Your Stupid Face

Their Favorite Spot

The strip of sky that was visible between the buildings held no stars, even though the night was clear. The dark streets were strangely quiet for the city, though Alex had never spent much time in this area. It was sketchy and run down, and it always gave the villain the creeps.

"Left."

Alex obeyed the single word order, turning down yet another seemingly abandoned road. He glanced over at Morgan in the passenger seat. The farmhand was as slouched as ever and staring at that damned phone. They hadn't looked up from the screen once since they left the farm, and Alex was half convinced they were leading him in circles for shits and giggles.

"Do you maybe want to see where you're taking me?" Alex asked, turning back to look at the road.

"If I wanted to see, I would look."

The quip made the monster roll his eyes in irritation. Barnaby had given him lots of tips, but the biggest one was to let Morgan share what they liked and were passionate about. That's what he was trying to do, but it already felt like he was failing... again.

"Take a right and find a place to park." Morgan ordered, finally putting the phone away and grabbing an empty backpack that they had brought.

Alex obeyed, parallel parking under a streetlight and turning off the engine.

Morgan wasted no time getting out of the car, and Alex followed. "You know, when I said take me to your favorite spot in the city, this isn't what I expected." He said, not missing the way the smaller person scanned the street, just like they had in the restaurant.

"That doesn't surprise me in the slightest." Morgan quipped, not even glancing at Alex. Surly none of the Sterling family would be caught dead here, but they were clearly very distracted. "But this isn't my favorite spot. This is a..." They paused and their eyes narrowed, focusing on an alley across the street. "...provisions run."

Alex followed the other's gaze to the shadows cast by the tall buildings. Two people stood just a ways back from the entrance of the alley, and Alex could clearly see the drug deal going down. They were difficult to make out for a normal person, but not impossible. Could that be what had Morgan's attention? But why? It didn't feel particularly out of place, not in this part of the city. "What are you looking at?" Alex asked, looking back down at the farmhand.

Finally, the green eyes turned to look up at him, but there was only boredom there. "Nothing."

"...That's a lie." Alex noted. He had to admit, Morgan had an incredible poker face, but this time the villain knew better. Morgan was on the look out for something. Were they afraid? "You know you're safe with me, right? I'll protect you." The words were even true.

Morgan clearly didn't appreciate that fact, though, letting out a dismissive huff. "I don't need your 'protection'." They hissed, turning back to the alley as they pulled a slip of paper from their pocket. "Now, go in there and get these things." They said, pointing behind Alex where there was a seedy little liquor store.

Alex looked it over before turning back to Morgan. "You're not coming in with me?"

Morgan was focused, staring at the ally as one of the men left. "No, that liquor store cards you at the door, and I don't have my fake ID." They said casually.

"Ok..." Alex said, though he paused when his mind caught up to the other's words. "Wait, you're not legal?"

"Not for a few months." Morgan said, starting to walk across the street. "Just go. I'll meet back up with you in a few minutes."