When You're An Addams

The Standard Answers Don't Apply

Finnegan hummed thoughtfully as he looked around him, noting the graveyard surrounding the ancient house. It wasn't ideal. No doubt he would have to get another dehumidifier soon to keep his equipment safe since this place is supposedly rather close to a swamp. After all, historic homes aren't exactly known for their insulation. A heated blanket for the upcoming fall and winter season would also be helpful, in that regard. In any case, it was perfect for his needs. No one would suspect him of staying somewhere like this instead of something more to his general taste. Close enough to the university to avoid being a hassle, but just far enough it wouldn't come to mind as somewhere someone attending would reside.

His gaze snapped to the front doors at the sound of them creaking open, forcing his muscles to relax after a brief moment. It was just his new host family, after all. It was fine, safe.

He was safe.

“There you are! Ten A.M. On the dot!” The man he had struck the deal with, Gomez Addams, exclaimed enthusiastically. “Family, this is our cousin, Finnegan!”

The initial instinct to insist they call him Fin dissipated at the word 'cousin'. “Cousin? But-”A quiet voice appeared at his side, making him jump, grip tightening on his backpack strap as he looked immediately to his left.

“Just go with it. Trust me.” There was a gentle amusement in the young woman's tone, only for her brow to furrow slightly as green eyes took him in for a moment. “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I'll be more aware moving forward.” the words were still soft, quiet enough he knew the others probably hadn't noticed.

Of course, a set of knowing blue eyes and two pairs of younger, deep brown eyes tracked the slight shift in stance, as well, though kept quiet. Morticia smiled, placing a hand on an overexcited Gomez's arm.

“Bubele, it is a rather bright, sunny day outside. I am certain everyone would be much more comfortable in the house.” She insisted, stopping his rather exuberant stream of thought.

“Of course! How inhospitable of me, and right after he had to drive in such conditions!” Gomez scoffed, as if shocked with himself. April noticed how Morticia kept Gomez's arm captive with a gentle hold, stopping him from his usual, almost manic handshake. Blue met green as the two women shared a quiet acknowledgement before Gomez turned with Morticia to lead the way inside.

“Lurch, please be a dear and bring in Finnegan's things. He is in the Eastern room.” Morticia instructed calmly from her husband's side.

Fin stayed in his spot, confused for a moment before the girl stepped forward, gaining his attention. “I am Wednesday, and this is Pugsley. Father is loud, and excitable.” The matter-of-fact tone was odd to hear from a child's mouth, but was oddly soothing. Calculating, but that was easier, in a way, for Fin. “If you will follow us inside, Lurch-” His gaze followed her sweeping gesture, eyes widening slightly at the giant man that he had somehow not seen earlier that was now lifting bags out of his SUV. “-will carry in your things. He is incredibly careful and detail-oriented.” Oddly, he found himself relaxing as he nodded, almost unconsciously following as the girls on either side of him started moving back towards the manor doors. The boy, seeing their movement, turned and made his way in ahead of them.

“I'm April, by the way.” The redhead informed with a gentle smile. “Fair warning, many things about this family are loud, and sudden, but they are all kind. If you don't mind, may I come by your room once you're about to settle in and unpack? I think I may be able to clear up a few things, answer some questions you probably have.”

“Oh, um, I suppose that's fine.” He agreed, admittedly confused and on edge, though it was better, now, that it was calmer.

“Would it upset you if another person came with me? They're also a renter here, like us.” Arching a brow, he gave a very slight smirk of his own.

“I thought the red hair looked a bit odd in this crowd.” As she gave a slight chuckle, they finally made their way inside. The odd hodge-podge of décor confused him, a huge bearskin rug he wasn't quite sure was legal soft underfoot as he made his way further in.

“How odd.” He stopped and turned slightly to look down at a rather confused-looking Wednesday.

“What's odd?”

“Bruno usually growls when new people step on him.”

"Bruno? Who's Bruno?" He asked, quickly looking underfoot in search of some small critter he may have missed.

"The bearskin. His name is Bruno."

Stilling, Fin raised his gaze to search Wednesday's, finding no trace of mirth in her eyes.

"The rug...growls?"

"Its true." April supplied "It loves scaring Bren. You'll meet them soon, they're the other renter I mentioned. Its rather amusing, actually. Bren jumps every time." She hummed.

Fin glanced between the two, now concerned for their sanity. Old houses could easily be breeding grounds for mold. Were these people hallucinating from breathing in spores?

"Don't worry, I promise you'll settle in just fine." He found himself trusting the redhead's soothing southern drawl, nodding as he followed her further in to the main room. "Morticia? Gomez? Would it be alright if I made the introductions?"

"Of course, April!" Gomez boomed, earning a smile from the young lady.

"Everyone, as you heard earlier, this is Finnegan-"

"Fin." He managed. "I, um, I actually prefer Fin."

"Thank you for letting us know. Fin, this is Gomez and Morticia, Fester, Grandmama and you have met Pugsley and Wednesday already. Lurch can be introduced properly at a later point since he's a touch busy at the moment, as can Thing." She offered.

"Lovely to meet you all." He managed politely, tensing slightly as the old lady suddenly stood and grabbed his wrist. She tutted loudly before making him yelp as she poked his ribs.

"Whatever they've been feeding you, its not enough." She declared. "Don't worry, I've got plenty of hearty recipes to fatten you up! How about a nice cup of Henbane tea, hm? All that travel has you rather tense for a strapping young man of your age!" Before he could answer one way or the other, she had already toddled off, dragging him along with a vise-like grip. His eyes darted to April, and he was reassured by her lack of concern.

'Its okay, go on.' She mouthed before turning to distract Gomez.

The sudden quiet of the kitchen was soothing as the old woman deposited him into a little breakfast nook in the kitchen.

"So, its Fin, yes?"

"Um, y-yes ma'am."

"What a polite boy you are! Much better manners than that little scoundrel, Bren." She chuckled. "You know, its a good thing you're in the East room. It's got Great Uncle Morose's bed in it. He was about 7 foot, so it will fit you just fine. You're a tall one, for sure. Just how tall?"

"Six foot, three inches." He answered automatically, watching as she bustled about making tea. Sure, she was abrupt, and rather blunt, but...it wasn't in a bad way, really.

"Oh, yes, we must find you a tailor, then.  Tall people especially need a tailor." She insisted, as if it were the most logical conclusion in the world, as she placed a porcelain teacup and saucer in front of him.

He watched steam lazily climb into the air for a moment before noticing her lift her own cup for a sip. Following suit, he hummed at the unexpectedly pleasant flavor, tension loosening from his shoulders.

"I...I don't know about a tailor, ma'am. I'm not terribly keen on strangers touching me." He admitted quietly, distracted by the gentle movements of liquid in the delicate vessel. A dainty thing that made his hands look even larger than they were. Rougher. "I doubt I'd feel comfortable with a stranger poking at me with pins." If he had looked up from his cup, he would have seen her old, wizened eyes turn sharp and calculating for but a moment, eerily similar to her granddaughter's oddly knowing gaze. Swiftly, though, they softened once more.

"I suppose that makes quite a bit of sense. Some people are terribly odd." She commiserated casually as she slowly pushed forward a plate of cookies that looked normal aside from the bat, spider, and lizard embeds. "Have a cookie, Fin. You're much to thin."