Chapter Text
Wednesday
Wednesday had woken up early, before all the rabble began. She figured that some time to herself would help stave off the inevitable headache she would surely incur once the camp was alive with activity. Breakfast was served at 8. Wednesday glanced at her wrist, checking the small black watch that had become a staple of her wardrobe. She had about forty-five minutes until breakfast, and about fifteen until most of the bigger cabins started their wake-up calls. Fifteen was enough.
Wednesday slipped out of her cabin and began wandering through the grassy expanse that ran through the center of the structures, headed toward the hill. She wasn’t sure she had ever seen the camp so quiet. Her previous visits had always been for some elaborate event. Her shoulders relaxed, just a centimeter, as she took in her surroundings. Birds chirped from above, insects buzzed, and water rushed through the various fountains scattered throughout the green. A soft smile graced her lips as the ground sloped before her, leading her up to the top of half-blood hill. There, she settled down under the majestic pine, leaning back with her eyes closed.
She had always been fascinated by the story of Thalia Grace, taking her supposed last stand right in this spot, desperate to save her friends. As far as she knew, Thalia was still out there somewhere, galavanting around with her huntresses, exploring the great wild parts of the world. Wednesday had never had the pleasure of meeting her--she didn’t really seem like the type for Alumni Weekends--but Wednesday had always felt a touch of kinship with the girl.
Wednesday understood what it was like to face immense pressure because of your power. Double-demigod spawn were a bit of a dice roll. Genetics weren’t set in stone when it came to the gods, but some of her kind ended up significantly more, or less, powerful than others. Wednesday unfortunately fell on the former side.
Her parents were convinced she was destined for greatness, that some mysterious prophecy would crop up and call on her to save the world, just like those old heroes from her mother's bedtime stories. She’d always shown extraordinary potential. She had become quite skilled at shadow travel over the years, impressing even her mother, who she considered the expert. She was a naturally talented swordfighter. She’d conjured the dead for the first time at only three years old, shrieking with delight as the bones of her brother’s kindergarten hamster crawled out of its grave in the backyard.
She knew she was powerful. The problem was, she wasn’t sure she had any interest in saving the world. She’d only ever really cared about three things: her family, her experiments, and her debut novel, Viper de la Muerte. In that order. She wouldn’t admit it, but the thing that finally convinced her to even give camp a try was her mother’s request that she go and look after Pugsley. Wednesday may not have been keen to admit it, but she had a soft spot for her little brother. He was gentle in a way she could never comprehend, so sensitive, always much more the descendant of the god of the sweet sleep that is death than the god of the dead themselves.
She knew he couldn’t handle himself at camp without her here. And as much as she liked the idea of seeing her brother fall off the rock wall into blazing lava, she didn’t really want to see it happen in real life. Maybe to another camper.
She sighed, eyes still closed, and whispered a small prayer. Not to either of her grandfathers, but to Thalia Grace. How the hell did you do it? Defy everyone and forge your own path? Thalia hadn’t become the chosen one. She had fucked off to the woods with her friends and made her own life. Sure, she was involved in the Titan and Giant wars--even lost her kid brother in the process, Wednesday recalled with a wince--but she got out in the end.
Maybe Thalia’s story would have gone differently if her kid brother had been there the whole time. Or if Percy Jackson hadn’t.
Shaking the thoughts out of her head, Wednesday fluttered her eyes open, expecting the morning horn to sound any minute. She blinked once, and then twice, eyes widening. Instead of being met with the beautiful expanse of camp in front of her, her view was blocked by...the sun. Sort of. She rubbed her eyes for good measure, and sure enough, Enid Sinclair was standing right in front of her, blatantly staring. Jolting in surprise, Enid returned to herself, darting her eyes away and flushing, hand coming up to rub her neck.
For a moment, Wednesday stared at her. Same stupid shirt, same chunky, tacky jewelry, same blinding smile. After a second, she realized she was holding her breath and should probably actually say something.
“To what do I owe the displeasure, Ms. Sinclair?” she settled on. Enid looked horribly embarrassed, hands flying up and gesturing as she tried to explain.
“I wasn’t staring! I mean, I was, I just--you looked really peaceful and--I was about to turn around when-”
Wednesday wasn’t sure why, but the corner of her mouth twitched up, just for a second. She stood, brushing the dirt off her pants.
“It’s fine, Enid. Do you need something?”
Enid nodded a few times, slowly at first and then in rapid succession. “It’s about capture the flag on Friday. I’m the head counselor of the Apollo cabin and we’re heading up one of the teams this week. I’m setting up my alliances...” she paused.
“Well, it’s been a while since we’ve had anyone in the Hades cabin. Normally the big three kids link up together, and Poseidon and Zeus’ cabins have already joined up with Ares this week.” She grimaced. “I was just wondering--well, we could really use you in our corner. And Pugsley, of course. It’s the first game of the summer and I want it to be good for the new campers. Even the odds a bit. And...I think we’d make a good team?” Enid squeaked out the last bit.
Wednesday tossed the idea around in her head. She had just been thinking about pushing back on expectations. Maybe it was a sign.
“Okay,” she said simply, before she had too much time to think about it. Enid was halfway through her next argument when her mouth snapped shut, eyes widening in surprise.
“Really?” she asked, almost in disbelief.
“Really.” Wednesday repeated. She immediately regretted it when Enid launched forward, throwing her arms around her.
Wednesday’s mind short circuited. She stiffened, and Enid launched away like she’d been burned. Why did Wednesday feel like she was the one whose skin was singed?
“I am SO sorry!” Enid said, stumbling over her words. “I know you aren’t touchy-feely like that, I totally respect your boundaries, it was just a reflex, won’t happen again!” she rambled.
Wednesday held up a hand, stopping Enid before she can get to another run-on sentence. “It’s fine, Enid. You’re right to want me on your team, anyway,” she said casually, “I am quite adept at destroying my enemies.”
Enid’s cheeks brightened a bit. “Yeah, I get that impression.” Her eyes sparkled in the morning sunlight. Wednesday shook her head slightly. Snap out of it, Addams.
Just then, the horn sounded.
Saved by the bell.
“Breakfast time!” Enid sing-songed. “I’ll see you around?”
Wednesday nodded. She watched Enid turn on her heel and skip down the hill, surely off to brighten someone else’s day.
Wednesday froze at the thought. She was more of a gloomy day person. Why was that conversation so pleasant? Wednesday didn’t really do pleasant conversations. Maybe she was just having that good of a morning, with the peace and quiet. She was shocked that she hadn’t broken Enid’s arm when she hugged her. Wednesday really didn’t do hugs. Something about that girl bothered her, big time. Maybe it was mystical. Maybe Enid had perfumed herself with some Aphrodite-cabin mixture that made grumpy people smile. Sure. Wednesday would accept that for now.
***
She tried to brush the thought out of her mind, but all day, she kept coming back to it. Despite her efforts, her eyes still scanned crowded rooms for flashes of blonde-and-pink, ears still listened for the clinking of oversized jewelry, and her breath still caught when every so often pale blue eyes would glance up and meet hers. Even worse, when Wednesday would glance up and find the golden girl already staring right at her. Both sets of eyes always darted away, immediately.
Wednesday pondered this on her way to grab her brother from his last activity. Wednesday finished the day with a free period, thankfully, so she could check on Pugsley. She was becoming more and more convinced she had been hexed, or cursed, or was being in some way punished by the gods. As she leaned against the pegasus stables, she wondered if perhaps this was just what having a nemesis felt like. It had been so long since she’d had one, and kindergarten wasn’t a great place to find a lifelong enemy. Enid embodied everything she hated. The girl radiated light faster than Wednesday could overcome it with darkness. She was all smiles, dressed like a rainbow threw up on her, and was painfully likeable. Everything Wednesday was not. Everything Wednesday had always detested.
She was as satisfied as she could be with that explanation. Wednesday had found a new enemy, and to her, hate probably just felt like...something else. She was always different, anyway. Never quite “felt” things the way others described them.
She was just starting to regret agreeing to be on the Apollo cabin’s team, and debating double-crossing her newfound nemesis with a secret alliance, when Pugsley bounded up to her. His thick hair was sticking out in all directions, a piece of hay stuck just above his left ear, and he bore a crazy-eyed grin.
“FLYING, Wednesday! I went flying!” he gasped, still slightly out of breath from his excursion. Wednesday allowed herself a bemused grin and plucked the hay from his locks. “I’m glad you enjoyed the death trap. Shame you stayed aboard.”
Pugsley rolled his eyes, clearly used to his sister’s use of violent imagery to veil her affection. He messed with his hair, trying and failing to lay it flat again.
“I couldn’t believe it. I was so nervous, but Enid showed me the ropes and gave me a ride. Then she let me go on my own!”
Wednesday pursed her lips and squinted. “Of course she did.”
Pugsley ignored her distaste. “She’s really nice, Wends. And she told me about capture the flag. I’m really excited to be on her team for the first game. She seems like she really knows what she’s doing. Did you know she’s been here since she was eight? Year-round, too.”
Wednesday paused at that, a slight pang in her chest. She did not know that. For all the grief she gave her family, she knew she was privileged to have their love and support, as nauseating as it could be at times. Here she was complaining that her parents made her go to camp three years late. Enid had basically been sent out to fend for herself before graduating elementary school. A spark of anger flared in Wednesday’s gut, directed at Enid’s mother (presumably, though Apollo was known to swing both, or, all, ways). Who does that to their own kid?
She pushed the anger down. This whole nemesis thing was confusing. She shouldn’t be pitying her foe. Then again, Enid was being nice to Pugsley. He could probably use someone a bit more, well, sociable, to help him settle in. Maybe she was just grateful for that.
She supposed her decision was made for her. They would stay on Team Apollo.
“Yes, it will certainly be interesting. We’ll have to get you fitted in some armor, you outgrew your set from home. I’m sure mother and father will order you something custom, but for now the camp armory will do.”
Without further instruction, she spun around and sulked off toward the armory. Pugsley jogged after her.
***
Of course, Enid caught up with her at the bonfire, which Wednesday had still not figured out how to get out of attending. Wednesday was watching the flames when Enid plopped down beside her on the amphitheater step, leaning back on her hands behind her and giving Wednesday a soft, close-lipped smile. Wednesday appreciated the dimming of her usual thousand watt grin, which she had a feeling was for her benefit. She tried not to appreciate the girl’s blue eyes dancing in the ever-changing hues of the firelight.
“Enid. Hello.” Wednesday wasn’t great at starting conversations. Luckily, Enid could cover enough conversation for the two of them, and then some.
“Hey, how’s your week going so far? Thought I’d check in.”
Wednesday felt the tiniest bit of disappointment bubble up in her chest, which she bit back. Of course, Enid’s interest in Wednesday was based on Chiron’s request that she watch over the Addams’. It’s not like they got along, or anything.
“Take a wild guess,” Wednesday deadpanned.
Enid pretended to think for a moment, twisting her mouth to the side and trapping her chin between her thumb and forefinger. “Probably pretty great. Flying, sunshine, and good company are some of my favorite things.”
Wednesday rolled her eyes. “The children of the underworld don’t tend to be psyched about the sky. Or the sun. Or...people, in general.”
Enid nodded, as if remembering Wednesday’s ancestry all of the sudden--as if it wasn’t evident in everything Wednesday said or did.
Wednesday softened slightly. “Pugsley enjoyed it, though. Thank you for taking him. You should do it again.”
Enid smiled again. “Anytime. He seemed pretty excited about capture the flag.”
“Positively thrilled. I am not looking forward to having to follow him around and keep him from getting an arrow in the ass. Only I get to stab my brother.” She pretended not to notice Enid’s eyebrows shooting up into her hairline, clearly unsure whether that was a joke.
“I’m sure he can handle himself just fine. At least, I was hoping so. I have another kid his age I wanted to pair him up with, just on border duty, I think they would get along.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Wednesday noticed the bounce of Enid’s knee, fidgeting as its owner purposely looked anywhere but at Wednesday. She tried to ignore the odd, rather inappropriate urge to reach out and settle it.
Wednesday weighed the idea in her head. “Pugsley could use a friend. I don’t like the idea of leaving him alone, though.”
She turned properly to look at Enid, who shrunk a bit under her gaze. Her cheeks were pink in the firelight. Finally, Enid spoke. Very rapidly, at that.
“I was hoping you could stick with me,” she managed. “Like, as a team.”
Wednesday’s spine straightened a bit. She’d already agreed to be on the team, overall. But a duo? Wednesday had always been a lone wolf.
Enid started rambling, of course, when Wednesday didn’t respond. “I mean you totally don’t have to and I get it if you want to do your whole loner thing, you can totally take care of yourself, but I thought you could be a good asset for the flag rescue team and I promise not to hug you this time if you say yes-”
Wednesday slapped her hand over Enid’s mouth. This girl and her run-on sentences. She had her at flag rescue. Wednesday was a winner first and a loner second.
Lost in her thoughts, she took a second too long to realize her hand was still on Enid’s mouth. She snatched it back, once again wondering what the hell they put in those Apollo kids’ cereal to make their skin so warm.
“You don’t need to keep going. I’m in.”
Enid also seemed a little out of it before she registered Wednesday’s words. She snapped back up, literally out of her seat. “Awesome! Thanks, Wednesday. It’ll be a good one. Um, do you wanna stop by my cabin tomorrow during free period? Go over strategy?”
Wednesday found herself nodding, even though she had been avoiding that golden prison like the plague. They did need to discuss strategy.
“Fine. I’ll see you at five.”
“That’s--yeah. Perfect. See you then.” Enid blew a stray hair out of her face and Wednesday’s eyes followed it. Strategy. Enid slipped back out into the crowd on the stairs with a wave, and then she was gone.