Chapter Text
Wednesday Addams, contrary to the opinions of others around her, understood the feelings of others particularly well. She knew when others liked her, knew when others despised her, and had studied psychology extensively in her spare time (people, in her opinion, gave far too much credit to old philosophers - of course they were the first to say what she had babbled at three years old. There was nobody before them who could write their words down that was still remembered today).
She knew, of course. She simply struggled to understand why she should care.
“Wednesdayyyyy,” a particularly grating voice called from the door to their room. Wednesday paused her typing, but didn’t spare a glance towards the person she knew was approaching. “I brewed you some tea!”
“What gave you the impression I wanted any?” Wednesday asked her roommate without looking up. Her fingers resumed tapping, and she noted the pause of silence as Enid crossed the room and set a mug on her desk.
“Nothing, silly,” Enid tsked, taking a moment to tuck the edge of Wednesday’s bangs back. Her finger lingered on Wednesday’s cheek for a few moments before pulling away. “I was just making myself some, and I thought of you.”
A peculiar answer, but not one Wednesday could argue without getting into one of those discussions her therapist often tried to lure her into. Her eyebrows knitted together as Enid crossed over to her own side of the room. “A thank you would be nice, you know,” Enid said in that voice that nearly sounded like lecturing but was far too soft to carry any authority. Her reaction wasn’t surprising - that was, until she murmured, “At least once.” Unfortunately for Enid, Wednesday had trained herself as a small child to hear the smallest whispers of mice so that she could capture them and find out their true inner workings, and she had heard the words perfectly.
Wednesday paused her typing once more. Although she didn’t ask for the tea, she supposed that it had been kind for Enid to provide what she most likely saw as a delicious treat. However, Wednesday was not a believer in “it’s the thought that counts” - actions were what mattered most. Anything else was a lie, and she had become more hesitant about lying to Enid after she nearly roomed in Yoko. Obviously the only course of action would be if she sampled the tea and found it delightful.
She sighed, pushing her chair away from the desk. There was no way her writing would get done now. Her hand reached for the mug, fingers tightening around the handle. Slowly but surely, she raised the cup to her lips.
It was a little too sweet - some honey had obviously been added - but the flavor wasn’t unpleasant. It seemed to be some sort of lavender and chamomile blend, which was often used in tea to encourage sleep and calmness.
Wednesday put the cup back down, aware of Enid’s eyes on her. Out of her peripheral vision, she could see her laying on her bed, looking up from her phone. “It’s quite good,” she noted, studying the black mug that Enid had clearly bought just for her (the rest of Enid’s mugs were bright colors). She spared a glance over her shoulder to hold Enid’s gaze. “Thank you, Enid. I’m glad you thought of me.”
Enid’s cheeks filled with a delicate pink color. “Oh - uhm. Of course, Wednesday. That’s what gir-uh- frie… um, that’s what roomies are for, bestie!” She quickly turned over in bed, tossing a blanket over her head and muttering to herself, unfortunately too quietly for Wednesday to hear.
Well. That had been settled rather easily - no begging for a girls night, or uncomfortable conversations, or begging to hear about Wednesday’s non-existant love life. Perhaps Wednesday should’ve tried being more direct sooner; it certainly held a effect both she herself and Enid benefited from. For her, of course, the conversation was over and she was left to focus on her writing; and for Enid, well, she got her thank you. Both parties were happy. She considered this a resounding success.
Quite fortunately, Wednesday was soon put into a very similar situation, in which she could put her newly found social prowess to work - and on the very same subject, Enid herself.
It was while she was scoping out an appropriate place to eat her lunch. Although technically Bianca, Enid, and Xavier had all invited her to eat with each of them separately, she preferred the solitude of her own space. Unfortunately, the prison with education was overrun with inmates, and it was hard to find a secluded area.
That had never stopped Wednesday before, though.
“Uhm… Wednesday?” That familiar voice called to her again - and just when she was sure she had found the one place nobody else would be. “How did you… get up there?”
Wednesday peered down from her perch, a small section of the roof between two windows that jutted out, giving her a triangle of area to relax in. She leaned against one, her feet pressed against the other. Beneath her, Enid was standing on the nearest ground surface, which was a walkway underneath an adjacent section of roof.
“How did you find me?” She asked, tossing her apple in the air and catching it again. This, in her opinion, was a far more pressing matter. That, as well as, why were you looking for me?
She had a feeling she would never quite understand that one.
“Thing told me where you were hiding,” Enid shouted, a bit louder than necessary. She studied the surroundings, and then began to stand on top of the railing. “I… have… something to give you.”
As she spoke, Enid leaped in the air and grabbed onto the decorative wood carvings hanging beneath the roof. Climbing up those, she managed to get her hands on the gutter. In a matter of moments afterwards, she had tossed herself upwards, and gracefully landed on the roof. Wednesday had to admit, it was a little impressive - no doubt the werewolf strength she possessed coming into play.
“Uhm… Wednesday?” Enid’s claws dug into the peak of the roof, her feet slipping. “I’m… suddenly regretting following you up here. Oh great moon above.” She yelped and slammed her eyes shut as roof shingles cracked under her grip.
“I didn’t ask you to,” Wednesday reminded her calmly, standing. She carefully crossed the roof, keeping low - center of balance and all - and slowly but surely made her way towards Enid.
“But we’re friends!” Enid barked, her eyes still screwed shut. “And despite what you keep saying, I don’t think you really want to be alone-!” She stiffened at the touch on her shoulder - Wednesday’s hand, keeping her steady. “Wednesday?” She whimpered, looking up.
Wednesday couldn’t decide if she should roll her eyes and sigh or smile reassuringly, so she did neither. Instead, she wrapped one arm around Enid, slowly walking both of them across the roof. “Keep low, and don’t let go of me,” she instructed. Her foot slipped - once - and immediately Enid flinched. “Fear isn’t going to get you out of this situation,” she almost snapped, before realizing impatience wasn’t going to, either. “I got you. Don’t worry.”
Eventually, they made their way to the window Wednesday had entered from, which was still opened - just a small window from the top of a classroom, with a large drop below. Enid glanced back and forth between the window and Wednesday. “Do I really have to?”
Her pleas were met with Wednesday’s cool expression. Wednesday shifted her arm until she was supporting Enid’s back, while her other hand gripped the top of the window.
“Jump in with me,” Enid begged. Wednesday grit her teeth - her strength wasn’t infallible, and it was getting harder to support both of them. “Please, I don’t wanna go alone.”
Wednesday was reminded of that moment at the Gates’ mansion, Enid begging not to have to explore the upstairs alone. She had nearly lost Enid after that night - maybe forcing her to do something alone wasn’t the best situation to push Enid in.
Her palms were growing sweatier. She needed to make a decision, fast.
In one quick movement, Wednesday pulled their bodies together in almost a hug. One of her feet quickly swept Enid’s out from under her, and the two of them swung into the classroom together.
Enid, of course, screamed.
They flew across the room, Wednesday landing on top of Enid, who landed on top of a table. She had taken the brunt of the blow, and groaned. Wednesday’s heart spiked, and she pushed herself up, her braids dangling in Enid’s face. “Are you alright?” She asked quickly, one hand curling around the back of Enid’s head to lift it.
“Just a little bruised,” Enid grunted, sighing heavily. Wednesday could feel her breath on her cheeks, and she nearly froze - she hadn’t realized they were that close, mere inches apart. “Are you… okay?” Enid lifted her head a little more, her forehead brushing against Wednesday’s.
Wednesday’s heart thrummed in her ears, and she scrambled away. What was that? she wondered, her mouth slightly opened in a gasp. “Peachy. What did you want to give me?” Changing the subject was a must.
“Oh! Uhm, just this.” Enid sat up, sticking a hand in her pocket. She pulled out a slightly squished white gardenia. “I, uhm, got you a flower.”
Oh.
Wednesday didn’t know why her heart beat like this. She didn’t know why the idea that Enid wanted to give her a flower and nearly risked both of their lives to do so felt so… dangerous. As if she was being hunted, her pulse quickened, her palms grew sweaty, and her mouth went dry.
“You climbed on the roof to give me a flower,” Wednesday said flatly. Enid deflated a bit, and she had to force herself to remember their previous encounter of this nature. She liked Enid - and she was the preferred partner should Wednesday need someone to break laws with (other than Thing, of course). So instead of lecturing her, Wednesday placed a hand on her shoulder, and gazed into her eyes in order to get the most sincerity across. “You are impulsive. It is a very negative trait that we both, unfortunately, share. However…” she twisted the flower between her fingertips. “The flower is lovely. Thank you.” She gave her one final glare. “Don’t do it again.”
Once more, color rose to Enid’s cheek. “Oh, riight, uhm, of course. Yeah. Don’t… climb on the roof. You got it.” She snapped and pointed finger guns at Wednesday.
“Correct,” Wednesday agreed, quirking one eyebrow. “You didn’t hit your head too hard, did you? That would be unfortunate.” She leaned forward, putting a finger in the air. “Follow this with your eyes.”
Enid snorted, pushing Wednesday’s hand down with her own. “Relax, Wednesday, I’m fine.” Contrary to her words, as she tried to stand, her feet swayed from under her, nearly sending her tumbling to the ground. “Mostly fine,” she muttered.
“Your refusal to accept help will be your downfall,” Wednesday stated matter-of-factly. Clearly Enid wasn’t fine; pretending otherwise was foolish. She stood and patted her side. “Lean on me. I will take you to the nurse.” It had been an oversight to send both of them through at the same time; perhaps she shouldn’t’ve listened to Enid. When she opened her mouth to protest, Wednesday shot it down with a quick glare.
Enid timidly placed her arm around Wednesday’s shoulders, allowing herself to be guided out of the classroom. She kept her head low, hair disguising whatever expression she might’ve had on her face. Wednesday, too, was mostly quiet as they walked - she was far too occupied with the thoughts swimming through her mind like a whirlpool, tossing her every which way. Being direct was meant to have resulted in a successful social interaction, not whatever this was.
“Thanks, Wednesday,” Enid whispered in Wednesday’s ear. Wednesday shivered, feeling the breath tickle her neck. She paused as they arrived outside the door to the nurse’s office, and tilted her face toward Enid’s. She apparently had the same idea, and turned her head toward Wednesday’s. Their noses bumped, sending chills down Wednesday’s spine. Goosebumps prickled at her neck, her muscles tightening, breath catching - all telltale signs of her body preparing for a fight. She tried to shake it off; obviously she wasn’t trying to fight Enid, and yet her heart wouldn’t calm. Was her body trying to alert her of some waiting danger?
“Don’t do it again,” Wednesday warned, opening the door and walking her inside. She waited there until the bell rang, and the nurse informed her that unless she was injured, she couldn’t stay during class.
Pity. Some small part of her wanted to stay.