Hoy!

There's only this chapter and one more left of this story SO FAR so bear with me when the "last" one is posted tomorrow - in the meantime -

Enjoy!

'They'll never buy it.' Simon warned, cutting his sandwich for school and placing it neatly in his lunchbox.

'It's not that hard to believe…' Alvin murmured stubbornly, folding his arms and leaning against the kitchen bench.

Simon turned to him amusedly. 'Right.' He nodded. 'So I'm meant to back you up on a "terminal kissing virus" that's "hereditary"?'

Alvin shrugged. 'Yeah; then it covers you, too.'

The two had successfully survived two weeks together without much anarchy. As school was due back, they had spent most of the time trying out viable reasons – that excluded the truth – as to why Alvin was no longer able to date.

'Sure, but it doesn't explain why you're around me more often.' Simon pointed out, shutting the lunchbox casually.

'Will I be around you more often..?' Alvin questioned confusedly.

Simon rolled his eyes Alvin's way. 'You're supposed to be trying to be my boyfriend, aren't you?'

Alvin shrugged. 'Well, yeah: so shouldn't I treat you like I did all my other girlfriends?' He bit his lip and shrugged. 'Playing hard to get..?'

'I'm already in love with my brother. If that's not hard-to-get I don't know what is.' Simon grinned and looked down at his lunchbox.

'Alright, alright…' Alvin blew out a breath. 'Maybe the right excuse will come up.'

Simon nodded to agree. 'Right: maybe we won't need an excuse for a few days.' He offered. 'It's not that unusual, is it? Showing some compassion?'

Alvin raised his eyes to the ceiling, starting out of the kitchen. 'I vote hereditary terminal kissing virus.'

A

'Wow, you're still going through with it?' Scott mused when Alvin said a goodbye to Simon as they parted ways for first period.

Alvin gave him a curt nod. 'Yes…. and I'm proud of it, too.' He insisted indigently as they started towards Art. 'He's actually… it's not as bad as I thought it would be.' He shrugged, tucking his hands into his pockets.

Scott smiled a little in amusement. 'How so?' He pressed.

'Well, he's not like I remember anymore.' Alvin explained fairly. 'He's patient, and tolerant. If I tell him he's a nerd, he just takes it as a compliment.' He frowned in thought. 'He just seems all-round content with life.' He decided.

'You slept with him?'

Alvin scoffed, fighting back the urge to throw up. 'Hell no.' He shook his head, then looked at Scott in annoyance. 'And thank you for your wisdom two weeks ago in the park.' He added. 'I mentioned sex

and he looked at me like I was some… unwanted bacteria on an agar plate.'

Scott raised a brow at Alvin. 'Seriously?' He questioned. 'You know it's usually the silent ones that have the highest libido. I would have thought your brother would be begging by now.' He shrugged. 'Hey, maybe he just doesn't find you attractive enough.'

'Hey, maybe it's because he's my brother.' Alvin rebuked. 'Anyway, even that mishap turned out to be a pleasant surprise. He told me "in a few months, maybe". So I have time to prepare.'

'It does need a lot of prep…' Scott nodded.

Alvin cringed. 'Mentally!' He snapped. 'Scott, seriously, what's with the pestering about sex all of a sudden?'

Scott shrugged. 'We're in eleventh grade.' He said, as if it were a full explanation. When he noted Alvin's incredulous stare, he continued. 'And, I dunno… you and Simon? How does that even work? How do you go from brotherly love to… that?' He stopped in front of their class. 'I guess I'm curious.'

'Well, it's pointless,' Alvin returned, also stopping. 'At the rate we're going, it'll be a year before Simon works up the courage to kiss me. And I'll have graduated before I let him.' He walked inside the classroom, Scott close behind.

'But aren't you curious, too?' Scott mused seriously. 'Don't you want to know how it feels to kiss your brother? Taste that family-is-off-limits taste?'

Alvin looked at Scott with a frown. 'I think I need to have a chat with your sister.'

Scott rolled his green eyes. 'Not me, I'm not sick enough to do that.'

'Thanks.'

'I just mean: you've already got him in love with you, you're in a relationship – test the waters before you get in.'

Alvin pursed his lips and put his things down beside his desk. 'Look, I just can't get the right mindset to do anything like that with him.' He insisted. 'I hugged him once, two weeks ago, lasted five seconds and I'm still not ready to do it again.'

Scott shrugged. 'So, what, you're just not going to have any romance?'

'He's my brother, we haven't had romance for seventeen years,' Alvin reminded pointedly. 'We're not about to split up because – shock horror – nothing's different.'

'I'm just saying,' Scott insisted, 'a relationship means romance. If you don't have that, then something's going to give.'

'No romance, huh?' Alvin leaned against the table and looked at Scott. 'You should see the way he stares at my eyes.' He shook his head and pulled out his seat. 'I should have seen this all coming – his favourite colour is blue.' He smiled slightly. 'And I'm known for having the purest sapphire eyes.'

Scott took his seat beside Alvin. 'I thought you were known for your 'A' and your cap.'

Alvin waved a hand brazenly. 'That's to the wide community of my fans.' He explained. 'But to my fan-girls and – let's face it – fan-boys, too; my eyes are the ticket to weak knees.'

'Of course.' Scott smirked, looking to the front of the class. 'So what if people start questioning?'

'Uh…' Alvin reminded himself that his "excuse" was probably going to ruin his reputation faster than being with Simon was. 'Simon and I are still trying to find one.' He shrugged. 'The dating thing is simple enough: I'll just say that Dave's forbidden dating in my last two years of school… but it's the whole having to be around Simon, trying to like his company…'

'I can see you're committed.'

Alvin frowned at Scott. 'You're such a help.' He returned.

A

'Hey, Si,' Alvin called casually during Gym that day, the two were beside each other stretching and warming up.

'Yeah, Alvin?' Simon returned, in the tone he usually had when he was in Gym – reluctant and slightly scared.

Alvin turned to him with a charming grin. 'Since we're spending the class together and all…' he began suavely. 'You think you could not trip over? For me?'

Simon gave Alvin a look. 'I can't help my centre of gravity.' He chided, proving his point by wavering to the side when he brought a knee up. He quickly gave up. 'Look: you can do Gym, I can do Math.' He shrugged.

'Right, we complete each other,' Alvin offered.

'Exactly.' Simon smiled at the ground.

Alvin smiled a little amusedly, glad he still had his charm. He stayed back with Simon through the class – which was just running continually since it was the first day back and the coach wanted them all to be "shocked" back into fitness.

Simon could run. He wasn't slow, wasn't fast, and refused to stop. But for Alvin, the pace was remarkably easy. Their coach called Alvin over halfway through the lesson; the red-clad boy sped up considerably to get to him.

'What is it, coach?' He asked, still jogging on the spot.

'Alvin, I appreciate your trying to help a struggling classmate,' the coach began, 'But if you stop pushing yourself, your grade will fall.'

Alvin stood still, he glanced over at Simon for a moment before looking back at the coach. I can't fail Gym… it's one of the only things I get an 'A' in… He pursed his lips for a moment before speaking up. 'Could I coach Simon?' He asked hopefully.

The coach considered that with a modest look. 'Not a bad idea, Alvin.' He gave a nod. 'If you can improve Simon's grade by half-term, you'll get an 'A'.'

'Thanks, coach,' Alvin grinned, jogging back to Simon to explain the situation. He could feel the pride – once again he was able to prove to Simon that he was committed to their being together.

'That's actually an excellent excuse,' Simon figured when the two had changed and were walking to the gates. 'For us being around each other more often. Everyone knows you'd do anything to keep your grade in Gym, so you would stick around me.'

'Yeah, and I was thinking,' Alvin continued, 'you could say you're tutoring me for Math.' He suggested. 'That way it covers the academic side, too, and why I'd sit next to you in all our classes.'

Simon nodded, biting his lip with a smile. 'Perfect.' He glanced at Alvin. 'Will I actually be tutoring you for Math?'

Alvin blew out a reluctant breath. 'Only when you've told people.' He bargained. 'Just like I plan on helping you with Gym.' He added with a grin. 'We can start that this afternoon.'

'Oh good,' Simon lamented. 'I'm due for another cramp.'

'Come on, Si, it's me,' Alvin insisted, and blushed before adding, 'Bright side is: since I'm faster than you; you get to check me out.'

Simon scoffed. 'Are you suggesting I haven't figured that out after a year?' He smirked.

Alvin raised a brow at Simon. 'It really is the silent ones…' he mumbled.

'Hey, Alvin,' Brittany's voice called, she sped up until she was beside him. 'I heard you haven't got a girlfriend yet.'

'It's been a day.' Simon put in confusedly.

'What's your point?' Alvin and Brittany spoke at the same time. Alvin turned to her with a curt expression. 'Before you embarrass yourself: Dave told me I'm not allowed to date in my senior years.' He gave a nod.

Brittany scoffed and placed her hands on her hips. 'So?' She mused. 'You don't need to tell him.'

Alvin frowned at Brittany. 'How many times do you need to get rejected until you take a hint?'

'We both know sooner or later you'll date me.' Brittany shrugged. 'I mean: why not? I'm one of the most popular girls in school, a cheerleader no less, and I have a perfect history with boys.'

'Did you mention your lack of modesty? Oh – or your bipolar disorder?' Alvin piped up cheerfully.

Brittany glared at Alvin. 'Careful, Alvin. A couple more rejected offers and people will start assuming things.' She smirked slightly. 'Or you'll end up like Simon.' She motioned her thumb Simon's way.

Simon went to retort, but chose to stare daggers at the pavement instead.

'So… in love?' Alvin questioned with a raised brow. 'If that's punishment, sign me up.'

'Ugh, gross,' Brittany cringed. 'Is that it, Alvin? You and Simon are a thing now?'

Alvin chuckled. 'That would kill you, wouldn't it?' He managed to sound authentically amused by the idea. 'That I would choose my own brother over you – wow – why didn't I think of that?'

Brittany scoffed with a glare and lagged behind.

Simon smiled at Alvin slowly. 'You handled yourself well.' He complimented.

'I'm an actor,' Alvin reminded him, 'I was freaking out on the inside, don't worry.'

'Well, hopefully with you around,' Simon began optimistically, 'we can keep our relationship a secret for a good while.'

Alvin nodded in agreement. 'I meant what I said, though.' He promised warmly. 'Being in love is something I'm terrified of… but completely eager for.' He glanced at Simon curiously. 'Is it scary?'

Simon bit his lip and shrugged. 'I guess so…' he tried explaining. 'It gets a little overbearing sometimes… to know that it's set in stone – that's it – you're condemned to one person…' he met Alvin's gaze. 'But at the same time, it's completely worth it. Because through all of that, you have this weird… uncontrollable happiness every time you see that one person…'

Alvin felt his cheeks spilling with a red blush. He looked down for a moment and smiled before looking back to Simon. 'For a second I was going to ask who you were in love with…' he laughed softly, and straightened his shirt in nerves before putting his hands in his pockets.

'That's the best part…' Simon continued, softer. 'Love has no gender…' he kept looking ahead and Alvin wondered if he was even talking to him anymore.

He smiled to himself fondly. That's beautiful… Alvin found his stomach flutter in what he guessed was flattery. He felt… lucky, somehow, to be the receiver of Simon's affection. The way they didn't need to kiss or do anything physical to get along – how Simon had been in love without so much as a polite conversation.

A

'This is more enjoyable than I expected.' Alvin grinned as Simon caught up to him at the end of the street.

'Please... tell me that means we're done..?' Simon breathed, his hands on his hips as he caught his breath. Alvin was working with him to increase his pace.

Alvin rolled his sapphire eyes amusedly. 'Fine.' He nodded. 'I'll hold off the torture for today.'

Simon blew out a deep breath. 'How thoughtful...' he shook his head, straightening his glasses. 'I'm really not cut out for this...'

'I noticed.' Alvin chuckled. 'Those big glasses don't help, either.' He pointed out. 'You need to be streamline.'

'What about that cap?' Simon retorted.

Alvin adjusted it fondly. 'I'm too used to it.' He shrugged. 'I think it'd throw off my balance if I took it off.'

Simon hid his smile of amusement at Alvin's logic. 'Would you prefer I get contacts, Mr Streamline?'

'As your coach: yes.' Alvin smiled. 'As your... boy...friend: no.' His cheeks were more flushed than the exercise called for. Simon bit his lip and smiled as Alvin continued. 'I love your glasses, they... they're like your signature. I wouldn't want you to change a thing about yourself... and they're kind of... part of who you are.'

'Just like your cap.' Simon returned modestly.

Alvin nodded in satisfaction. 'Exactly.' He tilted his head the way they'd come. 'Shall we head back?'

Simon glanced reluctantly down the street. 'Walking, right?'

'I don't plan on giving you a stroke on the first day.' Alvin reminded curtly, and started back.

Simon quickly followed. 'I like your shorts, by the way,' he commented casually. 'I don't think you've worn them before.'

Alvin blushed. 'No,' he agreed, 'These are too short. All my other ones were in the wash.' He bit his lip. 'Thanks, though.'

'I know it sounds less like a compliment and more like a pick-up-line coming from me, but I don't think they're too short. They complement your figure.'

'That's the problem,' Alvin admitted. 'I'm...' he flinched slightly. 'I'm curvy.' He elaborated at Simon's confusion and added, 'For a guy. My hips are a bit wide... or my waist is a little small... or both.' He shrugged and looked down self-consciously. 'I only realised when... one day I was wearing these to run into town, and in some old store where my girlfriend at the time worked, there was this mirror against the wall. Since it didn't have its stand, I could only see torso-down of myself...' he kicked a loose piece of gravel in embarrassment. 'I literally thought I was a girl...'

Simon pursed his lips and looked down as well. 'It's not a burden, you know,' he began evenly, looking back up at Alvin. 'It's the reason you can wear whatever you want and still look as attractive as ever. I know I envy you.'

Alvin met Simon's gaze slowly, timid. He then blinked and blushed. 'You actually mean that...' he noticed in slight disbelief. 'Why would you mean that? It could get a guy beaten up –'

'When you fall for your brother and mentally break the law every day,' Simon began amusedly, 'it puts things in perspective. Accepting my own body is the least of my worries.'

'You're body's perfect.' Alvin argued.

Simon smiled, blushing slightly, but managing to get back on point. 'There we go.' He nodded. 'Please believe that you don't have to be in love to think someone's perfect. Or at least looks perfect.' He held Alvin's sapphire gaze. 'You are perfect.'

Alvin looked rather impressed – or flattered – or stunned. 'What you're saying is that... as my brother before he had feelings for me... you think I have nothing to be ashamed of..?'

'Exactly.'

'And you played the example out of me, that I'm not in love with you but still think you're perfect.' Alvin smiled slightly and looked ahead. Definitely impressed. 'That means a lot to me...'

Simon shrugged, trying not to be too pleased with himself. 'It was better than saying "you're hot, stop being paranoid".'

Alvin chuckled fondly. 'That might have worked, too.' He said modestly, and looked over at Simon's content form. 'I really like this.' He stated sincerely.

'What..?' Simon mused, meeting Alvin's gaze.

'Us.' Alvin shrugged. 'This whole... relationship. I've never enjoyed your company more. And seeing you happy just confirms that it really was the right thing to do.'

Simon nodded slowly. 'I'm glad I haven't scared you off.' He agreed.

Alvin gave a short laugh. 'With what?' He asked. 'I'm the one who brought up sex two weeks ago.'

'That was a little...' Simon searched for the right word. 'Random… and… scary.'

'Scott put the idea in my head,' Alvin admitted. 'He said that because you've liked me for so long, you wouldn't hesitate to do something sexual.'

'Well, I do smile at you a lot.' Simon put in, sarcastically. 'Sorry I couldn't hold myself back.'

Alvin shook his head. 'Not good enough, Seville...' he smirked.

Simon shrugged casually. 'I do think about being with you sexually,' he started honestly, 'Quite a lot, too, but… thinking about acting on it is a really… a really uncomfortable thought.' He tried explaining. 'I don't know… it just seems wrong.'

'That might be that "love" thing making you care about the way I feel..?' Alvin grinned, looking down amusedly.

'That darn thing is always getting in the way.' Simon chuckled.

Couldn't figure out how to end this chapter...

Anywho, more tomorrow! Reviews are appreciated, guys, I don't usually ask but hey there's a first for everything XD

See ya!