Chapter Text
CAN’T TAKE MY EYES OFF OF YOU – FRANKIE VALLI
CHAPTER ONE
‿̩͙⊱༒︎༻♱༺༒︎⊰‿̩͙
Nevermore. Home away from home, as some liked to call it. You were one of the few that had seen it as a second home. Nobody had been as welcoming as the other outcasts had, being a werewolf wasn’t what deterred them, it was simply your demeanor. Cheery to most, about to snap someone’s neck off to others. A bunch of people acted like that, though you were described as one of the ‘scary’ few in your previous hometown. You had to move away from there after wolfing out and murdering someone. Nobody ever suspected it was you though, so that was good. Most people thought it was a wild bear, and the corpse had mysteriously disappeared. The guy had it coming, being a guy who was all up in women’s personal space wasn’t something you could watch idly.
You walked through the halls of nevermore as your thoughts kept swirling in your mind, replaying the way your claws had ripped apart the man’s neck, blood sputtering out in a few different directions as he gurgled. You remembered transforming as you watched from the edge of the woods, the emotions too strong to contain in your much smaller and therefore weaker, human body.
THUD
“God dammit.”
You grumble, clutching your nose as you had rammed into one of the many stone walls in Nevermore, a courtesy of not paying attention to your surroundings. Now was a time to be thankful that you always took a stroll around when most students weren’t awake yet, getting embarrassed so early in the morning would only sour your mood. You grab a tissue from your pocket, holding it to your nose that was now gushing a small amount of blood. The sharp, tangy and metallic taste hit your nose immediately, filling your nostrils with it.
“To hell with being a werewolf.”
You mutter to yourself, continuing your walk to your classroom with one hand still firmly gripping the tissue. Once you made it to your classroom door, you unlocked it before ramming into it with the side of your shoulder, immediately you collapsed into the black leather chair. Your body practically melted into the chair, forming into one as you slumped. You took off the tissue, double checking you weren’t still bleeding from your nose before shooting it into the bin like a basketball.
“And I make the shot!”
You say in an announcer type voice, pumping your hands up into the air with a small grin that displays your canine-like teeth brilliantly. You lean back in your seat, humming softly, enjoying the thrums through your body because of it. You let yourself rest for a moment before checking your watch, having to unbutton and roll the sleeves on your black button-up to do so.
08:15
You still had half an hour till classes would start, half an hour till you had to start teaching. You were a psychology teacher – not a normal one though, one for outcasts. Outcast minds were different from normal peoples, and they were amazing. Contrary to popular belief, you liked your job. You didn’t see the point in people becoming teachers and then being all mopey, they should at least enjoy their jobs. You were glad most of your students liked you, they all labelled you as the ‘fun teacher’. Even though you didn’t like having favorites, you had to say you had a bit of a soft spot for a few of them. More specifically Wednesday and Enid. You had known Wednesday for a while, Mortica and Gomez having gone to Nevermore with your older brother and becoming good friends with him.
Naturally, you were also introduced to the Addams family and you quickly slotted into place, encouraging any bad ideas Wednesday had. Pugsley hadn’t gotten the hang of using matches yet, but you quickly taught him how. You never played favorites though, just gotten along with them better than the others. You had gotten along quickly with Enid, Wednesday having begrudgingly (She was definitely acting), introduced Enid to you. You and Enid got along quick, the cheery personalities and the knowledge of both of you two being werewolves, quickly having formed a nice bond. You snap out of your small zoning out session, having heard heavy thuds of boots coming down the halls. You could tell they were still a bit far away, only having heard it because of your enhanced hearing.
Your head snaps up a bit, curious as to who this was. Did a teacher get new boots? You could typically realize who was who from the sound of their steps, so this was a mystery to you. There. A blur of ginger curls walks past your door, leopard print clothing moving swiftly by as well. By that split second blur you got you were already enamored with her. You didn’t know who she was, but damn well would you find out. Hopefully, anyway. It could be a guest visiting Nevermore for a day for all you know. Unfortunately enough for you, classes were going to start in about ten minutes so that meant that you had to prepare for the lesson. You got up from the leather chair, going up on your tippy toes and stretching yourself before walking over to the whiteboard, picking up a piece of chalk and writing ‘PSYCHOLOGY’ on it.
“What for today?”
You whisper silently to yourself, tapping the chalk lightly against your chin as you ponder to yourself quietly.
“Haven’t done werewolves for a while I suppose.”
You murmur to yourself, writing ‘WEREWOLVES’ under the word psychology neatly. You go over to a textbook, opening it on the werewolves section, skimming it to decide on what topic you wanted to choose. Not planning your lessons was probably going to bite you in the ass someday, but till then you would do as it is now. Bonds. The most important thing a werewolf can have, so easily broken yet so hard to form. You drew a little doodle of a werewolf by the top right corner, tongue lolling out as a funny little thing to hopefully brighten a student’s mood, even if it wasn’t by much. You wrote out the word ‘BONDS’ next to the little doodle, seeing that you were now spent for time and went to go open the classroom door, ushering your students in.
You gave a bright grin to each of them, some even giving you a fist-bump or a high-five if they weren’t sleep deprived like the average teenager. Wednesday just gave you one of those glares that was softer than her actually mean ones, walking past swiftly as Enid followed behind her, giving you a bright grin and giving a small greeting.
“As the whiteboard suggests, we’ll be learning about werewolf bonds and the psychology behind them today.”
You explain, rounding your desk and giving a small smile to the class, most of the werewolf students having perked up a bit at the mention of their outcast group. You give Wednesday a little look, knowing far too well that what she and Enid had was not a casual roommate’s thing going on. Wednesday was going to drink up every word in this lesson, and that only proved better for you.
“The psychology behind a bond isn’t just about the werewolf side of them, it’s also about the human side of werewolves. Werewolves have packs like wolves, but the trust rooted into them isn’t just by their wolf form. More often than not, a werewolf only forms some sort of bond with someone because they had or have a connection with them in their human body as well.”
You state, pacing around your desk and chair in a familiar motion, enjoying the way the shoes make contact with the ground and cause an enhanced vibration that thrums through you lowly. You watched as your class was taking notes, most seeming quite enamored with the lesson and enjoying it, even if you weren’t all that into it yet.
“Wolves and humans both have cultures, so what will werewolves have?”
You ask your class, arching an eyebrow expectantly as you await for them to answer in unison.
“A culture.”
The outcasts respond in tandem, seeming much less different now from one another.
“Correct!”
You answer enthusiastically, sharp teeth glinting from the small sunlight being caught from the windows.
“Now, werewolf culture doesn’t exactly include things like national cuisines, or dance routines to bop your head to.”
You state simply, a snort giving from a gorgon in the back corner as they were likely expecting something of the sort from you.
“Werewolf culture is different in each pack, most packs usually have a ritual of some sort to announce the new leader of the pack though, that being the most common werewolf culture feature. Another common one would be making the cubs, or the youngest of pack, fight till blood is drawn and not a small amount.”
You say, labelling the second one with a much more serious face. You had had to do that in your pack, you recalled how the sharp teeth had sunk into your shoulder, a bite-mark scar left as the only remnant besides your memories. A student puts their hand up, waiting to ask a question. You wave them on, wanting them to ask ahead.
“Have you done any of the culture things?”
Before you could fully process the question, Wednesday butts in herself.
“I do believe that is what Sinclair would call a, ‘personal topic’ “
Wednesday says coolly, and you were reminded once again of how protective the Addams family was. Wednesday knew about your trauma, she knew about how you woke up in a cold sweat about it. You had to take sleeping medication to actually go to sleep. It hardly ever worked.
Enid beams to the side of Wednesday, seemingly surprised Wednesday had listened to her advice for once. Opposites attract after all. Looking at the pair of them a word had immediately popped into your head.
“The strongest bond a werewolf can have, is a mate.”
You speak to the class, hands gesturing in small motions as you lock eyes with Wednesday for a second and see how she registers what you mean, shooting me a small glare. You smile in response while Enid eyes us carefully, not having understood the mini Addams has a crush on her.
“A mate is the romantic relationship a werewolf with have with another. This also exists in wolf culture. Mates will remain loyal to one another, often times mating for life as well. When werewolves mate up they both become the leader of their pack or clan.”
You explained carefully, making sure to pick out easy terms so non-werewolf students would understand easily and no one would have to worry about definitions and notes if you used some sort of advanced terminology.
A snicker is heard from the back of the classroom and you turn your head towards it, you appreciated students may whisper during classes and that was fine, but have someone snicker while you were speaking about a topic which was very important, that was a fucking problem.
“Bruno.”
You practically growl it out, the boy having been a repeated offender in your class, clearly having some form of disrespect for you or something like that. His head whips to you, a cocky smirk on his face. Most of the students’ eyes were glued to you, as you hadn’t been as furious with anyone before, not even Bruno.
“Yep teach?”
He asks, and if it weren’t for the knock at the door you’re sure you would’ve flipped the fuck out. Wednesday probably would’ve stopped you, because as much as she distained the boy, she knew that this would’ve definitely gone on your record. Not a good look for outcast jobs.
“Excuse me?”
A slightly-deep and raspy feminine voice asks, and you turn your head towards her. It’s her. The woman who had absolutely enraptured you earlier.
You take a deep breath to calm yourself down, your fangs shrinking slightly before turning to her and giving a kind smile.
“What’s up?”
You ask her, never having been all too formal with anyone, deeming it way too boring. Your students are watching the interaction, wondering what’s going to happen to Bruno and who this woman is. You were probably just going to give Bruno a detention, as there wasn’t much else you could do. As for the absolutely ineffable woman/Goddess at the door was, you haven’t a clue.
“Principal Dort asked for the werewolf teacher to make their way to his office for a meeting.”
The dazzling woman informs you, and you simply think that the principal is taking the piss out of you.
“Now?”
You ask, wanting to double check that the principal wanted you out of teaching a class just to go to some stupid meeting that could probably just be an email.
“Yes.”
She confirms, also looking a bit angry at the thought that he asked while teacher were teaching, the evidence the slight furrow in her brows.
You sigh before going over to the computer and turning a video on werewolf bonds on, before making your way to the door.
“Don’t yell across the room.”
You state dryly, opening the door open for the enticing woman, before following close behind. You un-button the arm sleeves of your button up, rolling them up so it would be more comfortable for whatever hellish meeting Dort planned now. (You don’t see the way her eyes glide over your arms in a smooth, observing motion carefully.)
“Ms. Capri, music teacher.”
She states, giving a soft smile to you before facing forwards again as her boots clack quietly through the hallways.
“L/n or Y/n, psychology teacher.”
You introduce yourself, going for a firm handshake, watching as her eyebrows raise up a bit at your firm grip. You were stronger than most werewolves, but you didn’t enjoy sharing it. You sometimes unintentionally did it, like now for example. You stuff your hands into your pant pockets before asking a question.
“So, do you know what the great and oh so mighty Dort has planned for us?”
You inquire with a small smirk on your face, turning to her and watching the small chuckle she lets out. You wanted to hear it on repeat over and over again, maybe even make it a mixtape. You weren’t a music teacher but you were sure that was a heavenly sound.
“Unfortunately, no.”
She responds, giving a smirk of her own that makes your heart swoop a bit. It was crazy how you were already experiencing heart palpitations and you just met Ms. Capri.
You both approach the office door, sending a glance to each other before bracing yourselves for what Dort was going to say now. You open the door for her, watching as she struts through as you follow close behind, looking like a lost puppy following anyone.
“Ah, Ms. Capri and Ms. L/n, so nice to have you two here!”
Dort says with what very clearly sounds like fake enthusiasm, getting up from his chair to give a handshake to both you and Capri.
“I wanted to talk to both of you two about an upcoming camping trip I have planned.”
Dort says, his smile spreading all over his face and you’re still wondering why he needed specifically the werewolf teachers for this.
“How does that correlate with us, besides both of us being authoritative figures?”
You ask, using a bit more of an advanced vocabulary on those older than you (Oh boy was Mr. Dort older), still confused on the whole thing.
“I’m glad you asked!”
Dort replies, snapping his pointer finger with energy.
“The trip is on a full moon so I was hoping to ask both of you older werewolves to watch over the younger students for the trip.”
You have to suppress the sudden urge to growl, wondering what a fucking imbecile one had to be to schedule a camping trip with a school full of outcasts, on a full moon just to torment all the werewolf students further.
“Principal Dort, I think it would just be best if you rescheduled the camping trip.”
Miss Capri states, trying to get Dort to reconsider the date for which he planned. Her calm, soothing voice makes you calm down a bit, your hands which were clutched into the fabric of your pants having loosened up a bit now. The fury you feel is still deeply rooted into you, but you try to calm down so no strong emotions overtake you and you wolf out or something of the like.
“Unfortunately Miss Capri, I’ve already booked the camping site.”
Dort says with a smile that doesn’t look apologetic in the tiniest way, a gleam in his eyes practically visible.
“Mister Dort, how will the students be safe if there are no lupin cages?”
You ask, the slightest bit of fury being detectable in your tone to the trained ear, Dort clearly brushing it off or not having detected the sheer amount of emotion the leaked into your words.
“If they can’t control themselves then I’m afraid they won’t be able to go.”
The fucking bastard. I’m convinced he just has some grudge against werewolves, because why would he basically just take the rights to what a student wants to all solely because they couldn’t control what was against their own will.
You can see Miss Capri is close to fuming too, so you decide to end the conversation before one of you flips out.
“Alright, we’ll supervise.”
You decide to say, wanting to sound genuine in your ‘want’ to do this and being happy about the trip overall. You can see Miss Capri give you a side eye, clearly not having expected that from you, wary of your decision.
“Great!”
Dort says, clapping his hands together happily before escorting the two of you out.
“What was that?”
Miss Capri asks as soon as you two are both out the office and out of earshot. You can sense the fury off of her, knowing fully well she was angry as to why you agreed onto the trip.
“There’s no winning with Dort.”
I mumble, running a hand through my hair out of stress.
“We’re going to have to supervise, or you can just pretend to be sick and I can do it myself, I didn’t mean to drag you into this anyway.”
You state, your eyes moving to her as soon as her gaze drops from you, seemingly lost in thought.
“You’ll need the help.”
She mumbles quietly, giving a soft smile and now you know she understands why you did it.
As you both walk, there’s one mantra that’s repeating in your head.
I can’t take my eyes off of her.