How Green Becomes Wood

"Only a couple of weeks to figure out how to cut fruit so it doesn't look massacred," Xander said. "I am going to have to buy so many berries."

"Why are you buying berries?" Becky said, walking over to them.

~~

Alec slowly dragged himself out of bed and pulled on a pair of socks. Kiki woke, and when she realized Alec was getting up, she ran to her food bowl. Alec fed her, cleaned her water bowl, and petted her a few minutes before going downstairs.
 
"Milo's birthday is in a few weeks," Sloan answered, wondering how Becky would react to learning that.

~~

Downstairs, as was so often the case, Dark was sitting on the floor of the living room, keeping an eye on Ivy. Enkidu was asleep on his back, one leg up in the air, and Ivy had taken it upon herself to methodically stack her toy rings around his paw, seemingly taking this incredibly seriously.
 
"Really? Wow! I had no idea. I gotta think of a good gift," Becky mused. "I don't know enough about photography or cameras, and if Xander has the food covered... Hmm."

"Good luck with that," Xander told her, amused, and not offering any help.

Becky plopped down in her usual spot, Alec's space empty between her and Xander. "I hope Alec feels better soon so I can bounce ideas off of him."

~~

Alec paused to watch Ivy for a bit. It looked like Ivy was having a... good time? He turned and went into the kitchen to get a piece of toast.

Kiki came down a minute later and followed the noise into the living room first. Hmm. Wrong humans, but what were these humans up to? She trotted over to investigate.
 
"I wonder if he'll do anything for his birthday," Sloan pondered, not expecting he would, but she supposed me might surprise them. It wouldn't be the first time.

~~

When Enkidu's paw twitched, Ivy giggled and Dark calmly said, "Steady, Tifla. You must be cautious not to wake him."
 
"I don't think he is, but he might change his mind," Xander shrugged.

"I hope he does. Something little that he'll enjoy," Becky smiled.

~~

Alec finished getting his piece of toast and stood back from the doorway, watching Ivy, Dark, and Enkidu with little interest. He ate half of his toast in slow, methodical, forced bites. Then he went to clean up and throw it away.
 
"We'll find out soon, I guess," Sloan said, glancing up to see if she could spot him.

~~

Although she was very much enjoying this game, Ivy caught sight of someone moving from the corner of her eye. Seeing her brother, she gladly toddled after him, "Ack!"
 
Xander looked around with a frown. "He might be in the gym. He goes there sometimes for lunch. He'd better not be getting bullied again."

"I'm sure he's not, not with you as backup," Becky said, more because she hoped it was true than because she believed it wholeheartedly. "He'll be here any second now!"

~~

Alec paused and looked down at Ivy. He forced a smile. "Hi, Mini. Are you having fun?"
 
In fact, Milo was standing just outside the cafeteria, stressing about how Becky said she wanted to say something to him later. All day he had been dwelling on what that could possibly be.

~~

"Ah!" Ivy chirped, flopping forwards to hug his legs.
 
"I think I'll go look for him. Just in case," Xander said, standing up. "Back in a minute." He headed toward the door.

Becky looked at Sloan. "He wouldn't be getting bullied again, would he? Do you think?"

Xander spotted Milo almost immediately, having become used to trying to find his reserved friend. "Where have you been?" he asked, trying not to sound cranky. He was relieved to see Milo looked fine. Not even rumpled. "My sandwich is getting soggy waiting for you."

~~

Alec leaned down and patted her back. "I'm glad to hear it. Let's go play with Ba and Enkidu, okay? Maybe Kiki will play with you, too."

Kiki bounced into the room, belled collar jingling, and stared at Ivy with her big eyes. She was growing like a weed! But was still small with kitten proportions.
 
"At this school, I wouldn't put it past anyone," Sloan replied, "but I hope he's been left alone."

Milo looked at Xander and rubbed the back of his neck, "oh. Um. Sorry. I didn't think you'd be waiting for me."

~~

Ivy pulled slightly on Alec's pants, stretching upwards to him, grinning up at him.
 
"Of course I'm waiting for you, Stitch," Xander grumbled. "Come on. Let's get some food down before we have to face another class." He turned to go back into the cafeteria, but this time he waited to make sure Milo was following him.

~~

Alec sighed but leaned down and picked her up. "I'm not in the mood to play today, Ivy," he told her gently. He carried her back into the living room. "Have you been putting rings around Enkidu's leg?"
 
"Is Becky there?" Milo asked, following shyly after Xander, "She said she needs to tell me something. I don't know what she wants."

~~
"Ah!" Ivy said happily, kissing Alec on the cheek before grabbing onto his hair.

"She has been quite stealthy, I did not know she had it in her," Dark replied, looking up at them.
 
"Well, you can hang out in the shadows wondering what it could be, or you can come find out and put it to rest," Xander said calmly. "It might be something. It might be nothing. Won't know until we know, will we?"

Becky spotted Xander first, and then, after a moment, Milo. "Oh, there they are!" She waved with a smile, trying to tone it down so she wouldn't terrify Milo.

~~

"Ow," Alec said mildly and reached up to loosen one hand that was pulling his hair painfully. The other hand was fine. "You are going to be quite the prankster, aren't you?" He crouched down to put Ivy back on the floor.
 
Milo stated at Xander in shock, questioning how he could possibly just bite the bullet and walk into a conversation beginning hours earlier with I need to tell you something. It seemed absolutely insane to him. It made his palms threat. Waving back, he was fairly certain he was going to swallow his own tongue.

~~

"She is her mother's daughter," Dark replied, "but I am surprised she has been able to be gentle enough not to wake him."
 
Xander sat down in his seat. "Found him. He was just delayed."

"Oh, that's good! Xander had me all worried that you'd been attacked brutally," Becky said with a bright smile at Milo. "I've got ham and cheese. What have you guys got?"

"PB&J," Xander muttered. He decided to get things moving for Milo's sake. "Didn't you want to talk to Milo about something?"

"Right! Being a camera person, do you shop here?" Becky asked and named the only dedicated camera store in town.

~~

"She is growing and learning a lot," Alec agreed. He turned and headed for the stairs.
 
"Oh." Milo replied, relaxing somewhat to learn it was only about a store, "Yeah. Sometimes. They still sell film, so. It's good."

~~

"Ack?" Ivy asked, confused as she saw her brother begin to leave.

"He's sleepy today, Ivy," Dark said, gently taking her arm and trying to distract her, but she wasn't feeling particularly distractable.
 
"We got a flyer in the mail about them. I have no idea why. I didn't even know they still existed. Anyway, it was all about some kind of sales celebration for their... something-th anniversary. I was wondering if I could text you the details?" Becky asked, pulling out her phone. "I have nothing to do with cameras, but I thought you could benefit."

~~

Alec didn't look back as he headed upstairs. He didn't have the energy for Ivy right now. He just wanted to stay in bed.

Kiki started playing with Enkidu's tail, skittering about the floor excitedly.
 
"Oh, um, I guess," Milo replied, not making eye contact. But, he did hand over his phone so she could put her phone number in.

~~

When Alec walked away, Ivy burst into tears, not understanding why he didn't want to play with her. Between that sound and Ivy crying and Kiki swatting at his tail, Enkidu woke up and rolled over, knocking all the rings off his leg, further distressing her.
 
"Thanks!" Becky chirped. She used his phone to send herself a text, recorded her details, and sent him the sale details. "I hope it's useful for you!" She handed back his phone and turned to Sloan. "Sloan, I saw the coolest gymnastics trick last night! I bet it's super easy for you, but it looked so cool!" She pulled it up on her phone and turned it to show Sloan.

"Feel any better?" Xander asked Milo quietly.

~~

Alec closed his eyes and hurried faster. He couldn't deal with this right now. He just couldn't!

Between Enkidu and Ivy, Kiki had her fill of noise. She scampered away full-tilt and followed Alec.
 
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