How Green Becomes Wood

"You could do both," Claire suggested, "And yeah, I did actually. I just have one on the shelf," She reached up and carefully lifted a little pale orange cup decorated with polka dots, daisies, and heather. The rim was a darker shade of orange, "This is my Smug!" She handed it to Alec, inside of it was a little clay snail and the inside was painted with more daisies and grass. "My Snail Mug."
 
"Nah, I'm a single-color kind of guy," Xander said. He looked at the mug and nodded. "That is awesome."

Alec cackled as he looked it over. "That is adorable, and so funny! I hope this snail can breathe underwater. Or under tea or coffee, as it might be. I'm tempted to get this one for myself."

"What mug are you getting rid of?" Xander asked.

Alec winced. "I'll think about it." He handed it back.
 
"You don't have to worry about this little guy, he loves to be under water, or tea, or coffee. Just as long as you don't salt it!" Claire teased, putting the mug back up on the shelf, "If you change your mind later and someone else has bought it, you're always welcome to commission one, or something like it."
 
"I think I will. Thanks!" Alec smiled. "I'll have to look through my current mugs. I can only have so many, you know, but that one is so adorable, it just might replace one of the ones I have! What's your favorite thing to make?"
 
"I really like making things that are actually usable, so like cups, bowls, plates... Plates are deceptively tricky! I like making things people actually use and enjoy. I really want to have a kitchen where everything that can feasibly be made from ceramics is something I made." Claire answered, "I guess for right now I like mugs the best, because they're something most people like to have."
 
"That is really cool," Alec said earnestly. "I love beauty for beauty's sake, but there is something so special about making something that can be used. I'm not particularly good at that, but I think it's awesome that you do."
 
"I've tried my hand at figurines and stuff, they just don't excite me as much. I just like to think of..." She paused, the faintest blush coming to her cheeks, but then she shook her head, "Xander, you're gonna kill me, huh? Because I promised we'd just look at the samples, and then we've been here talking."
 
Alec cocked his head curiosly, wanting to ask what it made her think of.

Xander looked deliberately at his watch. "Kill you? Nah. Expect a discount for every further minute chatted? Maybe."

"He's joking," Alec assured her quickly.
 
"Hmm, true," Xander said slowly.

Alec elbowed him out of the way. "Cut that out! I apologize for my brother, Claire," he laughed. "We would never kill you! Or expect you to try to lower your prices."
 
"Easier indicates possible," Xander pointed out with a smirk. "I don't doubt you'd be a fierce opponent, but I think I can still come out on top. I've got tricks."

Alec watched, tension tightening his shoulders as he waited to see Claire's reaction. She'd been chill so far, but was she really okay with Xander's type of teasing?
 
Xander gave her a thumbs-up. "Good to hear I passed the test. All right. You got work to do, and we have a home to get to." He slung his arm around Alec's neck and started pretending to drag him along. "You've had enough chit-chat for one day."

Alec relaxed, smiling at Claire despite his awkward position. "Bye, Claire!" he called, waving awkwardly. "See you later! Xander, don't bump anything."

"I'm being careful. You need to stop waving your arms around," Xander warned him.
 
"She's nice, isn't she?" Alec remarked once they were in the van.

"Yeah, she's cool," Xander agreed, munching on a Red Vine.

"And the clay making, that was so- where'd you get that?"

"Get what? And I'm proud of my vase. Best vase ever."

"Yes, yes, you're a protégé, good for you, can I have one?"

"Nope. These are mine. You can sell your pitcher and buy your own."

"Aw! I'm telling on you."

"Cool. They don't get any either."
 
Alec and Xander paused just inside the door. They glanced at each other and debated going back out again, but it was cold out there! They finished taking off their shoes, touched the salt, and gave each other a reassuring nod before venturing farther into the house slowly.

"Hello?" Xander called ahead of them.

"We're home!" Alec added louder than necessary.
 
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