How Green Becomes Wood

Alec smiled a little and fell silent for the rest of the ride home. When they got home, he murmured quietly to Sally, Ivy, and Xander in the living room before heading upstairs to his room. He shucked off his outermost layer of clothing and then climbed into bed and curled up.

Xander hung around long enough to be polite and welcome his parents home. Then he followed Alec upstairs and laid on the bed with him. He didn't ask any questions, just laid there and gave him a bit of silent company.
 
When Alec fell silent in the car again, they didn't try to get him to talk any more. They both empathized too much with what he was going through to do otherwise. When they got home, Dark lingered in the doorway, knowing he was just going to leave again to pick up Alec's prescription. He made a brief hello, but didn't want to drag it out so Ivy didn't fall to bits over the fact her father came home only to leave again.
Daizi, however, went to the living room to greet Sally and thank her for babysitting while recollecting Ivy, who was absolutely delighted to be reunited with her Mama. She had been doing better about separation lately, although she still didn't like it, but anytime her parents came home after being away, all she wanted was them.
 
Sally lingered instead of heading out immediately. She waited until Dark was heading out and then turned to Daizi. "I've made a pot of tea for you. It's nice and warm in the kitchen. How are you doing? Really?"
 
Raising her eyebrows in surprise, Daizi replied, "Thank you, you didn't have to do that." She scratched behind her ear, bouncing Ivy on her hip, "I'm... okay, I've just been holding the fort. You know how things can be."
 
"I know, and if you ever need to talk or need to get away for a while, you know where I am," Sally told her. She put a hand on her arm and would have hugged Daizi if not for Ivy. "You have a lot to carry, darling, and you do so marvelously! I have met few women stronger than you. I just want to make sure you aren't trying to do it all alone."
 
"Thank you," Daizi smiled softly, "It's just been... Well, Dark has been struggling. That makes it harder. He's doing his best, there's just a lot happening for him right now, so I've been more focused on him, which has been making him feel guilty he can't be more focused on me. But we had a really lovely date last week, so we still make time."
 
Sally squeezed her arm gently. "Good. I am glad to hear it." She let go and fetched her coat. "I shall leave you to your sweet child and your tea. Ta-ta, darling!" She waved to Ivy and then headed out.
 
"Get home safe," Daizi said, "Ivy, say bye-bye to your Auntie Sally!" Ivy gurgled as she was told, but it didn't quite count as actually saying bye-bye, although she did wave like her Mama did. Then Daizi sighed softly and got up to pour a cup of tea, bringing Ivy with her. She needed to schedule time with her friends. Talking to adults who were not just her husband was very, very needed.
 
Alec and Xander stayed up in Alec's room. Alec had rolled over to nestle into Xander's side and dozed off lightly. Xander was playing a game on his phone while being used as part of a bed, occasionally looking down to check on his brother.
 
When Dark came home from the pharmacy, he left Alec's medicine on the counter for the time being and went to sit with his wife. There was a look on her face, like she was doing her best not to feel overwhelmed. After only sitting beside her for a few moments, he wrapped her in his arms and pulled her into his lap. He had known he hadn't been as there for her this week as he'd preferred to be, so now, as Ivy crawled around on the floor after Enkidu, he was going to make that right.

"Thank you for being there for me, Daizi" He told her, brushing her hair back, and used her real name so she knew how deeply he meant it.

"I'll always be there for you," Daizi promised, melting in against him. It wasn't a shock he had lifted her like this, but it was a delight, and she gladly snuggled in, resting one hand over his heart to feel its strong, steady beat.

"Inshallah," He murmured, resting his cheek against the top of his head, "I still have you, do you know?"

Nodding and allowing her eyes to shut, Daizi said, "As long as you hold me like this." It was impossible not to relax when he was so warm, so strong, and smelled so nice.

"Do you want to talk?"

"No," She murmured, "I want to hear your voice reverberate in your chest and feel you breathe. You talk. You're the coziest man alive."

"Promise me not to let that epithet get out, it will ruin my image."
 
Last edited:
Xander spent the night in Alec's room, having an easier time in the room now that the majority of the clutter was cleaned up, and Alec needed him. With his own space and the ability to decompress and rejuvenate, Xander had a little more he could give to his brother. The next morning, he was up early and ready to go.

Alec was a little slower to get up, but he livened up as the morning progressed and started looking forward to the day ahead. Today was a very big day! An important day. He found himself almost nervous as well as excited.
 
Just like the past two years, the twins came downstairs to French toast. Technically, if they were being accurate, the toast should've been saved for tomorrow, but who was counting? It's not like they could starve their children until dinner in the name of accuracy. To be even more accurate, the twins came down to the process of French toast and Dark cleaning the counter of egg while Daizi cleaned Ivy of egg, but both paused to wish their boys a very good morning.

"We have fresh orange juice," Daizi added, "and powdered sugar for the toast!"
 
Alec smiled and walked over to hug Daizi, Ivy and all. "Thank you, Mama. Thank you, Ba."

"This looks really good," Xander told Dark. "I think you're getting better at this." He smirked to show he was joking.
 
"Be careful," Daizi warned, while still hugging him back, "Ivy is covered in raw egg, I don't want you to also be covered in it. And you're very, very welcome habibi." She squeezed him tightly, egg or not, "I love you, Alec."

"This," He gestured at the mess, "is not my fault."
 
"Today is going to be a good day," Alec said. He drew back and checked himself over. "I know that because I flirted with danger and came away with no raw egg on me!"

"Oh, really?" Xander drawled. "I suppose it was Mama's fault?"
 
"It will be a good day," Daizi agreed, cupping his cheek for a moment, while Ivy just grinned, reaching out to him.

Dark sighed, leaning against the counter, "Your sister wanted to help. We let her try to help crack an egg."

"It didn't go well." Daizi chuckled, picking up her towel again and finishing cleaning Ivy up, "She loved it. We're going to let her help stir the batter for the next batch instead."
 
"She would love that," Daizi smiled, kissing Ivy on the cheek, "Ivy baby, say..." She frowned. There wasn't an easy 'Happy blank! for this day. Tell him 'Welcome Home'? "Say, 'I love you, Alec!'"

She babbled as she was handed over, but did finish it with, "Ack!"

"Very, very good, Hummingbird!" Daizi praised, "Today is a very special day!"

Dark rolled his eyes, "I have been doing so for two years to the day, I believe. But I am beginning to teach your sister to help clean." He had ordered a toddler-sized broom and everything, not that it'd be much good before she could walk. If he made it a game it would help teach her the skills for when she could do more than just smear the mess around. Then he went over and hugged Alec close, having noted how Daizi had gotten hers, he suspected Alec had been waiting until he was done cleaning. "Luckily, I love you both very much."
 
Alec giggled as he let Dark hug him, holding tight to Ivy. "I love you, too, Ivy! And I love you, Ba!" He shifted in Dark's grip so he could return the hug. "It's a good thing you are so good at cleaning, considering what messes we make."

"Hey, I'm learning to clean, too!" Xander complained. "I'd say I'm at least as good as a four-year-old."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top