s Florida?”

“Oh, comme d’habitude. He’s around here somewhere. If you stick around then later the three of us can go gator hunting down by the swamp.”

Houston smiled. “We’ll see. Now about the food…?”

“Yeah. I’ll get you some crawfish coming right up, sha.” He delivered on that promise immediately, which Houston couldn’t be happier about.

As he ate his food (and after he had thanked Louie for being amazing and providing it) he thought he should start up a conversation. “Hey, can I ask ya somethin’, as a third party observer?”

“Shoot.”

“You know Austin, right? When you see him and California interact… what is that like?”

“What’s it like watchin’? I don’ usually pay much attention, to be honest. They seem to get along, though.”

Houston nodded as he sipped his water, quickly realizing he wouldn’t get much more out of asking Louie than that. He’d just pick it up again later. Right now, might as well enjoy his time out here, in Texas’s odd, large body, eating and talking with his friend.

—

Texas had told him that he wanted space. California respected that. So for a few days, they had only really interacted at table meetings. He desperately wanted to see Austin again and have a moment just to the two of them, but as much as it hurt not having that, he could get by.

He could. Until he had yet another unexpected visitor.

“‘Scuse me, California?”

“Come in,” he said out of pure habit. Yet again, it was a voice that just barely edged on familiar.

The person he was looking at had Texas’s face, but he held himself differently than both Texas and Austin. His eyes were focused and thoughtful, his arms fully relaxed at his sides. No hat in sight.

“Thank you,” not-Texas said, and immediately found a place to sit. “Howdy. The name’s Houston.” He had his hand reached out, so California took it and shook, just to be polite. 

“...Pardon my bluntness, but I didn’t think you could front, or, not since-”

“Harvey. Yeah. I had to work awful hard to get Texas to let me out again, but I had to. Somebody had to mediate between him and Austin, and it might as well be me.”

“Mediate, huh? So… Do you know Austin really well, then?”

Houston laughed. “No one does. He’s a hippie and not that interested in appealing to the rest of us. But I do know he’s a sweet guy and he really likes you.”

“Oh. Yeah. Ha- I’m a little embarrassed this is such a big deal.” California was clearly trying to play it off, but there was something manic and desperate about him… Houston couldn’t put his finger on it. 

“Don’t be. The way I see it, you’re faced with a simple problem, yeah? You’re into Austin. But, he’s an alter. Which means he shares a body with Texas and the rest of us when we’re around. And so the question becomes, what does your attraction to him mean? And how much of a say should the rest of us get?”

“...Wow, dude, you really did just break down the whole thing in one breath, didn’t you? Sure. That sounds right.”

“Alright. Then let’s talk about that. The way I see it, Texas, and this body, are just a destination I live inside of. Almost like a factory where we each play a different role. And Texas, the host, he’s like… the executive officer. So when it comes to the question of what rights to autonomy does Austin have here, I’d say that would be like asking what rights a manager has to control factory operation when their boss or the owner isn’t keeping an eye on them.”

California nodded, seeming at least somewhat to be keeping up with Houston’s overly nerdy metaphor. “Okay, but in that scenario, all of the workers are entitled to certain rights- they shouldn’t be forced into unfair labor and shouldn’t have to deal with inhumane working conditions in accordance with health codes.”

Ah. So he was just as much of a nerd. “Sure. But if the manager wants to reroute resources to run more efficiently or start offering a service locally that doesn’t hurt the company overall, they should be able to. If something they do does somehow negatively impact the system as a whole, then the boss should deal with them accordingly. Even on that smaller level, a factory worker developing a technique they use to succeed shouldn’t be considered bad just because it’s not what the manager would do.”

“Hm… let’s stop talking about factories for a minute.” California had somehow acquired a notebook and was scribbling something or other. “What I think you’re saying is that when Austin has control over the body, he has the authority to make his own choices… as long as they don’t hurt anyone else. Is that right?”

“Yeah, basically. And as long as he lets the boss know, I guess. Er, sorry, Texas. As long as he lets Texas know.”

California wrote some more, and then just stewed in his pensiveness.

Houston took that as a sign to continue. “...I don’t think it would be bad for you to have a relationship with Austin and whatever else that entails. But I do think you need to examine who you feel about and how you treat Texas. If you don’t trust each other, it will be disaster for everyone involved. You and him, you both need to make peace with your relationship to this body and to the rest of us. And frankly, California, you need to be the most responsible one, here. You gotta take care of them, Texas and Austin both. The rest of us don’t come around much but if you mess up, we’ll know. So just… try. Can you do that?”

California hesitated again, then slowly moved his head to nod once, then a few more times in quick succession. “Yeah. I can do that. I will.” Satisfied at last, Houston was starting to slip back, let Texas back in. That was until he got called back. “Oh, but, Houston?”

“Yeah?”

“Be honest. If you, or Texas or anyone really, were to accidentally be there, accidentally feel what it was like to kiss me… How disgusted would you all be?”

Houston shook his head. “You worry too much. If it makes Austin happy and it doesn’t hurt him, then he deserves to have that. Plus, you’re pretty, and there ain’t anybody in the system who can’t see that at least a little bit.” It was a joke, but only in part. Even those of them who had no attraction to California whatsoever wouldn’t be disgusted by him.

“Thank you, really, Houston. For everything.” And at last, Houston nodded and let himself wash back to the inner world. Texas was back and blinking slowly back to consciousness just in time to hear California say, “I’m going to kiss him, next time.”

And Texas just nodded, looking him in the eye. “I know.”

Chapter Text

• Texas: Bold, brash, Republican. Religious- catholic, I think. Can be respectful when he wants to be. Hypocritical, self-aware and insecure.

• Austin: Friendly sweetheart. Clearly has a strong image of himself that he won’t let anyone change.  Lights up about everything- angel on earth

• Houston: Clearly very logical and straightforward. Something about him scares me, but I can’t put my finger on it.

California read back through his so far limited notes on Texas’s system. He wanted to know as much as he could, both for his own benefit and understanding and to make good on his promise- to take care of them. 

And perhaps he was a little straight up nosey. He always wanted to know the details about everyone and everything, which of course, helped him keep receipts. “What are the others like?” He asked aloud, and was answered by a huff.

“Ain’t none of your business, the way I see it.”

“Well, I disagree. You seem hesitant to let them do anything, and because of our… situation, I feel like I should know why.” He didn’t miss the way Texas rolled his eyes at that word; situation. 

“Whatever. All you gotta know not a single one of ‘em is anywhere near ‘nice,’ ‘cept for Austin.”

“Even Houston?”
“Are ya kidding? I said all of ‘em, didn’t I?”

That was actually more helpful than California was expecting it to be. “Is there anything specific I should be on the lookout for?”

Texas hesitated, and then nodded, pulling up an image. “If ya see me with anything with this symbol on it, ya might wanna stay away.”

The blue state examined it carefully, quickly internalizing the simple logo and nodding. “Alright. Got it. Is that like-” he hesitated a moment. “Like, the symbol of the ‘evil one’ or something?”
“What?! Fuck no! Ain’t no such thing as an evil city and if you say that again you’re gonna learn to love the taste of lead,” Texas threatened, and California immediately nodded with slightly widened eyes. “Waco’s just a little rough around the edges, that’s all.”

“Got it. I’m sorry for… just, yeah, I’m still learning,” California mumbled.

“‘Ts fine. Don’t know much about it myself, neither.”

“Ah. So…” Don’t ask about Waco, California’s thoughts warned him, and he swallowed hard to resist the temptation. The only problem was that he couldn’t think of anything else to talk about. So, while fidgeting with his hands in his lap, he helplessly stared back at Texas.

“So. Do ya think you’re actually capable of leavin’ ‘em alone?” Texas asked with a quirk of his eyebrow. It made sense for him to be skeptical in this case, California thought. He was, in a way, protecting his own cities, and that… was kind of noble, in a way. 

“I honestly can’t promise that. But I will try. You know… I really like Austin.”

He was met with an eye roll. “Ya don’t say.”

“Yeah, sorry man. Not trying to be redundant. But I talked to Houston, and I just… I don’t want to be uncomfortable around you anymore. Obviously we’ll never agree on politics-”

“You’re darn right we won’t, and I’ll be damned if I let you pass those views onto the rest of my cities.”

“I wasn’t– ugh, just listen for a second, please,” he insisted again, trying his best not to get worked up. He knew himself, he knew the kind of trouble he got in when too trigger-happy with his agitation. “I don’t want either of us to be uncomfortable with each other. Physically. I think it’s important.”

Texas shifted in his seat, now leaning forward and resting his elbows on his thighs. It was a stance that clearly illustrated his anticipation and a great amount of focus. “Alright. And? What’re you gettin’ at?”

California found himself sitting back almost in direct reaction to the way Texas had moved forward, to offset the distance between them. Which, considering what he was about to propose, was quite ironic. 

He could feel blood rushing to his face, but there was no backing out now. He just had to spit it out. “I think we should cuddle.”

—

“I’m sorry, what? ” 

California had to be joking. That, or he was insanely high and had lost all perception of how regular reality worked. 

“You know! Like, just sit together and lean on each other or something.”
Well, California certainly was not making it better by attempting to define the word. 

“Why on God’s green earth would I want to touch you?”  

“To build physical trust.” California fixed his glasses and sent a look of fake, stern confidence back. Clearly he was trying to recover some power. “Don’t make it weird.”

“You already made it weird by bringin’ it up. What you got goin’ on with Austin don’t concern me.”

“See, but that’s the thing. It does concern you. It won’t mean anything, I just want to like, not have it be like I’m invading your personal space all the time when I’m with him.” At the last word, Texas swore he saw California’s breathing stop for a moment, like he was taken aback by his own mention of Austin. Disgusting.

But it only served to further his point.

“Alright fine. I’ll do it, but don’t try anything funny.”

“Deal.”

The next minute was weird. Neither of them felt very comfortable in their current setup, but Texas obviously had more qualms about it. So, sitting next to each other, mere inches away from touching shoulders, he was frozen. He wasn’t sure exactly what to do here, his thoughts were running in circles.

In a way, he was relieved when California finally reached out and took his hand. He wished he could understand what was going on in his brain, but California’s expression was unreadable. His hand was warm, not clammy at all the way he imagined people’s hands would be. Maybe that was just projecting, he supposed.

California’s vibrant blue eyes were so fixed on his actions that Texas felt himself following every movement with apt attention. First, he saw his own hand moved away and to California’s lap, and then he felt California’s other arm find a place around him. And then the distance was closed, and he was leaning against California, or perhaps the other way around. And it wasn’t… totally horrible. Texas wasn’t completely averse to physical affection, friendly hugs at family reunions were very much his cup of tea, but he’d never been able to do this before. Not even with family.

He forgot after a moment who he was huddled against, feeling the gentle movement of his chest and sensing the soft scent of an odd mix of fruits and smoke. After moving just slightly so as to not put pressure on his shoulder, he felt… comfortable.

“Hey, if I take off your hat, is that gonna…?”

Texas shook his head. He already knew the question and once again wanted to remind him that his identity was not directly tied to it. It made him feel much more comfortable and stable, but that was all, really. “I’ll do it, though,” he insisted, and then removed it and put it on the sofa next to him. Now, there was nothing in the way. “So, this is it, huh?” He asked, a little surprised that he didn’t feel like his insides were trying to crawl their way out his skin the way he usually did when he thought about California. 

Silence. And then, “You look so much like him, right now.” California’s words were soft, and almost timid. It didn’t sound right coming from him.

“Well, duh. We have the same damn face,” Texas reminded him, sighing and closing his eyes.

“That’s the problem, isn’t it.” 

Texas cocked his head slightly in confusion. He hadn’t heard that specific complaint yet. “Problem?”

“Yeah. It’s just…” He turned to look at Texas, frowning a bit. “I hate this. But I can’t help but think… you have a really pretty face.”

It was awkward wording, but it totally caught Texas off guard and sent him spiraling a little. But just as he was losing it in his own mind, going into full fight or flight mode, he noticed that the two of them were not alone in the room. And not just because he could tell Austin was nearby, watching and a little upset for some unknown reason, but because someone had walked in the door and was currently staring at them, shocked, his jaw hanging down in amusement and surprise.

All it took was one glimpse of short dark brown curls and a bucket hat for both California and Texas to realize just how much trouble they were about to get into.

Chapter Text

“LOUIE! Wait til you-” Florida was cut off mid-sentence by being literally football tackled by Texas who now had a hand firmly over his mouth. California, still processing what was going on, cringed a bit but didn’t move to intervene.

“Be quiet, you little- eugh!” He suddenly pulled his hand back and shook it off, Florida smiling much too proudly for still being held in place. “Did you just lick my hand?!” Texas complained.

“Yes. Works every time.”

“Gross…” Texas then paused to sigh and shake his head, but Florida even then couldn’t get away. California made a mental note that he had forgotten how strong Texas was. “You shut yer tattlin’ ass up or else,” he threatened.

“Or else what? You have nothing to threaten me with, brisket boy.”

Texas paused, clearly thinking that over. Then, he seemed to get an idea, his face morphing into a bit of a smirk. “Mother Nature.”

Florida stopped smiling. “What about her?”

“You run out there, I go straight to mother nature and tell her everything you been doin’ to screw her over in secret. I’ll even take your hurricane season if I have to. You know she’d be more than willing to spend some quality time with me.”

“You wouldn’t.” Florida said with a glare back.

“Try me.”

The two were locked in a silent staring competition for a minute, and California summoned some Starbursts to chow down on while he watched.

Florida was next to speak. “Okay. You made a threat and are embracing chaos just to get the upper hand. I can respect that. For now. But just so you know, you are NEVER gonna live this down, Dixie. Not now that I know you and hipstercrite over there are hooking up.”
California pursed his lips, still not really knowing whether or not to join this conflict, leave, or keep watching from his spot across the room.

“We ain’t hookin’ up,” Texas insisted. “That’s fuckin’ disgusting.”

“Oh, really, Mr. Pretty Face? You sure looked pretty friendly with each other, which has gotta be a first for Cali. Willingly spending time with him? If you’re not getting laid, I’m sorely disappointed in you.”

At this point California had to pop in. “Will you leave insulting me out of this?”

“No.”

Texas tried to cover up a chuckle as he still maintained his brutal grasp. After clearing his throat, he managed to refocus. “The point is, it ain’t like that between the two of us and that’s that.”

“Okay, well even if it’s not like that it is like something. You have no idea how much some people would pay me for dirt on both of you. And just how much everyone would fight over this- ah, the beautiful, beautiful chaos.”

California cursed internally. “That can’t happen, Florida. So just- will you let us explain? Please?”

Florida rolled his eyes. “Fine. But make it good.”

“Well, you see, Texas seems to have some kind of dissociative disorder like DID or OSDD or something and he has this one alter that-”

“You’re gonna completely lose him with all your nerdy jargon, lemme handle it. There’s people in my head and one of ‘em’s into California and vice versa and all that.” Texas sighed, looking to Florida for a response.

“People? In your head? Ohoh, I wanna see that.” Florida smiled, that token mix of goofiness, sly mischievousness and the naivety of a child.

“No, Florida, that’s not-” California paused a moment, taking a breath to remember how best to communicate with the sunshine state. “Moon Knight, remember?”
“Oh yeah! Okay, got it. So Texas is… Marc, then?”

Texas raised an eyebrow, but California shot him a look that told him to just go with it. “...Sure. And Austin… er, uh, ‘Mr. Knight,’ maybe, has somethin’ going on with California.”

Florida nodded confidently. “I get it now. The super hero’s getting laid.”

“Um, I wouldn’t go that far,” California protested, blushing brightly even with the strange metaphor they were going with. “We haven’t even kissed yet… heh.”

“Lame. So then when I came in, that was Austin with Cali?”

Texas shook his head and started to speak. “No, that was-”

“Yes. That’s why there was no hat, you know? Austin.”

He wasn’t entirely sure why he was lying, but it felt like he had to. Yes, he knew perfectly well that had not been Austin, but then why did he feel that way? It was him, only him that he wanted. California was sure of it. Or he thought he was. And now he was lying to… to what, throw Florida off his scent? It wasn’t like that crazy idiot was going to drop it anytime soon anyway…

“And Texas, you just let that happen?” Florida asked, but Texas seemed to still be a little taken aback by California’s interruption. 

“I, uh…” He let go and then pat Florida on the shoulder. “‘M gonna go sit down… My head… ain’t feelin’ right.” And so he walked back across California’s large room to the armchair in one corner of it by a coffee table. 

California looked over, a little concerned for a moment, wondering what exactly was going on, and worrying about whether or not he should do something to help.

His quiet concern must have shown on his face, though, because next thing he knew, Florida was right next to his ear. “Texas and Cali, sitting in a tree…” he sang, unnaturally close and his breath hitting California’s skin. “K-I-S-S-I-N-G,” he continued.

Just as he was getting uncomfortable enough to actually consider violence, California noticed Texas furrow his brow the tiniest bit in something short of anger… he was picking at his nails, too. But something seemed off about the way he had his hand propped up, his pinky and index fingers not moving a millimeter, sticking straight up the whole time.

Oh. Fuck.

“Florida. Get out of my room.”

“Hm, are you sure that’s what you want right now?” Florida asked smugly in response, probably not a good sign. California didn’t particularly care right now.

“Yes, now leave.”

“If you insist!”

And then he was gone, just popping out of the air. That left California to… very carefully approach the coffee table and sit in the simpler dining stool opposite the big comfortable armchair. 

Among all the awkward moments he’d had recently, this was by far the most painful. He stared at Austin’s face, hoping for some sign he was ready or willing to be his friendly self, but there was none. He was still picking at his nails, his gaze resolute and breathing slow.

“Please say something, Ozzie,” California almost whispered. “I can tell you’re mad and I just… wanna know what I did wrong.”

He had a hunch he already knew, but still, he needed to hear it.

Austin sighed. “It’s fine.”

Yay. My favorite lie, he thought sarcastically. “Then… what are you thinking about?”
This time the answer was a shrug, and Austin pressing his lips together for a moment. He was upset; that much was obvious. The question was just why.

—

“I… okay. If you want me to leave, I can-”

“No, you can stay. I just need a minute.” Austin took a breath and tried to stabilize his thoughts. He was never angry, it wasn’t like him, and yet, right now, he was. At California, yes, but at Texas, too, and at himself.

He wanted to be the only one California looked at like that. Where his eyes lit up and filled with that hazy adoration and his cheeks warmed to the color of the sunset on a clear summer evening. 

It made him so damn mad that he looked at Texas that way, too. More than that, it made him deeply uncomfortable… insecure, he guessed. Because if Texas came around to it, he could lose everything. This was the one thing that was supposed to be his, and yet Texas could take it from him in a single instance. “You lied to him,” he stated, feeling the anger boil over yet again. “Why did you lie?”

“Well, it’s just, it’s Florida-”

“Yeah, it’s Florida. But if you thought that what you did would be perfectly fine, if you didn’t think you’d done something wrong, why would you lie about it being me, huh?”

“I… I don’t know.”

Having been ready to continue arguing, Austin stopped in his tracks. “What do you mean?”

“I mean I don’t know, I’m just so confused. You’re so- you don’t understand what this feels like.” Cali’s face was twisted in frustration, it made Austin almost feel bad for him before he had explained anything at all. “When you’re here, everything is just better, you have such a warm, like, contagious energy. But I see your eyes, your skin, your hands, all of these things that make me feel like… I dunno, closer, to you, I guess. But then I see all those things in him and I know he needs to trust me and my brain says one thing, but it all just…”

Austin dug his nails into his arms. It was bad, he knew that, he was leaving marks that wouldn’t only affect him, but he didn’t care right now. On the contrary, he was almost glad that he could do something to hurt Texas just a little bit. He resented him. He resented all of them. It was because of them that he couldn’t have the life and the voice he wanted, that he was belittled down to a concept to be made fun of. “He’s the host,” he said aloud, mostly to himself. “Doesn’t it matter at all what I want?”

“Of course it does! What are you talking about?!”
“If you’re falling in love with him, he could, I could lose you, I could…” Austin’s breath was speeding up as he rambled unintelligibly, his ears starting to lose connection with his brain and his brain to his mouth. 

He was abruptly ripped from his spiralling by Cali’s firm hand taking his and squeezing it. “No. You don’t get it. You don’t know how much I light up when I know you’re nearby, how much conversation with you feels like the highest I’ve ever been, how much I melt when you give me a hug or a comforting word, or… all the little things you do, your big dreams and big ideas and the way you always look a little bit past someone when you’re thinking, how you see the best in everything, no matter what. There’s no one like you, Ozzie, I swear, and, I’m sorry… about lying, about not talking to you beforehand about the thing with Texas. Please believe me…” 

Austin still didn’t feel right. He felt like something was being held back from him, like California still hadn’t accepted him as the person he was involved with or maybe even as a full person at all. He believed Cali was better than that, but…

Suddenly, he was pulled to his feet and flush up against California, looking down just slightly into crystal blue eyes inches away from his own. “I can prove it,” he swore. “I can prove this isn’t about him, or anybody else, just you and me. Just… give me a chance.”

Finally, Austin nodded. And as though all the fire of California’s summers came rushing into him all at once, he melted.

Cali’s hand around his back, and his soft lips pressed firmly, confidently against his own.

Chapter Text

From his point in the garage, Alaska could be alone. That was always one of the things he loved most about it, as well as the reason he’d set up camp here in the first place. But it was also the gateway to the outside world and when anything happened near, but not inside the statehouse, he was the first to know about it.

It also had its advantages in that it meant when he wanted to, he could keep his dogs here with him and have easy access to take them on walks without having to interact with anyone else on the way out. 

It was on one of these walks that he caught wind of Florida’s latest practical joke.

He saw a large truck round the corner of a nearby street, immediately recognizing it as the kind that could transfer a decent amount of cargo, usually either for moving house or making a delivery of product. This was odd, as no one else lived in this area nor were there any shops nearby… it was essentially a large estate in the middle of nowhere, because it had to be totally untrackable. Normally, he would just ignore something like this, not any of his business after all, but Togo seemed set on going to investigate.

The large husky was pulling against his leash with the entirety of his weight and letting out pitiful half-barks that devolved into whines. It got both of Alaska’s other two dogs to turn around and cock their heads in curiosity. Fido began to follow Togo’s lead in pulling Alaska in the direction of the truck, but Balto, always his faithful puppy at heart, stayed right by his leg, looking up and waiting for him to give some direction.

Alaska sighed. He couldn’t say no to that face, nor the pitiful whines. “Alright,” he said, resigned. “Let’s go see what they want. But no biting or it I take away your deer hides.”

All three dogs were now wagging their tails excitedly and pulling so hard Alaska had to wrap their leashes around his hand just to keep stable. He walked fast, when he wanted to, but clearly not fast enough for his dogs’ purposes.

As they finally got closer, Alaska got a better view of the side of the massive truck, which caused him to pause, if only for a moment. The entire face of the vehicle was a pearly, pale pink, decorated with images of pearls in an intricate swirl. In the center was large text that read “Bat Mitzvahs, Bachelorettes and Babies!”

It was pretty tacky. Alaska never claimed to have an amazing eye for graphic design, but even he could see that. Beyond the overly cheesy tagline (he hoped it was a tagline and not a brand name, God forbid) the truck was altogether out of place. It was likely some kind of event planning business, clearly aimed at women, and, well… there was no use for any of those services anywhere near here at the moment. 

Alaska decided he had to wait at the estate to see what these people really wanted. Of course, it still wasn’t any of his business, but what could he say? He was curious.

Teleporting home with three large dogs was something of a hassle but nothing he couldn’t handle. Taking a knee, Alaska just had to say, “Come here, boys,” and all three hounds were close at his sides. He managed to wrap his arms around all three of them, a stretch even for him, and will himself to right outside his garage.

There, he reassured his most anxious pup, Togo, and walked a little ways down the street to wait for the truck.

When he saw it pull closer, Fido and Togo went wild once again, barking at the thing as Alaska simply quietly raised his hand to notify the driver of his presence.

The truck pulled over and a short, bubbly looking woman got out, smiling in a way that made Alaska want to jump into a hole and die.

“Hi there! I’m Jolie with Bat Mitzvahs, Bachelorettes and Babies!”

Dear God, it was a brand name.

“...Alaska. What’s all this?”

“We got an order for our all inclusive bachelorette party package including-”

“I don’t care about that,” he swiftly interrupted. He may have been in a nosy mood, but that didn’t mean he had any more patience than normal for pointless details. “Who’s the bride this is for?”

“She has a really interesting name, actually, Miss California B-”

Alaska nearly choked on his own spit at that, but he didn’t let it show. He had so many questions, and now, he was more excited than he had been since Mayor Stubbs. He wasn’t listening anymore, reveling in the amount of power he could have with this information, and when he finally snapped out of it, it was just in time to hear the last two words. “-live here?”

“Yup.” Alaska allowed himself a small snicker, quietly telling his dogs to settle down and stop sniffing the woman. “Yeah. We live in this house here, me and… her, both. I’ll sign for this stuff and then get all of it unloaded, okay?”

“Ah, well, actually, I was hoping we could-”

Alaska just cleared his throat and stared down at her. It had not really been a question, and he wanted it clear just how thoroughly not in the mood he was. Apparently, she got the memo, because she quickly brought him a tablet to sign and then opened the back of the truck. Alaska put his dogs safely inside and then went to unload the truck, taking out several large but fairly light boxes on his own. He wasn’t a monster, so he tipped Jolie before she left, and then turned back to his new treasure.

In the dim light of his garage, Alaska carefully took a boxcutter to the seam of the first box, and the innards did not disappoint. Starting off strong, but traditional for what the company claimed to be doing, Alaska found a plastic bag filled to the brim with phallic lollipops with little bows tied around them. He picked up the whole bag and eyed it closely, the barest trace of a grin on his face. Yes, there were most definitely at least 50 of these. Heheh.

Next was a compressed bag of confetti of the same shape, which he laid to the side along with the other dick shaped decorations that had also come in this particular parsel. The next box got much, much more interesting.

At the very top was a coupon, or perhaps a gift card, that claimed a phone number could be called at any time in order to receive a “special delivery.” That was interesting enough on its own, but the card had a segment on the back which had very clearly been customized to print a certain word in the “theme” box. And that… that was when Alaska knew he wanted to get involved. 

Just the simple word “cowboy” written squarely on the back of the card.

Chapter Text

Once a month, Texas had the chapel completely to himself. Utah took trips home to see his family for about a week, which he had every right to do, of course, and the other states who used it did not go on Wednesday nights. Texas looked forward to the moments of quiet solace when they were not interrupted by his cities, looked forward to the hour he could live as himself and feel he was with the lord. 

It was also nice because only those states who were highly religious could enter here, which meant, other than Utah, Texas’s Southern friends and no one else. 

…And Oklahoma, but Texas hoped by now he knew better than to show up when Texas was here. 

Regardless, time away from the states he really wanted to get away from: California and Florida. There stood a rather useless podium ahead of him carved in polished wood, one which only ever played host to a state with some important religious message who wanted support or pity from his friends. But it was elevated, had a spot to hold a Bible and could be seen clearly from all around the small chapel. He imagined that he could be attending an actual mass… something about the authority a priest held was extremely reassuring to Texas, it made him feel like he could be confident in his decisions, like good and bad were concepts that he understood and that life was ultimately simple and manageable. 

He wasn’t so lucky. When he opened his eyes, Texas wasn’t alone.

“Evenin’, sha,” was the greeting he received, and Texas could do nothing but stare at the happy Cajun for a minute.

“What are you doin’ here?” He asked up front, unsuccessful at keeping the accusatory tone out of his voice.

Louisiana didn’t seem too bothered, though, he just shrugged and raised his hands slightly to indicate that he meant no harm. “Just came by to worship da good lord, same as you,” he stated, but Texas was having none of it. 

“This is church. If you wanna be a lyin’ snake, get out of God’s house.”

“Woah, you don’t gotta be so upset. I ain’t gonna bother ya til prayer time’s over.” 

To his credit, Louisiana was being respectful. He was dressed appropriately and kneeling the same way Texas was, and he truly didn’t say anything to interrupt Texas’s own prayer time. That didn’t make it any less annoying that he was there, though.

When he was done with his normal cycle of prayers and scripture reading, Texas stretched out every little decision he made, even monitoring the careful movement of each finger while crossing himself with holy water. He was counting down the minutes, knowing that inevitably Louisiana would want to talk to him- likely on behalf of his best friend.
He said one more quiet “Lord, help me,” and then turned to walk towards the exit, acutely aware of the fact the other man was right on his heels.

“So,” Louisiana said the moment both of them had cleared the chapel doors. “How’s the big heart city Houston doin’?” He asked, apparently wasting no time.

“Houston? He- it’s fine. No different than normal. Keepin’ busy with the Artemis mission comin’ up, I guess.”

“Well I’m happy for ‘im,” Louie responded. 

Texas swallowed uncomfortably. Him? Lord, he had forgotten Houston was so willing to front in front of others. He didn’t much, but Houston ran entirely according to his own decisions of where he wanted to be and when. Texas really was losing control of his own body and brain, wasn’t he…

He took a few steps into the hall and to the first corridor, where he decided to turn in the direction of the door to the back patio. Louisiana followed.

Abruptly, Texas stopped in his tracks. “If you want somethin’, just spit it out already.”

“Just wanna talk to ya.”

He wished Louie was less agreeable sometimes. If he would only have enough anger in him to protest Texas’s jabs, maybe he could get something useful from him. But instead he carried out all of his devious chaos quietly, with a hearty smile and no indication of anything he felt inside. “Then, talk.”

Texas didn’t wait for the other to start, just continuing to walk outside to the sun washed patio and the bench that had been there for ages- since it was only the New Englanders around.

Louisiana plopped down next to him and started talking immediately. “So I take it you ain’t got the best relationship wit yo parents.”

While true, that was harsh and uncalled for. “Wha- Now, don’t you go talkin’ ‘bout family business that you ain’t got no part in.”

“My bad, sha. I just meant… well, I know you’re real passionate about protectin’ the family and home and all that, yeah?”

“Sure,” he conceded, his eyebrows furrowed to the point where he could probably hold a pencil between them. Where was all this going?

“Don’t ya think, then-”

“LOUIE! EMERGENCY!” 

Texas flinched at the sound and cursed, if not out loud, then very clearly in his own head. He could have sworn he heard an actual screech as Florida came to a halt in front of them, very uncharacteristic deer-in-headlights look and all.

“Mais, sit down, now,” Louisiana said, clear and calm, and grabbed a chair that the other man promptly sat on backward, straddling the back. Florida still hadn’t taken his eyes off of Texas, and it was starting to creep him out. “So what’s all this yellin’ fo, sha?”

“Well, actually-” Florida looked at Texas another second, and his expression changed ever so slightly as he leapt back up out of his seat. “Texas. We’re friends, right?”

That was a loaded question if he’d ever heard one. He didn’t trust anything Florida said, especially not if that was how he was going to start. “I mean, I guess? What’s your game here?”

“We’re friends. And since we’re friends, I’ll tell you: I’ve been robbed. Right from under my nose.” His expression was dead serious. Texas stared back.

“Explain.”

“A whole truck’s worth of loot. I’m all for shenanigans, but trust me, this case is bad.” 

Still skeptical, because he had every reason to be, Texas raised an eyebrow. “What was in this truck that you’re so dang bent on protectin’, huh?”

“A whole arsenal,” he answered, looking at Texas dead on. “Guns, ammo, everything.”

As soon as he heard that much, everything made much more sense. “Well, why didn’t you say so sooner? Now I get what you want from me. I’m the good guy with a gun, so you want me to go find whoever did this and give ‘em hell!”

“Yup. I knew I could count on you. The stuff is in several big pink boxes. When you find them, call me right away.” He looked happy, too happy. But maybe that was hypocritical- after all, Texas was practically salivating at this chance. He was slightly notorious for his determination in all cases where gun slinging was involved. If anyone was going to find Florida’s stolen artillery, it would be him.

Never mind the amount of pride he would have to swallow to call Florida, again.

Chapter Text

California never thought he would need a travel guide to, well, California. He wouldn’t normally need it either, but his crippling anxiety was making him second guess every decision he almost made. Still, he wanted everything to be perfect . Perfect for Austin, specifically, but accommodating and tolerable to Texas as well. He would feel like a total fraud if he didn’t at least try to make accommodations, and he was currently trying to establish a less hostile, maybe even friendly relationship between him and the Southern state. This was his predicament; he had to choose the locations that truly showed off his best side, the most romantic spots he could think of, and still be certain to keep risks low. He had everything, so it wasn’t like he wouldn’t be able to find anything good. But with so many options, the pressure was on to make the right choice.

After scrolling through websites for over two hours and adding everything to some (very definitely over detailed) notes, the sites on the screen simplified themselves into one fluid stream of images. Waterfall. Sunset. Hotel. Beach. Lights. Park. Flowers. Floor. Floor?

He was on the floor. He had no idea how he’d gotten there, so maybe that was a sign he was going a little stir crazy. Saving all of his progress, and sure to keep his many tabs open, California shut his laptop and set it aside.

“Finally come back to earth, I see.”

California practically jumped out of his skin, but at least he didn’t have to question who had spoken. Sitting up as much as he could, he asked, “What are you doing in my room, Alaska?”

“I came in a while ago. I did knock,” he said dryly, the clear insinuation being that California was the one at fault for not paying more attention. That, in all fairness, was probable.

“Okay, but that doesn’t answer my question- why are you here?”

“To talk to you,” he answered simply. California sighed. Getting Alaska to budge on anything was nigh impossible, as was getting him to give any detail in his answers.

“Come in, then,” he said reluctantly.

Alaska did, but rather than sitting, he leaned against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. “Something interesting happened to me,” he began, even toned but strangely unfocused, like he was staring at something just out of sight. “And I have a couple options. Put simply, a lot of chaos is probably about to break out… I don’t care if it does or not, but let’s just say you will. It’s going to make public some things I’m sure you don’t want anyone else thinking about, and all around will not be a fun time for you.”

That was not promising. California swallowed and attempted to keep calm best he could. He could never tell where Alaska’s head was at, so trying to figure it out was pointless. “I’m guessing you want to make a deal, then,” he said carefully. “Which makes this blackmail.”

Alaska furrowed his brow, but then shrugged. “If it helps you to think about it that way.”

This was a tricky situation- Alaska could very well be lying, or at least exaggerating whatever he was saying could happen to California, and he was way too tight lipped to reveal what he knew. That meant any favor he asked could be blatantly unfair and benefit him far more than the golden state. Then again, he might just go ahead and make things worse anyway if California said no… he wasn’t confident Alaska was above that kind of thing. “...What do you want?”

“That’s more like it. Now, just listen.”

—

Austin had done some research in his own time to better figure out himself and his system. He knew there were often roles that alters were meant to play, and he was trying to figure out… well, what his was. Assuming they did have DID (Austin was still investigating other possibilities, but either way, it was clearly a system they were dealing with) Texas clearly played host, but the rest were pretty unclear. He knew he fronted second most often and had the most awareness of both the inner and outer world, but he didn’t feel like “protector” was a totally apt label. If anything, that applied much more to Houston in his opinion. He was often in conflict with Texas but was definitely not a persecutor. Or at least, he didn’t think so, because he never did anything to hurt the others.

So… what did he do?

Well, his main schtick was being always aware and having the facts on exactly how to attend to the people they were meant to represent, a feature that made him a pretty valuable asset on the rare occasions that he and his host did agree on anything. So… maybe caretaker? But then, as much as he cared for the rest of the system, were caretakers supposed to be in such strong opposition? Ugh.

He knew he shouldn’t be getting caught up in labels anyway, but as petty as it was, he really wanted one. He wanted, more accurately, to feel like he belonged somewhere. At least then he could make sense of this whole arrangement. Then maybe watching Texas deal with absurdity like Florida’s antics wouldn’t be so miserable.

In any case, he was very worried about the current situation. Florida was up to something, and for some insane reason, had decided that provoking Texas to arm himself was a good idea. Morbid curiosity and a belief in Texas’s willpower to find Florida’s stolen goods was all that kept him from fronting by force right now.

Gun secured away in a holster on their belt, Texas was ready to just about turn the whole house upside down. And despite himself, Austin was helping. He suggested that because it seemed this was a new acquisition, Florida probably had ordered online and gotten delivery by truck. And with the fifty one people who lived here, someone must have been around to see or at least hear something.

And so that was how they started, interviewing everyone on the first floor who had a room on the edges of the house. Interrogating might have been a more accurate term, with the amount of aggression Texas was using. One hand on his pistol at all times, demanding they tell him what they’d seen or heard “or else.”

One way or another, though, they got their lead. Missouri had been looking out his window at the side of the house and seen a large truck pull up to the street corner, but had then been distracted by something else. He showed them exactly where he had seen the truck through his window, and sent Texas on his way.

Austin had not really expected to find anything when they got there, but had forgotten to account for the extremely chaotic “weather” conditions near the statehouse. All of the states’ representations were very much human, or at least they experienced life that way, as an overall average representation of a real state’s population. Their job was to communicate with each other and maintain state identity, but their geographically tied nature was cause for a lot of chaos when they were in a neutral environment like their statehouse. All this to say, random snow flurry paired with a bright hot sun and dense, dark rain clouds was pretty par for the course. 

The snow itself wouldn’t have indicated anything by itself, it definitely would not have been enough for Texas to stop cold and stare the way he did. Austin, staring out the same eyes, was confused, just seeing some animal prints that he thought surely couldn’t be that unusual. Then again, the rising heat of anger he felt from Texas was making him think otherwise.

“Dog tracks,” Texas spat, as though the words were poison he had to purge. And then before he knew what was happening, Austin found himself being dragged along as they sprinted back toward the house, trying to hold onto some semblance of control.

Chapter Text

“Two sides of the same coin.” That was the phrase Alaska had used to him; he’d said California and Texas were two sides of the same coin. California was (understandably) a little shaken by this.

From Alaska’s point of view, it made sense in terms of just how opposite both of them were from the arctic giant. Both much more social creatures, opinionated and hot-headed. There was a reason they were always the two butting heads the most. So maybe this theory had some merit. 

He was kidding himself, though. It had merit either way. In truth he didn’t want to accept it because what Alaska had asked for… it had given him pause. 

“I know you won’t go talking about this to the others,” he said, more as a warning than anything. Clearly he did not trust California, at all. “But you remember what you said when Tex threatened to kill me the other day?”
California didn’t have to think much about that answer. He was always quick with his responses, and made a point of keeping his priorities in order. “I said climate change could get there first.”

Alaska had pulled something from his pocket and given it to California before uncomfortably returning his hands there. “Well, you weren’t far off.”

“...Holy shit, Alaska.” 

In truth, California already kind of knew most of the information on the paper he’d been given. At least, he knew the general idea. The specifics, drought, infestations, disease, water and food contamination… some of the details on the page were pretty dark. But then there was the manifestation, the way the goings on of a state would show up in their human counterpart. Alaska was sick, and suffering in silence, because of course he was.

Until now. “So, what do you want?”

“What do you think? Money. My people, my wilderness… they need help. And you can do something about it.”

“I don’t understand, why-”

“Why you? California. You’re in control of more than a sixth of the US’s GDP. You’re more than twice as rich as the entire continent of Australia. If you really wanted to do something, you could.”

That stung a little. It was more complicated than that… finances and everything. He couldn’t just go throwing money around!

But that wasn’t what he was asking here and damn it, he knew that well. So Alaska was both more intelligent and more genuine than California had first thought, and he had committed to a deal. That was why he was where he was now, doing budget spreadsheets and petting a large husky in the back of Alaska’s garage, watching the dogs while the big man himself ran an errand. 

He could help, he had to accept that. And now he was obligated to. 

California sat in relative silence for a while and actually found the environment pretty cozy, despite the cold. Comfortable, calm, peaceful…

BANG.

He was startled out of his seat by an alarmingly loud sound coming from the garage door, followed by a horrible metallic wrenching sound as it was lifted unnaturally. He watched in frozen shock as tan fingers pulled the edge upward further and further, which didn’t look like an easy feat, until Texas (it was Texas, he saw now. Not that he was surprised) had the heavy door resting on his shoulders and hands. His face was contorted with anger, but when he looked up and at California, it went blank. He dropped the door behind him, and upon the crash it made when it hit the ground, he blinked and removed the hat.

“Cali-?” Austin said, taking a step closer. “What are you doing here?”

“Dog sitting, I think,” California answered. Then, with a smile, he added, “Hi, Austin.”

“Hi, Cali,” Austin returned, and then approached one of the dogs, crouching down and putting his hand out to let him sniff it. Then, he quickly went to scratch the husky’s chin and ears. “Aw, you’re just a big baby aren’t you?” He cooed, and then checked the collar. “Togo, is it? Good boy, Togo.” The dog in question, Togo, wagged his tail against the ground while the other two watched with perked up ears. California pet Balto, who was nearest to him, while Fido went to get attention from Austin. “Such precious puppies. Aw, look at these angels!” 

And look at those angels California did, with Austin at the center of them, dark eyes somehow glittering as he beamed. “They like you,” he said simply, watching the two dogs shower Austin with licks. Balto seemed significantly more hesitant to approach him.

As much as California wanted to ask about the violent intrusion, this scene was just… too wholesome to disrupt. Oh, but when had he ever been one to care about tact? His curiosity and concern was eating away at him, and he couldn’t relax until he knew things were okay. “So, Austin,” he said carefully, bringing himself into as relaxed a position as he could manage. “What brings you by, man?”

Austin frowned, something registering behind his eyes before he spoke. “That’s complicated, but basically Texas wanted to play vigilante and I’m here trying to keep anything from escalating with… the other parties involved.”

“Escalat- What other-?”

California was interrupted by a frighteningly booming voice that came out of nowhere and honestly near scared him off his feet. “What the hell did you do to my door?!” Alaska demanded. Then straight in behind him, Florida.

“Hey! Where’d you put all my stuff?”

California bit his lip, trying very hard not to freak out. As his eyes passed between the three other men, he had to decide quickly whether to stay or run like hell. But seemingly petrified where he stood, all he could do was close his eyes.

Chapter Text

I'm currently considering this fic, not abandoned completely exactly, but on hiatus. There are a lot of reasons why, but there's one big one that is the reason I'm posting at all.

Basically, this is a bit awkward, but it turns out there is a very, VERY high probability that I have a dissociative disorder (DID or OSDD). I do not yet have an official diagnosis, but that is the opinion of the people in my life, myself, my therapist and my psychiatrist. I'm currently going through the evaluation process. My symptoms, ironically, line up most heavily with OSDD-1B and I want to shout out @www_econet_TABLEfront for literally being the reason I know what that is. If that's you and you're reading this, I just wanted to say that your comments about relatability probably make more sense now, haha!

Anyway, I'm planning a return to this with more awareness of the fact that I was essentially describing my own experience, once I am able. I wanted to post this in the meantime, though, because it feels like essential information to have going forward. If there are any important updates, I will add them later. I love you all and hope you have a wonderful day or night.