Chapter Text
“Where’s Wednesday?” Enid said, her voice shaking and exposing her very real fear of the worst case scenario. Her terror grew exponentially as she was answered only with vague murmurs and no one willing to meet her eyes. Enid felt her throat closing and started seeing stars as she willed her body to breathe. Behind the group of Outcasts, she spied a trio trudging forwards and her heart leapt. The bright moonlight behind the group set off a silhouette that included a pair of unmistakable braids that started Enid’s tears in immediate relief. Barely caring enough to clutch her jacket around her unclothed torso, she burst through the crowd and threw herself on Wednesday before the girl could voice any objection to the overt display of affection. Enid continued sobbing in earnest as she only concentrated on keeping her emotions enough in check to ensure her claws didn’t protrude and puncture the girl she was clinging to. After nowhere near long enough, she felt Wednesday pull away. Wednesday gripped Enid's arms and pushed her back, gazing at Enid with what could only be described as a mess of emotions whirling in her eyes. After a moment she blinked and the look was gone, and Enid was tugged harshly back against Wednesday’s body before feeling shaking arms encircle her. Wednesday not only permitting, but initiating such outward affection was enough to send Enid into a fresh bout of sobs as she tucked her face into the space between the smaller girl’s neck and shoulder, bringing her arms up to return the hug as relief set into both girls.
Wednesday felt a hesitant hand fall on her lower back and opened her eyes to see Xavier beside her once more, offering a grim smile.
“I think we need to get you inside and resting before the adrenaline catches up with you… Both of you,” warned Xavier cautiously, knowing from experience that Wednesday Addams was rarely receptive to suggestions from the peanut gallery.
Wednesday continued to gaze at him owlishly as she silently considered Xavier’s point. She nodded against Enid and the girls reluctantly parted. Xavier got his first good look at Enid and hastily added his own coat around her shoulders, its large size dwarfing the blonde and protecting her modesty much more effectively.
“Of course, yes. Let’s go. Bianca?” Wednesday called looking over her shoulder for the siren. “Could you see to it that everyone makes it safely back to their dorms?”
“No problem, rest up Addams,” Bianca replied with a nod.
With that, Wednesday continued to lean on Enid as they made their way back through the gates and towards Ophelia Hall, flanked by Xavier on her other side and with Ajax flitting around, seemingly unsure on a course of action.
Xavier kept a watchful eye on the roommates as they made their way slowly up the first of several sets of stairs that led to their dorm room. “Wednesday, are you doing okay?” he asked as the toe of Wednesday’s shoe caught a step and caused her to stumble.
“Fine,” replied Wednesday through gritted teeth, her pride enough in tact to not want to admit that she was hurting and exhausted beyond belief. “We’re nearly home,” she added without thought.
Enid smiled at Wednesday and tightened her grip around her waist. “Nearly home,” she repeated with shining eyes. All she’d wanted all semester was for her roommate to reciprocate her offer of friendship, and while Enid supposed she had in her own ways… hearing the guarded girl refer to their shared space as ‘home’ got her right in the feels.
The group finally made it to the door of the girls dorm and as soon as they stopped walking, both boys started spitting reasons why they should come in.
“Here, let me get the door-“
“Wait, let me check that it’s safe first!”
Wednesday interrupted the boys with a tone so gentle it surprised no one more than herself. “Ajax, Xavier… I’ve been shot, stabbed and was at death’s inviting door. Enid has gone through a traumatic turn. We can deal with your feelings at a later moment, but for now we are taking our leave. Thank you for walking us up, but you can see we are safely back at our room.”
Ajax nodded and pulled Enid in for a hug and sheepishly kissed the top of her head. Wednesday averted her gaze from the uncomfortable PDA and inadvertently met Xavier’s stormy eyes. She wasn’t sure that was any better.
“Are you sure you’re okay, can I do anything?” Xavier asked again.
“No,” Wednesday insisted. “But, thank you,” she added as a clipped, uncertain afterthought.
Xavier nodded haphazardly, eyes never leaving Wednesday’s face. “Okay, but Enid has Ajax’s number and mine too… if either of you need ANYTHING,” Xavier emphasised, “just call or text one of us, okay?”
Wednesday simply nodded in response. Enid pulled back from Ajax and opened the door.
“Pick you guys up for breakfast tomorrow, 9am?” Ajax asked hopefully.
Enid beamed. “Coolio!”
“Goodnight,” Xavier said as he bent down to catch Wednesday’s eyes.
Wednesday, for her part, briefly met his gaze before averting her eyes to the floor. “Goodnight,” she replied quietly before pushing through the ajar door. She heard Enid echo her and the door latch closed.