How Green Becomes Wood

"It would've been better if I had napped in my bed instead of in the car," She replied, trying to stretch a little, "I'm glad we're so close, I have to get up. And the baby woke me. She really has it out for me some days."

"What is she doing now?" Dark asked as he pulled smoothly into their driveway.

"She had been kicking. Now she's just rolling over. We are not on the same sleep schedule." Daizi wasted no time getting out of the car as soon as she knew the car had been turned off, then she gladly got out and went to the trunk to bring in the bags, and Dark followed her. Taking his own advice, instead of trying to take some of the bags from her, he asked if she wanted any help. Ultimately, she carried in a couple of her bags, while he took the rest, and they left the bags with Alec's clothes for him to bring in.
 
Xander had discovered that being home alone when you are never home alone was really quite boring and a little disconcerting. He had indeed listened to the music Alec hated, but after that, he wasn't actually sure what to do. He kept having this nagging feeling that someone was going to walk in and catch him doing something he shouldn't e doing, but he wasn't actually doing anything he shouldn't. It was a weird sensation. Then, after a while, he started feeling rather lonely. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been without Alec when there wasn't something he was supposed to be doing or some important reason. This simply being apart was weird. Everything was weird.

Then the car pulled in and he perked up. Finally! Something interesting! He sauntered to the front door and opened it, casual and disinterested and totally not trying to slyly peak at the bags. "Hey. About time. Did you guys buy out the whole mall or what?"

"No! It was a totally awesome vintage store!" Alec told Xander as he lugged in his bags. "The professor got a belt I think you'll like." He put down the bags and touched the salt before taking off his shoes.
 
"It's mostly just my new clothes," Daizi admitted, and wasn't sure why she felt a bit ashamed of that fact. Not only was there nothing wrong with buying new clothes, especially at a thrift store, but it wasn't like she didn't genuinely need them. But she had never really been one for buying new things, "Dark's new belt is pretty fun. It's a snake."

"I do not expect to wear it often, but for special occasions, I suppose. I would show you, but I do not know which bag it is in, and I have to bring all of it to the laundry room because I need to wash all of it before it is put away." Dark said. It always stressed him out to wear new clothes without washing them first. Ones bought at thrift stores he generally did not need to worry about being washed in chemicals or staining the skin, but he still did not like to think about how many people may have tried them on before they were purchased without being cleaned. So he needed to do that.

"How was being home alone?" Daizi asked, "Did you remember to eat? Was everything okay? I'm sure Enkidu loved having you here, the poor baby throws a hissy fit whenever he's left completely alone."
 
"I bet they're going to e a hell of a lot more comfortable so you can breathe easier," Xander remarked, reaching out to take a bag or two, any bag or two, just to be helpful "Yes, I ate. I ended up making myself something here. I didn't feel like ordering in. Yeah, Enkidu was a good boy. Right, yah fluffy monster?" he challenged the dog.

"I got you shirts, you have to wear one of them tonight, but then they gotta go in the wash," Alec told Xander. "You can wear something under it, if you like."

"Why should I be worried about something like that? And do I really gotta wear it?" Xander asked mournfully.

"You promised," Alec said sternly.

Xander sighed but nodded. "Alright, but I'm not wearing those pants. Jeans."

"And I got one for Declan!" Alec pulled it out of his bag and held it up.

Xander stared at him. Then turned a glare to Dark. "Did he hit his head or something? Sniff too many thrift store fumes?"

Alec stuck his tongue out at him and moved to pet Enkidu.
 
"As if I need to harm the kid to get him to make bizarre fashion choices!" Dark replied, indignant, "Wallah, you wanted recognizable, you got recognizable. We should all be grateful he showed restraint."

Daizi chuckled, heading towards the laundry room with the bags she was carrying, "And you know you're going to have to wash the shirt when you get back, because you know how Dark is. Just wait until he starts nesting, the entire house will be thrust into such order it will be like chaos."

"What--" Dark half turned, following after her incredulously, "I come home after a nice day out and everybody is a critic."
 
Xander reached out with his free hand and ruffled Alec's hair. "I'll wear the shirt, but don't be surprised if Declan says no. Come on, let's go find my earplugs."

Alec happily followed his brother to their room where he first showed Xander the pants Dark had helped him find, and then they searched for the earplugs. Those were relatively quick to find, and they ended up laying on the bed side by side, foot to head, door open, talking about their days. Xander was suitably impressed by the Jewish culinary, and Alec got validation that Xander had, indeed, listened to "terrible" music.
 
After bringing all of Daizi's new clothes to the basement and washing them, Dark and Daizi went upstairs to finalize the search for a good therapist for the twins. They had, actually, found ones they liked fairly well, but they wanted to be able to present options to Alec and, when the time came, to Xander, rather than just telling them, "This is who you will speak to."

Then they... pretty much just talked privately and waited for 6pm to come, and for Declan to take Xander to the concert, desperately trying to not let their anxieties about it get the better of them. Eventually, they decided, rather than waiting and stressing, they should start planning the nursery, because at some point they would need to, since they were planning to complete it over summer break. The two of them sat in Daizi's office, Dark at Daizi's desk with a notepad and his laptop to look at images and search for actual, purchasable items, and Daizi lounging on one of her plush chairs.
 
Shortly before six, Alec tapped on the office door with a grin and presented his brother. Xander was dressed in dark jeans and the kaleidoscopic shirt Alec had picked out, and the tips of earplugs poked out of both ears. He glared at the ceiling grumpily, but turned in a slow circle when Alec poked his shoulder to do so. He also had his small wallet on a short chain attached to his black belt. It was as much a safety measure as it was a fashion statement. He also had multiple earings in both ears - most of them still clip ons. He hadn't even asked to get his ears pieced again, not after the first hole had gotten infected.
 
"You look good, Xander," Dark said, and then couldn't help but tease, "or as good as someone wearing that shirt can look. But you wear it well, if you unbutton the first three, it might be easier to take." He leaned over to Daizi and described Xander's look, and when she heard he was, in fact, wearing earplugs, her face lit up with a serene glow.


"Thank you for wearing them," She said, loud enough that she could trust he could still hear her.

"Although you probably do not need them until you are actually at the venue. Although at least this way you will not forget to put them in."
 
Xander snickered and took them out, tucking them into his pocket. Then he took them back out, opened his wallet, and tucked them into the fold before putting it back in. "I'll probably need that for something, so I won't forget to put them in." He tried undoing the top three, but the tip of a thin scar showed. He did up the third button, leaving the top two undone. "Yeah, that does look better."

"He's all grown up!" Alec said, pretending to wipe away a tear.

The doorbell rang downstairs.
 
Dark didn't notice the scar, because he was at a distance and wasn't staring all that closely at Xander's chest, but he did say, "I told you it would. Fashion models make hideous clothes look good all the time, it is only a matter of knowing how to style them."

When the doorbell rang, Daizi tried not to sink further into her seat from distaste, and downstairs, Enkidu barked loudly. Just in case the doorbell wasn't enough, "Hadi!" She called from upstairs, heaving herself from the chair, "Yati!" This was followed by the sounds of Enkidu scrambling away from the door towards her, with a look in his eyes that screamed his desire to keep barking, but his desire to remain a good boy was, for the moment, winning out.

The two of them, followed by Dark, went downstairs, but Daizi hung further back in the hallway and let Dark open the door, because she knew Enkidu was more likely to stay close by her, since he had been so protective since she became pregnant.

"Hello Declan," Dark said neutrally.
 
Declan grinned, dressed in his usual attire of browns and black leather. "How's it going, Darkness?" he asked, offering Dark a fist bump.

Xander and Alec followed them down the stairs, Alec still holding the shirt for Declan in one hand.

"Hey, Declan!" Xander called, lifting a hand before moving to get his shoes.

"Hey, kid. Great, uh, shirt," Declan said uncertainly, looking at Xander's shirt.

Xander nodded toward Alec and Daizi. "They suggested it in case we got separated, then I'd be wearing something definitely memorable."

"Hey, that's not a bad idea," Declan grinned. "Nice thinking."

Alec smiled and held up the binocular shirt. "I got you one, too! I hope it fits."

Declan stared and then chuckled. "I'm sorry, kid, but I wouldn't want to be caught dead in that shirt. I don't do binoculars."

Alec nodded, disappointed but not surprised. "Well, I hope you have something noticeable and memorable you can wear."

"I'll think of something," Declan promised.
 
Daizi was petting Enkidu with one hand, who was sitting firmly at her side, and put the other on her hip, "Hey do not blame me for that shirt, no shirt has ever been helpful to help me find the person I've been separated from. I only requested earplugs, and that he not let anybody talk him out of wearing them."

"We will have to start sewing bells onto everybody's clothing if we want to prevent anyone from getting lost," Dark said. This was actually a real plan for what to do when the baby became mobile, recommended by other blind parents.

"It'd be useless at a concert. But are you ready, Xander? Do you have everything? Do you have the spending money we gave you for the merch table?" Daizi asked, turning towards him, "And don't forget to drink water. I know water is unfairly expensive at concerts, but it's important to stay hydrated at them."
 
"Yes, Daizi, I got it all," Xander said, rolling his eyes. He gave his shoe a stomp to get it settled on his foot and started toward the door. "Water, money, earplugs, the works."

"Wait!" Alec stepped forward and gave him a big hug. "Now you're ready."

Xander hugged him back, awkwardly patting his back, highly aware of Declan watching. "Alright, I'll see you guys later." He pulled away and stepped out the door.

"And don't forget to stay close! And don't get to the front, I watched a video where people were getting crushed at the front because of the crowd," Alec called after him.

"Don't worry, I'll keep him safe, and we'll be back before midnight," Declan told them with a grin as he walked to his rented car.
 
"Okay, have fun, be safe," Daizi said, playing lightly with the ends of her hair, "Make smart choices."

"We will be waiting up when you get home," Dark said, his anxiety rising up again. What neither of them expected was when the door closed, with Xander going off with a stranger, Enkidu began to whine, and then ran to the kitchen windows, which overlooked the street, because he did not understand.
 
"It's okay, Enkidu," Alec said sympathetically. "He'll be back, and it'll all be fine." He looked out the window. "I hope."

Xander got into the car and growled softly as he yanked his seatbelt so hard he triggered the catch. He forced himself to pull slowly and buckled up properly. He wasn't ten anymore!

"Having a bit of trouble with the folks?" Declan asked as he pulled away. "Gotta be rough living with a pair of uptight worry warts like them."

Xander gave Declan a look. "Dark and Daizi are alright," he said a touch sternly. "They're a far sight better than a few others I've been stuck with. They just worry. A lot."

Declan raised one hand, leaving the other on the steering wheel. "You're right, I shouldn't speak badly. They don't seem too bad of folk, it's just..." He shrugged, returning his hand to the wheel. "I don't care much for them, and I don't think they care for me. Sometimes you meet people like that in life, people who just rub you the wrong way, and you have absolutely no reason why they should. You just don't mesh, like oil and water."

"Yeah," Xander agreed, looking out the window. "They take care of us and look after us really well, but I just don't feel like I belong."

"Might not be my place to say since I don't know you or them that well, but I'd say you don't fit," Declan agreed.

Xander turned in his seat to frown at Declan. "Really?"

"Yeah," Declan said. "They're Addams Family, which is cool and fine, but you're more standard American rock star with oil-stained hands and the wind in your hair. Speaking of hair, are you growing it out like a rocker or what?"

Xander reached up and ran a hand through his hair. "Nah, just haven't gotten around to getting it trimmed. Stuff keeps happening."

"You wanna stop and get it done now?" Declan offered. "There should be a walk-in hair salon around here somewhere. We're not on a tight schedule. I thought I'd give us plenty of time, especially if you want to stop at any of the stands before the show starts. The lines are killer! Long as the haircut don't have you waiting for an hour."

Xander reached up again and touched his hair. "Alright," he agreed slowly. "Just like a trim, right?"

"Sure, whatever you want," Declan told him. "I could use a trim, too, come to think of it."

Xander sighed and looked out the window. "I wish I could just roar away on a bike like you. Not have to stick around and go to school and waste my time with stuff that's not even useful."

"Nothing to say you can't," Declan pointed out cheerfully. "I always thought high school was overrated. The only real reason to finish it out is so you have your diploma. It's easier to get jobs that way."

Xander turned to him. "Really? You'd take us along?"

"Whoa, hold up there. I couldn't fit the two of you on my bike at the same time," Declan said. "Maybe one of you, but not both. Besides, your brother fits in with that family like a lost puzzle piece."

Xander eyed Declan cautiously. "You do like Alec, right"

Declan glanced at Xander like he'd lost his mind. "Of course I do! He's a sweet boy, and seems really kind. I'm just..." He heaved a sigh. "I have no idea how to connect to him. I don't really have friends like him or acquaintances. I feel awkward. I don't dislike him, not one bit, I just feel like you and I, we share a vibe, and I like it. Him and me, not so much. I figured it didn't matter because he's got folk he does vibe with, so I thought you and I would hang more since you don't seem to vibe with him."

Xander looked out the window. "Yeah," he said softly, a weird feeling twisting in his stomach. "He does fit. He's perfect for them, and them for him."

"Well, if you ever decide to strike out your own," Declan started.

"No way!" Xander's head came around so fast it was a wonder he didn't give himself whiplash. "No way am I splitting up! We're a package deal, him and me. We go together everywhere."

"I respect that," Declan said calmly. "Me, I hated my brothers, so I can't fully get it, but I understand. Still, if you've always been together, you've always been looking out for him, right? Taking care of him and making sure he doesn't get into trouble? Ain't it exhausting? He's got good people, and I do mean good people, looking out for him. Ain't it time you figure out what you wanna do other than play nanny to your brother? And ain't it time he learn to survive without you? You can't always be there for each other, no matter what you mean, so maybe it's good to get some space and just see what it's like. Besides, a man can't really find himself and learn to be a man until he's set out on his own. Maybe with friends, but definitely away from his norm. Most come back, but some learn to like it that way, but you can't learn until you try it. Until you test your own mettle. A road trip is excellent for that. You're about old enough for one. Maybe you should think about it, you and a friend or two."

Xander didn't say anything. Declan had a point. His entire life had been devoted to not dying and keeping his brother safe. When they'd first come to stay with Dark and Daizi, he didn't even know what kind of hobbies he liked. He knew nothing about himself other than the music he liked, and most of that was older stuff he'd picked up from other people. Maybe it was time he tried to live life for himself, just for a little bit. He'd try setting out and learning about himself.

"By the way, later this week I'll be heading to the Swan's Inn over in Beaverton," Declan told him.

Xander turned to him. "Beaverton?"

"Yeah, it's like two hours south of here," Declan said casually. "Nice place. I've been there before, actually. They just need a follow-up, so that'll be quick. No more than two days."

"Sounds like a nice getaway," Xander said.

"Yeah, it's not too bad. Oh, here we are, a sport's clip," Declan said, pulling into a parking spot. "They don't look busy. I bet we can get in and out in ten minutes. Come on."

Xander willingly followed Declan inside. Maybe it would be a good idea to take a short trip with Declan. He could use some time away to clear his head. It wasn't like he was committing to a life on the road, just a toe dipped into the water. Maybe a little trip, and then he could figure out what he wanted. He'd come back. That wasn't a question. But just a short trip to feel true freedom! He'd spent his entire youth looking after himself and his brother. Didn't he deserve a short vacation? Especially now when Alec had other people to look after him? It would be fine. In the meantime, he fully intended to get every bit of enjoyment he could out of the concert tonight!
 
Daizi didn't stick around after Xander left. She had been able to regulate her worries about it before he left, but after hearing the car drive off, it was all too much, "I have to go lie down, I think," she said, and then realizing being alone just trying to rest meant she would be alone with her thoughts, "or, no, I need to--I think I am going to catch up on some of my work. It's always better to be a bit ahead."

"We can go back to planning the nursery?" Dark suggested, since they had been enjoying it before.

"No, I don't think so. I'm not in the right headspace for it." She replied, slipping upstairs, wanting to be fully distracted from all of her children.
 
Alec bit his knuckle worriedly and watched out the window with Enkidu. He could hear the stress and worry in Daizi's voice, which did nothing to assuage his own fears. He said nothing, though, not wanting to make her or Dark feel bad. They had every right to be worried, and, in a way, it made him feel better to know that he wasn't the only one worried about this. He was not overreacting! It was a minuscule victory, but he'd take it.

He sighed and gave Enkidu a pet before wandering toward his bedroom. Maybe he could listen to music? He picked up his phone, realized the battery was really low, and spent fifteen minutes finding his charger and plugging it in. Then he was back, staring out the window. This was the longest he'd ever been away from Xander for any reason. The time they'd spent laying on his bed talking seemed brief and hardly long enough. He just hoped Xander was being smart.
 
Dark watched both of them walk off, and sighed. Once more he felt the guilt of wishing their biological father had never made his appearance, even though he knew he shouldn't. He would have been happy finding something alone to distract himself with too, but it wasn't the right choice. So instead he went and knocked on Alec's door, "Hey," he said, smiling slightly, "Do you want to talk about what you want to do with the room?"
 
Alec looked up at Dark and tried to return the smile. "Alright," he agreed softly. "That could be fun." He pointed to the ceiling. "I was thinking a mural, maybe, something calming and naturey. But Xander isn't sure about the idea." He pointed to the wall by his bed. "Something simple but bright like different colored lines creating a geometric pattern, perhaps?"
 
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