How Green Becomes Wood

"That's cool," Xander said, giving Alec a look. People didn't talk about Judo unless it was to ask Jackie Chan questions or comment on how someone they knew was into a similar sport.

"I do dance and art, much more peaceful pacetimes," Alec said.
 
"Speaking of art," Matt said, "Dark, do you still do those little carvings you used to?"

"I do."

"We have a whole shed of them in our backyard so he has a proper workspace." Daizi said, speaking highly of her husband since he wouldn't do it himself, "and every door and railing in our home has been carved in relief by him."

Looking over, Matt and Dark held eye contact for a few moments, recognizing how old they had both grown, and then Matt asked, "What kind of art do you do, Alec?"
 
"Ba's carvings are truly amazing," Alec said proudly. "I think his drawings might be better, maybe, but it's hard to say for sure. I draw, too, thanks to him, and I've been experimentingwith making things and other forms of practical art as well as art for art's sake."
 
"I can barely remember his drawings," Matt replied, unsure if he had really seen them, "I mean, except for the ones he drew for tattoos he wanted. Back when we were together," he laughed, "He talked about getting his entire body covered in them. I always thought that was crazy."

Dark took a sip of his wine and did not address how he did, in fact, fulfill that dream. Neither did he address Alec saying he drew thanks to him. But that was because he wasn't sure how to. His sons really looked up to him, didn't they? Both of them would say things like that and he still... It was almost impossible for him to imagine anyone admiring him. It was difficult to believe he was someone anyone could look up to, except in a purely literal sense.

"And Xander has a leatherworking buisness," Daizi said proudly, "He started it all on his own and he was able to make enough money from it to buy his own car."
 
Xander shrugged, awkward to be put on the spot yet proud and pleased that his mother was highlighting his work. "It's not a big thing. I mean, yeah, it's been a lot of work, but it's been fun. Get to work with a lot of patterns. Recently started playing around with 3-D shapes but mostly I make stuff like belts, bags, bracelets, and once a set of leather armor. Not sure it was historically accurate, but the customer was happy."

"I'm the model!" Alec chirped. He's amazing, and his stuff is very comfy and high quality."
 
"Oh a blacksmith?" Sean made a face, "That is very cool work, but I would not like that next to me, doesn't it get really loud?"

Matt looked at Dark, understanding something Sean could not, "How is that for you?"

"It is not so bad," Dark assured him, understanding what he was asking but not speaking it, "She texts us before she starts anything loud so we can close the windows if Ivy is sleeping." And, luckily, those weren't quite the type of noise to bother him, although on certain occasions a particular blow would make him freeze for a moment before moving on with his day.

"And Cooger is dating her," Daizi added slyly, intentionally moving the conversation along.

Matt turned to her with his mouth slightly open, "Really? So he never made it work with Stephanie?"
 
"Ugh, Stephanie," Dark grumbled, taking a sip of his wine.

"She was nice," Matt argued.

"She was fake and insecure," Dark argued right back, "They dated for two years and their breakup was worth celebrating and you cannot let Cooger know you've been told about her."
 
"Has Uncle Cooger not been with anyone since 'Stephanie?'" Alec asked in shock.

Xander, in that moment, was very glad he was not in the dating scene in any way, shape, or form. Of Alec, either, considering the conversations they'd have about that.
 
"No, he has," Dark assured Alec, "She was just one of his most serious relationships and she was also the absolute worst woman he had ever dated in his life and the words I would use for her should not be said around children."
 
"Compared to her, Marquis de Sade is an absolutely amazing saint," Dark replied dryly, "But regardless of who Cooger marries, if he ever chooses to marry which he may well not, I would be his best man even if his bride is the anti-christs' mother-in-law. Thankfully, to my knowledge, Lex is not."

Matt rolled his eyes, "Stephanie was not that bad."

"She most certainly was."

"I never met her," Daizi informed the rest of the people at the table who had also never met her.
 
"A wedding between Lex and Cooger would be amazing!" Alec sighed wistfully.

"Ain't going to happen," Xander said. "I bet they'll be fine together, but no way are they going to marry."

Alec gave him a look. "You're just a romantic spoilsport, aren't you?" Then he turned to Daizi. "What do you think?"
 
Daizi thought about the question for a moment, rubbing her thumb along the rim of her glass, "I think... No, I don't think they'll get married. He's never going to move out of his cabin," Dark leaned over to briefly explain Cooger's living situation to Sean and Matt, who expressed he was glad Cooger had managed to achieve that dream of his, "and Lex has her house she worked so hard to fix up. One of the two of them would need to make that sacrifice, and maybe Lex would, after her son moves out--he's, I think, already eighteen? If not, he's close, but he still lives at home--but it requires her to be willing to move somewhere so remote. She might like it, but they're both such independent people I think if they decide they're in it for eternity, they'll never formalize it and be in it for eternity, at their two separate homes and be just as happy as they would be if they were more traditional."
 
"I hadn't thought of it that way," Alec admitted, "but... yes, that does sound like Cooger, and I guess Lex. I wonder if they'd stick to seperate homes or if they'll ever move in together?"

"I doubt they'd both live in Coog's cabin," Xander said. "Too small for two people used to having their own space, and no way is Coog leaving it. I'm betting two houses."
 
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