Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Jack, Cadence, Hawthorne, and Morrigan were crowded around the table, all settled into their beanbags, the couch behind them disregarded. The decks of cards in their hands were nearly crushed as they stared into the middle with a certain intensity. A sudden bang sounded out through the room as Hawthorne slammed his hand on the pile of cards in the middle.

"SNAP! HA, I WIN!"

Morrigan looked at the cards that had just been put down. "I hate to break it to you, but that was not snap." Cadence and Jack both nodded in agreement.

Hawthorne stopped his victory dance for a moment to check what they were saying was true, before begrudgingly accepting that he had, in fact, not won that game.

"But I should have won!" He protested. "I-"

"Cheated? Yeah, we know. It was pretty obvious." Cadence cut him off.

He looked back at her in mock horror, his hands plastered across his chest and forehead as he fell back dramatically.

"Me? Cheat? I would never!"

"Keep telling yourself that." Jack grinned knowingly.

Placing the rest of his cards down and stretching out his arms in a yawn, Jack slowly got to his feet.

"Anyone fancy a snack?"

Hawthorne immediately perked up at that, as did Morrigan. They had all skipped dinner in favour of going to Frank's dead llama, Michelle, funeral.

It was quite a sad event, as Michelle had been the best acrobat and synchronised swimmer of Frank's entire herd, however the four friends were the only attendees and they had sat awkwardly for a number of hours before realising that everyone else, including Michelle's owner, had forgotten about the funeral, instead opting to go to dinner.

Hawthorne had declared that he would have nightmares of Michelle forever onwards, because instead of putting her in a coffin as most people normally do, Frank had had her stuffed and out on display for all to see. Hawthorne was certain she had been staring at him the entire time and had vowed to never go anywhere near a llama ever again.
Jack noticed their hungry reactions and gave a thumbs up, heading off to the kitchens.

"What should we do now?" Morrigan sighed, leaning back in her beanbag.

"A game of truth or dare?" Hawthorne suggested, wiggling his eyebrows at her. "More specifically truth?"

She grabbed a pillow from the couch and hurled it at him, hitting him directly in the face. "Why do you always suggest that?" She groaned.

He let out an "oomph" and threw it back, but completely missed her.

"What? Something you don't want to share?" Cadence sniggered.

Morrigan felt her face turning red and quickly looked for something to distract her two friends. "Jack is taking a while, do you think I should go check on him?"

"Funny how Jack comes to mind..." Cadence said casually, glancing at her.

"Maybe you should go check on him. In the kitchens. Alone together." Hawthorne added, trying his hardest to look innocent.

"Oooooh," Cadence and Hawthorne giggled in unison as if they had planned the entire conversation.

Morrigan, not sure whether to be surprised by how the conversation had quickly turned on her or concerned that Cadence actually giggled, quickly stood up, throwing her hands down in pent-up frustration and embarrassment.

"Stop it! I- I'm going to go check on him. He is taking a long time."

Hawthorne attempted a wink. "Sure."

Morrigan walked out, trying not to look too desperate to get out of the conversation. She looked down at the desolate hall, back into the room where her friends were, and wondered if it was a good idea to leave them alone.

Not wanting to take too long, Morrigan briskly made her way to the kitchen. She pushed the doors open, only to be met with a yell.

"SHUT THE DOOR. SHUT THE DOOR."

She quickly slammed it shut.

"Jack?" Morrigan called out. "Are you ok?"

"Mog?" She heard the reply, the relief evident in his voice. "Oh my goodness I'm so glad you're here."

"Are you ok?" She repeated.

"Uh." There was a pause. "Kind of."

"Should I get someone? Fen? Or Jupit-"

"NO! No, don't get anyone. Please."

"Ok? But why did you yell at me to shut the door?"

Jack stayed quiet.

"JACK! Answer me! I'm starting to get worried. Why are you acting like this?"

"I just- there's something- ugh. Are you scared of spiders?"

"Spiders?"

"Yeah."

"Uhhh no? Spiders are cool. Why would I be scared of them?"

"No reason."

"Wait. Jack?"

"..."

"Jack?!"

"Yeah...?"

"Is there a spider in there?"

"What? No!"

"Would you like to reconsider your answer?"

"Ok... Maybe there is. Maybe there isn't. But DON'T COME IN."

Ignoring Jack's protests, Morrigan pushed open the doors, only to be greeted with, as she would describe later, the greatest sight ever to be displayed before her eyes.

Jack was perched up on top of the fridge, nearly in the fetal position. How he had managed to climb up there, Morrigan did not know. He was trembling and staring intensely at a fixed point across the room. She followed his gaze.

A miniature spider, no bigger than Morrigan's pinkie fingernail, was skittering across the kitchen bench. Every time it started to move, Morrigan noticed, Jack would start trembling.

She might have felt sorry for him if it was someone, anyone, else... but Jack? There was no way she was going to let this slide.

"John Arjuna Korrapati-"

"Yes?"

"The conqueror of maths equations and textbooks.-"

"What?"

"The 'I'm not scared of anything',-"

"I've never said that!"

"'I can do everything',-"

"Once again, never said that."

"arrogant,-"

"Hey!"

"witness who knows everything is afraid of this tiny spider?"

"Don't you dare..."

Morrigan had been moving slowly towards the kitchen bench, all the while smirking at Jack who was staring at her in both terror and dismay.

She moved her hands out and guided the little creature into her cupped hand. Jack's eyes widened even further as he realised what she was about to do.

All pride and integrity had left Jack by the time Morrigan had made her way over to him, and he sat there whimpering.

"Morrigan please-"

"Oh, don't worry Jack! I'm not going to do anything to hurt you."

"You are holding a spider. I now see you as a threat."

"This spider can't hurt you." She muttered under her breath.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing."

Jack stared at her, confused, while she beamed up at him, the spider scurrying around in her hand. They studied each other for a moment.

Taking advantage of the silence and serenity, Morrigan flung the spider towards the unsuspecting boy crouched up on top of the fridge, before quickly retreating out of the kitchen.

"MOG!" Jack screeched. "MORRIGAN GET IT OFF ME!"

Morrigan hurried out and shut the doors, giggling to herself.

"MORRIGAN!"

She thought she heard a thump, probably Jack falling off the fridge in an attempt to get away from the 'beastly' creature.

"AHHHHHHHHHH." Jack let out a high pitched scream.

"You right in there?" Morrigan called out in amusement.

On a whim, she locked the doors, leaving him trapped. It seemed she did it just in time, as Jack had just started fiddling with the handle.

"MORRIGAN UNLOCK THE DOORS."

Morrigan didn't respond. She couldn't. Tears were falling steadily as her body convulsed with laughter and she gasped, struggling to breathe.

"JACK YOU'RE AFRAID OF SPIDERS." She cried out, coming to terms with the hilarity of the situation.

"Hey, are you guys ok?"

Cadence and Hawthorne had emerged from the room and were walking towards Morrigan.

Morrigan tried to compose herself, failing once before she managed to calm down and look up at her friends.

"Yeah, yeah we're fine. Jack is just finishing up." Morrigan quickly ushered them away from the kitchen.

"CADENCE? HAWTHORNE? IS THAT YOU? HELP ME!"

"Was that Jack?" Hawthorne asked, looking back to the kitchen.

"What? No. I think you're hearing things." Morrigan laughed.

"I'm not that old."

Cadence snorted. "I mean, you might be. You can't even make it up the stairs without complaining that your back hurts and that you can't go on any longer."

The kitchens doors suddenly burst open and they all turned to see a furious Jack marching towards them.

Morrigan grimaced.

"Heya Jack! How's it going."

"Morrigan, why?" Jack stopped and sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Why not?"

"What the heck happened?" Cadence asked, looking back and forth between the two, noticing Jack's expression.

"Oh, nothing!" Morrigan smiled sweetly. "Jack just-"

"Morrigan thought it would be a good idea to-"

"I didn't do anything! I was just trying to help you confront your fear-"

"Really? That's what you thought you were doing? Wow..."

"Hey, you're totally fine now, right?"

"Fine? FINE?! More like scarred for life! I nearly died! It's probably still on me!"

"Oh stop being a baby-"

"Stop it!" Hawthorne suddenly yelled. "Stop bickering! Morrigan what did you do to him?"

Morrigan crossed her arms with a huff and looked down. "All I did was throw a tiny spider on him."

"Tiny? It was huge! And I was cornered!"

"Yeah on top of the fridge, where you climbed up yourself in the first pla-"

Cadence took a step forward, separating the two. "Don't start again." She turned to Morrigan. "Let me get this straight, you threw a spider on him?"

Morrigan nodded so Cadence turned to face Jack. "And you were up on the fridge? Why?"

Jack muttered something unintelligible.

"Sorry, what was that? I couldn't hear you."

"~iwashidingfromthespider~"

The silence stretched and Jack stood fidgeting, mortified that he had told them that.

Hawthorne was the first to speak.

"Sorry... I think I misheard you... did you say you were hiding from the spider?"

Jack didn't respond but instead chose to look down and pretend he didn't hear Hawthorne.
Hawthorne's eyes widened and he broke into a grin.

"You? Jack?! JACK IS AFRAID OF SPIDERS?! OH MY-"

"NO NOT YOU TOO." Jack cried, striding off down the hall to his bedroom, slamming the door behind him.

The others stood in silence for a few moments, processing what had just happened.

"Jack is afraid of spiders..."

Nothing more was said as they all dissolved into peals of laughter, doubling over with tears in their eyes.

"Who would have thought! Jack? Afraid of spiders??" Cadence slapped a hand over her mouth, shoulders shaking.

Morrigan attempted a straight face. "Hey now, we have to respe-" She cut herself off with a snort of laughter.

Once they had composed themselves, they immediately started planning.

"We gotta use this information wisely!" Hawthorne said thoughtfully.

Cadence and Morrigan both looked at him expectantly. He was, more often than not, the one who came up with pranks.

"We could put a bunch of fake spiders in his room?" Morrigan suggested.

"Or real spiders!" Cadence added.

Hawthorne shook his head. "No. He would surely be expecting something like that now that we all know. OOH! I know! What abou-"

He was suddenly cut off by a long, drawn-out, girlish squeal.

They all exchanged looks of disbelief. The sound had come from the kitchens.

"Surely Jack wouldn't have gone back?" Cadence asked.

"No... we would have seen him walk past if he did." Morrigan responded.

Hawthorne looked back down the hallway to the kitchen doors. "Should we go see who it is then?"

Morrigan grinned. "Definitely."

When they entered the kitchen, Morrigan nearly fell over in shock at the absurdity of what she saw.

Jupiter was squatting on top of the fridge, trembling and staring at the spider, which had somehow not been killed in the chaos earlier. His legs were dangling off the edge of the fridge, as he was quite obviously too big to be sitting up there, however, he kept trying to get them up further away from the spider which made him look as though he was scrambling and falling.

All three teens started roaring with laughter.

Jupiter's appearance was so ridiculous, and so much like Jack's, that they couldn't compose themselves for quite a couple of minutes.

"You finished there?" Jupiter asked dryly, his gaze still flicking back and forth between the trio and the spider.

Morrigan was grinning from ear to ear as she walked towards the spider. She picked it up gently and smirked at her friends. "What do you reckon? Should we be nice?"

Hawthorne and Cadence started laughing, knowing exactly what she was about to do, and said in unison "Nah."

So the spider, for the second time that day, flew.

Chapter Text

Morrigan looked up from her timetable. "What classes do you have this afternoon?" She asked the other two sitting with her.

"Free periods!" Cadence grinned.

"I get to spend all afternoon cruising the skies!" Hawthorne grinned back, attempting to imitate a person flying, but instead looking more like a headless chicken.

Cadence sighed. "That sounds nice. I've always wondered what riding a dragon would be like."

Hawthorne perked up. "Why wonder? Why not come this afternoon! I can give you a ride!!"

"No way."

"Oh come ooooon. You have a free period! You have nothing better to do!"

"No. Way."

Cadence turned to Morrigan for support, but she had conveniently disappeared.

Hawthorne put his hands together and began to plead. "Cadence pleeeeease. It'll be so much fun!"

She raised an eyebrow.

"You trust me, don't you?" He asked.

"Well... yeah."

"So trust me on this!! I won't let anything happen to you."

Cadence exhaled in defeat.

"Ok. Fine."

Hawthorne cheered and held out his hand for a fist bump, which she ignored. "See you at 1:00 PM!" He called out, leaving to start preparing.

An hour later, Cadence was standing on the edge of the arena, her stomach churning.

"Are you sure about this?" Morrigan asked from the stands.

She had reappeared a few minutes ago so she could "watch you (Cadence) fall off a dragon for the first time."

"I'm not going to fall off!" Cadence had protested.

"Yeah right. You're in for a bit of a shock if you think that." Morrigan had smirked.

Cadence was highly regretting her decision to let Hawthorne take her anywhere off the ground, and was considering leaving before he noticed she was there when he called out. "Cadence! You're here! I'm all set. Come over and we can get going!"

She walked over to him, grumbling under her breath.

"Don't make me regret this." She glared at him as he helped her up onto the huge beast.

He beamed at her. "Wouldn't dream of it."

He hopped up after her and settled into the saddle, just in front of her.

"If you need to hold onto something, hold onto me, ok? The dragon doesn't like it when you grip the saddle too much."

Cadence rolled her eyes, even though Hawthorne couldn't see her. "Yeah, right."

Without warning, the dragon suddenly took off, soaring up into the sky. Cadence had to bite her tongue to keep from screaming as she looked back down to the arena. It was so small now.

"Don't look down!" Hawthorne cried over the wind.

Too late.

She squeezed her eyes shut, hoping the sick feeling in her stomach would go away. The wind was only slightly filtered by Hawthorne sitting in front of her, and she felt like she was about to fall off.

How long she sat, eyes shut tight, trying to block out what was going on around her, she didn't know. It wasn't until the wind died down a bit, and Hawthorne yelled back at her "You can open your eyes now!" that she finally opened her eyes to take in the sight.

It was beautiful. The city below them was miniature, barely recognisable through the thick fog of the clouds billowing around them.

Cadence felt like she had died and gone to heaven. Her heart soared as they glided through the sky, not a single care in the world.

Hawthorne looked back at her and laughed. "You should see your face! I never thought I'd see Cadence Blackburn smile, and yet here we are."

She smiled wider, not bothering to respond.

He winced. "Also, it's probably not a good idea to try and kill the pilot."

Cadence realised that she was hugging him tightly around the middle in a crushing grip and quickly let go.

She mumbled a quick "sorry" but he didn't seem to hear her.

"Ready?" He shouted.

"For what?"

He didn't answer but instead plunged the dragon straight down. Cadence was absolutely terrified. But she was also on top of the world and was going to make the most of it. So she screeched, letting out all her emotions, not caring at all if anyone heard her.

As the dragon steadied out again, Cadence placed her hands on Hawthorne's shoulders to keep herself steady and stood up in the stirrups, whooping at the top of her lungs. She couldn't see him, but she was positive that Hawthorne was grinning as broadly as her.

Hawthorne started to guide the dragon towards the ground, so Cadence sat back down. She had to admit, she was a little disappointed it was over.

"Are we going back?" She called out.

"Yeah! But we'll do one more thing before we land."

Just as they were nearing the ground, Hawthorne suddenly jerked back. Cadence was not prepared for what came next.

The dragon flipped upside down, and Cadence felt as though everything was happening at half speed. Her hands clutched for something to grab onto, but she was too late. She was sent flying off the back of the dragon and into the air, down towards the ground. She screamed, but she knew Hawthorne wouldn't do anything to help her. He had planned this.

Cadence landed on her back with a thud and wheezed as all the air was knocked out of her lungs. She couldn't be bothered to move. She needed to catch her breath, and all her dignity had already been destroyed, so she lay there. Waiting for what she knew was coming.

It only took a few seconds for Morrigan to make her way over, looming over Cadence, smirking. "I told you you'd fall off."

Hawthorne, who had just landed the dragon and jumped off, also came over. "You should have seen your face!" He cried, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes.

Cadence sighed. "I hate you both."

Chapter Text

Staring out the window, a long, dramatic sigh left Morrigan's mouth.

Jack tugged at her sleeve. "Hey, what's got you in a huff?"

Morrigan turned to him, not meeting his eyes. "Nothing."

Jack gave her a soft smile. He knew Morrigan too well. "I'm sure it will be fine."

They sat in silence together, the rumbling of the bus pulling to a stop, and the feel of their legs knocking together helped Morrigan steady herself as they prepared to disembark.

Thanking the bus driver on the way past, they jumped off together, slowly walking to the front door.

Morrigan looked at the driveway in disappointment.

"He's not here."

Jack took her hand and squeezed it, offering comfort in the touch.

Morrigan checked the door handle and, upon finding it unlocked, entered.

Their house was a modest 3 three-bedroom establishment. Despite Morrigan's dad being filthy rich, he hadn't wanted them to be spoiled, so they lived in the suburbs. This suited Morrigan just fine.

Because of his job, their dad wasn't home a lot. He ran the Hotel Noilacued in the city, and it required him to be present most of the time. Sometimes they would joke that the hotel was his secret child.

Morrigan flung the door open and lead Jack inside, the fury bubbling up inside her threatening to take over.

She marched down the hallway into the kitchen, throwing her bag down on the floor.

"Cady! Is dad home?" She called out.

"Don't call me that!" A voice yelled back. "And he said he might be in tonight though."

Morrigan groaned in frustration, running a hand through her long, black hair. Jack placed a hand on her back. "Hey. Look at me."

Morrigan struggled to look up, not wanting to make eye contact.

"Look at me." Jack all but growled. He took Morrigan's chin in his hand, tilting her head up so they were looking at each other. "It's going. To be. Ok." He put emphasis on each word, as though Morrigan was a child needing each word to be animated.

Then he leaned forwards and pulled Morrigan into a firm, furious kiss. Morrigan melted into it, glad for the distraction. She kissed back just as hard, pouring out her emotions through the touch.

Nothing else mattered apart from each other. Jupiter was forgotten, school was forgotten, her warring thoughts forgotten as she poured out each and every emotion into the kiss.

They eventually had to break apart for air, and as Morrigan caught her breath, she noticed Cadence sitting on a stool by the bench, reading a book.

"Oi! Why didn't you say something!" She exclaimed, suddenly embarrassed.

Cadence looked up and shrugged. "It seemed rude to interrupt."

"Bastard!" Morrigan kicked out at her, but she dodged.

"Jerk."

Morrigan stormed back down the hall, Jack tailing her. They entered her bedroom and Morrigan slammed the door shut.

"Hey, don't let her get to you," Jack murmured, taking the role of calming Morrigan down again.

Morrigan softened at the words. "Sorry, it's just so frustrating having her be so blasé about dad."

"Yeah, I know. At least he might be coming tonight."

"He won't."

"How do you know?"

"He always says he'll come. He never does."

Morrigan looked away and busied herself with cleaning the desk. It was already immaculate, so she focused on straightening all the little things that had been bothering her.

She could hear Jack moving and doing something, but didn't bother to turn and look.

Once upon a thrill, from a kiss to a swill
We were swallowin' the nights like we had nine lives

Morrigan twisted round in shock as music burst out from behind her, the words echoing around the room. Jack was standing, fiddling with a record player.

Dead and gone so long, seventeen so gone
Dead and gone so long, seventeen so

"What are you doing?"

We were borderline kids
With a book of disorders

Jack looked up, grinning. "I didn't know you had a record player! Great taste in music, too."

Medicatin' every day to keep the straightness in order

Morrigan moved to turn it off, but Jack stopped her.

"Just let yourself enjoy it. Dead and gone so long, seventeen so gone!"

Jack started singing along, and Morrigan smiled a little.

"There we go!" Jack was clapping, to the beat, urging Morrigan to join in. "Seventeen so gone!"

He pulled Morrigan to her feet, and Morrigan suddenly couldn't help it anymore. She joined in.

"So pour out some liquor! Make it an, an old fashioned!"

"Whoo!"

"Remember your youth and all that you do! The plank and the passion!"

They sang together, the music and laughter filling the room as they danced around to the song. Morrigan pushed all of her insecurities and worries away for a moment, the sounds taking over.

They were the best of times
They were the best of times

Morrigan's face lit up as Jack spun her around. It wasn't the right kind of song for it, but she didn't care.

She was in Jack's arms, happy for once, and that was ok.

Chapter Text

Ding

The sound of the bell on the door catches my attention and I look up as the cold wind rushes in.

A young couple enters, holding hands and chatting away happily.

Resisting the urge to roll my eyes at the looks they're giving each other, I nudge one of the employees standing near me.

"Mars- ah... Saturn? Earth-"

"It's Jupiter."

"Yes, Venus! Go serve those customers."

He sighs before putting on a cheerful face and making his way over to them.

While I'm too far away to hear exactly what they're saying, I already know that the Pluto is doing a bad job. He never does anything right. Like that time he tried to sell a customer a budgie when they specifically said they wanted a bird. Honestly.

I make my way over to the couple, deciding to butt in before Uranus makes a fool of himself.

"All of our animals are very well cared for, and-"

"Excuse me, they need you elsewhere, Neptune."

"What-"

"Just go!"

Mercury shuffles away, and I step forward, my hand outstretched. The man shakes it.

"Ezra Squall, manager of this store." I don't bother smiling. It proves nothing. "Sorry about that idiot, he doesn't really know what he's doing."

The two of them share a look and I narrow my eyes. "Let's get down to business. What are you looking for?"

"We thought maybe-"

"Over here we have the finest selection of mongrels, and over here we have a specialised selection of felines!"

The girl, looking as though she came straight from a haunted house, smiles at me. The audacity.

"Yes, actually, we would love to have a look at some of the kittens! We just moved in together and thought adding a pet to the mix would make everything complete!"

I scoff. "Animals are not pets, animals live to serve! But yes, you can take a look at our younger felines."

I show them over to the section where we keep a very special breed.

"Aw, Jack, look at them!" She gushes.

The man, Jack, grins at her. "Which one do you want?"

She stares at them all for a moment, before scooping one into her hands. "This one!"

It's the only black one in amongst the greys and whites. How basic.

"Yes, yes, very nice! Now if you'll follow me this way you can pay and be on your way!" I usher them over to the cash register.

One of my subordinates is already standing at the cashier, ready to serve, so I let him do the work.

"Is that all? Would you like any cat feed or toys? We have a great sale on-"

Ugh.

"No! Nope! That's all! Let them buy the cat, Hawthorne."

Honestly. The hottest guy at the store, apart from myself, but he can't sell a damn cat.

The couple quickly pays and leaves. Thankfully. They were too cheerful for my liking.

I rub my hands together gleefully and I can't help but let myself laugh. "MwahahahahahHAHAHAHA UGHh uhuh ehhh. Errr. Errg." My throat decided to itch at that exact moment. Typical.

"You alright there, boss?" Black Hole asks.

I sneer at him. "Yes, Asteroid. Everything is perfect. You have no idea."

None of them have any idea. Everything is going perfectly. My plan has been set in motion and nothing can stop it. Little do they know.

The kitten I sold to the stupid, happy couple was a robot. An evil robot at that. It has been programmed to take over the world. Every customer is a pawn in my game. My plan to control every pet in the world, thus creating a purrfect army, is unstoppable. Because of their irresistible adorableness, all humans will be lulled into a false sense of security. Then my army shall be released and I will watch as they kill all my enemies with their sweet little claws and miniature fangs! Little do they know...

Chapter Text

Miss Morrigan Crow,

We regret to inform you that one John Arjuna Korrapati has passed away. Attached is a letter that has been instructed to be given to you in his will.

Regards,

Nevermoor Police Department

Morrigan's hands shook as she read the letter. She already knew what happened, but that didn't make it hurt any less. At first, she had refused to believe Jupiter, but then she met his eyes and saw the pain there, and her whole world started to collapse.

This was confirmation. Stupid, bloody confirmation telling her that he was never coming back. Ever. A second piece of paper dropped out of the envelope, and Morrigan reached out to read it. She nearly dropped it upon catching a glimpse of his elegant handwriting, but forced herself to read it, knowing she would be much worse off if she didn't.

Morrigan,

Oh god how she wished she would hear him say her name again.

I first need to say I'm sorry. I'm sorry for the pain you're experiencing right now, and I'm sorry that I'm not there anymore to help you get through it. I know you wouldn't appreciate me writing a big, long, sappy letter that would probably make you cry even more than you are right now (I see right through you, don't lie), so I'll keep this short. I know that you loved me enough to miss me even more, there's no changing that, but please don't be sad forever. You know I don't want that. I love you, Mog, and I don't want you to suffer because of me, so move on. Keep me in your memories, but don't hold on.

Remember that chest I kept in my room, the big wooden one that I would never let you look inside of? Well, I'm giving you the key to that. You'll find out soon enough what it contains, and I hope that it will leave you feeling bittersweet.

I loved you to the ends of the earth and back, but it's time to put that on hold. My one wish for you is to thrive and be happy, so go and live your life without me.

Yours,

Jack

Tears were falling steadily by the time Morrigan finished the letter, and she held it away from her body to keep it from being ruined. How did he expect her to move on from him? After everything they went through, everything they experienced side by side.

With a half sob, half chuckle, Morrigan picked up the small key that had also been inside the letter.

She remembered him teasing her, waving the key in her face before snatching it away, claiming that the contents of the chest were 'private' and that he would share it with her when he was ready. Morrigan would always complain that she was ready, when would he be? Why couldn't she see?

Well now it seemed that Jack was ready, and she wasn't sure she would ever be.

~

The door to Jack's bedroom door slowly creaked open, and Morrigan winced at the sight displayed before her. It was like he never left, everything untouched and in its place.

The only change to the room was the musty scent that had taken over due to a lack of circulation, and the plant on the window sill.

The plant, what kind exactly, Morrigan could not say, Jack had told her thousands of times before, but Morrigan could never remember, was looking rather brown and sad after being neglected for so long. Jack had named it 'Fenestra' or 'Nessy' for short, claiming them to be identical, seeing as though they were both quite prickly.

Morrigan quickly looked down, the memories threatening to overwhelm her, but even then, as she stared at the carpet, she couldn't help but think of all the times she and Jack had lain on their backs there, looking at the roof and talking for hours on end.

The key felt heavy in her hands, carrying a much greater weight than just itself. Morrigan forced herself to take a step, then another, slowly dragging herself over to where the chest sat, as though waiting for Morrigan to come and unlock it.

It opened easily enough, the lock giving a satisfying click, and despite it all, Morrigan couldn't help feeling a little bit excited to see what had been inside there the whole time.

She lifted the lid up and peered in, and nearly slammed it back shut.

A small, black, video camera sat alone, miniature in comparison to the the huge chest. Morrigan felt as thought she was about to pass out. It was The camera. His camera.

She gently lifted it out, so gently for fear of breaking it and losing whatever Jack had left behind for her to watch.

Morrigan pressed the on button, and the camera flickered to life. So many memories, too many memories were held on the small device, she knew that. The first two videos dated back to the day he got the camera, his birthday, and the rest were scattered throughout the years after that. In total, about 30 videos sat there, waiting for Morrigan to watch them. So, with a heavy heart, and tears already in her eyes, she pressed play.

[click]

"-can't tell if it's on"

"Yeah, it's flashing"

"Oh... uh what do I say now?"

"Whatever you want!

"Umm..."

"Hiiiiiii! This is Morr-

"Hey give that back!!"

"Do I have to?"

"Yes, it's mine!"

"Well technically since I bought it for you-"

"You can't do that!"

"Hmph."

"Give it here- argh- Mog!! Stop-"

[click]

[click]

"So now we're going up to mount... mount... ugh I forgot its name. Mog! Where are we going?"

"It's Morrigan and I thought you would know! You're the nerd!"

"I am not a nerd!"

"Yeah, you are."

"I am not and- you know what forget it. I don't care. I don't care!!"

"Mhm sure."

"Ugh, anyways we're currently hiking up a mountain. I'm not sure what we're going to do when we get to the top, as Mog won't tell me."

"Morrigan, and it's a surprise! We went over this. It's your birthday, and on birthdays you get surprises!"

"I don't like surprises."

"Yeah but I do."

"It's my birthday though!"

"So?"

"It's not even a surprise anymore cause you told me there's going to be a surprise!"

"But you don't know what it is exactly."

"Why do we even have to do anything for my birthday? I'm turning 17!"

"17 is special!"

"Uhh no, it's not. 16 I could drive, 18 I'll be an adult. 17 is just... there."

"Ok but 17 is when you're the dancing queen. That has to count for something."

"If you insist."

"I do. Now stop videoing, it's slowing us down."

[click]

[click]

"Ok, I thought I'd video this because I want to catch Morrigan's reaction on tape. You're probably wondering why I'm whispering, and it because I don't want her to hear me. Oh, here she comes ok shh... RAHHH!!!!!!"

"AHH JACK WHAT THE HELL!"

"Ahahaha you should have seen your face!!!! I was like! And you were like! Oh my god that was the best thing ever.

"How old are you? Stop laughing! It's not- wait is that the camera?!"

"Maybe..."

"JACK YOU ABSOLUTE BASTARD GIVE IT HERE."

"No!"

"GIVE IT!"

"AHH HELP THERE'S A PSYCHOPATH CHASING MEEEEEE!"

"JAAAACK-"

[click]

[click]

"It seems I have discovered a unique possession."

"Ooooo is that Jack's camera? Give it here?"

"Hmm."

"Jupiter pleeeeease."

"Well I-"

"WHY DO YOU HAVE MY CAM-"

[click]

[click]

"Hello. Wow. Um. So I felt like I needed to document this... but uhh-"

"Jack? Who are you talking to?"

"Oh, just the camera."

"Oh. Are you telling it about-"

"Yes, before you interrupted. Anyways AH this woman this one right here KISSED ME."

"You kissed back!"

"I never said I was complaining!"

"Good."

"Oh my god we're going to have to tell Jove about this aren't we."

"Oh nooooo."

"We can try and hide it?"

"You know that he probably already knows, right?"

"Ugh yeah..."

"Wait how long have you wanted this for?"

"How long have I wanted my uncle to know about-"

"No, you goose."

"Owww."

"How long have you wanted to kiss me?"

"Ah... I'd rather not say."

"I'll tell you if you tell me."

"Mm ok. About... a year?"

"Eww, you pervert! I was 14 then!"

"Yeah, and I was 17... that's not exactly perversion. Is it?"

"Uhhh-"

"Actually don't answer that. Anyways what am I now, 18? If you ask me that's even weirder."

"Just stop talking."

"Ok. What about you?"

"Oh me? Gosh, it feels like forever."

"That's not an answer!"

"Yes, it is!"

"No it-"

"Shut up and kiss me again."

[click]

[click]

"Watcha reeeeading?"

"A book. Hey, where'd you get my camera?"

"You left it lying on your desk, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to show anyone who's watching these what a handsome prick you are!"

"Handsome... prick?"

"Mhm."

"I'm not sure whether to be offended or not..."

"Take it any way you want."

"Oookay..."

"What are you two kids doing in there? Better not be having sex!"

"JUPITER!"

"JOVE!"

"WHAT THE HECK NO."

"Ok ok calm your panties, I was just checking."

"Ugh just go!"

"Maybe you should stop the camera."

"Mm."

[click]

[click]

"-quiet I'm videoing!"

"EVERYONE BE QUIET JACK IS VIDEOING!"

"...don't all of you stare at me at once."

"Yeah, guys don't stare at him!"

"Anyhow... um... it's Christmas! And I kinda forgot I had this camera until now, so I thought I'd get it out in time for Morrigan to unwrap her present from me!"

"I have literally no clue what it is... hmm-"

"NO DON'T SHAKE IT!!"

"Oops sorry."

"Just- just be careful. Unwrap it already will you?"

"Ok ok take a chill pill."

"Sorry."

"..."

"..."

"JACK YOU GOT ME A KITTEN?"

"Do you... like it?"

"LIKE IT? I- IT'S A KITTEN!"

"So... yes?

"HECK YEAH OH MY DAYSSSS IT'S SO CUTE!!"

"You're welco- mmph."

"Whoo woooooo."

"Don't get too saucy kids!"

"Honestly, Jupiter. Leave the poor kids alone."

"I'll take that then!"

"Argh give me back my camera!"

"Hello there! I'm Jupiter north back for another report on badgers and how their painting skills affect the climate-"

"Ugh not again! Give it!"

"Ok."

[click]

[click]

"Whoooo I'm going into Morrigan's rooom. Younger me would be so jealous."

"Jack you've literally been in here like a billion times."

"Shhh, you're ruining my moment."

"Meow"

"Amata wants to say hello, say hello, Amata!"

"Stop giving your cat all the attention."

"Aww, are you jealous?"

"Nah I know you love me."

"Well that's true... but I also love Amata."

"Mm. Could you put on some music?"

"Oh yeah sure."

"Mog?"

"Ugh, yeah?"

"I really do love you."

"I love you too."

[click]

[click]

"Ooook so today is our anniversary and I uhh thought I'd surprise Morrigan with these chocolates and flowers, but um... then I remembered that she doesn't really like that sort of thing... so I'm making up a uh picnic so we can have a... we'll... picnic. And I'm going to set it up all nice, and honestly, this is going to be way better than just chocolate and flowers. Mainly because I get a share in it too. Also, I'm not going to tell her what we're doing or where we're going because she loves surprises an- OH MY GOD WHY IS THE OVEN ON FIRE?"

"John Arjuna Korrapati if you burn down my kitch-"

"KEDGEREE HOW IS THIS EVEN POSSIBLE THE OVEN IS ON FIRE. LITERAL FLAMES."

"Oh- OH- HERE try this."

"It's not wooorking."

"Yes, I can see that. Maybe we should call someone."

"SEEING AS THOUGH THE STOVE IS NOW SOMEHOW ON FIRE I'D SAY THAT'S A FANTASTIC IDEA."

"Fenestraaaa!"

"Nooo don't call fen! She'll murder us in our sleep! Argh no the camera-"

[click]

[click]

"We are gathered here today to remember the beloved cat, Amity-"

"-it's Amata-"

"-and cherish the memories we have of her as we bury her in the ground."

"He- h- he got her name wrong."

"I know, I know, shhh it's ok. Jove isn't very good with names."

"Wh- why did she have t-to die?"

"Because that's how life works, Mog. One day you'll die, I'll die. We can't stop it."

"But she w- was only 1 year old! She was s-o young. She didn't deserve to- to die- she had so much life left and and-"

"Hey, hey, look at me. It's going to be okay. She's probably in cat heaven, eating all the cat food she wants and sleeping all day. And look, I'm still here. I'm here for you, Mog. I'm never going to leave your side."

[click]

[click]

"Helloooooooo this is going to be my last video before I go back to uni!"

"Mmm, I don't want you to leave."

"I'll be back soon, don't worry. I can't stay away from you for too long."

"Mm, I know you can't."

"Hm you're getting a little cocky... maybe it's a good thing I'm going away for a bit."

"That could never be a good thing."

"Mhm. But in all seriousness... I thought I'd make a video before I left to show whoever's watching this just how clingy Morrigan is. See? She won't let go of me."

"It's because I love you."

"I get that, but you need to let me get my education!"

"Who cares."

"Uncle Jove cares, I certainly care, and I know deep down you do too."

"I will neither confirm nor deny that statement."

"See I told you."

"Stop talking to the camera like it's a human being."

"Sorry."

"Hey turn the camera off."

"Why?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"oh. OH. oK. I uhh... gotta run! Bye!"

[click]

The last video came to a stop, and Morrigan found herself involuntarily smiling a little. Tears were flowing, sure, but she had seen him again. Heard his voice. Her heart ached to watch them all over, but she knew that if she let herself, she would never be able to stop. Instead, she tenderly placed the camera down, switching it off, and sighed. The memories hurt, knowing that she would never make any more with him, ever again, but this was better than having nothing.

Chapter Text

Ezra had always loved old-fashioned Manchester with its fair, freshly squeezed fields. It was a place where he felt sparkly.

He was a hungry, spiteful, squash drinker with short arms and beautiful eyelashes. His friends saw him as a fighter. Once, he had even made a cup of tea for a weary owl. That's the sort of man he was.

Ezra walked over to the window and reflected on his surroundings. The clouds danced like talking rats.

Then he saw something in the distance, or rather someone. It was the figure of Henry Mildmay. Mildmay was a spiteful cartographer with blonde arms and solid eyelashes.

Ezra gulped. He was not prepared for Mildmay.

As Ezra stepped outside and Mildmay came closer, he could see the determined glint in his eye.

Mildmay gazed with the affection of 52 admirable dirty donkeys. He said, in a hushed tone, "I love you and I want equality."

Ezra looked back, even more happy, and still fingering the cursed kettle. "Henry, I ate your puppy," he replied.

They looked at each other with calm feelings, like two melodic, magnificent mice dancing at a very deranged carol service, which had jazz music playing in the background and two predatory uncles partying to the beat.

Suddenly, Mildmay lunged forward and tried to punch Ezra in the face. Quickly, Ezra grabbed the cursed kettle and brought it down on Mildmay's skull.

Mildmay's blonde arms trembled, and his solid eyelashes wobbled. He looked sparkly, his emotions raw like a pong, poised piano.

Then he let out an agonising groan and collapsed onto the ground. Moments later, Henry Mildmay was dead.

Ezra Squall went back inside and made himself a nice beaker of squash.

Chapter Text

"Give it up Morrigan. It's over."

Squall bent over her, a smirk playing his face.

"It's not-"

"It is. Give. Up."

"No, NO they- they'll come."

"Who will come, Morrigan?" He spat her name like it was a curse. "They're all gone."

Morrigan shook her head. It couldn't be true. "I don't believe you."

"Would you like to see for yourself?"

He didn't give her a chance to respond, but instead held her arm and pulled her beside him.

She tripped over her own feet as he continued to walk despite it.

"Where would you like to start?" Squall's eyes gleamed as he looked around the barren field. Bodies lay strewn at every turn, most so bloody and mauled that they were unrecognizable.

"Ah how about over here?" He let go of Morrigan and she fell back down to the ground, her legs far too shaky to stay standing. He strode over to one of the bodies and reached out with his foot to turn it over with his foot.

Morrigan let out a strangled cry as she saw who it was. His black hair stuck up in all different places, and his eyepatch was nowhere to be seen, helping to reveal horrible gashes all along his face.

"Jack-" Morrigan breathed, her chest tightening. She reached out to him, a tear sliding down her cheek, but Squall kicked her hand away.

"Wait here."

As if she could do anything else. She couldn't take her eyes off Jack's limp body. She couldn't make herself move.

She could hear something moving off to one side but couldn't make herself look. Maybe it would come to kill her too. Minutes felt like hours, and yet she kept sitting there. She kept sitting there, staring, listening to nothing. There was no more life, no more feeling.

Morrigan heard footsteps coming up behind her, but she still didn't look.

"Come." Squall's voice pierced the eerie silence. When Morrigan didn't respond, he grabbed her shoulder roughly and forced her up.

"I said come." He snarled and dragged her after him. She didn't focus on where they were going. She could only think about Jack.

"Look."

He hadn't needed to say anything. She had already seen. She had already fallen to the ground, a strangled scream escaping her mouth. Bodies lay, arranged in a line side by side. "No no no no no no no no."

Morrigan could barely force herself to take in each face, but she did, each one creating a deeper cut in her heart.

Fen, her body still and twisted in an unnatural position, the blood barely visible amongst her dark fur.

Jupiter, his eyes still open, staring at nothing, all the sparkle and glamour of him gone.

Hawthorne, so unnaturally lifeless and motionless, a hint of a smile still playing at his lips.

Cadence, her dark braid strewn across the ground, her face as solemn as ever, but drained of all life.

Miss Cheery, covered with dirt and grime, her finger just brushing Roshni's, who was lying next to her, as though fate had planned it.

"See?" She could hear the smugness in Squall's voice, and she couldn't handle it. She couldn't.

Unit 919, all dead, laid next to each other. Lam, Anah, Thaddea, Arch, Mahir. The entire Deucalion family, dead.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?" She shrieked, lashing out at him.

"What have I done?" Squall laughed, taking a step back. "Morrigan, my dear, this was all you."

"No, it's not true! It was you! You killed them! And you- you lined them up like this! YOU'RE A MONSTER!"

"No. They're all dead, Morrigan, and you're the only one to blame."

Morrigan let out a cry and rested her head on the ground. They couldn't be gone. Not all of them, there had to be some way.

She looked frantically around. Maybe Jack would come running to her, hold her tight, tell her that everything is ok. That he's there.

Maybe Fen would hiss at her again, telling her to pick up her socks and that if she ever sees Morrigan dropping them carelessly on the floor ever again she'd put bees in her bed.

Maybe Hawthorne would saunter up, crack a joke and fly away with her to somewhere where they'd all be safe forevermore.

Maybe Cadence would roll her eyes and tell Morrigan to stop crying, pick herself up, and get over it.

Maybe Miss Cherry would laugh again, and hold out her biscuit jar, her face full of life and love.

Maybe Jupiter would hug her again. Maybe he would stay, just for a little bit, and they could be happy... just for a little bit.

"There's no point, Morrigan. It's time to give up."

But they were gone. They were all gone. And they weren't ever coming back.

Chapter Text

Morrigan was in detention, and it was all Hawthorne's fault.

It was always his fault.

She hadn't even done anything! Well... maybe that was the point. She had simply stood by and laughed as Hawthorne coated the floors of the halls with soap and water, one of his best yet. It was still unfair.

She hasn't assisted him, hadn't talked to him about it, or- wait maybe she had. Morrigan stopped to think about it and nearly kicked herself. She had been talking to him about having a slip and slide at school sometime the day before! So maybe she wasn't quite as innocent as she'd like to believe, but still.

Morrigan tapped her fingers on the desk and let out a long, drawn-out sigh. "Ughhhhh. I can't believe you got us into detention again."

Cadence gave her a sideways look. "He only got you into detention."

"Yeah!" Hawthorne protested, "Cadence is here of her own free will."

Morrigan snorted. "Yeah, she's here because she'd rather be bored with us than without."

Cadence shrugged. "It's not like I had anything better to do. And besides, there are always unexpected benefits." Cadence looked towards the door, and Morrigan turned to look.

"Like whaaaaaa- oh shit."

Someone had just entered. But not just anyone, oh no. Jack Arjuna Korrapati. How did Morrigan know his middle name? Reasons to remain untold. He was the hottest guy in school, in Morrigan's opinion. Cadence didn't agree, but that was irrelevant. And he was there. In detention with her.

Morrigan turned to Cadence. "Don't- don't do anything to embarrass me. Ok?" She turned to Hawthorne. "Same goes for you."

Hawthorne grinned. "No promises."

Please, Morrigan thought, please just this once let them act somewhat sober.

She watched Jack as he looked around the classroom for a seat and realised, with a start, that there weren't many left. Two to be exact. One of them being conveniently right in front of her. Her view was abruptly interrupted by a figure walking past, and she turned to watch him stride up to Cadence's desk.

He leant down and placed his hands on her desk with a smirk. "Hey pretty thing, how-"

"I'm not interested." Cadence interrupted, not looking up, instead continuing to flip through her book without so much as flinching.

"Hey, come on, I-"

"I said I'm not interested."

The guy blinked, obviously not used to being rejected so quickly. "You can't talk to me like that."

Cadence looked up, completely unfazed. "Or what? You're going to rape me in the bathrooms? Leave me alone."

"I-"

"Hey! She said no! Leave it at that." Morrigan suddenly barked. She knew Cadence could handle herself, but he was getting on her nerves.

The guy turned and glowered at her, moving to stand over her desk.

"Who do you think you are?"

"Dude, I hate to break it to you, but you can't force yourself on girls that aren't interested."

He loomed over her, every instinct in her body telling her to get away.

"How dare you, you little-"

"Kyle! Leave her alone."

Morrigan was relieved for a second before she saw who had just spoken.

'Kyle' huffed and turned to Jack, who crossed his arms and glared back.

"Oh, it's you." Kyle snarled. "Why don't you get lost."

"Why don't you leave Morrigan alone?"

He knew her name

"Why don't-" Kyle broke off as a teacher entered the room. "We'll finish this later."

They both separated and went to sit down, Jack right in front of Morrigan.

"That was pretty hot." Cadence nudged her.

"Yeah- wait no shut up." Morrigan felt a blush rising in her cheeks and quickly attempted to hide out from her friend, but it was too late.

"Ooo someone's blushing. You should talk to him! Thank him for saving your ass or something."

Morrigan nearly choked. "Talk to him? Heh as if I would ever do tha- Cadence what are you- nO."

Cadence reached out and tapped Jack on the shoulder, making him turn to Morrigan, and leaving her defenceless.

"Yeah?"

"Oh, uh hi- you for thank- nope- um... you- uh- th- thanks for um- before- aha yeah thanks."

"Anytime." Jack, despite Morrigan having just mutilated her sentence, smiled. "Kyle's a grade A jerk."

Morrigan nodded, unsure of what to say.

"So," Jack continued, "what are you in for?"

"Me?"

"Um... yes. You. How'd you get into detention?"

"Oh, just my friend." Morrigan pointed at Hawthorne. "He thought it would be funny to turn the whole school into a slip and slide. I didn't do anything; it was just for associating myself with him."

"Oh, that was him?" Jack grinned. "That was an epic prank. My friend Tommy was a little bit jealous he didn't think of it."

Morrigan shrugged. "Yeah, he does stuff like that all the time. Anyways, what are you here for?"

"Actually... same as you. Tommy, over there, I didn't do anything but he uh... he sent a stripper clown to the principal's office."

"He WHAT?"

"Yeah... and then he made the mistake of going to watch it play out. Got caught afterwards and landed himself and somehow me in detention. He didn't even save me a seat!"

"That is-" Morrigan cut herself off my her own giggling. "I would have paid to see that. How did we end up with friends with these sorts of people?"

"I dunno, but it sounds like we should introduce them to each other."

"Oh god no. They would tear this school apart!"

Jack laughed at that. "Yeah, on second thoughts maybe we shouldn't. Oh, I just realised I didn't introduce myself- I'm Jack."

"Yeah, I kno- I mean. Oh, cool yep, I'm Morrigan. But you knew that already?"

"Oh yeah, sorry." Jack rubbed his neck and looked down, offering no explanation. "But uh do you know how to make aeroplanes?"

"I- what?"

"Aeroplanes. Paper aeroplanes."

"Oh. Oh, haha I thought you meant real ones."

"Why would I- never mind. Do you want to try and hit Tommy in the head with a paper aeroplane?"

"Which one's Tommy?"

"See, over there- the one with blonde hair and a permanent smirk? Yeah, he's leaning back on his chair. He'll crack his head open one day and the only thing I'll do is say I told you so."

"He looks annoying."

"He is. In a good way."

"Ok let's do this."

"Great."

Morrigan sat back in her chair, opened her math book, and ripped out a piece of paper.

"Really?" Cadence leaned over. "I thought you wanted to get your homework done."

"Shh homework isn't as important."

"I never thought I'd live to hear you say that-"

"Shut up."

She looked down at the piece of paper and came to the realisation that she had no clue how to make a paper aeroplane.

"Cadence, how-"

"Nope. Not helping. Ask your new boyfriend."

"Wow, you're like the best friend ever!"

Morrigan sighed and turned to Jack, tapping him on the shoulder again. "Um... I don't actually really know how to make a paper aeroplane."

Jack blinked at her. "You- you don't know how?"

Morrigan shook her head, and Jack beamed. "Neither do I!"

"Oh my god, really?"

"Yup! Never learnt how. I was hoping you could teach me."

"And I was hoping YOU could teach me."

"Maybe we can look it up."

"Mm."

Jack pulled out his laptop and opened it up. "Are we dumb or did we just both have horrible parents or something?"

"Probably a bit of both." Morrigan laughed.

"Ok, here we go... 'how to make a paper aeroplane'. Ok, so I think we just need to fold it like this." Jack made a crease in his paper and showed it to Morrigan.

"Like this?" She checked, copying him.

"Yep! And then you just do this, then fold it like this, and then... this, yep, no you're doing it- here let me help-"

"No, it's ok I can do it!"

"Ok... and then you just fold it like this, and then once more like this... and yep! All done!" Jack was holding a neatly folded, pristine paper aeroplane. Morrigan was holding paper with folds in it. It didn't resemble an aeroplane... at all.

"I uh... I think I might have done something wrong?"

Jack looked up from his plane and snorted.

"Uh, you think? That- whatever that is, it's definitely not a paper aeroplane."

"No need to be mean..."

"I'm not being mean I'm just- stating the truth."

"Which is unnecessary."

"Depends on who's side you're on."

"Well, I'm on my own side!" Morrigan declared and then paused. "That sentence didn't really make sense."

"Nope," Jack chuckled, "but nice try."

"Ok, I'll get another piece of paper-"

"No, it's ok just use mine."

He gave her the paper plane, and she turned in Tommy's direction.

"So I just... throw it?" Morrigan looked at the plane in her hands, wondering... how?

"Yeah I think so... I mean... I'm not sure if there's a certain way you're supposed to throw it but-"

"Oh for god's sake, just throw it," Cadence interjected. "It's a fucking paper aeroplane, it's not that hard."

Morrigan glared at her, refusing to produce a response.

Jack smiled sheepishly. "She's probably right. Just throw it."

It couldn't be that hard to throw it. Morrigan took a deep breath, staring at Tommy's head, and threw.

She watched as it glided through the air, straight towards... the teacher's desk.

"Shit." She groaned as it landed directly in front of the supervising teacher.

"Just look like you were doing something else," Jack whispered, looking like he was trying very hard to stop himself from laughing.

She looked down at her desk to busy herself with something but realised that she had nothing set up. Her pencil case was down by her feet, and her math book closed.

"Miss Crow!" The teacher barked, holding up the paper aeroplane. "Did you throw this?"

"I uhh..."

"No Miss, I did." Cadence suddenly stood up. "Could I please have it back?" Without waiting for a response, Cadence stalked up to the desk and grabbed it. "Thanks."

"Miss- Miss Blackburn! I- detention!"

"Miss, look around." Cadence gestured to the room. "This is detention."

She whirled around and started and strutted back to her desk, to the right where Tommy was watching.

"I believe this is yours." She smiled at him, before crumpling it against the top of his head.

Jack threw back his head and laughed. "That was pure gold."

Cadence gave him a quick grin as she sat down, before quickly replacing it with a scowl. "Leave me alone."

"Ok jeez! Sorry."

"Don't worry she does that to everyone," Morrigan whispered.

"I heard that!"

They both giggled for a moment.

"Will Tommy be annoyed?" Morrigan asked, suddenly worried.

"Nah, he would've enjoyed the attention."

"Ok, that-"

"Hey, would you like to grab something to eat after this?"

"I- what?"

"I mean if you're not busy or anything."

"Um... sure I'd love to."

"Oh! Um, great! Great."

Jack turned back to his desk and Morrigan smiled. He wanted to spend time with her! He didn't think she was annoying! It was more than she could have ever hoped for.

"How does it feel to finally be asked out?" Cadence smirked.

"Wait what? That- he asked me out?"

Cadence sighed. "Yes, Morrigan. Your long-standing crush just asked you out."

"Oh my god... wait are you joking? I- I don't believe you."

"What did you think that was then?"

"I'm not sure?! I just- I don't know!"

Cadence raised an eyebrow and muttered something under her breath that Morrigan couldn't quite hear.

"You really don't believe me?"

Morrigan shook her head. It was surely a dream, a trick.

"Hey! Jack!" Cadence called out.

"Wha- what are you doing?" Morrigan whisper-shouted. "Cadence, no!"

Jack turned around to face Cadence.

"Did you just ask Morrigan out?" Cadence queried.

Jack's glanced between Cadence and Morrigan. "I- yes? I mean... well... yeah."

Cadence gave Morrigan a pointed look before going back to her book.

"I told you so."