How Green Becomes Wood

"That is why it was so frustrating last year," Daizi admitted to him as she followed his directions, "I knew everything I wasn't allowed to do I wasn't allowed to do for a good reason, but having such a long list of forbidden activities and everyone freaking out over me all the time felt like I was eight years old and I wasn't allowed to play kickball, even though they make balls that make noises when they roll, so I could have played with the other kids. And I had to fight to be allowed to learn how to cook, and by that I mean I begged, and begged, and begged, until I eventually decided I'd teach myself and almost set the kitchen on fire, so my family had to decide I was going to learn regardless of if they helped me or not, and them helping me was safer." She took a few moments thinking about it, the tap of her cane punctuating the quiet, "Dubai is a strange place. Dark and I visited once, and people with disabilities are called 'people of determination,' and it was pretty accessible to me, but it also is like this dystopian sci-fi place because the entire city is this... beacon of wealth and opulence, but it has this intentionally-unseen labor force, and the result of it is there are far more men in the city than women. It's really strange."

~~

Dark set down the bottle he was holding and picked up a the one Alec struggled to read, "Am I Everything You Fear." He turned it around in his hands, admiring the multitude of colours it contained, before setting it back on the shelf. Then he spied a wine-red colour which shimmered a purplish-pink and a black colour with a multitude of colours in it, and he pointed them out, "Those both remind me of Daizi."
 
"Sounds like it really sucked," Xander agreed. "At least you don't have to worry about that anymore." He smirked slightly. "Now you have to worry about what you can and can't do with a mini you attached at the hip. So much easier." He moved ahead and opened the door for Daizi just because he could and then went to look for his water shoes.

~~

"Those are really pretty and do look exactly like Daizi," Alec agreed. He pointed. "How about that one? Mercury's Tears? I wonder if it's talking about the god, the planet, or metal? I hope not the last one."
 
"That is easier to deal with," Daizi agreed as she walked inside, being sure to thank him for opening the door, "because I can pass her off to her father and he can miss out on experiences, or we can both have the experience and take turns having it, depending on the situation. It's still a bit hard to leave her with anyone else, though. I can't help it," She waved one hand as she went into her bedroom to change into her bathing suit, "I know nobody is as dedicated to her as we are. We're learning to cope." After a few moments, she came out in her bathing suit top and high-waisted shorts with snakes on the front of either thigh, and as she stepped out, she was putting her hair into a high ponytail, "Are you ready?"

~~

"I am not sure if they put so much thought into it," Dark replied, looking at it. "But I would guess they do not mean the metal, because it is blue rather than silver." He looked over the collection and spied one brilliant midnight blue shade before looking back at Alec, "Have you come anywhere near to deciding which colour, or colours, you want?"
 
Xander had already switched into his black swim trunks and a long-sleeved red shirt. He didn't have to worry about his hair, and he was in the middle of trying to get his water shoes on. "Ready," he assured her. "Let's go try not to die out on the water."

~~~

"I think I'll go with this blue color that matches my hair," Alec said, pointing it out. "It feels tropical and beachy! I wonder if maybe they could add a couple of little images or something to spice it up? Even if not, it's a pretty color."
 
"When I go, I'm not going out while parasailing," Daizi replied with a grim pleasure as she slid her phone and wallet into her pocket--her shorts began their lives as men's jeans--and grabbed her cane. The snakes on her sunglasses matched her shorts, and she relied pretty much entirely on Xander for directions, but soon enough they were at the right place on the boardwalk and had checked in. "You're going to need to help me find where to sign on the waiver," She murmured to him, "I suppose we should probably read it."

~~

"That is a nice colour," Dark said, looking at it for a few moments. Then he chose the shade of black Alec had specifically pointed out, "I will get this one on all of my fingers, but I think I will borrow that blue on the tip of either my ring finger or my middle finger. So I can have it too." As he walked to the front so they could be sat, he said, "I am certain they can do some beachy nail art."
 
Xander carefully touched Daizi's forearm with just his fingertips when they were around more people, guiding her out of the way of kids or people carrying beach supplies since neither group were known for paying attention. As it was, he nearly got nailed in the head with an ocean kayak. The person carrying it didn't even notice his violent duck and jerk to one side, but Daizi probably felt it. Thankfully, she was safely out of reach of any and all such dangers. It was a little crowded near the paragliding spot, but everyone was a lot calmer and more focused on their task. The task seemed to mostly be either sitting around waiting or listening to an instructor explaining the safety features. Xander found what looked like the correct line and gently guided Daizi to stand at the end.

"Probably a good idea to read it before we sign away our lives," he agreed.

~~

Dark's back was to Alec for just a moment, and Alec allowed himself a second to squirm in sheer excitement when Dark said he wanted to match. Recovering, he followed Dark and commented, "Maybe I could do that with your nail polish color! That's a fantastic idea. I think I'll do it on my ring finger."
 
When Xander had to practically leap to the side to avoid being hit, Daizi instinctively touched his back to make sure he didn't fall over. Then, once they were settled, she realized what she had done, and yanked her hand away as quickly as she was physically able to, praying it didn't cause a problem.

"You'll have to read it to me," She told him, grateful the staff member pointed them to a bench off to the side so they didn't need to stand awkwardly as they worked through paperwork in the most cumbersome way, "I have to sign your waiver, too, because you're under 18."

~~

"Then I will have it done on my ring finger, too." He told Alec, pleased Alec decided to incorporate his black colour. He didn't expect it to have mattered to him. The ring finger probably made more sense, admittedly, to have a little representation of his son, he had just always used his middle finger as his accent-nail as a holdover from his emo days. Although, looking down at the black colour he had chosen... he hadn't left his emo days. "Are we doing it on both hands or just one?"
 
Xander felt Daizi's hand on his back and tensed. His instinct was for a much stronger reaction, and even a few months ago he would have followed that instinct, but he'd been fighting hard to at least tolerate some touch. It still didn't feel good. It still felt like an electrode being shoved into his skin, but it wasn't as bad as it once was. Thankfully, with so many distractions around, it was easier to move on, as well.

"Right," Xander said, sitting next to Daizi and looking over the paperwork. "There's a lot of legal words here that I'm totally going to mispronounce, but let's give it a go." He started reading slowly and carefully, stumbling a little here and there as he read the waiver. Thankfully, it was short and mostly amounted to, "If you're an idiot, you or your family can't sue us for your death." There was a bit more, but that was the part that struck him as amusing. When he finished, he took Daizi's hand with as little touch as possible and guided her to the signature box, showing her the parameters of the box.

~~

"I think we should do both hands for the symmetry," Alec said after a bit of thought. "One hand could look cool, too, but I think I prefer the balance."
 
Daizi listened carefully, knowing they were probably more aware of what the waiver said than most people who signed it, and after being guided to the correct box, she signed her form and Xander's, allowing him to fill in any of the other information so they knew it'd be legible, although she did make a joke inquiring about how good Xander's handwriting is. Then, they turned them in, were given the safety demo, and then had to more or less sit and wait until the boat was ready.

Thankfully, the safety demo wasn't much, because there was really not much for them to do. The operator would be the one who put them into the harnesses and they would be the one in control of the experience, all they needed to do was not be fools up in the air. They were, however, each given a life-jacket, and Daizi found it a bit uncomfortable to wear, but she secured it properly, even if she felt a bit squished. She had been offered a size up, but that one was decided to be a bit too loose, so she accepted her slightly-squished fate. Once they were up in the air, she wouldn't feel it, anyway, because everything else would be too exciting.

~~

"I prefer it symmetrical," Dark said, honestly a bit relieved. Although, part of him said it would've been interesting to have it on his right hand, so his left ring finger was reserved only for his wife. Alec, however, did not have a wife--or a husband! He didn't know for if Alec was like him, but with a pretty evident preference for girls! He wasn't going to force any of his children into compulsory heterosexuality!--so it seemed pointless in that respect. "I would ask Ivy what she thinks, but she has fallen fast asleep in her stroller."
 
Xander immediately hated his life jacket for the way it rode up around his ears no matter how many times he tugged it down, but there was no getting out of wearing one. Finally, he got it situated properly so it wasn't tickling his earlobes and settled down to wait. He watched the current riders and tried to describe what was happening to Daizi. The two girls riding seemed to either be enjoying themselves or panicking. He wasn't sure which, but either way, they were doing it as loudly as they possibly could. He was quite happy they were so far away their screams were only faint echoes.

~~

Alec leaned over to check on Ivy. "Aw, she's so tired! It's exhausting being a baby in such a strange, strange world like this. There's so much to see and smell and taste... It's hard to remember what it'd be like to see all this for the first time."
 
"Do you think you are going to scream like that?" Daizi asked, listening to the distant feminine voices shriek. "I've never really been someone who screams like that. I mean, except for a few specific rollercoasters, and even then only when the forces were really intense, and even then it was just one singular involuntary sound."

~~

"I remember how overwhelmed I was when I came to the United States, there was a lot I had never seen before. And a lot I had seen, but not in the way we see it here. It was a lot to take in at nearly-fifteen. I cannot imagine what it is like to be as small and new as her." He reached down to smooth her hair one more time before his hands were indisposed, "I am sure crawling for the first time is quite intense exercise, too."
 
"I don't scream. Ever," Xander sniffed, conveniently forgetting about the fish from the night before, "and certainly not because of a bit of height and wind. I'll be fine. Oh, but they might not let you keep your sunglasses. If they fall, they're gone. Do you have a pocket for them?"

~~

Alec nodded soberly. "That would be a lot of work. You know what's weird? Our lives both changed at the same age! Both for the better! Well, kind of. Our better was a little more immediate than your better from the sounds of things, but there was still betterness to be had!"
 
Daizi chuckled, taking her sunglasses off, "I think maybe you should try it. You might find it freeing. But that's a good idea about my sunglasses, I think they'd fit in my front pocket." She stretched out her leg, "I bought men's jeans at a thriftstore and then cut them myself, and bought iron-on appliques. So they have big pockets instead of the absurdly small ones women get."

~~

The tiniest smile crossed Dark's face as he lowered his head, "I knew that very early on. I told you your first night, I believe, that I understood what you were going through more than you realize."
 
"Nice," Xander told her, low-key impressed. "'Cept now men's pockets are shrinking now, too. Heck, men's pants are shrinking. Last time I went pant shopping, I got the same size I always do, and I couldn't get them over my thighs. I checked my comfiest fitting pants before i left the house to make sure I got the right size, but then when I get to the store, they don't fit." He started to say that the ones he could fit over his thighs then didn't allow for much room for certain other things but cut himself off short. This wasn't Alec he was talking to. "I wish somebody in our house liked sewing regular clothes so we could have stuff that fit."

~~

"You're right, and I didn't realize it then, not at all, but I realize it now," Alec told him. He smiled and touched Dark's hand briefly. "Thanks."
 
"Maybe you need a bigger size than you used to need?" Daizi asked a bit cautiously, "I know in women's clothing, too, not all brands sizes are identical. I'm a medium in some, a large in others, and sometimes I'm even an extra-large. But since last year I've given up on being able to predict what size I am on any given day." She stuck her hand into her short pockets, "It's difficult for Dark and I buying clothes because we're so tall. It's hard to get clothes that reach our wrists and ankles. Dark more or less has given up on finding clothes that fit him in stores, he goes to a tailor. If we were short instead, it'd be easier, because you can hem pants shorter, but you can't lengthen them very much."

~~

Looking down at Alec, he remembered what it was like for him that first night, looking at the two boys in that room, and seeing himself for the first time. "You are welcome." He replied solemnly, then sat back, "I think when someone is in a situation like that, it is difficult to imagine anyone else in the world can possibly understand."
 
"It's like 'normal size' completely doesn't exist anymore, but I can't figure out what the size and body shape is supposed to be. The pants I had were the same brand and everything, and they don't stretch that much, so I don't get it," Xander grumbled. "Alec fits better because he has less muscle mass, but even his pant size changed for no reason. I think it's some kind of clothes conspiracy, but I can't quite figure out what the purpose is." He looked up and said, "Oh, looks like it's about our turn. Guess we'll have to table the pant discussion for later."

~~~

"It's like the world shrinks," Alec agreed. A woman was passing, so he pulled Ivy's stroller closer for ample room to pass.

"Oh, how adorable," she smiled, seeming genuinely pleased. "It's so nice to see a father spending time with his," there was only the tiniest of pauses as she looked between Alec, Ivy, and Dark, "children. Are you giving your wife the day off while you babysit?"
 
She was pretty sure Xander was probably larger than he used to be, but vanity sizing was also an unending problem, so she let it go, especially because it was time for them to get onto the little speed-boat. The driver was a bit concerned seeing one of the people they were putting up used a cane, but upon seeing she was handling herself fine, they shook it off and began driving the boat towards the correct area in the ocean. Once there, both Daizi and Xander were instructed on how to properly get into their harnesses, and the operator, without really asking, took it upon themself to physically help Daizi much more than they helped Xander, which made her roll her eyes. That said, as mildly patronizing as it was, she was glad it meant Xander had less time where he needed to deal with a stranger helping to harness him.

Then, they were both attached to the giant parachute and instructed the correct place to wait as the operator swiftly accelerated the boat so that the ocean air hoisted Xander and Daizi high in the air above the water together.

~~

Dark turned towards the woman, his expression changing from polite gratitude to mild irritation, although it was a subtle enough switch it wasn't noticeable. "Is it babysitting when they are my children?" He asked, then after a moment decided to add, "That is not what we call it in my language."
 
Xander, for his part, hid a smirk as the operator helped Daizi, knowing she didn't need it that much. At least it was over an actual safety issue instead of something stupid. He got himself bucked and found a safe place to grip as the boat accelerated. He gasped audibly when they jerked up un the sky and let out a little squeak of shock at how rapidly they accended. His grip tightened on the straps as fear and exhilaration shot through him in equal measure. The fear quickly lost out, and he let out a whoop of excitement as they soared over the ocean.

~~

The woman looked instantly confused. "Um. I'm not familiar with your language," she said, searching Dark's features as if trying to figure out his ethnicity. "I just think it's so wonderful to see."

Alec turned slightly, fighting to hide his amusement.
 
Daizi only laughed as they were hoisted up, and rather than holding on tighter, once they were up in the air, she reached out her hands towards the sky, because there was absolutely touch. There was nothing but air around them, and although she couldn't look down at the varying shades of blue below her, revealing deeper trenches in the ocean they'd never have noticed from the shore, and she couldn't look up at the sky, or see the curve of the horizon, she could relish in the freedom of it. There was nothing but air, and that alone was incredible.

~~

"I was only confused," Dark said, swiveling slightly as the manicurist sat down, so she could work while he finished this conversation, "because where I am from, when a father is taking care of his children, we simply call it 'parenting.' We only call it 'babysitting' if it is someone who is not a parent taking care of the children, but I am not a native English speaker, so maybe it is different here."
 
Xander saw what Daizi was doing and hesitated. Then he took a deep breath and let go, flinging his arms out. It was terrifying! Yet thrilling and freeing! "This is awesome!" Xander yelled.

~~

"Oh, I see. That's, um, that's very nice," the woman said uncertainly. "Well, I should let you get back to what you are doing. Enjoy your day!" She hurried off, blushing faintly.

Alec allowed himself to giggle, glancing at Dark admiringly.
 
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