How Green Becomes Wood

"You are welcome," Dark replied, although he wasn't sure he really saved anyone. Pulling into the spot he said, "Normally, I would suggest splitting up to do this more quickly, but I fear you would become lost."
 
Alec wrinkled his nose. "I've been getting better! Kind of. But I don't mind sticking with you so we can talk! This is a great time for some good father-son time, don't you think?"
 
"I am getting home later than I told Daizi I would, so it is probably for the best we stick together, just in case," Dark answered, glancing down at Alec as he got a new cart, "I felt bad, I had to abandon the shopping I had done earlier. I do not like to do that to service workers."
 
Xander was better at reading Arabic, mainly because Alec struggled to challenge himself to do so, but Alec was game and carefully read off the list. He got a couple of things wrong, but he did pretty well. It made him happy to be able to help his father in something like this, too.
 
Dark had memorized his list well enough that when Alec did mess up, he was able to gently correct him as they continued their shopping. Luckily, it was a lighter shop, so it did not take too long. This was another reason why he went to so many different stores, no single trip took too long.
 
Alec was happy to have his task even though it was pretty clear that Dark didn't "need" him to help out. It gave him something to do and not let his mind dwell on what had happened. He was worried, and what had happened had shaken him deeply, but he was not as affected as one might think. Even he was surprised with how well he was taking all of this. Even so, it was good to have something to do. He kept Dark in sight the whole time, wandering from the basket to fetch various things to try to speed things up, but never losing sight of his father. He didn't want to slow Dark down by getting lost or something equally ridiculous. He liked to think he even helped speed things up. He definitely sped up the loading of the car and the unloading later.
 
The shopping was quick enough, and soon they were driving home, "I suppose, although it is not under ideal circumstances, at least you have a little bit of extra free time today."
 
"No, I just thought it'd be nice to talk flowers with her. She always seems a little disappointed when I talk about talking plants and flowers with someone else," Alec remarked.
 
"It's just because she loves it so much. She knows you have to talk to other people about them, but..." He shrugged, "I imagine it is like if you went to speak to Cooger about woodworking."
 
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