How Green Becomes Wood

"It is tedious, but it looks impressive when it is done. You have had it many times before," Dark glanced over at Alec, "You should know to cook more than one thing. What if there is a period where you find yourself living alone?"
 
"I'd be too busy feeling lonely and wondering where everyone went to bother with food," Alec said without missing a beat. "And once I figured out what terrible life choices I made to end up living alone, I make very good French toast, and I am fond of cereal."
 
"You intend to go from here, to living just with Xander, to being married?" Dark asked, taking the pot off the stove, "What if Xander has some temporary opportunity somewhere and you cannot follow? If he is offered some... distant fellowship to guard over a rare horse population for a year? You will only eat French toast and cereal all year?"
 
"Hmm, actually, I was semi-planning on just staying here until I got married," Alec replied. "Although living with Xander is also a very nice option that I am not opposed to. But if he headed off to look after rare horses and I couldn't come... I'd just ask to come back home."
 
"Of course you are welcome to stay here for as long as you like," Dark told Alec, and meant it, getting a serving platter from the cabinet. He was a little surprised, though, that he did not plan to move out with Xander, since he presumed Xander did not share the same desire to stay in the family home, "Ivy would certainly be glad. I think it is going to be very difficult for her when you or Xander move out."
 
Alec smiled, pleased. "We'd thought about moving out and getting a place of our own," he admitted, leaning against the counter. "I like it here. I love being around family. I like the stability. I think Xander wants his own space, but I can't see him going too far."
 
Dark feel quiet for a little while and then squeezed Alec's shoulder firmly, "It makes me glad to know that." They had been a family so long, maybe it shouldn't have meant quite so much to hear, but it did.
 
"She has her own room," He said, keeping his hand on Alec's shoulder, "She does not need two." For a few moments, he held eye contact with his son and his piercing gaze gave way to true tenderness. Being able to call someone his son had not ceased to pull at him more deeply than he knew how to articulate. "Thank you for helping me cook dinner."
 
"Thank you for teaching me," Alec said. His tone was still light, but his gaze said he meant it. "It is an important life skill, and not everyone has the patience to teach it. Thanks for always having patience."
 
"To the dining room," Dark corrected, "and I would help him, but I doubt he would let me. But we could always simply ask him."

Saying this, he walked into the living room and asked his son, "Where would you prefer to eat?"
 
Xander had been doing his best to reach out to pet Enkidu from his position on the couch while Kiki sat on the back of the couch and watched him. He paused his attempts and looked up at Dark. "The dining room with the rest of the humans," he said in a tone that implied, "where else?"
 
Now that humans were not in his way, Enkidu sat right at Xander's side, nuzzling him with his nose and in all other ways making it as easy as possible to be pet.

"You cannot put weight on your ankle, it may be easier for us all to eat in here," Dark replied, "I would be glad to help you to the dining room, but I do not know if you would enjoy it."
 
Xander grumbled softly and gave Enkidu's ears an extra rubbing. "I can get there on my own."

"How?" Alec asked.

"I'll hop."

Alec laughed and said to Dark, "I'll help him." He went to Xander and offered his hand. "Unless you want to hurt yourself worse?"

"No," Xander mumbled unhappily and accepted Alec hand. The pair of them wobbled their way to the dining room with Xander hopping carefully on his good foot while Alec held him up and shuffled along with him.
 
"If only we had crutches to help you," Dark said, not enjoying seeing his son struggle. He was fairly certain even if Xander was fine with being touched he'd refuse the offer, but Dark still wished he could simply carry him. "I will go get your mother and sister."
 
"Don't worry, Ba, I got him," Alec assured him, reading a bit of Dark's worry. "We'll see you at the table!"

"Who needs crutches when I've got you?" Xander said dryly as he sat down.

Alec patted his shoulder. "Ease up the grumps," he said quietly when Dark had left. "Ba is already worried, and I bet Mama is, too, and we don't want to stress Ivy."

"Put on a brave face?" Xander asked.

"Just a little one. It's not like you can hide the pain behind grumps," Alec told him.

Xander huffed but nodded.
 
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