How Green Becomes Wood

"Technically we broke up a few times," Dark said, "we'd just get back together throughout those nine months."

"Ten months, and..." He looked at Dark, "Am I allowed to say what ended it?"

After thinking about it for a few moments, Dark dropped his shoulders, held up one hand, and said, "Go ahead."

"I just... couldn't take the way that he used to be. He was moody and sometimes unpredictable and going through stuff I couldn't imagine and didn't know how to help with. Loving him was painful, I never started to hate him or anything but I was scared for him, and... I just couldn't do it anymore so I left. I told him if he ever worked out his damage to call me but until then I was done."
 
"Ouch," said both twins with different meanings.

"He got his damage worked out, but he never called," Xander said dryly.

"For the best," Alec said. "Otherwise, we wouldn't have our families. Not to say it might not have worked out otherwise, but I am quite pleased with our family."
 
"By the time I had gotten a handle on my problems, I was already back with Daizi," Dark explained, but didn't know if he was clarifying it to Matt or his children.

"I'm not really mad that you didn't," Matt promised, holding up both hands, "Honestly, I'm not sure if I'd have taken you back if you did call, and you were single. I said that expecting you wouldn't, I'm just glad to learn you didn't call because you were busy being happy and not because things got worse for you."
 
The twins said nothing, watching the two grown men working through the awkwardness and unease. They weren't certain what to say because everything seemed so personal. So raw. So they said nothing and just watched.
 
Daizi smiled softly and couldn't help but lean in and rest her cheek against her husband's shoulder, "I think we all ended up where we were meant to be in the end. I'm glad he had someone taking care of him while I was an ocean away."

"It is all very strange," Dark said, rubbing Ivy on her back in big slow circles, "but I am relieved to know there is no malice on your side."

"I wouldn't have invited if you if there were. Although I can't lie part of it was pure curiosity at who you are nearly 20 years later." Matt admitted with a little smile. "My friends think I made you up when I mentioned you in our discussion of our exes."

Dark opened his mouth to ask a question, then aborted it. And then, his curiosity got the better of him and he asked, "How do you describe me to your friends?"

"I am not sure if I should say in front of your children."
 
"Well not only on their own!" Daizi exclaimed, "I have to know how he'd be described too!"

"As if I have ever in my life kept a secret from you," Dark told her with a glint in his eyes.

"No, but if it wasn't flattering, you'd tweak it to make yourself look better in the retelling," She teased him.

"Either way, if you wanted to meet again, I would be glad to. The four of us could go on a double date, although Sean might kill me if he heard me say that." Matt offered willingly.

"Oh, that's perfect then, because Dark might kill me if I agreed," Daizi grinned, "We have to do it."
 
"Hasn't Mrs. Hollis been suggesting a double date for ages now?" Alec asked. "Why not a triple date?"

"Other than the fact that it sounds like sheer misery?" Xander asked.

Alec waved a dismissive hand at him. "Other than that, yes."
 
Dark looked warily at his children, "Let us not get too crazy."

"At that point it might just be a party and I don't think we can make plans without speaking with Sally and Jack first," Daizi said, leaning over to stroke Ivy's back, "She's just about out. We should probably be heading home."
 
Alec and Xander got to their feet, Alec smiling at Matt and offering his hand. "It was a lot of fun meeting you. Your children are really cute."

Xander gave a nod. "And for the meal. It was good."
 
"It was nice to meet you too," Matt said while Sean also came around the corner to say goodbye.

"I'm sorry Charlie was so... intense," Sean said, shaking Daizi's hand, "I can't say she's not usually like that, but I didn't expect those questions."

"It's okay, I promise. It gives us a good idea of what we're probably in for with Ivy-Qadira," Daizi assured him.
 
Alec shook Sean's hand as well. "I hope you have a good time surviving her inquisitive phase, and may it never end!"

"Dorky," Xander remarked to his brother.

"Maybe, but I mean it!" Alec chirped.
 
While Sean, Daizi, and the twins all chatted to each other, Matt turned to Dark, "I am really glad we got to meet up like this again."

"It was enjoyable," Dark replied.

"You are as stiff as ever." Matt chuckled softly, "But you actually look healthy now. I'm really glad."

"I am glad you are happy too."

"Dark, I was serious when I said we should do this again. We're both happily married with babies who are just about the same age living in the same town. It'd be nice to catch up more." Matt told him.

"Yeah, we can do that," Dark agreed quietly, "It was good to catch up."

They stood awkwardly facing each other for a few moments, trying to figure out what level of intimacy and familiarity they should say goodbye with and ultimately Matt patted Dark on the arm and said, "I'll text you, you should get that little girl home or she'll give you hell in the morning if she's anything like Charlie and Avery."

Soon enough, Dark had put Ivy back into her car seat and they had all piled back into the car to drive home.
 
"I can imagine," both said simultaneously.

"But who we are at our core doesn't change that drastically, usually, so I'm sure he is still the same man. Just different, grown-up," Alec said.
 
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