Chapter Text
Being responsible for putting his parental guardian in the hospital was not part of the plan.
Putting on a great show and blowing Paris away with his talent and charm was the initial plan. He didn’t think he’d be literally blowing away his dad rather than the audience, metaphorically of course.
Now they’re in the care of their sweet, kind Aunt Jackie and- Wait, okay scratch that.
They’re in the care of Toby Seville for the time being and Alvin could not have been more concerned. What had happened to Aunt Jackie was quite tragic to say the least and he couldn’t help but wonder if he was cursed to have all his caretakers end up in the emergency room.
How the hell are we supposed to adapt to school with Dave gone? Live a normal childhood he says, pfft. And who even is this guy?!
For all he knew, or could at least make out from knowing him for almost half an hour, Toby was an awkward mid-twenties video game addicted loser living with his grandma. More like, nearly killed his grandma.
Seems legit.
He thought sarcastically.
The car ride on the way home was mostly quiet after Toby tried to reassure the boys that they’d be just fine with him, though there was still some skepticism.
“This is a disaster.”
Alvin looked over to his younger brother seated to the right of Theodore who sat in between him and said middle child. “Huh?” questioned Alvin.
“You heard me. Exactly what are we supposed to do while our father figure is 5,645.159 miles away, lying helpless in a hospital bed for who knows how long? When I envisioned us going to school for the first time, it involved Dave being there for us every step of the way, making us lunch, dropping us off, helping with homework-”
Simon sounded perplexed and as much as Alvin wanted to relate to his concerns, he was more interested in how his brother managed to calculate how far away Dave was in terms of distance.
“Are you even listening?” Simon glared at him.
“Huh what? Oh, yeah. Look, I’m not thrilled about this whole ‘school’ nonsense at all.” Simon shook his head in disappointment, he didn’t listen to a word he said. “I’m probably gonna lay low during all of this, you guys should too. Besides, we’ll be fine, Captain Panic Attack.”
Alvin didn’t sound confident in his reply, but would say anything to keep Simon at ease and off his back.
“I hope Dave gets better soon. We haven’t been away from him, ever.” Theodore finally speaks up and joins their sidebar while Toby struggled to safely navigate his way to the Seville household.
“We have, actually. But I’m sure none of us want to relive that nightmare,” retorted Simon as he struggled to sit up straight due to Speed Racer making a sharp right turn. Neither Theo nor Alvin said anything in regards to his comment for obvious reasons.
“Just wondering, you do have insurance, right?” Alvin chimed in, eager to change the subject.
“Uh me? Well, it’s kinda complicated. The thing is, I don’t like doing paperwork of any kind ‘cause it makes me anxious and nervous.” Toby replied as he gently pressed the brake at a red light.
“Don’t most jobs and other necessary services require paperwork? Also, you didn’t answer the question.” Simon pointed out.
“Well, yeah pretty much, but Grandma Jackie usually takes care of that stuff for me.” Toby replied, slightly embarrassed.
We’re supposed to confide in this manchild?! We’re screwed.
-
Somehow they made it home in one piece and Toby wasted no time getting settled in Dave’s bedroom, he had hooked up an Xbox, set up several different video game consoles and left his DS to charge on the nightstand.
Alvin questioned if he just carried all that stuff everywhere he went.
Wouldn’t put it past him. He noted. Since their current caretaker was clearly doing his own thing, the boys congregated in their bedroom to make a get-well card for Dave. They didn’t realize how different it would feel coming home without him.
“Yup, that should do it. Who’s hungry?”
The kitchen was in disarray with cheeseballs, but Toby was more concerned about the noise than the mess.
Though they missed their father, there really was no better company than each other’s. Using the food processor as a carnival ride was something Alvin had definitely gotten scolded for by Dave before, but the laughter it gave them made him feel good about cheering up Simon and Theodore.
The phone call with Dave even put them at ease, just by a little bit. Nothing will change, right?
Alvin was snapped out of his thoughts by Theodore, who had repeated his question. “Sorry what was that?”
“I said, what do you think school will be like?” the youngest inquired. They’d resided to their favorite recliner in the living room. Despite having their respective beds, the recliner was for special occasions like tonight.
“Hmm, not sure. I hear homework is an absolute pain but that’s what we’ve got Simon for, am I right?” he joked with his arms behind his head. Simon, who laid in the middle of the trio beside him, merely rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I’m not doing anyone’s homework, hotshot.” Theodore chuckled.
“Well regardless, as long as we stick together, it shouldn’t be so bad. We’ve taken on National and Worldwide tours, faced a foe, and overall made it out of the trenches we call, the wilderness.” Alvin assured them, “I mean, we’re solid.” Simon nodded in agreement, but Theodore countered, still unsure.
“But we had Dave for those times..”
Simon and Alvin could only share a look, worried for the youngest. They’d sufficed to ruffling his hair and miming how they’d be there for him, no matter what.
Drifting off to sleep, the red clad chipmunk tried to relish what little freedom he had left before being succumbed to the doom that was high school.