It was National Donut Day. (Like, a couple days ago, but whatever.) I did research.

For Spyfest 2015, Week One prompt:

"Pre-Stormbreaker. What was life like before Ian died?"

Don't own Alex Rider.

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"Ian. Donuts," Jack said.

"Jack. No," Ian said.

"Donuts?" Alex asked, twisting around from his upside-down position on the armchair to look at them. Ian mostly didn't let anything with too much sugar or grease within smelling distance of Alex, but once in awhile, Jack was able to either sneak something past him (Alex had a suspicion that Ian knew and was just choosing to indulge him) or talk Ian into letting him have it "for the childhood experience, Ian, you can't shelter him from it forever!"

Ian shook his head. "You have karate in an hour," he said, and went back to his book, like that was a good excuse.

"It's National Donut Day," Jack protested. "We can't just not have donuts on National Donut Day."

Alex and Ian both turned to her to raise an eyebrow each at her.

Jack rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. We've been through this. American housekeeper celebrates sometimes questionable American holidays-"

"-mostly questionable American holidays-" Ian said.

"Thanksgiving is an important part of my culture!" Jack put a hand to her heart, as if personally insulted. "My cranberry sauce is actually good!"

"Your cranberry sauce was store-bought, and I was talking about Groundhog Day. And Talk Like a Pirate Day. And-"

"And Independence Day, and Flag Day, and Columbus Day, even though my birth city is literally named after him." Jack sighed. She looked at Alex, face exaggeratedly morose.

Alex nodded, putting on a similar expression and glancing at Ian, playing along with Jack. He would celebrate her weird American holidays with her, but only for donuts. (And sometimes for the fun of it.)

"Guess we don't get to celebrate the Salvation Army volunteers during World War I who made donuts for brave soldiers and remember-"

"Alright, go get your donuts," Ian groaned.

"Yes!" Jack fist-pumped and high-fived Alex. "Donuts!"

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"So, all that stuff about World War I volunteers?" Alex looked at Jack curiously over a bite of donut. "Was that-?"

Jack nodded, smiling. "True. Come on, Alex, would I make that up?"

Alex glanced at her doubtfully. "For donuts?"

Jack rolled her eyes. "I would make up a holiday for donuts. However, I would not make up World War I Salvation Army volunteers or the Great Depression for donuts."

"The Great Depression?"

Jack nodded. "Yeah, I was getting to that part when Ian interrupted. My American holidays are all completely valid." She sniffed. "Talk Like a Pirate Day is a sacred celebration of-"

"No it's not."

Jack sighed. "No, it's not, but it's fun, and you and I both know Ian was so annoyed, but he joined right in."

"That one is true."

Jack nodded. "Anyway, National Donut Day was founded by the Salvation Army to help raise money during the Great Depression. It was ten years after the end of the war, they needed money, it was as good an excuse for donuts as any, I guess."

"Huh." Alex took another bite of donut. "Works for me."

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-Fin-

Ian didn't eat greasy things. Jack totally would. My PHC Jack is (*cough*alive*cough*) a total Murrica rebel in London. Because, you know, D.C..