How Green Becomes Wood

He looked at Xander and then shook his head, walking towards the living room, "Yes, I would agree he is overreacting. If he bothers you too much about it, tell me, I will talk to him about it." Then he paused and turned to look back at Xander, "Are you ready to go back to school tomorrow? It is difficult to believe your suspension is already at an end."
 
"Not really, but yes," Xander shrugged. "I dunno. I liked working with Cooger a lot more than going to school, but it felt weird not to have a real schedule. I could definitely get used to it, though."
 
Dark looked at Xander and opened his mouth, then through sheer force of will, shoved down whatever it was he was going to say, and he turned to look intently at Ivy, "Are you going to miss spending all day with Xander?" She squeaked. "She is going to miss you."
 
Xander eyed Dark suspiciously. What? What was he thinking of saying? "Uh-huh," he said slowly. He got up and went to Ivy, holding out his fist. "You remember what I taught you? Come on. Gimme a fist bump, then I'm going to go out for a walk."
 
Ivy looked at Xander and then, with a big, excited smile at her face did her absolute best. And her best was just an awkward, clumsy, swing at Xander's hand.

"Well done, my darling," Dark cooed, "Understand? This is why we named you Qadira."
 
"Nice," Xander told her, stepping back. "Cool. Alec? Staying or going?"

Alec considered. "Going. But when I get back, I expect to have a turn with the baby!"

"Dude, she's not a toy," Xander frowned, getting his shoes. He quietly rubbed his hand where Ivy had hit it on his shirt, trying to be inconspicuous to not hurt anyone's feelings.

"You still have to state your intentions in this family," Alec told him, pulling on his sneakers. "Otherwise, you never get anywhere at all!"
 
"Do not worry, she is not going anywhere," Dark assured Alec, pleased he was so interested, "have a pleasant walk... You can bring Enkidu, if you would like."

After they left, he settled down in the nice arm chair to spend some time reading to Ivy, until eventually he and Daizi took over so he could spend some time isolated and crafting in his shed.
 
The twins did take Enkidu, and they walked and goofed off around the neighorhood for a bit, enjoying the nicer weather. They eventually returned home where Alec played with Ivy and gave her some focused attention while Xander went up to his room to make sure he was ready for school. It was a nice, quiet day, in all, and they were, surprisingly for high-energy teens, enjoying themselves.
 
The next day, back at school, Milo came up to the twins, hands in his pockets and slouching same as usual, "Hey," he said, "I'm glad to see that, uhm, the school-to-prison pipeline didn't snag you. That time, anyway."
 
"Prison?" Xander asked, glancing at Alec.

Alec shrugged. "If it was a rumor, I didn't hear it, but I'm glad you're back, too. It's lonely in these halls without you. No offense, Milo."

Xander snorted and glanced at Milo. "Ballers leave you alone while I was gone?"
 
"It's not a rumor, it's a thing. Like, in sociology, I guess. Kids who get suspended are more likely to go to prison one day. Because if they're out of school a lot, they're missing out on education, and I mean they gotta get up to something while they're out." He shrugged awkwardly, "It's really complicated. But I was just making a joke. It's relevant for, like, disadvantaged kids. And I, well." Milo shifted, looking just about anywhere else, "I really just hid, mostly. It's hard to be bothered when they can't find you. I ate lunch in the av closet. The lock is easy to pick."
 
Xander frowned at Alec. "Why didn't you ask him to join your group?"

"I would have if I'd have seen him," Alec retorted. He glanced at Milo. "I wondered where you went. The av closet doesn't sound very comfortable."

"I'll pretend like I learned something from my suspension and pass on that knowledge: Next time you get pushed around by someone, go report them to the principal. She's dying to do something about bullies that aren't me," Xander said dryly.
 
"It's more comfortable than a fist to the face." Milo said plainly. "And it's quiet in there. I don't mind it. And I don't think I can report anyone to the principal because I'm pretty sure she doesn't realize I exist. And my life would probably get really complicated if she did."
 
Xander looked him square in the face. "I really don't get you, dude." Far more quietly as he turned to walk away, he added, "And I don't get why I want to." He shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. He still kept his vibrantly red hair on the shorter side but long enough that it constantly looked messy no matter how much he brushed it.

Alec smiled at Milo, hoping to be reassuring. "You could have joined us, Milo. I'm sorry if we didn't make you feel welcome. That wasn't my intention, but I want you to know that there's always a spot for you at our table."
 
"You really don't have to invite me anywhere." He told them, hurrying after them, and as always he looked over his shoulder as he went, "But. Um. Actually. About that. My granddad said it's weird I never have anyone over. He said I should, you know. Invite people. To be normal. He said."
 
"I suppose that is a good idea," Alec agreed politely, slowing so he could walk next to Milo while Xander led the charge.

"We got invited to a backyard barbecue to welcome new neighbors," Xander said over his shoulder. "That... function... was anything but normal."

Alec ignored him. "I don't know if it's normal to invite people over or not, but it was fun the couple of times we did it." He thought he knew where Milo was going, but he wasn't going to embarrass them both by assuming.
 
"I don't have a backyard. We live, my grandparents live, in an apartment. But, I guess, you guys can come over if you want. So my grandad stops wondering about me. There's not really a lot to do. And you'll probably be bored. But..." He shrugged, adjusting his backback strap mostly just so he could fiddle with something instead of looking at them.
 
Xander glanced over his shoulder, utterly astounded by Milo. "You got a time?" he stated more than asked. "Or do we just show up in the middle of the night?"

Alec flicked the back of Xander's arm lightly. "What my brother means," he translated patiently, "is that we'd be delighted to come visit you."

"And do you the favor of getting your granddad off your back," Xander grunted.
 
"Not really. I mean, I think you two are probably busier than me." He told them, intimately examining the pattern of the linoleum. "I--" He frowned and hushed himself, "My grandma said she'd put out snacks or whatever. They're trying to make it fun. You know, all of it. Living with them and stuff."
 
Xander finally stopped walking and turned to face Milo. "Dude, if you want us to come over, you're going to have to state a time and a day."

Alec shrugged. "He likes snacks, and I like meeting people. I don't know why you would think we wouldn't want to come, but..." he chuckled, "you really are going to have to give us a time and a day and preferably some sort of address." He paused. "Unless you only want to invite one of us? We wouldn't want to overwhelm your grandparents."
 
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