It wasn't fair! It wasn't!

At least, that was what Alfred kept telling himself, as he angrily beat his innocent pillow up. England had promised he'd be home for Christmas! He'd promised!

He wiped at his red eyes again; he'd been crying, but not because he was sad. He was just mad. It wasn't like he'd been looking forward to England's arrival for months or anything. He hugged his stuffed rabbit to his chest, sniffling. He wasn't even thinking about England when he marked the days on the calendar. He was just thinking about Christmas. And he would be happy without him.

"Amerique? Mon petit?" France peered into the bedroom, cautious; he did not want to get hit by any flying toys. Seeing that Alfred had settled down enough to be talked to, he entered the room.

"I don't wanna talk to you! I'm too mad!" Alfred replied childishly.

Francis smiled lightly at that, taking a seat by him.

"Alfred, I know you're upset about England's cancellation; but it will still be a good Christmas, I promise you." He assured him, settling a hand on his shoulder. Alfred pouted.

"I don't even care if he's there or not! I'm just mad, cause he lied!"

"Now, Alfred, he didn't lie...he just got busy. You can join Matthieu and I for Christmas, all right?"

"But you're weird Catholics..." Alfred's lower lip puckered out, and Francis shook his head.

"That doesn't mean you can't have a good time with us." He pointed out, letting the 'weird' part of it slide. Alfred was young, after all.

"Mmkay, but is there goodies?"

"Oui, there are goodies." Francis promised, grasping the little boy's hand. Alfred beamed.

"England'll be so mad that he didn't get any!"

So Matthew and Francis hadn't been as weird as Alfred might've expected; in fact, he had a good time. He still had to go to church before opening presents, though, and that was a bummer.

However, that was done, and now it was time for good food and presents.

"Is this one mine?" He eagerly checked the tag on one of the bigger boxes. Francis chuckled, passing him a parcel.

"This one is yours, Alfred."

Matthieu watched, waiting patiently for his present. Francis looked under the tree a moment, before his smile suddenly fell; he'd forgotten to bring Matthieu's present. He looked back at the brothers, Alfred beaming and eagerly waiting to tear the wrapping paper off his present, and Matthieu staring at him quietly. It seemed almost as if Matthieu could read his mind, because his eyes began to water.

"...is there one for me..?" He asked in a small, wavery voice. Francis looked about the pile quickly, panicking. He couldn't believe he had left it at home! Matthieu would never recover from a trauma like this!

"I am so sorry, Matthieu, mon cher..."

Matthieu's face crumpled at this, as he burst into tears. Not missing a beat, Alfred cheerily shoved his present into Matthieu's hands.

"We can share! Look, it says Matthew and Alfred now!" He chirped, having scribbled gibberish on the tag while Francis was searching for Matthieu's present. Matthieu looked at him tearily.

"Really?"

"Yeah, really! Why would I lie to you?" Alfred replied chipperly, beginning to pull paper off the package eagerly. Matthieu smiled, before quickly helping remove the paper.

It was a shiny train set. Alfred's eyes lit up.

"Come on! Help me put it together!"

Matthieu happily toddled after Alfred, as the older brother dragged the box along to an open space. Francis smiled; it was so cute...it seemed Alfred was determined to be a better big brother than Arthur was...