How Green Becomes Wood

"Wouldn't you know it, I'm trying to," Daizi replied with a grin, "but it's not going so well."

"Most places will put whipped cream in a cup, so he can have that." Dark suggested, agreeing their dog shouldn't be ignored. Enkidu did not know what was happening, and would have pulled at his leash from the excitement of being outside, but he had been well trained, so he kept looking up at Xander for permission to be a little bit more wild.

"We should have brought a toy for him," Daizi said, tucking her cane beneath her arm and reaching to pet him.
 
The rest of the day went splendidly. The lingering doubts and sadness quickly slipped away as Alec focused on being with his family. He had no doubts at all that he'd done the right thing, and he recognized his doubts as being unfounded, at least in this so-called "break up." being with his family was far better than trying to hang out with Crystal, who was absolutely draining, nevermind her friends. The only thing he was going to miss was maybe Bernadette a tiny amount. She was actually pretty nice when she wasn't trying to impress Crystal or be like her. He hoped that someday she'd break free of Crystal, too.

Sunday passed quietly with Alec and Xander alternating between helping Dark and Daizi get the nursery ready for the baby and hanging out doing their own thing. In all, it was a delightfully quiet day.

Monday arrived, and Alec stood in front of his mirror brushing out his hair as he rehearsed the lines he was going to say to Sloan. He was going to walk straight up to her the first chance he got and have a proper heart-to-heart with her. "I don't know how to be friends. I am used to being friendly, but not friends. I know we've known each other for quite a while now, but it's hard to overcome lifelong habits. I treated you selfishly and without thought. Right or wrong about Crystal, I should have taken more of an effort to take your feelings into account, and I'm sorry." He paused and frowned. "It still sounds like I'm making excuses for myself. I don't mean to, I just want her to know my thought process."

Xander sighed from where he was checking his school backpack. "I already told you. Stop trying to rehearse a speech and just let it come naturally."

"I'd feel more confident if I knew what I was going to say," Alec told him. He turned and held out his arms. "What do you think? I'm going for fun, bright, and colorful."

Xander squinted slightly as he watched his brother. He wore the blue checkered pants, a lime green shirt, silver belt, and a dark blue knee-length jacket with red stars lined with silver. "Well, my eyes are bleeding, and I'd say you look like a dorky wizard, so I'd say you accomplished what you were going for. You did forget a tie."

"Right!" Alec checked out his array of ties and chose a red one with fishing flies all over it.

Xander stared and shook his head. As far as he was concerned, Alec's clothes just appeared magically in the closet. "We're going to be late if you don't hurry up. Unless you have a teleportation spell."

The pair headed downstairs with their backpacks to see if Dark and Daizi were ready.
 
Having Alec be back to his normal self was quite a relief to both Dark and Daizi. Neither expected his complete return to form to be unshakable, not utterly, but they felt better. It he back slid, well, they could deal with that.

It was a lovely, peaceful weekend. And the fact the twins offered to help with the nursery also really made both adults feel more confident in the little life they had been putting together. And it really helped Daizi, who was able to take it easier than she otherwise would have been able to.

Not long after both boys came downstairs on Monday, they were all piled back into the car (which was now very much bothering Dark, because he loved his car, but now it seemed like it might be too small after all, and it seemed stupid to own two cars if only one person was driving, and yes the twins would be driving soon, but it only seemed right for them to start with some used vehicle and not the one Xander thought could be used by a 'Saudi prince' but--), and Daizi put her hand on Dark's arm, somehow sensing, despite the fact he hadn't said a word, that he was stressed about something.

And soon enough, Daizi was on her train and the rest of them had returned once more to the high school. Sloan wasn't immediately there, giving Alec more time to stress, but at around the time most students arrived, so did she milled about, having no idea what this new week held in store for her. But, she was no longer weepy, having deciding it simply was not worth it.
 
Alec waited with his eyes on the doors, constantly checking the faces around him to make certain he hadn't missed her coming in. Xander ignored him, but also checked around while pretending to just move a bit. Neither saw her until the rest of the students started filing in. Alec lit up when he spotted Sloan and hurried over to her.

"Sloan!" he called, waving his hand as if she might miss him. He moved to stand directly in front of her and started speaking determinedly so he could get it all out before she could tell him off like he deserved. "I don't know how to be friends," he began.

"Alec!" called a piercing voice. "Alec, I'm over here!"

He glanced over to see Crystal waving to him and gritted his teeth. "Can you wait just a minute?" he asked Sloan, already backing up, holding his hands up in the universal "one minute" gesture. "I'll be right back, promise. This is important, but I need to speak with her first." He hurried over to where Crystal and Bernadette stood waiting.
 
"Oh, hey, Alec--" Sloan began, but before she could ask him if he was doing better than he was on Friday, he was speaking, so she quieted herself.

And then Crystal called him over, and she watched him go. She really, really wanted to just leave, fully expecting, considering how Alec had begun whatever it was he needed to say, that this was going to be his big, "I chose her over you," speech, but since he was so intent that he'd be back in a few minutes, she decided to wait it out, and try not to stare at Alec and the two girls.
 
Xander noticed Alec walking over to Crystal and frowned. He made no secret of the fact that he was watching them.

"Yes, Crystal?" Alec asked guardedly

Crystal smiled brightly, almost flirtatiously. "I have decided to forgive you, so, all you have to do is say sorry."

Alec stared at her in confusion. "I'm sorry?"

"Alright, I accept your apology," Crystal chirped. "We can pretend like nothing ever happened! We're going to-"

"Wait, wait, wait, wait," Alec interrupted, waving both hands to stop her before the torrent of words started. "I actually meant 'I'm sorry' to be a comment of confusion. What are you forgiving me for?"

Crystal's eyes narrowed a little. "For your stupidity Saturday, of course. I realized you were just feeling a bit pressured as it was your first time, so I'm forgiving you." She spoke slowly, as if to a child.

"I don't want your forgiveness, Crystal, at least not in that way," Alec replied. "I meant what I said. I am not interested in you in that way whatsoever. I did mean what I said about friendship, too, but I am beginning to think that will not be an option. If you will excuse me, I was speaking with my friend." He started to move away, but Crystal was somehow blocking his path, trembling with rage.

"Excuse me," she snipped out each word, "are you dumping me?"

"I hardly consider it dumping since we've not even been on one complete date, but if that's the terminology you want to use, yes," Alec replied. He kept calm, his expression neutral, but his heart throbbed rapidly and his hands dampened with sweat.

"You!" Crystal hissed. "Do you... How dare you! You pathetic piece of trash! You think you can dump me?" She stopped, seething, her face red, but she tried to calm herself. "Fine. We can be friends. For now. If that's what you want."

Alec eyed her nervously but tried to be brave. "What is it you want from me, Crystal? You clearly want something from me, but I can't figure out what it is. I have no money, no power, and no pleasure I can offer you." He frowned. "Are you trying to get to Mr. Dark, the teacher, through me? Is that it?" The barest twitch of her eye told him he'd struck the right nerve. "I am sorry to say, I cannot get you anywhere there, either. There is nothing I can do for you, and I will certainly not help you cheat to a better gra-"

He didn't get to finish his sentence as a hand struck his cheek. Small yet surprisingly strong hands shoved against his chest, pushing him back. He stumbled until his back hit the wall, and he coward there as sharp strikes rained down on his shoulders and face. He lifted his hands to fend them off. They weren't hard, but they were fast and many.

"How dare you! How dare you! No one dumps me! I say when we're through! You trash! You pathetic trash! You think I need you? You think I would cheat? You think I care one dot for you, you stupid little thrift store? Homeless people dress better than you, and they have better manners, you little idiot! We are through because I say so! Not you, me!" she screeched, furiously, slapping at him only as someone still worried about their manicure could. She reared back to slap him across the face again.

The sharp snap of palm meeting flesh did not come from Crystal's hand, but from Xander's. She stood stunned, a read mark on her cheek. Xander stood next to Alec, pulling his brother away and behind him. A quiet gasp went through the gather students standing by and watching.

"Never strike unless you're ready to be struck," Xander said softly, his eyes narrow. "Touch him again, and I'll pour pool water all over your natural blonde hair." He turned and ushered Alec away.

"I'm telling the principal and getting your ass suspended!" Crystal screamed after him.

Xander flipped her off over his shoulder. "Be my flippin' guest!"

He didn't stop until he'd pushed Alec into the boy's bathroom. Alec had gone very, very still, his eyes half closed, his breath coming short and sharp through his nose, his mouth clenched shut. He was in full survival panic mode after the unexpected shock. The "attack" wasn't something most would think of as being particularly violent, but it had been sudden and unexpected. Most people seemed to laugh at a girl going after a guy, as if that was somehow okay, but the body remembered much worse, much more frightening scenarios from the past and reacted accordingly. Xander guided Alec to the back wall and let them both slide down to sit on the floor.

"It's okay. It's okay. I've got you," Xander whispered, holding Alec close. He worked his phone from his pocket and texted clumsily to Dark. 911 bys bat oom.
 
Sloan had also been watching the Alec and Crystal, and immediately tried to rush in when she turned violent (which was a shock even to Sloan, who knew how awful the other teen could be), but the crowd formed so quickly, she was still trying to force her way through as she removed all her jewelry, but by the time she had made it through, Xander had already struck her, and it was over. She might have followed her friends to the bathroom, but the look on Alec's face made her think this was something family should handle.

Instead, she decided she was sick of letting this girl get away with everything, so she marched right up to Crystal, "Hey." She said, "What the hell was that?"

Dark, meanwhile, felt his phone buzz, and reading the text, immediately headed that way, stopping only long enough to poke his head into the teacher's lounge and saying to literally anyone who was in there, "I need somebody to watch my class." Then he rushed into the bedroom, and seeing his boys there, dropped down beside them, "What happened?" He asked, "What is going on?"
 
Crystal had tears in her eyes and was giving little gulps of air and shivering with her hands fluttering. It was all very dramatic, but there was fury in her eyes. Which was why she made an effort to hide them behind her tears.

Bernadette glared at Sloan as she fussed over Crystal. "Didn't you just see her get assaulted? Go away if you're going to take that barbarian's side! We're going straight to the principal!" She started shooing Sloan to one side so she could gently herd Crystal away.

Alec leaned into Xander, clinging to him while Xander half-cradled him in his arms. "That bitch attacked him," Xander growled, keeping his voice low. "Tried to get him back under her thumb, and when he wouldn't obey like a good dog, she attacked him!" He glowered at nothing, half-wishing he'd done more than just slap her.
 
"I saw her assaulting my friend first," Sloan replied, crossing her arms, "and I want to know what makes you think you have the right to do that to a person?" She would not be moved, because she was so sick of this pretty little girl with her perfect little manicure and perfect little makeup always getting away with everything and always making herself out to be the victim, regardless of what she did to others.

Dark very gently rubbed Alec's back, murmuring something low and gentle, but the words themselves were lost as he tried to think through what he had been told. There were cameras, he guessed there were probably witnesses, it was doubtful Alec would get in trouble for it, and if Bernice tried to punish him, Dark would have words with her, again, so all of that, all the punishments and retribution and... It didn't matter. Not yet, not then, "It'll be okay, Alec," he whispered, "I am so sorry this happened."
 
Crystal gave her a haughty look. "Friend? Puh-lease. He dropped you like a hot potato, and I know you can't be jealous of me spending time with him." She dropped her tone. "Are you? So get out of my way. We have important people to see."

"Whoa, Crystal! Are you okay? Oh man. That was bad," chorused four of the football team as they crowded closer, prompting more waterworks from Crystal.

Alec flinched when Dark touched him, shivering a little, but he gradually recognized the friendly touch, and a tiny whimper escaped.

Xander scowled and looked away at nothing, shaking from anger. He hadn't wanted to stop at one slap. He'd wanted to keep going. But he couldn't. He couldn't do that anymore. He had to be better. Had to be. He leaned over Alec, wishing desperately to go home.
 
Sloan rolled her eyes so hard she thought they'd get stuck that way, "When will you learn your opinion doesn't matter? And he's just the first of a long, long line of people to see through your crap before you have the chance to screw them over. So good luck." Then she walked away, adjusting her bag on her shoulder, as the footballers crowded in, as expected.

It was only after she was out of sight something occurred to her, and she quickly texted Xander, "Probably want to keep an eye out for the football team, since you kinda squashed their queen bee". Hopefully they'd have enough sense not to pummel him into the dirt. She couldn't blame him, if someone had been hitting her brother she'd have done the same thing, but really Xander should have left it up to a girl to hit a girl, because none of the boys who hung around Crystal would jump a girl. But that was a problem for another day.

Dark stayed right there on the floor with the boys, saying everything he could think of the right thing to say to calm them even a little. He did not ask for specifics because it didn't seem like the time, but as they sat there, he did, in a very low tone, begin to sing the same song he had sung Xander after he tried to run away.
 
Xander heard his phone but didn't check it right away. He could feel Alec slowly relaxing as Dark spoke and sang to him. Especially the song.

Alec finally sat up but didn't fully let go of Xander. He turned toward Dark and put out a hand, touching his arm tentatively. "I'm sorry," he whispered, not even sure why he was saying it.
 
"You have nothing to apologize for," Dark replied, also whispering. He put his hand over Alec's and looked at him for a period of time. He had that very intense, searching look he had sometimes, if you knew to recognize it, and then he asked, "What are you going to do now?"
 
Alec hesitated. "I was supposed to talk to Sloan," he whispered. "I promised I'd be back. I promised. But... she's in class now, isn't she? I... I don't want to go to class. But..." He swallowed hard. "I don't want to be afraid."

"We can go home," Xander said immediately, thinking only of taking care of Alec. "It's safe at home, and there'll be no one to hurt either of us."
 
"Hey," Dark said, first to Xander. His voice was calm, but he was not angry or annoyed, "You cannot always run home when things go badly. You have to learn to recover."

Then, to Alec, he said, "but if you want to go home, you can. Cooger can come and pick you up." He put his hand on the back of Alec's head, "Or we can take this period to pull ourselves back together, and you can speak to her after that, okay?"
 
Xander gave Dark a look of surprise and confusion. He was used to barreling through things however he felt, but this was Alec. The only solution was to go somewhere safe and recover before venturing back out. Wasn't it? He didn't know anything else, but when Dark said it, he made it sound easy. Well, easier than doing a full retreat. He watched, curious about Dark's method.

Alec looked up at Dark. "How do I do that? How do I do like what you do? How do you get back together and then go out?" He had been going to therapy, but they hadn't reached this part of his issues yet. They mostly talked about trying to be a new family and his mother and things like that. He hadn't even thought about asking for coping mechanisms like what Dark had used that time when Xander had pushed him too far and then almost run away.
 
"Well..." Dark began, trying to think through the steps he used when something triggered his reactions, "Part of it comes with time and recognizing your physical reactions and all the really complicated stuff you will figure out in therapy, but... Practically, in the moment? I remind myself that I am safe, and that I am in control--and you are both of those things, now, and I am very sorry you were not earlier--and I practice deep breathing, and meditation, and I do change my environment in some ways. If it is possible for me, I will take a walk, but sometimes it is not, often it is not, so I change my environment in some way, I will open a window, rearrange my desk, go to a different room..." he shrugged, trying to think through all the ways he was able to pull himself back together, "I do those mindfulness exercises, and if I really need to, I will call Daizi or Cooger to talk through it with them, because you don't have to deal with your feelings alone. And sometimes none of it works, and sometimes I do just need to leave, but I do not like my mental health and my trauma dictating what life I am able to live."
 
Xander looked a little skeptical but didn't say anything. Alec leaned forward a bit, soaking it in. He gave a little nod then leaned back into Xander and closed his eyes, taking a few deep breaths. "I am safe. I am in control. I am in control, and I am safe."

The bathroom door opened, and a student walked in. He paused, glanced over Dark, Alec, and Xander sitting on the floor, and carefully walked back out.

Alec took one last deep breath and opened his eyes. "I feel a little better now," he said, though he still looked pale and a bit shaky. "It was just... so sudden. I never expected her to react like she did."

"I doubt she's ever been turned down, either," Xander said dryly.
 
"Come on," Dark said, standing, "You should drink some water. I do not think anyone expected her to react like that. And I truly hope it is the only time she does, for the sake of those who are more deeply entrenched in her life."

He stood, and reached out one hand to Alec, "In the future, it will all just be a memory. And we can contend with memories."
 
Alec managed a little smile and accepted Dark's hand. Once he was on his feet, he looked back for Xander, but Xander had already scrambled up to his feet and brushed himself off. "I'm sorry that you had to get called away from class. I hope you don't get into trouble."

"He'd be more upset if we didn't pull him from class," Xander remarked, checking his phone finally. "Oh, and apparently i have been volunteered for football practice."

Alec sighed softly. "Not again."
 
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