How Green Becomes Wood

"One hundred percent yes," Xander said bluntly. Then he shrugged. "I guess it means I can process better what it means to have a baby in the house, but, yeah, it's weird. And the older I get, the weirder it's going to be. She's going to be teasing me so hard about me being ancient when we get older. I just hope to hell I stay taller than her."
 
"It must be a very different type of sibling relationship," Sloan mused, trying to imagine it, "Especially for you. The only sibling you've known is your exact age. Now you're a year from being an adult and she's not even in school." With a slight chuckle, she tipped her head back, "Your parents are both way taller than average, I think you might be cooked, dude. Unless you go out for leg-lengthening surgery."
 
"It's still possible. Short parents have tall kids sometimes. Maybe they'll at least have a normal-height kid," Xander complained hopefully. He shifted, watching the sunset. "It is pretty different. I didn't know what to expect. Still don't know what to expect. I watched a lot of kids get raised in the trailers and stuff, just like we were, so I thought I knew what to expect, but this is really different. For one thing, she actually seems to kind of like me, which is just weird."
 
"I've never had a kid younger than me actually want to hang out with me," Xander admitted. "Until recently, I've never had another kid close to my age want to hang out, either. Usually my own fault, but, you know. So that little mini toddling around and babbling at me and asking to be picked up is a new thing. She doesn't know my name yet. She'll 'Ack' all day long, though."
 
"I'm sure she knows your name, she just doesn't say it. I mean, dude. Your name seems like it'd be hard for a baby. Xaaaaander." She looked at him, "It's a new thing, but is it a nice thing?"
 
"To her? I could be two years younger than you, and I'd still be her ancient brother's ancient friend," Sloan retorted. "Except I'm going to be your cool friend who competed in the Olympics which will carry me."
 
"Haha, you are so hilarious," Xander said dryly. "This is true. I have you tothank for learning how to human. Without you, I'd have turned into a psycho of some kind. And what would you have done without me?"
 
"You did need a bit of coaxing to come out of your cage a little," Xander nodded. "Now we're both hanging out in a... I dunno, this analogy is failing me. We're both hanging out in the same paddock instead of either standing properly in the barn stall the whole time or running around biting and kicking people." After a brief pause, he admitted, "It's kind of nice. Feels better to be... calmer. Not always looking for a threat or threatening. Just hanging."
 
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