Addison sat in bed after her lengthy conversation with Bree. She had ended up falling asleep on Zed's chest and he'd shaken her awake to let her know that he had to pick Zoey up soon. She'd suddenly felt self-conscious about what they'd just done, never mind the fact that she wasn't wearing any underwear, so she'd told him not to worry about it, that she'd just drive herself home. Her cheeks were burning as she crouched to pick up her panties from the floor, trying not to flash Zed even though she'd just let him see all of it not so long ago.

Zed had barely said anything, strengthening her belief that she'd been right about the whole friends with benefit situation. He didn't care about her like she cared about him. Of course, that hadn't kept her from texting Bree a panicked 911- Zed Emergency.

Thankfully, her best friend had just finished having lunch and had video called her almost immediately. Bree had raised a surprised eyebrow at Addison's emerald top. Just like that, Addison found herself recounting the event of the past three days to her. As always, Bree had been nothing but supportive and Addison was grateful for it… even if Bree seemed convinced that she had a chance with Zed.

Addison had tried everything to persuade her otherwise, but it just wasn't working. Her best friend was one stubborn woman. Bree had agreed to disagree and pointed out that at least she was getting great sex out of it.

Addison could only agree with that. Sex with Warner had been very clinical. Insert Tab A into Slot B. Most of the time she wasn't really into it, and she'd faked more than one orgasm. If she were honest with herself, she'd always thought the fault was hers and that the passion everyone talked about was overhyped as she only ever reached that peak on her own. But damn! Zed had gotten her off in minutes with only his fingers.

And then he'd blown her mind all over again when she felt like a fumbling teenage virgin. The things he'd whispered to her as she stroke him… They'd made her feel sexy and powerful in a way she'd never experienced before. Her panties were getting damp just thinking about it. When he exploded all over her fingers, she had tasted something akin to pride. Warner had always complained that she wasn't skilled enough to get him off unless he was in her. Zed had claimed he'd been close without her touching him.

Of course, she hadn't revealed those details to her best friend. She'd have flown back from California just to cut Warner's balls off and shake Zed's hand… both of which would have been mortifying.

The front door opening brought her out of her own head. She swore under her breath and hurried to her bathroom to change. There was no universe where she wanted to explain to her mother why she was wearing zombie colors.

AZAZAZ

Zed was sitting next to Eliza on the overhang roof by her bedroom window. It was tradition by now to talk – or avoid talking – about whatever was upsetting one of them up there.

Just like Eliza did all the time, Zed had just waltzed into his childhood best friend's house and barged into her room. He hadn't even bother greeting her; he'd just marched to the window and yanked it open before climbing out of it. He'd heard Eliza sigh before she wandered downstairs. She was by his side within a couple minutes, handing him an opened beer.

"Not long till we're fucking old enough" she answered his raised eyebrow. "Not like it's the first time anyway, asshole."
"We don't do this for everyone to see though?" Zed countered.
"This one seemed bad and it's not like anyone is going to call Z-Patrol on us." Eliza rolled her eyes at him. "Now are we avoiding or talking?"

Zed took a swig of his beer before sighing dejectedly.

"I kinda had sex with Addison today."

Eliza spit out her beer all over the roof. She coughed once or twice before looking at her best friend in disgust.

"Ew! TMI, Zed!"

Zed snorted at her expression. At the very least, Eliza made for a great distraction.

"Seriously though, you've been pining about Miss Pompom Von Cheercamp forever, why are you upset?"

Zed stayed silent, taking a few more sips. Eliza waited him out. Between the two of them, Zed had always been the talk about your emotions like a mentally stable person one. She didn't have to wait long.

"I don't even know where to start, Liza."
"How about what's been pissing you off?" Zed looked at her in surprise. "Shut up. I know when MadSad and not just sad." Eliza ducked her head. She wasn't the touchy-feely type, she was the gruff one in this relationship.
"I want to tear her ex's head off." He confessed.
"Violent. I dig it. Please continue."
"I don't know the whole story, but clearly, he convinced her she was not worth it. That… That she's not the most fucking gorgeous girl I've ever met. He's such a dick. Like, he told her she was a bad kisser… Shit, Liza! I almost came just fingering her."
"ZED!" Eliza yelped, pretending to gag. "I need brain bleach. There are things I don't need to know about you, jerk."
"Well, I didn't need to see you with that girl and her brother on our living room couch." He replied.

Eliza smirked. That had been one hell of an evening; even Zed's unexpected arrival hadn't dampened the mood.

"Whatever. I get it, this girl is hot. Ex is a piece of shit. Now what are you so depressed about? I thought you were only fake dating. You clearly have been doing something right if she decided to get in bed with you."
"She wants a friend with benefits."

Silence.

Eliza was looking at Zed with wide eyes. How the hell did he get himself in those situations? His life wasn't a fucking rom-com. She begged him to please tell her he hadn't agreed. Or at the very least that he hadn't known prior to getting her in bed. Zed chugged down the rest of his beer, telling her everything she needed to know.

"Zed. Listen to me." Her voice was clear and steady; she was dead-serious. "You don't do that kind of thing. You're a romantic at heart. You already have a crush on Peppy Cheerboots. You can't do this. You'll end up falling in love with her."

Zed looked at her with a devastated expression. Her heart started racing, she remembered this look; it haunted her. She hadn't seen that face since they were eight years old, and Zevon came home with Zoey only.

"My zombie thinks she's ours." He announced.
"Shit, Zed!" Eliza gasped.
"Yeah."

Eliza kept quiet, there wasn't anything else to say, they both knew what this meant, and handed her beer to Zed. He tipped the bottle in her direction in a silent toast and tossed it back.

AZAZAZ

When Addison shuffled into the kitchen late that next morning, she found her father alone reading his newspaper. He glanced at her over his paper but didn't make a sound. She sighed inwardly and made her way to the coffee machine and pouring herself a cup. She walked back to stand in front of her father.

"Hey, dad." She started cautiously.
"Addison. You disappeared yesterday. In fact, we haven't seen much of you since break started." He said, settling a steely gaze on his daughter.
"Yeah." Addison blushed at the memories from the day before. "I'm sorry, I was with Zed."
"Yes, Zed."

Father and daughter stared at each other, neither ready to stand down first. Addison took a sip of coffee, gaze unwavering.

"He seems like a polite and responsible young man." Dale tried.
"Oh! He is, really." Addison assured him.
"He must make you very happy to bring him home."

Addison thought about it for a second. Did Zed make her happy?

"He does." She admitted.
"Indeed…"

Addison hummed pensively. Her father cleared his throat awkwardly.

"I suppose you're seeing him again today."
"Yes! We're taking Zoey to get her picture taken with Santa." Addison gushed excitedly.
"Those were the days." He reminisced with a fleeting smile.
"Yeah… Hey, dad? I've got to get ready, but maybe we can talk about it some more later?" Addison offered.
"Sure. Will we see you for dinner?"
"I don't know yet."
"Alright."

Addison broke their stalemate first when she turned around to head upstairs. Before she got too far, Dale called out:

"You might want to cover that love bite before your mother sees it, though."

He relished in the squeaky sounds that came from his daughter before he heard her scurry up the stairs. At least both of them would live with the embarrassing knowledge that he knew Addison and Zed had been intimate. He surprised himself by not wanting to slap his cuffs on the boy's wrists; but for the life of him, he couldn't seem to get angry at the zombie putting his teeth on his daughter. He sighed deeply. Maybe he was getting soft? He needed more coffee.

AZAZAZ

Addison all but slammed her mug on her bathroom counter, not caring when the coffee splashed on the white material. She glowered at her image in the mirror, craning her neck to try and get a better view. There it was. It wasn't awfully big, a darker patch of red skin not even the size of a quarter on the underside of her jaw. It wasn't that noticeable which made Addison cursed the fact that her father was a police officer. Most people wouldn't recognize it for it was. Her father was right though, her mother would pitch a fit if she caught even a glimpse of it.

Nevertheless, Addison raised two trembling fingers to touch it reverently. She was astonished to find that she rather liked it. A physical reminder of her time with Zed, a little proof of his claim – however small – on her. As she pressed the tip of her fingers into the bruise, she caught the rhythmic thump of her heart. Her pulse quickened at the sharp zing of tenderness her fingers caused, bringing her right back to Zed's bed. She suddenly wished she had left such a mark on his, something viscerally possessive wanting to show to the entire world he was hers as much as she was his.

She pushed the treacherous thought down. Zed might own her heart, but she didn't hold his. She had to be realistic; more than anything, she had to enjoy this while it lasted. And the first step of that plan meant she had to get dressed if she wanted to spend time with Zed and Zoey.

AZAZAZ

Addison knocked on Zed's front door. The sound of running footsteps were heard from the inside before the door was thrown wide open. Zoey sent her an infectious grin and attached herself to Addison's stomach in a strong hug. Addison laughed and threw her arms around the girl.

"Well, hello to you too Zoey! Are you still wearing your pjs?" Addison wondered, smoothing Zoey's unruly hair in a loving touch.
"Oh, yeah! We're brunching and dad didn't want me to spill something on my new outfit."
"Brunch?"
"Yes! Dad worked a double shift overnight so he could come along today."

Happiness was radiating from the girl in waves.

"Have you eaten? There's enough for one more." Zoey asked innocently.

Addison froze for a second. She'd never tried zombie food before. She knew it wasn't really brains, that it was a substitute, usually a cauliflower based one. She'd heard rumours it tasted awful to humans though.

"Pretty sure Addie doesn't want eggs and brains, Zo." Zed intervened.

Addison looked up and Zoey turned around to find him leaning against the wall with a smirk.

"Oh!" Zoey piped out looking defeated.
"But I'm sure she'll have French toast and fruits though."

Zoey perked up instantly and ran to the dining room, yelling at her dad that Addison was going to join them. Zed shook his head fondly as he watched her go before turning to the woman that plagued his dreams.

"Morning, Addie." He greeted her with a smile.
"Morning Zed."
"Sorry about her, she's super excited to have you with us today."
"It's fine. Thanks for…" Addison hesitated.
"For the save? It's okay. You're human, I wouldn't expect you to eat our food." Zed stated with an eye roll.
"Well maybe I should try it at least once?" Addison said, taking off her baby blue coat.

Zed had a reply on the tip of his tongue, about how she really didn't need to do that, but the protest died on his lips when he took in what she was wearing.

Addison hung her coat and smoothed down her dress. The dress itself was simple, bright dress with a peter pan lace collar and a thin black belt around her waist. She looked at Zed, chuckling at his half-opened mouth.

"Christmas red is a must for any Seabrook Christmas picture." She teased him on her way to the kitchen, pressing a quick kiss to the corner of his lips, ignoring the way her heart beat hard enough to fall off her chest.

Zoey had already pulled a chair and set a plate for her when she walked in the kitchen, right by her side of course. Zevon greeted Addison warmly and told her to dish up. Still looking a bit dazed, Zed joined them and sat on Addison's other side. They chatted while they ate, Zoey carrying most of the conversation and Zed bantering with her effortlessly. Zevon sipped his coffee with a fond look on his face for his children. He looked tired which made sense considering he'd worked all night, but he also looked like there was no other place he'd rather be. None of them did. Addison couldn't recall her family ever being this peaceful in one another's presence.

Lost in her thoughts, Addison didn't realize Zed was picking food off her plate until Zoey giggled uncontrollably. She rolled her eyes and slapped his fork away as he prepared to skewer a slice of banana.

"There's still some on your plate, you know." She scolded him playfully.
"But it's so much better when it's coming from yours," he whined. "Try it!"

Zed pushed his plate in her directions. He still had fruits, French toast as well as a tiny bit of eggs and brains. She hesitated long enough for Zed to start pulling his plate away. She stretched her arm and scooped up a bite of eggs and brains. She saw both Zed and Zevon freeze at her action, and it spurred her on.

"Addie, you don't have…" Zed started.

Before he could finish that sentence, Addison was chewing thoughtfully. The texture and taste were odd, kind of rubbery but creamy at the same time. But it wasn't terrible. Undeniably not like any of the horror stories she had heard growing up. A lot less awful than her great-aunt's meatloaf was. She wasn't going to start incorporating caulibrains to her diet, but she wouldn't complain if she ever joined the Necredopolis for dinner.

"Not bad, but definitely strange." Addison declared.

Zed knew he was staring again, but he couldn't help it. She was exceptional. He cleared his throat to focus.

"You say that now. It used to taste like gym sneakers."

Addison wrinkled her nose.

"Then you might be able to stomach my great-aunt Gertrude meatloaf…"
"It sounds dreadful."
"It is. I'm telling you, keep your distance at all costs."

They both snickered, unaware of the warm look Zevon was sending them. Zoey broke the moment by begging Addison to help her with her hair, invoking the fact that both her dad and brother could barely manage braids. Before Zed could grumble, Addison had agreed. She pecked Zed on the lips before telling Zoey to lead the way. Zed watched them disappear upstairs, warmth filling his chest.

"That girl just ate caulibrains for you, son." Zevon commented.
"Dad" Zed warned.

Zevon sighed audibly.

"Look son, I know young people think they know everything, but I've been around longer than you. Girls like that. They're far and few between."
"I know, dad." Zed grunted.
"If she's the one, son… Don't let her go."

Zed pushed around what little food was left on his plate, not daring to look at his dad.

"How do you know?" He asked in a small voice.
"What?"
"How do you know for sure? That she's the one."
"Do you love her, Zed?" Zevon inquired softly.
"Yes."

Zevon took in a sharp breath. Maybe his son wasn't as clueless as he thought.

"I… I don't know if she does though. And what if it's puppy love? What if I'm in love with the idea of her? With the version of her I created in my mind from crushing on her for so long."
"You're the only one who can answer that question, son."
"I had a feeling you were going to say that." Zed sighed.
"I know this thing keeps him at bay –" Zevon started, pointing at Zed's Z-band, "–but your zombie knows. He'll recognize his soulmate."

AZAZAZ

Addison stood behind the chair Zoey sat on, working on her hair as the little girl chatted away. As she braided the green hair, she added lengths of white shimmery tinsel. Zoey explained how, of course, she knew that Santa wasn't real, but that she loved the occasion anyway. Christmas was their mother's favourite holiday and so had become their family's favourite by default. Getting her picture taken with Zed was a tradition ever since she'd been a baby. In turn, Addison told her about her pictures with Santa and how they'd been replaced by family portraits. She couldn't help but agree with Zoey's nose wrinkle.

Once the braids were tied off and the extra tinsel had been cut off, Addison let Zoey looked at herself in the mirror. She squealed in delight, wrapping Addison in yet another hug.

"I got something for you." Zoey said as she let go of Addison. "That way we can match."

Zoey grabbed a package from the top of her dresser and shyly handed it to Addison. As she realized what it was, Addison felt her heart tighten in affection. This time, she was the one to grab hold of Zoey in a tight hug.

AZAZAZ

Zoey tugged at Addison's hand, all but skipping towards the line of children waiting for a picture with Santa. Addison obliged without complaining, knowing full well that Zoey had her wrapped around her little finger already.

Zed and Zevon followed at a more sedated pace, both deeply amused by Zoey's excitement. Zevon only hoped he could get a few more years before she grew out of it. Maybe she'd take after Zed and would humour him for a while. Once Zed had kids, he knew it wouldn't be an issue; but he didn't think Zed or Addison were quite ready for him to talk about possible grandkids.

Addison was being introduced to one of Zoey's classmates in front of them in the line when Zed finally caught up. He greeted the child and their mother before standing right behind Addison, a hand resting awkwardly on her waist. Addison resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Instead, she slightly leaned back into him, pulling his arm around her. She brought her own hands to rest over his wrist, the cold metal of his Z-band startling her.

It was the first time she'd touched it, she realized. They had both kind of avoided it if she were to be honest. It was a stark reminder that Zed and she were from vastly different worlds. Somehow it seemed inane for it to be any more distinguishable from his green hair, his grey skin or his red-rimmed eyes. Zed was a zombie. Her zombie. The Z-band didn't change that.

Zed tensed up as Addison's fingers closed around his Z-band. Its bulky weight was a constancy in his life, the buzzing sound and smooth pulses were forgotten, relegated to the back of his mind nearly all the time. Right at that moment however, it seemed incredibly heavier than usual. It was the only thing that kept him from zombying out, the only thing that stood between Addison and his zombie hurting her.

The thought made his zombie snarl in rage. How dare Zed think that he'd hurt her? Zed's zombie was incensed. He'd never put Addison in danger. He would destroy anything or anyone that threatened her. She was theirs. Zed took a deep breath, mentally placating his zombie: Yes, Addison was theirs.

As his zombie settled, Zed turned his attention back to Addison. She was tracing the metal of the band, carefully avoiding the touch screen. She thumbed the interior of the band where it rested again his skin. The Z-band was tight around his wrist, but it shifted a little at her touch. Addison caressed the smooth skin, furrowed brows revealing the gears spinning in her mind. As she grazed a particularly sensitive patch of skin, Zed bit his lips and reminded himself he was in public surrounded by children, now was not the time for shenanigans. He looked up to search for a distraction when his gaze crossed with the mother's eyes in front of them. She raised an eyebrow at him, her knowing smile filled with amusement. Even though he knew it was impossible, he swore he felt his cheeks heating up in embarrassment. He ducked his head, inhaling the scent of Addison's citrusy shampoo. Zed felt himself steadily unwinding as tension bled out of him.

Addison was still exploring Zed's Z-band. All her life, she'd been told that without it, zombies were uncontrollable, that they'd bite her face off. She couldn't believe that Zed would do such a thing. Not her Zed. She ran her finger along the underside of his wrist, frowning when she couldn't slip her finger between his skin and the metal. Thankfully, it didn't seem to be causing a rash. She covered the bracelet with her hand. Under her palm, vibrations were coursing through the metal band. She knew Z-band delivered electromagnetic pulses; but for the first time in her life, she stopped to wonder if they hurt.

Except that like most zombie related things, she'd only heard about the Z-bands from humans. She'd never heard zombies talked about them, regardless of the fact they were the one with mandatorily wearing them since infancy.

"Does it hurt?" Addison whispered to him.
"No. It's just there, I promise." He reassured her. "And the kids' Z-bands are looser, bigger so that they grow into them through the year."
"Good, that's good." Addison didn't know how to put in words how relieved she felt.
"As long as we don't jail break them." Zed admitted.
"Jail break?"
"Long story, I'll tell you later?" He said with a smile.
"I'm going to hold you to that." She promised.

Zoey frantically and suddenly tugged at both of their coats, breaking their hushed conversation.

"We're next!" Zoey exclaimed, bouncing on her feet.

Addison beamed at her and fussed with Zoey's hair affectionately. She helped Zoey take off her coat, handing it to Zevon, before smoothing down invisible wrinkles out of her outfit. The girl turned to her dad and proudly twirled around for him.

"You look perfect, my little zombie princess."
"Princess? I'd rather be a cheer captain!" Zoey deadpanned.
"We'll get you there." Addison piped up.

One of Santa's elves approached them with a smile, unclipping the velvet rope that separated them from the big guy. Zoey grabbed Zed's arm and shoved him towards Santa with impressive strength for an eleven-year-old, barely giving him enough time to shrug off his coat and leave it in Addison's waiting hands. Addison and Zevon stepped to the side, keeping watch on the two siblings that were grinning like lunatics as they spoke to Santa.

AZAZAZ

Santa looked at the sister and brother pair with a smile.

"Ho Ho Ho. Have you been a good girl this year?" He asked her.
"Most of the time." She paused before she continued in hushed whispers. "You know it's okay, right? I know you're not real."
"Really?" Santa raised an eyebrow at Zoey.
"Yes. But it's a fun tradition and I get to spend time with my dad and my brother." She explained, pointing at Zevon who waved back.
"Ho Ho Ho! Family is very important. And who is that next to him?" Santa asked.
"That's Addison. She's my brother's girlfriend." She chimed. "They're in love! That's' yucky. I like her though, she's a cheerleader."

Zed rubbed a hand at the back of his neck.

"You like cheerleading?"
"I'm going to be cheer captain one day. Addison said she was going to teach me."

Pride coursed through his veins at Zoey's confident affirmation. Part for Zoey but also in part for Addison making herself a little space in his family.

"Well that sounds like a lot of fun. Ready for your picture?"

One of Santa's elves took the picture. They then moved to guide them out of the Christmas Village, but Santa held a finger up in the typical gesture to wait. This time the big guy in red turned to Zed.

"Well, young man. Don't you think you should get your girl in this next picture?"
"OMZ! Yes! Come on Zed! I want one with Addison too!" Zoey squealed.

Zed bounced all the way to Addison and held out his hand. Addison mouth gaped open.

"Oh no, Zed! I don't want to intrude. This is your thing with Zoey." She argued.
"We want you with us. And you kinda look like one of Santa's little helpers." Zed grinned and tugged at the green tinsel in Addison's white hair.

Addison shook her head and playfully rolled her eyes at him but took his offered hand. Zed grinned like madman as he pulled her back to Zoey and Santa.

AZAZAZ

Addison and Zed were walking around Santa's Village hand in hand. Zoey had roped her dad into some craft activity and had shooed them off to do gross couple stuff – her words, not Addison's. Zed had taken her hand before leading her around. Santa's Village in Zombietown wasn't as picture perfect as Seabrook's Santaland, but it struck her as a lot more fun.

"Zed?!"

The voice calling him was enthusiastic and, to Addison's dismay, very female. Both Zed and Addison turned to face the owner of said voice. Zed's confused frowned morphed into a genuine smile as he recognized the girl in front of him.

Addison's stomach knotted painfully. She was stunning, she realized with jealously. She was tall, not as tall as Zed, but certainly taller than Addison. And she wasn't a thin like Addison, instead she was all curves in all the right places; not that being envious would do her any good, years of cheerleading kind of precluded big breasts. The girl wrapped Zed in a tight hug, Zed returning it and holding her close with an arm around her hips, careful not to pull at the shiny and bouncy waist-long green waves of her hair. Addison considered herself a very gentle person; however, right now, she wanted to tear up every single green hair out of that girl's head… and maybe choke her with it. The girl finally seemed to realize that Addison was standing right next to Zed.

"I'm sorry! I'm Bea. And you are?" The girl introduced herself.
"I'm Addison, Zed's girlfriend." She forced the words out politely.
"Oh! Must be weird for you then." Bea said, not noticing Zed shaking his head from behind Addison.
"Why is that?" Addison was seething.
"Well the new girlfriend meeting the ex and all that."

Addison inhaled sharply and her stomach dropped, but at the same time, she felt like she was about to puke her brunch back out.

"Oh Z! He didn't tell you?"

Bea's eyes went wide, realizing the mistake she'd just made. She opened her mouth to speak, but Addison cut her off.

"You know what, I'm going to go and check in with Zoey."

She didn't listen as Zed started to protest. Bypassing Zed's outstretched arm, Addison walked away from the two of them. She kept her strides even and her back turned; she wasn't going to run from this, and she wasn't going to let them see the tears threatening to fall down her cheeks. She was better than that.

Sorry no spiciness in this one, but don't worry it should be back in the next one. I kept debating about if I was going to post it like that or not. I was thinking I made you folks wait long enough though.

Let me know what you think. Even if it's just a word or an emoji! Reviews make my day!