How Green Becomes Wood

Dark smiled slightly at Xander's dream and filed it away somewhere in his mind. Rather than opening up with suggestions about looking into wildlife conservation or biology majors or pushing him any direction, he said, "You should look into volunteering at a horse rescue center. You have your license, soon you will have your own car. I would guess there is a rescue somewhere nearby. If you get involved in a place like that, regardless of what you do for a living, you would still be able to give time to horses." He stretched his legs out far in front of him and rolled his shoulders back, "There is still part of me that dreams of my touring carnival, but that is like dreaming of being a wizard, because everything would need to be perfect, a steam train, rides with--well, you have seen my model. You know how it would need to look, and what it would need to have. But I think, if I had to stick within the realm of technical possibility, I would like to have been a tattoo artist. Have my own parlor. I had some training, but... I suppose I talked myself out of it."
 
Volunteering at a horse rescue center? He'd never thought of that. He'd not really even looked into horse rescue centers because that was too real. Knowing about the breeds, their histories, and their "celebrities" was enough to keep the flame burning without it feeling too close and real, but Dark had a point. Right now was the perfect time to volunteer because he didn't have to worry about working every minute of the day to pay for rent and food and everything else, and he would soon (he hoped) have a semi-reliable car. It could work!

Xander turned his attention to Dark's dream and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "The carnival would definitely give Dazi that close-knit community she wants," he remarked, "but, yeah, the rest would be pretty tough." After a moment, he remarked, "You know, summer break's coming up. You could use that time to go get some more needlepoint schooling while I'm off playing with horsies. Then, if the chance arose, you'd be all prepared. And parlors don't take up much room, so, you know, you could maybe have one here at the house or rent a tiny one in town if you wanted space between work and home."
 
"I think I am more busy than you are over the summers," Dark commented, looking down at his colourful arms, "Last time I was learning, it was an apprenticeship. I am, in my way, friends with my artist, and he may be willing to train me, but I do not know what time I would have. Some things may have to wait longer."
 
"Well, some wise dude once said we gotta make time for things that are important 'cause there'll never be time for them, so take that for what you will," Xander shrugged.

Just then, Alec came stumbling sleepily down the stairs, rubbing his eyes. "What's going on?"

"We're talking about dreams and tattoos," Xander told him.

"Oh." Alec wandered over and flopped down on the couch between Xander and Dark. "I had a dream I was swimming in a cyr wheel, but I wasn't getting very far because I'd lost my special pencil."

"Okay," Xander said slowly.

Alec looked at Dark sleepily. "Did you know that in Japan, if you have even one simple tattoo, like a heart or something, they won't let you into the public bathhouses and hot water springs? Tattoos are still too closely tied to the Yakuza. Imagine if a Yakuza came here!"
 
Dark knew, in some ways, Xander was right, but it also seemed... Very distant. It was much easier to encourage his children to follow their dreams, make no apologies, fear no failure, and take now prisoners. It seemed harder to take that advice himself. He wasn't as young, he didn't have as much time.

When Alec came downstairs, he watched their interaction, and then said, "I will keep that in mind, but I do not plan to visit Japan anytime soon. It is a very long flight, and I am too tall for Japan, I think."
 
Alec nodded. "You are really tall. Too tall for a lot of things, but just right for lots of others."

"Right. We should both get to bed," Xander said, gently prodding Alec back to his feet.

Alec gave a huge yawn and nodded. "Yeah, probably. Night, Ba."

"Good talk," Xander told him, and he meant it.
 
Dark looked at Alec strangely, having absolutely no idea what he was trying to say, but he nodded politely, "It is really late," he agreed, and checking the time frowned, "Or early. It is good it is Sunday, now." He stood, stretching, "It was nice talking with you, Xander. I hope you can get some sleep now."
 
"Same to you," Xander said, guiding Alec upstairs.

It wasn't hard to tuck Alec into bed and stretch out next to him. Alec was fast asleep in seconds, but Xander lay staring up at the ceiling for several minutes before finally falling asleep. What did he want to do with his life? Not what could he do, what did he want to do? It was a terrifying thought, but also a thrilling one. Maybe he could actually start to consider things like that. Maybe he could find a way to support himself and Alec and find something he loved to do at the same time.

Sunday morning dawned, but the twins slept in until nearly noon before finally stumbling out of bed. They had plenty of time before heading to Sloan's gym meet.
 
"Well good morning," Daizi said when she finally heard them come downstairs, "I was wondering if you were ever going to wake up, or if I was going to have to break some curse. Were you up late?"

"It is almost like they are teenagers," Dark replied, looking up from where he was lying on the floor beside Ivy, absolutely dwarfing her in comparison. "Sleep is important."
 
Alec stretched hugely then went to hug Daizi. "Good morning! I slept great. I did have a bizarre dream, but it wasn't too bad. Is there any breakfast yet?"

Xander tipped his head curiously as he stared down at Ivy and Dark. "Are you doing tummy time or a crawling contest?"
 
Daizi laughed as she gave Alec a hug, "Breakfast yet? You're better off asking about lunch. You slept through breakfast, habibi."

"I would love it if she crawled, but it is too soon." Dark said, looking up, "I am trying to get her to roll over. I want her to go from tummy to back to tummy." Ivy cooed and reached out to try to grab Enkidu, who was also lying by them. Dark watched this interaction, frowned slightly, and said, "It is not working."
 
"I meant left! My tongue isn't awake yet," Alec laughed, making a face. He hugged her tightly before letting her go. "How did you sleep?"

"Maybe because she knows that once she does, that's bye-bye to ever getting left on a high platform ever again," Xander said, stepping around them carefully to crouch in front of Ivy. He scowled in an overly dramatic way and aimed a finger at her, keeping it just out of reach. "Hey, you! Yes, you, ya little mouse. Baba told you to roll over, so you darn well better roll over, ya hear?" He waggled his finger temptingly and began to move it sideways so that Ivy would have to twist and lift one shoulder off the floor if she wanted to reach it. "Yeah, you stretch that back. Wiggle them shoulders!"
 
"I slept fine. I know Dark woke up at some point in the night, but he was careful about it. No, there's not breakfast, but I can make you something quickly, if you'd like." She offered, smoothing his hair, "Everyone else is busy, and you've places to be today."

"I have not left her on high platforms since she reached the age we expected her to possibly start rolling over," Dark admitted, not feeling like it was necessary to explain why. Ivy looked happily up at Xander and giggled, reaching out for his finger. Rolling onto her back was something she had gotten pretty good at, so she rolled to try to get it, wanting to grab onto him.
 
"Don't worry, I can feed myself," Alec grinned, enjoying the attention. "We do have places to be, but we've got time!" He finally pulled away and started hunting up toast and cereal. "Will you be coming with us or staying home with Ivy since we have no idea how long it'll be?"

"Ah-hah! I knew you had the ability," Xander said, letting her grab his finger. "That's one way. I bet my foot you can go the other way too. Can you?" He gently pulled his finger away and wiggled it on her other side to try to convince her to try to grab it.
 
"I haven't thought about it. I probably should have. I'd like to go, but I can't see gymnastics, and it'd be a stressful environment for her, so it'd probably be easier to manage if I stayed here." Daizi mused, thinking through it. If it was one of her kids, it would be different, but although she really liked Sloan, going to support an event she couldn't experience at all with a baby who was bound to get stressed and fussy due to the crowds and noise... It sounded kind of bad, actually.

Ivy grinned her big toothless grin and held Xander's finger as tightly as she could, kicking her legs slightly from the thrill of catching him, but she pouted slightly when he pulled back. She really tried to get over to grab onto him again, but couldn't quite manage it.

"You are so close, my darling," Dark told her, sitting up beside her, "you just have to make it a little bit further."
 
"That's okay!" Alec told her cheerfully. "Maybe you can take this opportunity to 'happen' to be out and about when the next-door neighbor is. Xander said her backyard is an absolute mess. Maybe she'd like to talk about gardening. Or food. Or babies. Or music."

Xander grinned and let Ivy struggle for a little bit before very slowly inching his finger closer to her. He didn't want her to get too stressed, but he also wanted her to have to fight for what she wanted. Gently fight for it.
 
"Maybe," Daizi said lightly. "I'm sure Ivy would love a day out, we don't go many places." She turned more towards the sound of the three of them playing, "Although I'm not sure if anyone who is not bonded with a baby ever wants to talk about babies. But if she's out, I'm sure we will have something to talk about."

"You have to do more core exercises, Hummingbird," Dark cooed, moving to Xander's side of her while watching to make sure she wasn't getting frustrated yet, "What do we put you on your tummy so much for? You focus too much on your arms!" Ivy reached as hard as she could, trying to flip over, but not making it. But, when Xander moved his finger just close enough to her that she was able to get it, Dark gently helped her over the rest of the way before saying, "Great job, Ivy!"
 
"I bet you'll find a way to have a fun time today," Alec said cheerfully. He watched the toast pop out of the toaster and turned toward the living room. "Xander! Breakfast!"

"Hang on, I'm being a reward, which is a new experience for me," Xander said, watching Ivy as Dark rolled her over. "As soon as this Mouse lets me go, I'll come eat."

"Okay, but don't blame me if I eat your portion," Alec teased. That was normally something Xander said, and it was so much fun to say it himself.
 
"I'm sure I will," Daizi said, following him out to the living room, where Ivy was happily holding onto Xander's finger. She rolled onto her back again and grinned up at him and kicked her feet. Dark said little, allowing them to have their moment, but it seemed significant to him that Xander not only initiated play, but he was letting Ivy hold onto him, which seemed significant. But Ivy was just too excited about successfully catching him.
 
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Xander grumbled. He let Ivy hold his finger for a little longer before carefully pulling it away. "Alright, you little greedy thing. I want my finger back. You'll have to find something else to pull on. How about your Baba's beard, eh?" He stood, not realizing the significance of his own actions as he sauntered into the kitchen to claim his own breakfast. Or rather, brunch.

Later, it was time to leave for the meet, and Alec showed off the sequined top he was wearing with his black jeans and a blue jean jacket to Dark. He was Sloan's cheerleader! He was quite proud of himself for only wearing one flashy article of clothing, though he did confide with Dark that he had to wear an undershirt because the sequined shirt itched horrendously. Xander wore his usual jeans and shirt, though he was wearing his carefully guarded leather jacket.
 
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