A D Tier's Breaking Point

Chapter 18

Finally, finally, dinner was over. Morgan's mortification and embarrassment had reduced to a simmering blush that still clung to their cheeks, and with a full stomach and a glass of wine too many to get them through the worst of Katie's stories, the day was looking to finally be catching up with them. They collapsed onto the sofa again, rubbing at their eyes as Alex sat next to them. Neither of them noticed the soft smile from Katie as Morgan gravitated to Alex's warmth, tension oozing out of the both of them as Morgan leaned on their shoulder.

'So, you guys are doing okay now?' Alex asked.

Morgan nodded as Katie replied, 'If you're talking about earlier, I think so. We got through the hard stuff at least. Speaking of though, I still haven't heard about everything from today.'

'The news captured most of the fight,' Morgan yawned.

Katie frowned, 'Don't care about that bit. What about the rest of it? Alex waking up, whatever the rest of Morgan's plan was, what? Don't look at me like that, I know for a fact you were planning something else today. And you said something happened to Monday as well.'

'Alex broke her,' Morgan mumbled.

'What?' Katie looked from Morgan to Alex, 'You did what?'

Alex tried to hold his hands up in surrender without jostling Morgan, 'I didn't do anything!'

'She tried to power scan him,' Morgan said, rubbing their eyes. 'Joey said she overloaded. I've not had a chance to look her over yet.' They sat up then, 'That's a point, I should-'

'No,' Alex said, grabbing Morgan's arm and pulling them back onto the sofa as they tried to stand up. 'Either your people can fix her for you or she'll be just as broken tomorrow. Either way, you're not working right now.' Morgan tried to pout, but was too busy yawning. Alex sighed, looking over Morgan, then at Katie, 'How desperately do you want to find out about today?'

Katie sighed, 'I can wait a little longer. But they're rather stubborn, especially when it comes to sleep.'

Alex grinned, 'Oh I'm aware.'

'Nope,' Morgan sat up, trying to glare at Alex. 'Don't you dare.'

Alex's grin didn't let up, 'Still think it works?' Without warning he poked Morgan in the middle of the forehead, looking smug as Morgan faltered for a moment, before their eyes closed and they slumped onto Alex, fully asleep. Katie chuckled, clearly impressed, as Alex blew the top of his finger like he had just shot a gun. 'Just that easy.'

'Wish I had that power,' Katie grinned.

'It's a Morgan-specific ability,' Alex said, shuffling to get himself and Morgan into a more comfortable position. Katie helped and soon Morgan was curled up fully on the sofa, their head on Alex's lap and tucked into one of Janice's blankets. Katie sat behind them, sandwiched between their legs and the plush sofa cushions. When Janice came in with mugs of cocoa she cooed at the three of them, and Alex quietly shooed her away as Katie tried to claim a mug without waking her sibling.

Soon the three of them were finally calm. The TV was on, showing a rerun of an old comedy show, the volume set quiet enough to not disturb Morgan. Katie wasn't paying attention though. She was instead watching Alex stroke through Morgan's curls, examining the tenderness in their eyes, bleeding into sadness and, perhaps regret. When it looked like Alex hadn't noticed her staring, she finally broke the silence with a quiet voice, 'How are you doing by the way?' Alex looked up in surprise, and Katie shrugged. 'I don't forgive you for hurting my little sibling, but I know this whole thing was hard on you too. If you want to talk about it.'

Alex thought for a moment, weighing up his options, and his words, carefully, 'Before I answer that, can you fill some blanks for me?'

'Sure.'