Upstairs above them was trampling feet and loud screaming, with the occasional sound of breaking glass.

Gov kept his focus on a lighter he found when they evacuated to the tunnels, flicking it on and off, and trying to ignore the sounds above them.

"See you're safe DeeDee. You're safe." Gov heard IDC whisper next to him, and he briefly turned to check on his cousins, sitting on the floor of the tunnel. IDC had DC in her arms, and DC had his head on his twin sister's shoulder, obviously in full shut down. IDC had her hand tangled with DC and she kept moving it, like she was trying to draw DC back from his mind.

"We won't let anything happen to you." IDC whispered again and Gov saw DC squeezing her hand back in response; he was responsive, that was good, he needed to be just in case they had to move somewhere again.

"Hey DC, what's it like in your safe space?" One of the politicians trapped in the tunnels with them, someone who may or may not have encouraged the invasion, mocked.

"You shut the fuck up Cruz or I'll send you out there." Gov hissed shutting the politician up. He leaned back against the wall of the tunnel, looking up at the noise from above, flicking the lighter.

"I know what'll distract you." IDC said and suddenly Gov felt a tugging on his pant leg.

"I need his phone." IDC whispered and Gov dug into his pants and pulled out DC's phone, handing it to his cousin.

"DC we need to go and get out of here."

"W-Wait I need....I need...."

"Your partners can wait DC, let's go!"

"I NEED TO CALL THEM."

IDC tapped on DC's screen before holding the device up so DC could see it.

"Remember? Cali got so mad you guys ruined the kitchen but you and Florida had so much fun." IDC whispered. Gov spotted a half-smile on DC's face, thanking God his cousin's method seemed to be working. He leaned his head against the tunnel wall and closed his eyes, banging his free hand against the wall then yelping in pain.

"Was that the hand you threw the punch with?" IDC asked.

"More bruising than I thought." Gov muttered, flexing his fingers.

"If this is ever over, you need to go to medical." IDC pointed out.

"I'm fine." Gov hissed curling his hand again.

"Gov you're hurt--"

"I said I'm fine IDC." Gov yelled glaring at his cousin. "I need to keep an eye out for you two right now, and you need to watch over your brother." IDC rolled her eyes and went back to showing DC his pictures, leaving Gov to his thoughts.

"IDC let your jacket go and run! I got this asshole."

"But--"

"GO!"

It was like when they were kids, Gov was always deemed the protector of the twins, especially when his uncle started leaving for periods of time and coming back. DC got Gov's old hand-me-downs and both he and IDC watched out for him when they could get him out of the house and away from schoolwork. Gov was the one to teach IDC how to throw a punch and how to stand up to get her way when people didn't respect her around the office. It was never just cousins, they were a trio, the government trio, it had always been and will always be, them.

"God can you imagine having a shut down when you're the government? I'd be so embarrassed." Another politician sneered.

"Do you want to fucking go Hawley?" Gov yelled stepping off his wall.

"Gov stop...." IDC begged.

"No I'll handle this!" Gov hissed before turning back to the politician. "You really want to start this conversation?"

"All I'm saying is, maybe you should be in charge, you can handle pressure better then cry baby over there." The politician mocked. Gov felt his blood pressure rising at the murmurings of argument around him and, without warning, drew back and punched the politician in the face.

"GOV." IDC yelled before quickly turning back to DC when he gave a small cry.

"You listen here and you listen good." Gov hissed getting down to the politicians level. "Whether you like it or not DC is your government, you work for him. You show him the same goddamn respect you give your cult leader, or you'll be out next election faster than you can say Missouri." He stood back up, spun on his heel and walked back to his cousins as the politicians started gathering their leader up. IDC watched with wide-eyes as Gov returned, kneeling down on the other side of DC.

"You alright Dee?" Gov whispered. DC picked his head off IDC's shoulder and moved it on Gov's, who immediately sat back down to allow them both to get comfortable.

"You should get some rest Jenny, we might be here awhile. I got him." Gov whispered. IDC nodded and leaned her head against the wall, falling asleep almost instantly but keeping a firm hold on DC's hand. Gov noticed DC had fallen asleep as well, and he prayed once again when he got out of it, he'd come out of his shut down.

"Gov?"

"Mm?"

"Will we always be together?"

"I mean....we're the governments so..."

"Gov."

"Alright, alright. Look, I think we always will be. You're my ducklings, I ain't getting rid of you anytime soon."

"Stupid ducklings." Gov teased, smiling wildly, gazing down at his cousins. He nuzzled his face into DC's hair before falling asleep himself, grateful for a quick name with his cousins, his only family that matters, and to escape the world just for a little bit.