Dark and Daizi both wished them good night and then laughed quietly at the circumstances for a little while as they finished their tea. While they cleaned up the cups together, they reminisced about their high school experience together, and then went upstairs to get ready for bed. After they did all their usual skin, dental, and hair care, they crawled into their bed together. As soon as they were both under the blankets, Daizi wiggled into his arms and he gladly held her close. She had talked about her day at length, by then, but now that it was just the two of them in the comfort of their big bed, she was honest about all the moments that were emotionally difficult or fulfilling. Like usual, the conversation didn't stay there. Dark spoke about his day, and about what it was like parenting Ivy during it. They talked about what they hoped for her future, they talked about Alec and Xander, they talked about Cooger and Lex, and about Enkidu and Kiki. They talked about music, gardening, and woodworking. They talked until they were up a little bit too late, and Daizi was slightly slurring her words as she fought to stay awake, her ear against his chest, exhausted and ready to sleep but wanting just five more minutes with him that evening. It really seemed, despite the stress of the day, there were only good things on the horizon, and that only frightened Dark a little. Still, he slept well, with the arms of his favourite person wrapped delicately around him.
