"Come on Mattie let's go!" Alfred yelled.
"Hold on I'm still putting my rain boots on," Matthew said. He tugged a little harder on his red and white striped boots. It was the day after Matthew had arrived. Alfred had cleaned up after the maple syrup disaster.
"Where are you two going?" Arthur asked. He stood under the arched hallway with a cup of tea in his hand.
"It's a surprise!" Alfred yelled.
"Then don't catch a cold and stay warm," Arthur warned.
"Okay," the boys replied.
"I'm ready,"
"Then let's go!"
"We're almost there, and here we are!" Alfred said as he dragged Matthew in front of a small shop.
"I didn't think you're the type of boy who likes to shop," Matthew said sarcastically.
Alfred dramatically slammed his hand on his chest and pretended to be offended. "Matthew I didn't think you would be one to use sarcasm."
Matthew stuck his tongue out.
"Anyways this store isn't just any store," Alfred said, "It's the store of dreams!" He spread his arms out wide presenting the store to his brother.
"Okay let's go," Matthew said.
When they entered the shop the familiar trumpet noise rang out. Well that's strange. Matthew thought. Alfred had stepped to the side and was staring at him. Was he giggling? Matthew saw a knight's armor made entirely out of the ace of spades card, a replica dragon head, and a wax statue of a girl that looked extremely lifelike.
Matthew reached out to touch the statue. Suddenly, it moved.
Matthew screeched as the statue reached out for him. He knocked down several shelves of items as he scrambled to get away.
The girl, Matthew now realized was not a statue, was laughing at his reaction. Matthew turned around and saw Alfred laughing at him too.
"That was so hilarious," the girl laughed.
"H-hey!" Matthew sputtered.
"Sorry that was just too good an opportunity to pass up," the girl said, "I'm Violet by the way."
Violet held her hand out to shake.
Matthew took it. "I'm Matthew eh," Matthew said.
"Would you like to check out the weapons department first, or would you rather go through the stuff my little cousin is trying to sell?" Violet asked.
"Eh!? What kind of place sells weapons to minors?"
"Don't call me your little cousin!"
"You're right that place wasn't like any store I know," Matthew told Alfred as they were walking out.
"Not at all," Alfred agreed.
"Were those real battle axes?" Matthew asked.
"Yep."
"Isn't Violet too young to be running a store?"
"Well technically her older brother runs it, but I've never seen him and everyone knows that it's Violet's," Alfred replied.
"Then why doesn't anybody do anything? Eh that's bound to be illegal. I mean a young girl in charge of a store," Matthew asked.
"I've heard that her older brother is scary," Alfred said.
"From who?" Matthew asked.
Alfred paused. "I forgot," he admitted.
There was an uncomfortable silence. Matthew looked down at the sidewalk. Puddles were scattered everywhere. Matthew felt like he was intruding. First, he was a third wheel in a close relationship, then they bought him all sorts of stuff, next they would have to spend money on him for clothes, food, and other necessities, lastly Alfred had taken him shopping to clearly a favorite store and he had been rude and questioned one of his friends. Papa would be mad at me. Matthew thought.
"Sorry," Matthew whispered.
"For what?" Alfred asked.
"Being a problem" Matthew replied softly.
Alfred stopped. "Look Matthew you're not a problem, you are the complete opposite of a problem. You're my brother," Alfred said.
"Thank you," Matthew said barely loud enough for Alfred to here.
Alfred wrapped his arm around his twin and pulled him closer.
"So what do you want for dinner?" Arthur asked.
"Nothing that you cooked," Alfred said looking up from his card game.
"Alfred!" Matthew hissed, hitting Alfred with his cards.
"It's okay I'm used to it," Arthur said. Bloody yank doesn't know good taste. Arthur thought.
As Arthur was getting out plates a phone call interrupted him. Arthur picked it up. "Hello?"
"Eh who do think that is? Do you have any 5's?" Matthew asked.
"Don't no. Go fish. Artie doesn't have any friends," Alfred replied.
"Be quiet I'm on the phone," Arthur yelled, "And I do have friends!"
"Prove it!" Alfred yelled back.
"Alfred," Matthew warned.
"I will prove it. My friend is in town and is bringing over food for dinner," Arthur retorted.
Arthur turned back to the phone, "Yes bring over the food. I need to prove a point,"
"Wait you weren't joking about having friends?" Alfred asked.
Matthew let his head hit the table as he sighed. Sometimes by brother is an idiot. He thought. Though it is nice to have a brother.
"No I wasn't joking about having friends, sometimes you're a bloody idiot Alfred!" Arthur snapped.
"Huh who knew. Artie can have friends. I thought a temper like that would scare everyone away," Alfred retorted.
Arthur growled. "Don't call me Artie!" he warned.
Matthew hit his head against the table. "Got any 3's eh?" he asked quietly.
"Go fish."
The door bell rung, interrupting the card game.
"See," Arthur said setting down his cards, "I do have friends and they brought dinner."
Arthur stood up and briskly walked to the door.
Alfred leaned in and whispered to Matthew. "I can't believe this. Arthur has a friend. Who knew!"
"You shouldn't doubt him when he says that Alfred," Matthew whispered.
"Whatever," Alfred waved him off, "I need to see if his friend is real. Are you coming?"
"Why not eh?" Matthew said.
Matthew and Alfred snuck out of the kitchen towards the front door. When they came across the hallway where Arthur was standing Matthew dashed to the other side then Alfred rolled across the opening.
Matthew face palmed.
The partners in crime tip-toed to a viewing point on a landing above the front door where they could easily see and hear Arthur's friend.
Arthur's friend was dressed in a blue shirt and had a cross hair pin holding back a stubborn curl. His hair was blond and on his face was an unpleasant scowl.
"I made smoked salmon," Arthur's friend said.
"Thank you Lukas," Arthur replied and took the food. "Say would you like to meet Alfred and Matthew?"
"I would like to eventually," Lukas said, "But it's late. Perhaps we could schedule a dinner together at some point."
"That would be lovely," Arthur said. "How about next Thursday?"
"That sounds great."
"See you then."
On the landing Alfred and Matthew were silent as they tried to figure out a way to get back to the kitchen without being seen.
"Alfred!" Arthur yelled from the kitchen.
Alfred winced.
"Matthew," Arthur said much calmer.
"Please come here right now," Arthur forcefully said.
Alfred turned to Matthew. "Sorry for dragging you into this bro."
Matthew shrugged.
They trudged down stairs wondering what Arthur was going to do.
"Spying on me to see, really," Arthur shook his head. "Kids these days, you had me worried for a second."
"So..." Alfred started, "Back to the card game?"
Hetafan here I didn't expect so many people to actually read this. Thank you! Hope you like this. Review please! For fun I recommend looking up Hetalia Ipod songs on youtube.
