How Green Becomes Wood

"Really? And where could I find such a place?" Cooger asked.

"Yes, I know about the paper." He said, looking at her for a moment before looking down at his shoes and the snow which gathered at them. Twenty-five years ago, he had never seen such a thing and never thought he would. "I suppose time can only do so much."
 
"Oh, I suppose I could let you in on my little secret grotto," Lex sighed dramatically. "You'll have to walk, though."

"For some, it brings forgetfulness, especially if it had nothing to do with them, but not for all," Ciara commented. She glanced at him. "Not everyone is forgotten, nor their pain, by those around them." She moved to walk around to the driver's side. "Good night, Mr. Dark. Keep yourself well."
 
"I can walk," Cooger promised. "I can handle a bit of cold."

Dark nodded, again not knowing what to say until he helped shut Ciara's door for her, "Goodnight, Ciara. I hope you get home safe." Then, as she drove away, he stood still in his driveway, a grim, solitary figure on Christmas night. Then he took a breath and went back inside as though nothing at all had happened.
 
"Then I guess you can come with me, and I'll show you a cozy little nest," Lex purred.

Tristan was getting ready to leave, trying to figure out how to tote his gifts. He hadn't thought he'd need a bag or anything. Alec ran and fetched a bag for him to use, which Tristan was grateful for. He was about to head out right as Cooger came in, and he smiled up at the much taller man as he leaned over to remove the tire protectors from his wheels. "Thank you for this, Dark. It was a very nice evening."
 
"I would not have offered if it were a grave problem for me," Dark assured Tristan, opening the door and holding it open for him before following out after him, "It is cold, but it is a nice enough night."
 
"Thank you." Tristan gave Dark a couple of things to carry and led the way. "I think it might snow tonight. As much as I enjoy the wilderness, I am grateful to live in town on nights like these." They reached his car, and Tristan hesitantly asked Dark if he would be willing to stow his chair in the back for him before transferring himself to the driver's seat. He could do it himself and did a lot, but the damp cold made things slippery. A part of him absolutely hated asking for help, but he reminded himself it was better than falling. After all, who better to ask than the husband of a blind woman?
 
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"As of yet, I have only learned to admire the snow at a distance." Dark said, before agreeing to stow away Tristan's chair, after making sure he knew exactly which direction to place it inside the trunk. Then he went back around to the driver's side and wished Tristan a safe trip home.
 
"Thank you, and have a nice night!" Tristan called before pulling out onto the road.

Lex rounded up Toby and their things. "We should be heading home," she said casually. "It's pretty cold outside and only going to get colder."
 
Dark went back inside while Cooger made sure to give his classic long goodbyes to Dark, Daizi, and the twins--Ivy had mostly fallen asleep in her mother's arms. He thanked everyone for his gifts one last time and then picked up his bag while walking out with Lex and Toby, trying to be chill about the fact he was going over to her house. Seeing the look on his friend's face made it a bit more difficult to just go and enjoy whatever was next in his evening, but he knew there wasn't a thing he could do and Dark knew it too. Frankly, Dark was ready to be in a pitch-black room and be done talking with any other person.

So, Cooger walked Lex home and Dark locked the door before sighing, loosening his tie, and going to see what needed to be cleaned up.
 
Once they arrived at Lex's house, Toby went straight to his room, which was on the first floor and almost across the house from Lex's room. He was tired and didn't even think twice about Cooger walking his mother home.

"Do you want something to warm your bones a bit? I have decaf coffee or tea," Lex offered, wandering slowly toward the kitchen.
 
"Coffee would be great, thank you," Cooger chuckled, leaning against the counter, "It did get pretty cold while we were at the party. It was missing something, though, if you ask me."
 
Lex turned and arched her eyebrows at him. "Mistletoe?" she repeated in amusement. She thought back for a moment and chuckled. "You're right! They didn't have any mistletoe. But you know what I forgot?" She pointed to the doorway leading into the kitchen. A scraggly bit of green that could maybe be mistaken for mistletoe having a bad day hung from the top. "I stuck that up there when I was putting up the other decorations."
 
"Undoubtedly," Lex agreed, letting him pull her over. "That, or freeze us both with a word." She looked up at him standing there and couldn't help a spark of genuine joy. She leaned into him and stood on tiptoe, reaching up to kiss him. They drew so close... And then the coffee maker burbled to a finish right as their lips were about to touch.

"Oops! Coffee's done!" Lex chirped, pulling away from Cooger and half dancing to the coffee maker, leaving him standing alone in the kitchen doorway.
 
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