How Green Becomes Wood

"I'll probably get delivery boy," Milo joked, referencing something he wasn't sure if they'd ever seen. Glancing at the clock, he started gathering his belongings up before the bell rung, "I don't even know how they make tests like that anyway.'
 
"No idea," Xander said. "It seems like a lot of nonsense to me." He stood and stretched as the bell rang. "Just don't run from it, yeah?"

Alec hadn't even started gathering up his things, so he frantically started shoving things in his bag.
 
Xander shook his head. "Never mind. Attempted joke. Don't mind me."

"I wouldn't mind being a delivery person," Alec mused. "You'd get to meet a lot of new people that way."

"You'd spend your entire first day lost, and whatever time to spare talking to one person who just wants to eat their pizza," Xander said dryly.
 
"I think nowadays people tend to have delivery left on their porch so you don't need to talk to them at all," Milo said, walking out with them. As they walked into the cafeteria, he glanced outside and said, "The rain is stopping. It's still a pretty grey, but now it's only drizzling, not like it was this morning."
 
"It's perfect puddle-jumping weather," Alec agreed, going to look out the window. He then came back to follow Xander and Milo to the cafeteria. "Did you bring lunch? What did you bring?"
 
"A sandwich, an apple, and some pretzels," Milo said, "nothing particularly exciting. What about you?"

~~

At home, Dark agreed it did seem like good puddle-jumping weather. He wasn't sure if he had ever done it when he was small---it wasn't the sort of thing his parents would have taken him to do, and he grew up in a desert. But he had seen enough about toddlers that he, nonetheless, put on a simple grey hoodie and his running shoes before dressing Ivy in her raincoat and boots to take her outside to jump in puddles. After he showed her how to jump in puddles, Ivy's little eyes widened huge and she squeaked, jumping in them and laughing as the water splashed.
 
Xander showed him the leftover dinner he'd packed for his and Alec's lunch. "Arab food. I'm not actually sure what this is called, but it's pretty good. And carrot sticks."

~~

Lex was in her garage with the doors open, and she was working, but it was quiet, small, detailed work that did not require the loud forge or any pounding. She sat watching the rain while her pliers and small hammer did the work tap, tap, tapping away.
 
Milo looked at Xander for a second, "Does it ever get old getting food most people need to go to a restaurant for every day?"

~~

Ivy continued to play outside, while her father (his hoody growing increasingly damp), followed her around, very amused by how much fun she was having. Many times, Ivy stopped to pick up worms, and Dark always helped her bring them to the grass. This was the first time she had ever had the chance to play in the rain, and she was amazed by everything: the way raindrops dripped off of leaves, the way rain washed down the gutters towards the framing, the way puddles splashed... Frequently she'd run back to her Baba just to hug his legs, because she was so excited and having the most fun! And although play did not quite come naturally to Dark, he was good enough at it that he couldn't even think about taking his phone out to take pictures of or record his daughter. Getting to be out there and play with her was too engaging to think about anything else... He really wished he could have the sound of her laughter in days like this with him always. It was such a precious sound, and it radiated joy.

But, since she was having so much fun, she took it upon herself to splash and stomp down the sidewalk towards Lex's house, and when Dark told her to come back, she defiantly yelled out, "No!" and continued on her way, trying to go more quickly. With a small sigh, Dark started walking after her to try to redirect her back towards the house.
 
"Mmm, not really, no," Alec said.

"Sometimes," Xander said. "Not often. Usually when I'm craving something 'American.'"

"True, there are the American cravings," Alec nodded. "But we have a stash of treats, at least."

"Hey guys. What are we talking about?" Peter asked with a smile as he came to join them.

~~

Lex looked up when she heard a small child scream. She squinted through the drizzle and thought she recognized Ivy running away. What was she doing out in the rain? A man followed her. By the size, it seemed to be her father, but... When did Dark ever wear hoodies? And... She stood up when she realized she couldn't see the telltale beard peeking out from under the hoodie. Without a second thought, Lex bolted from her seat and grabbed a long-handled hammer as she raced out the door and straight for the stranger following Ivy.
 
"Food," Milo answered, "I was asking them, um, if it... ever gets old, right? Getting to have their parents' food."

~~

At first, Dark didn't notice Lex, because he was so focused on making sure his toddler didn't run out onto the street. Then, just as he was picking up his child he saw Lex running at him with a hammer, "Khalas, khalas! Khara!" He turned his body slightly to the side, since he had Ivy on his hip, "Lex! Again?!"
 
"Does it?" Peter asked curiosly. "I've never thought of that, but it is a good question."

"Sometimes, but mostly no," Alec reported.

"I sometimes miss food from Australia or Britain," Peter sighed wistfully as he looked down at his sandwich and chips.

~~

Lex almost tripped and barely caught herself. "Declare yourself," she demanded, suddenly uncertain but jot about to show it.
 
"British food isn't all unseasoned brown stuff, you know. There's good stuff, too," Peter sniffed.

Becky came striding over and slid into a seat with a loud, "Ugh," scraping her school lunch tray across the table. "I forgot my lunch!"

~~

Lex lowered the hammer to her side and stared, her mouth open. "Ghalib Dark? Why the hell do you look like a homeless dude?" she demanded incredulously. "I thought you were some kid snatcher!"
 
"That's true," Milo admitted, "The rest is yellow." He looked up at Becky, but didn't know what to do about her problem.

~~

"I took my daughter out to play in the rain!" He replied, "What do you expect, Versace?!"
 
"If I had peas, I would flick them at you," Peter said dryly, but with a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

"At least you can get yourself a school lunch," Alec said, patting her shoulder.

"Yeah, I suppose that's a comfort, but I packed myself the most glorious cupcake! I was looking forward to that cupcake," she mourned.

Alec winced and gave her a little side hug. "I'm sorry, you poor thing!"

~~

"With you? Maybe," Lex shot back. She peered at his face. "What happened to your beard? Are you trying a new look? The stay-at-home stereotype look?" she asked uncertainly.
 
Milo shrugged, taking out his sandwich. He was pretty sure mushy peas couldn't be flicked too far, but he didn't want to push the limits. Then he looked at Becky, and nearly told her she'd just get to eat it when she got home, but then second guessed himself into silence.

~~

"A toddler with a wheeled toy happened to it," He said flatly, "I am growing it back and wondering if I should have published an obituary or a newsletter to spare the incredulity."
 
"It'll be waiting for you when you get home," Alec told her, trying to cheer her up and unknowingly saying what Milo was thinking.

"I know," she said, rolling her eyes, "but I was looking forward to a mid-day pick-me-up." She sighed and stabbed her food with her fork. Then she brightened and asked, "Hey, has anyone finished their goals yet?"

~~

"That might help, if people in general actually read the newspaper," Lex replied. "Newsletter might work." She clicked her tongue and shook her head. "You did a number on your dad, little tyke. At least it wasn't in winter."
 
Milo shook his head, and quietly said, "Mine is still blank."

~~

Ivy just squirmed, wanting to be set down so she could go back to playing. This he allowed, since her damp raincoat was leaving a wet spot on his hoodie, and he said, lightly itching his face, "I am certainly grateful for that. If I was dealing with everyone in my life recoiling at the mere sight of me and I was cold, the situation would be untenable." Despite his glibness, he was completely serious---his face was cold enough in an April drizzle. He didn't know how his sons and wife handled the snow.
 
"Really? I thought you'd have loads of ideas! How about photojournalist?" Becky suggested.

"Why does everyone go to photojournalist?" Xander wondered with a frown.

Becky shrugged and counted on her fingers. "Candid photography, staying in the background and mostly ignored, working alone or in small groups, and probably travel, if you want. It's an obvious fit, if not the right one."

~~

"Poor you," Lex grinned. "I can see it's already growing back."
 
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