How Green Becomes Wood

Blair watched as a cab came quietly up the road and took Saladin away, surprised how bad she felt. Somehow it didn't just feel like interesting drama when the people involved were sitting on her couch. "You can take that DVD with you, if you like. It is just taking up space here."
 
Xander hesitated but nodded. "Thanks. I think we will. She likes it." He looked at his phone for a moment before cautiously texting Dark. Ivy fell asleep. He thought about asking if they could come home yet, but he didn't want to pressure Dark. He wanted to go home. He wanted to get his family home. But Dark and Daizi were home. As in, they, the people, were what made up his home. If they were close to breaking... He didn't want to think about it farther.
 
"Alright," Xander said, reading the text. "It's all clear." He stood and put on Enkidu's leash. "Let's get home." He glanced between Sloan and Blaire. "Thanks," he said simply but sincerely.

Alec rose carefully, balancing Ivy with great care. "Thank you for a refuge," he said softly, dropping the blanket onto the couch. "It was... thank you." He managed a smile at Sloan. "See you tomorrow?"

They made their way to the door and let themselves out, Xander in front as he led the way, still looking out for... for what? He couldn't have said what, exactly, just wary of anything that might be trouble. They made it to their door and kicked off their shoes, Xander unclipping Enkidu's leash once more. As he touched the salt, Xander resisted the urge to pour it over them.
 
Blair took the DVD out of the player, put it back in its case, and handed it to Xander, "You're welcome. Consider it a late birthday present."

"Yeah dude," Sloan smiled back, squeezing his shoulder, "See you tomorrow. Get some sleep, okay?"

When the came in, the house was still. Zeinab wasn't back yet and Dark was downstairs, cleaning up the dishes left in it living room in silence. When the door opened, he turned, smiled slightly at the twins, and then picked up the tray with the cups on it it bring to the kitchen, not really knowing what to say. He looked tired, but his eyes were proud. It may have been a battle, but it was one he felt they had won... even if it was at a cost. Quite a cost. "I am sorry you had to see that," He chose to say at last, bending down to pet Enkidu.
 
"Should I lay Ivy down?" Alec asked, studying Dark's face.

Xander put the DVD case next to the television, not certain where to put it and too tired to figure it out right now. That would come later. He turned and studied Dark as well, looking for a sign of what was to come.
 
"Probably," Dark began, but then he paused and came closer to them, looking at Alec and Ivy, then turned to see Alec. All three of his children. Then he gently took Ivy from Alec, "Let me hold her for a moment." Safe in her father's arms, Ivy only snuggled up, and he looked down at her, reflecting on what he had told Saladin and how Daizi must have been when she was so small. No, he thought. He never could be anything but proud of her. How Saladin treated his daughter... that wasn't a motivation he understood.

"He will not be coming back here." He said at last.
 
"Good," Xander said shortly. He let out a huff. "I mean, sad. But. Good."

"I'm sorry for Mama," Alec said softly. "But I agree. It's good." He bit his lip before asking, "Were you the one to tell him so?"
 
"Gomez would be proud and take notes," Alec said with a little smile. He touched Dark's arm briefly and then started for the stairs. Then he stopped and hesitated. He wasn't sure where to go. His room? What if Amity wanted the room? Maye he should go... but she wouldn't mind if he needed his room... but what if...
 
Dark sighed softly, walking to the foot of the stairs, "She is in bed. She was very upset when I spoke with her earlier, but she calmed down some. It's difficult, she believes she made the right decision, but that does not make it not hurt."
 
Alec nodded. "Okay." He continued upstairs toward his room, but then he paused at the door. He turned and went to Daizi's room instead. Lightly, he tapped on the door, waited a moment, and then opened it. Moving softly, he went to the giant bed and leaned on the edge, looking for Daizi among the dimly lit blankets.

Xander started helping Dark clean up for something to do.
 
Daizi lay on her side of the bed with her back to the wall, hugging her pillow. Her eyes were open and she wasn't crying anymore, but her breath was still unsteady. On the bedside table, Dark had left a glass of water that at some point had clearly been full but had since been partially drank. She didn't stir when Alec knocked on the door and didn't seem to notice his footsteps.

After Alec went upstairs, Dark looked once more at Ivy and then kissed her head and brought her upstairs and placed her in the crib, "Baba loves you, Ivy-Qadira," He whispered, stroking her hair with one hand, "Sleep well, tifla." Then he went back down and continued to clean up.
 
Alec carefully climbed into bed and, laying on top of all but the topmost blanket, snuggled up to Daizi and tried to hug her as best as he could. Hugging while laying in bed was not easy until both participated from the beginning, so he ended up laying awkwardly on one arm while the other stretched over her.
 
Daizi inhaled softly when she felt Alec climb into bed with her. At first she didn't know who it was, but it wasn't difficult to work out. After a moment, she gently touched the hand that was draped over her and then squeezed it tightly. Then she rolled over so she could face him. Wordlessly, she traced her fingers down the side of his face and then curled up against him, too worn out to chide herself for 'putting too much of an emotional burden' on him.
 
Alec did his best to wrap her up in a warm hug, holding his mother as tightly as he dared. He didn't care in this moment about the emotional baggage. He cared that she was hurting and in need of a hug. He was hurting, too, but no like her, and for him, this hug was as much for him as her. To be able to feel like he was doing something. He nestled in and closed his eyes, feeling her touch on his face.
 
As hard as she tried, the last conversation she had with Saladin wouldn't stop playing through her mind. But there was absolutely nothing she could do about it. She knew she couldn't go groveling back to him, she knew what she said was justified and necessary. But it was her dad. She squeezed tightly to Alec and pressed her face against his shoulder, telling herself this was the best call not only for herself, not only for her husband, but for her children.
 
Alec started humming softly as he held her. Subconsciously, he began humming the song she often hummed to her children. It was what soothed him. Maybe it would soothe her.
 
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