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Early on in their careers as Charmers, the two constantly fought against each other. Venus would consistently play dirty, tugging on Morticia’s long, blonde ponytail. Morticia found Venus to be consistently annoying — originally because she’d play school-yard tricks during their fights, but also because she was just so damn upbeat all the time… not to mention a perfectionist. Venus was always so social, it seemed as though so many of their opponents just crowded around her, trying to get a glimpse at her radiant personality.
Of course, they’d be upset when Venus eventually beat them. Morticia and Venus were both from the middle ring of Auroch, they both enjoyed flaunting their wealth — Venus often flaunted it through extravagant parties and spectacles while Morticia constantly supplied herself with high-class acquaintances.
Despite this fact, Morticia rarely tolerated anybody in her presence; her ‘friends’ tended to be more of accessories for her outfits. But both participated in the games, mostly for fun, but also to earn more money. The thrill was enticing, the attention was infectious.
Venus laughed lightly as she spoke with the other Charmers. Morticia rolled her eyes at the peppy group as she sharpened the spikes on her bracelets.
“Gosh Morticia, what is your problem?” Venus spoke out, the whole crowd was now staring at Morticia, who stopped sharpening her bracelets by then and had her legs crossed over one another as she sat on a bench.
“We’re all opponents, aren’t we? There’s no point to be all sweet when you’re going to make them writhe in pain later.” Morticia grumbled, her Eastern European accent thick.
“It’s called sportsmanship, maybe you should learn some.” The fluffy, bright pink woman retorted. The small crowd around her laughed and began to whisper. Morticia stood up and began to walk away, her heels clicking loudly against the ground.
“You think you’re better than us, don’t you? Maybe try and have a little humility, Morticia.” The spike-adorned woman ignored her, and her little gang of friends, as she went to prepare for Charmfire.
──── ୨୧ ────
Years later, the two were older now, a little more respectful with their words, but their little rivalry continued. Venus was as social as ever, almost every other week she’d bring a new partner to watch her in the stands. Eventually they’d break up and the cycle would start all over again. Every time Morticia caught a glimpse of Venus and her new partner she’d feel a wave of heat wash over her.
No need to show off the fact you’re pretty. She would think. Venus always annoyed her, even in the smallest ways.
One day, dust was flying through the air as Charmers began to fight. While that was occurring, Venus had had enough, and pulled out a small staff from the side of her dress and hit Morticia’s knee, causing her leg to buckle and for her to fall to her knees.
Venus went to deliver a finishing blow, to knock Morticia out, but the black-leather covered woman quickly recovered by sweeping Venus’ leg out from under her. Venus fell down onto her bright pink fluffy skirt with a “oof!” breaking out from her throat. Morticia scrambled towards Venus before she could get up and pushed her chest, causing her back to hit the ground. Venus quickly smacked Morticia across the face, leaving the right side of her face stinging. Slightly stunned, Morticia moved back a little, she clicked the tip of her tongue against her teeth, her face having an almost disappointed yet taken aback look.
“What? No more hair pulling?” Morticia said, referencing Venus’ old dirty tricks.
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” Venus retorted, jumping forward to push Morticia to the ground. Morticia let out a low grunt as Venus pressed the front of her neck. The fluffy pink and gold wearing woman had her right leg in between the black-leather flared pants and the left on the outside. Morticia brought her hand up to Venus’ face and scratched her with her long, red nails. Morticia smirked, payback for the slap in the face. Blood swelled from the long scratch that appeared on Venus’ face.
“Ugh,” Venus grunted, “You’re such a brat!”
“You’re one to talk.” Morticia hissed. “I’m Venus and I’m just so perfect and everybody loves me!” She said in a mocking voice, rolling her eyes heavily, so much so she was afraid they’d get stuck that way.
“Jealous, much?” Venus hummed, keeping her grip steady, not letting Morticia get to her.
“Hah! You wish.” She narrowed her eyes, then looked behind Venus to see the two of them were on the big screen.
The crowd was screaming, Morticia could make out a few saying “What are you doing!?” “Finish her!” and “This isn’t time to talk!”, and they were right. Morticia swiftly ran her knee into Venus’ stomach. Venus let go of Morticia and coughed.
“You were right, you know, I do think I am better than everybody else.” Morticia stood up slowly, “Because I am.”
──── ୨୧ ────
Later that night, Morticia couldn’t help but recall the look of pain on Venus’ face after that — well not just physical pain, but there was a twinge of sadness behind her eyes.
Almost like she expected Morticia to be better. She thought long as she laid in her bed, being sandwiched between her satin sheets. She realized Venus always had that sad look when Morticia talked about herself like that. Even though it came off as narcissistic, internally it was always a cry for help. Maybe someone she hated, understood her pain.
A voice in the back of her head whispered, ‘do you really think she cares about you?’
After all I’ve done? She thought, No. Morticia responded to the voice, berating herself was common, because people outside yelled at her for the wrong reasons.
She couldn’t help but think how much of an asshole she was to everyone, especially Venus. Someone who, even though they threw punches and insults at one another, always gave her a smile. She has a beautiful smile.
Morticia shook her head, she figured she was tired. Why else would she be thinking strangely? She closed her eyes tightly, tensing all her muscles in her body for a few moments then releasing, allowing her body to feel the peace as she slowly drifted off.
──── ୨୧ ────
“She’s so… so… so annoying!” Venus whined, pacing around her bedroom as one her most recent partners sat at the foot of her bed.
“Uh huh…” They nodded, trying to be supportive but they really weren’t interested. They shifted their weight. “Why don’t you just… ignore her?”
“It’s not that simple!” Venus snapped. She sighed, sitting down beside her significant other. “She’s… I know she’s a good person. But she just- she makes my heart pound in my ears and I get so frustrated!” She fiddled with the fabric of her bedsheets as she paused, catching her breath. “We’ve never been friends, but I care about her. I’ve seen the sad looks she has when she thinks nobody’s looking.”
“Sounds like you care more about her than me. ” Her significant other rolled their eyes and went to put their hand on Venus’ shoulder.
“Get out.” Venus swatted the hand away.
“What?” They scoffed.
“I think you should leave.” Venus restated, her eyes cold, her soft smile faded.
“Fine then, we’re over.” They stood up, grabbed their jacket, and walked out of Venus’ apartment. Venus sighed, weirdly, breakups haven’t hurt in awhile. Maybe because I really don’t care about them as much as I say I do.
──── ୨୧ ────
A week later, the next round of Charmfire started. Venus walked down the hallway to the locker rooms, she noticed Morticia sitting on the bench, adjusting her weapons.
“Good morning, Morticia.” She hummed, greeting her as she usually did. However something was new this week, Morticia gave a slight smile in response. Usually Morticia would roll her eyes or grunt, something, but not a… a smile. Her smile was different from others Venus has seen, maybe because Morticia’s was such a rare sight. This smile wasn’t sarcastic or mean, it was… genuine.
Morticia rolled her eyes internally, at herself. That was so awkward. Morticia looked back at Venus who was setting her equipment down not too far from her.
“Uh… you bring your partner to watch today’s round?” Morticia spoke up, her voice much softer than usual as she attempted to make small talk.
“We actually broke up last week.” Venus responded, her voice a little less chirpy.
“Oh I’m— sorry to hear that.” Morticia couldn’t help but feel a little lighter… Why would she feel lighter? She always hated seeing Venus with her significant others, Morticia’s heart would sink when she saw Venus kiss someone else. She thought it was because she found it disgusting. But recently, Morticia thinks it’s because… I’m jealous.
Over the next few months, Venus’ upbeat personality started to rub off on Morticia — but only between the two. Venus noticed how Morticia was changing, she was being more open.
Usually Morticia was a difficult book, like somebody scrambled half the letters around and only if you knew the code could you find the meaning. Even without this new found emotional maturity, Venus could still read Morticia. Morticia had continued to make snide remarks and rude comments, but those were more lighthearted and their intentions were different.
Eventually, Venus found a new partner, a long term relationship. Morticia couldn’t help but feel a pang in her chest every time she saw Venus.
Eventually, Morticia quit Charmfire. She couldn’t handle seeing Venus and not being by her side. Soon, Venus quit too.
──── ୨୧ ────
Venus started becoming a wedding planner — specially for the super rich of Auroch. She helped brides decide what they wanted, grooms pick wedding bands, the usual.
Venus always created extravagant events, and for her job? There was no doubt they were just as stunning. While Venus was out and about, Mortica was inside her home, where she had been for the past few years. She left from time to time, sure, but life was boring now.
She wanted something to do, despite not needed to be employed, having something meaningful to do would help Morticia get out of the house, and possibly lighten her spirits. Scrolling through the news she discovered the old announcers for Charmfire had retired.
Seeing an opportunity, Morticia applied to be Charmfire’s new announcer, no doubt having experience with being on the playing field would give her an edge against the others. And not to mention, Morticia’s strong voice was a very desirable trait for a job like this.
She easily got the job, of course, but she needed a partner. Every announcer that was paired with her eventually quit within a week.
On the playing field of Charmfire, the audience wasn’t having as much fun. Morticia’s bosses urged her to be more welcoming to her coworkers, but that was… difficult for her. Even when she attempted to get along and understand her colleagues, they didn’t understand her. No one did except…
Venus was having a tremendous amount of fun, but work was sparse given that not many people get married everyday. She wanted another job, something a little more active.
Co-announcer needed for Charmfire, huh, that would be fun! Venus thought. She signed up for the role and went in for the interview, not knowing that the Co-announcer meant working with familiar faces.
“Venus, thank you for taking the time to sit down with us.”
“No, thank you!” Venus chirped back at the interviewer.
“We would love to give you the job,”
“But?”
“But, we need to know how you can handle your colleague.” The interviewer’s voice ran cold.
“Well,” Venus cleared her throat, “I work well with everybody! My personality just sort of works that way, one could say.”
“We know you have a history with the current announcer of Charmfire, are you sure that this won’t affect your work together?”
“I wouldn’t like to think so. Who is it?”
──── ୨୧ ────
Morticia turned around, sighing, to see who her new co-announcer would be this week; she half-expected to see some newbie once more, but she didn’t expect a familiar face. Not even… hers.
“Morticia.” Venus hummed politely. Morticia’s eyes widened for a moment, but they quickly flashed back to cold.
“What… what are you doing here?” She questioned, standing up from her seat where she had made herself ever so comfortable these past few months.
“I work here, silly!” Venus chuckled in that way of hers, Morticia felt that nostalgia of when they once were friends.
“Yeah I see that.” Morticia scanned Venus from her heart-shaped hairstyle down to the heart designs on her heels. There was a moment of silence. Venus was looking at Morticia’s almost scarlet-colored eyes.
“I missed you.” She muttered. Morticia briefly locked eyes with her only to see… sadness. But it wasn’t that disappointment kind of sadness, it was that I missed you sadness.
When Venus heard Morticia was the announcer for Charmfire, she couldn’t help but be so excited to see her friend again. But she also couldn’t help but feel that resurfacing pain. Morticia left her years ago, no call, no warning, nothing.
“I-“ Morticia swallowed her pride. “I missed you too, V.”
“I guess I’ll have to get used to working with someone so mushy.” Venus teased, gently nudging Morticia’s side.
“Hey!” Morticia scoffed playfully. “As I recall, you’re the more mushy of the two of us.”
“Hmm. Fair enough.” Venus shrugged, sitting in the chair beside Morticia. She looked over the panel of buttons and dials, not really understanding them quite yet. “So can you teach me how to use this?” She gestured to the panel with a coy smile.
“Yeah yeah, of course.” Morticia rolled her eyes, it was a habit even if what she intended was nice. Morticia walked over to Venus, standing on her left side, peering over her shoulder.
“So this big red button here turns your mic on and off.” Morticia pressed it as an example and then pressed it once more. “It’s very important you turn it off once you’re done talking because then everyone can still hear what you’re saying.”
“Of course, of course.” Venus said, looking up at Morticia, who was busy explaining the workspace.
“Over here there are audio adjustments and such, they take a bit to get used to but once you get the idea of-“ Morticia paused, she felt Venus’ breath on her neck. It flustered her slightly, but it brought up the pain she thought she had no longer. Morticia glanced over at Venus, who was looking at Morticia with such intent in her beautiful pink eyes. Morticia let out a grumble, stepping away from Venus.
“What’s wrong?” Venus tilted her head, concerned.
“Nothing.” Morticia lied. She’s held so many thoughts in for so long, it wouldn’t help saying them now.
“Come on, I know there’s something wrong.” Venus moved her hand towards Morticia’s. Morticia quickly pulled her hand away, her face flushing both with embarrassment and anger. Venus snapped, “What did I ever do to you?” She hissed at Morticia, her mood changing so suddenly.
“What?” Morticia stood still.
“Come on, you left without so much as a goodbye!” Venus stood up, she has clearly held resentment for a while. “So what did I do to make you leave, hm?” Tears began welling in her eyes as she raised her voice. Morticia went silent, she didn’t expect Venus to have reacted like that, or even to yell at her. The physical gap between them seemed to widen in such few words.
“I— because…” Morticia tried to find the words, she was never really a feelings person thus why she tended to avoid them. Venus stared at her, eyebrows lifted in an angered expression, the pink in her eyes almost seeming dull now.
“Because every time I saw you, my heart would ache. I couldn’t handle seeing someone being by your side and it wasn’t me.” She paused, her accent becoming thicker as tears welled in her eyes. Seeing Venus mad at her… it hurt. “And if I ever told you, you wouldn’t want to be my friend anymore. So there, you want to know why I left? It’s because I loved you— and I still do. Leaving didn’t help that go away, I was just avoiding the problem.” Morticia finally spoke, the whole time she was looking at the floor and tracing her fingers over the spikes on her bracelets, something, anything to distract her from the reality that she was crying— not just crying but trying to hold in those tears from growing any bigger. It was in vain, of course.
“You… love me?” Venus managed to mutter finally after a long pause. Morticia finally looked up to meet Venus’ eyes.
“Oh! Uhm… well- that’s… that’s nice, I guess.” Venus felt a bit flustered but not because she felt the same way, certainly. She felt confused, awkward, but not mad, not upset. Just taken aback from such openness she hadn’t seen from Morticia.
“Yes I do. And if you want to leave, I get that. Would honestly be a record at this job.” Morticia went back to looking at the floor, she was rarely shy, but when she was it was because of Venus. Venus began to rub the fabric of her pink skirt between her fingers. Venus always cared deeply about Morticia, even when she was such an ass.
“I’ll stay.” She said, softly, but her voice was blunt.
“You-what?”
“I said I’ll stay. I’m not going to let you leave again, Tish.” Venus chuckled as Morticia’s face twisted from confused, to surprised, to a bittersweet smile.
“That’s all I want.” She chuckled awkwardly, not one for being sentimental, after all.
──── ୨୧ ────
Hours turned into days, days into weeks, weeks into months. It had been half a year since Venus became the co-announcer for Charmfire. Morticia and Venus would do their usual banter of the microphone.
“Did you see that move! Charlotte just knocked out another player with her scythe!”
“I could do the same if I didn’t have my own style of fighting.”
“You teach at a dojo now?”
“
What?”
“Oh so you don’t have a fighting style you teach on the weekends— okay.”
“No I was- you’re one to talk, considering you would play dirty.”
“Hah! You wish I still tugged on your hair.”
“I- what?” As the two bickered the audience looked at one another, confused. The bickering had become a staple of their routine, but also their judgmental remarks towards the players and each other. Venus was, of course, the nicer of the two, giving praise out to the players where it’s deserved. A manager walked into the room a few times while they bickered saying,
“You two know the microphone is on… yes?”and Venus would reply with a smile saying,
“Oh! We know.” Over those six months Venus thought about how Morticia said she loved her. Generally their relationship didn’t change, but recently Venus started flirting with Morticia more often. Venus had stopped before, but lately she hasn’t stopped thinking about Morticia and that little smile of hers.
“Good morning, beautiful.” She’d purr and she entered the announcer’s booth, her pink train skirt trailing behind her, the golden flowers on it shining in the light.
“Yeah, yeah.” Morticia turned her chair away from Venus’ eyes, just so she couldn’t see how flustered she got. The thing is, Venus enjoyed Morticia being all flustered, but at the same time she felt bad for leading Morticia on.
There’s no way she’s still in love with me. She assured herself, trying to push down the blossoming feelings of hers down into her chest.
──── ୨୧ ────
After work, Venus leaned back in her chair, releasing a long sigh as her chest would fall slowly down. Morticia leaned back as well, stretching her legs up and placing her boots on the console board. Venus would turn her head slightly to see Morticia closing her eyes, her lips slightly separated one another as she breathed lightly.
“Hmm.” Venus hummed with a smile, of which she did not mean to do. Morticia opened her eyes and looked at Venus who quickly turned her head away in embarrassment.
“Something wrong?” Morticia tilted her head slightly, concerned for her friend.
“No it… it’s nothing.” Venus chuckled at herself, what a silly situation to be in. In love with your best friend who has been in love with you for years… but maybe not anymore. Venus frowned, her eyes looking down to her lap as she began to run her fingertips over the smoothness of her pink-painted nails.
“Tell me, V.” Morticia said, returning to her previous position.
“It’s silly.” Venus retorted.
“I’ve shared more embarrassing things than you, I’m sure.” Morticia rolled her eyes slightly, it was her signature movement, what she was most known for.
“You’d laugh, I’m sure of that, Tish.” Venus turned her head away from Morticia.
“Do you trust me?” Morticia took her boots off the console, turning her chair as crossed her legs and faced Venus.
“Of course I do-“
“Then tell me what’s been bothering you..” Venus looked over to Morticia whose eyes turned a beautiful blood-orange color in the fading sunlight.
“You remember… six months ago?” She began, licking her lips as they were dry.
“When I professed myself and almost ruined our friendship? Yeah, I remember.” Morticia chuckled softly, on the surface joking, but she was embarrassed still. Venus couldn’t quite figure out why.
“Do you still feel the same?” Venus met Morticia’s eyes.
“What… what is this?” Morticia’s eyes flicked around the room. They focused back on Venus, who was… blushing? Why’s she blushing… is this what I believe it to be? Certainly not, all her ‘flirting’ has been in a joking manner— surely.
“I can’t stop thinking about—“ Venus looked down to her lap for a moment, catching her breath. “You.”
Morticia’s face flushed for a moment— this clearly wasn’t a joke. Venus was one to pull a trick, but not when she was being emotionally vulnerable.
“When you told me you loved me, as more than a rival, a coworker, a companion, at first I was taken aback. I didn’t know how to feel because I never thought about being interested in you.”
“Tch. Thanks a lot.” Morticia tutted and rolled her eyes.
“No, listen to me, Morticia.” Venus stood up from her seat and walked to Morticia, closing the gap between them.
“I can’t stop thinking about you. I recalled back when we were still young and rivals, and I dated someone, they told me I seemed to care more about you than them. And back then, it wasn’t even romantic. But when you left Charmfire without a word, it hurt so badly. I didn’t know why… but you’ve always meant so much to me. And when you told me that you loved me?” Venus took a moment to laugh, a sort of tearful laugh from her chest. “I realized after a while that I loved you too, and now more than friends. And I understand if you’re no longer interested and—“ Venus wiped away a tear from her cheek.
“And I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” Morticia blurted out. But she did want Venus to be sorry, because how can someone be so beautiful, so kind, incredibly funny, so… her… and not be by Mortica’s side?
Venus began leaning towards Morticia, her face inching towards hers.
“Ehem, Venus, what are you doing..?” Morticia mumbled, her face flushing red.
“Oh my! Gosh I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to—“ Venus stumbled back, realizing what she was about to do. She straightened out her clothes, her face flushing, her round cheeks growing darker. Morticia chuckled, which turned into a laugh, which turned into a loud laugh and a snort every few seconds. Venus blinked rapidly… oh god I broke her. Morticia calmed down, smiling.
“Sorry, it’s just— you know despite you having more experience with these things, you are certainly more awkward at it than I expected.” Morticia chuckled once more and Venus pouted.
“Asshole, you said you wouldn’t laugh!”
“I never said that.” Morticia giggled softly. “Come here, kiss me already, damn it.” She rolled her eyes, but more of a ‘you’re so silly’ way. Venus leaned back into Morticia’s space, finally closing that gap of tension that had been there for years. Venus pressed her lips against Morticia’s, who by now had pulled Venus in, causing her to trip over herself a little and had one of her knees land in the space between Morticia’s. Venus let out a chuckle between her lips as Morticia wrapped her arms around the back of Venus’ neck.
“Ouch!” Venus squeaked, Morticia’s bracelets were poking her skin.
“Oh gosh- I’m sorry.” Morticia pulled back a little, reaching to her wrists and taking off the spiked bracelets.
“No, no, it’s fine, don’t worry.” Venus gave Morticia that warm smile of hers, everything about her seemed to glow. “You’ve always been prickly,” she commented as she reached towards Morticia’s necklace, giving her a little look of hesitance before receiving a visual ‘go ahead’ from Morticia, unclamping the back of the necklace and placing it on the console next to the bracelets. “But everyone has their thorns.”
Venus peppered Morticia’s face with kisses, eventually smudging the edges of Morticia’s red lipstick. Venus pulled back momentarily to see the little imperfection, usually she would work quickly to fix it, but Morticia was perfect just as is. There is nothing better than this moment, right here. She thought.
──── ୨୧ ────
The next day, Morticia woke up in Venus’ apartment, on her pink, fluffy, bed spread. The evening before Venus invited her over to have dinner and some drinks, in reality she just didn’t want to let go of Morticia, not after all this time. Morticia, obviously, wanted to stay latched on forever, she finally had Venus’ heart, and she wouldn’t let go.
“Good morning, Tish!” Venus chirped, peering through the bedroom door, the smell of coffee brewing in the kitchen.
Morticia cocked her head and smiled softly, “Good morning, V.” She scanned Venus’ pink bathrobe, it was very comfortable looking. Morticia was always groggy in the morning, so she slowly got out of bed and followed Venus into the kitchen where she was watching the coffee pot brew.
Venus’ kitchen was neatly organized, very aesthetic with each spice and food having its own compartment. Morticia rested her head on Venus’ shoulder, taking a minute to breathe in the cool air of the morning and feel the softness of her robe. Venus turned her head and kissed Morticia’s forehead, her blonde hair falling nicely over her face and running down her back. Morticia hummed in response, a smile forming on her lips. The ding of the coffee pot woke her up a little as Venus immediately took the pot and poured two cups of coffee, adding cream and a little sugar to one.
“How do you like your coffee?” Venus asked sweetly.
“Uhm-“ Morticia took a moment to think. “Leave it as it is, bitter is how I like it.” Venus chuckled in response ,
“No wonder you’re so sour.” She purred. Morticia nudged her side with her elbow in response.
“Hey!” She scoffed with a little laugh.
──── ୨୧ ────
When the coffee pot was drained and the two thoroughly awake, Venus looked at the clock …
12:00
“Tish! We have to leave soon!” She called from across her apartment. Morticia looked down from the mirror she was staring at to her phone.
“What do you mean? It’s only twelve!” She called back. Unlike Morticia, Venus always had to be on time. She has very specific routines that she knew how long each would take, so she was always on time.
Morticia, on the other hand, takes 3 hours to get ready for the day. She was brushing her long blonde hair, combing through it slowly and putting in some product she always kept in her purse. Venus barged into the bathroom,
“We have to go, Tish.” She stopped in the doorway, watching Morticia brush her hair. She was always so elegant, despite being so thorny on the outside, she had a soft glow emanating from her. Venus looked down to find Morticia not yet fully dressed.
“Oh! I’m— you’re not ready! Just… just hurry up okay?” Venus blushed and closed the bathroom door.
After what felt like hours (but was really 30 minutes), Morticia stepped out from Venus’ bathroom.
“After work can we grab some shampoo and conditioner? Yours isn’t exactly for my hair type.” Morticia spoke softly, nervously, almost.
“Oh! Yes, of course, Tish!” Venus smiled.
“That’s alright, yes? I don’t want to intrude on your apartment or-“
“Yes, that’s alright.” Venus placed her hands on Morticia’s shoulders, the warmth from her skin and the softness of her smile immediately reassured her.
The two finally headed to work and arrived at the same time, this was strange, of course, as Morticia was always later than Venus. But for them to arrive together? That was… something, but once is just a coincidence. Twice? Okay, funny. Three times? Four times? Everyday this week? There’s something going on … People around the announcer’s booth started to get suspicious, the two always were close but not too close. They had had this barrier, this distance between them, that had now melted like wax near a flame.
Even the audience could tell the tension in their voices was alleviated, but of course, the jokes and snide remarks stayed the same. It was a staple of the two of them, and they may or may not have begun outwardly flirting with each other. To no one’s surprise, they suspected the two were together.
Co-workers had thought this before, of course, but now they had more evidence to back it up. They got one thing wrong, though, both were in love with each other, infatuated, even— but they didn’t exactly start dating.
──── ୨୧ ────
Morticia and Venus were in love, spent nights at each other’s apartments, basically spent everyday together, except, neither of them truly communicated on what they wanted the relationship to be.
Venus was more experienced on the emotional and dating aspect, but in the majority of those relationships she was shut off, escaping her own issues through her partners.
She often had messy break ups, but a few she was still friends with. Morticia had never really dated anyone, just had a few flings and situationships here and there, but nothing that really lasted. Morticia wanted to be with Venus, and even though she already had that, she wanted it verbalize, shouted from the rooftops in joy, she wanted to proudly say she’s my girlfriend, and I’m hers. There was a problem, however, Morticia didn’t know how to speak about these desires — after all she wasn’t someone who was very open with her emotions.
One day, someone came up to the two of them (a dare, most likely), and asked if they were dating. Venus replied with,
“Aha, not really!” With a small smile and a chuckle.
Morticia replied with,
“Yes.” Then proceeded to turn to Venus with a shocked, yet hurt, look on her face, attempting to hide it a few seconds after.
──── ୨୧ ────
“What did you mean by, ‘not really’?” Morticia asked that night while Venus was preparing dinner over on the kitchen island.
“Hmm?” Venus looked over to Morticia whose face seemed… darker.
“Are we not… dating?” Morticia looked up to meet Venus’ eyes, her heart slowly sinking. What if she didn’t want to be girlfriends?
“What—?” Venus was shocked, to be honest she hadn’t really thought everything through. Neither of them had.
“Tish-“ Venus reached out to caress Morticia’s cheek, but Morticia moved slightly back, signaling she didn’t want to be touched. Venus lowered her hand, placing it on the cool marble countertop.
“I want you…” Morticia took a deep breath, communicating was hard.
“I want you to be my girlfriend. I don’t want any… situationship. I want to be with you, I want to be yours.” Venus stood there in the middle of the kitchen, thinking for a moment. She hadn’t known Morticia felt that way, and to be honest, she herself was scared; scared she’d mess things up like her past relationships, scared that she wouldn’t be enough or live up to expectations.
“I’m… I’m sorry, Tish.” Was all she could say at that moment, she didn’t know how to explain how she felt, but she felt so guilty for making Morticia feel hurt. “I promise, I want to be your girlfriend I just-.” Venus took a moment.
“Can I talk to you about this tomorrow? I would like to take a moment to gather my thoughts.” Her voice was soft, timid, almost. Morticia sighed, she understood, but she felt that familiar pang in her chest.
“That’s alright, I understand.” Morticia paused for a moment, allowing the silence to seep in before asking, “Do you want me to sleep on the couch?” Her voice was timid, as if she didn’t really want the answer to that question.
“No! No, of course not. You didn’t do anything wrong. I’ll sleep on the couch.” Venus offered.
“But this is your apartment, V, I really don’t want to conquer it.” Venus chuckled, it was a silly question. She really only needed space to gather her thoughts and feelings, not space from Morticia.
“Take my bed, I can sleep almost anywhere.” Venus said with a smile, lighting the mood.
“Fair enough, my back is very delicate from carrying all the Charmfire commentary.” Venus gasped dramatically in response,
“You did not!” She chuckled, then leaned over hesitant at first, but then with a look of approval kissed Morticia on her cheek. Suddenly, the smoke detector started beeping. “Shit!” Venus scrambled, dinner was burned. Morticia was on the opposite side of the kitchen island, almost falling out of her chair cackling.
“Let me guess, take out food tonight?”
“Take out.” Venus sighed in defeat with a smile, she loved Morticia dearly, but her own issues were getting in the way.
──── ୨୧ ────
The very next morning Morticia woke up to the smell of pancakes. Instinctively she reached to check if Venus was there, but that night they slept in separate rooms. Groggily, she draped her legs over the side of Venus’ bed, and rubbed her eyes. Standing up, she walked towards to see a giant array of all sorts of breakfast foods, and Venus in the center, hard at work. Morticia’s heart pulled her closer to Venus, so desperately wanting to close the gap between them and hang her arms loosely around Venus’ neck, peppering her in kisses, but the fear that maybe Venus didn’t want to be her lover after all stopped her from indulging.
“I made some breakfast!” Venus chirped, a small smile creasing her plump and beautiful cheeks.
“I can see that.” Morticia responded sarcastically, gesturing to the large amount of breakfast foods assorted on the kitchen island.
“I wanted to apologize, for the other night.” Venus sat on a stool, her voice small.
“Don’t apologize, I understand.” Morticia said, voice steady but her head hung down ever so slightly.
“I am apologizing.” Venus said, strictly. Morticia’s heart fluttered slightly, but she steadied it, confused as to what Venus wanted.
“I want to be your girlfriend.” She said straightforwardly. “I’ve just been afraid, afraid that I’ll mess up. Almost every relationship I’ve had I wasn’t invested in enough, and I want to be invested with you. I don’t want to ruin our friendship, or our love. Because I love you, I really do. And I know that you’ve been in pain for a while, and I don’t want to hurt you more by giving you the love you want and then pulling it away because I’m a coward.”
Venus sat still after that moment, last night she barely slept so in the early hours of the morning she started making breakfast, she couldn’t help but feel terrible for not being more honest sooner. Morticia took a pancake and put it on her plate in silence, poured some whipped cream on it, then started to cut it into quarters. Venus watched intently, but in confusion. Morticia responded,
“I need some energy before I pour my feelings out next. Emotions are still a bit of a struggle, you know.” She said with a smile in between bites. Venus relaxed a little, her shoulders lowering — she didn’t even realize they had been up so high. After a moment, Morticia finally said, “Okay.” Venus sat confused.
“What? What do you mean okay?” She was honestly kind of pissed, what was okay? What was not okay she didn’t understand what Morticia meant by-
“V, calm down.” Morticia placed her hand on Venus’ shoulder, they were raising again.
“I love you. We both have our own issues, but I want to be with you. And you want to be with me. I don’t think there’s much more to be said other than we love each other.” Morticia smiled. “That goes without saying that we will probably need to communicate better-“ She chuckled lightly.
“There’s nothing you can do that would ruin what we have.”
“This is so unfair.” Venus groaned. Morticia raised an eyebrow in response. “You keep saying you’re bad at emotions when you’re clearly more emotionally mature than me. It’s not fair.” Morticia chuckled, and smiled.
“I think you’re like… righhttt here. We’re relatively the same level but- you’re just below me.” Morticia gestured, one hand slightly below the other, signifying their levels of emotional maturity.
“Then again you go ahead and do things like that and that proves you wrong.” Venus smiled. “So,” Venus leaned forward pulling a maraschino cherry out from god knows where, Morticia wasn't paying attention to anything but Venus’ face and smooth voice. Venus carefully placed the cherry on some whipped cream that was on top of Morticia’s pancakes.
“Do you want to be my girlfriend?” The words came so easily off of her tongue, even though it had taken much thought for her to realize what she needed and what she wanted.
“Yes, yes I do.” Morticia said with a smile, her cheeks gaining a beautiful rosey color. Morticia stood up from her chair and walked around the kitchen island to embrace Venus from behind. Morticia began to kiss the back of Venus’ neck up to her cheeks. Venus chuckled and cupped her hand over Morticia’s cheek.
“I love you, V.”
“I love you too.”