How Green Becomes Wood

Dark nodded briefly to demonstrate he heard and was okay with it while Milo hurried out after Xander, murmuring brief goodbyes as he went and Sloan thanked her hosts as she left.

At Xander's question, Milo looked awkwardly at him and then frowned down at his shoes, "Your cousin gave me her phone number? She said her school thought it'd be a good idea for her to have a US pen pal."
 
Xander had to go through his new cousins in his head for a second before he realized, "Noor? Oh. That's cool, I guess? Didn't know that was a thing, but you'll probably get along better with her than some of the others." He glanced briefly at Sloan, only vaguely wondering why one would need a phone number to be a pen pal. Maybe her school counted texting as writing. He unlocked the van and got in, but he delayed starting it. He wanted to watch to make sure Sloan got home alright.
 
Sloan looked at Xander, absolutely flabbergasted he didn't see what was going on there and when Milo replied, "Yeah, I didn't know either. I'm not sure why she asked me of all people, but I guess since I take pictures it'd give her stuff to talk about?" she truly wondered if all boys were this dense, or just the ones she was friends with. And if it was all boys, how on earth did the human race continue?

After saying goodbye and going inside her house, she immediately texted Alec to check, Noor DEF has a crush on Milo, I'm not insane

Blissfully unaware, Milo buckled his seatbelt and just thanked Xander again for the ride.
 
Xander assured Milo it wasn't a problem and turned on the radio low. He gave Milo permission to change it if an annoying song came on and focused on driving. For him, the low radio was basically static that he didn't pay attention to unless a song he really liked or disliked came on. He had gotten an MP3 hooked up to the van that had all the songs he liked downloaded, but sometimes static was welcome. A good way to come down from a lot of noise without jumping straight to silence.

~~

Alec had been helping Sally wash dishes, but when he heard his phone, he stepped aside to answer. He had to bite his lip to keep from squealing and texted back, IknewitIknewitIknewit!!!
 
Alec let out a squeak and did a little happy dance, earning a confused look from Sally. There's no way that's true, but that is so awesome! I am freaking out! Good for Milo! Do you think I should tell him or wait for a few "Pen Pal" exchanges first?
 
At the sound of the squeak, Dark stuck his head into the kitchen and squinted at his son for a few moments before taking a brief glance at Sally.

If you tell him, he may stop texting her, and then I worry she may murder you. You may as well let it play out organically for at least a little while, give him the chance to figure it out on his own.
 
Sally only shrugged, having no idea what Alec was up to.

I will keep an eye on the situation. Maybe I'll tell Xander eventually, but for now, I'm more curious how long it will take him to figure it out.
 
Dark frowned and went to the cabinet to get the necessary supplies to begin scrubbing the frosting from Ivy's high chair while Daizi went upstairs and finally put the sweet girl to bed for the night.

It's Milo so---a while, I'd guess lmao (not an insult, it's cute). Weirdly, I kinda see it??? Like is that weird?????? But it ??? makes sense ???
 
I know! It's so adorable! I really, really, really hope they can make this work out in the end. I know I'm early, but to me they look perfect together. Beautifully awkward.

Xander got home again a few minutes later having made sure Milo got inside safe. "What's left to tidy or clean?" he asked Cooger since Cooger was the first one he saw.
 
That'll technically make Milo your family, distantly

"Honestly I'm not sure, so many hands are on it." Cooger replied, glancing around.

Hearing Xander's voice, and noting how Zeinab had gone upstairs for a little, Dark came around the corner, "Xander, good, you are home. I have something to show you all."
 
Alec cackled quietly before responding, I suppose it would! That would be kind of fun. Ha! Imagine if Xander or I got together with one of your relatives! What a reunion that would be!

Xander glanced at him curiosly. "Yeah? What's up?" He glanced toward his brother, who was lost in his own world. "Earth to bro, earth to bro, come in."

Alec looked up. "What?"
 
Dude don't you dare get with any of my relatives XD And if you date any of my friends and break up, I'm taking her side

"I have something to show you," Dark replied, taking off his tie and unbuttoning his shirt, "When I had my appointment the other day, I was getting a new tattoo. It is still a bit bruised."
 
Alec made a face at his phone and tucked it into his pocket. "A new tattoo?" He came closer to see.

"Is it the mini's name in fancy writing?" Xander asked. "Where'd you put it?"
 
"I have no written words anywhere on my body, the closest I come are the A and X letters I have for the pair of you," Dark replied, undressed to his undershirt, as he carefully folded his shirt and tie over the back of the chair, "I had it done over that lizard I disliked, on the inside of my arm. Look." He held his arm and turned it to show them his tattoo and Cooger came around to look also. The bruising obscured it slightly, but he had replaced his faded lizard with a Hummingbird which carried in its feet vines of Ivy, which extended so they anchored into the surrounding tattoos so it blended nicely into the overall tapestry. Of course, this was not a brightly coloured hummingbird, they had chosen colours which suited the rest of his work.
 
"Wow!" Alec breathed, staring at it, wide-eyed. "That's beautiful!"

"Very nice," Xander nodded in appreciation.

Sally walked around the corner just then, looking down as she reaffixed her bracelet and rings after washing dishes. "Daizi, darling, I think we are," she looked up and stopped short. "Good lord, man!" she blurted, drawing back in shock.

Peter and Jack, who had been taking out the trash bags to the dumpster, turned to see what had caused Sally to react like that. Jack's brows arched in appreciation and surprise, and Peter looked caught between stifling a gin and laughing.

Sally recovered just a little, still breathless, and stammered out, "We are going to leave you to yourselves now, yes, and let you enjoy your abs - space to yourself. Your space and quiet, very peaceful, yes, and private." She was now thoroughly red as she quickly rushed herself, her son, and her husband to find their shoes and the door.
 
Daizi, who had just been coming downstairs as she heard her friend cry out before stammering, "What happened?"

"I apologize," Dark said, fixing his undershirt, having not even realized it had ridden up until Sally's head nearly exploded at the sight of him. It hadn't even occurred to him to give a warning or wait for them to leave, since by his measure tanktops weren't indecent and, honestly, he was going to show his Hummingbird tattoo to Sally anyway.

For the second time that day, Cooger folded over laughing.
 
"No, no, it is fine, yes. You are in your own house, after all," Sally assured him, still red.

"Mrs. Hollis, you should come see the tattoo," Alec said, grinning wickedly. "It's beautiful!"

"Yes, dear, let's go take a look," Jack said, taking hold of Sally's arm and guiding her closer to see it. Sally's face grew redder with each step closer.
 
Dark stood back, touching his hands to his hips, "It is okay if you do not want to see."

"You should really let her get the full waist-up look," Cooger wheezed, "I'm sorry, Sally, I'm not trying to tease you, honestly, I'm pissed, you just inflated his ego to unfathomable sizes."

"Oh, is Dark showing off his tattoos?" Daizi asked, biting back her amusement and joining them, "He just got one for Ivy, he's so proud of it."
 
"Yes, he is showing off," Jack said with a smirk at Cooger. "If it is for Ivy, then it must be important."

Sally took a steeling breath and stepped closer. "No, please, show me." She hesitated and then asked in a voice that squeaked just a little, "exactly where is the tattoo?"

"Right here," Alec said, pointing it out.
 
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