(5 pm 26th of December)

"Dare.." Matthias was unsure of his decision. Everyone had their eyes on Berwald. He had the endless possibilities to dare the Dane with. There was silence before Berwald cleared his throat a bit before speaking.

".. I dare you to say Sweden is better than Denmark." Berwald dared with a glint in his eye. Matthias gasped and made a disgusted face. The others in the room found this hilarious considering the Dane was very proud of his heritage.

"Never!" He pouted refusing the terrible dare.

"Punishments will be much worse, Matt." Lukas snorted wanting to see if the Dane would go ahead with it.

"What is the punishment?" Matthias asked looking at Lukas with big frightened puppy eyes.

"You have to sing the Swedish national anthem." The Norwegian smirked a bit.

"Sweden is better than Denmark." the Dane quickly said. Everyone was very amused. Berwald thought it was very clever of Lukas to have that punishment. He would make sure to mention it later to the Norwegian.

"Alright my turn! Em, Truth or dare?" Matthias grinned at the teenager. Emil visibly shrunk next to Leon. It earn a giggle from Tino and a chuckle from his brother and Matthias.

"Truth." He said trying to not look at the Dane in case he asked about Leon.

"Is it true you used to call Lukas 'storebror'?" Matthias asked with a grin. He wasn't going to ask about Leon but would totally dare them later. Emil on the other hand when bright red and glared as a smirking Lukas.

"How dare you tell him?" Emil asked his brother embarrassed.

"Of course i did. You were so cute back then and we were discussing childhood." Lukas was smirking sipping his drink.

"It means big brother by the way." Matthias filled Tino and Leon in with the translation because they looked very confused. It got a coo from Tino finding it adorable. Leon smirked and nudged Emil a bit. More teasing material was necessary after all.

"Yes, I did. Happy? Now Tino, truth of dare?" Emil asked the Finnish punk.

"I will go with dare." He smiled from his seat on his boyfriend's lap.

"Dare you to speak in the deepest voice you can make for the next five turns." Leon snorted at the dare his best friend had come up with. Matthias was laughing whilst Lukas chuckled and Berwald broke out a slight smirk.

"Okay." Tino spoke with a deep as voice. It made him cough a little but the room was either giggles or laughter. Berwald too was quietly laughing. Tino could rival Morgan Freeman with the deep voice.

"Lukas, Truth of dare?" The deep voiced Finnish cutie spoke between giggles himself. Lukas was covering his mouth trying to stop the laughing at bay.

"Dare." He imitated the deep voice causing another roar of laughter from Leon and Matthias and his brother was on the floor clutching his stomach laughing. Tino too was laughing with Berwald.

"Dare you to tell the person on your left you who you like." Tino coughed out with a grin at Lukas. The Norwegian shuffled over a bit but gave up and beckoned the Dane to come to him. Matthias smiled and shuffled over too so the other could lean closer.

"Hey, I like you. Blink twice for 'love you too' and once for 'i like Lego better' " The punk whispered causing the Dane the blush but also chuckle. He blinked twice at the punk who snorted. Of course to everyone else this was weird but so cute. Because Matthias was grinning truly happily and Lukas was being playful.

"My turn right?" Lukas asked Tino. Tino nodded grinning. He knew he was being asked so he had to speak in his Morgan Freeman voice.

"Alright. Leon. truth or dare?" Lukas asked the younger teenager.

"That's a trick question right?" Leon asked knowing Lukas was pure evil when he wants to be. Lukas smirked at him.

"Pick one or i'll make you do both." Leon flinched away a bit with 'why?' face.

"Truth." He decided.

"Is it true you have an illegal amount of firecrackers stashed in your bedroom?" Lukas asked raising an eyebrow at the other reaction which was a simple and unashamed nod.

"Nice." Matthias spoke with an amazed tone.

"You should see it in person." Emil mumbled sipping on his hot chocolate.

"Fills the entire closet." Leon spoke with a proud tone.

"So is that what you did when you came out of it?" Emil asked monotonously. Leon was a bit flustered and the other snorted and giggled at the teasing.

"It's okay Leon. at least you didn't fill it with stacks of Lego boxes." Lukas smirked teasing his boyfriend. Matthias attacked with hugs to the Norwegian's waist and nuzzling his side causing the other and squirm away from the tickles and push the other off. The Dane grinning as usual.

"Or IKEA catalogues." Tino piped up. Berwald was just red and in hiding behind the little Finnish teen on his lap.

"Berwald keep IKEA catalogues in his closet?" Emil and Leon asked in unison a little surprised and confused.

"He really likes furniture." Matthias emphasized the 'really' to tease the Swedish teen.

"I make furniture. Not what Matthias is trying so hard to imply." Berwald clarified his reasons. Matthias pouted a bit.

"You're no fun. But his furniture is very nice." He nodded. Berwald was a bit surprised since the Dane usually didn't really compliment him. This was probably the nicest thing he had said to him. It was a pleasant but creeped him out a little.

(9 pm 26th of December)

The teenagers continued the banter and live their life. It was beginning to get late. At around 9, Tino and Berwald drove Leon home. Emil left for his room to actually do some homework. Lukas was folding some clothes and teaching the Dane how to iron clothes since he had been watching him with amazement for the past 15 minutes.

"How are you so good at all this house stuff? Like all my clothes now are so soft and cozy and my white shirts are still white and the ones i screwed up are now white again!" Matthias asked ironing a shirt with Lukas watching to make sure none of the things were burned.

"I used to watch mum do it when i was little. When she passed I started doing what she used to and learned things the hard way sometimes. Like burning my fingers accidentally or dried hands from touching bleach. Not to mention if i screwed up i was gonna get it." He replied folding shirts and jeans. He had a pile for each of them. Emil usually washed his own clothes but Lukas usually did the massive washes. Which meant he was usually making piles for each one of them regardless. The response however got the Dane's attention so he sat the iron like Lukas taught him.

"What do you mean?" Matthias asked tilting his head a little and watched the other. Lukas tensed up a little but then relaxed as he saw the other's curious expression.

"Well.. My father wasn't the same since my mother's death. She was the glue in the family and kept my father sane. So when she passed he became angry and abusive. He drowned himself in alcohol.. Lost his job.. And stopped being a father." He spoke looking down and folding clothes. Matthias went over to him and hugged him close. He kissed his forehead and rubbed his back. He really hadn't expected that though he was suspecting it since Lukas stressed a lot about working and he had yet to screw up even slightly. The Norwegian was so cautious and careful with how he handled things. It made sense now. Lukas leaned into the hug and breathed in the other's scent.

"Luke-" the Dane began but the other pecked his lips. It got the other bright red. Everytime the other tried to talk the Norwegian would cut him off with a peck.

"Don't. I don't need the pity. Life happens and it's gotten much better. It's taught me all the things i know now and I wouldn't be here teaching you how to iron shirts otherwise." He smiled a little at his Dane. Matthias smiled brightly at that and kissed his boyfriend more deeply wishing for more affection. His punk kissed back caressing his face gently as they kissed. It made both their hearts race and cheeks tint red. They were short and sweet kisses that reminded them different things but the major message was that they were not alone. That they had each other and could trust each other with important things like this.

"You better get back to ironing those shirts so i can finish with these clothes." Lukas hummed calmly as he leaned his forehead with Matthias'.

"Okay. Then let's go and cuddle." The Dane smiled with his eyes still closed from kissing the Norwegian.

(10 pm 26th of December)

Arthur had been staying back home in England for most of the winter break. It meant he had missed on that winter Yule dance thing that Francis had thrown. One that Alfred and Francis had both been begging for him to go to. One that he was happy to refused due to family. England trip was always sucky though. His brothers hated him and would pick on him. So it was a typical morning like he was back at school. Except Francis and Alfred weren't there to distract him from the bullying. It kinda hurt more that his own blood was hurting him like this. But what did it even matter to them?

"Texting your boyfriend again?" Alistair began. Arthur sighed and left the room. He had been picked on everything since he arrived and he hated how they would say boyfriend like it was a bad thing. So what if he fancied boys? It wouldn't matter to him if Alistair came out to him or if any of his brothers told him that they would rather be his sister instead. He wouldn't have a problem with it at all.

He was texting Matthew who was more sane to speak to than either Francis or Alfred. They often texted and vented to each other. They both had brothers that annoyed them to death and Alfred was often a common problem. Lately Matthew had been dating Gilbert. Arthur was happy for the two and knew that they balanced each other out brilliantly. He was happy for the two since Roderich had began dating Elisabeta and had really hurt Gilbert in doing so. But it seemed the albino had found someone to make him truly happy in Matthew. It brought up the question of Arthur dating. The problem was that he wouldn't ever admit it aloud. But he fancied both Alfred and Francis.

Sure they drove him insane but he liked both. Alfred may play dimwitted but was so smart and knew plays off by heart. Francis was an asshole but he would always find something to compliment him on 'accidentally'. Or would fix up his uniform in the morning if it was messy from catching the bus. Alfred would be constantly reminding him to cheer up and to come watch him play football or 'soccer' as he put it. Francis would hug him even though the Brit struggled against him to let go and would remind him that there was always something beautiful in everything.

So here laid Arthur Kirkland. Confused. Unsure. And very much in love with two boys. Both having special things about them and both drove him insane. He didn't know what to do. He didn't know who to ask. And he felt so he thought about things logically. How would a relationship with Alfred be like and how would a relationship with Francis be like.

It didn't help.

He didn't know how to even begin to discuss this with Matthew, considering he was talking about his brother. Matthew would hate him if he broke his brother's heart no? So Francis would be a better choice. No he couldn't there either because Gilbert was friends with both Alfred and Francis and that would always make for a bad conversation.

That's when he got a text from Francis.

[10:35 pm| Message from Fucking Kermit the frog] : Just wishing you merry Christmas. You've always mentioned you hated going home. I know i'm a little late but you cant rush perfection. (AKA Moi.) So Merry Christmas. I hope you receive lots of love from you family and that you have a lovely time despite your brothers being a menace to you mood. Cant wait for you to come back home! I have a present for you.

Arthur blushed and screamed into his pillow. Did he have to write this? Did he have to be so nice under all that layer of ass? Francis really listened when he vented to him. It wasn't common but when he need to talk and take out all his frustrations Francis sat with him for hours. Drinking tea and suggesting solutions if not building the Brit's confidence that seemed to crumble like gold leaves that flaked away. He would have to bring the french back a present. He could take a trip to Paris tomorrow with his mother. She would love a break with him. His brothers drove her mad though she loved her sons equally.

[10:39 pm| To Fucking Kermit the frog] : Thank you, Francis. I kinda needed that right now. Christmas is how Christmas usually is minus the broken arm this year. I may be taking a day trip to Paris tomorrow. Anything on the wishlist you are dying to have?

He texted back quickly. But kept typing and erasing unable to think of how to talk to the french through text. He was so used to the other calling him. In a way, it was kind of like writing letters. Something that he would loved to do with someone. He knew for fact that Frenchman had lovely handwriting.

"Arthur. Get your bag ready so that tomorrow we can go to the beach together so you last day being back home." his mother spoke from his door. "Come on, lad.. Not gonna sulk up here all day will ya?"

"Actually, I wanted to go to Paris with you tomorrow. Only you since my brothers don't appreciate my presence." He spoke up a little upset but more bitterly at the mention of his brothers. "I would rather spend my last day with you and have a good time."

"Oh, Artemus. My little king, they do love you. They are just really terrible at showing it." She sat with him and hugged him tightly. He hugged her side and squeezed tight. His mother called him that and always said he was the best gift god had given her along with her other sons but Artemus and Artie was similar which was his nickname at home. It was nice. He felt appreciated by his mother and loved her to bits.

"I know you say that but they have never given me any reason to think that they don't flat out hate me. Besides, when was the last time you went out to Paris?" he asked her. She gave him a sweet smile and kissed him on his forehead.

"Okay my littlest king. Is something bothering you? You look upset at something." she asked brushing his hair with her fingers. Her hands were beginning to wrinkle and her youth was fading but it never took away with the fact his mother was beautiful. She was kind at heart and kept her family all cuddled and warm no matter how far Arthur was. She was his best friend.

"Just.. I like two guys.. And they both like me.. But i'm not sure what to do." he muttered frowning a bit. His mother never stopping her brushing of his messy hair.

"Well which one helps you out the most and holds you close and make you feel nice inside?" she asked humming a little in thought.

"Francis.. But Alfred likes to as well.. But i.. I get nervous and push him off. Both know it's nerves but Francis doesn't move away.. Alfred does. I cant help it though." He sighed frustrated.

"Then ask Francis out and see how it goes. Alfred sounds more delicate emotionally.. So it might be better choice if you go out and see how it is with Francis." She smiled at him. "They both sound lovely dear, don't get me wrong i just see Alfred getting more hurt with what you say sometimes." she rubbed his back.

"He is french you know. Francis." He looked up at his mum.

"Have any pictures?" She asked smiling, happy to support her son no matter what his decision was. Arthur hummed and opened his phone and showed her the entire album of photos Francis had taken one afternoon on his phone. It started out with flawless selfies and then Alfred photo bombing and then the two of them taking weird faces selfies with only a few very attractive pictures of them and then a few of Francis just laughing at Alfred who was making ridiculous faces. It made Arthur laugh so much when he opened his phone's gallery.

"Goldie locks is Francis and the alien is Alfred." Arthur snorted.

"They both look very sweet, dear! Alfred looks like he is the life of the party and Francis has to had broken a lot of hearts." Arthur nodded with a smile at his mother.

"Both those statements are true. Though, Francis has been partying less as of late, i have noticed. Alfred is more in constant need to be out doing something or inside making something or playing video games with Kiku. I'm not sure.. i .. don't want to hurt either.. I just.. I like both." He sighed

"Well.. maybe it's inappropriate of me but.. Maybe tell that to the both? And suggest working together in a poly-amorous relationship? If they say no. then let time tell who stays i think. You'll be a senior next year. So .. only time will tell." She smiled kissed his forehead. Just make sure Francis hasn't just been eating snails or frog legs when you go to kiss him" She teased.

"MUM! Stop it!" He was a beetroot colour. She chuckled and left the room and shut the door. Arthur hugged his pillow and opened his phone as he saw a text message from Francis.

[10:45 pm| Message from Fucking Kermit the frog] : mon dieu! The list i could give you. But my only wish is for you to get me Anise Candy - L'anis de Flavigny. They are really nice. And a flower of your choice that you could like flower press. Has to be from Jardins du Trocadero! Also photos. That's all i can really ask for.

Arthur smiled a little and slept soundly that night. His day looked bright tomorrow. He had already gotten Alfred his present of course. The other had texted him at the crack of drawn on christmas morning. But this was a very different present. One that he could do without a doubt. And he knew why Francis was asking for specific things. The french had told him about his homesickness just as Arthur hit his winter blues at the end of last semester. Candy, flower and photos. He could make him a little photo album of his day tomorrow. With everything in it. That sounded like a good present right?

He hoped so.

OH MY LORD

IM SORRY LAST WEEK HAD NO UPDATE

i was getting everything done and out of the way for easter. and it was horrid

*insert here a clip of someone screeeching on top of their lungs*

ANY WAYS thank you all so much for the lovely reviews and readers still reading my story! i'm adding more couples in gradually but yush FRUKUS is happening

I would like to point out that even if it sounds like Francis is getting favourite title here it will like fluctuate and but i personally find FrUK easier to write u have like 5 different FrUK stories in my computer that probably wont see the light of day. butttttt the USUK fan pls sit down. there will be plenty coming your way!

REVIEW TIME

RantingFangirl: did you get it right? im like hsindkjs curious

EspejoNight28738: Thank for all the love! tbh im so happy you enjoyed last chapter! Leon's ideas involved firecrackers at first but like norge totally burned that bridge tbh it why i didnt write it in but i will be probably posting it on the copy of this story on AO3 It will be having more scenes of things that didnt make it in for reasons like it dragged on the scene for too long or it made things too confusing. I basically write a bunch and cut and paste things from the final piece like a collage janlssaasalsdickm sorry for the rant aaaaaaa

FrUKLover17: oh my lord i like hsdjnaksijdkna your comments brighten day so much omgsss thank you so much for noticing all of that i legit sometimes wonder if people even notice effort required to write and post publicly but like your comment has like made it all the worth its! usually when i dont feel okay i try not to write best i know it wont be my best work but i like write for other fics btw you should totally give au for like a FrUK one shot bc i find it easier to write than i though? I will delve into characterization and plot if au is like one had gives me the room to do so!but thank you thank you so much for commenting i love reading them !

DouxAnge: Youre welcome on those recommendations! i hope the fangirl needs has been met also like shdbsdjnc thank you for your support of the story! I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

||Ame