How Green Becomes Wood

[pandakatiefominz]

Luckily for Xander, Dark was still so caught up in the day's events to think for a moment about the block mishap. Instead, he was sitting back quietly, his eyes tired and worn. It left him untalkative but very glad to watch his family interact.

 

[BookKnight]

When they finished eating, Xander told Daizi, "Thanks for bringing home dinner. It was really good."

"Not as good as your soup or Ba's cooking, but very good," Alec confirmed. "Special!"

 

[pandakatiefominz]

"You are very welcome," Daizi told them, "I thought it would be a nice surprise."

"I could have waited a day to go shopping," Dark spoke up, for the first time in about half the meal.

Daizi turned knowingly towards him, and lightly putting her hand on his arm said, "I'm glad you didn't." Then, waving her other hand teased him with, "Anytime you throw your shopping routine off you complain about half of our list being out of stock." But they both knew what she had really told him.

 

[BookKnight]

"Surprises are terrible to plan for, and I'm sure there's nothing that can't wait to be sliced, diced, and cooked for one day," Alec said cheerfully.

"Except avocados," Xander grumbled. "Finicky little beggers."

 

[pandakatiefominz]

"Exactly," Daizi said, standing up to clear the table. Before picking anything up, she leaned in and kissed her husband on the forehead, "I don't trust myself cutting an avocado even when they're perfect. I slipped and cut myself once, and I refused to do it again. I'm on thin ice with mangos."

 

[BookKnight]

"Mangos can be evil," Alec agreed, standing up to help clean up. "And nectarines! I've never figured out how to cut one of those off the pit."

 

[pandakatiefominz]

"Nectarines are easy, because you just hold it in your two hands, keep a towel ready, and eat it with your two hands not worrying about the mess it causes," Daizi replied, holding up one finger, "You just eat it and feel connected to your ancestors."

 

[BookKnight]

Alec snickered. "Okay, fair enough, but that's really annoying to do at school."

 

[pandakatiefominz]

"I don't take them to work anyway because they bruise by the time my lunch rolls around," Daizi shrugged.

"Your mother has no qualms about eating something directly over the sink." Dark added quietly.

 

[BookKnight]

"That's my favorite way to eat most fruits," Xander admitted. "It's so much easier to clean up."

 

[pandakatiefominz]

"Daizi once ate almost an entire rotisserie chicken over the sink," Dark said, looking down at his lap to try to obscure the amusement he still felt about this. "It is the least elegant thing she has ever done."

 

[BookKnight]

Both twins turned to stare at Daizi with clearly conflicted feelings. Pride, disgust, and confusion as well as the question of how someone of her size could manage nearly an entire chicken.

"Good chicken," Xander fianlly said.

 

[pandakatiefominz]

"Thank you for sharing that on my behalf, Goose," Daizi said dryly.

"It was oddly attractive," He replied, raising his eyes to look at her. "And the small bit I had from it was quite nice."

 

[BookKnight]

"Well, I'm glad to know that even you, Mama, have moments of ineligence," Alec grinned.

"And a healthy appetite," Xander agreed.

 

[pandakatiefominz]

"Thank you," Daizi said flatly.

"They are rare, but they happen," Dark said, and then tipping his head towards her said, "She was drunk."

"My dear, beloved husband, if I were you, I would mind my tongue, considering the many embarrassing secrets I keep on your behalf." Daizi warned.