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Alex wasn’t clumsy. Well, that’s not completely true. Maybe absentminded was a better term for it. Accidents happened around and to them all the time, but they were very good at playing it off as if nothing was amiss. Mostly because nothing was. It didn’t matter how big or small the issue was, they could handle it. They learned very early that their actions didn’t have consequences. None that concerned them, at least.
They blew up the wrong building? Reverse time so it never happened. Or leave it, because honestly what’s one more building. Invade the wrong planet? Teleport to the correct one. Allow their self to die? A simple power nap then they’re back and kicking. Plus the dramatic comeback always leaves the heroes in tears and them in a good mood so really it’s a win-win. So no one really knows they’re a little clumsy and absent minded. Except…
“Hey! Stop zoning out, you doofus, if you bleed into these tacos I’m kicking you out.” Morgan gently took the knife Alex had been using to dice onions out of their hand and looked them over as they chastised the other villain. Ah, yes, Morgan. The only specimen in the universe that could live to tell the tale after calling the most powerful supervillain a doofus. “See! You’ve cut yourself.” Alex would hardly call it a cut, it wasn’t even bleeding and they hadn’t felt it at all. It was hardly a knick. “Heal yourself up so nothing gets in it.”
Alex shrugged and waved their unmarked hand dismissively as their ‘injured’ one was still in Morgan’s grasp. “It’s hardly worth the heal. It doesn’t even hurt and it would take more energy to heal now than it would for it to close up on its own. Simply insignificant.” Liar.
Morgan gave a small huff, squinting at their friend and finally releasing their hand. “Don’t. Touch. Anything. I’ll be right back.” With that they were off, Alex hearing the bathroom cupboard open and Morgan muttering.
Alex looked down at the scratch, thinking. Insignificant? Nothing with Morgan was ever insignificant. Murder, day-long battles with their foes, violating multiple laws of the universe just by existing, that was all insignificant. But any proof of spending time with Morgan was anything but insignificant.
It’s why they allowed their parents to retell countless embarrassing stores to Morgan at Christmas. It’s why they endured the itching from the bug bites days after Morgan finally allowed them to go on one of their jungle excursions with them. It’s why they didn’t heal this cut. All of it, the good and the bad, we’re reminders that they were friends, and Alex would rather die (not that that meant much in hindsight) than erase proof of their friendship.
Them even being at Morgan’s apartment was proof of that. Alex’s hideout had been blown up-again-and they were having it rebuilt-again. Sure they could snap their fingers and it would be done in a flash, but from what they could tell, it was their henchpeople’s favorite duties. It gave them a creative outlet. In fact, Julie was only henching to save up money to study interior designing. Alex thought it was stupid, their hideout got ruined enough she’d always have the opportunity to pursue her passion, but if this expanded her portfolio while giving them a great home, they couldn’t complain.
All that aside, it also gave them another excuse to spend time with Morgan. Morgan, who was smarter than anyone gave them credit for, because they figured out after the first incident that remodeling their hideout was just an excuse. Alex was sure Morgan knew exactly why they spent so much time at the small apartment. And if they knew that, do they also know why Alex won’t heal their hand? Do they know that Alex is-?
They’re pulled from their thoughts once again by a yell from the bathroom and soon after Morgan re-enters the kitchen with a small box in hand and triumphant smile on their face. “Found them. Wasn’t even sure I had any more.” Morgan opened the box and removed a small, thin strip, which they ripped open. It took everything in Alex not to outright laugh but no amount of willpower stopped the amused smile from spreading across their face as Morgan took their hand once again. Morgan carefully wrapped Alex’s finger in the adhesive strip. They nodded and released their patient, satisfied with their work.
When Alex inspected their now free hand, they could not escape their laughter a second time. “What are you, five?” they asked, looking in mild horror and no lack of teasing amusement at the dinosaur bandaid protecting their cut.
“What?!” Morgan replied defensively, closing the box and tossing it under the sink. “With you around I haven’t really needed a proper first aid kit so I gave it to Barnaby.”
“I’m sorry. Barnaby? As in your arch nemesis Barnaby? You gave him your left over medical supplies?” Alex asked incredulously.
“Yes. Considering how our encounters usually go, I figured he could use it.” Morgan paused, turning the stove on and starting on the meat. “Besides, it was way more convenient to drop it across the hall than donate it to a hospital. Do you know how far the closest hospital is?”
Alex did. It couldn’t be more than three miles. Then like a lightbulb, they realized. “You were trying to butter him up and get him to let you pet his dog, weren’t you?”
“Have you seen that thing? It’s so cute! And fluffy! I had to try!” Morgan was waving around their hand that had the opened spice shaker in it to emphasize their point, flinging cumin everywhere. Alex laughed again, waving a hand to get rid of the mess once Morgan realized what they’d done, settling in to a teasing smirk when they noticed the other blushing slightly. “That’s it, no tacos for you! Out!”
“You’d deny me tacos? After I injured myself helping? My blood, sweat, and tears went in to this meal and you rip it out from under me. Shall I leave and never return?” They knew they were being dramatic, but they loved that exasperated look Morgan always gave them.
“Just-“ Morgan looked down at the simmering meat and sighed. “Just go sit down, everything’s almost done anyway.” Alex snapped their fingers, setting the table instantly, then went to relax on the couch to await dinner.
The meat was under seasoned and Morgan forgot to buy cilantro so they used parsley instead. They were awful. But as Morgan started going in to an explanation of their latest heist scheme, Alex couldn’t help but take another bite and think these were the best tacos they had ever had.