Work Text:
Alex didn’t sleep well… in fact, he didn’t sleep at all. As the storm finally died down, he was left with the soft sound of Morgan’s steady breathing to break up the deafening silence in the room.
Finally, sunlight streamed in through the window, and Alex sat up in bed, looking down to see the tangle of blankets that Morgan had managed to twist themselves up in though the night. At this point, he really should have expected the sight to stop his heart in his chest.
Morgan looked so peaceful, completely unguarded, and relaxed as they lay on their back. One hand was up under the pillow, and the other rested on their abs, exposed from their tank top shimmying up through the night. The blankets coiled around their legs and one crossed over their chest and to their shoulder for them to nuzzle into.
It was absolutely adorable.
Alex hated it.
He grabbed his own pillow and threw it at the sleeping person, smirking at the groan they let out.
“Is the barn on fire.” Morgan didn’t even move to push Alex’s pillow off of their face.
The monster blinked a few times, glaring at the other. “Excuse me?”
“No, I don’t think I will.” Still, Morgan didn’t move at all. “Is the barn on fire?”
Alex eyed the other suspiciously, glancing in the direction of the barn to see that it was standing normally. “No.”
“Are the alien’s invading.”
Alex glared back at the motionless farmhand, arching a brow. “…no.”
“Did your parents ask for my help?”
“Are all these things of equal importance to you?” Alex asked, struggling to find the thread that linked the question’s together.
“Yes.” Morgan growled, finally shifting to rub one hand over their face, though they still didn’t remove the pillow. “Why the fuck did you wake me up?”
Alex struggled to control himself, though he could feel his face heating as he stared at the sleepy person. “The sun’s up, so you should be too.”
The monster didn’t think the sight of the other could get any more tempting, but he was quickly proven wrong when Morgan lifted the pillow just enough to level those emerald eyes at him. The glare always did something for the man, but the sleepy edge it had this morning had him wanting things that he shouldn’t want.
“Oh, I didn’t know you wanted to die today.”
Alex had to give himself a little shake to focus on Morgan’s irritated words.
“You should have told me. I could have planned something appropriate.” The farmhand rolled away from the man, pulling the blankets more firmly over them and mercifully hiding most of them from view.
Alex just shook his head as he got up, putting his slippers on and starting out of the room. He closed his door softly, and started down the hall, before he stopped in front of the picture wall. There were several new frames hanging, and the golden eyes scanned them one by one.
Morgan on the tractor, his father hanging off the side, clearly teaching them to use it; Them hauling dozens of fresh eggs in using their shirt as a basket; sitting on a milking stool beside his mother, green eyes utterly focused on her as she taught them to milk their little jersey cow… in every one, Morgan had a wide, genuine grin on their face, eyes sparkling with a joy that was noticeably absent when they looked at Alex.
The new sight caused a confusing blend of emotions to fill him. He should be angry that this intruder, this thief, was so effectively infiltrating his family. There was anger there, but there was something else. Something that pulled at the corner of his lips, urging him to smile at the sight. Something that wanted him to welcome Morgan into the family the same way his parents had.
Alex gave himself a shake. This was bad. No matter what, Morgan was a threat. He turned a glare back to the door. ‘You’ll die fighting, huh?’ The dark thoughts slithered through the monster’s mind like a serpent. ‘Fine... Then you’ll die.’
Long strides brought Alex into the kitchen as he considered his options. It would be best to make it look like an accident. His parents may mourn the loss, but they would have no reason to believe that Alex had anything to do with it. From the way Morgan talked, their own family likely wouldn’t even notice. It would be so simple.
The door to the kitchen opened and Alex paused at the sight of his mother, standing at the counter pouring a cup of coffee.
Alex smiled and stepped forward, kissing the side of her head. “Good morning, Mom.” He said, taking the coffee pot she offered him and pouring his own cup.
“Good morning, Alex.” The woman answered, stirring in a touch of cream to her coffee.
There was something in her tone that made a chill run down the villain’s spine. He cleared his throat, slowly putting the pot back on the stove. “Is… something wrong?” He asked, making his coffee more cautiously now.
The little sound of indignation his mother gave was a clear sign that he was in trouble. “I don’t know. Is there?”
It was clear that she thought there was. Alex turned to meet her angry stare, and took a sip from his cup. “What did I do?” he asked.
“Do not take that tone with me, Mister.” The woman said, somehow managing to look down her nose at him despite her being a good foot and a half shorter. “Whatever is going on with you and Morgan; It stops right now.”
Alex swallowed hard, his throat tightening just a bit. “Wh-what do you think is going on with me and Morgan?” he asked, clearing his throat.
The woman set her hands on her hips, her eyes not softening an ounce. “Well, I don’t know.” She said. “But I know you, son, and when you’re hiding something, you have more tics than a coon hound.” Alex blushed at the words, staring into his mug to avoid her gaze. “Now I know you’re protective of your father and I, but we can take care of ourselves. And Morgan has been an incredible help around the farm. They help with chores, they improve things with their little gadgets, they are always looking for new things to do… They have more than made up for trying to take that damned truck.”
Mrs. Stewart turned away from her son, getting out another cup for coffee. “Now you are a grown man, and you can make your own decisions. Whether or not your father and I approve of this whole villain thing you insist on pursuing, we want you to do what makes you happy.” Alex flinched at the words, as though she’d struck him. “But I draw the line at you harassing part of our family.”
Alex opened his mouth to protest but was silenced as his mother turned a sharp look to him. “And Morgan is a part of our family. Now.” She moved over and pushed the fresh cup of coffee into her son’s hands. “Take this to them, and let them know breakfast will be ready in fifteen minutes. We are going to need all hands-on deck today to clean up after that storm.”
The godlike mass murderer all but stumbled out of the kitchen, feeling like he just lost a fight against a kaiju.
Ok… so killing Morgan is off the table.
There was no way his mother wouldn’t think it was him after this. Alex was going to have to find another way. They slowly walked down the hall and into the bedroom, not surprised to see Morgan exactly where he left them. “Morgan?”
“Go fuck yourself.” Came the muffled reply, and Alex had to lock himself down to avoid reacting.
“…I have coffee.”
Morgan sat up straight, the blankets tumbling over themselves to get out of their way. The green eyes didn’t open, but the farmhand reached out for the cup.
Alex handed it over, watching as the tired person immediately started drinking. “What? Not going to ask if it’s poisoned first?” He said sarcastically.
Morgan just shook their head, eyes still closed. “If I die drinking coffee, I will die with no regrets.”
The huff Alex let out as he turned toward his closet was definitely one of irritation, and not meant to cover up a chuckle. There was no way he found this pathetic mess of a person charming… no way at all.
“Having said that, don’t ever bring me coffee again.”
The words made Alex pause and he turned a look of confusion back to the sleepy person. He took a moment to try and work out the logic as he watched Morgan continue to drink without ever opening their eyes. Finally, he gave up. “I’m confused…”
Morgan shook their head, barely opening their eyes enough to stare at the villain. “If you start bringing me coffee, I’m gonna fall in love with you, and we can’t have that.”
Alex was stunned, staring at the small person with naked shock on his face. He tried to pull himself together, but the sight of Morgan looking him up and down made it difficult. Were they… checking him out? He had access to a mirror. He knew what he looked like, especially now with no shirt and loose-fitting pajama pants, but for some reason, Morgan eying him up made him feel self-conscious.
The farmhand’s next words brought him back down to earth.
“Actually, never mind.” Morgan said, casually turning back to their coffee. “I’m safe from catching feelings for you.”
Alex quickly gathered himself up, letting out a scoff. “I could make you fall in love with me if I wanted to.” He asserted.
Morgan arched a brow, almost seeming amused by the reaction they got. “Oh, you think so, huh?”
“I know so.” Why was Alex bothering with this pointless argument? It was a waste of time when he had to figure out his next move now that his mother was watching. And yet, he couldn’t help but get sucked into this easy banter with the other.
“Heh. Sure.” Morgan said, though they didn’t sound convinced. “Maybe if you do your little snappy snappy thing you could force me, but straight up, no powers? There is no way you could even make me like you at this point, much less fall in love with you.”
It was a trap. Alex knew it was a trap. And yet he couldn’t help responding. “Is that a challenge?”
Morgan took another sip of their coffee. “No. It’s an observation.”
Alex growled quietly, watching the other starting to untangle themselves from the blanket. The sound slowly faded as an idea came to him, and he could feel a wicked smirk cross his face. “Alright…” He said, pleased with the way Morgan seemed to tense at the malevolence in his voice. “Let’s make this interesting, then.”
There was a moment of silence as Morgan turned, a skeptical look on their face. Finally, they responded. “I’m listening…”
“If I can make you fall in love with me without using my powers before the last day of fall, then you have to leave here and never come back.”
Morgan stiffened at the offer, taking another drink as if to buy themselves more time to think it over. “…and if I’m not in love with you?”
Alex made a conciliatory gesture. “Then I’ll never say or do another thing about it.” He assured. “You can live here for as long as you like without fear of repercussions from me.”
Another moment passed as Morgan straightened out their clothes. Alex hated the loss he felt as the other’s shredded body was once again hidden by fabric. Morgan seemed to consider the monster before them, before giving a curt nod. “Ok… deal.” They said, offering a hand.
The two shook on it, and Alex enjoyed the mild surprise on Morgan’s face when there was no pain involved. “Prepare to be swept off your feet.” He said, before turning back to his closet and opening the door.
In a flash of motion, he was on his bed, searing pain erupting through his torso. He looked down to see a tangle of sharp twisted metal latched around him, and he could feel it piercing through some rather important organs.
Morgan’s laugh made the villain glare up at them from the trap that would have killed any normal person. “Ok, this shit stops with this deal.” He growled.
“That was not a part of the original deal, and I do not agree to it now.” Morgan chimed, finishing their coffee. “Have fun, Alex! I’ve got to get to work!”
And with that, they were gone, leaving Alex to struggle out of the contraption and clean up the blood.
What had he gotten himself into?