Sorry for the lateness, major History assignment was due and I seriously couldn't write with that :D

So I've got a longer chapter for everyone's convenience, and I'm happy to say that this chapter is very eventful

Enjoy!

'Close enough?'

Alvin blinked his eyes open to find Brittany smirking over him. She'd whispered, so Alvin thought that she was the only one up, but he then saw Cruise roaming the room. Brittany tapped her nose knowingly and left Alvin to wake up properly.

He realised that he was lying on Simon's chest, nestled into his younger brother's neck and the sheets he thought he was gripping were actually Simon's pyjamas. He pulled away from Simon gently, not wanting to wake his brother just yet and he rubbed his eyes awake, feeling dampness around his them made him frown, but he wasn't alert enough to care.

Brittany was already dressed and she and Cruise were chatting on the eldest Chipette's mattress, both smiling. Alvin wondered why on Earth Brittany woke him up. No one else was up and there was no natural diasters, like a flood, happening. Plus, Alvin enjoyed being with Simon...

His blue eyes narrowed in concentration. I wasn't... like... sleep-talking or anything..? He thought. He looked at Simon with this curious look. It's possible...

Slowly, he got up and he stepped over Simon carefully, making his way out to the hall. 'I'm going to get dressed.' He said, mentally photographing Cruise's outfit (lying on the floor by the sofa) and deciding he would wear nothing like it. Brittany and Cruise paid little attention to the announcement.

Brittany was thrilled to have Cruise as her boyfriend – even more happy that they were half-mates – and she loved talking to him. He spoke about the city he used to live in, interested her with talk of malls and beautiful parks with artwork on display almost always. She almost wondered why he wanted to leave, but she knew he had his reasons. One of the reasons Brittany liked him so much was because she wanted to help figure him out.

What if there was a family out there for him? What if a lonely mother was looking for her only child? Or if a brother or sister was wondering whatever happened to their missing brother? Brittany wanted to help solve the tragedy.

As for Alvin and Simon; no, they hadn't really been fluently sleep-talking, but Brittany caught the two sentences they seemed to repeat after a while.

Brittany had only just groggily lifted her head from her pillow, thinking she was at home and her alarm was waking her up, when Alvin (who was across from her) was groaning loudly "I can't do it – I can't,". Brittany hadn't been awake enough to catch an interest to that, but after ten minutes or so, Alvin did it again, a little softer, but always the same type of thing, "I can't do this..." and that second time, she pondered the sentence.

Couldn't do what? Was he just having a nightmare?

Brittany watched as Alvin had the deepest look of sincere sorrowfulness and almost fear. He moved a lot, and eventually came to rest on Simon's chest, gripping at the younger boy's pyjama shirt. And again:

"I don't think I can do it, Simon..." it came out in a whisper and Brittany saw a tear on Alvin's cheek. She sat up in slight shock at that. Alvin had never cried, as far as she really knew, and certainly not in his sleep. Never, in the many times they'd had sleepovers, had Alvin even woke her up, since they seemed to sleep in the same places.

She almost woke Alvin up, not liking seeing him unhappy, but Simon smiled a little in his sleep and he whispered softly; "I love you..." and Alvin smiled, as if it was all he needed to hear, and he didn't move from then on.

So now, Brittany was only half paying attention to Cruise. He wasn't rambling, but she knew he was trying to make conversation and she thought it was cute, so she didn't mind, but she was starting to worry about Alvin. No matter that Simon comforted him, he was still crying about something. Something to do with Simon, and that made Brittany even more worried and suspicious. Angry, even – at Simon if he was hurting Alvin, or forcing him into something.

"""

When Alvin re-entered the room he caught Brittany's eye. She stared at him curiously for a second before turning back to Cruise. Alvin frowned at the conspicuous behaviour and set himself back down on his (and Simon's) mattress. He glanced at Brittany and Cruise for a moment before he shuffled closer to Simon, smiling.

Cruise announced he was getting changed and he made for the bathroom. Brittany lay on her stomach, looking at Alvin with that slight curiosity.

'So. Good night?' She asked. Alvin didn't see her expression, otherwise he wouldn't have taken that comment as an offensive one.

'It's not like I fell asleep on him.' He countered, not looking at her, but to Simon's peaceful figure instead.

'Alvin, I mean, how were your dreams?' Brittany made sure to sound serious as well as look it.

Alvin picked up on it, but he still thought she might be teasing him. 'They were fine,' he replied. He looked up at her. 'Was I sleep-talking?'

Brittany smiled a little. 'Kinda.' She answered. She noted Alvin's blush spilling and she continued. 'Nothing sexual. Actually, I was worried.' She looked seriously at him again. 'You kept saying you "don't think you can do" something.' She looked down. 'Do you know what you were talking about?'

Alvin shook his head. 'I could have been dreaming about getting possessed for all I know.' He smiled a little.

'You said his name.' Brittany indicated Simon. 'You said it to him.'

Alvin frowned curiously. 'Did he reply?' He mused.

'He just said "I love you" and you smiled and shut up.' Brittany allowed herself to smile. Alvin looked at Simon.

'I don't know...' he answered. It was a lie. He had some idea, but one he didn't intend on letting Brittany know about anytime soon.

'You should wake him up.' Brittany commented. She let herself be less cautious and started to just enjoy teasing Alvin and Simon again.

Alvin looked up at her. 'I don't want to.' He told her. 'He might get annoyed at me.'

'Kiss him.' Brittany offered. 'He can't get annoyed then.'

Alvin sent her an unamused look. 'Funny. I kiss him in front of all the people that seriously don't want us to be together. Great idea, Brit.'

Brittany smirked. 'If you don't, I will.' She chanted.

Alvin raised a brow. 'You wouldn't.' He shook his head, inwardly defensive.

Brittany seemed to pick up on this. 'I don't think you want to test that.' She noticed. 'I think if I kissed him you'd scream at me and never talk to me again. Do you want me to test that? I mean, you did say he kisses better than me. Maybe I want to see for myself.'

Alvin glared at her. 'Don't you touch my boyfriend, Brittany.' He warned.

Brittany chuckled. 'I will if I want to.'

'But you don't want to.' Alvin reminded her, still defensive.

Brittany smirked. 'Like I said: maybe I want to test his kisses for myself.'

Alvin opened his mouth to retort, but Simon was chuckling next to him and he went crimson and silenced. The grey eyes opened, amused if anything to wake up to a very strange argument.

Simon closed his eyes again and simply smiled. 'Brittany, you wouldn't have the guts and I wouldn't kiss you back.' He stated.

Brittany blushed too. 'I d-didn't know you were awake,' she said timidly.

'Obviously.' Simon stated. He sighed and sat up, smiling at Alvin pleasantly. 'I wouldn't have minded waking up to you kissing me.' He told him. Alvin looked at his hands.

'I'll keep that in mind.' He replied.

Brittany would usually be amused at this, but after Alvin's statement she got curious again. 'Simon, don't pressure Alvin into doing anything.' She chided him.

Alvin looked up at her. 'Brit, he never pressures me into anything.' He insisted.

'Sorry if I do.' Simon put in sincerely. Alvin smiled at him reassuringly.

'So what's on the agenda for today?' Cruise announced his entrance, setting himself beside Brittany once more.

Brittany smiled at him. 'Well me and my sisters are going home at around one o'clock, so, Alvin, what are we doing today until then?' She turned the question onto the eldest. Alvin gave a small shrug.

'I got as far as breakfast.' He told her.

'Where's the breakfast..?' Theodore woke up slowly. The four already up smiled in amusement at the morning greeting.

'We'll get it when everyone's up, Theo,' Alvin replied. Theodore just nodded with a small look of anticipation on his features and collapsed back onto his pillow. Alvin chuckled fondly.

"""

And the day was peaceful and smooth from then on. Dave joined them all at breakfast, and he announced that Alvin, Simon and Theodore would be giving a concert in two weeks (Alvin seemed to be the only one who didn't know about it), and they invited Cruise to come along, since he seemed a fan.

After that, they just hung around. Dave went to work after breakfast and the boys didn't really have any plans for the morning, so there wasn't much to do. Simon noticed that Jeanette kept to herself a lot, and whenever he made to talk to her, she joined in with Eleanor and Theodore's conversation.

He also noticed that Brittany was annoyed with him, for whatever reason. She gave him glares when Cruise wanted to talk to him, and curious and half angry looks whenever he talked to Alvin. He couldn't really understand why she was this annoyed. Surely she couldn't be possessive over her half-mate already.

The Chipettes left at one, like they'd said, and Alvin was left with himself when Cruise wanted to talk to Simon again, and Theodore happily went to Eleanor's house.

Alvin had promised Simon he wouldn't interrupt, which was strange, because he didn't think that Cruise and Simon talked about anything too serious. Just Brittany. So, it was this along with his annoyance and distrust of Cruise that made Alvin pace in front of the closed door they were talking behind. They went in there about an hour after the Chipette's left, and they'd been in there for half an hour now.

Alvin wasn't one to eavesdrop (well, that might be stretching the truth), but he was certainly tempted. Sometimes he caught laughter, or a small exclamation here and there, but nothing to assure Alvin that nothing was going on behind that closed door. He tried not to be paranoid. Really.

Just when he was about to reside to listening under the door, the phone rang.

Alvin was anxious to get his mind off Cruise and Simon together, and went running for the phone.

'Hello?' He spoke quickly.

'Alvin? It's Brittany.' The pink-clad Chipette announced. 'I was just wondering if you knew where Cruise was...' she had a smile in her voice, 'he said he'd be over my house about an hour ago.'

Alvin rubbed his neck. He knew Brittany would get angry at his reply and he wasn't looking forward to it. Simon had told him he suspected Brittany had something against him.

He blew out a breath. 'Yeah, Cruise is here. With, uh, Simon. They're having a talking session again.' He braced himself.

'Oh, with Simon, is he?' Brittany retorted in a shrill voice. Alvin closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

'I can go tell him to go to your house if you like – ?'

'No, no, that's it.' Brittany cut Alvin off angrily. 'I'm sick of having to share my boyfriend with Simon! I'm coming over there right now!' And with that she hung up. Alvin put the phone back in the holder with a solemn look on his face.

Great... he thought savagely, we all know how this is going to end. Brittany's going to offend Simon, I'm going to stand up for him and Brittany won't want to talk to me again. He sighed and walked over to the closed door. Either that or I don't stand up for Simon. And then Simon might get incredibly angry at me for not doing it...

Alvin shook his head. He knew, no matter what, he would always choose Simon over Brittany – even if they weren't a couple. Simon was his brother, and Brittany should know that, too.

He smiled when he heard Simon laughing, loving the sound of him happy. Then he heard Cruise call Simon "Si" and Alvin got protective over the nickname and frowned.

But a moment later, Brittany was banging her fist against the door. Alvin bit his lip and walked over to the front door. He opened it midway and made sure Brittany couldn't easily get past. She glared at him.

'Let me in, Alvin, or I swear I'll –'

'Brittany, you really should calm down...' Alvin said weakly, 'there's nothing to get protective about...'

Brittany shoved Alvin forward and followed so she was now in the house. 'Where are they?' She demanded. Alvin shook his head and refused to reply. Brittany glared at him. 'Alvin Seville, tell me right now where they are, I have a right to know where my boyfriend is.'

Alvin sighed. She had a point. 'They're down the hall.' He pointed. 'Closed door.'

Brittany's blue eyes flashed with more anger. She grabbed Alvin's shirt. 'If I find that your gay brother has touched my boyfriend –'

Alvin pushed her away. 'Simon wouldn't.' He promised with more confidence than he believed. Brittany just strutted past him and over to the door. Worried that he may have lied, Alvin stopped her. 'Brittany, what if it's private?' He asked.

'Private?' Brittany said with disbelief. 'Private! And you say that Simon wouldn't? Private, Alvin, I think I have a right to know if Cruise is cheating on me with a guy!'

'He's not, because Simon wouldn't do that!' Alvin countered, slightly raising his voice. 'You think that now Cruise is going out with you, Simon wants him?'

Brittany smiled derisively. 'Well, Simon certainly likes to be extravagant with his choices, doesn't he?' She retorted calmly. Alvin glared at her, finally snapping.

'That was uncalled for.' He told her seriously.

Brittany smiled still. 'Shame I can't take it back.'

'You think it was easy for us?' Alvin demanded. 'You think it is easy? We're not just doing it because we feel like it! This took us ages to figure out if it was real! The amount of heartbreak I've put myself and Simon through is not something that a normal couple has to do! You and Cruise won't deal with it, that's for sure!'

'How would you know?' Brittany demanded. 'And by the way, Alvin, you dragged me into this, too, remember! You made me confused as ever and left me alone to figure it out! What do you see in him?'

'I see someone who would stop at nothing to be with me!' Alvin retorted. 'I see an amazing person who loves me for the person I am! I see a brother who's been with me my whole life and who's helped me cope with everything! I see a clever, kind, caring and considerate boy who won't let this fail.' Alvin finished slowly. Brittany still didn't back down.

'Oh, I get it.' She smirked. 'You had sex with him.'

Alvin went crimson immediately. He was shocked into silence for a moment, but finally spoke. 'I... we... that's none of your business!' He decided finally. ' And no, we haven't done that, yet!' He replied with failing confidence.

Brittany laughed. 'What, he told you he wanted to wait?' She mused.

'Actually, yes.' Alvin replied matter-of-factly. 'And it's something to admire, not scorn at. At least Simon cares enough to make sure our relationship is real!'

Brittany laughed again. 'Oh, Alvin, that's not caring about your relationship. That's lack of interest. Are you not so good in bed? I suppose Simon's the dominant one?'

Alvin blushed again, his defences weakening. 'Well, it only morphed that way because of my "heat".' Alvin chided. 'And if Simon is the "dominant" one, then that shows that he is obviously interested.'

'Or he feels sorry for you.' Brittany corrected. 'I never thought your geek of a brother would have it in him to –'

'Don't you dare call Simon a geek!' Alvin warned with all seriousness. 'Simon is a great person and I won't let you stand there and talk about him like that!' He pointed an accusing finger at Brittany, 'Don't you let your worries about your "maybe unfaithful" boyfriend give you an excuse to blame my brother.' He glared darkly at her. 'I love Simon, and if you say anything against him again, you will regret it.'

'Whatever.' Brittany scoffed. 'I'll just leave, then, if you're so sure. Don't say I didn't warn you when you find Simon coming on to Cruise.' She gave one last glare and left, slamming the door.

Alvin had turned away from Brittany to hide it, but he actually had started to tear up. He hated anything bad said about Simon, boyfriend or not, and he felt obliged to defend him against cruel comments like Brittany threw at him: "geek", "nerd"...

'A-Alvin..?'

Alvin swung around to see Simon emerging from the door.

The eldest didn't know what else to do. He closed the distance between himself and Simon and hugged him tight, savouring the feeling of Simon's warm, safe embrace.

Simon smiled fondly and returned the embrace. He'd heard everything. So had Cruise.

'I don't want anyone to hurt you.' Alvin gripped Simon tighter, then slowly backed out, wiping a tear before it rolled down his cheek. 'So I'm not a complete idiot: you're not cheating on me, are you? I mean, I don't think you are, but I need to ask...' Alvin only just noticed Cruise and he blushed, realising they probably heard all of that.

Simon tilted Alvin's chin towards him again and smiled. 'Alvin, I would never cheat on you. Do you realise how good you are to me?' He chuckled. Slowly, he took in Cruise's prescience. 'Ah... I'm sorry, Cruise... that I didn't tell you... about this...' he smiled sheepishly at his friend. 'I thought it might have been too much to take in. I guess you learned the hard way, but Alvin and I are involved. And... after today, I couldn't be more proud to admit it.'

Cruise smiled and chuckled. 'Good.' He stated, looking at Alvin but speaking to Simon. 'Because you have a damn good boyfriend.' He bit his lip. 'I'm sorry I made you so worried about Simon and I fooling around...' he apologized, 'y'know, behind your back...'

Alvin shook his head. 'I think I've accused Simon enough of things he hasn't actually done to know that he's not cheating on me.'

'I did suspect you two.' Cruise told them. 'Now that I think about it, there were quite a few hints.'

'Like what?' Alvin asked curiously, raising an eyebrow.

'Well, last night you woke me up by moaning "Simon",' Cruise smirked at Alvin. 'I'm a light sleeper. It explains how you two don't fight much when you're clearly complete opposites; it makes sense that you're together. And when you randomly disappear, and come back... well, Alvin, you look... really satisfied.' He admitted shyly. Alvin blushed. 'Simon, you do talk about Alvin an awful lot, and today when we were talking, if it wasn't Alvin, it was this "mystery" boyfriend.' He chuckled. 'Oh, and let's not forget the "fight" at the beach. Alvin, you are really noisy and the yell of "SIMON!" was clearly a moan.'

Alvin's blush deepened. 'I'm not noisy...' he mumbled.

'Am I the last person to know?' Cruise wondered.

Simon shrugged. 'Not really.' He told him, 'Dave and Theodore don't exactly know...' he smiled a little nervously, 'you're not going to tell anyone, are you? I don't know if we could go that public quite yet.'

Cruise just laughed. 'No,' he promised, 'I have no right.' He smiled at the obvious relief of each Seville's faces. 'One thing, though:' he continued. 'Not that I mind, but have you two had sex?'

Alvin's eyes widened and Simon laughed.

'No, I was telling the truth.' Alvin promised hastily. 'I mean, I seriously want to, and Simon and I have enough encounters that could easily lead to –'

Cruise held up a finger. 'Too much information.' He assured, lowering his hand. 'I'm glad to know you're both happy,' he smirked at Simon. 'But from how long I've known you, I wouldn't say you're prefect for each other.'

'It takes work.' Alvin agreed. 'And some little fights. Some big ones.'

'And a lot of willpower on Alvin's part.' Simon added. Alvin frowned at the unnecessary comment.

'Anyway, Cruise.' Alvin gave him a grim look. 'I think you should go and see Brittany before she comes over here and kills Simon.' He shook his head. 'I don't want my boyfriend dead, I think you can understand.'

Cruise just nodded. 'I don't know what I should say to her.' He looked down. 'How do I tell her not to worry and not to be... well, possessive?'

'Kiss her.' Simon suggested. 'That's what I'm going to do to Alvin when you leave.'

Alvin hit his arm playfully. 'You do that after she knows you haven't just been kissing Simon.' He instructed. 'Then you tell her playfully that she needs to back off and that Simon's your friend and she shouldn't be worrying over that little thing because neither of you would actually do that.' Alvin shrugged. 'And throw in something like "I'd never leave you for a guy" to make her feel good.'

Cruise smiled. 'Had enough experiences?'

'Alvin thought that we were somehow involved.' Simon put in. Alvin blushed.

'I was being protective...' he agreed. He looked up at Simon accusingly. 'You didn't kiss me when I said it.'

Simon smiled. 'Well, I'll have to make up for that.' He tapped Alvin's nose.

Cruise stepped back awkwardly. 'O-okay, so I'll get going.' He smiled at them.

'Alright, we'll see you soon.' Alvin waved slightly.

'Maybe we can have a chat tomorrow?' Simon offered.

Cruise grinned. 'Definitely.' He nodded. 'If Brittany doesn't forbid it.' All of them let out their laughter and Cruise left.

Alvin turned to Simon smiling. 'Another one who doesn't really mind.' He noticed, tilting his head in the direction of the door. 'Looks like we're a charming couple.'

Simon pulled Alvin into a close embrace, nose centimetres away from Alvin's. 'I can't thank you enough for sticking up for me...' he said softly.

Alvin blushed a little. 'No problem... you would do the same for me.' He smiled.

Simon nodded. 'That's true. But I think this was definitely something special, and I want to thank you in a special way.' He smirked, waiting for Alvin to get it. The eldest wasn't looking at Simon, but at his feet, so he didn't catch the look.

'Si, it wasn't that special. You don't have to –'

Simon hushed him with a finger to his lips. 'We're alone, Alvin.' He whispered. Alvin blinked in realisation. 'We're alone for almost three hours, if Theodore enjoys spending time with Eleanor, and we both know he does.' Simon removed his finger. 'You asked if we could do it today... when everyone was gone...'

Alvin's heart fluttered with nerves. He nodded. 'I... I did...' he said breathlessly.

'I think we're ready for that.' Simon smiled. 'If you're still sure.'

Alvin nodded slowly. 'I couldn't want it more.' He promised. 'You?'

Simon still smiled and he nodded, touching his forehead with Alvin's. 'You're the only person I can imagine myself being with...' he watched Alvin smile gratefully and he let their lips slide into place, that perfect fit they'd come to know and love.

"""

Jeanette left as soon as Cruise came over. She called to them that she was going to the library and she headed out, walking briskly and reaching her destination in ten minutes. The doors were large and intimidating, but she pushed them open and made her way over to her usual spot.

She pulled the book from its shelf and opened it on her lap as she read in private on the floor.

There was no denying she suspected something going on – something bad going on – with Alvin and Simon. She couldn't remember who had told her; maybe Theodore on one of his visits, maybe she overheard Simon talking about it with Cruise, but she knew about the love potions. And she wasn't happy.

But if Simon could make them to get Alvin to love him, then Jeanette was determined to un-do what Simon had done, and make her own "controlled" love potion, as they were called.

She scanned the page she was up to.

"While unconscious, mention the name of the person who you want the love potion to react with. Note: this includes hate. You may direct two wishes: one to love, and one to hate. Effects wear off after three days."

Jeanette bit her lip. 'Perfect...' she murmured. She couldn't decide whether or not what she was doing was bad or good. Certainly, they looked happy, and she wanted them to be happy, but forcing it with a love potion was ridiculous.

Finally, she found the page full of ingredients and methods to make the desired potion. She wasn't one to rip out pages, but she didn't want to borrow it out and let people see her with a book like this. People might think she was desperate or some evil witch.

So, with eyes closed and full of regret, she ripped out the page.

'Sorry...' she said to the book, and stood, placing it back on the shelf. 'Maybe I'll bring it back.' She nodded, feeling a little better, and she made her way back out of the library. This would take some time.

There it is!

Next chapter is what I'm almost certain everyone's been waiting for, and will definitely be a pleasure to write!

Thanks for all the reviews and I'll hope to update soon!