Today was the day of happiness the day of bonding and love, the Christmas tree was displayed in the living room with beautiful lights and cute ornaments, My papa was in the kitchen baking gingerbread man cookies while humming jingle bells happily, I sat on the couch with Kuma wrapping a small box with candy cane pattern wrapping paper.

I smiled slightly and stroked Kuma's fur carefully so I wouldn't hurt him, its been two weeks since I took a beating from Cuba for Alfred but it was worth it, although I still feel bad about Kuma getting hurt, "oi Matthieu are you excited?" my papa asked with a smile on his face. It's funny how he sees me when he wants to but later decides that I'm not there anymore it really breaks my heart but I can't show any sadness so I did the only thing I was good at, I faked a smile.

"Yeah, papa I'm so excited." I tried my best to sound happy even though I was half dead inside. Its been a couple of months since Alfred tried to attempt suicide, after he was back to normal everyone seemed to have forgotten all about it but the image of him lying on the bed weak and pale still haunted me till this day, but now he was happy with Arthur, or how I used to call him 'mama Arthur' when I was smaller. Old habits never seem to die.

My brother and my mom both dating didn't seem right to me but maybe a brother loving his twin brother isn't right either, maybe we're all neurotic or perhaps it's a country thing? "Oi Matthieu look up." My papa startled me from behind, I looked up to see him holding a mistletoe right above my head. He smirked devilishly and placed a kiss on my cheek making my cheeks burn with embarrassment, He pulled away and turned his cheek to me. "Now where's mine?"

I hesitated at first but quickly pecked his cheek this earned me a huge bone-crushing hug. "Thank you Matthieu!" papa said happily before releasing me and walking over to the front door and climbing on a stool where he hung the mistletoe at. I rolled my eyes at the mischievous plan my papa had come up with, now when someone came to visit they would either have to kiss their companion or...if they're lucky... A kiss from my papa.

I remembered when my papa was happier once when Arthur and he were together it seemed like nothing could break their bond of love almost as if it were unbreakable. But they soon began to argue over each other and eventually, they became farther apart, their mouths twisted into frowns and angry scowls that's when I knew that I would no longer see their happy smiles ever again.

The days my papa would go out and get drunk frightened me the most, he would return home and drop furniture to the ground, his eyes showed nothing but pure misery. I fixated my gaze at my papa who was now looking through some cabinets, "Matthieu have you seen a certain wine that was spared for this kind of occasion?" he looked over at me with a worried but questionable look.

My heart dropped and my face was drained from any color, the special 'Christmas wine' was a strong wine that could make any sober man into a psychopath. I quickly shook my head and gave a little squeeze to Kuma's paw, the door was suddenly burst open and Alfred appeared wearing a Santa outfit. "Ho ho, ho bros! The hero has come with presents!" he yelled with a grin.

He then took a glance over his shoulder and pulled at Arthur who was wearing a headband that had reindeer ears and antlers. "And my trusty companion Arthur the hot-headed reindeer!" he chanted while laughing hysterically. Arthur fumed and smacked Alfred from the back of the head. "Don't you ever call me that again y-you..you wanker!" he complained with a bright pink blush spread across his face.

"Hey, guys look up." I pointed out even though it pained me to see them kiss and watch as their eyes filled with lust and love for each other. Once they both saw what was hanging from the ceiling they both blushed like crazy, Alfred was the first to finally accept it and he pulled Arthur close to him, he lifted the brits chin and closed the gap between their lips.

From the corner of my eye I could see my papa at the kitchen, he was silent and I knew that he was in pain just how I am, both of our loves were never meant to be ours and now we were stuck here not being able to do anything about it. He turned around with a plate filled with cookies and headed to the living room where he placed the plate on the coffee table. "Alright, dudes lets open some presents!" Alfred said excitedly.

He ran to the tree that held many presents and beamed happily. "Which are mine?" he asked and looked at papa and Arthur who both sat on the couch, Arthur held a look of discomfort but he quickly shook it off. "The ones that have an 'A' written on it," Papa replied, Alfred instantly grabbed all his gifts at once and piled them up in a messy pile.

My pile wasn't exactly as large as Alfred's but it was still acceptable to me, a nice blue wrapped box had caught my attention and it was the first one I had ripped open. The gift was a red and white mug that read. "Maple is better than coffee." I actually smiled happily for the first time. I was surprised to see that the gift was from Arthur. "Thank you, mama," I said directly to Arthur without a second thought.

I quickly realized what I had said and stammered out to him with a bright blush. "S-sorry! I mean Arthur, I was just thinking about the past." I corrected myself hurriedly, I then grabbed another present to make things less awkward. The gift was a beautiful necklace, it was a bit worn but the blue sapphire gem held the most beauty.

I gasped and looked at my papa. "Is this from you papa?" I asked with curiosity eating at my brain. Arthur's eyes were wide with bewilderment and shock while papa's held a look of sadness. "Oui...it belonged to someone very dear to me...she is no longer here but your eyes...oh how you remind of her so.." He trailed off lost within his thoughts. "Yeah but aren't necklaces for girls?" Alfred asked aloud.

I shrugged and held the necklace close and tried to recollect any memories, a voice then echoed in my head 'Joan' my head shot up and I could see a faint transparent figure that leaned against my papa. A woman with short blonde hair and sea blue eyes smiled at me and rested a finger upon her lips, I fully understood and nodded slightly giving her a smile of my own.

She took one last look at papa and slowly vanished whispering a quiet 'je t'aime', "thank you, papa." I said and dashed over to hug him. "Group hug!" Alfred shouted and before anyone could protest Alfred jumped on the couch and wrapped his arms around Arthur, me, and papa giving a hard squeeze. A warm feeling had burst in my heart, I felt happy and joyful. "To be honest I have to say that this is the best Christmas I've had with my family." I pointed out.

We soon departed from the hug and Alfred laughed when he saw papa gasping and panting for breathe along with Arthur. We ate some of papas cookies and drank hot chocolate, Alfred insisted that I played a new game he barely got along with his new gaming counsel from Kiku since it was a horror game Arthur warned him about him not going to be able to sleep at night and that Alfred would start crying.

Alfred rolled his eyes. "Pshh yeah right I'm too tough to cry!" he stated proudly, Arthur only sighed. "Alfred...just yesterday you were crying about snakes." Arthur pointed out in a matter of fact tone. "They don't have any arms!" Alfred cried out with tears in his eyes, I tried my best to hold in my laughter but that was just way too hilarious.

---------------------------------------------------

I never wanted this day to end but the setting sun informed us that the day would soon be over, colorful paper was scattered on the floor, Arthur was cooing over the mini TARDIS sculpture I had given him and my papa was hugging an Eiffel tower plush and a wine bottle from 1975 given by me and Alfred.

I escorted Arthur and Alfred to the door while my papa chugged on his wine, "I'll be waiting outside thank you Matthew...and thank you, Francis." Arthur said quickly and ran outside. Alfred chuckled nervously as he looked at me thinking of something to say. "Its been a great Christmas Mattie. Thanks for the awesome gifts I can't wait to open them at home," he said with a gentle smile.

I returned the smile and laughed. "Yeah its been great. Thanks for my presents too I'll open them as soon as I'm done cleaning the place." I glared at my papa who was beginning to stagger and sway. "W-well umm.." Alfred was in hesitation but he quickly leaned down and planted a kiss on my cheek. "Good night Mattie." He turned away and was gone in a flash.

As soon as he entered the car and drove off I closed the door and leaned on it as I placed a hand on my brightly colored cheek where Alfred had kissed me. "Yeah..this has been a great Christmas.." I muttered to myself happily. I grabbed Kuma who was napping on the couch and hugged him tightly. "Don't worry Kuma I got tons of presents for you."

I giggled and kissed his fluffy forehead, My papa then staggered toward me and slung an arm around my shoulder, he puckered his lips and closed his eyes. "Oi Matthieu where's my kiss?" his words were slurred. "Papa go to bed your drunk!" I complained. "Not until I get my kiss!~" he pounced on me a purred....holy maple, may the maple lord be with me...