I noticed a lot of people ask why I format my stories to the center instead of the side. Well, you can blame my teachers in high school. I was taught to write everything centered. From essays, to stories, or reports, everything. Ever since, I write things centered as a habit. If it bothers you guys, I am sorry, if you want I can reformat some of my things to the left. Sorry once again. Thank you.

Also, last thing. These short stories are made by inspirations and headcanons my friends and I made. If you believe a character wouldn't do it because of what you believe, that's fine. But don't say I'm wrong, because once again, these are headcanons. I know they aren't canon, that's why I wrote them. If you don't like it, than don't read it. Thank you.

Ever since Matthew had gotten Kumajiro, he's been more on doing what he wants than what Alfred wants. When playing, Alfred would tell his brother what they were doing and how things were done. He was a in charge child, while Matthew followed without any argument. But now, Mattie does what Kumajiro wants to do. Typical with kids who have imaginary friends or stuffed friends who 'talk'. Francis found it perfect, helping Matthew not have to follow anyone around and be his own. Arthur was happy as well, seeing Alfred can be bossy at times. Alfred, was hating it.

"So, guess where we're going tomorrow." Told Arthur as he served the boys their milk, Francis was making breakfast, although Alfred wanted Arthur's cooking. "Alfred, keep your face clean." He sighed reached over with a napkin and rubbing the mess off his cheeks.

"Where?" Matthew asked pretending two plates of pancakes were for him and Kumajiro. 'he needs to eat too' he told every meal, so they made a second plate for him. Much to Alfred's dislike.

"Well, it has lions, and tigers, and bears-" Hinted Francis as he was making himself some breakfast.

"The zoo!" Barked out Alfred standing in his chair at this exciting news. "We're going to the zoo! We're going to the zoo!" He cheered, but almost lost balance.

Fear of a cracked skull, Arthur jumped holding the chair in place. "Sit your bum down, Alfred!" He scolded, as the boy did what he was told, but still wiggled in excitement.

"Are we really?" Asked Matthew, almost feeling his fathers were joking, as he hugged Kumajiro to keep any syrup getting on his fur, sitting in a chair beside him.

Francis sat beside Arthur, "Oui, school starts next week, count it as one last summer trip." He explained sipping his coffee, as Arthur drank his tea.

"We can see polar bears?" Matthew beamed and hugged his said bear now excited himself. The fathers nodded with a smile, feeling this trip would be perfect.

Alfred pouted his lips at the sight. He just munched on his food on whatever it was Arthur made. It was hard for the other boys to ask or even guess.

Later in the day, Matthew was coloring his coloring books with Kumajiro, asking what should be what colors. Alfred was playing with his train set, and kept giving the stuffed bear a glare whenever he 'answered'.

"I like red, but should the color of this be red or green?" After some silence, Matthew smiled. "Red it is! I'm glad its your favorite color too." Then proceed to coloring the picture red.

He used to ask Alfred what color things should be. Alfred would answer blue, being his favorite color. He just attached car after car making a long train scale for the small circled tracks. Maybe, if he got Matthew to play with him, he can get his brother back into following him.

"Hey Mattie, wanna play trains?" Alfred asked switching the first top train and making it circle the track slowly.

Matthew looked up and turned to Kumajiro, "Want to play trains?" Alfred impatiently waited for the stupid bears answer. "..He wants to color." The Canadian boy asked.

Alfred pouted. "But I want to play trains."

"..But he wants to color."

"Trains!" Alfred demanded. When Matthew didn't move, Alfred got more mad and stood. "I wanna play trains!"

Matthew stood, holding Kumajiro. "He wants to color!" He softly barked back.

"Trains!"

"Color!"

"Trains!"

"What is all the yelling about!" Demanded Arthur who heard it two rooms over. "I'm trying to organize bills and I hear yelling from here."

"Daddy!" Whined Alfred and pointed at his twin. "Matthew won't play with me!"

Matthew gulped, was he in trouble? Arthur sighed and knelt down to the boys. "Maybe he doesn't want to play because you keep demanding him. When was the last time you played what he wanted?" Alfred puffed his cheeks, and turned his head away pouting. Taking that as he never really did so, Arthur sighed. "Just play what he wants. No yelling or fighting, or else no zoo."

Arthur stood and left the boys to take this in. Alfred stuck his tongue out as he left and turned to Matthew who looked relieved he wasn't in trouble. But was still upset that there might be no zoo. Alfred just huffed and plopped down and just played with his trains. If he was still going to the zoo, he'd have to just not play with his brother.

Matthew though, wanted to play with his brother, just not get bossed around. Well, Kumajiro wanted to color as he said, so he wanted to color. Alfred side glanced to Mattie, seeing him continue coloring. He was really mad, he hated Kumajiro now.

The next morning rolled, and the boys managed to behave to go to the zoo. They got up early, with Arthur driving as Francis tended to directions. In the back, the boys sat in their car seats, excited for the trip. Matthew hugged Kumajiro facing the window with him watching things go by as they made it onto the highway. Alfred had his action figures with him, but didn't really play with them. He just glared at the bear whenever the chance was given to him. Each boys had their new backpacks with drinks, lunch sandwiches, and other things to keep them busy in the car for the long ride.

"Papa, can we see the polar bears?" Matthew asked.

"Of course, Matthieu." Francis answered, "Turn left at the next exit." He told Arthur.

"Don't you mean right, the only exits are right." Arthur looked to his left and right. "Yea, it is right, you better be reading the GPS correctly."

Francis made a face making the boys giggle at how he made fun of Arthur. "Are we there yet?" Alfred asked.

"Just a few more miles, Alfred. And no, don't ask every mile." He told looking at him through the rear view mirror.

Well, that's boring. Alfred looked to his figured moving the arms a bit and making him move to their kick or punch actions.

I was silent, shockingly. Though the twins haven't played together in the car, which was a surprise to the fathers. Francis looked back to the boys. "You both are pretty quiet back there." He indicated making them look forward.

"Kimanjug-"

"Kumajiro." Francis softly corrected, noticing Matthew did forget the bear's name at times.

"Right, Kumajiro and I are counting how many red cars there are." Matthew looked back out, looking for more.

"That's a good game to play." Praised Arthur, "Alfred, why don't you count some too? It'll make the time go by faster. I'll let you know when we arrive."

For once, Alfred complied and looked out his window to find his favorite color cars, blue. It was now silent, or peaceful with Francis playing the radio softly for him and Arthur as their boys were occupied. They'd have to remember this next time they travel to keep the boys quiet.

It lasted for about an hour, which was all they needed, as they were pulling into the parking lot. As Arthur was getting the money out to pay, Francis turned to the boys. "So, how many cars did you count?"

"We got twenty-seven." Matthew cheered softly, waving Kumajiro's paw at the security guard.

"And Alfred?"

"Nine." Alfred huffed.

Arthur pulled in and started looking for a good spot. "Don't be downhearted, chap." He encouraged the dirty blond. "It kept you boys busy, and once we find a parking spot, into the zoo we are."

"Yay!" The boys cheered making the father chuckle. They were just too cute.

A spot was founded, a bit further from the entrance then they hopped, but a walk is good for the body, they say. Arthur complained a bit, with Francis pointing out thats where Alfred gets it from, and pecking his cheek. Arthur batted him away making the brothers give different reactions to their fathers' affection. They applied from sun lotion to the boys as the sun was high today and didn't want to chance it in getting sunburn.

"Alright, let's go over the rules." Informed Arthur as they all held hands; Arthur held Alfred's, Francis holding bother Matthew and Alfred's hand, as the American boy would get over excited and might bolt for a run. The four member family walked their way out of the parking lot toward the zoo. "Rule number one."

"Keep in sight and don't talk to strangers." Alfred sighed hating that he was held back more than Matthew who clung to his stupid bear.

"Rule number two."

"No climbing or jumping into the animal exhibits." Matthew told skipping at times excited himself on seeing the animals. This rule surprisingly was set from Matthew almost climbing into the meerkat exhibit thinking they were kittens.

"Rule number three."

"If we have to go to the bathroom, we don't pee on the plants." Said Alfred, or mumbled with blush. A boy who had accidents younger, at times couldn't find the bathroom when going out with the family, and well. Said rule was made.

"And rule number four."

The twins were silent, glancing to each other. Having the tendency to forget this one. The fathers sighed and said together, "No fighting."

Alfred rolled his eyes, wishing his fathers had that rule to them.

None the less, they made it to the zoo gate, paying their entrance fees, and the boys beamed at the sight. Monkeys to the right, birds to the left. Reptiles North, mammals South, then peacocks and peahens passed by the family, Matthew hid behind his Papa but Alfred tugged from his fathers' hands to go after it.

"Alfred," Arthur warned. "If you go really gently, we can get a photo of you with it."

The American's smile returned. He took Matthew's hand, and they both gently walked up to the pretty birds on the grass. Francis took his camera out kneeling down ready to take a photo.

Alfred made a face by this one peacock that was eyeing up the bear Matthew had. The little Canadian felt a bit more comfortable until it turned and Matthew noticed.

"...Nice birdie.." He said softly backing up.

A cry came from the creature as Matthew cried and ran off. Just as Francis took the photo, all was scene was a blur of Matthew and the bird going off camera, and Alfred looking to the side.

"Shhh, it's alright, the bad peacocks are gone." Soothed Papa Francis carrying his Canadian son. Matthew sniffled and calmed down after crying from the bird chasing after him.

"The bear must have spooked the bear," Arthur muttered, a bit bothered said birds were wandering for kids to get attacked. "Not that it's his fault, or your's." He added.

"Yes it is!" Alfred huffed, as they moved through the zoo. Already blaming Matthew and the stupid bear for the birds.

"Alfred." Arthur softly scolded taking his hand.

"How about we see the polar bears, oui?" The French father offered wiping Mattie's wet red cheeks. "We only have to turn left and they should be ahead." He pointed to the signs that had the picture of said animals.

Alfred looked up, seeing lions. "But the lions are to the right."

"We can see them after the bears." Arthur told as Francis put Matthew down going towards the bear exhibits. Arthur followed but as yanked back by the eager American. "Al-"

"I wanna see the lions!" He fussed, only for his father to pick him up. Matthew glanced back, feeling bad for his animal being first than Alfred.

"Look, mon petit!"

The little Canadian followed his Papa's gaze and gasped. "Polar bears!" He cheered going over to the railing and seeing the two bears.

One large female was playing with a blue ball that looked wet from their water near by. Since it was a bit hot, it was slow with the ball. The other male was swimming in the nice clean cold water, enjoying the cold feeling in his thick fur and skin.

Matthew's eyes sparked with delight and held Kumajiro up. "Look, Kumajoe," He pressed the paw as a 'who are you' echoed out. "That's your family."

The parents chuckled, glad to see the quiet son get so excited. Alfred sat near by, pouting with folded arms. It was Matthew this and Matthew that, ever since that stupid bear Kuma-whats-his-face came around.

But, if he was out of the picture, then Matthew would only want to play with him. And they do what he wanted to do again. In other words, he'd get his way.

A cellphone went off, Arthur fished it out from his back pocket. He groaned looking at the number and answered it. "Hello?" Some chatting ensued and Arthur turned walk a few feet from the people crowding to see the bears to ear.

Francis felt the heat getting to him, and knelt to his sons, "It's getting quite hot, oui? I'll get us a fresh bottle of water, Arthur is right there so stay within his sights."

The boys nodded and Francis left them. He mouthed to Arthur he was getting water, Arthur nodded glancing to the boys and went back to his phone call.

It was silent between the twins as people came and gone. Alfred was soon tired of waiting and stood, "I'm going to see the lions."

Matthew glanced over, "But, Papa said to stay within Dad's sight."

Alfred glared his dad and then to his brother. "Well, he also said we were going to see the lions first, but we didn't." He snapped.

Matthew gulped, "..I'm sorry, Alfie."

"You should be! It's you and that bear's fault we're not having a good time!"

"B-But I am-"

"Exactly! You've been having a good time ever since he came along!"

Matthew was about to cry, but instead, sudden anger built inside him. "W-Well, if thats what you think then, go! Go see your stupid lions!"

Alfred blinked at his brother's soft but still shocking outburst.

"You always get what you want! You cry, scream, and even throw things, and still get what you want!" Matthew has tears streaking his cheeks as he yelled all this at his brother. "You're a spoiled brat, just as Papa says you are! You're also a pig that never stops eating! And a loud mouth!"

Alfred gulped, being called all this. His eyes stung wanting to water at the pain he got from the words his brother called him. "T-Then why don't you ask for things when you want them?"

"I don't want to be selfish like you!" Matthew finally sobbed out and started crying, he bolted off suddenly.

"M-Mattie!" Alfred went after him.

At the fork in the road, Alfred had lost track of Matthew. He checked all the near by animals but saw no sign of his twin. Alfred didn't know how much further to go until thinking of going back to his dads and tell them. Only… he was lost.

The young boy entered the reptile house, looking around. Matthew was scared of snakes and such, so what were the odds of him being in here? Well, higher than Al expected. He heard crying, and rushed to the turtle exhibits, and there. There was Matthew, in the corner all huddled up, hugging his bear tightly.

Alfred noticed he wasn't alone. Bullies, bigger kids were laughing and calling him names. This made some anger boil in the little patriotic american. His tiny hands balled into fists as Matthew's crying continued, teeth clenched seeing them try to pry poor Kumajiro out of his arms.

"G-Give him back!" Matthew begged standing. When one boy got Kuma, another shoved Matthew to the ground. That was the last straw.

"Hey! Leave him alone!" He barked out.

The boys turned seeing Alfred glaring them, his cheeks were red from anger. The bigger kids just laughed. "Hey, look, another lost baby."

"Got a wittle teddy bear to match with this one, wittle boy?" The one holding Kumajiro babied.

Before they could get another laugh in, Alfred tackled the one holding Kuma down to the ground flailing his fists at him. The two other boys blinked in shock by how much he was hitting this one bigger kid. Had to have been ten years old at most. Matthew covered his eyes and glasses from the sight.

Once he let go of the bear, Alfred took it and got off, "Anyone else want some?" He threatened old his tight little fist up.

The one who was tackled got up and ran off crying, "Mommy!" Soon the boys followed in pursuit.

Alfred huffed at them, and turned to his shaking crying brother. He bent down and held Kumajiro out to him. "It's alright, Mattie their gone."

Matthew didn't move, he was shaking scared. Alfred, finally for once felt bad. He looked to Kumajiro and pressed his paw. "Who are you."

"Matthew.." He muttered, to Alfred's surprise. He laughed and put Kuma against him, as if nuzzling him.

The little Canadian looked up sniffling, face a mess, seeing Kumajiro and his smiling brother. "Kumajiro is worried, Mattie."

He took him and hugged him tightly. Alfred moved next to him, Matthew leaned on Al's shoulder, softly calming down. The two were silent, almost as if waiting for their parents to find them. Now and again Matthew gave a cough or a sniffle, wiping his nose on his sleeve. Alfred pulled tissues from his backpack and wiped his brother's nose and face. He kept them around for his allergies during the season.

"Merci, frère.." He whimpered fixing his glasses.

"..I'm sorry, Mattie." The purple eyed twin looked up, head now resting on Al's legs. "I was being really selfish, never thinking about how you felt at all."

"...It's alright, sorry I called you selfish, and a pig, and a spoiled brat, and-"

"Alright, I get it." Alfred chuckled.

"Kumajiro says sorry too." He mumbled playing with the bear's ears.

Alfred frowned. "He's sorry?"

Matthew nodded, "He called you things too." Though he refused to repeat them.

"..I'm sorry I called him things too." Alfred nodded reached over to play with his fur.

It wasn't soon after, that a near child alert went through the park. Finally, security found the boys huddled in the corner by the turtles exhibit. The boys were napping, exhausted from the emotional distress they caused to one another. Arthur and Francis were beyond thankful they were found together and safe, at then they decided to take a break from the zoo for the day and eat lunch in the car. They would earn a huge scolding at home, once the boys explain why they wandered off.

Alfred swore, during his sleep he heard a soft little voice say 'thank you', but it wasn't Matthew's.