Authors Note: Hello! Not So Tempramental Artist here. This is actually my very first fanfiction, so please be gentle when rating and reviewing. The setting of the story is California during the gold rush. I believe that at the time California was a territory. Please correct me if i'm wrong though. Anyway, as always rate and review! I plan on adding more oneshots to this by the way, so make sure to keep a look out. Hugs and Snuggles~Artist
The crackling fire sent waves of warmth and comfort to the small girl. She felt safe here, nestled in between her owners left arm and his chest. She found herself nuzzling into his chest occasionally, disturbing the small knickknacks in his breast pocket.
The silence in the room made it seem as if they were the only two in the world. Each of his distinct heartbeats reached through the shirt, slowly numbing the pain from earlier.
It was the fate of a territory to be fought over. It was pure luck that she ended up with such a kind owner to control her. Her owner, no, her country, was kind and gentle. And yet, he was more than a country. He was her big brother, her protector, her guardian and father. He was her world. He was her moon and sun, singing softly to her when she was scared and smiling like a child who had been given his first gun.
He was strong and handsome; his new glasses complimenting his childlike face rather well. She smiled as she thought of him. Kind, fun, strong. She was happy as long as he was. This of course was never a problem, seeing as he was always smiling.
"California?" he asked, looking at her with his soft sky blue eyes.
"Hm?" She replied, still lost in the moment.
"You feeling any better?"
"Uh huh." She nodded and closed her eyes of the same shade as his. "I'm just thinking."
"About what?"
"About you." California snuggled into his slightly muscular chest a little, relishing the fact that she was the only one in his world right now.
Said country smiled a chuckled a little, letting his glasses slip down the bridge of his nose. "Are you thinking about how heroically I saved you? Or just how amazing I am?"
California murmured in what was a sort of an agreement.
Something about him solidified her trust. Perhaps it was his eyes, so full of life despite pain he may have gone through. Or maybe it was the way his face was shaped, or his brow line. No matter what it was, she trusted him with her life.
"America?" California whimpered a little. "What if it happens again? It's never been this bad before. I'm frightened." She whispered softly, as if the terrifying experience would happen again if she spoke too loudly.
"Don't worry Cali." America smiled and ruffled California's golden hair. "I'm a hero, so I'll protect you." He let out his soon to be trade mark smile before sleepily letting out a yawn.
California sniffled a little and closed her eyes, losing herself in the warmth of the fire and the absolute safety of America's arms. While she was here, in the small cabin that she called home next to the river where humans and countries alike panned for gold, she was safe. And for as long as she was nestled into America's strong figure like a kitten with their mother, she knew she would be content. He would protect her like a mother bear to whom saving their young was as unquestioned as breathing.
He would protect her from the intimidating miners and shield her from the daunting gunfights in town. He would give the shirt off his back to keep her warm. And he would never, ever leave. California fell in and out of sleep, slightly struggling to keep herself awake so that she could enjoy this moment a little longer. Finally it was too much and she let herself fall into the welcoming darkness.
America smiled. Now she was asleep he had time to think. He looked at the strips of cloth wrapped around California and sighed. Blood was starting to seep through the makeshift bandages.
It had happened so suddenly. As usual, the two were panning in the river for gold. Suddenly a large flock of birds flew away. Dogs barked and a deep rumble could be heard. His elbow started to hurt, as if he had been pinched. The earth below them started to tremble and it was in that moment that Hell found its way to earth.
California started to cry as the world shook violently. Trees quaked and the river water sloshed as the land below them gave its protest. Tents fell and miners shouted, desperately trying to find out what was happening.
California gasped and sucked in air, terrified and covered with dirt and blood. Then, as quick as it had come, it disappeared.
America carried the trembling child into the cabin and lit a fire to try to comfort her. He then went to his room and tore one of his shirts into strips, wrapping it around the frightened territory. He found himself shaking a little as he washed the blood from her hair with the little water left in the bucket beside the house. His breath shook as he combed the crusty bits of blood out of her golden locks.
He was a hero, he wasn't supposed to get scared. Even so, he was still no more than a teenager. He stopped shaking. When his states and territories were hurt, they would look to him for comfort. He couldn't be afraid when they were depending on him.
The process he went through was much like when a child gets hurt. The mother is terrified for them but remains calm, knowing that the child is looking to them for support. It is this loving passion that drove him to fear and calm.
'I wonder'. He thought, eyes going to the fireplace. 'Was England like this when I got hurt?'
He knew he had to leave eventually. There were other states and territories to take care of. For now though, he would stay. California needed a hero like him to be there. He protectively wrapped his arm around the small child.
'When you become a state, I'll call you the golden state. And I know you'll be strong like me someday.'