And onwards!

'Are you going to tell me what really happened in the basement?' Dave mused the next morning as Alvin joined his brothers for breakfast.

'We already told you,' Alvin replied civilly, 'we sorted things out.'

Simon smiled knowingly at his cereal, poking his spoon at it absently.

Dave handed Alvin the milk. 'No one will judge you here, Alvin.' He reminded. 'If something happened between the two of you, I'd be completely okay with it.'

'Only because their rooms are separated,' Theodore put in slyly.

Alvin frowned at him, setting his breakfast down. 'If you must know, the only something that happened between Simon and I was mutual respect for our situations.' He gave a nod of finality as he sat down.

'I can tell.' Dave nodded. 'You haven't given Simon your breakfast lecture.'

'It still stands.' Alvin shrugged.

Dave smiled, taking his coffee from the bench. 'Well, I'm just glad that you've come to some sort of understanding.' He finished, Theodore nodding to agree between spoonful's.

A

I must have been so tired last night… Alvin thought in reluctance as he shifted his bag higher onto his shoulder. Why couldn't I have just done what Dave thinks I did..? Why did I have to go the whole haul and ask my brother to be my boy – no – my partner..?

So far, in the short time out at the park, he'd been asked out by three girls, and had to turn them all down. His best friend, Scott, happened to be there for each uncharacteristic rejection that always followed along the lines of a kind of groaning "I'm not supposed to…".

Thank god I didn't do something extra stupid… like let him kiss me…

'What's up with you today?' Scott asked when the two settled down on a bench.

Alvin sighed. 'Just did something stupid last night…' he lamented, propping his elbow on the table and resting his chin in his palm.

Scott narrowed his eyes curiously. 'You didn't kiss Brittany at midnight, did you?'

Alvin scoffed. 'She wishes.' He shook his head and looked over at the lake. 'Did I ever tell you what's going on with Simon?' He turned back to his friend.

'That you're giving up on him because you two are completely incompatible?' Scott guessed with a shrug.

'Yeah, well,' Alvin frowned. 'I guess it was too embarrassing to tell you…' He pursed his lips. 'You can keep a secret, right?'

Scott grinned, leaning back and folding his arms. 'Let's find out.'

Alvin blew out a breath. 'It's really important, Scott…' He admitted reluctantly.

'Oh,' Scott raised a brow sceptically. 'You really don't suit seriousness.' He dropped the jokes when Alvin sent him a stern look. 'Alright, I won't tell a soul, I promise.' He nodded, too curious to stall it anymore anyway.

'Good…' Alvin bit his lip, trying to think how to word the situation. 'Simon…' he flinched slightly. 'Simon has a… kind of like a crush… on me.'

Scott cracked a smile. 'Gross, yet somehow still a good one.'

Alvin sat up properly. 'I'm serious: he's full-on in love with me.' He said clearly.

'That never happens,' Scott pointed out, 'people don't fall in love with their siblings – if you're gonna lie, make it believable –'

'Last night we were locked in the basement together, and now we're an item,' Alvin blurted in one breath.

Scott looked confused. 'Alvin,' he shook his head. 'You're not seriously –'

'Trust me; I'm still trying to figure out what happened…' Alvin let his head fall into his hands, his fingers tangling in his hair. 'I don't know why I offered it – I don't know why the heck I thought it could work…' He looked up with a sigh, noting Scott's incredulous expression. 'He's my brother, and…' he pursed his lips and looked down at the table with a small blush. 'Anyway, I guess I just needed to vent…'

He waited for a moment, but there continued to be an awkward silence.

Finally, Scott spoke up. 'I knew you were gay…' he said in a kind of shocked satisfaction.

Alvin looked at Scott in immediate defence. 'I'm not gay – I'm not even into Simon like that!' He promised.

Scott grinned. 'So let me piece this together: your brother is hot for you,' he waited for Alvin's reluctant nod, 'you're not hot for him,' he nodded when Alvin shook his head, 'and you asked him out?'

Alvin shrugged indigently. 'Yeah, it seemed like the right thing to do at the time.'

'And I thought I had family issues.' Scott commented lightly.

'It's not…' Alvin struggled to explain it. 'It's not really an issue for anyone… except me – and I dunno – I guess I thought making Simon happy would make me happy.'

Scott raised a brow. 'Did it?' He questioned.

Alvin shrugged in thought. 'At the time, yeah… I mean, it was awkward,' he added quickly, 'But there were moments…'

'How far did you score "making him happy"?' Scott mused.

'Oh – no – Scott, gross!' Alvin cringed. 'We didn't do anything, we just… talked.'

Scott shrugged. 'I'm sorry I took "locked in a basement on New Year's" the wrong way.' He chuckled. 'And "talked"? Why do I find that hard to believe?'

Alvin scoffed. 'Because you've got a really sick mind?' He noticed, then blew out a breath. 'Anyway… now I'm dating him… so I can't date anyone else.' He finished. 'You can probably see the issue.'

'Yeah…' Scott realised slowly.

'Once people catch on that I'm not dating girls anymore, they'll immediately assume I'm gay, and I won't be able to prove them wrong, and then…' Alvin slumped slightly. 'Well… then I'm ruined…' He shifted his sapphire eyes. 'Then what if they find out it's Simon..?'

'Maybe,' Scott put in, 'by the time they do all that, you'll be comfortable with him..?' He gave a shrug. 'This is all completely weird, but I'll probably still stick up for you.'

Alvin gave him a smile, shaking his head. 'Thanks.' He looked over at the lake again. 'At least I've dated my fair share of gorgeous girls… I'm not missing out on anything…'

Scott rebuked that quickly. 'Except for sex with a girl.'

Alvin looked at him with a kind of half-cringe half-concerned look. 'Do you think Simon wants me to do that with him?'

'How long has he liked you for?' Scott asked casually.

'Eight months or something…' Alvin admitted, already knowing the miserable answer.

Scott whistled. 'Good luck with keeping up that "I'm not gay" argument.' He commented. 'He'll be on you by next week.'

Alvin cringed again, chin in palm, staring hard at the table. 'Why didn't I just… continue hating him..?' He wondered. 'Instead of… trying to be some…' he shook his head. 'I did this so I'd be a better brother… but… how will dating him make me a better brother..?'

'Sounds like you're in a jam.' Scott illuminated.

'Thanks.' Alvin sighed and stood. 'I'm gonna head back home for today.' He tilted his head towards his street. 'Lest I have to turn down another beautiful lady…' he gave Scott a quick smile. 'If you tell anyone, I will deny it.'

'I know.' Scott chuckled. 'I won't tell anyone. I'm just glad I'm not the one dealing with it directly.'

Alvin nodded, stepping back. 'One of us can count our blessings…' he blew out a breath. 'See you later, Scott.' He waved briefly before turning and making his way back to Castillo Avenue.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Alvin was met with Jeanette's prescience as soon as he crossed the foyer, and after her initial notice, she then smiled in what must have been a knowing way.

'Hello, Alvin,' she gave a curt nod before continuing to the front door.

'Yeah…' Alvin felt his cheeks going red again. Get used to it, Seville, those looks will be standard soon… he hesitated for a moment before heading upstairs, where Jeanette had come from. I worked so hard for popularity… now I'll be the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons…

He tried to compose himself before knocking on Simon's bedroom door.

'It's open.' Came the reply.

Alvin took in a calming breath, and pushed open the door. He landed his gaze on Simon, who was casually sitting cross-legged on his bed with his books splayed out in front of him. The bespectacled younger brother looked up at Alvin, smiling instantly in that fond way he did.

'How was the park?' He asked casually, looking back to his books.

'Uh…' Alvin pulled out Simon's desk chair to sit down. 'Well, it wasn't the greatest time of my life.' He finished ambiguously, turning in the chair to face Simon. He paused before continuing. 'So you told Jeanette?'

Simon looked up again, his mouth open as if he was caught doing something he shouldn't. 'Was she that obvious?'

Alvin tilted his head. 'It's Jeanette: there is no subtlety.'

'Well, yes, she does know.' Simon agreed. 'I just… wanted someone to tell.'

'I'm glad you feel that way,' Alvin began optimistically. 'Because I told Scott.'

Simon met Alvin's gaze in a kind of shock. 'Why would you do that?'

Alvin frowned. 'Same reason you told Jeanette.'

'Alvin – Jeanette – she's,' he calmed himself down. 'Jeanette has been our close friend since we were eight. You met Scott two years ago.'

'It's okay, he promised not to tell,' Alvin insisted. 'And anyway, I've been second-guessing this whole agreement.'

Simon's eyes fell, he had a complete self-criticising expression. 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap…'

Alvin looked at Simon reluctantly. 'It's not that.' He promised. 'It's more… because… everything is completely different for me, now.' He began. 'Sooner or later, the guys at school will figure out that I'm not dating girls anymore, and then my whole reputation will be ruined.' He flinched slightly. That argument had sounded much less selfish with Scott. 'I just don't want the labels that come with this…' He finished with a mumble.

Simon bit his lip, busying himself with closing his workbooks. 'That's okay.' He promised, looking up momentarily with a smile. 'I didn't expect this to work out, anyway.' He stacked the books, picking them up. 'It's too risky.' He crossed the room to his desk, placing the books down. 'I mean: I know how important your reputation is, you've earned it after all.' He shrugged, looking at Alvin with a soft smile. 'I'm content with just knowing you even considered being with me.' He turned and started out of the room.

'Simon,' Alvin stood and followed his brother, 'it's just too difficult, that's all.' He shied slightly in guilt when Simon turned to him attentively. 'If I loved you, it would be different…' he offered – but regretted it instantly when he saw the hurt flash in Simon's eyes before the younger turned again. 'Oh, god – no, I just meant –'

'Alvin, it's okay,' Simon turned again abruptly, making Alvin stop and hold a momentary flinch. 'I knew this was too good to be true. I know this affects your whole… life, really.' He shook his head, now, looking down. 'But please don't pretend like I don't know how that feels. Don't stand there and tell me this like you're the only one who…' he bit his lip, and turned again, starting down the hall briskly.

Alvin could feel his mind screaming two different things. He knew he was being selfish. He was only thinking about his ego – again – and it had always gotten in the way of he and Simon in the past. He was ashamed that nothing had changed.

But he just couldn't change the way he felt, thought or acted towards Simon. His mindset was completely against the whole arrangement of he and Simon being together.

It's just an excuse… Alvin realised, leaning against the wall. I'm scared… so I'm making excuses… I've always done that… Simon was right… people always fear what they can't explain, and that's exactly what I'm doing right now…

He pursed his lips and looked to where Simon disappeared before starting for the room determinedly.

When he pushed open the music room door, he found Simon facing him, looking like he was about to come back. When he saw Alvin, he blinked and stepped back, allowing Alvin to see the brimming tears in his eyes.

'Si…' Alvin began, but Simon's shaky breath in was cause enough to be silenced.

'No.' Simon shook his head, closing his eyes. 'No, you… you can't…' he turned away quickly. 'I-I'm not some… y-you can't just…'

Alvin bit his lip, approaching Simon carefully. 'I'm so sorry,' he promised, 'I take it back – I was being selfish… again…'

Simon moved further from Alvin. 'You could…' he sighed. 'You could have told me that you might not go through with it… instead you sprouted some… some perfect line about being true to me – why – how did you think – this…' he took in a breath. 'I just don't understand how you can… think it's okay to lead people on like that…'

Alvin felt his heart tug. 'I meant it, that's how.' He managed strongly.

'You clearly didn't.' Simon returned, meeting Alvin's gaze. 'Let me guess: Scott called you gay?'

'Yeah, but –'

'Exactly,' Simon interrupted. 'One person, Alvin, one – and you're out. It's…' he blew out a breath. 'It's not exactly reassuring.' He pursed his lips. 'If we try again now, and someone says the same thing tomorrow, you're just going to do this again. Give up, and… and remind me how hopeless my feelings are.' He lifted a hand as Alvin went to speak. 'And I'm not trying to give you a pity-party, this isn't me guilt-tripping you into feeling like you need to be with me. I'm just… so… tired of feeling disappointed.'

Alvin stopped Simon as he went to leave by catching his wrist. 'One more chance.' Alvin said evenly. 'I'm sick of being selfish, Si… I want to try this. I want to commit to something.' He shifted his eyes down. 'I'm just… really out of practise…'

Simon slowly turned back to Alvin. He still looked hurt. 'How can I expect you to mean that..?' he returned. 'You're right: you're not in love with me.'

'Well,' Alvin shrugged, meeting Simon's gaze. 'Well – look – I'm clearly not devoid of attraction to you. I'm the one that asked you out.'

'As an obligation…' Simon reminded.

Alvin frowned determinedly. 'No.' He shook his head. 'No, it's more than that.' He promised. 'I'm starting to think that being with you… you're the only person I could be with. Not because of… duty. Because you believe in my better side, and I need that. You've never given up on me. No one deserves happiness more than you, and if I'm your happiness, then so be it. I'll learn to love you, I'll… I'll shower you with affection if you want that – I'll tell the school that I'm g – ah – not straight. You're in love with me. And I love that.' He finished, not entirely certain if he'd phrased everything properly.

Simon searched Alvin's eyes, a blank expression. 'You love that I'm in love with you?' He repeated.

'More than you know.' Alvin nodded, scared to realise how true it actually was. 'I can't comprehend why you would waste that on me.'

Simon was trying not to smile. 'I… literally can't stay mad at you.' He blushed and looked down. 'But, I'm not kidding,' he added in a stern voice. 'Don't… don't make promises you can't keep.'

Alvin breathed out a breath he didn't know he was holding in. 'Thank you…' he hesitated once before pulling Simon into an embrace. 'I'll prove it, Si…' he promised. 'One day, I'll be in love with you too…' he backed out of the hug as slow as he could manage while feeling uncomfortable.

'I said not to make promises like that,' Simon warned half-seriously. His cheeks were pink at the affection, he clearly hadn't expected it.

'It's a promise to myself.' Alvin corrected. He rubbed his arm shyly. 'And, you know, one day… we can take this further.'

Simon frowned slightly. 'What… do you mean by that..?'

Alvin looked down at the piano. 'Um…' he pressed an unresponsive key nervously. 'H-however you want me… you can… can have me…' his cheeks were darkening by the minute. So were Simon's. 'Eventually…' Alvin added.

'You're… talking about… sex, aren't you?' Simon felt his stomach flip at the mention.

'Well, yes…' Alvin shrugged and pulled his hand away from the piano. 'With…' he tugged at the bottom of his shirt. '…me…'

Simon adjusted his glasses anxiously. 'Alvin… don't you think that's a little soon..?'

Alvin looked up at Simon quickly. I'm gonna kill Scott… 'You don't want me that way?' He mused hopefully.

'I-I'm not trying to offend you,' Simon promised quickly, 'I just don't believe in doing that sort of thing until both of us are committed.' He pursed his lips and shrugged. 'Maybe in a few months, but…'

'I'm not offended.' Alvin promised. 'I thought you'd want it, that's all.' He tried explaining.

Simon shook his head. 'I don't want to rush anything.' He promised, offering a smile. 'I mean: I've liked you for almost a year. I can wait.'

Alvin blinked. 'A-a year?' He repeated.

'Love doesn't happen overnight.' Simon shrugged. 'Especially with your brother. The whole "first sight" thing just can't work.' He smiled fondly. 'I'm really flattered, though,' He added sincerely, 'that you would consider doing something like that with me…'

Alvin gave a nervous laugh. 'I was just trying to persuade you to take me back,' he insisted. 'I didn't really do much considering…'

Simon chuckled, starting for the door again. 'Well, you can rest assured, then.' He promised.

'I suppose I need to work on that recurring paranoia…' Alvin figured, starting to follow Simon out casually.

'Mm,' Simon agreed amusedly. He shook his head with a smirk. 'Besides: can you imagine the sex we'd have..?'

Alvin almost tripped on air.

Can't help it. Simon. That kid, honestly.

The Scott character is not a Chipmunk OC, he's a human random, but hey I am kind of responsible for him, so Scott Mason (C) Me.

Thanks so much for reading! Next chapter up sometime today!