How Green Becomes Wood

"Yeah." Xander didn't say anything as he played with his fidget toy. "Our mum," he finally said, "breakups would really mess her up. No matter who did what. Just kind of worried about, you know, heredity issues or whatever they're called. Shared family traits."
 
"I don't know if that sort of thing is genetic," Milo said, looking at Xander, "I mean like, if he thinks he's supposed to react like that, sure, he might, but like... I imagine there's probably some, you know... environmental pressures too."
 
"Probably. Makes sense. I dunno. Genetics are weird," Xander grumbled. He glanced at Milo. "You were late this morning." It wasn't an accusation. It was a question, a concern, a statement with the invitation to explain, or not to at Milo's decision.
 
Xander glanced at him, clocking the arm rubbing, but it wasn't scratching. He accepted Milo's answer with a nod. "Stuff happens." He settled back as class began, trying to focus. This was important. Alec was fine. He was overreacting. If he'd been angry with Alec, would he be this worried? Probably not. Now what did that say about him? Nothing particularly nice, he didn't think. Never mind. Focus, and let other people deal with other problems. He had this problem in front of him. Literally.
 
Milo looked at Xander for a few moments, seeing he was upset but not knowing what to do about it. His bag wasn't full of stress toys or treats or anything he could quietly pass over. And he didn't want to make Xander uncomfortable. Just before the teacher began lecturing, though, he leaned in slightly and said, "A fruit tart."
 
"It's no problem," Milo replied. He really wanted to tell Xander that it didn't matter, and that he didn't need to put himself out of his way to make it, but he was trying to not do that anymore. At least not immediately. He had promised Xander he'd tell him what he'd like instead of a cake, and he kept his word, so he was allowed to leave it there.
 
The idea of making a fruit tart for Milo's birthday did calm Xander quite a bit. It was a focused goal he could plan for. Something to ruminate on, design in his mind, and make plans for practicing and experimenting. Something tangible that he could do. He'd never made a tart, but he knew the basic idea. He didn't think they seemed too difficult. Maybe a little finicky, but he thought he could do it. Between classes, he asked Milo what flavors and berries he wanted and made notes. When he practiced, he'd try out different flavors so it wouldn't get boring. He was looking forward to this. He still missed his brother's presence, but now it was easier to bear.

Lunch time came around eventually, and he unpacked his lunch and sat quietly crunching grapes and looking up tarts on his phone.
 
Sloan arrived at the lunch table not long after Xander did, although Milo was once again running behind. When she sat down beside him, she said, "It's almost the weekend. That's nice."

~~

At home, Daizi knocked lightly on Alec's door.
 
Xander nodded and offered her a grape. "Yeah. I don't have a lot going on, so it'll be nice. What are you up to? Gym?"

~~

"Come in," Alec called softly. He was still in bed, and Kiki was sleeping next to him, stretched out upside down against his leg.
 
"I have my meet, remember," Sloan said, taking the grape and squinting at him, "It's two hours away?"

~~

"I just wanted to check on you," Daizi said, closing the door behind her, "It's lunchtime."
 
Xander flicked a second grape at her. "I was thinking about tarts and forgot briefly. Anything other than flying through air?"

~~

"Thanks, Mama. I'm not hungry." He rolled over carefully to not disturb Kiki. "I'll come down for dinner."
 
"Sleeping," Sloan replied, "My plan for Sunday is to sleep. Why were you thinking about tarts?"

~~

"You have to eat something, Alec, even if it's small." Daizi told him. "At least try."
 
"Milo wants a fruit tart for his birthday. I've never made one before. Can I try out one or two on you?" Xander asked.

~~

Alec shook his head but said, "Okay. Toast? Could I maybe have toast with butter?"
 
"I guess so," Sloan replied, "Is his birthday coming up?"

~~

"If you would like," Daizi replied. It was a start, she supposed. She was fairly certain that, if she made her soup, he'd eat it, but this wasn't something which necessitated that soup, in her opinion.
 
"End of March," Xander told her. "I asked him to tell me what he wanted, and he came through."

~~

"Thanks, Mama. I just really want to be alone for now," Alec told her. "I'll be okay."
 
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