How Green Becomes Wood

"They're still in boxes, but I can get one out and show you!" Alec agreed.

Xander pulled out the pocketknife Austin had given him and used it to open the box. After a bit of fiddling, he was able to get his hanging on the little stand, and he handed it to Dark to show to Daizi.
 
Dark helped Daizi to feel it so she wouldn't accidentally break it on them, "Oh I love this," She said, feeling the delicate metal work, "I have absolutely no idea how to actually use it, but it's so fascinating."
 
"There should be some instructions in the box," Xander said, digging through. He pulled them out and read through them briefly. "No idea, but I'll figure it out later and let you know."
 
Dark handed Xander the bag and Alec the medium wrapped gift. Inside the bag was a Echinocactus texensis cactus, a little round spiky thing, like a dangerous beach ball. It was potted in a simple black pot. Of course, along with it came care information. Inside the medium wrapped gift was a box which could be used to sort jewelry or really any other item---"Ivy" had decided Alec could probably be benefitted by extra organization. The top of it was decorated with rainbow trinkets like buttons and sequins. The sides were painted with polka dots to match the buttons and inside had various compartments which could also definitely be used for art supplies, makeup, or secrets in addition to its intended purpose.
 
"Oh, this is nice!" Alec grinned, looking the box over. "I can fill this perfectly. And it looks beautiful! Thank you, Ivy."

Xander stared at the cactus. "I want to touch the spiky death ball," he said softly. He looked at Ivy. "Thank you, Mini. I am going to take good care of it and find a good name for it."
 
"I don't remember the word for cactus, sorry, but I guess I could name this thing Ah-wa," Xander said.

"I like it," Alec told him while exploring his box.

They set their gifts aside, Xander making certain the cactus was well out of Ivy's reach.
 
"Sure," Xander said. He was happy to receive gifts, he wouldn't lie, but he was also excited for his brother, so it was difficult to concentrate. He hoped Alec would read his excitement as excitement for himself as he opened the gift.
 
Xander's present was the perfect grow light to keep his cacti alive and healthy within the basement. Tucked into the box, though, was an envelope with just a bit more money than was necessary to cover the cost of Xander's dream leather sewing machine. In truth, Dark and Daizi couldn't quite figure out how much more Xander needed for it, so they ultimately just guessed about how much he'd need. However, they didn't include a card to say what the money was for---if he preferred to spend it on something other than the machine, that was his decision.
 
Xander held up the light with a soft cry of jubilation. "Awesome! Mince and Moon Pie can join me downstairs now. This new little fellow can join them. Beautiful. Thank you!" Then he spotted the envelope and pulled it out. When he saw what was in it, his eyes widened considerably. "Really?" he asked them, genuinely shook.

"You can get your sewing machine!" Alec cheered. "A nice new one, not a used one! It'll be perfect for you. Unless you decide to buy a horse of your own, or something like that instead."
 
"Really." Daizi replied, grinning at how delighted he was. It felt amazing to be able to surprise him after all.

"You told us before Ivy's birthday you were comfortable with us contributing however much we felt comfortable with," Dark explained, "We did not know exactly how much you had saved up, but this is what we felt was fair. If it is too much, use it to buy snacks for your friends, or to buy more cacti or fertilizer, or whatever you would like."
 
"This is... Wow. Thank you," Xander breathed. He put the envelope under the cacti and moved closer to Dark and Daizi. His arms moved out in a tiny twitch, like he wanted to hug them. Instead, though, he reached out and caught their sleeves, holding them tight. "Thank you," he said earnestly.

He'd wanted to do this on his own, the entire shop. He figured, if he couldn't grow the shop naturally, then it wouldn't be sustainable. Debt was not something he wanted to consider, not even an official loan. At the same time, he was still a kid in his parents' backyard making a go of a business in a shed. They really wanted to help, and with this new machine, he should be able to make enough to pay them back. Not that he expected them to ever actually accept any money back, but maybe he could do it in other ways. Like finally making his mother her own belt.
 
Xander cleared his throat and sat down again. Alec reached over and hugged him, so excited and happy for his brother that he forgot completely that there might possibly be a gift to him from his parents. Xander hugged him back tightly but finally pulled away. "Alright, that's enough of that."

Alec giggled and nodded, sitting back. "Sorry."
 
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