Hetalia fic - The Longest Road (Canada/America); 3/12
The Longest Road
Rating: R-18
Warning: Future AU, Original character(s), twincest
Summary: In the future, North Korea launches a war that will re-shape the world. The United States and Canada, wrecked by nuclear attacks and plague, fall into chaos. Now, almost two decades later, people have started to turn to some of the few governmental institutions to have survived - those of the native peoples of those lands. Led by the boy from a 400-year old prophecy, they will need to carve out a new future for themselves. And Matthew and Alfred, the nations of Canada and the United States of America, will need to do the same.
“Going home must be like going to render an account.” -- Joseph Conrad
Chapter 1 Chapter 2
Prophecy
The man`s eyes crinkle. “You don`t look like much of a snake.”
“Orenda,” Kumajirou says, and Matthew`s eyes widen in shock. That`s not a name handed out lightly… or at all, for that matter. It would be too much like naming your kid `the Holy Ghost` or the like. For the man to be given such a name - and the reference to snakes too…
Matthew`s sudden gasp is loud in the quiet clinic room as old memories and stories come roaring back to him. “You`re - you`re the boy from the prophecy. Deganawidah`s old prophecy. The boy-seer who`ll defeat the snakes and unite the people.”
Despite his fear, he can`t keep the note of awe out of his voice. After all, he`s never met a prophecy come to life before. Al would have a field day over this, he thinks.
That thought brings with it a wave of fresh worry over his brother. Alfred`s face is pale, tension still lingering in its lines. Matthew hovers over him protectively. The old prophecy tells of a boy who will reclaim North America for the native peoples, driving out those who had taken over their lands. He licks his lips, dredging up his question. “Does, does that mean you`re here to kill us?” he asks in a voice so soft it can barely be heard.
The man - Orenda - shakes his head. “No, no.” He holds his hands up for inspection. “I`m not a boy anymore… And to be honest, I`d prefer it if you`d just call me James, or even Jim. That`s what my mother named me.” He frowned. “Prophecy is a funny thing. Something bad enough happens, people want a reason for it, and when they can`t find one good enough, they start pointing to that sort of thing. They`ll find things to fit, or make them. I`m not going to say I didn`t do anything, but a lot of it was just being in the right place at the right time.”
He looks over Matthew for a long moment before deciding to continue. Kumajirou mutters `Orenda` stubbornly, and he sighs. “When the Democratic People`s Republic of Korea started attacking, and all those others joined it, the Haudenosaunee started to remember old Deganawidah`s words about the red serpent coming to fight the white one. And when the bombs fell, they remembered what he`d said about the high, old places, and started heading for the hills - literally. When the plague started to spread, they began coming here, to Iroquois territory, because that was the origin of the prophecy. The Catskills, the Adirondacks… The Indian people came here, and they didn`t get sick… Or at least, few enough of them did. As it turns out, there`s a sort of immunity to the plague virus among us. The more Indian blood you got, the more resistant you are.”
The flow of speech pauses for a moment as he sucks in a much-needed breath. “My mother was one of the scientists who first managed to isolate the gene. Together, her team - not just Indians either, but all sorts of people who`d come when they heard there was a safe place - managed to concoct a vaccine.”
Jim looks over at Alfred, his eyes softening. He reaches out a hand to brush aside a sweat-soaked strand of amber hair and Matthew, to his own surprise, lets him. Juan, who has been uncharacteristically silent up to this point, butts in.
“The numbers of infected have been dropping since then. We assumed you would regain consciousness first, because your people have been recovering faster. But Al… Well, the numbers in the US are still pretty high.”
“We`re working on them though,” Jim declares, a determined note ringing out in his voice. “They are dropping. We just need a little more time. We`ve got some treatments for it now, ones that actually help. Legends aside, you two aren`t snakes. I`m not going to let your brother suffer.”
Matthew is silent for a time, his chin buried in Kumajirou`s fur. “So what happens now?”
Jim and Juan share a long look - long enough that Matthew grows fidgety. His patience seems shorter than usual. He wonders if that`s because of Alfred`s state, if he`s starting to take on some of Al`s traits because his brother can`t right now. “Tell me,” he demands.
Juan sighs. “I need to go back to my house.” He holds up a hand, forestalling Matthew`s protests. Juan wears his feelings openly, and Matthew can see the anguish that flickers across his face, the concern for his little brothers in his dark brown eyes.
“I know you`re worried about Alfredo still. I am too, but I`ve got to take care of my own people too. You know that. If I could be in two places at one I would, but I can`t. And do you really think Alfred would want me to?” He waits for Matthew`s head to droop in acceptance, and then continues. “Now that you`re awake, you can keep an eye on him. Jim will look out for you both, but he`s got a lot of work to do to. The federal governments are practically nonexistent, and even local ones are in shambles. The tribal councils are some of the few authorities that managed to stay intact, thanks to that immunity, and a lot of people are looking to them for guidance. Since they`re all looking at `Orenda` here, well, he`s got his hands full. You`re going to need a place to heal, and rest. We`re near Haudenosaunee lands now, and well -“
Matthew`s head shoots up sharply. “What? You can`t mean - ! Juan! You know Al and I aren`t exactly on the best terms with…” He flushes, and doesn`t finish. If forced to, he`d admit to being ashamed of his treatment of their aunts and uncles in the past, but a part of him can`t help but be defensive about it despite that.
“Mateo.” Juan`s voice is sharp, brooking no argument. He`s heard that tone from his older brother before, but it`s been a long time since Juan had the power to back it up. Matt can`t help but wonder if he does now. “They`re your family.”
`Suck it up and deal` Matthew translates that to mean. He frowns stubbornly, tugging Kumajirou closer. Juan recognizes the look, and his own expression darkens in response. The two of them have never gotten along well, especially where Alfred is concerned. Juan thinks Matthew is a possessive, passive-aggressive little brat who`s grown too big for his britches, and Matthew thinks Juan is a jealous, opportunist hoser who needs to stay on his own side of the border and stop trying to get at Alfred`s vital regions. He loves his brother, but that doesn`t mean he always likes him all that much. But before they can air any of this once more, Jim interrupts them.
“No fighting in the sickroom you two,” he says, and they both have the grace to look ashamed. “Seneca will be here in a few days - she`s the closest. You should try and eat something if you can, and get some rest. We`ll, uh - “ He looks over Matthew, and the blond blushes to realize he`s wearing nothing more than a thin hospital gown that gapes open in the back. “- see about finding you some decent clothes to wear.”
Notes:
The Two Serpents prophecy is an actual prophecy of the Mohawk tribe by the prophet Deganawidah, the full text at which can be found online. There is a similar referring to the nations of Canada and America as silver and gold snakes as well.
http://prophecy2012prediction.blogspot.com/2009/02/two-serpent-prophecy.html http://www.dreamscape.com/morgana/rhea.htm
Rating: R-18
Warning: Future AU, Original character(s), twincest
Summary: In the future, North Korea launches a war that will re-shape the world. The United States and Canada, wrecked by nuclear attacks and plague, fall into chaos. Now, almost two decades later, people have started to turn to some of the few governmental institutions to have survived - those of the native peoples of those lands. Led by the boy from a 400-year old prophecy, they will need to carve out a new future for themselves. And Matthew and Alfred, the nations of Canada and the United States of America, will need to do the same.
“Going home must be like going to render an account.” -- Joseph Conrad
Chapter 1 Chapter 2
Prophecy
The man`s eyes crinkle. “You don`t look like much of a snake.”
“Orenda,” Kumajirou says, and Matthew`s eyes widen in shock. That`s not a name handed out lightly… or at all, for that matter. It would be too much like naming your kid `the Holy Ghost` or the like. For the man to be given such a name - and the reference to snakes too…
Matthew`s sudden gasp is loud in the quiet clinic room as old memories and stories come roaring back to him. “You`re - you`re the boy from the prophecy. Deganawidah`s old prophecy. The boy-seer who`ll defeat the snakes and unite the people.”
Despite his fear, he can`t keep the note of awe out of his voice. After all, he`s never met a prophecy come to life before. Al would have a field day over this, he thinks.
That thought brings with it a wave of fresh worry over his brother. Alfred`s face is pale, tension still lingering in its lines. Matthew hovers over him protectively. The old prophecy tells of a boy who will reclaim North America for the native peoples, driving out those who had taken over their lands. He licks his lips, dredging up his question. “Does, does that mean you`re here to kill us?” he asks in a voice so soft it can barely be heard.
The man - Orenda - shakes his head. “No, no.” He holds his hands up for inspection. “I`m not a boy anymore… And to be honest, I`d prefer it if you`d just call me James, or even Jim. That`s what my mother named me.” He frowned. “Prophecy is a funny thing. Something bad enough happens, people want a reason for it, and when they can`t find one good enough, they start pointing to that sort of thing. They`ll find things to fit, or make them. I`m not going to say I didn`t do anything, but a lot of it was just being in the right place at the right time.”
He looks over Matthew for a long moment before deciding to continue. Kumajirou mutters `Orenda` stubbornly, and he sighs. “When the Democratic People`s Republic of Korea started attacking, and all those others joined it, the Haudenosaunee started to remember old Deganawidah`s words about the red serpent coming to fight the white one. And when the bombs fell, they remembered what he`d said about the high, old places, and started heading for the hills - literally. When the plague started to spread, they began coming here, to Iroquois territory, because that was the origin of the prophecy. The Catskills, the Adirondacks… The Indian people came here, and they didn`t get sick… Or at least, few enough of them did. As it turns out, there`s a sort of immunity to the plague virus among us. The more Indian blood you got, the more resistant you are.”
The flow of speech pauses for a moment as he sucks in a much-needed breath. “My mother was one of the scientists who first managed to isolate the gene. Together, her team - not just Indians either, but all sorts of people who`d come when they heard there was a safe place - managed to concoct a vaccine.”
Jim looks over at Alfred, his eyes softening. He reaches out a hand to brush aside a sweat-soaked strand of amber hair and Matthew, to his own surprise, lets him. Juan, who has been uncharacteristically silent up to this point, butts in.
“The numbers of infected have been dropping since then. We assumed you would regain consciousness first, because your people have been recovering faster. But Al… Well, the numbers in the US are still pretty high.”
“We`re working on them though,” Jim declares, a determined note ringing out in his voice. “They are dropping. We just need a little more time. We`ve got some treatments for it now, ones that actually help. Legends aside, you two aren`t snakes. I`m not going to let your brother suffer.”
Matthew is silent for a time, his chin buried in Kumajirou`s fur. “So what happens now?”
Jim and Juan share a long look - long enough that Matthew grows fidgety. His patience seems shorter than usual. He wonders if that`s because of Alfred`s state, if he`s starting to take on some of Al`s traits because his brother can`t right now. “Tell me,” he demands.
Juan sighs. “I need to go back to my house.” He holds up a hand, forestalling Matthew`s protests. Juan wears his feelings openly, and Matthew can see the anguish that flickers across his face, the concern for his little brothers in his dark brown eyes.
“I know you`re worried about Alfredo still. I am too, but I`ve got to take care of my own people too. You know that. If I could be in two places at one I would, but I can`t. And do you really think Alfred would want me to?” He waits for Matthew`s head to droop in acceptance, and then continues. “Now that you`re awake, you can keep an eye on him. Jim will look out for you both, but he`s got a lot of work to do to. The federal governments are practically nonexistent, and even local ones are in shambles. The tribal councils are some of the few authorities that managed to stay intact, thanks to that immunity, and a lot of people are looking to them for guidance. Since they`re all looking at `Orenda` here, well, he`s got his hands full. You`re going to need a place to heal, and rest. We`re near Haudenosaunee lands now, and well -“
Matthew`s head shoots up sharply. “What? You can`t mean - ! Juan! You know Al and I aren`t exactly on the best terms with…” He flushes, and doesn`t finish. If forced to, he`d admit to being ashamed of his treatment of their aunts and uncles in the past, but a part of him can`t help but be defensive about it despite that.
“Mateo.” Juan`s voice is sharp, brooking no argument. He`s heard that tone from his older brother before, but it`s been a long time since Juan had the power to back it up. Matt can`t help but wonder if he does now. “They`re your family.”
`Suck it up and deal` Matthew translates that to mean. He frowns stubbornly, tugging Kumajirou closer. Juan recognizes the look, and his own expression darkens in response. The two of them have never gotten along well, especially where Alfred is concerned. Juan thinks Matthew is a possessive, passive-aggressive little brat who`s grown too big for his britches, and Matthew thinks Juan is a jealous, opportunist hoser who needs to stay on his own side of the border and stop trying to get at Alfred`s vital regions. He loves his brother, but that doesn`t mean he always likes him all that much. But before they can air any of this once more, Jim interrupts them.
“No fighting in the sickroom you two,” he says, and they both have the grace to look ashamed. “Seneca will be here in a few days - she`s the closest. You should try and eat something if you can, and get some rest. We`ll, uh - “ He looks over Matthew, and the blond blushes to realize he`s wearing nothing more than a thin hospital gown that gapes open in the back. “- see about finding you some decent clothes to wear.”
Notes:
The Two Serpents prophecy is an actual prophecy of the Mohawk tribe by the prophet Deganawidah, the full text at which can be found online. There is a similar referring to the nations of Canada and America as silver and gold snakes as well.
http://prophecy2012prediction.blogspot.com/2009/02/two-serpent-prophecy.html http://www.dreamscape.com/morgana/rhea.htm