Chapter Text
Chapter I: Clove Hitch
The Clove Hitch is an easy knot to tie, and it secures a line to a tree or post quickly, but it does slip when used alone, without any other knots as a backup.
Bianca is fucked.
Truly and utterly fucked.
Yoko watches her pace back and forth in their dorm, biting at a twizzler.
”You-run by it again?" The vampire says again and Bianca just curses loudly.
Bianca had put off her end of the deal with her mother for too long. Her mother was a complex individual but she was crazy when it came to Bianca. The woman didn't support her transition until she realized Bianca could walk in her footsteps, conning men and bleeding their accounts dry. Gabrielle Jones was not a normal person. She lashed out and nearly killed Bianca the night she ran away to Nevermore and then was there every parent's weekend, to judge, criticize, and gaslight. She's gotten softer with the birth of her half-brother, Gabriel.
Which is why Bianca thought this deal would change with time.
But dull blades are even more dangerous than sharp ones.
"She wants me to marry an outcast with great prospects, someone to control and have a comfortable life, as she did to my father. If I don't find someone, she'll take me out of Nevermore and I'll have to siren-song every day for her cult for the rest of my days. I can't do that." Bianca says slowly, her hands shaking.
Yoko blinks, "Is that why you dated Xavier?"
"Not-not fully," Bianca says truthfully before adding, "I did like him, y'know? He was just not right for me."
"So now what? What about me? You could marry me." Yoko offers, concern etched on her face.
Bianca shakes her head, "Your name, your family name isn't enough."
"Ouch."
"I love you, Ko, but it's the truth."
"What do we do? Can-do you need to go?" Yoko mutters.
They've talked about it before. Bianca running away under a different name to Europe. Gabrielle's cult doesn't reach that far.
The siren hesitates before shaking her head, "She'll know."
"Not if you siren-song me to forget you." Yoko says quietly.
"No! No. You're the-you're my family now. I couldn't bear to lose you. There would be no point." Bianca whispers, pacing still.
"But-"
"No!"
The pair stare at each other, Bianca's eyes wild and scared and Yoko's concerned. The vampire holds her hand out, trying to calm her best friend down.
Bianca takes it, squeezing it hard, it's not like Bianca could hurt Yoko.
Yoko takes a deep breath, forcing the panic out of her voice.
"Okay. Okay, B, we won't do that so, plan a. We get you married to some high outcast name to get your mother off your back until she get too preoccupied with your brother-"
"Half-brother-"
" -Half-brother. Until Gabriel is old enough to distract her from your divorce. So like five years? Who could you ask for that big of a favor?" Yoko ponders.
Outside their dorm, thunder and lightning crash and flash. A cello sings a lament of the cover of Pink Floyd's Money.
Yoko pauses, her eyebrows raising in thought. She laughs wryly.
"What? What?!" Bianca presses.
"Addams."
Bianca scowls, "I can't just ask Wednesday to kill my mother."
"No, not that, but you could ask her to marry you."
Bianca's face morphs with the realization and her heart races at the thought, it wouldn't be too bad , but her head knee-jerks into denial.
"No. No. Wednesday is basically an emotional brick wall." Bianca hisses, gripping Yoko's hand.
Yoko's eyebrow raise at the skip in Bianca's heartbeat.
"Exactly. She wouldn't want anything from you and if your mother thinks something is off, Wednesday is off. You tell her the plan and she'll do it." The vampire reasons.
"She'll say no. She'll laugh in my face and say no."
"She's not as heartless as you want her to be. Enid tells me things. She patches E up after full moons, makes her food, they've been to each other's houses."
"Aren't they like, a thing?"
"No, Enid is painfully straight."
"Wednesday might be!"
Yoko scoffs, crossing her arms, letting her hand go, "Bianca, Wednesday gives off so much sapphic vibes she'd give Divina a run for her money if she started dating. Why are you fighting this?"
The siren hugs herself as she bursts out with, "Because! Because, it's Wednesday Addams. We've been at each other's throats since the first day and yeah, we've gotten better and might be considered as allies or loose friends and she is really pretty but, she wouldn't do this for me."
"We won't have any other choice. I think your little crush is your best bet. Or it's plan b. Or…you can go back to that Island and be a pawn for Gabrielle."
Bianca wants to deny, deny but the weight of it all makes her sniffle.
Bianca curses and sits on her bed, pulling her knees to her chest, closing her eyes to try to stop the frustrated, scared tears.
Yoko sits down next to her, pulling her close, leaning her head on Bianca's shoulder, "Hey, come here, girl."
"I dunno what to do." Bianca whimpers, clinging to her best friend.
"We're going to figure it out. Me and you, yeah?" The vampire whispers and Bianca finds herself nodding.
"Okay." She says softly.
"Good. Wanna smoke and think it over?" Yoko grins.
Bianca chuckles despite her situation, "Yeah."
Wednesday Addams is curious. There is something wrong with the beautiful Bianca Barclay and it's making her concerned.
Her and Bianca's relationship has been complex to say the least. They hate each other academically but would and have killed for each other. She knows Bianca's favorite color, her greatest weakness, all her classes and extracurriculars. She knows a good deal about the siren.
Which is why Wednesday knows something is wrong.
She's not asking questions or raising her hand in class, her blue eyes straying to the Addams one too many times to be a coincidence. Bianca looks troubled and that, that thought upsets Wednesday. Only Wednesday and Yoko should have the pleasure of troubling Bianca Barclay. And Wednesday hasn't purposefully annoyed the siren all week.
The last class bell rings and the students nearly sprint out, eager for the weekend. Bianca Barclay is still there, staring at her empty notebook. Wednesday motions for Eugene to go on without her. He glances between them before leaving.
The Addams gets up, putting her notebook next to the siren's. Bianca flinches hard and looks up.
"Here. You seem distracted. Did you sleep at all last night?" Wednesday asks.
Bianca looks up at her like she's grown two heads like Cousin Wyatt and she sighs, looking around, "No, I couldn't. Did class end?"
"Six minutes ago. There's a project due next month. No homework this weekend. I took notes, copy them. Are you sick?" Wednesday questions.
Bianca blinks, "Why does it matter to you?"
"Because you are the only one here on my level. It's no fun if you're hindered. Who else will give me a good workout at practice?" Wednesday smirks, her lips twitching upward.
If anyone asks, Wednesday would deny it to her dying breath, but she's taken a liking to the siren.
Bianca smiles but it's weak, "I…it's a lot on my mind. I'm in a tight spot."
"Find an opening. You are usually not so unsure, it's unbecoming of a cunning person like yourself." Wednesday states.
Bianca's eyes soften and she nods, like Wednesday had sweet-talked her instead of telling her the truth.
"I…think I have. Thank you, Wednesday."
"What for, Bianca?"
The siren smiles, the radiant smile that could melt glaciers and warm tundras. Wednesday bites the inside of her cheek before she does something stupid like smile back. There's a warmth beneath her skin at the sight of them, those pretty sea-glass eyes.
It would ruin her reputation if Bianca found out about the feelings the Addams has for her. It would break her if Bianca rejected her.
Bianca looks up at the goth softly, "Can I…wanna spar?"
"On one condition. I win, you tell me what's troubling you." Wednesday hums.
"If you lose, what will I get?"
"Whatever you want."
Bianca stares at Wednesday at that look, that unreadable look, "That could be anything."
The Addams shrugs, "Could be everything. Doesn't matter."
Wednesday would give her everything too. if Bianca only asked for it.
Bianca rolls her eyes, "Fine, you ready?"
Wednesday's grin is smug as she nods, "Ready whenever you are, Queen B."
The siren rolls her eyes, "Born ready. I'll take great pleasure in destroying you."
"As will I, your highness." Wednesday nods, picking up Bianca's bag for her.
The duo makes their way to the fencing hall, the walk is of a comfortable silence. Wednesday holds the door open for the siren.
It's empty as the fencing club only meets three times a week. Their gear is there, already in their spots right next to each other. Nobody walks on this side of campus around this time.
Bianca grabs her uniform only to be stopped by Wednesday.
"Let's forgo the traditions. 3 touches or first blood wins." Wednesday finds herself saying, when she's clung tight to the routine of fencing, finding comfort in the intricacies of it all.
But Bianca obviously needs a distraction to the storm in her head.
"Really? No gear, what about no tips?" the siren hums, grabbing her blade, feeling the weight in her hand.
"We can keep that tradition. Are you particularly attached to that shirt?" Wednesday utters smugly.
Bianca smiles, "Are you going to let me bloody you up? I thought you hated color."
"Red is a nice color if I had to like a color. I'm sure it will look good on you. But that isn't too hard, considering." Wednesday remarks, fighting a smile.
Bianca murmurs, "Of course." before getting into her usual stance.
"Any last words?" Wednesday mutters, copying her, switching her blade to left hand at the last minute.
"Stab me with the pointy end." Bianca smirks.
Bianca lunges first, cursing inwardly as Wednesday uses her left hand. She hates when the Addams does that. It's an effective tactic to throw opponents off, Bianca included. The first time Wednesday did that, they were at a tournament, and tied with a team. Wednesday was the last up and she switched hands, confusing the girl enough that she won ruthlessly.
Wednesday parries before slashing at her stomach, Bianca jumping back to avoid the attack. The Addams advances, taking the retreat as a weakness and the siren grunts as she stabs, landing a hit on Wednesday's shoulder.
No blood. One point.
The Addams tilts her head before blocking the next series of hits. Bianca's tell is always the first hit is followed by three more, she could never break herself out of that habit when sparring with Wednesday.
Wednesday retaliates by poking her in the chest so quickly she can't block it, tieing them.
Yoko's words are still swirling in the back of her head and she tries to push that doubt and fear out of the way.
The only thing on her mind is what's in front of her. Wednesday Addams. This weird, beautiful, smart, dangerous girl.
Wednesday rolls out of the way and slices up, crashing their swords in a bind.
"I think that shirt will be good as a crop top." Wednesday smirks, before ducking and slashing at the hem.
Two inches of her shirt fall to the floor.
Bianca growls, sliding on her knee to cut inches off that black pleated skirt, two twin lines on Wednesday's leggings before scrambling back to avoid the blade to her arm.
Wednesday smiles wildy, the sight touching at something in Bianca's lungs, stepping back, and lowering her blade.
Bianca blinks hard before looking down at her exposed stomach where she's bleeding.
"Huh." Bianca mumbles.
She didn't even feel it.
"Usually, you last so much longer than this. What's on your mind?" Wednesday asks, tossing a water bottle at Bianca.
"My mother." The siren confesses, catching it with ease.
"I thought we didn't particularly enjoy your mother." Wednesday comments.
Bianca has only mentioned her mother in off-hand comments. Wednesday is observant.
"We didn't. We don't. But it's more than that. It's an arranged marriage."
"You need to get out of one? I know a guy."
"Nope. Need to get into one." Bianca huffs, laying on the cool foam mat.
"With whom?" Wednesday says quickly, her eyes alit with something.
Maybe Wednesday feels pity for Bianca or even concern but it's hotter than that.
What if it's jealousy? No, no it can't be. Shut up, brain.
"I don't know. I have choices but they're, they would never." Bianca stumbles on her words.
You would never.
"Yoko? The Tanakas have been a good family for centuries." Wednesday reasons.
"Not a good enough family name for my adoring mother and it's weird how you just know that."
"My mother has an obsession with family trees. How about one of the siren twins?"
"Kent's gay and Divina swore off marriage as a whole."
"There's an obvious solution to this dilemma."
"I can't kill my mother. I thought about it but I can't, not without killing dear step-dad too. I can't bring myself to make my half-brother an orphan." Bianca mutters, hiding her face with her hand.
She groans loudly, flopping uselessly on the mat. Gods, why can't she ever catch a break?
Why is she telling Wednesday all of this?
She hears Wednesday shuffling closer and she's about to ask the Addams to put her out of her misery. A mercy kill.
"Marry me."
Bianca's heart skips a beat and she jumps up, "What?! What did you say?"
Wednesday's dark eyes are boring into her crystal blue ones. There is no smirk or lie on the goth's face.
"I'm an Addams. We've been outcasts since the firsts and will be until the lasts. It would be mutually befitting." Wednesday says with a light shrug, like they're assigning lab partners.
Bianca must have fallen asleep in class. She must be dreaming. This is insane.
"What would you get out of it? My mother wants me to marry high so I can splurge on money, drain their accounts, be a good little siren, and probably give her some. I'll be using you."
"And we have more money than you could ever spend. Use away. My mother and I have many, many differences. I told her traditions were for fools years ago. Our relationship hasn't been the same since and my father has tried to clear the air between us. This would give my mother joy and my father relief." Wednesday reasons as Bianca steps into her space.
"Are you, is this a trick?" the siren hisses, reaching out to grab Wednesday's arm.
It's too easy, why is this too easy?
The other teen doesn't stab for invading her space but Bianca can feel Wednesday tense before relaxing.
"I'm not tricking you. We're tricking your mother." Wednesday hums, her lips twitching upward.
"This-this won't be a year long affair."
"I hope not, it would be the second-shortest marriage in my family. The shame would haunt me even in death."
"Are you serious?"
"Very, one of my biggest anxieties is shaming the family."
"Wednesday. I mean, about…about marrying me. That means we have to act the part around everyone else."
"Naturally. I have no doubt you'll be perfect."
"That means I have to touch you. We have to touch each other and you hate people touching you." Bianca notes.
"I hate most people touching me. We're touching each other now." Wednesday corrects her gently, reaching out to hold Bianca's wrist with her right hand.
Her hand is ice-cold but it sends a lightning strike through her veins.
"I'd wan-have to kiss you." Bianca blurts out, looking at where they meet.
Wednesday's pale hand constasts prettily against Bianca's dark brown skin.
"It'll be better than my first one, I assure you." Wednesday hums.
"Tyler?" Bianca hisses, thinking of that snake in the pit of her stomach when Wednesaday was around him, how it withered and hissed when Galplin got close to her.
"It wouldn't have been so bad had I not seen him slaughter our therapist in a vision whilst it was happening."
"You had a therapist? You?"
"Court ordered, I'm afraid."
"Court-? No, back to the main topic at hand. Are you sure you want to do this for me?" Bianca presses.
"I'm sure I want to do this with you. But, there is something I must do first."
"Which is?"
Wednesday's lips pull up into a smile, for whatever reason Bianca can't see right now and the siren braces for something crazy as she burns the image of the nonchalant teen showing emotion so outwardly.
It's always crazy when it comes to Wednesday Addams.
"I have to court you first." Wednesday says with a grin, not a smirk, but a wide grin.
Her canines are sharper than most. It's the first time Bianca has ever seen the Addams smile.
"And what does that include?" Bianca asks, almost scared to know the answer.
Be on the lookout, Mi Prometida. You'll see soon enough." Wednesday hums, letting go of your wrist, holding her hand and briefly kissing the knuckles with those soft warm lips before turning on her heel and leaving.
"What does that mean, Addams?!" Bianca calls, her hand tingling from the kiss, mind replaying the moment the minute it's gone.
"Good night, sirenita," Wednesday says, and maybe there's a hit of a smile sweetening her words.
Bianca stands there for all of 15 minutes before leaving, sword still in hand as she returns to her room, feet moving on their own, where Yoko is playing her guitar.
Her best friend looks up with surprise and concern.
"I think….I solved our problem." Bianca lets out, her chest heaving, why is she breathing so hard?
"Wednesday Addams said yes?" Yoko says slowly.
"Wednesday Addams offered!" Bianca cries out, dropping her sword.
"Oh," Yoko mutters as that cello, that damn cello, croons out a song.
Ocean eyes.
What has Bianca gotten herself into?