AN: Kay, so I'm a hundred percent sure of how I'm going to move on with most of this story but I have a big question to ask of all my readers! Do you want me to end it in canon or make this a fix-it fic? Already this wonderful person, Sonea27 made a terrific work call The Ties That Bind, on archiveofourown, that could tie in as a canon epilogue to this fic so which is it guys? Canon ending or fix-it? Please reply!

At the next possible moment, Alastair made to get in contact with his brother. He needed to talk to someone, more importantly someone he trusted, and seeing as the subject matter was James it just didn't seem right going to him.

He didn't expect Kenton to be there but at least a message had been left with the chance of him being made aware of it during his next break.

Nevertheless, without Josie or work, Alastair would have been pacing his flat, HQ, some hideout somewhere. The point was that a sizable hole would have worn itself into the floor no matter where he was but thankfully distractions were readily available.

Three days later he finally got a call back from Kenton and even he had to admit that he probably answered the phone to readily.

"Kenton?"

"Yes…? Everything okay over there brother?" asked Kenton uncertainly.

"What? Yes, of course it is! I mean…it sort of is. Actually, do you have a moment to talk?" Alastair finished rather tentatively.

"Always for you brother. I just got back to base camp and have the rest of the afternoon off. What's up?"

"It's a rather…gentle matter. Has any of the rest of the family been in contact with you?"

"No. Not that I know of anyways. Just you," Kenton replied. "Why? What's happened?"

"Well this uh…this past Christmas Eve it ended with a rather large bang," Alastair responded. He paused for a few seconds before getting out in a rush, "And by bang I mean I slapped mother, kissed James, and grabbed Roxy and James and left!"

"Wait-all during Christmas Eve? And I missed it? Oh I should have fought harder for that leave time—"

"Kenton!"

"Right, sorry. Just joking, kind of. Still can't believe I missed all that though! I mean…well what set you off? What set mother off?" Kenton asked.

"Mother was just being…mother. She was setting me on edge which I suppose is nothing new but James wanted to help someway so he just did something that he's gotten use to doing that he knows calms me down. Uh…running fingers through my hair and all that. She saw and…and…she said…she said…"

"Hey, you don't have to tell me all the gritty details, alright. Just give me the gist of it all," Kenton replied.

"Right…she just…she said some things. I suppose not more hurtful than usual but there was more fire behind it, more anger. She started to hit me, still yelling those…those awful words. For a few moments I shut down but I came back, hit her across the face. I think the entire room froze. I walked across it, kissed James, and then grabbed his hand and started to pull him back to the front door. Roxy followed, I think everyone did, and I let her get in the car as I told mother that we'd be spending Christmas together. She said a few useless words and we left."

"Just like that?"

"Well I stopped about ten minutes later, or maybe it was five I don't know. I was shaking to badly to continue driving so James drove," replied Alastair. "But yes, just like that."

"So, you just need to let all this out. Is that it?" asked Kenton.

"I don't…I admitted to James that I knew he liked me and I—"

"Wait, hold on a second! You knew!?"

"I am not as big of an idiot as you think Kenton. Or as blind as you'd like to assume."

"Hey! I didn't mean it like that you just didn't give any inclination that you knew."

Alastair widened his eyes in mock surprise even though Kenton couldn't see. "Inclination huh? You've been reading a dictionary lately?"

"No need to be rude about it," whined Kenton. "I'm sorry alright but why are you calling? You need help with something?"

"I uh…I told James that I wasn't ready for a relationship or anything, that I had some things I had to figure out. I just don't—"

"Okay, hold on one diddly darn minute."

"That's more of the language I'm use to from you," muttered Alastair.

"Shut up. What I'm saying is that the fact that you're even considering a relationship is like a huge ass leap! Seriously though, you like him? Like you really really like him?" asked Kenton excitedly.

"You're acting like you're five but yes I…I do like him."

"Then ask him out for god's sake! I mean holy hell Alastair this is great!"

"It's not as simple as that."

He could hear the sigh from Kenton as he said, "Brother, all you need is a good set of vocal chords and the knowledge of at least one language so that you can finally say 'I would like to go out with you'. It's not that hard."

"But it is."

"Alastair, if we're being perfectly honest, and I'm sure honest is what you want right now no matter what you say, but you're putting this off not because it's hard but because you're afraid," Kenton responded.

Alastair kept silent which in itself was answer enough. Nevertheless he finally argued, "I'm not afraid."

"Of course you're not. That's why you're talking to me and not going out with a lovely man who somehow fell in love with you despite your wall of sarcasm and ice that's taller than Mount Everest."

Alastair shut up again, though even after several seconds had passed he didn't say anything this time.

His brother let out a sigh in response when it was obvious that Alastair was not going to speak up again. "Listen, whether or not you want to admit it, at least think about this. Think about whether or not you'd be happy if you never asked James out. Okay? It doesn't matter what I think, doesn't matter what that horrible mother of ours thinks. I want you to be happy and you deserve to be happy."

"But what if I'm wrong? What if we're only meant to be friends? What if I made a terrible mistake slapping mother and—"

"Okay, first of all, slapping mother is probably the best move you've ever made, only second to moving out and away from that bitch so don't even think that was a mistake. Second of all, if you want to be happy, mistakes are going to have to be made. I mean, that's life for you. Even for people that are happy being alone and isolated they probably made a couple of mistakes getting there," Kenton responded.

Frowning, Alastair asked, "But what's your point?"

"Don't interrupt and I'll tell you," Kenton shot back. "Now, my point is that either way, James is now a friend. You have an actual friend and one who if going out doesn't work out would be perfectly fine with being your friend. He cares about you, he enjoys being with you, and he would whole heartedly take a chance with you. If you avoid this, you may never be truly happy."

"But I just need time I—"

"Then give yourself time Alastair but don't let it become the enemy? You got me?"

"I think so," Alastair said slowly. "I…I think this really did help."

"It did? Good. Tell me when the wedding is."

"Kenton!"

"I'm joking. But seriously, take the chance. I'm pretty sure only good things could come out of it," Kenton responded. "I gotta go now but I'll talk to you later little brother."

"Alright. Good bye Kenton."

"See ya."