How Green Becomes Wood

The rest of the day went by smoothly. Xander stuck closer to Milo than usual, but he was more settled during the latter half of the day. He spotted Emma a couple of times, but always right as she was ducking or moving. Was she actively trying to avoid him? It seemed like it. He didn't really care if she was, but it was kind of funny.

Once school ended, he headed straight for home, which he normally did, but he got home even faster than normal. He headed inside and told everyone hello before heading upstairs. Alec was still in bed, Kiki curled up next to him and snoring softly. All seemed well, other than how quiet and still Alec was. Xander changed out of his school clothes and settled in next to him with his homework piled up on the end of the bed.
 
Dinner time came around. Alec still wasn't hungry, but it only took a little bit of prodding on Xander's part to get him up, and they went downstairs for dinner.

"What did you guys get up to today?" Xander asked Ivy while Alec forced down a few bites of food.
 
"Milo wants one for his birthday in a couple of weeks, and I want to practice before I give him one," Xander answered Daizi's question as he watched the video. "Wow. Mini, you are very impressive. You're turning into quite a sneak. Nicely done." He looked at the pictures and watched the video again before handing Dark his phone back.
 
"I'm sure it's not too difficult if you find a good recipe," Daizi said, "One of my friends might know a good one. I was talking to them today."

"I do not know if it is good or bad she is learning to be quiet," Dark mused. "How are your friends?"
 
"Cool," Xander said with a nod. "They're doing alright. Becky tried to talk Milo into having a birthday party. He said it's too late to plan something."

"It's never too late for a party," Alec mumbled quietly.

"That's what she said," Xander said, rolling his eyes. "Anyway, no party. She did give us a laugh by saying some of the best parties were two people in a dimly lit room."

"Ooo, movie nights and maybe games," Alec said with a weak smile.

Xander glanced at him. "Yes. That's exactly what our first thoughts were," he said dryly and looked to his parents for their reactions.
 
"That's... an odd way of phrasing that," Daizi said with a wry smile, her head slightly to the side.

"I would be surprised if Milo had said he wanted a party." Dark commented, choosing to ignore the implication Becky had made.
 
"Same," Xander agreed. "I was kind of hoping he'd do something. Some kind of... I dunno, pizza while sitting around watching a movie or something? But he is what he is."

Alec stood. "I'm going to head to bed," he said quietly. "Thank you for dinner." He cleaned up his area quickly and went upstairs.
 
"Oh, okay," Daizi said. She had wanted to say something to him, but she supposed there'd be time for it tomorrow.

"He may land on something, it is probably just difficult to think up what he would like to do," Dark guessed, "it can be difficult when you are introverted like that. I really only agreed to the birthday dinner because I knew it mattered to the rest of you."
 
"Yeah." Xander watched after Alec, toying with his fork. "I'm okay if he doesn't want one, like you. I don't... love... our birthday parties. I just don't want him to not try to have a party because he doesn't think anyone will show up. Does that make sense?"
 
"Or put on an actual party-party, which is so not him," Xander agreed. "Who knows? At least he's not going through life like he hopes no one realizes he exists, so there's that."
 
"That is quite an improvement for him," Dark said.

"I'm glad he settled in, even if it took him awhile. I know what kids like that are like." Daizi added, lightly nudging her husband.
 
"Yeah," Xander agreed. He finished off his dinner and sat with a frown. "He still talks to Noor, who I think likes him. Liked him when she was here, anyway. And now Becky likes him. Got his phone number today. And he doesn't even realize what any of that means or entertains the possibility." He snorted and shook his head as he stood to help clear up. "Some guys are so clueless."
 
"He'd probably also be decently good-looking if he didn't always look like he was two seconds away from crawling into his backpack." Xander paused as he rinsed the dishes. "Actually, that was when I first met him. He's more like three minutes away now. Improvement." He shook his head and finished. "I've got homework. Need anything first?"
 
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