It was one week into the fall semester, and already there were vastly differing attitudes regarding it.

Bren had felt pretty good about their classes overall. Bit of a heavy workload for a few of their business courses, but it seemed manageable alongside their track and field commitments. Even with their scholarship requirements in mind.

They had noticed that Chad was, well...being Chad. Happy go lucky and overall a merry menace. He and Gomez often could be found chattering with one another when Chad wasn't listening to music, bothering the kids, or egging on Fester in some stunt or another.

April seemed more tired than usual, but, it was hard to tell if it was staying up reading or something else with her. After all, she had been bringing stacks of books in and out of the house constantly once given access to the university library. The poor librarians.

Then there was Fin.

They had a few classes at similar times in the same building, and every time they had caught sight of Fin, he looked...well, paranoid. Constantly looking over his shoulder. Trying to slouch his large, lanky frame to seem smaller and hide in the crowd of students. Which was ironic, considering his actions made him stand out even more. On campus, he even wore glasses.

When Bren had asked about them, he had shrugged it off, claiming they were blue light glasses. Bren didn't doubt that, but did find it odd that he only wore them on campus when he spent so much more time in front of his screens at home.

By the end of the week, even Chad had managed to pick up on how much of a nervous wreck Fin was.

"But what do you think is bugging him? He seemed really chill before...do you think he's got social anxiety or something? One of my opera buds has it. More common than you'd think." He offered sagely from his sprawling position on the library floor available in the small aisle they were in. His momentary wisdom punctuated by the obnoxious slurping noise from his mostly empty iced coffee.

"Well yeah, but this is like super paranoid behavior." Bren insisted, actually worried.

"Perhaps, but we really shouldn't be assuming things." April chided gently. "He could just be nervous with his new surroundings and all. Everyone gets a bit jittery at times. If you are truly concerned, Bren, then ask him instead of speculating."

They sighed, seeing her point. "I mean, yeah, but I don't know if we're close enough to ask that sort of thing yet or not. Its hard to get a read on that guy." They complained as April placed another book in their waiting arms. "He's quiet to begin with, but now he's been shutting himself up in his room almost every day after classes. I'm worried about the guy."

"I know, and you're a good friend for being worried." They took a calming breath as she looked down from the stepstool she needed for her next book. "Only a good friend worries this much at concerning behavior, Bren. Just the fact that you are this concerned is enough to warrant you being close enough to ask. Okay?" They nodded, shoulders relaxing a bit.

"Yeah, I guess you're right..."

"Of course I am." She chirped smugly before plopping another thick tome onto the stack in his arms. "There, that's the last one! We can go now. Unless y'all need any books?"

"Nope! All good here!" Chad hummed, standing with a stretch.

"I've already got my hands full." Bren informed dryly, only to immediately regret it as April suddenly looked worried.

"Im sorry, I can carry them!" They quickly stepped back as she reached for the stack.

"Whoa! Hey, I was just teasing! I don't mind, really." They assured, starting the treck to the checkout counter downstairs. "Besides, its easier if your hands are free to get your ID out, right?"

By the time April had checked out and they were all settled listening to some dead French composer in Chad's truck, Bren had settled on talking with Fin once they were home.

They had also settled on hiding Chad's aux cord next time they rode somewhere in his car, but that was less important.

Once they were parked at home, Chad had scooped up April's books, declaring he would carry them to her room. Ever since spooking her on that first day, he had been doing his best to get in her good graces. Not that he ever was in her bad graces, but he didn't seem to realize that. With the knowledge that April had help, they made their way up to Fin's room, knocking hesitantly.

Stolen novel; please report.

"Fin? Sorry to bug you, but, I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Come in." Given permission, he pushed open the door, concerned to see even the minor mess of The room. One thing they all had realized pretty quickly was that Fin was a neat freak in his own space. So seeing multiple empty teacups around the room and him sat on an unmade bed was concerning.

"Dude, I'm worried about you." They blurted. "Look, I know we barely know each other, but something's obviously fucking with you. Is it something in the house? Someone bothering you on campus?" Seeing the ready denial, they continued, firmer. "Fin. Even Chad noticed. I'm pretty sure everyone can see that you're freaked out." A long sigh escaped from Fin as he rubbed his face.

"I just...I've got a lot on my mind and I've been on edge lately, okay? I'll be fine. I'm sure it'll pass. Its just me overthinking stuff." He assured.

"Okay, great. That makes me feel a lot better." They scoffed before softening their tone. "Look, I don't expect you to tell me what it is thats got you spooked, but...if you need anything, I'm in the same building a lot of the time. Just find me or shoot me a text, okay? I don't care if its just to walk with you or something. We're just all worried about you."

"Kitty? Where are you going?" Both tried to ignore the sudden call from Wednesday. They all knew the Addams had a cat, but none of them had caught a glimpse of the shy little thing, yet.

"I don't expect you to respond to my offer, this sort of shit is always awkward." Bren insisted, blushing slightly. "I just...we all care. We might not say it well, but we do. So-" seeing Fin's face go pale as his eyes widened, they sighed. "C'mon, man, its not that inten-" they froze as a chill crept down their spine, hair standing on the nape of their neck as goosebumps shuddered across their skin.

They were being watched, and whatever was watching them activated some primal instinct to either fall down or run like hell.

They had felt similar around Wednesday or Fester on occasion, but never anywhere near this intensively.

"Bren." Fin breathed, barely audible "Don't. Mo-"

Fin never finished the warning.

April jumped at a chorus of screams and a crashing noise, eyes widening as she rushed towards the source. Fear made her heart pound, Chad and others soon arriving with the same intent as they rushed to Fin's open door. A gasp escaped as she came to a screeching halt in the doorway, clutching the frame.

It was a lion.

A lion was mauling Fin in his bed.

"Oh, its just Kitty." Fester mused, making April blanch slightly.

"Thats Kitty?!" It escaped as a squeak

"Yeah. Funny, Kitty's usually not that affectionate with people." He hummed.

"Affectionate?! He's mauling..." at a second look, she trailed off, perplexed. There was no blood. No more screams from the very dazed looking Bren standing by the bed, no agonized cries from Fin. Stepping closer and to the side, she stared in shock. The lion, indeed, wasn't mauling the poor boy.

He was licking him.

"Are...are you okay, Fin? I-we heard screaming..."

"I, um, yeah?" He croaked out. "Kinda screamed when he pounced on me. Unless it's getting a taste first, I don't think it's gonna hurt me? Right?"

"Oh Kitty is harmless." Gomez assured as Kitty's rumbling purr filled the room. "We regularly clip and file his claws to avoid shredding where possible. He's shy, but very much a lap-cat once he likes someone. Seems he's taken a shine to you, Fin!"

"To me? But I've never even-UMF!" Whatever else he was going to say was cut off with a loud grunt as the lion flopped down onto him and happily settled in. The rest of the family dispersed and went about their day as the college kids remained, staring at the lion happily cuddling Fin.

"Um...not gonna lie, that's sick as fuck." Chad finally uttered.

"I-There's a-it just-and it pounced-and I thought..." April looked over to see a very pale and shakey Bren, slightly trembling hands clutching a splintered chair leg. The rest of the chair lay shattered on the floor beside them. Explained the crash she'd heard. Slowly, she walked over, nudging bits of debris out of the way with her foot.

"Bren, hey, look at me." She cooed, smiling softly once shocked amber eyes met her own. "'Atta boy. Everything's okay. Fin's safe." Gently, she pried the chair leg away from their grasp before setting it aside. "There we go. Everything is okay." Finally, she heard a proper, shuddering breath.

"...a fucking li..." frowning slightly at the mumbled words, she stepped closer.

"Im sorry, Bren, I couldn't hear you, hon." She stiffened slightly as they leaned in, wrapping her in a clinging hug as their head buried in the crook of her neck.

"Kitty...damn kitty is a fucking lion!" A moment later, she felt the tension leave them as a chuckle escaped, soon turning into full-blown laughter. "A lion! I've been trying to hunt down a black cat this whole time to put a sparkly bow on it to annoy Wednesday...and Kitty is a lion!" Chuckling softly, she rubbed their back as they slowly collected themself.

By the time everyone had calmed down and went to check on Fin, April fought the urge to snap a picture.

Fin had fallen fast asleep under the contentedly rumbling big cat.

Motioning them all to stay quiet and leave, she took one final peek at the unlikely duo before closing the door most of the way. Best give Kitty a way out later. Turning to see a determined Bren striding towards their room, she quietly called out.

"What are you doing?"

"Im about to go make the most obnoxiously colorful, giant sparkly bow possible!" They whisper-yelled back. "C'mon Chad. We're glittering it in your room."

"Sweet!" He said happily, hurrying to catch up "Can I put green glitter on it?"

"Only color you can't use is black."

"Bet!"