How Green Becomes Wood

Daizi wasn't sure how to believe that knowing Alec also know her husband, who was the strongest person she knew, but it was still nice to hear. "I appreciate that," she replied, resting her head against his, "I don't like feeling like I can't just keep going. If it were anybody else... but I'm not anybody else."
 
"Nobody is anyone else, and nobody is as good at being you as you are. But hardly anyone likes knowing that they can't just keep going and going and going," Alec told her gently. "It's not fun at all."
 
"No... I guess not..." But it was hard to accept, and it seemed everytime she caught ahold of herself that day, there was a new bothersome thought. She turned her face towards his, "I don't like when you and your brother give advice. It doesn't feel very fair to you."
 
"Good." Daizi sighed, relaxing somewhat, although she still wanted to ask if he felt that way about Dark, or if there was something different about her. It probably wouldn't make her feel any better to have that answer anyway.
 
"I feel that way about Ba, too, although he's not as easy to take care of, and you usually have that covered," Alec told her, not even realizing that was on her mind. "Not that he doesn't take care of you, you just accept it better."
 
"It's because he's my husband. We're meant to have reciprocity and help and support each other. His burdens are mine, and the opposite. But you're only sixteen," She rubbed her thumb against his cheek, "You're meant to feel secure, not like you need to hold your parent together. It's different."
 
"Oh, I don't!" Alec quickly assured her. "I promise. And it's easier since you make it clear that's not what you want. I just want to help because I love you both so much, but I don't feel like I have to hold you together or anything like that."
 
Alec tucked the blanket around her and stood up. "I'll leave you be and see how you are tomorrow, okay, Mama? Rest well!" He walked to the door slowly in case she wanted to call him back before he slipped out.
 
"I'll try to." She promised him, lying back on the couch and thanked him again. Dark gave her some time alone before joining her again, and convincing her to come and lie in their bed. Eventually he resolved to simply carry her there, which made her laugh for the first time in hours, which is the only reason why he did it.

"I am going to toss you into bed," he told her, "There is nothing you can do. You weigh nothing to me." She had combed and styled his hair and beard when his depression hit a peak, the least he could do was carry her to bed.
 
The next morning, the twins were up earlier than usual, and they went downstairs double time in hopes of making breakfast first. French toast, of course. With as little mess as possible, but considering it was French toast, they were resolved to clean up when they were done.
 
Dark came downstairs when the twins were nearly finished with breakfast by himself, but stood in surprise to see breakfast nearly prepared, "Had I known," he grumbled despite feeling appreciative, "I would have slept in later, had Ivy allowed it."
 
"Sorry, I didn't want to wake you up to tell you," Alec said a touch sheepishly even though he was fairly certain Dark wasn't really serious.

Xander was manning the stove and carefully flipping over the pieces of toast. "Do you want eggs or bacon or both?" he asked, skipping right over Dark's grumble.
 
"Eggs," Dark answered, pushing his hair back with one hand as he came around to see if there was anything he could help with. "Thank you. I'm sure Daizi will be down soon, she is with Ivy, presently. Is there anything I can help with?"
 
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