Author's Note: Hey Everyone, It's been seven years since this story started! So Happy 7th Anniversary! I never planned on making you all wait a full year for another chapter, and looking back, I forgot how short the last two were. But another thing I never planned for? Getting another promotion at work! This was a position I always wanted but never thought I'd actually get. When it happened, I was completely shocked—it has been a dream come true. There's definitely stress and responsibility, and if something goes wrong or a deadline isn't met, I'm the one who has to answer for it. But honestly? That doesn't happen too often, and it's so worth it. My dream job has been everything I hoped it would be! Now, back to the story... I have to be honest it's really hard for me to write this story anymore. Between work and life, it's difficult to find time, but even when I do have time, I struggle to find the passion I once had for it. That makes me sad because this story has been a huge part of my life. I never wanted to leave it unfinished. But I think it's time to start working toward closing it out. That said, I'm not going to rush the ending. I hate when great stories end in a way that feels incomplete. I want to give you guys the finale you deserve, and hopefully, along the way, I'll regain some of my passion for it. I also plan to leave the ending open for a sequel because I feel like I could REALLY get into that when the time is right! It's weird because even though writing this story has become harder, when I sit down to write my South Park story, it's so easy. The words just flow, and I can get into it without feeling like I'm forcing anything. I think that's because my love for South Park is fresh and exciting, while this story has been with me for so long that I've lost some of the fire I once had for it. Because of that, I've decided to keep my love for The Chipmunks and South Park separate. When the time comes to publish my South Park story, I'll post it on another platform. has meant a lot to me, but honestly, it's starting to feel outdated and clunky. While I'll always use it for my Chipmunk stories, anything else I write will go elsewhere. Thank you all for sticking with me for so long. I appreciate you more than words can say. Enjoy the new chapter!

Chapter 55

Shouting from the Rooftops

(7th Anniversary Chapter)

The hospital room was quiet, the kind of quiet that made Alvin's skin crawl.

He hated it.

The silence had been unbearable, an endless reminder that Simon wasn't awake, that Simon might never wake up. That was the worst part, the not knowing.

But now… now Simon was here. His eyes were open. He was talking. He was alive.

Alvin should've felt relieved and he was... But it wasn't enough.

Because even though Simon was awake, even though he was right there, Alvin still couldn't reach him.

His fingers curled into the thin hospital sheets draped over his lap. He hated being stuck in this stupid bed, hated how weak his body still felt, hated how every movement took more energy than it should have.

Most of all, he hated the distance.

Simon was just across the room, but it felt like miles.

Alvin wanted no needed to be by his side. To hold his hand, to feel his warmth, to know this wasn't some cruel dream that would fade away if he closed his eyes. But no matter how badly he wanted to move, his body had other plans.

Simon must've noticed the frustration on his face because his weak, quiet voice broke through the silence.

Simon: Alvin, you should rest.

Alvin let out a small laugh

Alvin: You just woke up, and you're already trying to boss me around? Typical.

Simon gave the faintest smile, but even that tiny movement seemed to drain him.

And just like that, Alvin's heart clenched.

Simon had always been the strong one. Not in the way Alvin was, not loud or reckless or defiant. But strong where it counted. He was steady, unshakable, always the one who kept them grounded.

Seeing him like this, so weak, so tired, barely able to keep his eyes open…

His hands trembled as he gripped the sheets tighter.

Alvin: I should be over there. He said, his voice barely more than a whisper.

Simon: You're right there, Alvin.

Alvin swallowed hard, shaking his head.

Alvin: No. I should be by you. I should be holding your hand. I should be… He trailed off, jaw tightening as he fought back the emotion rising in his throat. I should've protected you.

Simon blinked slowly, like he was still processing Alvin's words.

Simon: Alvin.

Alvin's breathing was shaky. He felt so stupid for crying, but he couldn't stop.

Alvin: I thought I lost you, Si. The words slipped out before he could stop them, barely holding together. I thought... I thought I was never gonna hear your voice again, or see you smile, or listen to you rant about science stuff I don't understand. He said laughed, but it sounded broken.

Simon watched him, his expression soft.

Simon: I fought to come back to you.

Alvin's breath caught in his throat.

Alvin: You did?

Simon: Of course I did. You're my everything, Alvin. He said weakly.

Alvin let out a shaky laugh, swiping at his damp eyes.

Alvin: Yeah, well… you're mine too.

Simon's lips curled into the smallest, most tired smile.

Simon: I know.

Alvin sighed, finally letting some of the tension in his chest loosen. He still wanted to be closer, still wanted to hold onto Simon like he'd never let go again.

But for now…

For now, just knowing Simon was awake, knowing he was still here it was enough.

For now...

In the waiting room:

Theodore: I'm gonna go check on Alvin and Simon.

Dave: Are you sure, Theodore? You've been staying up just as much as Alvin has.

Theodore: I just want to see them for a minute. I'll be back soon. He said smiling.

Dave nodded, but he still looked a little worried.

Dave: Alright. If anything changes, come get us.

Theodore gave a quick nod before turning toward the hospital room. As he walked down the hallway, his heart pounded in his chest. He wasn't expecting anything different. He had visited before, always seeing them in the same state, either still asleep or still weak.

But the moment he stepped inside the room, something was different.

Simon wasn't asleep.

Theodore's breath caught in his throat as his eyes locked onto Simon's. His older brother, who had been unconscious for what felt like forever, was looking right at him.

Simon was awake.

Theodore's hands shot up to his mouth, his eyes going wide with shock.

Theodore: S-Simon?

Theodore ran towards Simon's bed before he even realized what he was doing, and before he knew it, he was at Simon's bedside.

Theodore: Y-You're awake… Simon, you're awake! I….. I was so scared! I didn't know if… if…. He said sobbing.

Simon gave the faintest, tired smile.

Simon: I'm okay, Theo. His voice was weak, barely above a whisper, but it was real.

Theodore let out a shaky breath, wiping at his eyes.

Theodore: I need to tell the others. They need to know!

Alvin smirked slightly, though his own exhaustion was still obvious.

Alvin: Go ahead. Just don't scream in their faces when you do. He said with a light laugh.

Theodore nodded quickly, his whole body still trembling with emotion. He was about to turn to leave, but he hesitated, looking back at Simon, making sure this wasn't a dream, that he wouldn't wake up to find Simon still unconscious.

But Simon was really there.

Without thinking, Theodore carefully leaned down, wrapping his arms around Simon as gently as he could.

Theodore: I love you, Simon. He whispered, his voice still thick with emotion.

Simon, though weak, lifted his arm just enough to return the hug.

Simon: I love you too, Theodore.

Theodore didn't waste another second.

Theodore: I'm going to tell the others!

Simon and Alvin barely had a chance to react before Theodore flung the door open and bolted down the hallway.

He didn't care that he was drawing attention from hospital staff, he didn't care that his lungs burned from running fast. All that mattered was getting to Dave, Sam, Paul, and Bobby.

As soon as he rounded the corner and spotted them in the waiting area he yelled out.

Theodore: SIMON'S AWAKE!

Every head in the waiting area turned toward him, shocked by the outburst, but Theodore didn't care. His eyes wide with excitement.

For a moment, there was silence.

Dave: What?

The chair Dave had been sitting in scraped against the floor as he shot to his feet, his eyes searching Theodore's face, looking for any sign of doubt.

But there was none.

Theodore: Simon he's awake! I just saw him! He talked to me he's really awake!

Sam: Are you sure?

Theodore: YES! I wouldn't joke about this! Come see for yourself!

Paul and Bobby barely exchanged a glance before standing up, their movements hurried and eager.

Bobby: Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!

Theodore didn't need to be told twice. He turned around and started running back down the hallway, the others following close behind.

His heart was still racing, but this time, it wasn't from fear it was from joy!