How Green Becomes Wood

Oh. Wow. That'd be really cool, nobody has ever wanted to pay me before, at least not for something like that. Milo struggled to believe the text was real and completely forgot to ask details about when the renewal would be or how much they were willing to pay him.

"You do not seem particularly keen on the idea," Dark replied, watching her expression carefully.

"What, do you want to take her up on it?" Daizi asked, admittedly surprised, given how proud her husband tended to be.

"Not particularly, although I do see the merits of it." He answered, rubbing Ivy's back as she curled up against his chest, "There is something to be said for Saladin no longer being able to make a fuss about how he paid for it, but we bought the land originally, the two of us, and his name is nowhere listed on the property. But I still want to know how you feel."

"I don't want to be in debt to my friend." Daizi answered without needing much time to think about it, "I don't want to have it in my mind she has paid for it, it'd feel like buying back my own home. If we're going to do that, I'd rather deal with my father directly. I don't know if it's worth making that deal with him, especially since when we decided we could afford to live off of only my income, we didn't take that debt into account, but I just... I really don't like the idea of my friend bailing us out. And I know technically it's not like that, and she wouldn't own our home anymore than Saladin does now, but..."

"I understand," Dark replied, "We are in agreement, then?"

"Yeah," She nodded, "I'm really glad you aren't interested in it either. Because the thought really makes me uncomfortable, and I think I probably would've fought with you if you wanted to accept the offer, and I don't want to fight with you."

"I do not want to fight with you either," Dark replied, squeezing her shoulder and using all of his willpower to resist from doing more, "But I would not have attempted to overrule you in this, my darling."

"Thank you," She smiled softly, wanting so badly for him to kiss her, even just on the head. Instead, he handed Ivy to her and said, "I have to go pick up our son, I felt my phone vibrate, so I presume it is time."

"I'll be here. Waiting."

"You will not wait too long," He chuckled, going to the foyer and grabbing his coat.

"Waiting," She sighed dramatically, lying back on the couch, supporting her daughter with one arm.

"Goodbye, Spider."

"Waiting--!"

With a shake of his head, Dark stepped out of his house and walked to his car so he could go and pick up Alec from work.
 
Xander cleaned one stall before answering the text briefly. Payment equals more darkroom time. Or snacks. Available? He added on the date and time.

~~

Alec waited patiently for Dark in front of the shop, carefully cradling a small bunch of tulips in a slender, white vase.
 
Yeah, I can do it Milo replied, not sure if he was feeling anxious, excited, or proud, But, I don't know if this is okay to ask, but I think I'd ask the dark room time is factored into the cost? It'd kinda suck to be paid and then have to use that money to actually develop the pictures, because then I'm kind of just doing it for free. Which is better than doing it at a loss, obviously!

~~

Alec wasn't left waiting too long before Dark pulled into the parking lot, "Those are lovely flowers," He said, "Was work good today?"
 
After another cleaned stall, Xander paused to answer, leaning on a pitchfork while Daisy looked over his shoulder and tried to find treats in his pockets. That's how most gold businesses set their pricing. Start with your own expenses. How much darrrrk rum cost? How muchtrsportation? Whatever else cost you have. That's baseline. Can't go under that. After that is profile use for paying yourself and putting back into buzzzziness. Texting with a horse rubbing against your arm was hard work. He considered editing his text to make it make more sense (gold instead of good was likely confusing) but Daisy was trying to nibble his clothing now. He chose sending a confusing text over having his clothes bitten. Then, he quickly snapped a picture of Daisy staring over his shoulder like he had something to say about him texting and sent it a couple of minutes after his first text.

~~

"Yes!" Alec said happily. "A couple of kids came in with their mother. She seemed confused, but they wanted to talk to Uncle Tristan. Then they bought a little bunch of flowers and left. That was the most exciting thing to happen today. Everything else was standard."
 
It took Milo a little while to interpret the text but then he sent back, I guess I just don't want it to seem like I'm taking advantage, but I'll think about it. Tell your boss I'm sorry for distracting you from your work.

~~

"Ah," Dark nodded solemnly, "I see. I think I can guess who those kids may be, I will have to call Tristan about it."
 
taking advantage would be someone not paying enough. Yur good. Boss says hi. He turned and pushed Daisy gently out of the way so he could get back to work, giving him a treat when he was not invading a human's space. He was a good horse, but a bit too lax in personal space sometimes.

~~

"He commented something about that to me, but no details," Alec giggled. "I hope you do call."
 
I'll think about the costs, then. It's really cool they want to pay me for it. Milo replied.

~~

"My legend may grow long indeed," Dark said with muted glee as he drove home, "What made you choose the tulips?"
 
You do good work, Xander sent back once he was finished with Daisy's stall. It was extra work since Daisy shared the stall with Big John, but Big John was very polite and mostly messed in one corner. That made for easier cleaning.

~~

Alec laughed at his father's glee. "They look really pretty, and these ones are almost past their best-by date. Uncle Tristan said I could have these ones, and the vase has a little chip in it. He was going to throw it out, but he let me keep it since it's really just cosmetic."
 
"I am sure we can fix the vase," Dark said, not feeling like they needed more vases but at least this one was simple, "Your Uncle Tristan gives you a lot of the damaged wares, it seems. That is kind of him."
 
"He doesn't like throwing things away, but he will if he needs to. When it's a simple thing, I like to save them," Alec said simply. In truth, he often asked Tristan for the things that were going to be thrown away.
 
"And she is fantastic company and keeps monsters out from under my bed," Alec said calmly. "I dunno. Sometimes I find good spots in the house. Mama likes the flowers, after all. Most of the time they stay in my room until I find time to fix them."
 
Dark nodded silently, keeping his eyes on the road. He had a suspicion they were in dangerous territory and he was at risk of upsetting Alec again, like it seemed like he was constantly doing these days. He had so many questions he wanted to ask but he didn't want to ask the wrong one and make his son skulk again, "I am glad you enjoy fixing things. I would love to see what you have fixed, I feel as though I have not seen them."
 
"Alright, sure, I can show you," Alec agreed cheerfully. "I have a lot of projects still in the works since I only have so much time to spare, but I have gotten a good number fixed, too! I just keep them in my room because I know how much you care about the house's aesthetics, which do make sense. At least white kind of goes okay. A small amount. Right?"
 
"Or you could paint it." Dark replied, not necessarily for the sake of aesthetics. Anything blank just looked like a canvas to his eyes, including his body, "How does Xander feel about all of the fixed and still-broken objects in the room?"
 
"Hmm, painting it could be a lot of fun!" Alec agreed. "I could paint it black with red or something like that. That'd be cool. He's fine as long as it's not in his way, which I guess is fair. He has his bed and bookshelf, and I have mine, and a nice path on the floor to all necessary areas, including the window!"
 
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