Chapter Text
Morgan laid awake for a few hours, her eyes were closed but her mind is far from asleep. She could feel the warmth Poppy radiated beside her, it was comforting and at the same time caused her to be painfully aware of every little thing, of Poppy’s breathing, the smell of her shampoo, the slight rustling of sheets when she shifts in bed. She spent the time they were apart staying up all night, though not by choice, just like this night. She marveled at how her relationship has improved and yet her routine stayed the same.
“I know you’re still awake. What’s on your mind? Morgan asks softly, breaking the comforting silence that enveloped them, breaking what little safety silence offered them both. She trails her hands down Poppy’s arm to hold her hand.
Poppy cracks one eye open. Morgan studies her features in the dark and sees the faint beginnings of a smile. Poppy’s gaze lowers down to her girlfriend’s neck. She’s stays quiet for a minute, long enough that Morgan could swear she’d fallen asleep.
“You. Us. Everything that happened today, I guess.” Poppy breathes out, her hand freeing itself from Morgan’s hold and reaches out to toy with Morgan’s necklace absentmindedly.
“You too, huh?” Morgan whispers into the darkness. She rubs her stinging eyes and scoots closer to Poppy.
“Can I tell you something?” Poppy smiles softly.
“Sure.” Morgan attempts to lift herself up to a sitting position but Poppy has other ideas. She closes their distance and lays half her body over her girlfriend’s.
“When I first saw you… I was finding something, anything to deny Veronica’s insistence that I have the hots for you. I don’t know why I brought it up but I was just thinking about it."
“What did you find? Was it my healthy obsession with henleys and flannels?” Morgan chuckles, explains why Poppy was too passionate about their first argument in the quad.
“Yeah, what a combination. Only that and not much else.” Poppy smiles. “You did look like my type and when you argued with me the whole time, I think I liked you even more. I should really thank V for pushing me to you but don't tell her, she's got a big enough head.”
"I'll keep your secret though I didn't argue the whole time. You may recall, I did tell you that you were pretty.” Morgan reminds her, thinking back to their first meeting.
Poppy laughs. “That was a backhanded compliment if I ever heard one. Are you forgetting the rest of your sentence? You said; for being the daughter of Satan, you sure are pretty.” Poppy does her best imitation of Morgan’s sickly sweet Midwestern accent.
“Did I say that? I don’t remember.” Morgan chuckles, eyes pleading innocence. She does remember, all too well. Poppy wasn’t pretty, that would be an injustice. She was beautiful, stunning whatever flattering words she could think of but pretty was an understatement. At the time, she couldn’t let that attraction show, the girl would have eaten her alive. She remembered her tuning out every 2 seconds, finding herself staring at Poppy’s face, it was nice to look at when you tune out the insults. Her brain was having trouble matching her angelic face against the venomous words, her blank look must have angered Poppy even more, looking back.
“Don’t pretend. Let’s be honest Morgan if you were like any of these obedient lambs this school have, I wouldn’t even bat my eyelash at you. You were challenging and therefore interesting.”
“Can I be honest this time? You suck at imitating accents.” Before Poppy could adjust her position and glare, she could hear Morgan trying to suppress her laugh. “Kidding, I knew we’d end up killing each other or end up in each other’s bed. Though you thoroughly confused me with your asking out ‘skills’. Others were sweet considering most of your other ideas, I could swear you were out for my blood. Where’d you even learn that, were you raised by wolves?”
“Not wolves, just Veronica. I should have just listened to Chloe, her suggestions were more plausible, I don’t listen to sensible things out of habit.”
“Make sense, your other ideas were out of this world. Like the one where you attempted to kidnap me right in the middle of the shopping district, you gave several people a heart attack. I had to give a speech that I wasn’t being kidnapped and that I know you.”
“Not one of my brightest, I can’t blame anyone for that. But it was fun at least until the police were called.” Poppy shudders at the feeling of being confined to a cheap plastic chair for half an hour until an exasperated officer lead her out to freedom. She could vividly remember Morgan’s expression flash between being pissed and amused.
“All of your attempts were a new level of bizarre and ungraceful, which was weird because you were anything but that. I am very fortunate that you chose to me to be the receiving end of your efforts. They were not in vain, they always made me laugh.”
“I did get you to go out with me right, so it worked. Get off your high horse, you were thoroughly flattered.”
“Thoroughly embarrassed maybe, I admire your tenacity though you didn’t have to do most of the things you did. You just have to ask me face to face, no gimmicks.”
“But I did! Remember? The one with the flowers?” Poppy points out, looking a little offended at Morgan’s words.
“I thought you were going to kill me! You jumped out like a maniac from under my bed, in the dark. You just argued with me earlier that morning and after people’s cautionary tales about you, you can’t blame me for having the wrong idea.” Morgan attempts to shoot her an incredulous look but given their position it was useless.
“But I gave you flowers, isn’t that romantic?”
“Just a few would have been nice, you didn’t have to flood my room. I still find a petal here and there for weeks after. I can't even begin to think how much you must have spent for that.” Morgan sighs and smiles softly. “If I knew what I know now, I might have said yes then.”
“Stop with the flattery. You just crushed my ego into smithereens.” Poppy could feel the quick rise of a blush in her neck. She never thought what her attempts were like in Morgan’s perspective and she was absolutely mortified. She regrets ever starting this topic.
“I should have said yes, just to stop the increasing insanity that followed. You don’t have to be embarrassed, I don’t fear for my life now, we can laugh about it. It was fun seeing you out of your element”
“You can laugh but I consider that the bane of my existence. Wait, what about the time I gave you the bear. I did ask you out like a normal person.”
“I was actively looking for you all morning and you kept hiding from me. Don’t think I didn’t see you jumping into the shrubbery that one time or using one of the professors as your human shield. You’re neither slick nor subtle. And you didn't ask! You just assumed I'll go out with you.”
“You can never repeat that to anyone!”
“Oh, come on! They made really funny stories, makes me fun to have at parties.” Poppy takes her revenge by biting on Morgan’s collar bone. “Ow!”
“No stories. It was embarrassing enough having witnesses to several of my plots, you don’t have to feed the fire.”
“Okay, fine but only if you’re there to stop me.”
“I’m not letting you out of my sight starting now. Out of all the things I did, you agree to the one planned with a little more than half a brain cell, in the middle of the night.”
“You asked and I’m getting an awful lot of weird looks and pointed phones every time you approach me. I was thinking about what a massive hit your popularity must have taken.” Morgan laughs even harder when Poppy attempts to dislodge herself from her but the arms surrounding her wouldn’t budge. “Okay, okay, don’t be mad. I thought; let’s get this over it. You were beautiful and i said to myself, I could do worse.” A harder poke makes her wince. “What? Can’t a girl be superficial sometimes? You got it right in the end, remember? I realized though that you were fun and not at all stuck up like I thought you were and I realized I really, really liked you.”
“Be careful with your words, I have half a mind to kick you out of bed.” Poppy narrows her eyes playfully.
“I might just pull you down with me.” Morgan leans in closer, just a breath away from Poppy’s lips.
The door almost went off its hinges, slamming against the wall. “Morgan!” A shock went through their spines at the intrusion.
“God!” Morgan flinched, almost banging her head against Poppy’s.
“What the hell!” Poppy was poised to throw her lamp at the intruder. Seeing there was not threat, she lowers it down forcefully, pointing a scathing glare to her friend.
“V. You scared the beejesus out of me.” Morgan cringed at the words that left her lips. More ammo for Poppy but really her soul has left her body at the shock so who can blame her appropriate choice of words.
“Really?” Poppy raises an eyebrow at her choice of words. She wants to just go back and continue the kiss she and Morgan almost had before Veronica’s unwelcome interruption. “What?” She asks in irritation.
“I need help. Are you decent?” Veronica stood there, wearing a pajama set with spongebob printed in them, of all things (a gift from Chloe.) She has her hands firmly covering her eyes. This must really be important if she dared show herself in anything less than couture.
“Is that a set? I hope it’s a set. I guess Poppy would have squidward ones right? Cause she’s grumpy.” Morgan stares at her amused.
“No… I don’t- Whatever. Focus, Morgan. You can open your eyes now, we’re not doing anything.” Poppy vehemently denies the accusation; she could have been doing something if not for the interruption. She steers the conversation back to Veronica, hiding her displeasure the best she can. She must not be doing a good job, because Morgan gives her a reassuring smile, patting her hand, tangling it with her own.
“She- I... I have an emergency.” Veronica’s face turns pale, dropping brusquely at the edge of their bed.
“Did something bad happen?” Poppy attempts to jump up from bed, wincing at the sudden pressure to her foot. Her anger fading into concern. "Tell me, I can help you hide the body.” She says seriously.
“No that’s not- What?”
“Nothing, please continue.” Poppy acts as if she said nothing. What can she say? She was ride or die for her friends.
“Listen, I have a date and I don’t know what to do so please help me. And no, I don’t mean you Poppy, no offense but your ideas were terrible, I could live without it.”
“Why are you all like this. Go back to bed.” Morgan crosses her arms in exasperation.
“I resent that! They were mostly your ideas.” Poppy argues. She could have killed her, she was so nervous and it was all about a stupid date. She doesn’t voice it though; she knows she acted even worse when it was about Morgan.
“That’s why I need your girlfriend. We both share half a brain cell and I think it just left the building.”
“Why me? Cant this wait till morning? Some of us were attempting to sleep.”
“Yeah, right. I knew you and Poppy would be all over each other by now. You’re not even close to being sleepy. Anyway, Morgan please. I know you blew Poppy’s socks off with your date. I need you.”
“Zoey helped me out you know it wasn’t purely my idea. Let’s go ask her tomorrow. Just go to sleep.”
“No! Not Zoey.” Veronica cleared her throat after the outburst. “Uh-”
“Aha! I knew something was going on between you.” Morgan sits up straighter, amusement coloring her eyes. “Okay, I’ll give you a clue. I’ve been waiting for this moment since she started calling you V. Prepare for my awesome advice.”
“You’re better off asking Chloe.” Poppy quipped.
“Hey!”
“Shut it Pops, I want to hear this.” Veronica leans close not daring to miss one word. She was focused, if not for the lack of paper she would have taken notes.
“You must be desperate but whatever, I am prepared to be entertained.” Poppy smirks, closely watching the two.
“It’s a closely guarded secret but Zo is one of those nature freaks. She doesn’t act like it but yeah, she is, big time. So are you the active type?”
“What? No.” Veronica visibly pales, feeling a sense of danger at the suggestion. She’s the epitome to stay indoors with your gadgets kind of person.
“You know hiking and all that? Why do you think she’s so tall, it was all the hiking, my dear Veronica.”
“She's far from it. She could barely walk up three flights of stairs before her tongue comes lolling out.” Poppy snorts before laughing evilly. "Veronica and hiking? Now that, I’ll pay to watch."
“You’re kidding, there must be another way.” Veronica pleads.
“Maybe but it won’t be as epic. So if you want to impress... Pack your bags and leave your Veronicats. Prepare to see the outdoors.”
“But the trees- the bugs- sleeping on dirt-” Veronica whispers to herself as she slinks out of Poppy’s room in a trance.
“That’s what she gets for barging in.” They could hear the quiet click of Veronica’s door closing and a light thump.
“Should we check on her?” Concern tinges Morgan’s voice but she makes no move to leave the bed.
“No need. She’ll live.”
Morgan wakes up with the sun streaming through the window, she squints and feels a comfortable weight draped over her and she remembers what happened last night. She closes her eyes, savouring a few more moments of peace before they go back to reality. This last month has taken quite a toll on her and she knows it hasn’t been easy on Poppy either, God they’re both stubborn, her more so. Their chat last night did a tremendous wonder to her spirit. She’s happy, very happy. Poppy's warmth lull her back to sleep.
The next time she wakes, she slowly and carefully untangles herself from Poppy. She could feel her girlfriend stir and tighten her hold on her waist. “Five more minutes.”
Morgan realized she could never get out of this bed with Poppy being a dead weight. “Want to shower together?” Morgan whispers the words directly in her ear.
The speed in which Poppy’s eyes open is record breaking. “What did you say?” She asks, hopeful and alert.
“I asked you if you wanted breakfast.”
“No you said…” Poppy trails of with searching Morgan’s face for any sign of a lie, she gives up when her girlfriend doesn’t betray any. “Nevermind.”
“Come on. Don’t you wanna see Veronica panic?”
“I sure do. I’d pay to watch that train wreck happen.”
“From what she told me, you were worse.”
They make their way down to the kitchen, Morgan’s arm in Poppy’s firm grip, supporting her weight. She should have stayed in her room but Poppy was really convincing, so Morgan relents, at the condition that she wouldn’t move around needlessly, just because she wants to.
They see Chloe enter the kitchen, they hear a surprised gasp before Chloe exits the kitchen.
“Morning Chloe. What’s happening?” Morgan chirps, a little too happy this morning.
Chloe just shushes her with a finger against her lips. “Morning. I have to go, I’ll see you later.”
“Morgan! Is that you?” Veronica’s panicked voice could be heard from the kitchen.
“Ah I get it. No, you’re not escaping. If I’m not allowed to hide so are you two.” Morgan loops her free arm with Chloe, pulling the hesitant girls into the kitchen.
“Why are you so strong?” Chloe attempts to break Morgan’s firm grip but it’s useless.
“Let’s go help Veronica. She’s close to exploding right now.”
“Good Morning V! What the hell?” Morgan looks around, slack-jawed.
“I think she’s definitely worse.” Poppy whispers.