How Green Becomes Wood

At the end of the day, Dark went up to Xander and Alec as they were gathering their belongings, "Did you want me to drive you both home and then meet Cooger at the car lot, or are you taking the bus home first and I am meeting you there?"
 
"I hadn't actually thought of that," Xander mused. "I think... if you don't mind driving us home first, that'd be perfect." He glanced at his phone for the time. "Yeah. That'll line up perfect for when Cooger's supposed to meet us."

Alec glanced between them quietly. "I'll be staying home," he added.
 
"That is no problem," Dark said, taking a quick glance at Alec to see how he was coping, "I thought it would be pointless to make you both take the bus, and I did not know if you both intended to go. Alec, since you will be staying home, would you mind keeping an eye on Daizi and Ivy for me? Even though I know there will be no issues, I still like knowing they are being looked after." There was some truth to his statement, since he knew how difficult it had been for Daizi to be alone with their baby all day, being able to take a break was important for her health... But he also specifically tasked Alec with it so he had something to distract himself with. He had a job, now.
 
Alec looked at him and smiled, giving a little nod. "I can do that."

Xander frowned. "Are you sure you don't want to come with? You can help me pick it out."

"What do I know about cars? I'll just tell you to pick the one I think looks the coolest," Alec pointed out.

Xander grumbled a little but accepted his brother's answer. He would have preferred his brother come with him to pick the car, but he wouldn't try to convince Alec if he didn't want to go. Besides, it would be nice for Daizi to have a little company.
 
"You will be able to surprise him this way," Dark told Xander, seeing his disappointment and trying to put some positivity into the situation, even though it was not in his nature to find the brighter-side of anything, "Is there anything you two needs to do before we leave?"
 
"I'm ready!" Alec said cheerfully.

Xander hesitated a moment. He'd wanted to see if Milo would take the bicycle and how well he rode it, but he also didn't want Milo to think it was a big deal for fear that he'd get too self-conscious to use it. Besides, what was the point? He'd done what he could in give it to his friend. "I think I'm ready," he agreed, hoping to catch a glimpse as they left.
 
With this confirmation, Dark nodded and began walking to his car, trusting his kids were following after him. Although he often slowed down his natural pace to make it easier for their shorter legs to keep up, when he was leaving work, he hurried. The longer he waited, the more likely it was someone would try to talk to him.

As they walked to his car, Milo decided to test the bike just as far as to the bus, it'd be inconvenient to have on the school bus, but he wanted to see how it went before testing it to get him all the way home.
 
Alec kept up following Dark, staying right on his heels. Xander followed a few steps behind, and he spotted Milo with the bike. He kept walking, but he did watch to make sure everything went okay.
 
Milo didn't seem to have any problems with the bike, at least not until he had to awkwardly get it onto the school bus, but even that wouldn't have been a big issue except for his hatred of being noticed.

For his part, Dark didn'teven notice Xander had slowed down. He knew, of course, Xander was gifting the bike, but there was no time for any sort of questions until he was off of school property.
 
Xander slowed a little more, debating. Then, with a tiny growl, he sped up and caught up with Dark. "I know this is really out of the way, but do you think we could give Milo a ride home? He's having trouble with the bike on the bus."

"Why doesn't he just ride it home?" Alec asked.

"That's a long way to go on a vehicle you don't know if you can trust," Xander pointed out.
 
"Thank you," Xander said simply. He backtracked, biting backtracked the urge to yell out Milo's name or whistle for him. He waited until he was close enough to call out, "Milo! Your ride is over this way."
 
Xander nodded toward the parking lot. "As a one time courtesy, Mr. Dark will give you and your bike a ride home so you don't have to fit it on the bus. You can say no... to the guy who never, ever does this kind of thing..." he trailed off, letting Milo fill in the idea that he might offend Dark by saying no. It was kind of mean, but he wasn't sure Milo would say yes, otherwise.
 
"Oh." Milo said, initially wanting to argue and promise it was fine and he could manage it, but then he looked at Dark waiting over by the car, and the bus full of people he was probably irritating, and since he was already Inconveniensing everyone he possibly could, he shrugged and mumbled, "um, okay. I guess. If you're sure he's okay with it."
 
"Okay..." Milo said, still hesitant, but followed after Xander, wheeling the bike at his side. When they got close, Dark popped the trunk and came over to help Milo put the bike away, which, of course, absolutely intimidated the poor, anxious teen. "thank you, sir." He mumbled, unable to make eye contact.

"It is no problem. What is your address?" Dark asked, closing the trunk and opening the back door to the car so, presumably, Milo and Alec could get in, before sitting in the driver's side. Once everyone was buckled, and he knew where he was going, Dark began the drive to Milo's home. "Let your uncle know, okay? I do not want him to feel superior over arriving first."
 
"On it," Xander said texting Cooger they'd be a little late. Thankfully, when arranging times with the car owners, he'd added in extra time just in case something came up or slowed them down, so while it was tight, they had time.

In the back seat, Alec smiled at Milo. "How's the bike?" He asked quietly.
 
"It's good," Milo replied, in an equally quiet tone, "I like the basket..."

Tell Dark that unless there's been an emergency, he's still losing the race. Cooger replied bluntly, simply trying to figure out anything he could do to irritate his friend.
 
"It's a nice basket," Alec agreed. "Very nice." He tried to think of something else to say. "What are you going to put in the basket? Other than schoolbags."

I am not saying anything about racing or races while on my way to buy my first car. Not giving anyone any ideas, Xander texted back.
 
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