It had been 12 weeks since Gomez Addams had been left, not quite at the altar, but close to a month before his dreaded impending nuptials. His intended bride - through arrangement, not love - had left him for a ringmaster, following a trip to the local travelling circus. It was no great loss, truth be told. He hadn't felt one iota of jealousy or rage, just relief. Relief for himself, yes, but also for her, that she had found a love match. Before he'd met Ophelia, he hadn't known true love. He'd thought he had, but he now realised his previous conquests had been nothing more than a way to pass the time, pleasant though it may have been. But it wasn't the blonde, vivacious Ophelia that had captured his heart, his mind, his soul, oh no. It was her sister. Raven-haired, red lipped, exquisite. From the second he had been introduced to his fiancée's sibling, he had been in constant mind-numbing pain, driven half-mad by his desire for her. Any excuse he could make to visit the Frump family home and catch just one glimpse of her as she glided by the door or glanced up at him through long lashes. Her gaze always seemed to follow the same path, taking in his whole body, feet to head, before alighting on his face, gazing at his lips perhaps a little too long, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. Gomez knew this must all be in his head, his own wishful thinking to have her look at him that way, with even just a modicum of the lust he felt for her. But goddammit, believing Morticia Frump may feel the slightest fondness for him in return was the only thing that kept him going through each torturous day, until the sweet relief of the dark, cool night and his own bed, where his fantasies could run unchecked through his mind, and Morticia was his alone.

After what he had considered a respectable time – Gomez was a true gentleman, and while many societal norms passed far outside the sphere of his own dark world, his manners were impeccable – Gomez had mustered up the courage to return to the Frump family home. In the 3 months since Ophelia had left him, his days had been filled with nothing but wild fantasies of his beloved Morticia. Indeed, that had been the case since before his engagement had been broken off, but now he felt free from guilt, knowing someone other than his arranged bride consumed his every waking moment – and of course, his dreams. Knocking on the imposing oak door to the Frump residence, he pondered what his opening gambit should be. Could he merely step over the threshold, pull Morticia into the first empty room he found, and profess his undying love for her, down on his knees, beating his chest? He wanted to, God knows, but he still retained some slight sense of propriety. Perhaps he would know what to do once he saw her beautiful face again. 12 weeks was far too long not to be in her presence. The door began to open, and he cleared his throat nervously. "May I please speak with Miss Morticia?," he began, his words spilling from his mouth before he could stop them, before he had seen who it was who had opened the door. The housekeeper? Mr Frump? Dare he even hope, Morticia herself?

"Who may I say is calling?" came an unfamiliar voice. Gomez looked up, and was taken slightly aback. A fellow he had never seen before stood in the doorway, a look of polite indifference on his face. "I, uh… Addams. Gomez Addams," he managed to stutter. The stranger smiled and reached out a hand to shake Gomez's. "Ah, Mr Addams. I've heard much about you. I am Philae Blackfield. Do come in." Gomez frowned as he followed Philae into the house. He seemed far too much at home here, who was this man? He knew Ophelia was away still, travelling Europe with her new fiancé, and this man seemed too young to be an associate of Mr Frump's. He wouldn't allow himself to consider the next most likely scenario, his heart couldn't bear it. But telling himself not to fathom an unpleasant idea is one thing… he couldn't control those around him. Philae lead him into the family room and offered him a seat. How dare he. As if he were master of the house! At that moment, his Morticia, his whole reason for living, stepped into the room, curious as to who may have rang the bell. Gomez rose to his feet immediately, stepping forward to greet her, only to stop stock still, as if he had hit a brick wall. Philae, who had been nearer the door, had crossed quickly to Morticia's side, and placed a kiss on her porcelain cheek. "My dear, I believe you know Mr Addams?," he said politely, nodding in Gomez's direction. Gomez still unable to move, having to remind himself to breathe, pulled himself from the depths of overwhelming despair that the sight of Morticia's new paramour had plunged him into. He forced himself to step forward once again, his eyes unable to meet hers for fear he may scream aloud in desperation and distress. A brief brush of his lips against her delicate fingers; brief yes, but to him it lasted an eternity. At that moment, a familiar voice from the far side of the room caught his attention and he turned, grateful for the distraction.