How Green Becomes Wood

Cooger laughed at the picture, "Nobody can say you don't know your son. Glad to know he won. And it was my pleasure, and not really much of a walk." Then he waited until her door was shut before walking back to his friends' home, just in case, feeling a bit like that wasn't totally normal for two friends saying goodbye, but not really knowing what to do with that.

By the time he came back inside, Dark was already dead asleep, having more or less crashed the second Lex had gone, but Daizi was still awake, waiting up on her friend.
 
Xander was sweeping up while Alec finished putting away the last few things. Alec looked up when he heard Cooger coming in and smiled. "Hi. Welcome back."

"He was gone for like two minutes," Xander pointed out.

Alec shrugged. "So? He was still gone."
 
"You know what? Thank you, Alec. I enjoy being welcomed into a place." Cooger said, with his usual ease, "Is there anything left to do?"

"I think we've got everything, but thank you." Daizi said, putting her hair up into a bun so it was off her neck.

"How're you, Tarot?" Cooger asked casually, taking it upon himself to get a glass of water, which she thanked him for.

"I'm okay," She promised, "I was just a bit worried about him. But I think it went well, ultimately."

"I think so too. And he definitely had fun."

"He asked--" Daizi began, but then shook her head, "No, nevermind. He was out of his mind. Just very sweet."
 
"What did he ask?" Alec asked curiously as Xander put away the broom and dustpan. "Maybe he'll remember."

"I kind of hope he doesn't remember much except that he had a good time," Xander said, stretching. "I know I did. I'm so full."

"You ate enough to feed a village. For a week!" Alec grumbled.
 
Daizi thought for a moment, but then decided against telling him. "It doesn't matter." If he brought it up again while sober, then maybe it would. "I hope he doesn't remember much either. He'll find it embarrassing enough as is, if he knows he invited a neighbor as witness and remembers what she witnessed... That's not a side effect his therapist warned him about, I think."

"Ah, the man's resilient as hell, he'll cope with it even if he remembers everything minute by minute," Cooger assuref them, waving the concern away, "The food was excellent, and I definitely also ate too much. Probably looked like a glutton in front of Lex, but, I am who I am."
 
"I don't think she minded," Alec assured him. "I think she was happy not to have to spend the holiday alone."

"Why? It's just the fourth. She could have watched the fireworks from her yard just as easily as ours," Xander pointed out.

Alec patted his shoulder. "I'll explain it to you when you're older."

"Sassy kid, I'm older than you, remember?" Xander retorted.

Alec snickered and hugged Daizi. "I'm going to bed. You'll be here in the morning, Uncle Cooger?" He turned to hug Cooger as well.
 
Cooger averted is eyes, knowing for certain that whatever this was, it was not something having so many eyes on would make it simpler. He didn't want to know how the twins would tease. "Yeah, I'll be here in the morning. Sweet dreams, kid."

Dark emerged very slowly the following morning, his hair unstyled and still in the red undershirt he had on the night before. He came and sat down silently, slightly ashen, and rested his face against his arms.
 
Xander sat at the table munching on cereal.
He watched Dark for moment before standing up and getting a cup of water. He brought it over and set it in front of Dark along with a couple of pain killers, just enough to take off the edge.
 
Dark raised his head mildly, staring at the cup of water for a few moments, and then with slightly fumbling hands took a sip of the water and took some pain medication. Daizi had left a cup of water and other medicine on his bedside table, but he hadn't seen it when he climbed out of bed.

Coming into the kitchen, Daizi adjusted Ivy on her hip and then rubbed her husband on the back, wanting to ask how he was feeling, but not wanting to speak too loudly. Unfortunately, Ivy did not show such grace, and wincing, Dark raised his eyes but still reached out and took Ivy.

"I'm sorry," Daizi said quietly, "I should have left her in the other room."

"It is okay," he murmured, his voice gravely, "She does not know."
 
"Pretty sure drugs aren't supposed to make you look like you've been out binge drinking all night," Xander remarked mildly. "Maybe next year, try a slightly lower dose." He gently set down a plate of buttered toast and sausage in front of Dark.
 
"I took what my therapist prescribed," Dark said, picking up the toast and taking a bite of it.

"Eh, stone-overs are a thing," Cooger said, coming casually into the room, "they're just not talked about as much. You want coffee, brother?"
 
"Never heard of them, nope, and I got it," Xander said, heading for the coffee pot. He could never remember what it was actually called, but it was a small pot that held coffee. Therefore, coffee pot. "Alec's coming down soon. He's wondering if there's any sparklers left."
 
"A lotta drugs have a lot of a coming down period." Cooger mentioned, squeezing Dark's shoulder, "You'll be alright man. I think we might have one or two left? I didn't buy a whole lot. Why?"

Dark ate his breakfast, and the bit of food, coffee, and pain meds, which seemed to do a lot to bring colour back into his face. "I do not know much of what happened yesterday."
 
"They're his favorite, and today's the last day for fireworks. Legally," Xander replied. He waited until Dark was sipping to tell him, "You told Lex she should come over because Cooger likes her."

Alec ran in at that exact moment. "Morning!"
 
"...I thought I recalled Lex coming to visit. I did not recall how she came to come over." Dark said, taking a slow, thoughtful sip of coffee. "In my defense, liking someone does not mean you have feelings for someone."

"Good morning, habibi," Daizi said, turning towards Alec, "Did you sleep well?"
 
"You made certain to make that abundantly clear, too," Xander smirked. "Abundantly clear. And I'm pretty sure you insulted us when making certain we'd get your point."

ALec went over to hug her. "Very well! I've been awake for a while now, but I was enjoying relaxing."
 
"Aw, he just didn't want to embarrass me any further." Cooger said cheerfully, frankly relieved by how adamantly Dark had defended him.

"I think there are very few reasons to force yourself out of bed when you have nowhere to be and nothing to do." Daizi said, "You should eat something, though."
 
"I think I'm still full from last night," Alec laughed, but he did fetch himself something to eat.

Xander looked through his phone and carefully selected the right picture. He opened it and turned the phone to show Dark a picture of said giant crawling around among the flowers, rear in the air, selecting one. Xander made sure to hold the phone tight as he displayed the picture.
 
Dark stared at the picture, chin in hand, embarrassed but resigned, fully unable to remember what on earth he was doing in that moment. "Well. I am sure it was very important at the time." He furrowed his brows, "We will see how you are if you ever need to be on a substance. Maybe you will need your wisdom teeth pulled."
 
"Yep, very important," Xander agreed, "but not as important as this." He shifted to show a picture of Dark blatantly staring at Daizi's chest. It was the only one he'd taken right before turning away. Lex could be seen in the background watching Dark, brows raised in amusement.
 
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