Alec went up to his room and found Xander listening to the CD Peter had given him through his headphones while doing homework. Or rather, trying to do homework. He wasn't focusing well. He tapped the rhythm out on the corner of his book as he read the homework problem. Alec sat where Xander could see him and waited.
Xander noticed Alec out of the corner of his eye and looked up, taking off his headphones. "Hey. You were gone a while."
"I was talking with Ba," Alec said, hugging his knees lightly. "And... I kind of came to a decision without you."
Xander's brows rose. "Oh yeah? This should be good."
Alec cleared his throat. "Well, you see, I've been thinking about it, and I talked to him, and it just kind of came out, but I... kind of... asked if they'd... adopt us?" his voice rose to a squeak, and he looked at Xander nervously.
Xander stared at him. "That's. Big," he finally said. "You could have mentioned it to me first."
Alec nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. "I know I should have. It just kind of all came out. I would have told you sooner had I been thinking properly."
"Might have been good. "Especially if I didn't want to be adopted," Xander said mildly.
Alec actually gasped. "You don't? Oh no." He dropped his head, a sick feeling in his stomach. What was he going to tell Dark??
Xander threw a small eraser at him, bouncing it off his shoulder. "Oi. I said 'if.' Seriously."
"You mean?" Alec gasped a second time, raising his head. "You're alright with it."
Xander sighed. "I mean, I'd have liked more time to get to grips with the idea, but... yeah, I guess so. They basically already are our parents. Why not make it official? That way, no one can try to say they can't keep us for any reason."
"True," Alec smiled. "Very true." He scooted over and leaned against Xander's shoulder lightly. "You think I made the right decision, then?"
Xander nodded, pushing aside any doubts he had. If this was what Alec wanted, he was all for it. Yes, he kind of wanted it, too, but in this, Alec was the lead. "Yeah, I think so. It'll be good. For all of us."