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Daren backed away a few steps, "alright. anything you don't like?" he asked, turning for the kitchen, but he paused when Rachel called him out on the tree, "better for the environment?" he ventured, "and easier to clean up after. we can use oils for the smell, i think i have a diffuser around here somewhere." he rubbed the back of his head, "but, yeah, we're getting a fake."

Daren nodded a little and was in the kitchen when Rachel asked if he needed help. he was pulling out some veggies from the fridge and was planning to make a ranch, cottage cheese dip for them. "ah-no, i think i've got it. was just making a dip." he smiled at her, more comfortable with Rachel than Amanda. she still screamed 'mother' to him, but was a lot less frail than Amanda. it was his own fears that caused it, but she seemed less likely to break around him. he started to mix the dip, his eyes on the bowl, "um," he hesitated to say anything, but she was Tim's mom and it seemed right. "he's having trouble with cleaning things right now. i'm trying to help him work on it, but it's going to be a while before we're able to pull him through this.i'm going to see if i can get him to go over to your place once a week or so, if that's ok with you. he needs his parents right now." he turned back with a bowl of the dip in one hand and a plate piled with veggies in the other. he felt that sharp pain in his chest again, but this time he recognized it for what it really was. jealousy. he was jealous of Tim, of the love and support he had from his mothers. how would Daren had turned out if he'd been normal? if he'd had parents like Tim? it hurt to much to think about and he dropped his eyes, "and you guys don't have to be so careful around us-me-us. no," he sighed, "me. i know i freaked last time, and i'm sorry about that, i really am. i don't want you to feel uncomfortable around me, so-i guess, i just wanted you to know i'm ok, too." he shook his head, not making sense to himself and most likely sounding like a rambling idiot to Rachel. "excuse me," he said softly, trying to move around her and escape his embarrassment.

Daren hadn't known that, but it was good to know. he'd make sure to keep the bleach somewhere that Tim couldn't get it. "i will," he said softly, glad when she finally let him go. "what's up?" he asked as he put the snack down on the coffee table and sat on the couch, "hope you didn't find anything embarrassing while i was gone." he wanted to move onto normal topics, to pretend all of this hadn't happened and that they were regular people with regular lives, even if it was just for a little while.

Daren looked over to where Apple was deciding if she could jump up onto the television or not, "yes, well, she's not fond of other women in the house. gets jealous." he stood a little and reached over to snag her, the kitten making a tiny mewl of protest before curling up in his lap as he sat back down. he pet her smooth fur and sighed contently, "but i did say we could get a dog before, didn't i? we can, if you want to, Tim. just have to get one that won't torment Apple, of course." maybe having a dog to guard the house would be a good thing. and having a dog would make it harder for Tim to keep everything spotless and hopefully help him gave over that need.

Apple tilted her head up and closed her eyes in pleasure as she let out a purr of contentment. yes, humans, this was the way to please her. more, just-there.

Daren watched Apple adjust to get the perfect spot and smiled a little. "It's up to Tim. Apple is mine and if he wants a pet of his own, that's fine with me." he moved Apple to Rachel's lap, his hands shaking a little as they brushed against her, but he quickly pulled them away. Apple adjusted a little and lay back down, wanting more pets. "dogs are good for more than just companionship, though. i wouldn't mind having an extra set of eyes and ears in the house, just in case."

"Iroh," Daren added, "he's this close to coming here and dragging my a** back to the force." he held his thumb and forefinger barely a centimeter apart. "can't seem to understand the fact that i'm retired. having a dog would give me an alert if he's coming and give me a chance to make a run for it." he grinned, "though Iroh might suspect i'd be going out the window, so i'd have to find a good route." he sat back and pretended to think, "maybe i can fit under the bed-what do you think, Tim? I could sneak under there with Apple and wait for Iroh to go away. think it would work?"

Daren shrugged, "depends on the mix. if you have a mix of two small dogs, then you will have a small mutt. if you have a mix of a larger breed and a smaller one, you'll get a midrange animal. it's all in the genetics." he smiled a bit, but he hated the reminder that traits and often behaviors were passed down generations of animals and what were humans, but slightly more evolved animals? "we could get a corgi mix, they tend to be good dogs and are at a good size. what do you think, Tim? we can get a great dane, i love those guys!" he was laughing, though. Great Danes were huge and he couldn't help but imagine Tim using it as a giant pillow. "definitely want one," he said to himself, liking the image in his head. it felt like what he believed a home should feel like.