Chapter Text
Morgan came home tired after a long day of school. Teachers yelling at them, pop quizzes, and forgotten lunch money, Morgan wanted nothing more to kick back and relax. Unfortunately, Morgan came home to find a note on the fridge, which only ever meant one thing.
Hi Morgan
Planet is in danger, won’t be home this evening
Watch the little ones
Love
Mom and Dad
Diego was busy with her hero apprenticeship, which Morgan was happy for her, but it meant they had to go solo on the child rearing most of the time anymore.
Morgan grabbed the paper off the fridge and crumpled it, tossing it with anger into the recycling bin. It wasn’t fair. They loved their siblings, of course, but they didn’t sign up to be a parent at 15. It was their parents’ fault. They were the ones who chose to have a big family, they should have to deal with the consequences of that.
Not that Morgan could ever say that to them. They were protecting the planet, putting their lives on the line. Asking them to take care of their own kids was selfish. At least, that’s how they made Morgan feel about it.
There was no time for self pity though. Morgan’s sibling would be home soon and Morgan had to prepare for another night of babysitting alone. First things first, planning dinner.
Morgan looked through the cupboards. There was food, but nothing for a proper meal. They’d have to take their siblings grocery shopping, which was never a good time. Morgan considered ordering a pizza, but that would be the third time in a week, they needed something healthier than cheese and grease on bread.
As Morgan shut the fridge, they heard a bus coming to a stop. Their siblings were home already. Morgan took a deep breath and put on a fake smile for when they would walk through the door.
“Hey guys,” they said.
Everyone seemed happy, but Chad’s smile quickly fade. He had read Morgan’s mind no doubt.
“Mom and Dad aren’t home again,” he said.
“No, they’re busy,” Morgan said. “But the world needs saving and they’re the ones who can save it.”
Chad sulked at the news. Morgan made sure they thought their next thought loud enough for Chad to pick up on.
Be strong for the younger ones, please. If they see you’re upset, they’ll get upset too.
Okay, Chad thought back.
Morgan turned their attention back to their other siblings.
“Alrighty, homework time,” Morgan said and their siblings all groaned.
“Do we have to?” Jared asked.
“You know mom and dad’s rules, anyone who doesn’t finish their homework has to do an extra hour of training, except for Teagan.”
“No fair!” Teagan groaned.
“Extra training isn’t exactly a punishment for you, now is it? Just get your homework done and I won’t have to make you read one of Mom’s History of Heroes pamphlets.”
“Come on guys, homework isn’t that bad,” Chad said. “Besides, mom and dad aren’t home, you remember the twin’s rule.”
“If we finish all our homework early and it’s all correct, we get some candy!” Mckenna, the youngest of the bunch, exclaimed with pride.
“Mom and dad banned us from candy,” Teagan said matter of factly.
“Then don’t have any if you don’t want it,” Morgan said as they fished through their backpack. “But I just restocked my stash.”
Chocolate bars, gummies in both the worm and bear variety, sour candies, and fruit snacks littered the kitchen island. Teagan stared at it with need.
“I suppose I could take a couple gummy bears if I log in some more training today.”
“No Teagan,” Morgan said, walking over to their little sister. “You don’t have to train extra just for some gummy bears. You are in perfect health.”
“But-”
“But nothing. You can enjoy some gummy bears, in fact.” Morgan turned to face the rest of their siblings. “Screw the twin rule, take a snack now.”
“Would Diego be okay with that?” Louis asked.
“She’d be fine with it,” Chad said, grabbing a Snickers. “The candy was always meant to be part of a deal, not a reward. If we promise to do our homework, we can have candy.”
Morgan gave Chad a look.
“What?” Chad said, taking a bite of his chocolate bar. “She thought it, I heard it.”
“He’s right,” Morgan said. “Take something.”
Louis, Mckenna, and Jared all jumped at the sweets. Teagan slowly approached the island. Morgan grabbed the gummy bears for her.
“You know, for a nine year old with super speed, you’re pretty slow.”
“Am not!” Teagan grabbed the gummies and sped into the living room where she promptly stuck her tongue out at her older sibling before diving into the gummies.
Morgan smiled at their sister. They worried about all of their siblings, but they worried about Teagan and Chad the most. They so blindly followed everything their parents said and did. They would end up as great heroes, there was no doubt in that, but at what cost?
“Morgan, can you get Twizzlers next time,” Mckenna asked as she finished off her packet of fruit snacks.
“Of course Ladybug, anything for you.”