How Green Becomes Wood

"My old detention log says otherwise," Dark replied with a smirk but before he even had a chance to enjoy his comeback, Xander was dashing off as quickly as he could. Naturally, Dark took a steady breath, and picked up speed to catch up, although he was not at his best due to a sleepless night.
 
After running flat out for a full minute, Xander slowed enough to let Dark catch up and fell into rhythm beside him. "Right," he panted rhythmically. "Imagine what I'd have been like if I didn't have a brother waiting for me on the outside! He was my responsibility, after all. But now we're both yours!"
 
Dark breathed heavily beside him, but not in the pained, desperate way those unused to that level of exertion did. He was steady and controlled, and breathing as though he expected more to come, looking straight on in front of him while his dog panted happily, tongue lolling out of his mouth.

"You are, and I am glad of it," He replied, "even though you can be a terror. It would be too easy, if you were not."
 
Xander snorted. "Nice marshmallow touch you have." He ran steadily for a bit, his body easily falling into the rhythm. He didn't care much for running. It was fine, not really his thing, but one of the best ways to build the speed, endurance, cardio, and lung strength needed in many martial arts. His mind wandered away briefly, and after about half a block, he remarked, "Mum didn't mind my getting detention too much. It frustrated her and all the usual parent stuff, but then she'd say, 'At least I know where you are and that you aren't terrorizing the streets.'"
 
Unlike Xander, Dark loved running. Maybe not in the way some people did, he wasn't to do any marathon training, but he liked how it felt to be fast and focused. For so much of his life, people made a fuss about what a giant man he was. This made use of it, more so than weights.

"That is an interesting way to look at it," He huffed, only slowing down so conversation was easier, "I suppose I understand it. To me, the trouble it takes to get to detention is not worth the security."
 
"Yeah. But it is funny to think that you've been responsible for us and looking after us for way longer than we've been living here," Xander told him. "Destined to be in you fluffy hair from the beginning."
 
"I was thinking that," Dark admitted, and slowing further only because of his thoughts, hesitated a moment before saying, "In a way, if you think about it, since your mother felt safe knowing you were in detention, which I watched most days, then it means she felt comfortable with my looking after you." He stood in that thought for a moment and then picked up speed once more, "And my hair is not fluffy."
 
Xander pulled a few steps ahead before realizing how much Dark had slowed. He stopped and turned back, waiting for Dark to catch up. "I guess you're right about that," he agreed as they picked up the pace again. "Okay, how about poofy hair?"
 
"Alright, we've been in your voluminous hair with its magnificent waves for a long time," Xander said dryly. He made certain Enkidu's leash was short enough that neither of them would trip over it and picked up the pace. He might not have liked running, but the movement did feel good. It felt like he was getting circulation in his soul. A weird thing to think about, but true enough.
 
"I do prefer that, yes. I was not given many good things from my parents, I need to appreciate the gifts where they are," Dark chuckled and then just enjoyed the run, working up enough of a sweat to make his magnificent, voluminous hair fall limply into his face.

Eventually, he glanced down at Enkidu, "We should go back. He is getting tired."
 
Xander turned and paused long enough to give Enkidu a good petting and praise. "Good job keeping up! And staying slow enough for me to keep up. Good boy!" He straightened and looked at Dark. "Race you home?" he offered languidly.
 
Enkidu panted heavily, pressing himself against Xander's legs, looking like a very happy and very tired dog.

Dark panted with his hands on his hips, "Race you home?" He asked, raising an eyebrow, "You are so competitive."
 
Xander soon saw that Dark wasn't into a race and settled into a calm run toward home, slowing down and cooling off as they got close. He stopped in the front yard to stretch his legs and properly cool off. He watched Dark the whole time. He didn't say anything, just watched with an unreadable expression.
 
Standing in the yard, Dark took deep stretches, his tan skin covered in a thin seen of sweat. He pushed his hair back and used the bottom of his shirt to wipe his face, briefly revealing the many tattoos on his toned abdomen.

When he dropped his shirt again, he noticed Xander staring at him, and after a few moments asked, "Is there... a problem?"
 
"About?" Dark asked, heading up to the door. He didn't really expect to get an answer, but he couldn't resist asking. It wasn't usual to be watched like that by anyone except for his infant daughter and, when he was cooking, Enkidu.
 
Xander pondered this, debating on whether or not to answer. Then he gave a slight nod, deciding he would. He followed Dark to the door, but before they went in, he said, "That you're doing work at your job. You're pretty good at it."
 
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