Alfred wakes up with a start at the smell of pancakes wafting through living room, "Mattie?"

"In here, do you want three or four?" Matthew answers back from his spot by the stove; it's been an deal between them for nearly four years. Matthew makes breakfast while Alfred makes dinner and while that may mean pancakes most mornings and burgers most nights they don't complain.

Alfred stretches as he enters the kitchen and sits at the bar watching his brother pour the batter, "Three please…how was the game?"

"I kicked butt." Matthew turns and smiles at his brother as he hands him a small stack, "What about you? How was your night?"

The younger twin shrugs slightly as he slides the butter over to himself, "You know…oh did you get my note?" Alfred asks as Matthew sits down next to him and pours maple syrup all over his before pouring it on his brother's, "Hey! Dude I didn't want any."

Matthew stops and stares at him, "Since when? Bro you've always coated you pancakes with syrup and butter why stop now?"

The other doesn't say anything as he picks at his breakfast before finally giving up and throwing most of it away, "I'm going to get ready for school…"

"Wait!" Matthew grabs his brother's arm and pulls him back into the kitchen, "You feeling okay?" He rests his hand on the other's forehead, "I mean you're kind of warm…it's not that bad of an idea if you stay home today."

Alfred swats his brother's hand away as he gives him fake smile, "I'm fine I mean it's just two more days until Christmas break anyway so," He shrugs, "I can just go for the last two then crash on the couch for the week."

While Matthew wants to protest he knows how stubborn the other can be, "Fine." And with that he lets go of Alfred's arm, "Oh and um…Dad can't make it home this year."

"That's strange…how?" Alfred shakes his head, "So is it Aunt Erin this year?" When he sees Matthew look down he groans, "No not Uncle Allistor! God, all he does is get drunk and pass out on the couch until the twenty sixth then he just stumbles to his car and leaves."

Matthew nods, "Yeah I know but hey once he leaves then you can crash on the couch…" He watches his brother's face drop slightly, "It will be fine bro. We can even invite a few people over before Uncle Allistor comes and have a small Christmas thing together…okay?"

While Alfred would rather spend Christmas Eve with just Matthew he'll go along with it to make his brother happy. "Sure…Bro that sounds like fun." He forces another smile as he walks out to change.

"Well that was a waste." He thinks out loud before walking up the stairs himself, "Al, I don't have a game tonight so I'll drive us home."

"Kay." Alfred calls out though the closed door before looking back at the mirror in front of him. He looks down at his slightly pudgy stomach and sighs before turning back to the essay started on his laptop.

"While the story is about how jealousy can turn to murderous rage it's also about forgiveness. And while Cain's actions were out of blind anger and rage deep down he truly did love and care about his brother."

Alfred shakes his head as he deletes it, "At least Adam and Eve cared about their sons…I hope at least." He chuckles to himself as he closes his laptop, "Then again God was the one that noticed Abel was dead."He hears Matthew calling to him and quickly he changes and rushes out the door and down the stairs, "I'm coming Mattie, I'm coming!"

Alfred slowly walks behind his brother and their little group for a moment as Matthew and Gilbert talk aimlessly before Carlos joins them and sends daggers Alfred's way. Alfred quickly slides down a side hallway to elude the Cuban teen. He's still not completely sure why Carlos doesn't like him but he knows enough not to stick around.

Suddenly arms wrap around his waist and he lets out a small yelp before seeing Feli behind him, "Oh morning Feli."

The Italian smiles wide as he goes to hug the teen again, "Morning Alfred!" He quickly grabs Alfred's hand and pulls him along either not noticing or not caring about the side stares and snickering all around them, "Ve I have to show you my project this morning." He turns back as Alfred smiles, "Come on you'll love it."

Alfred can feel his face grow red but he doesn't want to pull away from Feli so he just lets him lead him into the Art room to see Toris sitting at a desk drawing. The tall teen looks up at the pair as they enter and quickly smiles at them, "Morning guys." He calls out as he flips the paper over and pulls his long brown hair up into a ponytail, "What are you doing?"

Feli smiles wider, "Good I can show you both." Toris quickly joins them as Feli turns to a large canvas, "Now I know it's not done but…" He turns it so both teens can see it, "What do you think?"

Toris smiles as Alfred looks it over, "It's cool Dude…it looks like it's from the Renaissance."

Instantly Feli lets out a delighted Ve noise as he clamps his hands together, "That's exactly what I was going for! Now," He turns back to the painting showing a small family sitting down to dinner, "I want to add some more recent styles to make it really pop, maybe some…hmm." He stops deep in thought staring at it, "Not pop art but I'll figure it out anyway Toris can we see yours?"

The tall teen quickly shakes his head, "No way. I'm not even half way done…" He lets out a sad sigh, "I can't seem to find the time."

"Dude what about Art class?" Alfred asks watching the blue eyed teen suddenly look down instantly knowing why, "Dude…she's Ivan's little sister."

"Yeah but Ivan's kind of mellowed out a little since your brother cracked him hard across the face with that hockey stick. It might have giving him a nice concussion." Toris watches Alfred shake his head, "Yeah but can't blame a guy for trying right?"

Alfred lets out a light laugh, "No guess not…" The first warning bell goes off and Alfred lets out a sigh, "Guess I'll see you two later."

"Wait." Feli whines a little as he takes Alfred's arm, "Come on before anyone shows up tell me what you really think of the painting." His hazel eyes shine, "Please?"

The tall blonde teen sighs before quickly looking around, "Fine…" He looks at the painting, "Honestly the whole scene feels…warm and inviting yet delicate. I mean if you think about it the time was full of uncertainty so having a meal together like this was important." He thinks for a moment, "It was said especially during the plague that one could eat breakfast with their families and dinner with their ancestors." He turns as both smile wildly at him, "What?"

"How do you do that?" Toris asks leaning on a desk, "I can barely remember half the shit I'll learn today but you can recite like that?" Feli nods quickly next to him.

Alfred lets out a small laugh, "Yeah well I sometimes can get a little carried away…anyway I'll see you guys later." He races out before the rest of the class arrives.

"Carried away?" Toris asks looking over a Feli, "He barely speaks unless it's with us. I wonder if his brother even knows how smart he really is."

Feli covers his canvas, "I don't know but," He turns back and smiles, "I love it when he does that."