How Green Becomes Wood

"You say that now--"

"Yes I do," Dark growled, using all of his restraint not to get into his father-in-law's face, "and I will continue to say it. Because I love my daughter. And if I ever, ever said something so awful to her that she reacted like that--" Again, he pointed to the stairs, his hand trembling from how tightly restrained he was, "It would be the worst thing I ever did. I would spend the rest of my life trying to atone for it, I would not be so depraved as to stand there proudly. For someone so concerned with shame, it would do you good to humble yourself enough to feel some of it."

"And who are you to judge me, hm?" Saladin asked, "You are nothing but--"

"No, Saladin, I frankly have heard enough. Because I have sat, for over a decade, allowing you to say whatever it is you desire about me out of respect for your daughter. I have ignored insult after insult so you could have a relationship with her. But frankly, you disgust me. You do not deserve to have her in your life, and that is her decision to make, it is not mine. She told you to leave. So go. I grow weary at the sight of you."

Saladin's face coloured a deep red and he lost his temper first, "I paid for this house! You of all people have no right to kick me out, you are nothing but a bottom-feeder! I paid for this house!"

"But it is my name on the deed." Dark yelled back, practically shaking the house when he did. Despite himself, Saladin shrunk back. Never in a million years did he expect for his son-in-law to raise his voice. Once he did, he perceived the size difference between them for the very first time. Breathing heavily, Dark wiped his hand on the front of his shirt, even under this circumstance not feeling pride for what he had done. Collecting himself, he swallowed, raised a chin for a moment, and then pointed from Saladin to the door, "So get out. Because you have no right to stay here. Call yourself a cab. Wait for it outside. Until Daizi says otherwise, you are not welcome here. And that is not because of me. It is your fault. If you are lucky, she will give you the chance to apologize but let me be clear: I do not believe you deserve it. Go."

Saladin stared wide-eyed up at Dark, finally perceiving not the young rogue who stole his daughter away but a tattooed man who had reached his limit, so he turned and left without a goodbye, tail between his legs. When the door shut behind him, Dark exhaled heavily and started up the stairs while Saladin stood on the front stoop, staring up at this strange, stone, gothic house, realizing too late the gravity of what he had done.

~~

Sloan nodded, sitting awkwardly across from them, "Yeah, probably better. It's not good to be around that kind of thing. I um, I'm glad you came here."

When Mr. Appelbaum brought down the box of DVDs, Blair began rooting through them until she found the one she wanted. Then she turned on the TV and put it on, starting the movie. The title sequence quickly gave way to a pair of dark blue curtains with the text Baby Neptune: Discovering Water. When the curtains parted, a toy crab walked across the screen, a blue octopus began to conduct classical music, while a voice said, "Water, water, everywhere!" as the camera panned to an ocean.

"Ivy, look," Blair said, crouching down near the twins and trying to catch the baby's attention, pointing to the TV. It took a bit of goading, but eventually Ivy did dare to look over, and having been raised by parents who never let her watch TV, the soothing sounds and gentle imagery quickly caught all of her attention, although she still clung to her brother like she was a baby koala. Signing softly, Blair stood, sitting back down while her exceptionally confused husband stared on. "There. Everything will be okay."

"Blair, there's a dog outside?"

"I know there's a dog outside."
 
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Alec relaxed as he watched the oddly hypnotising little kid's show. His hold on Ivy loosened, but as she didn't let go of him, he didn't let go of her. Slowly, his hold turned into an actual cuddle, and he began humming along with the music as well. He glanced at Ivy and smiled down at her. It took a while, but eventually he began softly telling her about the different creatures on the screen, just a few words here and there.

Xander sat back, one hand lingering on Alec's back as a point of contact, and idly watched the show for a bit. Then he glanced at Blaire. "Thanks, ma'am, for this. Sorry we just kind of barged in." He looked at Sloan. "Good day at the gym?"
 
Dark went straight up stairs and opened the door to his wife's study without knocking. She was standing with her back to him, trembling too much to make use of her hands, with most drawers to her desk pulled open, some pulled fully out and left on the floor. Almost as soon as the door was open, he was across the room to her, breathing heavily, looking grim.

"He is gone," He said, voice hoarse but not from yelling. When Daizi turned around, she tried to speak but no words came out and instead let herself sink to the ground, making herself small, but Dark caught her and held her up as he knelt with her on the ground. Seeing the distress on her face, there was nothing he could do but kiss her cheek, her hair, her forehead, her lips. It was too raw for them to discuss, but he loved her, and he had her, and he was so proud of her. She sobbed even as they embraced, aware of only two things: his hands and the raw, all-consuming pain in her heart. She just wanted her father to like her.

~~

Ivy never let go of her brother, but when he began to cuddle her she snuggled in, eyes glued to the show and occasionally cooing or pointing at the screen. It was getting late for her and she was tired, but she was also somewhere unfamiliar so she snuggled in close and watched the pretty pictures.

Pushing her hair back, Blair said, "It's alright. I would rather you run here where you're safe, especially if you have a baby with you."

"Gym was fine," Sloan replied, having forgotten every last thing she did, "You sure there's nothing else I can get you?"
 
"Nah, I'm sure, thanks," Xander said, shaking his head. "We ate just a bit ago, and we're fine. Just needed a place out of the wind and away from," his voice cracked slightly, "the yelling." He stopped and turned his gaze to the tv, taking a moment to control himself and shove down the ball of emotions. He knew he needed to deal with them, but not right now. Later. Later he would deal with them.

"Aimty Zeinab is going to be very upset when she gets back," Alec said suddenly. "That's a shame. She was so looking forward to her 'American movie experience.' I don't want it spoiled."

"She'll be alright," Xander assured him.
 
Sloan nodded, "I understand. Glad I was home, then. Amty Zeinab is nice, I spoke to her a little bit yesterday. She made me show her some of my gymnastics videos."

Blair quietly got up and once more looked at the house across the street before going and letting Enkidu inside of the house. She'd have to clean later, but it was better than him getting anxious and destroying her outdoor furniture. Immediately, the dog ran to his people and sat down by them, sniffing them with such intensity it made Ivy laugh.
 
"She is really, really nice," Alec agreed. "My Cyr wheel confuses her to no end."

Xander smirked and reached out to pet Enkidu and tell him all was well. "She's good at making people feel heard."
 
"She'll probably not mind coming home to... whatever is waiting for her," Sloan said, hoping she was saying the right thing, "She'll probably be upset she wasn't there to help when it was happening."
 
"Probably," Alec agreed. He leaned back and shifted Ivy gently so she could lay on him more comfortably and still watch the pretty pictures on the television.

Xander didn't say anything, absently petting Enkidu and rubbing his ears. He knew this was likely very awkward for Sloan, but he was incredibly grateful for her and her family that they could do this. That they did have an escape when the unthinkable happened and home was not as safe.
 
Ivy yawned, shaking off the upsetting moment inside her home much more easily than her brothers, or parents, could. All she knew was she had a full tummy, Alec was warm, and the water on the TV was pretty. Bringing her hand to her mouth, she began to suck on her fist and tried to keep her eyes open.

"I watched this all the time when I was a kid," She said, nodding towards the TV, "Benny too."
 
"I can see why," Xander said, glancing at his brother and sister. "Works wonders for kids." He hesitated, not sure what else to say.

"Thanks for letting Enkidu come inside, Mrs. Applebaum," Alec said, reaching over briefly to pat the dog. "He feels much better now that he can be with us, but I'm sorry for the hair."
 
"They have other ones, but this one is the best," Sloan said, making as casual conversation as she could manage, "Sometimes I still catch myself saying 'water, water, everywhere!' when I see the ocean or spill something."

"I needed to vacuum anyway," Blair said, looking over at the very happy dog, "We used to have a little white poodle mix."
 
Xander snorted softly. "That's a good one." He pulled out his phone and checked it as casually as he could. No word yet. It was probably best if they waited, but he hoped they wouldn't have to sleep here for the night. That would be uncomfortable for everyone involved.

"Enkidu is the first dog I've ever been around that wasn't half wild. I rather like dogs now. I want to get a cat, but Ba said that he's added enough lives to the family for now, thank you very much, so for now it's a no," Alec explained quietly. "You should get another dog. They are so kind."
 
"I can't say I don't understand his point," Blair said quietly, looking out the window.

"I keep saying we should get another dog," Sloan said.

"You are about to college," Blair said blandly, "It looks like an older man just stepped out onto your stoop. He looks upset."
 
"It would be hard to take a dog to college, but maybe the dog would love you, ma'am," Alec pointed out.

Xander stood up enough to be able to turn and look out the window. "Yep. That's Saladin. Looks like he's been given the boot, thank f**k's sake. Sorry, ma'am." He dropped down in his seat again.

Alec sighed, hugging Ivy gently to not disturb her. "I guess that means there will not be a proper reconciliation between Mama and her ba. I'm sorry for her." After a moment he admitted, "And a little for him, but only because he's so pathetic. It's hard not to feel bad for him."

"Even when he's gnawing at your ankle like a feral puppy?" Xander asked.

"Still a puppy, and you can't boot a puppy. You can call the pound, though."
 
"Oh, of course," Blair replied, turning away from the window and going to fetch a blanket. When she came back with one, she folded it in half and did her best to drape it over the little baby, smiling softly at how she curled up. "She will probably need to go home soon, if you can manage it. I am not kicking you out, but babies need things I don't have here."
 
"Thank you, Mrs. Applebaum." Alec shifted to make Ivy more comfortable and glanced at Xander. "What do you think?"

Xander stood to look out the window again. "We should probably give them a little longer," he said after a pause. "I'd like to get Ivy back home soon, too, but they're going to need a bit."
 
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