How Green Becomes Wood

Dark considered this for a time, "It does not matter much to me. I am someone who tries to demonstrate that kind of love and care to my partner all year, rather than needing a specific day to do it. And I am usually cynical, so I question those who need a day to be reminded to be romantic. But at the same time... I suppose I can understand the intention behind everyone in the country, or in multiple countries, all celebrating love on the same day. I suppose it's up to everyone to decide if it's meaningful for them and their relationship. But proposing or having your wedding on Valentines Day is tacky."
 
"I think we will," Dark replied, a tiny gleam of light coming into his eyes, "It is easy to have a good time with her. I left before she got dressed, I have no idea what she has planned to wear."
 
"She could, but she always looks stunning in draping fabrics." Dark said, "They suit her because she moves like water."

There was more he could say about that: he could talk about how fabrics which flowed and draped highlighted her legs even when you couldn't see them, or how the sleeves pulled attention to her hand gestures, and her arms and how in turn it made him notice the delicate curve of her clavicles. But none of it was anything his son should be subjected to hearing.

When they came home, Dark parked the car and got out, but despite touching the salt bowl instead just lingered in the doorway, knowing they were just about to leave again anyway. And Daizi walked up to the hall from the living room, where she had been sitting on the floor playing blocks with Ivy, in a red satin dress with bishop sleeves and a deep v neckline, tied elegantly at the waist. A small wet spot near her knee suggested Ivy had, before she could be stopped, tried to eat the dress, but it wasn't what Dark saw. Instead he leaned back against the wall, his hands folded behind his back, admiring how the dress flowed just like water over her.

"You look enchanting," He said, his face and eyes soft. The light glinted off of her necklace, which perfectly accented the space of her neckline.

"Don't talk as if you didn't do my makeup," Daizi teased, "Thank you."
 
Alec glanced at Dark, amused to see his prediction come true, and told Daizi, "It's not just your makeup, Mama. You have definitely enchanted him. Make sure to come home before midnight! And have fun." He trotted into the living room where Ivy and Xander were.
 
"Are you giving us a curfew now?" Daizi teased, slipping her shoes on before grabbing her purse, her cane, and Dark's arm and calling out a goodbye. As he usually did, Dark told Enkidu he was in charge and walked Daizi to the car, feeling delighted and maybe a bit smug to have such an incredible woman on his arm as he walked her to the car, opening the door for her. They had been married for a decade and together for longer, but the internal thrill of getting to take her out had yet to abate. In his mind, even if it was in nobody else's, he had married up and she was far, far outside of his league. Ironically, that was one thing he and his father-in-law were in agreement about.

Inside the art gallery, they first went to find Art to greet him and congratulate him on exhibiting his art before they went off together, each taking a glass of wine from one of the caterer trays as they walked around the space. At each painting, Dark stopped and described it to Daizi, sometimes leaning in to whisper in her ear, but remained subtle enough about their flirting to not catch attention. It helped Dark's other friends were also at the gallery--although Art had convinced the gallery to hire Rose as a live musician, which also kept her busy, which meant every once in awhile they'd mingle with them, or speak to one of the other artists whose work were on display, but they still had plenty of time alone with each other, and they knew afterwards they still had dinner reservations.

Daizi loved getting to walk around on her husband's arm. It made her feel defiant, as strange as it may sound. For all the shame she had been given about who she was and what she looked like, nobody could take away the fact this amazing, handsome, intelligent man loved her more than anyone. He wanted her and only her. Her knees had never stopped going wobbly when he leaned down to her or touched his hand to her waist because everything about him was intoxicating. Especially when he wore that cologne. His suit jacket was black-on black jacquard so she could feel subtle spiderweb patterns nobody could see unless the lighting hit him just right: he chose it for her. She traced one on his bicep with her pointer finger as he murmured to her in his deep, warm voice about all of the various shades of red in a painting, but Daizi wasn't sure either of them cared much about the piece.
 
Last edited:
Back home, Alec and Xander worked together to take care of Ivy, making it a fun time for her as much as possible while also sticking to her schedule. They didn't talk to each other much, focused on Ivy, but while there was still some tension, they were working well together. They had dinner together, making sure Ivy had a good dinner. Then it was time to clean up everything and everybody, and Alec rocked Ivy while Xander studiously read her two bedtime stories.
 
At the restaurant, Dark and Daizi had a dimly lit back corner where they could talk freely, completely lost in each other. The whole time at the gallery, out of respect and decorum, Dark didn't do more than kiss Daizi's knuckles on occasion, and at the restaurant they spent most of the meal with a table between them.

While he did his best to only look at her face throughout her playful sighs and giggles, she did her best to tease. Still, they only slid into the same side while they shared a piece of black forest cake.

That night, unlike many others of late, they didn't talk about their problems and many stressors. Each other's company was much, much too distracting and pleasant.

Eventually they had to pay their check and drove home, uncertain if they should hurry back or take it slow to extend the time where it was just them two.
 
After the twins put Ivy down for the night, Xander moved the matress from his bed down into the basement, finding a safe corner to make up a bed for the night. While he was doing that, Alec put on some soft music and lit a couple of candles in Dark and Daizi's bedroom, making certain they were put in safe places. Then Alec went to his room, Xander went down to the basement. They closed the doors and tried to be asleep before their parents got home.
 
When Dark and Daizi did arrive home, they stood for a few moments just inside the front hall, patient as they slipped off their shoes. They touched the salt, being as quiet as possible. When nothing stirred, not even Enkidu, and nobody spoke, Dark carried Daizi upstairs, hardly looking at where he was going. Inside their bedroom, there was a brief moment of confusion at the sight of the candles and the sound of the music. It was obviously something one of their children had set up and they weren't sure if it was sweet or invasive, but it was quickly forgotten and the bed curtains were drawn shut.
 
Much, much later, Alec lay in bed staring at the ceiling. He rolled over for the thousandth time. Nope. Still wasn't working. He could not get comfortable. His mind was spinning around and around, but slowly, like a dryer instead of the final wring cycle of the washing machine. Round and around and around...

Finally, he got up, pulling his blanket off the bed and dragging it up over his shoulders. He groped his way through the dark, grateful that nothing changed position in this house, and made his way to the basement. There was even less light down in the windowless basement than there had been above ground, but he gradually made his way down the stairs to the corner where Xander had set up his bed. Xander was, of course, out for the count. Alec sat down on the edge of the mattress and gently prodded Xander until he woke.

"What?" Xander mumbled, barely opening his eyes.

"I miss you," Alec said softly.

There was a long silence. Then Xander heaved a sigh and scooted over, pulling back his blanket. Alec gratefully climbed in and nestled up against his brother. The bed was barely big enough for the both of them, but it still worked as long as neither of them wanted any personal space. Xander draped one arm over his brother and was already falling back to sleep.

Alec gently nudged him again, earning an annoyed grunt. "Am I like Mum?"

"Huh?"

"Am I like Mum?"

Xander groaned and rubbed a hand over his face before plopping it non-too-gently back over Alec. "You woke me up to ask me that?" He growled softly. "Fine. You have her eyes, and I think her laugh, maybe."

"That's not what I mean," Alec muttered.

"Okay, then you are going to have to be more specific."

"Am I like Mum like... how she... she was and stuff. How she lived. Her choices and stuff."

"I don't know, man." Xander shifted to a more comfortable position. "Maybe a little."

"Oh," Alec murmured, wilting a little.

"Because you make panic choices and then try to stick with them no matter what good sense says," Xander told him. "Other than that, I don't think so. I can't think of any other ways you two are similar."

Alec stared into the darkness, only just barely able to make out the shapes of the equipment in the basement. "I don't want to be like her. Not like that."

"Then don't be," Xander mumbled sleepily. "You know you don't want to be, so start trying to change it."

"How do you change who you are?" Alec asked.

"I dunno. That's why we're both in therapy, doofus. I know it's not easy, but you can at least adjust."

ALec smiled slightly and buried himself against Xander. "I'm sorry I drove you away. I didn't mean to. I'll try to respect your space when you move down here, but... can we have sleepovers sometimes?"

"Definitely."

"Thanks." He closed his eyes. "I'm sorry. For a lot of things."

"Me too. Now can we please, please go to sleep?"

"Yes."
 
By the time Alec crept downstairs, Dark and Daizi were fast asleep, wrapped in warm, loving puddle, half covered by their duvet.

Come morning, they both showered and dressed themselves before going down to cook breakfast. They'd have slept in, but a certain toddler forbid it.
 
The twins were up later than usual, having slept very well and very hard in the near-absolute darkness of the basement. Plus, neither of them had set an alarm. They surfaced disoriented and discombobulated, weaving straight for the kitchen and breakfast. Dark, Daizi, and Ivy got sleepy good mornings, and that was about it.
 
Xander yawned and made himself some tea. "Seemed like a good place to be instead of the couch when you two came home. It did mean we didn't notice if you got home before your curfew."

"Did you have fun?" Alec asked, pouring boiling water into a cup without any tea.
 
"The walls will probably be finished by the end of next week," Dark replied, "Afterwards we can move the rest of your furniture down."

"It was really lovely," Daizi answered, helping Ivy to eat her breakfast, "By the time we left, much of the art had been sold which is nice for the artists and for the charity. And they had wine and hors d'oeuvres so we felt fancy and important."
 
"Cool," Xander agreed.

Alec realized he hadn't put any tea in his cup and frowned at it. Then he added the tea and hoped the couple of minutes wouldn't matter. "That sounds like a really fantastic time! And your dress had to have been the absolute best of them all. Right, Ba?" He glanced at his father and then shook his head. "Never mind. I just realized who I was asking."
 
Dark smiled softly down into his coffee cup, "No other dresses suited the wearer as well as hers did."

Smoothing Ivy's hair, Daizi said, "You flatter me, Goose."

"It is not flattery, the dress you wore last night was one of my favourites."
 
"You did absolutely slay in that dress, Mama, and it was a lovely dress by itself," Alec assured her.

Xander handed Alec his portion of breakfast, and they both stopped talking while they ate.

"Does anyone have any plans today?" Xander asked in general.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top