How Green Becomes Wood

[pandakatiefominz]

"I promise not to abuse it," Daizi chuckled.

"And I think Ivy's birthday counts as date conditions," Cooger said, choosing not to be a jerk about it, "It's not, but it's a big milestone we've all been waiting for for a darn long time, so I can't in good conscious say y'all can't hug each other on her birthday."

 

[BookKnight]

"Yeah, alright, I agree," Alec nodded. "Okay! Now that that's finally settled, I think we should give these two at least the rest of today to settle into the idea, maybe tomorrow. What do you think?"

"I think that's kind of cheating," Xander drawled. "I think it should start first thing tomorrow."

 

[pandakatiefominz]

"They definitely get to have tonight," Cooger agreed, passing his hand over his beard as he thought about it, "See, hell, I'm torn, 'cause on one hand, Xander's right, it should start tomorrow, but also I'm thinking, Saladin gets here Tuesday, and obviously, they don't get that many days of freedom, but bet or not, Dark's about to suffer, so..."

 

[BookKnight]

"Well, that makes this really annoying timing for this kind of bet," Alec mused, "but if we agree to wait until the family leaves, that's a long, long time!"

 

[pandakatiefominz]

"Hey, I'm not saying we have to wait until they leave, but, I think it's okay if they take tomorrow, too, but they don't get Sunday and Monday. New week, start of the bet seems fair, and only because Tarot's dad is coming, otherwise, I'd say tomorrow morning it starts."

 

[BookKnight]

"Deal," the twins agreed as one.

"Sound fair to you?" Alec asked Daizi and Dark. "Do you think you can hold out?"

 

[pandakatiefominz]

"Of course we can," Daizi laughed, "You realize I used to travel for work?" She didn't mention the other times, the harder times.

"I cannot believe you have so little faith in us."

 

[BookKnight]

"Considering the fact that when you were away from work you were physically separated whereas now you'll be stuck together in the same space, I think that just maybe this might be a little different," Xander said dryly.

 

[pandakatiefominz]

"Maybe," Daizi agreed, "But I'll still be allowed to talk with him, and we still get to go to sleep in the same bed, so I can still smell him. It can't possibly be worse than phone calls with spotty connection for weeks on end."

 

[BookKnight]

"I dunno, but I guess you're going to find out," Alec said happily.

"Meh, touching is overrated," Xander stated.

Alec made a face at him. "You can at least see."

"I wanted to blindfold myself for a week, but you wouldn't let me," Xander pointed out.

"It was the other way around. I wanted to be blindfolded. You said no."

"Oh yeah. Well, I would."

 

[pandakatiefominz]

"Why on earth would you want to blind yourself even for a short time?" Daizi asked, "If I've made this look glamorous I can assure you it was entirely an accident."

 

[BookKnight]

"An experiment in sensory deprivation," Alec said promptly.

"Not likely to happen anyway," Xander added.

 

[pandakatiefominz]

"I can tell you what it's like..." Daizi said slowly, truly stunned someone would willingly choose to deprive themselves of something so important, "Life is better with all of your senses."

 

[BookKnight]

Alec looked at Daizi in confusion and started to say something but changed his mind at the last second. "Yes, I am sure it is. Working limbs are better, too, I'd image. Anyway, no one shall blindfold themselves or anyone else for safety reasons."

 

[pandakatiefominz]

"Working limbs are better," Cooger said, stretching, "That one I can say for sure, I've broken my arm before and I've broken my leg before, and never once did I think I may as well just lop the thing off since I clearly don't need it."

 

[BookKnight]

"Well, that took a dark turn," Xander snickered. He pushed himself off Daizi's chair arm and stretched. "Any plans for tomorrow? Or can we sleep in?"

 

[pandakatiefominz]

"No, we have no plans for tomorrow," Daizi replied, bouncing Ivy, "We all deserve to rest after this week. It feels like it's gone on forever."

"And I should be getting going," Cooger stretched, rising to his feet, "It's late, and I don't live all that nearby."

 

[BookKnight]

Alec hopped up and came over to Cooger to give him a big hug. "Love you, Uncle Cooger! Drive safe!"

"See you next week for some work," Xander said, giving Cooger a salute.

 

[pandakatiefominz]

"Aw, love ya too, kid," Cooger replied, lifting Alec slightly off the ground as he hugged him back, "You two take good care of that new name of yours, it's a good one. I'm sure I'll see you all soon." He made his goodbye to his dear friends and then headed out.

After Cooger left, Dark sighed, relieved to be free of all guests. As much as he loved Cooger, he had just about reached the end of his social battery. "Did we make a mistake?" He asked, walking over to his wife, "This bet?"

"Don't tell me you're already having second thoughts."

"Maybe a little bit," Dark replied, gazing down at her, "I love you terribly."

"I love you too. But my darling..." She lay one hand on his chest and smirked up at him, "It'll be fun, too. It's a game."

 

[BookKnight]

"You two play some strange games," Xander remarked. "No offense, but I think I'm done with people for today. I'm going to go sit in a corner and decompress for a bit." He started heading for the stairs.

"I think I'm going to take a shower and then join him," Alec yawned. "I'm going to practice signing my name a bunch."