How Green Becomes Wood

Xander growled in frustration and went to run his hand through his hair. He'd forgotten he was holding the spoon still and almost conked himself in the head with it. He tossed it aside irritably. He did not want to be having this conversation! "That he shouldn't be so hard on his grands while never holding his mum accountable for anything. For disregarding friends or something. For looking forward to leaving."
 
"I understand you are angry with him, you are allowed to be angry with him." Dark reminded Xander, taking a sip of his tea, "I am just trying to understand the situation. What do you think about that opinion?"
 
Xander gave a slight shrug and turned more away. "Just stuff. Hey, I gotta get to work, so am I in trouble, or can I go now?" He didn't want to think about this even though it was all he had been thinking about all day. He didn't want to talk about this. And he certainly didn't want Dark convincing him he should go easier on that jerkwad Alec!
 
"'Kay. Thanks for the tea." Xander set down his undrunk tea and stalked out the back. He didn't slam the door, he shut it quietly as always, but he did stomp furiously across the deck and into the yard until he reached his shed. He closed the door and started working, focused entirely on his job. He had a lot to get done if he was going to be able to restock his online store and get his homework done.
 
Dark sighed, looking at the full cup of tea on the counter and then just sat down. If Daizi came down soon, he'd give it to her. Otherwise, he'd just have to dump it. It didn't matter, but it was another annoyance. He shouldn't be this annoyed with his children, he knew that. This was a very emotionally difficult moment for both of them, and he truly empathized. Of course they were upset and difficult, it was an upsetting and difficult time.

But that didn't mean he enjoyed pulling out their teeth. He hoped things were going better for Daizi, who was still upstairs with Alec.
 
Alec hadn't said a word since accepting the fact that he was in trouble. He hadn't fallen asleep, but it almost seemed like it. He lay curled up, leaning against Daizi's leg and letting her stroke his hair while he huddled under the covers. He wasn't interested in talking further or trying to make things right. He just wanted to wallow for a bit, but the hair stroking did feel nice while it lasted. He expected Daizi to leave at any time. It wasn't like he was the only person under her care right now.
 
Daizi stayed with him for as long as she could, not interrupting the silence. Eventually, though, she just barely heard Ivy crying through the walls. She waited a few moments, knowing Dark would probably get her, but she also knew she couldn't spend all evening with him. So, she pulled the blanket a little tighter and said, "I have to go, habibi."
 
"I love you, baby," Daizi reminded him, "even though I'm not exactly happy with you right now." She bent to kiss his head one last time and then went to check on her baby, leaving Alec be for the moment.
 
Alec heaved a sigh. No one was happy with him right now, including himself, so that was not particularly shocking news. He did feel infinitesimally better when she said she loved him. He knew that, but it was good to hear, especially during such a chaotic time. Assurance that even if he was a jerk, at least he was a loved jerk. Maybe this was how Xander had felt. It was miserable. No wonder he used to be so cranky. He'd probably stay cranky for a long time.

Xander finished up his work in the shop and came inside to help make dinner. He wanted to help, and it gave him something to do until he was ready to focus on school work. He wasn't falling behind just because of all of this, but he did want to take a little more time before attempting to make his brain study.
 
Dark cooked dinner that night, but he didn't try particularly hard to engage him in conversation. For most of it, anyway. Near the end of the time they spent cooking, he looked over at his son before saying, "Thank you for staying in school today."
 
Xander kept his eyes on what he was doing as he answered. "Welcome. I didn't really... think of it as an option. 'Cept for the class I skipped, but, you know, that was kind of important. I'll make it up."
 
A tiny amount of Xander's tension eased, and he nodded to Dark, appreciating the thanks even if he wasn't certain how to say it. That, and the fact that Dark hadn't been upset that he'd skipped the class. The logical side of him knew there was no way Dark would be upset, but a tiny part of him had been worried.
 
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