How Green Becomes Wood

"And I want you to be like you, Albuma." Dark replied steadfastly, holding firm and wiping his boy's tears with his thumbs, "Because I love you. I may not understand the desire, but I love how you choose to wear so many colours and sparkles, even if it makes me vacuum my car. I love how you always have a new project and a new dream. And do you believe that is unlike me? With how much time I spend in my shed? You are upset for being emotional, but do you think that is unlike your mother? Do you think your brother does not go off and do his own thing? Alec, we are all of flawed. But you are kind. You are forgiving. You see things and find joy the rest of us cannot. You may not always be wise, but wisdom comes with age. And not being wise all of the time does not mean you are wise none of the time, trust me, Alec." He leaned in, pressing his forehead to his son's and moving one of his hands to the back of Alec's head, "You are not stupid." He repeated, touching his lips against Alec's forehead before pressing his forehead against his once more, "You just get distracted. Some people need extra help with that. Even if you are not one, think of how much stress you are under. Think of the grace you gave to Tristan and save some for yourself. I, Alec," His hand gently gripped Alec's hair, "I need you to know how special I think you are. I think you are wonderful. If you do not believe in yourself, believe in me."
 
A tiny sob escaped as Alec squeezed his eyes shut, resting his forehead against Dark's, soaking in and needing the calm, powerful stillness that Dark brought with his presence. "I'll try to believe you. I promise I'll try. I'm sorry, Baba," he whispered, holding perfectly still and finally allowing himself to be still. "I'm sorry. I didn't want to bother you. Not now. Not with all you have to deal with. I'm sorry. Please don't tell me I don't have to be sorry because I can't stop that. I know you'll always be there for me, you and Mama, I know it, but sometimes I wish you didn't have to be."
 
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As much as Dark wanted to tell Alec he had nothing to apologize for, he respected his quiet pleas and instead told him, "I forgive you." In a seemingly practiced movement, he let go with one arm so he could lift the center console and pull Alec into a hug. Holding his son's face to his shoulder he said, "I know you wish that, but everyone needs someone to turn to. I turn to Daizi, there are so many evenings where I can do nothing but lie in her arms." Dark rested his cheek against the top of Alec's head, sitting in silence and allowing his son to cry into his shoulder, not minding the inevitable makeup stain on his shirt. When he spoke again, his deep breath hitched once, "You are not our obligation, Alec. We are always there for you because we want to be. I don't want you to feel like I did. Dust on an old shelf of bones does not mean more to me than you do. It will still be there when we are home. And if I am angry when I hear someone spoke unkindly towards you, it is only because I do not want you to ever receive less than you deserve."
 
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Alec pressed his face into Dark's shoulder, clinging to him tightly and crying until he started hiccupping. He calmed down slowly, but the hiccups remained. He sat back, wiping his face as best as he could with tissues until he felt a little better. He still felt sad and drained, but better. "Thank you, Baba," he said a little hoarsely.
 
"You are welcome," Dark replied, keeping one hand on Alec for as long as he could but he knew they needed to drive home. Rolling back his shoulders he said, "There is water in the glovebox, if you need it."
 
"Thank you," Alec sniffled. He thought about the water but decided to wait until they got home. He slumped down in his seat, staring out the window. He felt bad that Dark had to comfort him yet again. Not that he didn't want to be comforted or didn't want Dark to comfort him, but that Dark had to reassure him and support him during what was a very stressful time for him and Daizi. Dark deserved a break. Alec wished desperately he had the power to somehow give Dark and Daizi a worry-free vacation of their own. It couldn't happen, especially not with Ivy, but it was a dream. For now, he didn't want to waste what Dark gave him, so he closed his eyes and rested in the fact that, no matter what, he had a father and a mother who were always there for him. Always.
 
Dark drove the rest of the way in silence, doing his best to not stew over what had happened. He kept reminding himself if Alec forgave Tristan, it should be enough for this first offense. But was it really? When it came down to it, how could he feel comfortable sending Alec back there? But at the same time, if he forbid Alec from it, surely that would cause it's own issues.

It wasn't right. No adult should speak that way to a child. He knew some things were difficult to overcome, but other people, children, shouldn't take the brunt of your failings. And it was a failing. But he did his best to breathe through it and sort it out in his mind before he arrived home, opening the door for Alec.
 
Alec mumbled his thanks and slid out of the car. He headed inside, taking his time about it and slid out of his shoes before deliberately touching the salt and even stirring his finger in it just a little.

"Took you guys long enough. What'd you do, take the scenic route?" Xander asked as he wandered in. He paused and frowned when he saw Alec. He walked over and took a good look at his face before catching sight of his bandaged hand. He caught Aec's hand as Alec tried to move it behind him and lifted it up.

"It's okay. I'm okay," Alec mumbled.

Xander looked past Alec at Dark and raised his brow.

"You don't believe me?" Alec accused.

Xander looked at him and said dryly, "Everyone in this damn house is always and eternally 'okay' and 'fine' until pressed."

Alec could not argue that and leaned against Xander with a defeated sigh.
 
"That's what I said," Daizi added, coming around the corner to check on everyone met up with each other, "What happened?"

"He accidentally cut his hand on some broken pots, I told him I was going to clean it once we returned home," Dark answered succinctly, taking Daizi by the arm and guiding her into the other room so he could quickly and quietly explain the rest of the details to her.
 
Alec and Xander stayed where they were for a while. Xander didn't ask any questions, just held him and let his brother lean on him for a while. When Alec was ready, they went to the kitchen and sat down so Dark could clean Alec's hand. Alec told Xander the overview of what had happened. He didn't make a secret of the fact that he was leaving stuff out, but he wasn't ready to try to break certain things to Xander just yet.
 
When Dark told her the full story, Daizi's first reaction was to hug Dark, knowing how difficult it would have been on him, given his past, and then went to squeeze Alec into a tight hug, kissing the top of his head. Once she let go, Dark sat down to clean and rebandage Alec's hand.

Daizi rubbed Alec's back for awhile, wishing there was anything she could do to make him feel better in that moment. When Dark announced he was finished, she hugged him again and said, "How about you go lay down, habibi. Do you need anything?"
 
"No, thank you, Mama. Maybe a drink," Alec said. Almost before he finished, Xander was putting the cup of water into his hand. "Thanks." He took a long drink and then nodded. "I think I will lay down for a little. I'll be alright, I promise, I just need some down time." He stood and started toward his room. Then he paused. "Will Amty need my room?"
 
"Thank you, Mama." Alec hugged her back. He walked up to the bathroom and washed his face throughly. Once he was clean and clear, he went to his room and collapsed on Xander's bed with his own stuffed animals that had been moved over to make room for Amty Zeinab.

Xander turned to Dark. "This is a big deal over a broken pot and a falling rack thing."
 
Dark inhaled slowly, drumming his fingers on the counter top. Like all of his relatives, he wanted to say he was fine, but Xander had made a good point earlier. So, even though he didn't like admitting so, he said, "What happened, some of it reminds me of some of my own experiences. Experiencing it from the other side is complicated."
 
He shrugged, leaning into Daizi's touch when she empathetically rubbed his shoulder, "No, but thank you. I will be okay, I just need to decompress. And," he gestured about the house, "Finish. But that helps. I may go downstairs and work out for a while."
 
"Alright. Tell me if you need anything," Xander said. He stood and headed out back. He needed his own time alone. He'd deal with the rest of whatever was going on later.

An hour later, Alec re-did his makeup and, feeling much better, came downstairs to see if there was anything left he could help with.
 
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