When You're An Addams

You Have To See The World In Shades Of Grey

Bren sat, thoroughly confused, in the library that afternoon.

Well, if you could call their position of laying with their feet propped up on the back of the chair while their torso lay on the seat, head hanging to view the world upside down, sitting.

"Okay, so you're telling me that Arthur's wife, Guinevere, and his best friend, Lancelot, were sleeping with each other behind Arthur's back and you think its sad, but not because of the betrayal to Arthur?" They clarified, watching April calmly sat curled up in the window seat with Pugsley on the other end. Also looking rather confused.

Though, to be fair, the kid looked confused a lot of the time. Nice kid. Fuck'n genius when it came to math or science from even the little they had interacted. Measurable stuff was no issue to the boy. But nuance was not in the kid's vocabulary and it showed with how much April seemed to confuse him.

They weren't exactly sure how they got onto the subject. Somehow Pugsley doing reading on the tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and trying to brainstorm an essay about a misunderstood character brought it all about.

When Bren, confused, had asked why any of the bad guys would be 'misunderstood' in a basic fairytale about good vs evil Pugsley and April both looked at them like they had grown a second head. Actually, they probably would have looked less shocked if that was what had happened. At least based on the giant, two-headed turtle sculpture they had in the main room. Pugsley had griped quietly about "dragon killers" under his breath as April had set aside her book and redirected back to his assignment.

An assignment that was supposed to have been done earlier this summer and now was due in like three days when the high school opened up for the new year.

That, of course, had turned into April offering her help. Then it became her relaying a few of the story bits they themselves were a bit fuzzy on as she and Pugsley discussed different characters.

Turns out there were a lot of bits they were fuzzy on, including Lancelot: Mightiest of Arthur's men, his closest companion, sworn and trusted personal champion to Arthur's wife...and also, apparently, Guinevere's boy toy on the side.

"Exactly as I said. Lancelot and Guinevere were in love, but could not be married because of their sociopolitical status." She broke off for a moment, and they caught her casting a quick glance at Pugsley.

"I know that one, April." He assured calmly. April had indeed been trying to be more thoughtful of her word choices after confusing the poor kid a couple of times. Not that he seemed to mind it. In fact there had been a time or two that he had even quietly interrupted to ask for clarification once he knew it wouldn't upset her. A small smile and an approving nod from April were seen before she continued her lecture.

"Arthur agreed to wed Guinevere purely for political purposes. She and Lancelot fall in love after meeting and cannot control the depths of their love for one another, thus meeting in secret to try and avoid hurting Arthur. Of course, such a thing cannot be hidden for long, and they are discovered by the other Knights of the Round Table. Lancelot escapes, but Guinevere does not. Arthur becomes so enraged and grieved at the betrayal that he sentences his wife to death. Guinevere is to be burned at the stake. Lancelot, upon hearing of his beloved's immenent execution-"

"Im guessing that one means that its happening soon?" Pugsley questioned, motioning for April to continue once she confirmed the meaning.

"Where was I?"

"Lance runs away, immenent execution." Bren offered, finally having to change positions from the rush of blood to their head. This time sitting with their back to one arm rest while their legs draped and dangled across the other.

"Right, thank you. Lancelot hears of Guinevere's emmenent execution and races back to Camelot. Upon arrival, he fights off and kills many of his fellow knights in the process. Guinevere ends up becoming a nun, and Arthur sends Knights after Lancelot, who fail to kill him. Different tellings vary in their ultimate end, but in each he pines for Guinevere until his death, and Guinevere never loves another."

They all sit quietly for a moment before Pugsley speaks up, thoughtful.

"So they were kinda like Mother and Father? Lancelot loved her even though she was married to Arthur and Father was supposed to marry Aunt Ophelia, instead."

That had Bren intrigued "Oh? That sounds interesting."

"Bren, you're distracting him from his work." April chided, making them smile at the touch of a southern drawl. It seemed to come out when she was irritated or embarrassed. Turning back to Pugsley, she smiled. "Exactly. They just weren't as lucky as your parents were."

Pugsley was silent for a long moment before nodding. "I can work with that. Probably can recycle some bits from last year's essay on Romeo and Juliet. Forbidden love and all that. At least they actually die in the end." He mused as he stood with the book. "Thanks April."

" 'Course. Happy to help. Let me know if you'd like it proof-read later." She insisted, earning a small smile from Pugsley that mirrored his mother's before he was gone. It was suddenly just the two of them, and Bren found themself wanting to hear her talk some more about literature.

Who ever thought that they'd willingly sit through lectures on old fairytales instead of enjoying a sunshiney afternoon?

"So, you said there are multiple ways their story ends?"

She nodded "In some, Lancelot dies in Arthur's arms of a wound gained in rescuing Guinevere. He begs Arthur's forgiveness and is granted it before he dies. In another, Guinevere and Lancelot commit themselves to religion for the rest of their days. Then, there's my favorite." They found themselves drawn in by the far-off, soft look in her eyes as she continued. Actually sitting properly in their seat so they could lean forward and listen more intently. "After Arthur dies, Lancelot goes in search of Guinevere. However, by the time he finds her, she has died. He took her in his arms one final time, burying her next to Arthur, then dies of his grief for her." Entranced, they drank in that sad little smile as her accent, strong and unfettered for once, wrapped around them.
"A man had given all other bliss,
And all his worldly worth for this,
To waste his whole heart in one kiss
Upon her perfect lips."

They let the bittersweet words settle, their bite soothed by the sweetness of her tone.

"I think I get it." They said quietly, not really thinking about it. "That last bit was really pretty. Sad as fuck, but pretty. Like their love."

"Yeah. It is." She hummed, flushing slightly before continuing. "But, Arthur also had every right to be upset. He was betrayed, even with the depths of their love explaining their actions. Yet, sometimes we have to make choices for our own happiness, knowing that it will cause despair for another."

Bren stiffened, hands clenched together tightly in their lap as that last softly spoken thought wrapped tightly around their heart with a strangle hold.

"Bren!" They both jumped at Wednesday's voice cutting through the quiet moment. "There you are. One of my Black Widows is missing and I think she went in your room. May I enter in order to search for her?" Bren's eyes widened.

"Black Widow Spider?"

"What other sort of Widow would you expect me to have?"

"Yes! Yes please go find it! Just don't go through my drawers or anything!" They quickly agreed, getting up to follow the girl. "When April said you raised spiders I thought she meant tarantulas or some shi-um, stuff like that."

"I know you were going to say shi-"

"Its a bad habit, now hush and find your death spider before it kills me in my sleep!"

"Agreed. That would be an unfortunate way to die. Not terribly interesting."

April giggled at their fading bickering before Fester's voice rang through the manor.

"They're here!!!" A loud gong rang through the house and she sighed, still not quite used to the noise as she stood to join the chatter of excited voices gathering from around the house.

Looks like another tenant had arrived.