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When they first became friends, Morgan wouldn't have ever let Alex drive. Yet here she was, peacefully dozing in the passenger seat. Alex's hands tightened on the steering wheel when he glanced at her. She was a sight to behold. Her round face was shaped into a slight pout, her long black hair shone in the moonlight, her arms wrapped around herself. Alex often felt their breath disappear around her, and tonight was no different.
Alex drove the truck through the fields surrounding his hometown. This place hadn't changed, it kept bringing him the same odd situations it had in his youth. His teenage years had been full of hero battles. Every week he fought a new wannabe villain, Dr. MakeYouDead, Explosone, Strechamil. None of them stood a chance against him, but they put up a good fight. But this situation was different. For the first time, Alex felt defeated.The truck lurched, causing Morgan to shift in her sleep. Alex's yellow eyes flew to her.
"She's fine" he breathed to himself, "and it looks like we're here.".
They snapped their fingers to set up the area. A blanket under the stars, a picnic basket of sandwiches, and a thermos of hot chocolate.
He tapped Morgan's shoulder. "M." She grumbled in her sleep, shielding her face. "Morgan," He said again.
This time her eyes opened. She yawned and sat up, looking around."We're here!"
"No shit Sherlock," Alex chuckled.
She didn't seem to hear him, as she climbed out of the truck. "And you set up without me!" She punched their shoulder.
"Didn't want to wake you M."
"Why? Too peaceful to wake?"
He clenched his jaw. "No, just easier to use my powers." He wouldn't admit that that was exactly the reason.
She rolled her eyes, oblivious. "How heroic,"
"Not this again."
"Not what again?" She smirked.
"Ever since we got here you've teased me about being a hero."
"No."
"Yes."
"I've been teasing you since I saw the yearbook."
"Your point?"
"That was three hours after we got here," Morgan's eyes glinted, "Superior."
"Knock it off." Alex groaned.
"That's not any way to treat your partner Alex."
"And that's not any way to treat your 'Superior' M,"
They faced off for a few seconds, Morgan standing on tiptoes to reach their eye level. They both burst out laughing.
"So are we going to look at the stars or not?" Morgan giggled.
"You're the one who was distracting me!"
"I'm always distracting you." She made her way to the blanket.
"There's no one else I'd rather be distracted by." Alex plopped down next to her.
Morgan shifted in her spot. "So."
"So?" Alex raised their eyebrows.
"What is this place?"
"A field in the middle of nowhere."
"No, I mean, what's the significance?"
"No significance, it's just a nice spot."
"Well, you're right about that." Morgan paused, then her eyes lit up. "Is this where you brought dates?"
Alex flushed. "What? No, there was never time for that."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. Don't tease me for this, but 'saving the city' always came first."
Morgan smiled, "I wouldn't dream of it."
"I don't believe you."
"What? I'm innocent."
"M."
"I just find it strange. Heroes seem to have girls falling at their feet. I think that's the only reason why my brother is one."
"Sounds like Chad." Alex avoided her eyes. Morgan stared at him until he broke. "I swear M, there wasn't anyone.
"Okay then Superior." Morgan finally looked up at the stars.
Immediately she lost her train of thought. The stars were more distinct than she'd ever seen. She wrapped her arms around her legs, resting her cheek on her knees. Galaxies, stars, and constellations stretched out above. Alex stared at her.
"Wow." Morgan whispered.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Alex said, eyes unmoving.
"It is."
They sat like that for a while. Morgan watching the stars and Alex watching her. A breeze flew through Morgan's hair, starlight glowing against her skin. Alex's eyes grew brighter as they stared at her, but dimmed as he realized she must be freezing. He snapped his fingers to summon a blanket around her shoulders.
It took Morgan a moment to realize. The stars had her in a trance, but as she pulled the blanket tightly around herself, she blinked coming back to reality.
She met Alex's gaze with a soft smile, "Thanks."
It was quiet again, but Alex suddenly felt self conscious. She had noticed them staring. He sat up and fidgeted with his hands. They looked at the stars, attempting to lose themself there like Morgan had. It didn't work. He felt his heart pounding and powers bubbling just beneath the surface. He took a deep breath.
Morgan broke the silence, "I don't know how I got here."
Alex didn't know what to say. He waited for her to continue before prompting "what do you mean?"
"It's just," she trailed off, "actually I don't really know. This just isn't what I expected life to be like."
"I know the feeling." Alex paused before asking a question that had been on his mind since they arrived. "So, now that you know what I was doing in high school, what were you doing in high school?"
Morgan looked at him, taken aback.
"C'mon M, it's only fair."
She sighed, "My parents were training me to be my brother's sidekick."
"What?"
"Yeah, when I got my powers, they took one look at them and said 'sidekick material' and that was that. My life plan decided."
"But being a sidekick is the most degrading and dangerous job a superpowered person can have! Not to mention you're you." Alex couldn't hide their rage.
"You know my parents."
"I knew they were assholes, but I didn't know they were stupid. I mean who could look at you, the most fiercely independent and stubborn person to ever exist and think 'yes this person would be content with being a sidekick?"
"Like, I wasn't, that's why I'm a villain now." Morgan mumbled.
"Wait, the reason you're a villain is because you didn't want to be a sidekick?"
"Well, it has more to do with wanting respect. But yeah, essentially."
Alex looked at her in amazement. "Remind me to never tell you what to do."
"You never would."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, you're my sidekick."
"What happened to being your Superior?"
"Changed my mind."
"Alright. I'm glad you're not Chad's sidekick." Alex said.
"Why?"
"You'd make being a villain difficult."
"Thought I already did that." Morgan mused.
"M." Alex's eyes went fiery.
"Alex."
"You don't make being a villain difficult."
"Uh huh." Morgan looked at the stars.
"It's true Morgan. Even if you don't believe it." They paused, "You actually make it better, your creativity and determination astound me. You remind me that I can have fun and be theatrical with my villainy. You're my partner in crime, and I won't have anyone, including you, say otherwise."
"Really?"
"Yes M, really." He swallowed, staring into her eyes.
Morgan stared back with her big brown eyes. Starlight flickered in her eyes, illuminating the green and hazel flecks within. In sunlight her eyes were honey, but now they were black holes. Alex was drawn in, their breath stolen. He turned away before he lost balance. If he had looked any longer he would be lost.
A cold gust hit the back of Alex's neck. He shivered and raised his hand to summon a blanket to him.
"You don't have to." Morgan interrupted.
"Huh?"
"You can share this blanket with me."
Alex blushed but moved closer to her. She wrapped the blanket around one of his shoulders and laid her head on the other, "I don't say it enough, but thank you."
They sat like that for the rest of the night. They both fell asleep and when they woke found themselves cuddled even closer.