Yes! Moving forward, closer and closer to the fight for love...

Anyway...

Enjoy!

Jeanette Miller was on her way back from her part-time desk job at the library. In her arms were three books she really wanted to get home and read, and as she walked home she peered at each cover slyly. Refusing that obedient voice telling her to wait, she pulled out the bottom book, open it up and started reading.

Of course, this was one of those many times when she just had to bump into someone; and, as it was many times, this person was Simon.

'Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!' She exclaimed as all the books fell out of her arms and she stumbled backwards, falling.

Simon quickly caught her arm, in instinct, and helped her back up, smiling kindly and knowingly since this happened often. 'It's fine,' he assured her, setting her straight, letting go and adjusting his glasses, 'are you alright?'

Jeanette nodded quickly. 'Yeah, thanks, Simon,' she blushed a little at her clumsiness. How was it that she always made the choices that got her into these situations? She should have listened to that voice. 'H-how are you?' She asked lightly, trying to build up a conversation which didn't revolve around her falling over.

'I'm okay,' he told her slowly, 'I was just... looking for Alvin.' He shrugged. Jeanette tilted her head, green eyes curious.

'Spring starts today.' She announced. Simon smiled, a small blush forming on his cheeks.

'Yeah, I know, that's... why I'm... looking for A-Alvin.' He admitted. 'If he's in pain somewhere and – well, I guess he needs me.' Simon shrugged a bit. 'although, he'd never admit it.' He added.

Jeanette smiled. 'It's great how you still care about him.' She told Simon adoringly. 'Alvin's been his usual, kind of selfish, self and you're here worrying how he is.' She shook her head, still smiling. 'It's a good quality to have, Si; empathy.'

Simon nodded absently and turned and walked with Jeanette back to her house, figuring Alvin might be there.

'It's really good to see you again, Jeanette.' Simon informed her modestly. 'It's good to have someone to talk to.' He smiled and let her go through the gate, noticing the house's door was open already, he would wait a few minutes for Alvin. 'See you soon, I hope!' He called after her. She waved, smiled shyly and went through the door.

Just a minute later, Alvin appeared.

'Thanks, Brit!' He called behind him, then his line of sight fell onto Simon. Simon felt his stomach flutter and his cheeks redden, thinking only now how weird it must be for Alvin to think Simon was following him. Alvin approached him casually. 'Hey, Si,' he said, smiling.

Simon blushed harder at the nickname. 'Hi, A-Alvin,' he replied, 'I just wanted to make sure you weren't writhing on the ground with your "pain" hitting...' he explained himself.

Alvin walked around the gate and stood next to Simon. 'You're right on time.' He told him, eyeing Simon's hand for a split second. He calmed himself down and took Simon's hand slowly, entwining their fingers together.

Simon bit his lip as he felt his stomach flip at what Alvin did; willingly. He held onto Alvin's soft, warm hand and Alvin started walking, swinging their hands a little. Simon couldn't help but blush again, picturing this scene from someone else's point of view: two kids who were in a happy brotherly relationship, holding hands and smiling down the street, walking each other home.

Of course, in reality, Simon was feeling much more than a brotherly connection happening here.

Alvin turned to watch Simon curiously, thinking about what Brittany had said: "don't jump to conclusions because it's different", and he knew she was right. Simon was too shy to do anything really sexual to Alvin, it was only when they were forced, and looking at Simon now, he found underneath it was... kind of cute. He half smirked at that thought and kept walking.

When they reached their front door, they saw Dave in the kitchen and Alvin quickly withdrew his hand from Simon's, knowing he would be really embarrassed if Dave knew it was happening again. Didn't Alvin swear to himself he'd find a mate by this spring? It didn't matter anymore. Not really; he'd survive.

He stopped Simon from going inside and they faced each other, seeing their eyes this close up for the first time this spring. Simon finally took advantage of it, picking up on the textures of Alvin's brilliant blue eyes, and the way they were always so wide and curious.

Alvin smiled shyly as Simon studied him, allowing it to happen. It would have sooner or later, he may as well get it over with when they were still on speaking terms. Eventually, though, he spoke up.

'Simon, I'm...' he inhaled, 'I'm sorry.' He insisted, choking back his surprise at how easy that was for him.

Simon didn't seem as excited. 'For what?' He asked. Alvin rolled his eyes and mentally smirked; he was playing that card. Getting Alvin to talk more and putting on that charming voice.

'For being so... terrible, to you, before...' he smiled, 'I think I should have just stepped back and realised that it wasn't so bad that... that... that you...' he faltered.

'... that your brother has a crush on you?' Simon finished for him in a soft voice. Alvin nodded.

'I guess I overreacted.' Alvin admitted. 'And I didn't mean everything I said.' Alvin swayed playfully where he stood. 'It is still creepy, though.' He added for good measure. Simon blushed and didn't respond for a few moments.

He smiled. 'Are we going to just stand out here for the rest of the day?' Simon playfully asked.

Alvin smirked. 'I'm waiting for you to go in first.' He told Simon. 'What are you waiting for?' He added mischievously Simon blushed a bit more and walked inside.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

'Spring?'

'Yep.'

It was Alvin's turn to blush at Dave and Simon's comments.

He had been in the kitchen when he felt that light nudge he knew and feared, and started towards the basement, but ended up crouching, and breathing heavily trying not to yell, in front of the front door. He'd called out a timid yet urgent "Simon..!" and the brother in question walked up. Looking at him enquiringly, Alvin motioned for Simon to come to him, and Simon had taken his hands with a shy smile just as Dave walked through the door, burdened with shopping.

Which then led to the two words spoken above.

'At least now I know what you're doing,' Dave continued, 'and we won't have the fiasco of explaining it all to Theodore again, or Jeanette.' He walked past them and into the kitchen, dumping the groceries onto a bench and starting to pack them away.

Already a week had gone by with no particularly huge event taking place, except that Simon kept having dreams about he and Alvin. Not that he didn't before, it was just that these were much more vivid and heated, and when he woke he had to hold himself back from getting to Alvin's bed and just kissing him, touching him –

But he had to remain in control. For both he and Alvin's sake; he wouldn't be able to forgive himself if he did something that he put so much love into, and Alvin felt nothing. That wasn't how he wanted it to be.

Now that Dave knew, he had to try even harder to stay put.

Simon went back down to the basement, sighing, as he knew that Alvin still didn't want Simon around him. They'd had another argument a few days ago. Something about Simon showing all this "lust" in his eyes and how Alvin was still scared of him. Things that made Simon feel like an idiot for liking this hot-head, neurotic, sexy brother. He wanted to punch him after everything he said.

Unfortunately, he cared too much about Alvin's wellbeing to do something like that.

Simon sighed and looked down at a sheet of blueprints for his latest invention; he was exploring the idea of a love potion. I know, right, original. Of course, the inspiration came from his situation with Alvin, not that he knew it himself. He believed that he was simply curious as to whether it could be done or not.

Testing it on Alvin was simply a bonus.

As if on cue, Alvin opened the basement door and walked down the stairs. Simon's eyes went wide in panic and he threw the now rolled-up blueprints in the bin. He'd get it later; Alvin could not see that he was working on it, or it would lead to another argument.

'A-Alvin!' Simon greeted in a cover-up surprise tone. 'What are you doing here?'

Alvin raised a brow at the tone, but didn't question it. 'I don't have anything better to do.' He replied.

'So, when you have nothing better to do, that's when you come to see me?' Simon deduced blandly.

'Yup.'

Simon shook his head. Gee, thanks. He thought, mentally slapping himself for being attracted to Alvin. 'Well, I'm busy.' Simon brushed past Alvin to a cabinet full of other plans and blueprints.

'Too busy to talk to me?' Alvin asked sceptically. 'Come on, Si, let's talk.' He smirked at Simon's deep blush. He loved how easily he could make Simon vulnerable.

Simon straightened up a pile of papers, not wanting to turn so that Alvin could see his blush. 'Alvin, I'm busy.' He repeated. 'Just because I might like you doesn't mean I enjoy talking to you.'

'You might like me?' Alvin noticed. 'Oh, Simon, come on! You moan my name in your sleep!'

Simon went crimson. Oh, gosh, I hope he's lying... 'A-Alvin, please,' he stammered, 'w-what are you trying to do, here?' He asked slowly.

Alvin smiled and walked over to Simon. 'Nothing.' He said softly. 'Why..? Am I turning you on..?' He stood, waiting, behind Simon.

He's... he's testing me! What a... Simon turned around to Alvin.

'Alvin, back off,' he said quietly. Alvin moved forward defiantly.

'Why?'

'I could do it, Alvin,' Simon warned, 'I could.'

Alvin smiled. 'Do what?' He asked innocently.

'Kiss you, Alvin,' Simon continued, 'I could.'

'Then why don't you?' Alvin gave Simon a playful smirk. 'I'm right here,' he moved closer, 'right here waiting.'

Simon swallowed. What is this? Alvin doesn't... want it, does he? 'Cause that seemed like a pretty good invitation – no! – no, he couldn't. Alvin doesn't, he was just being a douche, and trying to... test, me...

'A-Alvin, stop it,' he said with a failing authoritative voice. 'Why do you have to be... so...' he frowned and walked briskly past Alvin, only just realising he had the option to walk away the whole time.

Alvin stared where Simon left. 'Be so... what?' He murmured. He bit his lip at what he'd just done. What was he hoping to gain from that? He didn't want Simon to kiss him, and he... he didn't want to hurt Simon... so, why? And now he'd confused himself and Simon. That was not good. He shouldn't have confused the one who helped him out all the time.

Still, the only question Alvin wanted answered was why he even did that in the first place? It wasn't like he had... feelings for Simon. That would be impossible, right? Completely not real. Again.

But... the more he got close to Simon, the less he felt that hollow feeling. Could that have been his attraction to Simon? Why... why would he want that again, it was wrong.

Right?

Wait... why was it wrong, again..?

Ha! We're getting somewhere!

I've been trying to hurry up and get to the point already, but I can't help but put in the little things... hopefully next chapter will be more eventful. This one was just opening into Alvin's attraction. Again. But, how can he know if it's real..? There is a way. And hopefully it's in the next chapter :D

Thanks for positive reviews! Enjoy the holidays, and next chap. Will be up ASAP!