Things wound down late afternoon, early evening at the Statehouse with most of the states moving inside waiting for supper to be finished.

"Why doesn't the dog just eat the tiny bird?" DC mumbled leaning against California with his feet on Louisiana's lap. The sugar crash had been real and now all DC could do was muster up the energy to stay awake and watch an animated Easter special with his two of his boyfriends and some other states.

"Snoopy would never eat Woodstock." California teased.

"But he's annoying." DC muttered trying to suppress his yawn. He heard the front door open and shut, then felt California pick up his head and nod at whoever had come in before feeling Louisiana, gently, push his legs down off his lap.

"Darlin'? We've got something to show you outside." Louisiana announced.

"It's not more candy is it? 'Cuss I'm full." DC groaned and Louisiana smiled. The fed must be well and truly full if he was refusing candy.

"Nah, it's something better. I'll help you up." Louisiana offered standing up then pulling DC to his feet. DC allowed himself to be led back outside while California and New York yelled into the kitchen for Texas and Florida to meet them out in the backyard. The semi-cold spring evening air hit DC's face as Louisiana took him out to the back deck, then back to the backyard, their other three boyfriends following.

"Where are we going? What did you and Florida do?" DC asked, now semi-lucient.

"Oh don't worry sha, you're going to love it." Louisiana said with a grin before stopping at the edge of the yard, pointing to the small shed that was hidden in the tall swamp grass.

"TA-DA!" Florida yelled, jumping out ahead of everyone. The shed had been painted a soft white with light blue shingles on the roof. It looked more structurally sound, which made DC happy, but he tried to keep up appearances and convey confusion.

"Uh....you re-built the shed?" DC asked. Texas chuckled and threw an arm around DC's shoulders.

"We prettied it up for you sugar." Texas announced. DC blushed a deep red, they couldn't have known this is where he liked to come out and relax was it?

"I....but I mean....it's not just for me...." DC stuttered.

"Cherry we know." New York announced. "We know this is where you like to come out and relax if things get too stressful. We wanted to make it a little more pleasant for when you do."

"Yeah like that cottage cheese core stuff you like." Florida added.

"Cottagecore, Dia." California said with a sigh, looping an arm around his boyfriend's shoulders. DC turned back to look at the shed, taking in its new appearance. He approached the small building carefully, like it'd jump out and attack him. DC touched the newly maintained and painted walls, sliding his hands across the smooth service as he jiggled the silver door knob that replaced the old, rusted one. It certainly did look like it was built better; last time he came out here on a particularly rough day, he feared the shed would slide right into the swamp. DC bit back a whimper as he turned back to his boyfriends, who were waiting expectantly for his verdict.

"T-Thank you." DC whispered, not fighting the tears. "Thank you this....this whole day has been...."

"You deserve it, Dee." Florida announced, being serious for once. "No one should have to put up with what you do."

"I don't know what I'd do without you guys." DC whimpered before going into the arms of the closet boyfriend (Texas). The other four engulfed themselves in the hug as they stood in the twilight of the evening, the only sounds being the swamp frogs coming out for the night and the arguing coming from the kitchen about dinner.

IDC watched the scene from the deck, feeling both satisfied and sad at the same time. As much as she feared the main five taking her brother away, and how secretly she wished the pandemic would just end so DC would return to Washington permanently, she knew her brother was in good hands with his boyfriends. And as Florida broke the hug and pulled DC away to show him 'the new features of the shed', IDC knew despite her wishes this was the best thing for him.

DC would always be her brother, but IDC needed to learn to let go.