A car rolled to a stop in front of Nevermore.
Students moved across the courtyard in small groups, but a few slowed when they noticed who had arrived. The Addams stepping out together had a way of pulling attention without asking for it.
Wednesday got out first, adjusting her sleeve slightly as she looked toward the school.
Morticia followed, her gaze already on her daughter.
"Since you've decided to return," she said, "you'll be responsible for your brother."
Pugsley stepped out last, lingering closer to the car than the rest. He glanced at the students, then at the building, clearly unsure where to focus.
Wednesday turned toward him.
"If you intend to remain here without incident," she said, "you will follow a few rules."
Pugsley nodded, taking that as a sign to pay attention.
"No eye contact unless I permit it," she continued, her tone even. "It reduces unnecessary interaction."
He blinked once but didn't question it.
"Bullying assistance must be requested in writing," she continued, her tone unchanged. "Preferably legible."
Gomez looked mildly pleased by that.
Wednesday didn't pause.
"Thing will be observing you and reporting anything relevant."
Thing crawled out from behind her sleeve and climbed onto Pugsley's shoulder, tapping lightly as if confirming the arrangement.
Pugsley looked at it, then back at Wednesday.
"…Okay," he said, still processing everything.
Wednesday studied him for a second, then turned toward the academy.
Ethan was coming out of the building, one hand pressed against his temple as if something inside had annoyed him more than it should have.
Gomez noticed him immediately.
"Ahh, it is your friend," he said, his expression brightening. "We should go and say hello."
He didn't wait for approval.
Gomez started walking toward Ethan with confident energy, Pugsley following beside him, glancing between his father and the boy they were approaching.
Ethan looked up just as they got close.
Before he could say anything,
Gomez stepped forward and pulled him into a firm, enthusiastic hug.
"My boy!" Gomez exclaimed, his voice rich with warmth. "It is a pleasure to see you again!"
Ethan froze for a brief second, clearly not expecting that level of immediate familiarity.
Gomez pulled back just enough to look at him, hands still gripping his shoulders.
"You can make Wednesday listen to you," he continued, his tone lively. "That alone makes you someone of great interest to me."
Ethan tried to process that.
"…Right," he said, still adjusting.
Gomez smiled wider, clearly pleased.
"You have good posture, steady eyes… and I must say, I was quite impressed by your last entrance," he said, his voice full of admiration. "Arriving at our home in a helicopter—such flair, such confidence. It was a most memorable introduction."
Ethan paused for a moment, recalling it.
"…Yeah, that was a bit much," he admitted, though his tone didn't sound like he regretted it.
Pugsley stepped closer, his attention fully locked onto Ethan now.
"So you actually own that helicopter?" he asked, then added without hesitation, "Can I blow it up?"
Gomez didn't even question it. If anything, he looked more interested.
Ethan glanced at him, then at Pugsley.
"I don't have it with me right now," he said, "but if the opportunity comes up, you can try."
Pugsley's expression immediately brightened.
"Seriously?"
Ethan gave a small nod, treating it like a completely normal arrangement.
"I admire this," Gomez said. "Encouraging destructive curiosity at such a young age builds character."
Pugsley stepped forward and extended his hand, his expression unusually focused.
Ethan took it without hesitation.
The moment their hands met, a sharp blue arc snapped between them. Electricity crawled over Ethan's arm in controlled bursts, crackling loudly in the open air.
It stopped.
Ethan didn't even flinch.
He released the handshake and looked at Pugsley.
"Nice prank," he said.
Pugsley stared at him, confused.
"It's calibrated to cause at least a reaction," he said, frowning slightly. "Most people either scream or fall."
Ethan glanced at his own hand briefly, then back at him.
"You might want to increase the output," he replied. "That barely qualifies as an inconvenience."
Pugsley's expression shifted.
"…What's your threshold?" he asked, a small, excited smile forming as he immediately treated it like something to experiment on.
Ethan looked at him for a second.
"High enough that you'll get bored before I do," he replied.
Pugsley didn't look discouraged.
If anything, that made it more interesting.
Gomez let out a delighted laugh.
"Hahaha, the more I speak with you, the more I like you," he said, clearly entertained. "You encourage curiosity without fear. A rare and admirable quality."
Wednesday wasn't enjoying her return to Nevermore.
Everywhere she walked, eyes followed.
Not the usual wary glances or quiet avoidance she preferred, but open, lingering stares. Students slowed down just to look at her, whispering to each other like they were observing something rare.
Like she was on display.
A specimen.
She could feel it—the curiosity, the fascination, the attention she never asked for.
Last year, she had been the one watching.
Now she was the one being watched.
She didn't like the change.
"I preferred it when they treated me like a problem," Wednesday said, her tone flat. "At least then they kept their distance."
Her gaze moved across the courtyard, catching the way a group of students quickly looked away when she noticed them.
"Now they stare," she continued. "Like I'm something in a glass enclosure."
Morticia stood beside her, composed as always.
"You uncovered something significant," she said. "People are naturally drawn to those who change things."
"I exposed a teacher who was grooming a monster," Wednesday replied. "That should discourage attention, not invite it."
Her eyes narrowed slightly as another pair of students whispered while looking at her.
"I prefer being the one observing," she added. "Not the one being studied."
*****
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