How Green Becomes Wood

"I generally prefer Marvel, mostly because I like that it takes place in real cities, but DC does animation really well. I'm not someone who really picks sides, I just like them for different reasons." Milo said. "I like Superman better than Batman as a character but Batman has better stories."
 
"I never cared much for Superman, but I can see how others would like him better," Peter agreed. "I honestly can't keep the DC and Marvel characters separate. I offended a die-hard fan the other day because I called, uh, who was it, um, Guardians were DC characters. And I once wondered if the MCU would have Batman join them."

Xander stopped at their first classroom door and glanced at them. "Ready, nerds?" he asked, meaning zero offense in the phrase, genuinely amused by their conversation.
 
"Which I do not understand what that is in comparison to the Avengers or whatever," Peter said, following Milo. "Maybe sometime you can enlighten me, and I can introduce you to Lance Harwood, Captain Justice of the Outback!" His accent grew stronger with his bold statement.
 
"Maybe," Milo replied awkwardly, taking his seat in class, pleased that he had the conversation, but not upset it was over. It was still really difficult for him to talk with most people.
 
Peter hesitated, looking at Alec's empty chair. He glanced at Xander and then chose to go sit in his usual seat instead of taking the easy chair.

Austin came in and sat in his usual chair. He looked down the row in confusion. "Hey. Where's the other one?" he asked.

"Not feeling well," Xander said curtly.

"Oh. Sorry," Austin said, drawing back.

Xander didn't say anything further for the rest of class, silently moving from one class to the next. It was easier if he stayed fully focused on the work. Easier to not think of anything but schooling.
 
At lunch, Sloan went to the table like usual, only slightly aware of what had happened last night. She didn't know the details, but since she lived across the street, she saw Xander and Dark walking late last night. When Alec wasn't there, she said, "Hey dude, Alec sick?"
 
"Yeah. Sick in the head," he added under his breath. Peter was eating with other friends, and since Alec wasn't there, Becky and Tom had quietly inched themselves away until they were at another table and away from Xander's brooding presence. So, Xander had the table to himself until Sloan joined him.
 
Sloan scrunched her eyebrows and looked at Xander appreciative but bemused, "Did you forget all of the mess I went through last year? You and Alec had to throw a whole... gala for me. You had to come get me because I was drunk at a party and then had to sneak me out of your house in the morning."
 
"Eh, yeah, I suppose there was that," Xander nodded, "but your family had to take us in for a couple of hours because I thought my dad was about to punch out my mom's dad." He crunched down hard on a celery stick and made a face. He did not like uncooked celery.
 
"Eh," he shrugged. "Mama cut him off entirely. Maybe she'll let him come back eventually, after he's proved himself, but he's gotta suffer the consequences of being a d**k first. I think she felt better about it later." He started shredding the celery stick into pieces. "Are you dating again?"
 
"Oh wow. That must have been so hard." She quieted for a few moments to think about it before she looked up and answered Xander's question, "No, I'm not. I mean, I went on a date... but I didn't realize it was a date until after I got home, and it was about the most embarrassing moment in my life."
 
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