A great individual once said, "true love stories never have endings."
Vlad would agree.
All the greatest romances live on through those who came after in order to tell the tale of heartache and triumph that goes into every great love story.
That is why, Vlad felt absolutely no remorse when it came time for the dance and he watched as the cheerful winter wonderland was transformed into a flaming abyss that only the bravest or fireproof would dare enter.
He watched the frightened youths and confused faculty make haste to reach the exits as the decorations were engulfed in black flames, burning away the surface of what was, and leaving behind a room worthy of being attended to by himself and Wednesday.
What was once a vibrant spectacle of icy decadence, had become a dark dungeon of flickering flame that refused to go out of the of the room adorned in all black everything. Black walls, floor, tables, chairs, banners, and burning abominable snowmen that seemed to not want to melt, seeing as how the flames simply danced along them, his personal touch.
It took a lot of work and man hours.
A lot of people had to be compelled to work quickly and he even "had" to disguise himself a few times by wearing glasses in order to sneak into a few places. Thing was given a list of how everything should look. A "teacher" was brainwashed into thinking she was meant to replace her decorations with the ones brought in by his "people" and he even had to do a little practice to conjure soul flames that burned only what he wanted them to. In this case, the paint and outer layers. However, it was all worth it.
Vlad looked to his side, at the girl whose hand he held as people rushed out of the open entrance in front of which they stood. He saw the smile that graced her face. He adored that slightly sadistic smile that she wore when she felt the chaos was truly well deserved.
It was definitely worth ruining a few peoples romantic evenings, even if only to witness that smile.
Besides, if their love story was meant to be, then surely it would not end just because a date or two ditched their partner in a burning building. After all, true love stories have no endings. He is truly a good person.
As Vlad thought about how many love stories he just allowed to evolve in order to move past their tragic happenstance, he pulled the hand he was holding up to his lips and gave the knuckles a light brush, his eyes focused on Wednesday's, whose eyes were focused on his lips that slowly spread into a smirk. A rightfully sexy smirk.
*Ba-dump* He heard her heart skip a beat.
'Excellent', he thought to himself, as he gestured with his free hand towards the now empty ball room...party room...dance floor.
"Shall we, Wednesday," he spoke as he tucked his elbow up and towards her in an open invitation.
She looked at him for a moment, something he could not recognize darted past her eyes, before she accepted the arm with her own and they made their way forward.
It was not until he had taken a step that his incredibly quick mind provided an answer to the look he saw when she looked at his arm that awaited hers.
Her father.
He saw her father do the exact same thing to her mother when they were at the academy.
He only just realized that that was probably were he got it from.
Seeing as how, while he is proficient in getting a girl, it was only ever straight to bed. Courting a woman is an entirely new experience.
Vlad could not help but wonder what thoughts went through her mind when she saw the incredibly familiar gesture, if what she says is true about how...frequent, her parents are with their displays of affection, then surely her father taking her mother's arm in his own while whispering sweet nothings must be a common occurrence. He would have to be careful. Perhaps, pull inspiration from other sources of romance. Maybe he should get a boombox?
Nonetheless.
"Tell me, my dear, would you have preferred we kept the riffraff in attendance?" He asked her, as they crossed the entrance, which immediately shut after they were clear.
Wednesday thought for a moment, taking in her surroundings, noting every detail, and then resting her gaze onto Vlad's exquisite features, as the sadistic smile once more graced her features, only this time, it was accompanied by something else. Something less, "look at them flee", and more "you are mine". He did not mind.
"No. This is fine, for now. Perhaps, let them in later. After we leave." She spoke. Her words leaving no doubt, just confidence in her decision making.
If he did not know her as well as he did, he would truly believe that she had it all figured out. It is a fact that when it comes to confidence, it is always best to believe it until it becomes true. He knew, underneath her surface, she was sure of absolutely nothing. Just like him. However, no one, and that is literally no one, would ever be able to tell them they were anything less than the most confident people on the planet. It practically wafted off of them in delicious scents. Only they knew, that is was pure belief. Belief that it could become true.
Vlad gave her a slow downward nod of acknowledgement, raised his free hand, snapped twice, and let the music play, all the while never once taking his eyes off of hers.
The first song he had Thing set to play rung out in the most deeply gothic smooth voice that could ever be produced, as Vlad held one hand out to Wednesday and bowed deeply at the waist.
Wise men say,
Only fools rush in,
But I,
Can't help,
Falling in love,
With you....
There was no rehearsal. No practice, sorry A.I.. And yet, they danced. Quickly, slowly, spinning, swaying, all in perfect rhythm, never missing a beat, and eyes forever locked on one another. Words spoken only through movement and feelings conveyed only through breaths. A moment to be remembered, and a confidence born from belief that became true.
As the song ended, Vlad held up his hand, stopping the next song from playing.
He had made many plans.
He even knew of some local youths who were planning on dumping red paint onto the dance, which he had already compelled them to switch with pig's blood and forget they did it.
It was supposed to be the cap off to the ball...however, he could not find it in himself to continue. The moment was too perfect, and what they shared, for this night, was already complete.
Their dance was done. He knew it, she knew it.
Stretching out the event for any longer would only take away from what they had already produced.
That is why, *snap snap*, all the small fires that had been dancing around the hall instantly went out and the doors sprung open.
Eventually, the first souls brave enough to venture inside made their way, only to find that it was empty. No Vlad, no Wednesday, no scorch marks. Just an empty dance hall.
As for the vampire and the addams, their love story would continue, elsewhere.
.
.
.
(A/N: Additional chaps are on patreon.com/TheGreatestHunter . Check it out.)