Archive of Our Own

One night a few moons ago
I saw flecks of what could've been lights
But it might just have been you
Passing by unbeknownst to me

As a werewolf, Enid paid a lot of attention to the moon. Most people were unaware just how much of the literature and poetry written about the beauty and glory of the moon were by werewolves. It becomes an obsession. Enid was no different.

The moon pulled her in with its beauty and made her feel whole and reverent.

Enid had started, only briefly, to notice how similar her feelings were around a certain dark haired girl who shared her dorm room.

As with actual moonlight, Enid found herself inexplicably drawn to Wednesday. Found herself in awe of the girl’s beauty and filled with an unexplained reverence.

More and more lately when Enid looked at the moon she couldn’t help but think of Wednesday. Was Wednesday looking at the same moon and thinking of her?

--------------

Life is emotionally abusive
And time can't stop me quite like you did
And my flight was awful, thanks for asking
I'm unglued, thanks to you

Wednesday was looking at the moon, and thinking of Enid. It was only natural, as the sky was the best place to look while on a plane and of course her thoughts would be filled with the girl she was flying to see.

Enid had called her barely two days into Christmas break, begging her to come visit. Her family was just too much.

Enid had spent the last two Christmas breaks of high school with the Addams, so this year after being away at college, Enid’s family had guilted her into coming home. But despite their want of her presence they still couldn’t find it in themselves to give her an ounce of the respect she deserved.

Wednesday despised them.

With a lackluster homecoming and the terrifying prospect of an entire month with them ahead of her, Enid wanted desperately for Wednesday to come and be a barrier. A distraction, even. Wednesday sighed and tried to insist that she should figure it out, but the moment Enid’s voice broke and the tears came Wednesday knew she couldn’t say no. Enid had threatened to FaceTime her with her famous poppy dog eyes and irresistible pout and Wednesday knew it would be better to just give in before that embarrassing display had a chance to work it’s magic.

It’s not that she wasn’t excited to go. The average viewer couldn’t see it on her face, but she was just as desperate to go see Enid. To protect Enid. The plan to spend Christmas apart from the girl had been eating her alive all semester as they continued to room together at their new school. She was grateful not to have to suffer it after all. She wasn’t unappreciative of the suffering she had endured during the semester worrying about it, it was just that the best kind of torture, Wednesday had been dismayed to find, is the kind that is soothed. Which is why she was glad for her anxiety on the plane to be abruptly ended by a slightly less bubbly than usual blonde wrapping her in a tight hug the moment she stepped into the San Francisco airport.

“I missed you so much,” she mumbled into Wednesday’s ear.

“It’s been four days since we saw each other,” Wednesday mused, returning the hug just as tightly despite her words.

“So?” Enid asked as she pulled back, unashamed of her feelings as had become the usual.

Wednesday sighed. “I missed you more than I care to admit, Enid.”

Enid grinned, grabbing Wednesday’s hand and her suitcase.

“I’m capable of carrying my own suitcase.”

“I know that. It’s called being nice, have you heard of it?”

“No.”

Enid rolled her eyes.

On the drive to the Sinclair home Enid filled her in on all she had suffered through in the past few days alone with her family.

“And of course on top of that Seth never shuts up about his new girlfriend. As soon as Mom and Dad step away he wants to tell me every graphic detail of his sex life. Like I want to hear all about the trauma he’s causing.”

“Is he not a careful suitor?”

“You could say that. It’s not like I can be surprised either, he can’t respect a boundary if it punches him in the face. Which has happened.”

“A boundary has punched him in the face?”

“I have punched him in the face.”

“This week?”

“Twice.”

Wednesday laid her hand lightly on Enid’s arm. When the blonde turned Wednesday shot her a slight grin. “Good.”

Enid grinned back.

---------------

And it's like snow at the beach
Weird but fucking beautiful
Flying in a dream, stars by the pocketful
You wanting me tonight feels impossible
But it's coming down, no sound, it's all around
Like snow on the beach

Enid was used to not getting what she wanted. She was used to being let down.

Sometimes she felt like she let herself down - she didn’t wolf out when she was supposed to, she didn’t stop liking rainbows and stuffed animals when she was supposed to, she didn’t start liking boys when she was supposed to.

But other people let her down a lot too. When her parents all but forgot about her when it came to her brothers. When they didn’t accept her for who she was. When they said that she was a disappointment, not caring how disappointing it was for her to lack the unconditional love of her parents.

Wednesday had let her down throughout their friendship, especially at the beginning. She would put her life in danger without asking. She would insult and threaten her. But she’d come through a lot, too, over the years. After the fight with the Hyde she’d protected Enid, helping her come into her own and gain some confidence. She was always as there for Enid as she could muster, especially when it came to Enid’s family. She’d grown a lot since they met, Enid thought, and she’d come to be a friend that Enid could depend on more than anyone else.

But when Enid suddenly realized, watching Wednesday unpack in her childhood bedroom, that she wanted more from her friend, she couldn’t help but expect the only possible outcome to be being let down. It was practically all she knew, especially when it came to big things that she wanted more than anything. To be normal, to be accepted by her family. It didn’t matter how badly she wanted them, she was let down. The mere fact of wanting Wednesday felt like the reason itself that she would inevitably be let down.

“Enid, you live in California. Why do you have four of my sweatshirts?”

Enid forced a laugh, causing Wednesday to look at her with a furrowed brow.

“Sorry,” Enid said. “My parents keep the house cold, so I need them. You can take them, if you want.”

Wednesday felt the fabric of a sweatshirt sleeve between her fingers as she replied. “I suppose it’s a bit chilly. I have plenty, you can keep them. Though I can’t imagine they’re much your style.”

Enid shrugged. “I don’t care about my style at home.”

“Fair enough.”

There were a few moments of silence as Wednesday continued pulling things out of her suitcase and finding a place for them.

“Are you alright? You’re quiet, which while a blessing is usually a sign of impending doom from you.”

“Yeah, sorry. I’m okay.”

“Are you worried about me interacting with your family? I promise to be on my best behavior. As few insults as I can.”

Naturally, Enid’s family had all gone out to dinner while she went to pick up Wednesday so they’d yet to interact.

Enid cracked a smile. “Thanks. Yeah, that’s it. I’m going to step outside, make sure I can intercept them before they meet you.”

Enid left before Wednesday could reply but she caught another confused look as she did. She knew it would be a bit before her family arrived but she wanted the privacy to gather her thoughts.

She figured she was thinking the same thing Wednesday was as she sat on the front porch. What the hell was that about? She didn’t feel like she had much more of an idea than Wednesday probably did, either. One moment she was excited to see Wednesday, watching her unpack, and the next she was hit with a freight train of emotion out of nowhere. A thought along the lines of wanting to live with her forever might have been the trigger.

All of a sudden she’d been overwhelmed with panic at the idea of having feelings for her friend. Liking Wednesday would be messy and complicated, they were roommates. It would be impossible to hide forever and then unbearably awkward once she found out, not to mention inconvenient when she would kick Enid out. She’d lose the most important person in her life and her home.

But giving it even a moment of thought, she couldn’t deny the feelings were definitely there. Probably had been there for a while, too, judging by how rooted they felt in her heart when she finally noticed them.

The way her heart fluttered when Wednesday looked at her. And when she smiled at her? Enid felt like she was going to explode. The way her stomach did flips with casual touches, hugs and brief hand holds. The way that knowing she’d be away from her over this break had filled her with dread the entire semester. The way that as soon as her family had made her unhappy she called her, and no one else. The way that she always told her first when something big happened, even if it was big only in a small way. And the way Wednesday always listened. Was always there.

And that’s not even touching how she had thought Wednesday was unfairly gorgeous from day one. How she could never look away when her hair was down. How she looked like a literal angel when the sun filtered through the window of their dorm and landed gently on her sleeping face.

It had been there all along, growing, rooting. Wednesday and these more than friendly feelings for her had been making a home in her heart for years. Enid was just finally aware enough to dig up the keys and go inside. And it was scary.

But what terrified her more than the depth of her own feelings was her certainty that they could never be returned. Not only because of her firm expectation of being let down in regards to the things she wanted most, but because how could they be? To quote Taylor Swift, she was so literally sunshine to Wednesday’s midnight rain. She wanted comfortable and Wednesday wanted pain. That man never thought of Taylor Swift, and Wednesday never thought of Enid. Not like that. Not like she wanted. It was inevitable that they were a world apart.

Every time she stumbled deeper into the mystery of who Wednesday was she felt pulled like a magnet, but she couldn’t assume Wednesday would feel the same by any means. She was, by Wednesday’s own admittance early in their relationship, tolerated by her. As they’d grown closer and their friendship had deepened over the years she’d mostly come to believe Wednesday genuinely cared, but the idea of only being withstood was always under the surface. That was how everyone else seemed to see her, after all.

She couldn’t tell her. It would ruin everything. Maybe Wednesday wouldn’t be harsh, maybe she would care enough to let Enid down easy. But also maybe not.

She let a few tears slip, a compromise on the sobs resting just inside her chest at the deep seated fear of losing her best friend.

She would have to hide it for as long as she could, this break at minimum. Because as soon as Wednesday found out it was over, she knew, and it would be so horrible if she had to watch it happen in front of her family. It was harder to hide when she knew than when she was unaware, but there was plenty of motivation in mentally playing out how it would feel to be rejected and subsequently alone.

She plastered on her best smile as her family came up the driveway.

--------------

This scene feels like what I once saw on a screen
I searched “aurora borealis green”
I've never seen someone lit from within
Blurring out my periphery

Wednesday had been having dreams. She was used to being pleasantly plagued with nightmares, but lately her dreams had been undoubtedly positive. At first this had concerned her, but the more she had them the more she came to let herself enjoy them.

In her dreams, she had been flying.

She knew of no humanoid creature that could actually fly, but she had seen how close Enid seemed to feel to flying when she ran at full speed in her wolf form.

Despite the dreams involving more literal flying, Wednesday couldn’t help but perceive them as being related to her blonde roommate and best friend. They always seemed to happen when she had more thoughts of the girl. If she missed her, if they had interacted more than usual, or if they’d had an exceptionally positive time together. Thoughts of Enid seemed to lead her to have these dreams.

In them she was flying across a forest and she always felt overwhelmingly free. A joy she couldn’t otherwise explain or contain. She’d started to notice the feeling around Enid in the light of day but at first she thought it was only a Pavlovian association. Soon, though, she was having the feeling so often around Enid she had no choice but to deduce her relationship to the girl was the source. How peculiar, she thought, that this girl she once despised was now a source of positivity she couldn’t find in herself to dislike.

Interacting with Enid’s family was, as it always had been before, unpleasant. They couldn’t contain their disdain for her in any believable way and Wednesday was not particularly fond of biting her tongue, though she did until she nearly drew blood. It was a blessing that they only spoke for a few minutes, giving her and Enid a cold dinner, before the two retreated back to Enid’s bedroom.

“I’m sorry,” Enid said as soon as the door closed.

“You don’t need to be sorry, Enid. It’s not your fault that your family is insufferable.”

“Okay.” Enid bit her lip before continuing quietly, “Thank you for putting up with them so I don’t have to do it alone.”

Wednesday would be lying if she denied the suffering she was putting herself through by dealing with these people. They were imbeciles, inherently, but it was a specific torture to not be able to put them in their place or even threaten harm. And it was, for a reason Wednesday couldn’t yet explain, somehow even worse to watch Enid’s discomfort and not be able to fix it.

There was no quip or excuse to be made, it was clear she was doing this for Enid and no other reason. The only response she could give as she sat on the edge of her bed was, “You’re welcome.”

Luckily it only took a moment for Enid to offer a still apologetic smile and ask if she wanted to watch a movie.

“You can pick, if you want.”

Wednesday sighed. “I hate to miss an opportunity to expose you to more of the dark cinema you’re so unaware of, but I picked last time. When we watched that French film before break. And fair is fair. You can pick.”

Enid smiled, giddily getting out her laptop and making a nest of pillows on her bed.

Wednesday settled in, her thigh brushing Enid’’s. “Unfortunate we can’t make popcorn like we can at school. I’ve come to enjoy it.”

Enid looked at her bedroom door guiltily. “Yeah, I try not to leave once I’m in here. Sorry. Oh! But I do have a secret candy stash.” Enid shuffled to her closet and came back with a bag of mixed chocolates. “Luckily for you I hate dark chocolate, so you can have all of those ones.”

“That sounds acceptable.”

Wednesday dug into a few small candies while Enid found her chosen movie. As per their usual movie watching routine, Enid turned to her before pressing play to give her the gist. “So I picked It Takes Two, it’s a rom com from the 90s. I really liked it as a kid and I wanted a little bit of nostalgia.”

Without further comment from either girl Enid pushed play and leaned back against the pillows, now her shoulder touching Wednesday’s as well. They often sat together on one bed to watch movies, but somehow Enid’s bed at home was even smaller than the meager offering at either Nevermore or their university.

“This seems remarkably similar to the other 90s rom com we watched, something about a trap.”

Enid laughed. “Yeah, The Parent Trap. They have very similar plots. This one is better, in my opinion, but The Parent Trap is more popular so that’s why I made you watch it first. They aren’t actually related here, but they are played by real twins.”

Wednesday quirked a brow. “As opposed to?”

“Oh, Lindsay Lohan doesn’t have a twin, they just used a green screen and doubles for The Parent Trap.”

Wednesday opened her mouth to say something before closing it. She tried again. “Was there a shortage of twins between the two films?”

Enid laughed so hard she nearly pushed Wednesday off the bed. “No, I guess they just really liked Lindsay Lohan.”

“Fascinating,” Wednesday mumbled, turning back to the movie. She wouldn’t admit it, but making Enid laugh always brought on that flying feeling in waves. There wasn’t a time Wednesday had more difficulty keeping herself from smiling than when she made Enid laugh.

She slowly ate her chocolate, watching the movie as earnestly as she could muster. She’d grown accustomed to Enid’s taste in movies over the years, just as lately Enid had to vomit or hide during much fewer of the movies Wednesday tended to pick. She even got so engrossed she accidentally ate one of the few milk chocolates in the bag, making a face in response that made Enid giggle and Wednesday to nearly choke.

A bit before the end Wednesday felt Enid’s head drop onto her shoulder. While it wasn’t the first time, Enid rarely fell asleep during the movies she chose. Wednesday guessed dealing with her family had tired her out. She sighed and decided to let her rest until the movie was over.

She was glad for the bit of privacy, in the end, as something about this particular movie had brought tears to her eyes. It wasn’t particularly good or interesting, she’d enjoyed many of the other movies Enid had shown her more. But something about this movie reminding Enid of her childhood. Thinking of a small, child version of Enid watching this and developing her ideas of love, developing her desires for the future.

Wednesday’s ideas of love were built significantly more on her parents and their obsession with one another than fiction. She had the luxury of seeing a healthy marriage built on care and trust, seeing how the inevitable conflict a family has was resolved. Enid did not. Enid only had fiction and their idealized, overly simplified relationships. Enid only had her parents, who yelled and fought even when they had a guest.

This movie was probably a lifeline for her when she was small. A promise of a happy ending. Of finding someone you’re so meant to be with that you leave your luxurious wedding after only meeting a handful of times. That “can't eat, can't sleep, reach for the stars, over the fence, world series kind of love” the movie seemed so obsessed with.

Something about knowing that this movie meant something to Enid made it mean something to Wednesday. While she generally enjoyed melancholy endings more, she was glad these characters had found their way back to each other, despite the unreality of it all. She was glad Enid had something, even something overly simple and a little bit silly, to hold on to when she was dealing with her family day in and day out during her childhood.

The movie ended and Wednesday couldn’t find it in herself to move Enid, not yet. She stared at the head on her shoulder, feeling the flying feeling that had been so overly prevalent since she’d arrived once again. She sighed. What did this feeling mean? Wednesday still wasn’t very good at parsing emotions and what they implied, a brand new feeling like this being exceptionally difficult to grasp. She wished she hadn’t left Thing at home.

Eventually she reached out to close the laptop, laying it on the floor while being careful not to jostle Enid. She started sliding her down and off of her shoulder but the moment she lost contact with Wednesday she whimpered and reached out for her, squeezing her like a teddy bear.

Wednesday sighed again, resigned to her fate, and shifted them both together to lay flat on Enid’s bed. Enid clung to her, still as asleep as could be. She turned to look at the blondes peaceful face. Normally Wednesday found a particular safety in watching someone sleep. They were more vulnerable than her and no matter what she’d have the upper hand. But watching Enid sleep was different. She had no desire to defend herself from Enid, nonetheless harm her. It was just…nice. She would deny it vehemently but Enid’s beauty in the moonlight nearly took her breath away.

Wednesday shook her head of the thought. Time for bed.

--------------

My smile is like I won a contest
And to hide that would be so dishonest

The next day one of Enid’s brother’s woke them up by knocking loudly on the door. Enid startled awake next to her and looked confused at why they were all cuddled up, but before she could say anything the knocking continued. Enid rushed to open the door.

“We’re going to the park to play baseball. Mom said we had to get you two out of the house, so you have to come.”

Enid sighed. “Fine. Can we have twenty minutes? Is there breakfast?”

Two muffins were shoved into her hands before the boy reached in to close the door.

Enid spun around. “I guess we’re going to the park. I’m sorry. Muffin?”

Wednesday carefully took the muffin from her hand. “We’re sure they wouldn’t poison me?”

Enid laughed. “Very. No one in this house could tell grass from flowers.”

After getting ready and downing the muffins, Wednesday and Enid found themselves dodging 100 mile per hour baseballs at the local park.

“I suppose simplistic ball games are one way to use lycan speed and agility.”

“Yeah, it’s my brothers’ favorite pastime besides torturing me. Sometimes they multitask by aiming for me, but they’ve mostly stopped since I got a concussion in seventh grade.”

Wednesday raised a brow. “Lovely.”

Enid raised her hand in a blur and caught a ball speeding less than an inch from her head. She sighed. “I spoke too soon.”

“Sorry, sis!” one the boys yelled.

“Do you wanna play a little? Just us?” Enid asked, trying to hide her hopefulness.

Wednesday looked incredulous at the suggestion.

“We’re going to be stuck here all morning, so we might as well find something to do.”

Wednesday sighed. “I suppose we can do something with that ball to keep ourselves occupied. I don’t think I’ve ever played a mindless sport like baseball before.”

“We can’t really play with just the two of us anyway. I was just thinking we could take turns batting.”

Wednesday sighed again, deeper. “Fine.”

Enid grinned, summoning a bat seemingly out of nowhere. “Great! Do you want to bat or pitch first?”

Wednesday eyes both objects carefully. “I suppose I’ll start with throwing.”

Enid handed her the ball and moved back a handful of feet.

“Whenever you’re ready.”

Wednesday threw the ball weakly, only making it about halfway to Enid. They both watched as it hit the ground.

After a moment of silence Enid retrieved the ball and handed it back to Wednesday. “Try again.”

Wednesday threw it a second time, now making it a solid three-quarters of the way.

“Better!” Enid said. “But I know you’re stronger than that.”

“I don’t want to hit you,” Wednesday said quietly when Enid returned the ball to her. Wednesday hid her confusion at her own statement. She was trying to avoid causing harm? She supposed that was not a new sentiment towards Enid, not by a long shot.

“You won’t,” Enid replied, just as soft. “You saw me catch my brother’s ball, and you can’t throw that fast. I promise you won’t hit me. Give it all you’ve got, okay?”

Wednesday steeled herself before throwing the ball a third time, this time with all of her strength. The ball made it to Enid, who hit it into the sky. They both watched as it landed a few dozen yards away. Enid went to get it and returned in a blink.

“That was good! Your form could use some work, but it was a great start. Do you want to pitch more or do you want to try batting?”

“I didn’t know you were such a connoisseur.”

Enid laughed. “Enough years of being forced to play and a girl catches on.”

“I’ve never used a bat for its intended purpose, I worry I’ll make a fool of myself even further,” Wednesday admitted.

“That’s okay!” Enid replied. “Would you let me teach you?”

Wednesday hesitated for a moment. “Sure,” she finally said. Enid smiled wide.

Enid came up behind her and placed her hands on the bat under her own. “Put your hands here,” she instructed. Wednesday could not for the life of her figure out why the sudden proximity to the blonde seemed to make her heart race.

“You’ll swing like this.” She swung their hands together with more force than Wednesday expected, nearly spinning them in a complete circle.

“It’s going to take you a few tries to hit it. Don’t swing too hard and hit yourself, and don’t let go. Got it?”

Wednesday nodded, hiding her hard swallow.

Enid let go of her hands and crossed the few feet to where Wednesday had stood before. Wednesday didn’t want to think about how she missed her warmth.

“I’m going to throw it kind of slow, okay? Try not to let it hit you.”

Wednesday braced herself. Enid was right, she did not hit the ball on the first try. Or the second. Or…the fourteenth. But Enid was encouraging after every miss, giving her little tips in her upbeat way without a single hint of condescension or frustration.

Wednesday was surprised she’d even let herself get into this situation. Embarrassment was not something she was usually willing to endure, nonetheless knowingly. Why was she so willing to let herself be humiliated over and over in front of Enid? She may have noticed how excited Enid was to teach her, but that couldn’t be why she was suddenly willing to do something as silly as learn to hit a baseball.

Finally, a few more tries later, the moment finally came and she hit the ball with all the force of the bat. They watched with barely contained glee as the ball flew down the park, going over a few trees and landing in a ditch.

Wednesday couldn’t decipher what she was feeling. The excitement of finally hitting the ball had filled her with something unusual and disgustingly joyful. She was proud of herself, she was glad that Enid was pleased, and she felt…. can't eat, can't sleep, reach for the stars over the fence, world series kind of love. Is this what they’d meant by that? It felt suspiciously similar to that feeling she’d been getting around Enid when—oh, darkness, no. No, no, no, no.

Had all of these weird feelings around Enid been because she was in love with her?

She was brought back to the present by Enid’s loud and excited gasp. “You did it!” She came over and grabbed Wednesday by the shoulders, shaking her like she had after winning the Poe cup years ago.

Wednesday gently grabbed her wrists to stop her. Enid looked cowed but smiled again when she saw the smile on Wednesday’s face. “I guess you’re an alright teacher, Sinclair.”

Enid smiled even wider. “I haven’t seen you smile like that since you beat Bianca at fencing.”

Immediately Wednesday ducked her head and forced the grin from her expression. Enid sighed.

They were interrupted by Enid’s brother calling for them to start heading back. Enid retrieved the ball and they started walking behind the group of boys.

“You don’t have to hide your smiles from me, you know.” Enid said quietly after a few moments of silence. “I thought I had earned that. After four years. Sometimes it feels like you don’t trust me as much as I think you do.”

Wednesday was quiet for nearly a block. “I’m sorry,” she finally said. “I forget that you’re allowed to see me smile.” No one else is, she almost adds. “You are, though, you’re right. You have earned it.”

Enid shoved her shoulder teasingly. “If I have to watch you miss the ball twenty times, I think I deserve to see your smile when you finally hit it, you know? The fruits of my labor.”

Wednesday breathed a laugh. “I guess that’s fair. My apologies for depriving you.”

“That’s okay. Just let me see next time. You’re—“ Enid stopped herself, eyes a little panicked.

“I’m what?”

“Nevermind.”

Wednesday scoffed. “You can’t lecture me on hiding and then do that.”

Enid blushed a deep pink. “You’re, uh, you’re really pretty when you smile.”

Wednesday blushed in return, eyes mimicking her previous panic. “Oh. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Enid whispered.

“Hey, Weekday,” one of the boys called before Wednesday could start internally spiraling.

“It’s Wednesday,” Wednesday replied, annoyed.

“Whatever. You like gross shit right? You hear about that guy who got run over by a tractor out here?”

Wednesday’s eyes widened slightly, this time in interest. “No.”

The boy slowed down to meet her, walking just ahead of her as he went on about the gruesome details. Wednesday couldn’t deny she enjoyed the conversation, but she did feel a twinge of guilt seeing Enid’s paling face out of the corner of her eye.

When they made it back to the house and lunch was on the table, Wednesday found herself unable to form an appetite. Can't eat, can't sleep, reach for the stars…god fucking dammit. After a few minutes of attempting to force down her sandwich she stood from the counter she and Enid were seated at. “I think I’m going to take a nap, I’m not very hungry.”

“Oh.” Enid looked almost hurt by her leaving. “Okay. Have a good nap.”

“Thank you.”

Wednesday found Enid’s bedroom and settled herself on her makeshift bed with a sigh. She turned to lay down and stare at the ceiling, letting her thoughts finally overtake her.

So I’m in love with Enid…dear god, that was a lot to deal with. It did make everything clearer, though, and unfortunately assured her that she was not going insane or was sick in some physical way. She just had feelings for her best friend and roommate. Her best friend and roommate who, Wednesday could not deny, was not in her league.

Enid was everything that Wednesday was not, and Wednesday could not begin to fathom a universe where Enid would be at all interested in any kind of intimate relationship with her. They were friends, yes, close friends even. But Wednesday was sure it was convenience to Enid and nothing more.

Enid was positivity and joy and so, so bright. The warmth and light she radiated took Wednesday a lot of getting used to, but now that she had she’d, apparently, come to enjoy it. To expect it, want it, crave it. She’d never seen someone so exuberant and so able to make those around them happier. Enid could uplift even the most begrudging, like Wednesday.

Any growth that Wednesday had made since meeting Enid in regards to her ability to be outwardly warm and positive was directly Enid’s doing. Her more socially acceptable qualities were merely a reflection of Enid. She was the moon to Enid’s sun.

Up until recently Wednesday had hated the sun. Warmth and light were antithetical to who she knew herself to be. But she could enjoy the sun with Enid, literally and figuratively. She wanted those things from Enid. And she was willing to do things like play baseball in a sunny park for hours without complaint if she was doing it with Enid. She’d even enjoyed herself.

But Enid having no doubt effected her did not in any way imply that Enid was similarly effected. Enid had grown in the time they’d been friends, indefinitely, but Wednesday couldn’t claim any of it her doing. Change was inevitable. If she’d encouraged Enid to be more assertive, or to be more efficient, or to be sharp to those who deserved it, that had nothing to do with Enid’s subsequent growth in those areas.

No one longed for darkness. It was unwanted by most. Wednesday counted herself lucky that Enid tolerated her, treated her with such undeserved kindness from the very start. There wasn’t a way Enid, shining as she did, would be interested in the life-sucking force that was Wednesday Addams.

Wednesday resigned herself to perpetual silence, vowing to deal with the unfortunate and uncomfortable feelings that raged in her around Enid once the break was over. Maybe she could pick up an extra class to keep her too occupied to be around her much at all.

Her plans were interrupted by Enid opening the door slowly and peeking inside. She opened it fully when she caught Wednesday’s eye. “I didn’t wake you, did I?”

“No.”

Enid nodded as she stepped inside. “I just wanted to grab my laptop.”

“It’s alright, Enid. You can stay in here. I wouldn’t be a very good barrier if I continued to force you to interact with your family alone.”

Enid let out a sigh of relief. “Okay, good. Thank you. I can be quiet if you want to nap, I promise.”

“It’s alright.”

Enid sat on her bed and opened her computer, getting comfortable. “I’m sorry if I wore you out this morning, or if I made you uncomfortable.”

“I’m plenty in shape, Enid. I just didn’t sleep very well last night. Why would you have made me uncomfortable?”

“I don’t know,” Enid shifted on her bed, “you just seemed uncomfortable with our conversation on the walk back.”

Wednesday turned to the ceiling to hide her blush at remembering when Enid had called her pretty.

“I see. It wasn’t my favorite but it was necessary. I didn’t mind.”

“Okay.”

The next several days passed without incident. Wednesday pushed down the flying feeling as much as she could, though biting back fewer smiles and she ignored the multiple dreams she had after spending so much time with Enid. Enid tried not to make it obvious that she was staring out the window every evening, trying to repress how much she wished Wednesday would look at her like a wolf looked at the moon.

--------------

And it's fine to fake it 'til you make it
'Til you do, 'til it's true

Even with a guest, even on Christmas eve, Esther Sinclair could not help but argue with Enid.

Dinner had finished and everyone had retreated. It was Enid’s turn to clean up and of course Wednesday had stayed to help. With the table barely cleared Esther came in, asking faux innocuous questions of Enid. It was telling this was the first time she’d attempted a conversation with her daughter in nearly a week.

After a thorough interview about her wolfing out she turned to boys, grilling Enid about her chances of finding a werewolf mate at the normie college she’d had to beg to attend.

All three had moved from the kitchen back to the dining room as Enid finished up by wiping the table.

“I just don’t want you to be a lone wolf, Enid! You know how they always end up. I just don’t want to see you suffer.” Esther’s voice was escalating but wasn’t quite yet to the point of a yell.

“You don’t care about my suffering, you just want me to be normal so you won’t have to tell everyone that I did transform I just chose not to join your pack.” The shake in Enid’s tone gave away how hard she was trying to stay calm and rational herself.

Wednesday could feel herself filling with rage at watching the most retched of Enid’s interactions with her family yet. Newfound feelings aside, Enid did not deserve to be treated like this by her mother.

Now Esther did yell. “You would really turn your back on your family to be alone? That’s the fate your choosing?”

Wednesday, as most people, was not known for making her best decisions while angry. She had decided the night before that her feelings for Enid were better left unrevealed, pushed down with all the other vulnerable things that Wednesday inevitably felt on occasion. But, as fate would have it, sometimes angry and hasty decisions work out for the best.

Wednesday’s quiet voice broke in before Esther could continue berating or Enid could defend herself, “Enid would never be a lone wolf, or alone. She has me.” All eyes turned to the small dark-haired girl. What are you doing what are you doing what are you doing her inner monologue chanted.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Esther began incredulously, “were you planning on being my daughter’s mate? Because if not—"

“If that’s what she would like.” WHAT ARE YOU DOING WHAT ARE YOU DOING WHAT ARE YOU DOING

Wednesday’s interruption was followed by a deafening silence until Enid finally spoke, much softer than before.

“May I speak with Wednesday alone, please?” fuck fuck fuck fuck

With an annoyed sigh Esther turned and left the dining room.

Enid let out a breath and allowed her shoulders to drop. She clearly wasn’t sure what to say. After several beats of silence she settled on, “did you mean that?”

“Yes.”

Enid breathed a humorless laugh. “Sometimes your lack of elaboration really gets to me.”

“I’m not sure what elaboration you would like.” Wednesday was surprised her voice wasn’t shaking as a result of her pounding heart. “I would be your mate if you so desired. I mean it. What else would you like me to say?”

An Addams does not back down.

“And you never wanted to tell me your willingness to do this? The best time to mention it was during an argument with my mother?”

Wednesday blushed guiltily. “My timing could have been improved. My sincerest apologies.”

“I don’t want you to pretend to date me to make my parents get off my back. I guess I appreciate it, but—"

“I have no desire to pretend, Enid.”

Enid stared at her for a long moment.

I can't speak
afraid to jinx it
I don't even
dare to wish it

Wednesday sighed. An Addams accepts defeat when necessary. “If you do not desire to be mates I would very much understand. I didn’t mean to put you on the spot in front of your mother, or now. I’m sorry.”

While Enid dealt with her shock Wednesday was internally spiraling. She just couldn’t stand to see how Enid’s mother talked to her, knowing her confession might help ease Enid’s suffering. Even if Enid didn’t want her, she deserved to know that Wednesday would never let her be alone and that she was desired by at least someone. But truly, what had she done?

“Wednesday, are you telling me that you like me?”

Now it was Wednesday’s turn to stare. Had she not been clear in her perhaps life-altering mistake? An Addams does not back down.

“Yes.”

“Really?”

Wednesday was usually very good at reading Enid, but this expression she couldn’t parse. “Yes, really. I already said I meant it.”

But your eyes are flying saucers from another planet
Now I'm All For You like Janet
Can this be a real thing? Can it?

“I don’t- I-“ Enid huffed out a frustrated breath. “You’re being too casual and it’s confusing me.”

“I’m sorry. I should have been more formal, I suppose.” She reached out to grab Enid’s hand in hers lightly. “Enid, I would be interested in dating you. If that would be acceptable perhaps let me know.”

Wednesday’s brow quirked slightly through her fringe indicating her want of an answer.

“Would you like me to submit it in writing also?”

Enid grinned so wide her cheeks must’ve hurt. “You like me?”

Wednesday let out a frustrated sigh. She wished not to have her rejection drawn out in this way. “I don’t understand how I could be any clearer.”

Suddenly Enid was flying up from her chair to tackle her in a hug. Wednesday hugged her back on instinct after so many hugs throughout their relationship, but she was still confused. “So, you would be interested, then?”

Enid pulled back, eyes wide.  “Yes, yes, Wednesday. I’m sorry, I was just so surprised. I would be very interested.”

Wednesday admittedly had to hide some shock of her own at Enid’s words. “I suppose I can understand why you had a hard time believing me. Now that you’ve responded I’m having trouble myself.”

Enid pulled back enough to lay her hands on Wednesday’s cheeks. “I’ve had a crush on you for ages. I just didn’t realize it, not really, until this week. But I was so sure you would never feel the same way I didn’t even want to mention it.”

Wednesday had the softest smile Enid had ever seen on her face. “I’ve had a similar time. Realizing it this week and being insecure. It was silly on both of our parts, clearly.”

Enid laughed airily. “I guess you’re right.”

She stared into Wednesday’s eyes for a moment in silence, her hands still on her face.

“Can I kiss you?”

Wednesday wrapped her hands around Enid’s wrists lightly. “You may.”

Enid grinned and then surged forward, pressing their lips together hastily. Wednesday responded in kind, both too eager to be any kind of graceful. But it was still perfect.

They only broke apart when a throat was cleared in the doorway. Esther eyed them with an unreadable but mostly negative look.

Enid took a breath. “Can Wednesday and I use the cabin for a few days?”

Esther scoffed. “You came all this way to be home for Christmas and you want to spend Christmas Day alone with Wednesday?”

Enid sighed. “Please?”

Esther sighed herself. “Fine. I suppose I can’t complain about you having a mate right after insisting you get one, even if I don’t care for her. The less time she’s in my house the better.”

Enid bit back her smile. Esther stepped away from the entry and the blonde looked back at the girl who’s face she was still holding. She pressed a quick peck to her lips, grinning. “Is that alright with you? Cabin in the woods for Christmas? No Sin-clan.”

Wednesday smiled wide, another first for Enid’s hungry eyes. “You know I love a good horror movie trope.”

Enid laughed.

--------------

Are we falling like snow at the beach?
Weird but fucking beautiful
Flying in a dream, stars by the pocketful
You wanting me tonight feels impossible
But it's coming down, no sound, it's all around
Like snow on the beach

The Sinclairs had a cabin barely 500 yards from the beach. Over the years it had been used for family getaways, werewolf transformations, and now, a place to tend to a fresh relationship.

Enid and Wednesday had a quiet night in when they arrived, chatting aimlessly about school and life as they cooked dinner. The domesticity overwhelmed them both individually, not that either one was saying it out loud.

Enid woke up on Wednesday’s chest and nearly gasped realizing it hadn’t been a dream. She looked up to find Wednesday looking down at her, smiling. Before saying anything she grabbed Wednesday’s face, leaned up, and kissed her. Because she could do that now, and she wanted to revel in it.

“Good morning,” Wednesday said when they pulled back.

Enid actually did quietly gasp now. “It’s Christmas!”

Wednesday chuckled at her excitement. “Yes, merry Christmas. I’m afraid Santa didn’t come to the cabin. I’m not sure how much that dampens your excitement.”

Enid giggled. “Not much!” She lets a hand slide across Wednesday’s chest and return to her cheek. “I got everything I wanted already.”

Wednesday tilted Enid’s chin up towards her to kiss her gently before replying against her lips, “The feeling is incredibly mutual.”

Enid grinned and pushed herself up further so she didn’t have to lean as far in for another kiss. Several breathless moments into their task Enid’s eyes opened partway and glanced out the window behind them. She immediately pulled away with a gasp so loud Wednesday’s eyes widened in concern. “What?”

“Is it snowing?” Enid nearly yelled as she got out of the bed and rushed to the window. Wednesday turned her head to look.

“It appears it is. It was unusually cold for this area last night. It probably won’t last, we should be fine getting back.”

“We have to go play in it!”

She turned away from the window to look at Wednesday, a childlike excitement on her face. “Come on!”

Wednesday hid her unwillingness to get out bed in favor of making Enid happy and started getting up.

Enid was quick to pull on her wintery-est gear. “Hurry up!” she called as Wednesday struggled to get her boots on quickly.

“I’m coming, Enid. I’m sure it will still be there in two more minutes.”

“You don’t know that! It doesn’t ever snow here. I mean, we’re at the beach!”

Soon Wednesday was ready, taking Enid’s impatiently outstretched hand as they walked outside together.

“Whoa,” Enid said quietly as soon as they made it outside, turning her head to look straight up.

Wednesday squeezed her hand. She wasn’t quite at a place to be able to say something like this out loud, but her heart was full to bursting seeing the pure wonder on this beautiful girl’s face. This beautiful girl who against all odds had chosen her. There was that flying feeling again.

“It’s quite strange for it to snow here.” Wednesday commented.

Enid nodded, closing her mouth she had opened to catch snow. She turned to look out over the water and was silent for a moment before she responded passionately, “But it’s fucking beautiful.”

Wednesday’s eyes widened slightly at hearing the curse from the blonde but she said nothing about it. After another beat of reverent silence watching the snow fall, Wednesday tugged lightly on the hand of her stunned girlfriend.

“Do you want to dance?”

If all of the blood hadn’t already rushed to Enid’s face from the cold she would have blushed. “Absolutely.”

Wednesday laid a hand on Enid’s waist, the other grabbing her hand, and pulled her close. Enid was not the most coordinated, Wednesday knew, so she kept it simple, more or less twirling them around aimlessly.

“This is so romantic,” Enid said softly after a few minutes. “It feels unbelievable.”

Wednesday let a small smile slip. “In a good way?”

Enid nodded. “In the best way.” She stopped her feet, stepping into Wednesday’s space to press their foreheads together as they both caught their breath, white puffs hitting each other’s faces.

“I can’t believe this is happening,” Enid said quietly.

“It is quite magical. Have you ever seen snow at home before? I know you’ve seen it at my home and at school.”

Enid shook her head. “No, but not just that. You, being here, being-being mine. If I can say that.”

Wednesday nodded. “You can,” she nearly whispered, “I’m yours.”

“This moment is so unbelievably perfect. I just want to live in it forever.”

Wednesday brought a hand up to her face. “You’ve expressed your lack of belief three times now. It is real, Enid. It’s really snowing, and I’m really here.”

Enid nodded, a few tears filling her eyes. “I’m sad that it’s only going to last a little while.”

“The snow absolutely will not last very long, but I absolutely will. I hope you can believe me. I want to experience every moment as magical as this with you for the rest of our lives. I want to make every moment as magical as this for you for the rest of our lives.”

Enid was speechless for a full minute, several tears slipping down her cheeks.

“Would it freak you out if I told you I loved you right now,” Enid said more than asked.

“I love you too,” Wednesday replied. A wide grin covered her face. “That can't eat, can't sleep, reach for the stars over the fence, world series kind of love.”

Enid’s tears were falling faster now and she tugged Wednesday into a tight hug. She laughed as she pulled back a moment later and tried to wipe her face with her gloved hands. “Did you like that movie?”

“Not really,” Enid scoffed before Wednesday continued. “I liked that it was important to you. And the baseball metaphor was perhaps…enlightening.”

Enid gasped, grabbing Wednesday’s hands in her own. “Is that when you realized? When you hit the ball? Wednesday!” She pulled her into another hug and buried her cold nose in Wednesday’s neck. “That’s so cute, oh my god.”

Wednesday grumbled and Enid laughed, pulling back to press their foreheads together.

They were quiet for a few moments, basking in the silence interrupted only by each other’s breath.

“You’re shaking,” Wednesday said softly. “Do you want to go inside?”

Enid shook her head, gripping Wednesday’s sides so she wouldn’t move. “No. I’m not shaking from the cold. I’m just so happy.”

Wednesday offered a shy smile. “I’m happy too. But I’ll give you my coat if you want.”

At that Enid finally leaned in to give Wednesday a gentle kiss. “You are so sweet, Wednesday Addams.”

Wednesday shot her a playful glare. “Tell anyone, Sinclair, and I’ll have your head.”

Enid laughed loudly at that, throwing her head back a little. “Okay, Mrs. Empty Threats.”

After that they took a walk along the shore in near silence, trying to soak up every bit of this moment, their joined hands swinging between them.

Wednesday was fighting back tears almost the entire time. Enid was surprised at how perfect this moment was, with the snow but more so with her. Being hers. Wednesday understood the feeling. Snow at the beach was magical, sure. (She would never admit it, but she always thought snow was a little magical.) But this was about the magic of each other. Of how magical it felt for Enid to want her. How unexpected, just as the snow.

She couldn’t blame Enid for her disbelief, just as she couldn’t blame her at the dinner table the night before for being surprised at her affection.

She squeezed Enid’s hand, causing her to turn and look at her.

“I love you,” Wednesday said quietly.

Enid grinned, pecking her cheek. “I love you too.”

--------------

Like snow on the beach (it's coming down, it's coming down)
(It's coming down, it's coming down)
Like snow on the beach
(Coming down, it's coming down, it's coming down, it's coming down)

Half an hour later they were back inside, cuddled up by the fireplace and watching the snow from the safety of a comfy chair underneath a blanket. Enid was tucked firmly into Wednesday’s side, gripping a mug of coco, while Wednesday had her arm around the blonde, a cup of tea in her hand.

“It’s really coming down,” Enid said softly.

Wednesday nodded, pressing a kiss to her head. “We can go back out when it stops, if you want. But it doesn’t seem to be sticking.”

“No, it’s okay.” She turned to look up at Wednesday. “I’m comfy here and don’t want to get up,” she pushed herself back into Wednesday’s chest and leaned up to kiss under her chin, “ever.”

Wednesday chuckled. “Okay. We can stay here as long as you want. I do have a Christmas present for you, though.”

Enid gasped and turned to look at her. “You do? You didn’t have to do that.”

“Enid, I’ve given you a Christmas present every year I’ve known you. It would be strange to stop.”

“But you didn’t know you were going to be here.”

“I intended to mail it to you.” Wednesday quirked a brow. “I assume based on your response that your expectation not to see me means you did not think it would be as strange to cease Christmas gift exchanges between us as I did.”

Enid smiled. “No, I have something for you. I know how to mail things, too.”

Wednesday rolled her eyes. “Well, my gift for you is in my suitcase across the room. Unless you’ve developed telekinesis recently you have to get up for me to get it. Other options include pushing you to the floor.”

Enid scrambled onto her feet.

“Don’t expect anything romantic, I didn’t even know of my feelings when I made it.”

“You made me something?”

Wednesday didn’t respond, merely coming back with a neatly wrapped gift. As every year, it was wrapped in craft paper and tied with twine. Simple and nice without being at all festive.

Enid tore into it and gasped when the brightly colored gift was revealed. “My sweater! Wait, you made it?”

Wednesday could barely hide her blush. “You were upset when it got ruined in the wash. I couldn’t find it anywhere, so I made you a new one.”

“I can’t even tell, it looks so much like the one I had. I didn’t know you could knit.”

Wednesday took a long breath. “I learned. Thing helped, maybe a lot. He sends his holiday wishes.”

Enid smirked. “I thought you said this wasn’t romantic. It’s incredibly romantic.” She pressed a kiss to Wednesday’s cheek. “Thank you, I love it.” Her eyes darted to Wednesday’s open suitcase briefly. “Can I spray some of your perfume on it? So it’ll make me think of you even more?”

Wednesday couldn’t help but crack a small smile. “I suppose.” Enid immediately got up to grab the discreet black bottle sitting with Wednesday’s things, spraying it three times. Wednesday chuckled softly. “Enid, that’s a lot. And why do you even need to think of me, we live together.”

“You’re busy a lot! And I can’t imagine you’ll always want to give me hugs when I want them.”

Wednesday shook her head. “I think we’re both going to be surprised by how rarely I will deny you, and how much my schedule will change with our relationship status.”

Enid beamed. “Really?”

Wednesday sighed. “I’ve already dropped a class so I won’t be so tied up.”

Enid rushed her with a hug so hard she stumbled back. “I hate to admit that I am in any way unintimidating but you are in fact taller than me and are going to knock me over.”

“Sorry,” End mumbled into her shoulder. When she pulled back to face her she had the beginnings of tears in her eyes. “That’s so sweet. You didn’t have to do that.”

“It’s kind of you to assume I didn’t do it for selfish reasons.” She took both of Enid’s hands in hers. “I am unfortunately incapable of being away from you after the events of the past 24 hours.”

Enid laughed. “Unfortunately? At some point you’re going to have to stop pretending you aren’t as happy as I am, Wednesday.”

“I can’t just embrace the afflictions of romantic affection instantly, Enid.”

Enid rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Now for your gift.”

She pulled her hands from Wednesday’s and went to her own suitcase, pulling out an envelope.

“When you said you knew how to mail things I assumed you meant more than a letter.”

“Can you shut up? Here, open it.”

Wednesday took the envelope, actively ignoring the way her name in Enid’s handwriting made her feel, and tore it open carefully. Before she could see what was inside Enid was explaining.

“So you know we’re moving to a new apartment this year. This one allows pets.”

Wednesday pulled out a gift card to a local pet store and was about to ask what creature Enid could possibly think she was in want of when she continued her explanation.

“I checked, and this pet store has scorpions. And I’m giving you my permission to get one. If! You keep it in the cage at all times and don’t make a mess.”

Wednesday hadn’t expected to be so throughly at a loss for words.

“If you don’t want it I’m sure we can—“

Enid was interrupted by Wednesday’s lips on hers. It wasn’t a peck, either. Wednesday pressed into her to give her the deepest kiss they had yet shared.

When she finally pulled away Enid was out of breath. She laughed. “Does that mean you like it?”

“Yes, Enid,” she said matter-of-factly. She continued in a softer tone, “I am moved by your thoughtfulness.”

Enid blushed. “Good.”

“This is also incredibly generous, you know I have a substantial allowance from my family. Your permission would have been enough.”

Enid shrugged. “Too late now.”

Wednesday pulled her closer with arms around her waist. “Perhaps we can get you a dog toy.”

Enid shot her a glare. “Don’t make me hit you, Addams.”

Wednesday grinned.

They settled back into their previous position in the chair by the window, Enid now in her Wednesday-scented sweater.

“You didn’t tell me when it was you realized your feelings,” Wednesday said softly to break the comfortable silence.

Enid blushed. “It was when you were unpacking, when you first got here. I thought that I didn’t want to be away from you ever again.”

Wednesday squeezed her. “You won’t be.”