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Kaeden stared at the white droplets of snow falling around her.
It was an obvious contrast against the gloomy and gothic land. The Addams grounds had an eerie air around that made the ambiance feel magical.
She wasn't sure why she was here. When Wednesday extended the invitation to spend the holidays at the Addams manor, she accepted it without a second thought. Now, Kaeden wasn't sure how to behave.
The reason why Wednesday invited her in the first place kept rolling in her mind. Sure, they were close now. Their close relationship was not a secret nor something they bragged about. But Kaeden could feel the way her seer now kept a close eye on her. As if she were afraid Kaeden would disappear in thin air the moment she took her eyes off her.
Kaeden wasn't sure how to feel about that.
“What’s on your mind?”
Kaeden blinked. The droplets felt cold against her skin, and the coldness shook the row of thoughts from your mind.
Wednesday frowned, placing a cold palm to her cheek, bringing her back to the present.
“Kaeden?”
“I’m fine,” the golden-eyed girl replied. “I was thinking how pretty it is around here.”
The goth’s eyes lingered in hers for a long moment, searching for any signs of lies beneath the golden irises. But Kaeden was honest, and so the goth nodded in satisfaction.
“It’s a different contrast from what we are used to.” Her palm dropped, but was quick to interlace her fingers around Kaeden’s arm.
“Are you saying it's prettier this way?”
Wednesday scoffed. Inadvertently pressing closer to Kaeden’s side.
“I will not entertain your childish motions, Cara Mia.”
Beside her, Kaeden chuckled. “You keep doing it.”
“Doing what?”
Kaeden turned to her, a sheepish grin on her features. Wednesday took a moment to take her in. Her golden eyes, the small scar on her eyebrow that fell down and connected to her lip. Her beloved was beautiful, and Wednesday would never let any harm come to her.
“Calling me pet names.”
The statement evaporated the romantic motions she was entertaining.
“I will never call you ‘pet names’”
Kaeden chuckled. “But you did just now!”
“No, I called you a term of endearment because you are mine.”
Those words sent a shiver down Kaeden’s spine. “Am I now?”
Wednesday pursed her lips. Jaw tight, silent understanding pulsing through her veins, she hadn't realized what she had said until the words had come out. But she wouldn't indulge her partner in these childish games.
Not that she would take them back either. After all, Kaeden was hers.
The music filled the hallways of the big Addams manor.
Kaeden closed her eyes and let the vibrations run through her. The manor was cold, but for some reason, she found it oddly comfortable. It was the boisterous voices and music that made the golden-eyed girl hesitate. There was an air of expectation and excitement in the air.
The New Year seemed to be a big family occasion for the Addams. Kaeden didn't expect that at all.
It was odd, being in this place after everything that happened. Everyone had been so on edge lately, but for some reason, despite that, Wednesday wanted to make a formal introduction to her family, to her customs, and so she was here. In an unknown place with foreign people. But Wednesday had been so insistent, going as far as to send a car for her, she couldn't just deny her.
“It will be okay,” a booming voice whispered at her back.
Kaeden turned around.
Gomez Addams gave her an endearing, warm smile. He wore an elegant suit for the occasion, a dull burn red vest contrasting against the dark jacket. He was such a gentle man, always making sure Kaeden was comfortable and protected. It was an odd feeling for her.
Gomez was similar to her grandfather in so many ways, she could now understand why they were such good friends.
“I know.” Kaeden smiled, though the words felt more like a lie than a reassurance.
“This is a family reunion, and we already consider you family,” the man offered, making something inside Kaeden flutter. “You have nothing to fear.”
And with that, the man patted her on the back and drifted off into the grand salon where all the family was gathered. The faint sound of music filtered through the corridors.
Kaeden was afraid.
Wednesday was trying to integrate her into her family, but what if Kaeden didn't fit in? She was different from the Addams, and until recently, she had been considered an outcast among outcasts.
How could someone like her fit in such an outstanding family?
The ballroom was filled with guests.
The air was a bit stuffy. Kaeden wore a beautiful suit Morticia Addams had insisted on having tailored for her. It seemed like the New Year was the perfect excuse to hold an extra-big party.
Kaeden –lingering in the shadows of the big ballroom– couldn't help but feel uneasy around so many people.
“You are lost in thought, sweety,” a warm voice whispered behind her, a cold hand touching her shoulder, "What's wrong?”
“Nothing,” Kaeden lied, turning around with her best smile. “It's just… You have a big family.”
“We do,” Morticia replied, her tone low and gentle, “We don't always see each other, but that's precisely the reason why we always try to make the best of each occasion.”
“It's nice, all of this, keeping this tradition alive, even when you are all so different.”
“We are different, yes, but we all have one thing in common.”
“You are all family.”
“We are Addams, yes.” Morticia was pleased; her eyes lingered on hers for a moment too long.
“And one day, you will be one too.”
Kaeden froze in place, eyes wide. “What?”
“Don't think I don't know my daughter, my dear, I can see the way Wednesday looks at you, and I don't have to ask to know what you feel for her.”
Kaeden chuckled. “You are telling me this as if we were already engaged.”
Morticia leaned in. A snickering smile on her lips. “Are you not?”
“Wha–what!?”
“Mother.”
Kaeden jumped at the new voice. Moriticia did not.
From behind, Wednesday regarded her mother with an impassive face.
Kaeden felt the air leave her lungs. Wednesday was wearing a beautiful black dress, very similar to the dress she wore to the Rave, but this one was much more slick and elegant than the fluffy dress she wore. This one seemed easier to move in, less lace, more smooth and elegant.
Her hair was pulled back in a braid, something odd, but pretty all the same. Lips painted a dark black.
“Wow,” Kaeden smiled, “You look… nice…”
Morticia couldn't help the chuckle she let escape, finding endearing the way her future daughter-in-law blushed.
“You look beautiful, my dear,” Morticia smiled.
Wednesday ignored her mother, eyes focused on Kaeden.
The girl’s eyes were sparkling, but Wednesday found it stupid the way her mouth hung open. But she wasn't going to say anything; her eyes trailed down the girl's clothes. She had to concede her mother a point.
Kaeden did look stunning in that tailored suit. Her hair was slicked back, pulled in a half ponytail, and the brownish strands fell down just above her shoulders. Her hypnotizing golden eyes looked at her with admiration and hunger.
Wednesday felt a shiver down her spine.
Neither of them says it out loud, but Wednesday could see her mother’s hand in Kaeden’s suit. It was a perfect contrast to her own dress. A beautiful midnight black, with a dark black vest underneath the jacket, and all the details on the suit were perfectly smooth black. It was plain they were matching.
Wednesday turned her eyes to her mother. The older Addams had a smug smile on her dark lips.
“Mother, I apologize for the delay.”
“Nonsense, Kaeden and I were having a very exciting conversation, didn't we, dear?”
“Of course,” Kaeden laughed off, looking everywhere but them. “We were…”
“Well, I must join your father before he ravishes the banquet."
Wednesday nodded, waiting until her mother disappeared before giving one lingering look at her ally. “Shall we?”
Kaeden nodded, offering her arm. Wednesday didn't think twice before interlacing her own arm through hers. The feeling sent a weird feeling of pride to her chest.
“You look stunning.” As she expected, Kaeden froze in place, blushing fervently at the comment, still avoiding her gaze.
“Thanks…”
“You really do.”
“Yeah, thanks,” Kaeden hesitated, taking a deep, long breath before focusing her bright, handsome, golden eyes on her. “You look beautiful as well.”
She knew she did, but hearing Kaeden say it to her made the bats flutter.
Wednesday took one more moment to savor her before they were pulled into the festivities of the Addams family. The gentle touch of her skin, her beautiful suit. She took it all in, and felt a strange warm fill her insides.
...
The nerves were eating at her.
Kaeden couldn't stop shifting in place as she stared in awe at Gomez and Fester dancing the babushka together. Their steps were fluid, and they were so in sync that it was easy to ignore the danger behind the dance. One mistake and it will be it.
She could picture herself doing the same with her brother. In another universe, perhaps. Kaeden could understand that level of connection. No wonder Gomez had suffered so much when Fester went missing. But Ronan was gone, not missing; no matter what she did, he would never come back. The thought sent a feeling of gloom through her veins.
I shouldn't be thinking like this on such a special night.
Kaeden could feel that familiar stir run through her bones. Her skin crawled, the hair of her arms raised. For a moment, a cold panic started rising in her insides; she couldn't lose her cool here, not tonight, not with this many people…
She… hadn't even danced with Wednesday yet, and she knew that's what her seer would want, didn't she? It was an Addams custom… was it not?
What if she…
“You don't have to be so stiff about this.” Pugsley suddenly whispered.
Kaeden blinked back to the present. Eyebrows furrowed. “What–what do you mean?”
“You have that look on your face, like you are trying too hard.”
“I don't." Kaeden denied vehemently. “I mean–”
“You do, you don't have to try too hard, you know? Wednesday is already crazy for you, and my parents love you. What is there to be afraid of?”
Kaeden felt her chest swell with pride. The uneasiness that had been settling in her veins was easing up a bit. She wouldn't admit how afraid she was of losing control, of fucking up this chance.
“Thank you, Pugsley, I really appreciate it.”
The boy looked at her. Kaeden thought it was the first time the young Addams looked at her that way.
“You are not so bad,” he suddenly blurted.
Kaeden went still.
“I mean, not that you were, but… I think I understand what Wednesday sees in you.”
“What do you—”
“Pugsley,” a cold voice called.
The boy beside her froze, but a smirk came to his lips the moment his eyes fell on Wednesday.
“Took you long enough,” he chuckled, quickly hurrying off somewhere between the crowd of bodies dancing.
Once more, Wednesday and Kaeden were left alone. The goth’s eyes settled on hers. “Kaeden.”
“Wednesday…” Kaeden chuckled. “Where is my punch?”
Wednesday ignored her and offered a hand to her instead. Her face was straight as always, but beyond that usual coldness, Kaeden could see the hint of a smile there.
“Let's dance.”
…
Dancing with an Addams is… an interesting experience.
Kaeden couldn't decide if that was a good thing or not.
All eyes were fixed on her. But unlike the lingering gazes she received in the past, these gazes were not filled with judgment and uneasiness, but instead, filled with warmth and pride.
She saw it in Morticia and Gomez’s eyes, in Pugsley's smooth grin, in Grandma Addams' amused eyes, and in Fester’s snickering, toothy smile. In front of her, Wednesday’s hand gave a light squeeze.
Kaeden looked up to meet her steady eyes.
“Better?”
“I was too afraid,” Kaeden admitted in defeat. “To lose control, to be judged by your family.”
“Are you not anymore?”
Kaeden denied. “I don't think so. Not when I am with you, not when your family is so nice.”
They swirled in tempo with the music. It was a fast song, and soon Kaeden was panting. Her body is still unused to the strain. Wednesday made sure to slow them down to more moderate movements.
After the first dance, no one seemed to care. Soon, they were surrounded by the bodies of all the Addams, dancing around them. Sometimes, Kaeden would catch the gaze of a family member, and each time, she would earn a small nod and a gentle smile.
Kaeden didn't know how to feel. But the lingering attention was getting to her.
Looking down to escape for a moment.
Wednesday frowned, leaning her face closer.
“So, will you reject me?”
Kaeden’s face snapped up, eyes wide. “You heard…”
“Of course I did.”
Kaeden looked away, trying to keep her composure and move with the tempo of the music, but she made sure to keep her stare into Wednesday's deep black eyes.
Her seer wasn't satisfied. In one smooth swing, she whirled them around. Kaeden hurried to straighten her hold, eyes wide at the suddenness of the movement. But Wednesday was in complete control, eyes shining as she braced herself, letting her body slack in the girl's hold.
The movement had them in a precarious situation. Kaeden hovered over her, chest rising and falling in fast movements, a small telltale of sweat on her forehead as she kept her hold around Wednesday’s hips, one leg out, body tense and firm, holding her up as the goth leaned back with ease.
The move was smooth, and it sent another round of bats through Wednesday’s veins.
All around her, the dancefloor stilled. Paying close attention to the couple.
“What are you—”
“If I asked you now to be my partner, what would you reply?” Wednesday’s eyes were firm, determination brimming behind them as she placed her palms on her beloved's cheeks.
Kaeden chuckled, nuzzling into Wednesday’s cold palms. “I thought we already were partners,” she whispered, slowly helping her stand up, but letting her hold linger in the swell of her back.
Wednesday’s hands fell slightly, cold fingertips pausing on her chin. Her once warm and endearing hold, now tight and painful.
“Don't mock me, my dear,” she sneered, tightening their hold on her chin. “I am serious.”
“I am too.” Kaeden smiled, slowly crossing the space between their faces.
Their lips met in a soft touch. Cold and warm at the same time. The world drifted off so much that they didn't even notice the fireworks going off. The round of applause at the amusing scene, and the pleased smiles on Gomez and Morticia’s faces.
Blessings fell all around them, but neither Wednesday nor Kaeden noticed.
Lost in their own world to notice the pride, smiles, and warm looks of anyone around them.
Wednesday woke up feeling cold.
To her shame, her naked body shivered underneath the covers. Opening one angry eye, the seer noticed the empty space beside her.
The blankets rustled, clothes discarded somewhere in the room.
The memories of the previous night flashed through her mind.
Kaeden’s heated kisses, the soft and desperate touches as they hurried to Wednesday’s room, clothes discarded in haste, hungry for more, barely making it to bed, their naked bodies moving in sync…
A sigh left her lips. The feeling of displeasure settling in. Sure, last night was great. Wednesday was able to ravish her lover under the light of the blue moon. Without shame or fear, but now… waking alone was not something she enjoyed.
A low growl left her parted lips. To her surprise, Thing was standing on her nightstand, feigning ignorance.
“Did you stay there all night?”
The hand, to her relief, denied. Raping his fingers over. ‘I arrived just a few minutes ago.’
“It's early,” Wednesday grunted, “Where is Kaeden?”
…
“Kaeden,” Fester Addams smiled down at her. His wicked grin widening. As if the old Addams had suddenly found something very endearing to play with. “I see you found our little surprise.”
Kaeden paused in place.
She found the box on top of the Addam’s piano. Not expecting it to be a gift at all.
“Was this supposed to be a surprise?”
“It was, yes,” Fester chuckled. Then, sensing Kaeden’s shock, added. “For you.”
“Me?”
Kaeden couldn't understand how what lay inside the box was supposed to be a gift. The little ugly hatching cried. And Kaeden chuckled, running her finger down the hatchling's small head.
It was a small black raven. Small, really, really small. A bit ugly if we are being honest, but Kaeden found its unique ugliness endearing.
“I heard a noise,” she explained. “I was curious.”
“You got a good ear,” Fester said.
“Wednesday will be angry if she wakes up without me, but I couldn't help myself, it was like–”
“Something called to you?”
She didn't even notice when the rest of the Addams appeared, Gomez and Morticia stood around her, both giving tender smiles.
“His name is Stolas,” Gomez Addams explained.
“It's such a little hatching," Kaeden's eyes widened, staring in amazement and shock at the little raven. “Stolas?”
“Wednesday mentioned your interest in Muerto, we thought this might be something symbolic for you.”
Muerto was Fester’s dead vulture. His beloved pet had a small honorable place in the Addam’s graveyard. Kaeden had drifted there in one of her first visits to the manor. She always found the story kind of poetic and tragic, for some reason, it reminded her of her brother.
“But what is this?”
Morticia grinned. “A gift, of course.”
Kaeden froze in place. “You are… giving me a pet?”
Of course, Morticia would not mention how her daughter had also voiced her worries for you, how she couldn't entertain the idea of leaving you alone for long periods of time, or how you had been having a hard time.
There were still things you had to resolve, and Wednesday wouldn't be able to be there for all of them. Stolas would be a good hobby and support, whereas her daughter could not be there.
“Of course,” Gomez's booming voice laughed, clasping a hand on Kaeden’s shoulder. “We are giving you a display of our support and love, my dear.”
“But… why?”
Don't take her wrong. It was such a beautiful detail. But Kaeden couldn't understand why they were giving her a gift like this in the first place. The little hatchling chirped, and Kaeden couldn't hide the little grin blooming in her features.
“Wednesday thought it would be a good idea to keep you company,” Gomez added.
Kaeden's eyes teared, “Wednesday?”
Behind her, the raven-haired girl smiled, circling her arms around Kaeden's hips. “Yes.”
Kaeden's eyes widened, a blush covering her cheeks. Not used to being so intimate in public.
Wednesday didn't move away, she had been staring from the shadows, gauging her beloved’s reaction. It had been her parents' idea, mostly, but Wednesday couldn't deny it was a good idea.
She hadn't been able to shake the fear that lingered beneath her skin. The fear of losing her, of getting distracted long enough for her to drift away…
Wednesday couldn't live like this, but she knew her constant presence was suffocating her former ally. Kaeden needed space, Stolas was a good way to give her something to care for and look forward to when she was too much.
“I trust you, Kaeden. I am sorry if I ever made you doubt that.” Turning the girl in her arms, Wednesday leaned into Kaeden’s space. “Besides, this is a nice compromise gift, wouldn't you say?”
The girl’s eyes widened. “Wednesday!”
“You are already mine, why wouldn't we… How would you vulgarly say it? ‘Tie the knot?’”
“Wednesday! Gods! We are in front of your parents!”
Not that the Addams cared a lot, the small chuckles and evident pride in their faces said it all.
“You are mine Cara Mia, you are imprinted to me and I am bonded with you, what is there to deny?”