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Chapter Text

Wednesday made her summer schedule so her writing hours were ending at a time when Enid would already be surely sleeping. During the school year the werewolf had a habit of demanding attention the second the time slot would theoretically allow her which was disruptive on occasions when inspiration struck and made the writer want to extend the hour. So Wednesday planned to avoid the problem altogether. 

It worked fine, Thing would read, respond back to Enid and notify Wednesday of more crucial information from the blonde’s text messages and if the lycan girl was really desperate she’d just call during the day, before the writing hours. 

The plan failed one week in. Wednesday’s cellular device plays a nauseating pop song that wolfgirl forced as her calling sign the second the clock signals 3 am. Wednesday groans but can’t restrain herself from answering and cutting out the dreaded music short. 

“Why aren’t you asleep, mutt.” Wednesday can’t stop the irritation from bleeding into her tone. Enid could’ve called earlier that day but she didn’t. She didn’t even send messages as usual. It’s not Wednesday’s fault that the girl didn’t get attention so why does her plan have to be foiled this way?

“I missed your voice so much.” Enid simply says while sighing. 

Wednesday’s irritation just dies, murdered by perplexity.

This doesn’t sound right. Oftentimes their conversations are heavily skewed to the benefit of Enid, as she’d simply rambles about whatever she wanted to talk about and only simply asking occasionally for a signal from Wednesday that she’s listening. Neither is Wednesday’s voice enjoyable to listen to. She’s been informed enough times to know that it is a universal sentiment. 

“Wens, don’t be like that, don’t torture me by shutting up when I just told you I want the opposite,” werewolf sounds petulant.

Wednesday swallows.

“I was waiting for the punchline.”

“What? I’m not joking! Please talk. Anything. Pretty please. How’s your novel doing?”

“You can’t sleep because you want to hear about my novel. When you couldn’t even finish reading an excerpt from it because you cried too much.” 

“First of all, you banned me from reading cause I cried too much, not the opposite. and secundo- sure, yeah, not knowing the newest gross clue idea that your pretty head came up with is keeping me up at night. Please grace me with the ew details right now.”

“You- that’s a bad lie, you get sick when I get into details.”

“Aw shucks, you got me, I just wanted to hear your impassioned tone. How awful of meee.”

“Go to sleep.”

“Nuh huh. Only if you’d read me a goodnight story, gorgeous.”

“You’re being ridiculous.” 

“No, you!” 

“Enid.”

“Wednesday, Wends, Wens, Wenny, Winny, lil gothy, black birdie, grumpy wumpy-”

“You’re baiting me into fighting you.”

“Yep, it’s either that or a spooky infodump, dealer's choice, babyyy. Whatcha gonna choose gimme gimme gimme.” The last three words are slightly singed, and Enid continues the tune for a few seconds, humming it.

“Explain why you couldn’t call earlier.”

“Mom made me entertain some random guys she invited all day, which totes sucked, and then after dinner my mood got even worse so I laid in my bed, depressed, bored, wanting to do nothing until I realized that I’ll cheer up if I hear your voice, so, have mercy on me evil princess. Save me with your devilish voice.” 

“I’m starting to think raising my ire is the punchline, what with all the names you’re calling me.”

‘Wens nooo, that’s not why- I’ll stop, I really do wanna hear you okay? And not just for any special tone of your voice, emotionless is A-okay, I’m not lying, listening to your low gravelly voice makes my wolf ears happy. Like a deep bass note hugging my brain. It’ll make me feel better and I’ll sleep then.” 

“I- if I do talk about my writing you'd still get sick and get nightmares.”

"I won't now!"

"That's the biggest falsehood you've ever said in your life."

“Oh goddess, then just say the grossest parts in Spanish silly. Oh, that’s even better, then I could imagine you telling me nice things instead. Yiss, ramble about whatever in Spanish fully actually, that’d be nice.” Enid’s voice becomes wistful at the end.

“Enid-”

“Wait, no, that makes it seem as if I don’t care about your book, which I totes do, let’s roll back, you tell me the newest plot development and any nasty shit is gonna be in Spanish so I’ll just imagine the grossest thing I can without fainting, great, you can start now.”

The goth sighs.

“You won’t give it up will you?”

“Do you really hate cheering me up that much?” Enid’s voice becomes small suddenly. Wednesday hates it.

“No, I do not mean-”

“Please Wens, please,” the tone is breathy. Something of a different hatred blooms inside Wednesday. 

“Fine, just stop asking. I will talk,” she rushes out.

“Thank you Wenny.”  

Wednesday quickly starts with a description of a random detail she’s proud of to prevent Enid from expressing more gratitude. She talks and talks until her voice gets rough from such unusual overexertion. Each word forced out of her throat, as if it is fighting to stay behind her lips. And yet she still talks until the sound of Enid’s sleepy growls fills the room. 

Wednesday finds that she can’t fall asleep that night. She doesn't dare to.  If she did maybe she would've gotten confirmation that her chronic dreams of crushing loneliness in a painfully cold and empty room with only mocking typewriter in it get chased away by even just a hint of Enid's bright, warm presence. 

She only ends the call when she hears Enid wake up. 

On another silent day Wednesday attempts to message Enid first. Thing is being infuriatingly smug about it. 

“I am preventing her from staying up and bothering me again. Stop with that strange thumb-pointer pose.” 

She goes back to slowly writing and erasing what she wants to communicate again. She keeps making mistakes. The touch keyboard is way too small nor is typing with only thumbs comfortable.

[You don’t have to write a full paragraph in one message.] 

Wednesday groans and throws the device at the hand. He catches and puts it down. 

[Why not call instead?]

The goth wonders if she should get a knife and stab him for his foolishness. “No.” 

If Enid is too busy to be glued to her phone why would she pick up a phone call. And if she’s busy and picks up thinking it’s an emergency what is Wednesday supposed to say? Lie? About what exactly?

Maybe she should really stab Thing to create an emergency.

[You could send a recording of your voice instead.]

“What?” 

[Like a dictaphone, you hold down on a pictogram of a microphone, dictate and when you release your finger it sends itself. Although it is a few minutes max.]

Wednesday flexes her jaw and considers this idea. Enid did specify that what she wants is to hear her voice. Ludicrously. 

“Fine.” 

Wednesday summarizes a rundown of what she plans to write that day. After several attempts to use the voice recording function she gives up and gets Thing to hold down on the pictogram as she talks. 

“Send with a message that if she solely wants to hear my voice that badly she can ‘loop’ it as she always does with her nonsensical music.”

Thing salutes so she moves on with her day. 

In the middle of the writing hour he patters for her attention. She tries ignoring him. 

Enid's calling song plays so she lunges out of her chair. She’s not sure if to decline or pick up, but when she realizes that it’s not a phone call and simply Thing playing the song she is certain that she wants to murder him.

He manages to escape her only for a handful of minutes. After catching him she cages him in a drawer and goes back to writing. But she can't focus.

She stares at the phone.

Maybe Enid’s response was important.

But she didn’t call. 

Why wouldn’t she?

Maybe this time she was busy doing something she enjoyed so sending the recording was a useless endeavor. And Wednesday made a fool of herself. She grits her teeth.

She opens the drawer. “Talk.”

[She sent a recording back.] 

Wednesday swallows thickly. She cages Thing again. She picks up the phone tensely and sits on her bed, away from the desk and noisy appendage. 

The recording is a mere few seconds. She furrows her eyebrows at that. When she plays it the first time it's too quiet for her to understand. She fumbles with controls on the volume and puts it on maximal settings. 

She plays it again.

“Thank you Winny~.” Enid’s voice drawls, low and teasing. Filling the room with a breathy sound and Wednesday’s chest with… something. She has to contain a shiver.

She plays it the third time. The words sit heavy in her ears, clawing at them with intensity of sensation. That something inside feels rolling fire and makes her heart beat painfully fast. 

And it makes her chuck the phone out of the window. 

Pugsley buys her a new phone with a tactile keyboard and Thing makes it so it contains the same contact information and data of past conversations. Not that she lost a lot of them. She only ever used the previous to contact Enid and Eugene. 

She hangs Pugsley by his toes only for a few hours for his jokes on the topic.

It’s easier to text now. Although she still needs Thing to decipher the meaning of the insipid little pictures. 

What is hard is the realization that Enid keeps being busy because her mother is pushing for her to find a mate now that she’s single. 

Enid doesn’t say it directly. She doesn’t like to talk about the boys she’s forced to interact with. She just sounds tired when she avoids the topic on free days and just alludes that her mother keeps bothering her about new pack stuff she was never let in earlier. Things that she doesn’t want anymore. 

Wednesday isn’t sure why the last part makes her certain that she means finding a mate by that but she knows that the prospect of being wrong in that regard makes her unpleasantly sick. So she has to be right. She has to. 

Enid sounds the happiest in her increasingly elaborate ‘thank you’ recordings. Adding absurd compliments. Revolting pet names. Or just the way she'd say her full name.

Wednesday finds new things to destroy to survive them. She feels something of a hatred towards the headphones at this point. At least she isn't like that during the usual phone calls.

On another silent Enid day in a row Wednesday feels unable to write. Again. It is probably the weather. Wednesday never likes the heat. Even if it is chilly at night time already she has to be just exhausted from the day. Even if the temperature in the manor never rises above a certain level regardless of global warming. 

She silently stares at the typewriter regardless. Abandoning the schedule would make it harder to go back to it when the block recedes. 

The phone plays the awful tune and she gets up to pick it up instantly. 

“Enid.” Wednesday tries to mention that it’s her writing hour. In an accusatory manner even. It doesn’t go past her lips however.

“Hey Winny,” Enid says, sighing. 

“Greetings Enid,” Wednesday says cautiously. 

“ Hey.”

“What is it?” the goth doesn’t have the patience to start whatever game Enid is trying to play this time.

“I just really want you here.” Enid says quietly. 

Wednesday closes her eyes. Enid says that she wants something. The raven is aware how much she wants to act to the contrary of the demand. Like she does with all demands. 

But Enid always gets what she wants in the end. The struggle isn’t worth it. The seer just stays silent.

“I just feel so- I know that going to Cali would prob feel worse than death for you but it’s just… I get so sick of looking at them yaknow. Of listening. Playing nice. I’m getting worse at dealing with it. It’s never even official. Just swarms of werewolf guys that I’m supposed to socialize with just cause they’re from an ally pack, woohoo. The pretenses and the dance around the topic is just so hard when all I can think of is- I miss talking to you. Looking at you. It would be easier with you here.”

“How would it be easier?”

“Cause it’s you Winny. Like even your voice notes help so much but that's when I get a break and when I'm in front of them I just- I want them gone. To stop trying. Without me saying anything. And with you here it might-" 

"You want me to intimidate them?" 

"I- yeah, I want you here in all of your scary spooky glory. In person, next to me, staring menacingly. Threatening murder in a cold voice. For me . I would love that.”

“I will start with threats of torture actually.”

“Hm?”

“Torture first and if they won’t understand I will escalate from that.”

“You will?”

“Yes. I can be in California in 4 hours. In San Francisco in 8. I need to wait for Grandmama to wake up to arrange my travel.”

“Mhm.”

“Enid?”

“I’m sleepy and you’re being nice. Cozy.”

“Sleep then and when you’ll wake up I’ll be there.”

“ Sweet . Thanks babycakes.”

“Pleasant dreams Enid.”

“Don’t hang up please.”

“I won’t.”

Exchanging pleasantries with Cousin Wake delayed Wednesday’s departure from Los Angeles witch circle. It’s still better than arriving much later by train or without weapons by plane. 

Wednesday is irritated by the delay nonetheless. She simmers in anger as Lurch drives.

She wonders if going through a portal classifies as voluntarily hanging up the call by association. She stretches her fingers.

“Thing, notify Enid that we’ll be late.” 

[What?]

“Send her a text message that we had an hour of delay.”

[No, that’s what she responded with.]

Wednesday stares blankly and takes the phone. Enid wasn’t supposed to wake up yet. 

Enid Sinclair: WHAT?!?!?!

Wednesday blinks. 

“What does it mean, Thing?”

[Didn't have coffee yet?]

It’s either that, anger at delay or she didn’t mean to actually invite. Stray offbeat of heart stings before Wednesday calms it down.

“Lurch, drive faster so we’ll have time to get a hotel room.” 

Having somewhere to stash silver weapons is just practical.

[Or you could ask for clarification.]

Wednesday hides the phone as Thing flies through the car when Lurch accelerates. 

She didn’t plan on closing her eyes for long enough for her mind to empty out of anything but a feeling of drowning in a cold fog.

Wednesday stands in front of a large yellow farmhouse and stares with squinting eyes at Enid’s eyebags. It’s easier to try to figure who to kill for sleep depriving Enid than to look at the shock in her eyes. Her skin seems to be too thin not only under her eye sockets however. Her oversized pajama shirt hides most of the body but her collarbones are visible more than usual. It could be morning dehydration. Or it could be something else. Someone else. Esther as always at the top of the hit list, with Murray just behind for enabling his mate in everything, then both brothers and prospective mates to blame. 

Enid takes a deep breath and recovers from the shock. Then wordlessly goes back behind the doors without closing them. 

Wednesday chokes out any thought of Enid possibly shutting the door in her face.

Enid comes back with an umbrella in her hands. And opens it over Wednesday. It’s easier to think under a shade. 

There’s still something strange in Enid’s eyes.

“I’m assuming you forgot you invited me then?”

“I just- yeah, I’m just-”

She stops talking to touch the lapel of Wednesday’s shirt. Her eyebrows furrow, the one with the slit more than the other. Then a smile more blinding than the californian sun pops up on her face. 

“I’m really glad you’re here, Wens.”

“That was the aim, yes.” 

A girlish giggle stabs her for her effort. Wednesday looks away from the sight of Enid biting her lip.

The werewolf grabs her arm. “Well, where are your bags then?”

“Most of them are in the hotel.”

“What?”

“Bringing silver on werewolf land is a slight I do not plan to commit until forced to. I thought of hunting the failed suitors outside of them when possible.” 

Quick smile shows on the blonde’s face before an uncertain pout overpowers it. “But you’re still sleeping here right?”

“Assuming your parents aren’t against it.” 

“Oh no, dad already knows you might be coming. If it’s not gonna be alright with mom I’m ready to fight her on it.” 

“Restrain yourself until I’ll equip the blades in that case.” 

Enid snorts. “Fight her verbally, Wens.” And she drags them both inside. “How did you get here so fast with weapons anyway?”

“Cousin Wake from Los Angeles has a teleportation circle.”

“Wake what? Wake Me Up Inside?” Enid teases.

“Today it seemed more like Before You Go Go.”

Enid lets out a laugh before doing a double take on Wednesday’s serious face. 

“No, you’re shitting me.”

Wednesday shrugs. “It changes with their mood. Last time I visited it was indeed ‘Wake Me Up Inside, Tell Me There’s A Reason’.” 

“Goddess, I love your family.”

“I cannot say the same for yours.” 

“Yeah I know.” Enid sighs.

“Is there gonna be a target for threats today?”

“Well, there might be. But with you here we can delay it.”

“How?”

“How much are you against watching the Barbie movie?”

“Watching what?”

Enid disappears with a smile into her wardrobe. “Well mom bought the tickets with a pointed comment that I will have to take someone for it with me. I was thinking of begging my brother to go with me so that whatever guy she meant couldn’t go but you can go with me instead! But if you think a pink commercial extravaganza is too scary we can go watch Oppenheimer instead.” 

“As in a movie about a man that displaced and exploited hispano people of Los Alamos to build a war crime of a weapon?”

“Yeeeaaah, so pink fun capitalism it is! Hey, does this headband sting your skin? I’m totes sure it’s from a vegan brand.” Enid comes back in a fully pink outfit and holds up another pink cloth. Simplicity of one solid color makes looking at her easier for the goth. 

The offered material doesn’t hurt Wednesday to touch. 

“Could you wear it around your neck?” Enid cheerfully asks.

After a morning of shopping for sweets for Enid and reflective sunglasses for Wednesday, the goth realizes during the movie that Enid attempted to make the seer’s outfit similar to a black one that the ‘Ken’ character wears at some point. Since then the only thing that she really pays attention to are Enid’s reactions.

Her eyes simply need breaks from the constant vibrant colors. 

But by looking at laughing Enid, Wednesday realizes she will kill anyone else for the sin of noticing the happy little scrunch of the nose that the blond makes. 

“So? What did ya think about the movie?” Enid asks when they leave the cinema and Wednesday takes off the sunglasses. 

“The smallpox analogy was repugnant and unneeded and the final triumph of real womanhood being going to a gynecologist undercuts previous joke about lack of genitals as well as the discussion that lead up to it. Both could be easily changed in the script but in current state it leaves me lost on the supposed lesson. That’s the low bar expectations foiled as the lack of outcast dolls outside of sirens was to be expected.” 

“Yeah, those parts were totes cringe.” Enid agrees as she sways back and forth on her soles and plays with the ends of Wednesday’s handkerchief. She’s staring at her own hands fidgeting with the material. 

Wednesday realizes Enid might have not wanted to hear only criticism about a movie she was excited about. She swallows.

“I did appreciate that to become quote unquote real Barbara didn’t have to provide any proof of her consciousness or humanity. Many stories about becoming human end up claiming that androids for example are separate from humans because of lack of emotions, or social awareness or humor or love and-” Wednesday loses the thread of her own thoughts when Enid looks up into her eyes smiling. Enid is so close and Wednesday can feel the movement of the material on her neck. 

“And Barbie still became human after rejecting romance with a guy? Yeah I liked that too, it was cool. Although it makes me wonder if that part of her was influenced by Gloria’s seeming disinterest in her husband. Goddess, I can’t imagine being married to a latina for, how old was Sasha, twelve or something right, so for over a decade and still being on the first level of Duolingo. Like, really? Your daughter is fluent and you still can’t hold a conversation? That’s so stupid. She should dump that man. She was so much happier around Barbie. I feel like Sasha is gonna notice that and then try to recruit Barbie’s help for the mission ‘let's get mom a girlfriend’ or something. Oh, also, it’s so funny that she starts out hating Barbie and then ends up with her as her semi step-mom possibly.”

The pressure on the neck as Enid stills her hands and something in wolfgir’s face as she rambles signals to Wednesday that what she's saying means something beyond the discussion of the movie but Wednesday’s brain has trouble doing its job with her throat so close to the claws. 

After a few beats of silence Enid speaks again.``Anyway!” She clears her throat and takes the bandana off Wednesday while stepping away. “You don’t need that anymore. Thank you for going with me. I enjoyed hearing your thoughts about it but you can stop thinking about it now if ya wanna.”

Wednesday blinks. She can breathe again.

“I- of course.” 

“I’ll probably still go a few more times to watch the dance scenes cause wow, those were totes fun, I might make guys in the dance club recreate them with me.” 

Wednesday nods. 

Enid’s cellular device makes a noise. Wolfgirl groans. “Mom is probably yelling that it’s dinner time. And that I need to be there for the new boytoy.” Her sad pout hurts Wednesday. 

“I can get my silver knives on our way back.” 

Enid smiles at that. “Well, he didn’t do anything yet, right, so no hunting yet.”

“I do not need a reason.” 

“I’ll feel better without any silver for now.”

“Como quieras.”

Enid tilts her head at that. 

“What does this mean exactly?”

“‘As you wish’, but literally como is how, and quieras is conjugated querer, to want”

“Hmm, is it connected to ‘te quiero’?”

Wednesday spins around and walks to the car. “I’m not teaching you Spanish anymore.”

“What? Why?!”

“I do not need a reason.” 

“But Wens-"

"But what, Enid?"

"I- nothing." 

Wednesday stares grimmly from a distance as Enid plasters on a fake smile and greets a family with a generic looking werewolf son. The boy nervously avoids her gaze. 

Wednesday regrets not getting knives after all when the family moves away and in their place is Esther grabbing Enid's face, sounding angry. But before Wednesday does anything Enid swats away the hand and marches off, back to the seer. 

"Dinner is on the patio outside, come, you're a guest too, let me entertain you." Enid smirks. 

As her gaze lingers on the blonde's face Wednesday wonders if she should say something positive about Enid’s scars to balance out whatever her mother said. 

Enid raises her eyebrows and tilts her head at the lack of response. Then her eyes narrow as she tugs her hair behind her left ear, exposing the scars more.

Wednesday swallows. 

Enid smirks again for some reason and reaches for a band from her wrist to tie her hair back.

Wednesday looks away and marches off outside as Enid faintly giggles behind her. 

Apparently dinner is a long affair at Sinclair's when guest are involved and no real meal arrives for a long time so Enid just keeps cups of tea for Wednesday coming as Wednesday stares daggers at the werewolf boy. Brandon? Bob? His name is irrelevant and fortunately he easily gives up any attempt to approach Enid. 

After shooting another murderous stare, Wednesday shifts her attention to the werewolf girl eating honey straight from the jar as they sit at their own picnic table. A wolfgirl that usually gets much more antsy around dinner time.

"Enid."

At the serious tone Enid freezes with the spoon still in her mouth. Then she releases it with a loud pop. "Yep?"

"Have you had any meat today?" 

"Uhhh, I'm not hungry if that's what you're asking, I'm just stress eating this." 

"That is not what I'm asking." 

"Still not hungry. Are you hungry? We can get you something better than snacks early. There should be a jerky home somewhere and I got some kimchi from the Asian market. Although I think the main food should be soon." 

"I'm not eating before you do."

"Well I'm already eating honey so checkmate." 

"Enid."

"Wednesday." 

"Did you even have breakfast before I showed up?"

"Well, did you?"

"Yes, Cousin Wake made me eat with them."

"Ohh, what do you think their name is right now? Wake Me Up Before September Ends?"

"Enid."

"Wennyyyy." 

"Sinclair." 

"Oof, not the surname, well I should go and get your food as family duty." Enid gets up.

"Enid, no." Wednesday tries to follow her.

"Addams, sit." Enid pushes on her shoulders to stay seated and then sprints off.

Wednesday just deadpans at the plate of food she's presented with. 

"Chop chop my dear guest. I cannot dare to eat before you're finished."

Wednesday stays silent and unmoving. Enid didn't get anything for herself.

Enid stabs a piece of meat with a fork and lifts it up. "Say aaah." 

"You're being ridiculous." 

"Nuh huh. Now open your mouth." 

Before Wednesday gets to respond, a plate with a beef steak gets put in front of Enid's seat.

By the bumbling idiot that was supposed to stay away. "You forgot to take it so your mom asked me to bring it to you. Is it really your favorite?" 

Enid puts a hand on Wednesday's shoulder to stop her from revealing that it's not. And that he's an imbecile for assuming. Or trusting anything that Esther Sinclair is saying.

"Yeah, thanks so much, please don't let me stop you from finishing your own food, this was enough help." 

The boy nervously glances between the blonde and the brunette that's tightly clutching the dinner knife. "you're welcome, I'm gonna go." 

Enid releases a deep breath and then grimaces at the food.

"Enid, eat."

"I told you I'm not hungry." 

"Neither am I and you're forcing me." 

"Well you have alexithymia so like your interoception sucks and when have I ever forgotten about food outside of hyperfocus? Never. And I'm not hyperfocused right now, so. Checkmate, you're eating." 

Wednesday chews on one piece of meat. Then 3 more.

"Your turn." 

"Grr, fine, but you're feeding me." And Enid opens her mouth expectantly.

"Why?"

"Cause I wanna, aaah."

"That's ridiculous." 

"No, it's not, you're just being rude." 

"I've been plenty nice today already."

"Great, so if I cancel out some of that niceness I'll get more again. Let me talk to Brad." 

Wednesday grabs on her hand to stop her from moving. 

"Fine." She hisses out. 

Enid beams at her. She raises her eyebrows expectantly. Wednesday grits her teeth and cuts up the steak. Then brings the fork up and looks away. Enid hums as she chews and Wednesday wishes the ground would just swallow her. 

Enid uses stabs to signal when she's done with each piece. They're not as frequent as Wednesday would expect of her. 

When she looks at Enid the girl seems more focused on staring back than eating. 

But midway through the meal Enid just grabs Wednesday’s wrist to control the fork to feed Wednesday. Her embarrassment has burned out its fuel so she relents to eating more food. 

Enid’s satisfied purr has nothing to do with her silent agreement. 

Wednesday didn’t notice when exactly Enid got so close as to make their thighs touch. It only became apparent when she put her chin on Wednesday's shoulder. 

“ Gracias churri.”

Wednesday suddenly misses the garish furniture that she’s been destroying the whole summer.

“ That- that term is mostly used in Spain.”

Enid hums directly into her ear. “Well, that’s what happens when you’re not the one that’s teaching me. Why don’t you tell me a Mexican one I could use instead, hm?”

Wednesday thickly swallows and violently sorts through her memory for anything close to platonic.

“You could use chula?”

“Nah, that’s not what I’m going for. Give me something more like hermosa why don't ya.”

Wednesday desperately needs Enid to stop calling her these things.

“You would be called güera.”

“Ooh, why?”

“Because you’re blonde. And light skinned.”

Enid moves her head so that her furrowed brows and slight pout is visible to Wednesday.

“Güerita?” Wednesday adjusts weakly.

The brows relax as the blonde sighs and puts her head back on the shoulder. “Tell me something nice in Spanish.”

Well that’s easier than listening to Enid.

“Sonríes más brillante que el sol.”

“¿Y eso significa?” 

Wednesday wants to bash her own head on the table. But that would disrupt the pose that Enid chose for herself. 

“You smile brighter than the sun.” She translates weakly. 

Enid makes a happy squeak and hugs Wednesday's arm. “You really think so?”

“End of Spanish for today.” 

“Awww, okay. Wanna go watch the sundown with me?”

No, Wednesday wants to murder something far away from Enid. Maybe Blake. Oh yes, she wants to kidnap Braxton and take sweet time to cope with whatever poison makes her heart act abnormally around the peppy wolf. 

Enid tilts her head and smiles. 

“As you wish.” 

The supernova of a smile erupts as Enid drags them towards the small lake that’s on the Sinclair premises. “If there weren’t other guests around we could go swimming but instead we gotta settle for you comparing me to the sun some more.” 

Wednesday thinks at that moment that if she doesn’t get to harm someone soon she might die herself. 

When she untangles from another half cuddle that Enid put them in after sitting on the sand with ‘getting drinks’ excuse, Bentley bites the bait. 

Enid stares at coming back Wednesday with ‘puppy eyes’ over the boy's shoulder. 

Wednesday slaps him at the scent glands and he hisses sharply at the pain. 

“Beckham.”

“It’s Brad actually-”

“Barrett, let’s get something clear. If you keep talking to her, I'll make sure that every time you bite into meat it will taste of wolfsbane. So every time you’ll chew on it, you’ll get to reflect that it is because of your lack of control of your most base instincts that you’re in agony forever, feeling as if the same thing that you require for sustenance is slowly killing you, since you felt like your thirst is worth ignoring Enid’s signals that she’s uninterested. Is that simple enough of a concept or should I simplify?”

“She didn’t-”

“Very well, I prefer blades over witchcraft anyway, so what I can do with silver is-” Wednesday starts out another threat to lower his defenses and midway she steps heavily on claw beds in his hand. 

He yelps as his claws forcefully shoot out.

“- irrelevant if you will value your life and understand quickly”

“Fuck, fine, whatever, goddess, I get it.”

His curses and complaints as he gets up to get away are completely ignored by Enid as she smiles dreamily at Wednesday. “Violent is a great look on you.” She says while tugging Wednesday down to sit again. “Does my champion want a cheek kiss for the brave rescue?”

Enid gets the blank stare and a blink as refusal, nevertheless Wednesday accepts that she’s dying today. Drowned in pinks and oranges of the setting sun. Enid’s signature colors. 

She tries to cling to life a bit longer by tuning out the exact meaning of wolfgirl’s excited words. They can’t hurt her if she can’t understand them. It’s enough that she can feel her fingers draw circles on her arm. Enid suddenly got more daring with touch after eating properly, after refusing to at first, it is better to remember to just feed her with correct snacks throughout the day. Or maybe not since feeding made everything worse. How would covertly making sure she's fed work?

Or the answer is killing Esther for perhaps causing Enid’s lack of appetite.

That’s always the best option. Thinking about violently murdering her relaxes the seer as she stares at the weirdly familiar lake.

At some point Enid's hand ends up on Wednesday's knee. She can't figure out if she's glad or not that her shorts are so long. But any thought of maybe pushing the hand off dematerialises when it squeezes or when Enid readjusts her fingers. The singing feeling is so distracting. 

Some time later in the evening, when other guests have gone already, after nodding to another phrase that sounded like a question Enid drags them up, by their joined hands. She's waving them widely as they walk. Since when has she been clutching on Enid’s hand? Enid being more daring is one thing, why is Wednesday even permitting this amount of touch in the first place and, on top of that, reciprocating?

Wednesday experimentally let goes of the hand. Enid drops it immediately while also stopping in her tracks to look at Wednesday’s reaction to clutching at her sleeve instead. 

Her eyes are the warmest blue. They make it so hard for her to attempt to free herself from the subtle hold. That idea feels so ridiculous all of a sudden. Enid wants to keep her close. What would even be the argument to deny her? Painful sensations inside? Wednesday likes pain. Quite a lot actually. Why would she be scared of this new brand of it? She's not a coward. She should be welcoming them instead. 

Enid has led them back to her room. After closing the door behind them the wolfgirl is pulling on the sleeve while walking backwards deeper into the room.

"Can we kiss?"

What?

"Que?"  

The giggle isn't helping. Enid pulls her closer. Wednesday almost trips but the wolf stabilizes her with a hand on the shoulder.It's even harder to think now.

"I'm asking for a kiss. On the mouth. Here and now. Pretty please." There's a smile on her face as she says it slowly, low and deliberately. Wednesday can see flashes of her sharp incisors and her red tongue. Enid’s lips are-

They're close. Wednesday didn’t move away. And she doesn't want to. 

"You want to kiss me," Wednesday says breathlessly. 

"Yes Wens. Like a lot. Do you?" Her lips are not close enough.

"Yes." There's nothing she ever wanted more.

" Good."

Enid's lips prove extensively on what she meant by 'a lot'. The touch is searing and overwhelming. The pain finally makes sense. It is terrifying because it feels so unbelievably good. Wednesday wants more of it. 

She wants Enid. 

She grabs her by the back of the neck to get more. Enid practically purrs and opens her mouth wider as she cradles Wednesday’s face. Her tongue feels hot and-

It tastes of ginseng, saffron and- anise. 

Ingredients of love potions and a werewolf drug.

Wednesday pushes off Enid. 

"Wens, what's wrong?" 

Everything. Everything everything everything!

Wednesday wants to scream. Why does a heartbreak have to feel so literal!

"Hey, hey, hey, Wenny, was it too much, too little? Hey, what is it? Can you hear me?" 

Enid sounds so worried. Too much. 

Wednesday nods. She realizes they're both on the ground.

"Okay, so what's wrong?" Enid is hovering without touching.

"Why do you taste of anise?" Wednesday hears her own voice break.

"Oh, so the kiss was good and I just should’ve brushed my teeth, okay I can do that. No more kissing straight after eating."

Wednesday shakes her by the shoulders.

"Enid, focus. Anise." 

Enid tilts her head and furrows her brows.

"Oh. That's weird. I didn't have Duncan's cookies except for that one time. But you liked the kiss right?" 

She puts her own hands on Wednesday's hands and starts caressing them. She pouts when Wednesday wrenches hers away.

Increased need for touch, a one track mind. Just more and more proof to saw away pieces of Wednesday’s heart with.

"Enid-"

"Wens, please tell me." The damn pout. And the hurt in her eyes. And that wretched tone-

This will be only worse if she won't be careful and make her cry.

"Yes, I enjoyed it." Wednesday admits defeatedly.

Enid's face lights up.

"Great! Can we kiss daily?" 

"Enid, listen to me, you had anise alongside aphrodisiacs, that’s how a love potion for a werewolf taste." 

Enid purses her lips at that.

"Well, that's silly, I don't need a love potion to love you. So there's no love potion. Now, since you liked it, can we date and kiss on the regular? It could be just once a day but I just can't imagine going a day without one after having it already. I mean I can but it makes me wanna die. So it would be nice not to die. Ohh, your problem with the taste was the love potion idea, so since that's not true we can go back to kissing right now." 

"Enid, you didn't- you didn't start dating Ajax after kissing him once." 

"Well obvi, cause he's not you. I've been in love with you for awhile babycakes." 

"The magic is overriding your memories." 

"No, it's not, you're being silly." 

Enid’s earnest, so often affectionate eyes were making Wednesday desperately want to believe her.

"Since when then?"

"Hmm, since you called emojis 'insipid little pictures'." 

Wednesday wants to wrench out her own heart to scream at it for its foolishness.

"That is exactly what I am saying, it cannot be, you were at the height of your obsession with Ajax then." Wednesday hears herself whine.

"Well if I said I fell in love at first sight you wouldn't believe me." Enid has the gall to say it with an eye roll.

"Of course I wouldn't! And you had a crush on Ajax!"

It's so far from possible it is bitterly painful. So sick and nauseating. Wednesday considers biting on her own tongue to get a better taste in the mouth at least. 

"Oh shush, he was just a distraction and a hyperfixation I got bored easily of. It's not like you realized that you're into me quickly either."

"What?" Wednesday asks dazedly. 

"I know you Wenny, you've been a gay panicking mess for awhile now but that lightbulb only lit up when I asked to kiss you. It was pretty obvious." 

Enid knows. Wednesday feels a jolt of panic. That's not- Magically motivated persistence doesn't really offer a heightened empathic awareness. Definitely not a retroactive one. Or could it just pull from Enid's natural empathy- Trying to figure out if Enid knew of her affection and just kept silent out of pity makes Wednesday feel a start of a headache. But the fact is that Enid's emotional awareness far exceeds Wednesday’s anyway.

"That does not mean-"

"Well I realized when I wolfed out and you hugged me. But the falling in love part had to be before cause believe me threat of friends or family dying as wolfing out trigger has been tried on me already. It had to be around the time you couldn't look me into my eyes and lie that it isn't for me that you joined the Poe Cup. You can be so shy sometimes. It's sooo cute." 

Just another heart maulingly implausible suggestion. 

"You did not leave him then." 

"Yeah, duh, I wanted to avoid this matchmaking bullcrap during winter break. Now, back to kissing, you like it, I like it, we can date." 

Wednesday is tired. She wants to agree so much. Even if it means accepting that Enid somehow just stewed in feelings for months without acting on them, not even at a threat of dealing with forced matchmaking. She needs to choke out that hope.

"I- tell me gossip."

If Enid can focus on anyone else she can choose what's real. Maybe she just got too excited and is being playful after suddenly getting back energy. Maybe Wednesday just got paranoid and imagined the taste.

"What? You don't like gossip."

"Just recall something about someone that doesn't have anything to do with me, right now." 

"That's so random. You're here with me. I wanna think about you."

"Yes, random, just focus on random facts about someone, your family, friends, anyone but me." Wednesday directs her patiently. 

"Ohhh, Yoks tried to suggest something funny, like asking you to fake date me to discourage furs from courting me, as if I could ever do that when I want the real thing. Isn't that so silly. On that note, kissing, real kissing, cause I'm in real love with you, how many times can we do that?"

Enid can only come up with things connected to Wednesday. Wednesday can feel the hope losing its breath. 

"Barclay, anything new about the so-called Queen Bee?"

"You spend too much time with her." 

It's dead. Wednesday closes her eyes in mourning. So it is irrefutably a love potion. It had to be the steak. Since it's directed at Wednesday it had to be either triggered by being in her sight or- by who offered the consumption.

"I'm going to kill Brad." Wednesday says while standing up.

She's gonna torture out of him the recipe for the potion to enginner back a cure and then make it so his body is gonna be unrecognisable after she's done with him. She will take however long it's gonna take to find a way to make a werewolf's skin take fire and burn. Slow gradual, piece by piece burn while he's alive to feel it.

"Aw, were you jelly? I would never look at anyone else, okay? Well, not literally, sorry, I will never want anyone how I want you babycakes. I have no idea what he even told me at the lake cause I fully zoned out when you left." Enid pulls on her hand.

Wednesday momentarily panics.

"Of course you did." She remarks while delicately pulling her hand free. She just has to get out and go hunting. Like getting out of a snare to resume the hunt. Don't listen.

"Wenny, you still sound mad. Did he upset you that much? I'm sorry." 

Enid’s sad tone fully cuts through the fury. Her eyes look like broken ice. Looking was a mistake. Wednesday takes a deep breath to reset her voice. It's gonna hurt too much if the ice taws into tears.

"You didn't- it's not your fault." 

"You keep blinking, are you tired? Did you even sleep last night?" 

No, no, no, not more somber tones.

"That's irrelevant."

"Oh no no no, it is so relevant. You need sleep." 

"I need to hunt him down." 

Enid scrambles to shield the door.

"Nuh uh, not sleep deprived." 

"Enid." 

"I won't sleep without you here. And believe  me I'll know if you'll leave. I'm not resorting to the voice notes just cause of murder you can easily postpone dumbass."

Wednesday knows that by postponing Enid means never doing it because the werewolf will keep trying to find more postponing excuses for them to stay together instead. As usual. Just until she herself will get too busy to spend time with Wednesday, which right now she won't do willingly. 

And she's fast enough to catch the raven if she'll try to run to the window. Wednesday gives up.

"At least your personality is intact." 

"Why wouldnt it?" 

"Mind altering magic tends to do that. A shame. This would've been easier if it made you complacent."

Instead it feels like a cruel joke to how close yet so far to real it is.

"Rude! And, like so stupid. You're a stupid meanie right now. How dare you. Of course me loving you doesn’t change anything about me, cause it was never actually new. I have loved you since forever and the sky is blue, like such big revelations oh wow."

"We just watched it change colors, Enid."

"Nitpicking stupid meanie. A sleepy nitpicking stupid meanie! We're going mimir, maybe then you'll be stupidlesser. Ah wait, that's spanish slang, sorry. We're hitting the zees, that's what we're doing.

"Stupidlesser is not a word." 

"I will only discuss dialectics with someone smarter than stupid."

"Wrong field of study. That's philosophy."

"And you're in the wrong state of being, by which I mean awake. Chop chop, get ready for sleep."

"I'll kiss you after killing Brad." 

Enid gasps. "A blackmailing sleepy nitpicking stupid meanie?! You've done it now, we're doing mani pedis tomorrow and you can't say no. Wait, where's Thing?" 

Wednesday furrows her brows. Thing is what cuts through the werewolf's daze?

"At the hotel with Lurch, most probably sulking that you haven't asked for him earlier since I told him I'll get him only when you'll ask for him." 

"Naur, he would agree to help to keep you here."

Ah, that explains it.

"Enid, I want to remind you that I won't sleep in the same bed as you." 

"More mean, as if I care for cuddles more than your wellbeing." Enid says poutingly. 

"Nor will there be a goodnight kiss."

"Aw, come on!" 

Wednesday was certain she wouldn't manage to fall asleep until a whine woke her up from a nightmare about Enid's lips. About mint and anise interrupting the drowning in water surrounded by fog and empty misery.

Enid's sleepy whine close to her ear. Because Enid is curled up on the ground, close next to where Wednesday lays on it, but without touching yet. The mess of her blanket between her and the bed pointing to her getting close subconsciously. She can't be comfortable like this.

Painstruck face emits another puppyish whine. Wednesday won't stomach another. She cautiously caresses Enid's face. The girl instantaneously relaxes and sighs instead of whining. Then her face contorts again when Wednesday takes away her hand. 

Maybe hell exists after all.

"Enid, wake up." 

Just a groan in response. 

Wednesday squeezes her shoulder. "Enid, you need to get up." 

"Hm?" 

"If you go back to your bed you can hold my hand." 

"Hand?"

"Yes. My hand in yours."

"Hand." 

Enid groggily gets up and falls back into her bed. Then waves reach for Wednesday. "Haaand," she mumbles.

"Here." 

Wednesday thought that she might be able to simply lay closer to Enid's bed, with just a hand hanging a bit in the air, but Enid fully uses her palm as a pillow for her cheek. 

Wednesday sits back on her heels and stares at the sleepy wolf. She can feel puffs of air hitting the heel of her hand. Enid's nose nuzzling into the base of her thumb. The press of her fingers on the wrist.

The distance between her skin and Enid's lips is-

Instead of risking another nightmare Wednesday decides to just keep her mind blank and get some rest from that.

Chapter Text

Wednesday’s figures out that she can combat rapid loss of blood from silver cuts by heating up the blade to sear the usually heat resistant werewolf skin. That's the last thought before she regains her hand and pretends that she didn't just spend half the night kneeling. 

Enid yawns as she wakes up. Widely, showing off all of her teeth. And then mlems. And then hums contently when she sees Wednesday standing over her.

"Buenos días, bonita."

Wednesday sighs. 

"Wretched morning Enid." 

Enid stretches and smiles brightly. "Can I have a good morning kiss, guapa?"

"No. Is my physical appearance the only thing you think about?"

Enid pouts momentarily and gets up.

"Of course not you're also my favorite weirdo smartass but that's the only way to get through your thick skull that I'm flirting with you, silly. Well also doing this." She says while loosely draping her arms around Wednesday’s neck. The raven freezes. Enid leans in to speak directly into her ear. " Hey pajarito."

The raven doesn’t manage to stop the shiver from happening. 

Enid brandishes her smug smile to Wednesday. "Technically your brain doesn't react to it directly but at least your body understands." 

Wednesday swallows thickly and looks away. Refusing affection outright will upset Enid but she won't do anything more without permission so it's fine. It's all fine as long as she won't initiate something herself pathetically. Just don't move. Enid will get bored soon.

Enid sighs.

"But sometimes it's hard not to focus on your looks. Like right now I'm so close to your freckles I can count them. But I always give up midway to imagine kissing each individually instead. Hey, Wens?" 

"Yes?" 

Enid tilts her head to catch her eyes. "How are freckles in Spanish?" 

"Pecas." 

Enid waves her fingers close to the freckled cheeks. "Hola pecas," she says in a giddy voice. Her nose is doing the happy scrunch. Wednesday looks away again. 

"Can I choose what you wear today?" Enid asks.

"Why?" 

"Well first of all so that you'd look and feel bonita." she says in a conspiratory voice.

Wednesday scowls.

"Ye, sowwy, tiktok reference. But also, to make sure that a shirt collar frames your neck nicely since you keep baring it to me." 

Wednesday’s eyes widen. "I do not-"

"Well first of all you never break eye contact with anyone else, second of all your head doesn't move automatically with your eyes like with most people, and newsflash babycakes right now you're doing both." Enid leans in to whisper. 

"Since you don't know I'll tell you more I noticed" she continues and smiles brightly "you like my teeth'' she runs her tongue over her incisors "your pupils dilate at the sight of them" she says while wiggling her eyebrows "possibly you like my tongue too. You like it when I speak Spanish, especially when I talk-" she reveals directly into the ear " in this needy tone, don’tchya amorcita. Unless the heightened heartbeat and the shivers are cause my breathy voice terrifies you somehow."

Wednesday wants to escape this awful trap but the only movement she manages is agitatedly clutching on Enid’s shirt.

The werewolf noses on her tense neck. "So when all three happen you bare your taut pretty neck and it makes me wanna bite" Enid snaps her teeth "and stay latched on. I wouldn't even have to worry about safety since my saliva will heal you cause you're my mate. Am I not the perfect partner for ya, my wolfbird hm? If you want pain without consequences I can bring it. I can literally kiss it better," she giggles.

Enid is certainly not getting bored. Wednesday is breathing heavily. She tries to think of how to appease the werewolf instead of focusing on how hot she feels all of a sudden. 

"You look like you wanna be kissed Wennyyy." 

"No." Wednesday lies.

"You sure? Not even a peck on pecas?" 

"I- fine."

"One for every-"

"Exactly two and none more." 

"Awww, okay. Thank you for the privilege."

Wednesday closes her eyes as the cursed lips grace the skin under her eyes. She experienced acid burns less searing than Enid's mouth. 

"You can open your eyes again, linda." 

"No more Spanish. Please." Wednesday begs.

"Awww, relax baby, it's okay, it's not your fault you're so dense about your own feelings. That's just how your body is. No need to be embarrassed." 

Wednesday groans.

"You get why I had to focus on your looks for you to understand, yes?" 

Wednesday nods. 

"Want a hug?" Enid opens her arms.

Wednesday doesn’t know anything anymore. But a hug can't be anything more than platonic so that might as well happen if Enid insists on closeness. So she pulls on the unusually devoid of color shirt. 

Enid happily hums and draws circles on the smaller girl's back as they hug. Wednesday mostly clutching on material rather than squeezing Enid's body back.

This is good. Enid always likes hugs. Familiarity is comforting. If she stays strong after this is all over she can still have this. Just this. 

Has- has Enid nuzzling her face into her neck always felt so intimate?

She steps back from the hug. "We should get Thing." 

"Breakfast first!"

The house seems to be empty. First time Wednesday heard something close to a silence in a pack house.

"Enid, you cannot be eating only sugar constantly." Wednesday says while eying the monstrous amount of cereal that is in Enid’s bowl.

"I can and I will. Unless you'd hunt me something. Ooh yes, that'd be nice. But not now. Later. Maybe during the full moon. And remember, no rabbits. They're too cute, I won't eat them." 

Well, it is true that if it were up to Wednesday every step of the cooking for Enid process would be extensively watched and controlled for any substances forever. So maybe simple meals are the key now. 

"At least have some eggs." 

"If you'll cook and feed me sure thing babycakes. Otherwise nah. Is the kimchi any good?" 

"Try for yourself." 

"Nah, I bought it  for you. I don't like spicy food that much." 

"By the goddess Enorms can you be any gayer?" A male voice interjects. Into the kitchen walks the only Sinclair brother that Wednesday knows from Nevermore. The main difference between the siblings being the amount of muscle and the degree of the summer tan. 

"I can and I will Dumbcan, just watch me."

"No, gross, the eyefucking you do at your little friend is enough, just get a room." 

"She's my girlfriend. And you're the gross one, eyeeffing, really. Bleh."

"We're not-"

"If you weren't deluded about love spells you'd say yes to gfs, right?"

"I'm not deluded." 

Enid pouts.

"Hypothetically yes."

"Kay, so Wens is my near future girlfriend." 

"Damn, Addams really is dense. Where's your gaydar Friday? She's been looking at you grosslike since forever. She's the happiest around you and withers and dies when away from you." Duncan snickers.

"See? Even this donkey knows," Enid says.

"The rest of the family is just blind to the fact that gay people are real. Otherwise the Paramore obsession would be a dead giveaway." 

"She is under the influence of an anise based love potion."

"What?" 

"She's been high on it since yesterday's dinner." 

"I'm not!" 

Wednesday tries to get up and put some distance between them and Enid immediately scrambles after her. "She can't stand being far from me for any amount of time." 

"Well she's always clingy-" he tries to say.

"Enid, what I want to do to your mother is to fill her mouth with wolfsbane and then gag her with silver so she won't be able to spit it out. Then her choice will be to try to keep it in her mouth, despite agony of thousand nails stabbing her palate as it makes her gums burn with rotting inflammation and mix the blood with slowly digested by saliva poison, tongue swell and choke her, teeth fall out one by one or just swallow it and speed up her gruesome death which will backfire, because her gut's first reaction will be to induce vomit, sending the wolfsbane back into her mouth this time with stomach acid, in a tortured loop as she'll struggle and burn her hands on silver until her fingerprints are gone." 

Wednesday glances at suddenly pale, sick looking Duncan and then back at calm Enid. Wednesday expected more of an upset look from her that would just disappear unnaturally quickly but staying calm is still an unusual reaction that she needed.

"Any comments on that?" Wednesday asks her.

"Well, first of all, you look fascinating when you come up with these things and second of all, maybe don't do that? If she bothers you that much we can just leave for the summer, can't we? Unless we can't. What did she do again?"

Wednesday forgoes explaining that she simply came up with that Esher specific torture long time ago since right now the actual aim of the description is unnerving her brother.

"Now tell me Duncan, is she also always so nonchalant about werewolf targeted gore?"

"No, you're right, something is wrong," he responds weakly.

"I'm glad we're in accord. Now, what do you know about Brad?"

"What?"

"If you'll try suggesting that you think it was I that drugged her-"

"No, no, no, of course not. It's just I didn't expect- goddess if he did that- how even-"

"By giving her a steak but didn't expect that she'll make me feed it to her. Now focus. Brad, how to find him." 

"Well I could get his address from dad but it's summer, he might be coming and going, his family has a lot of beach houses for some reason."

"Wens, I told you, there's nothing to worry about him. Don't you trust me?" Enid says mopey.

Wednesday takes a deep breath. "I do. I just think he put something in your food."

"It didn’t really taste unusual." 

"You didn't want to eat it." 

"Yeah, cause I don't like eating meat lately." 

"What if I'll make you your favorite?"

"You will?" Enid lights up.

"Yes, after we'll make sure Brad didn’t tamper with yesterday's dinner." 

"I can find his socials and dm him then."

"What?"

"I'll message him. Online. Cause he didn’t give me his phone number at all. Or maybe he did, cause again, I totes zoned out. Cause you left. Don't leave again. That felt so so so bad." 

"Great! We can bait him out." Duncan says.

"There's no we, and I am not using her as bait-"

Thing agreed with Duncan that Enid should be the bait. And that they need him as a driver since Lurch went surfing. 

Enid then started discussing with Thing what nail polish could they persuade Wednesday to try as the goth rummaged through her weapons case. Duncan sat in the most far away corner of the large hotel room when he smelled silver. 

How much of the metal can she carry to not tip off the werewolf of the surprise attack?

When she picks up a rolled sleeve filled with silver needles she feels Enid's warmth settling behind her. She puts them next to her favorite silver dagger.

"Why are you wearing gloves?" wolfgirl asks over the raven's shoulder.

"To be able to safely touch you after handling silver." 

"Aw, alright gentleman. Gentlewoman. Gentle Winny. Want a kiss?" she says while circling Wednesday’s neck with her arms.

"Enid, this is bare minimum conduct. As is refusing to kiss you while you're under influence." 

The raven can feel the wolf's nose trail up her neck. "It doesn’t have to be on the mouth."

Wednesday grasps onto the edges of the case. She takes a deep breath.

"Very well. I'll be clearer. You are forbidden from putting your lips anywhere on my body." 

Enid whines and hugs tighter. Maybe it was too harsh. 

"Until further notice." Wednesday adds. 

Enid huffs and relaxes. "I was about to say you don't need to be so gentle with me but I'm taking it back. I want you nice. I know you can be."  

"You will feel better after I put away most of these. It is a miracle you are not more agitated from being so close to silver anyway." 

"You would never hurt me with it." 

"You should know better." 

"I know that you're my mate. That you're very dangerous. And that your smell calms me down. So as far as what I know I'm the safest I could ever be." 

Wednesday didn't know that a heart can break so bittersweet. She realizes she can't bring herself to take out more weapons.

Enid continues "but also you still need to be nicer. Say something nice right now." 

"Tu eres mi alma," Wednesday whispers. 

"Alma?"

"My soul." 

Enid sighs and giggles. "You're my mate and I'm your soul. We're soulmates." 

'Until further notice,' Wednesday thinks bitterly.

Wednesday packs up the armory as Enid's phone notifies her of the response from their target.

Duncan had an idea of the ambush on the pack territory line. Simple clearing that Brett wouldn't get lost getting to and accidentally finding more people than he expected to. 

Enid has complaints.

"You can stay close, he won't notice you." 

"Right, a werewolf won't smell that I'm around, sure."

He cannot be that stupid.

"I mean yeah, Dunnie will have to stay further away but I've been scenting you all day, you just smell like me now. And if you'll leave my eyesight I'm gonna cry." 

"You wouldn't." 

"You can bet your cute ass babycakes that I will, ugly cry, snot and all." 

"Fine." 

"And say something nice again." 

"I'll stay close to you mi sol." 

Enid sighs.

"Okay. Hide you go." 

Brody is indeed that stupid. 

Enid's fake smile is especially lackluster in that moment. "Howdy Brad." 

"Hey Ens. You wanted to meet to talk about something?" 

"Just wanna ask you about food really." 

"I knew you'd be more open to date without that weirdo friend around."

"I wouldn't say that if I were you. Totes wrong. And also she has silver." 

Whatever confused reaction Braxton has dies in his throat, displaced by screech of pain at silver needle stabbed into his knee. Wednesday kicks it further in to get him to kneel. 

"Howdy Blake," Wednesday says as she puts the dagger to his throat. 

"First of all, she's not my friend-" Enid starts saying.

"Fuck, fuck, sorry for calling you weird!"

"-oh no, that part is right," Enid cheerfully says as she sways on her soles.

"Bryson, I've mentioned to you my silver blades, haven't I." Wednesday makes a point of putting more pressure with the dagger.

"She texted me first!" he says.

"With extremely dry messages, yet you interpreted them favourly. Care to explain your unearned confidence or do you wish to get acquainted with more silver first?"

"She didn’t dmed any of the other guys!" 

Enid fidgets with her fingers and rolls her eyes. "Of course I didn't, Wednesday is my mate already-"

"Let's speed this up, you tell me what you put in her steak exactly and I'll let one of your kneecaps be." 

"I don't understand, please. Her mom just told me to bring it to her so I did. I didn't do anything."

"Great! So no love potion, I was right, yeya. Now we can forget about him, Wens." 

Wednesday opens her mouth to exasperatedly respond to Enid but jolt of pain in her forearm stops her. Before her dagger hits the ground, Enid already has the guy pinned down, claws in his shoulders. Impossibly fast.

"I JUST TOLD YOU WHAT WEDNESDAY IS TO ME. HOW DARE YOU!" 

The boy howls in pain. Enid in no way controls the rest of his body to keep him down better and instead just stabs him further when he attempts to move.The violent display just stunts Wednesday. She faintly realizes that there are gashes on her skin.

Enid looks at Wednesday's forearm and then back at her victim. Her eyes shine with ferocious anger. She pulls out one hand to prepare it for another strike but Duncan stops her. She growls at him, partially transformed.

"Ennie, Ennie, hey, he understands, we understand, Wednesday is your mate," Duncan says carefully.

"My mate." Enid lisps around her teeth.

"He won't harm her again."

"No touching." 

"Noone will touch her. We won't even look at her, okay? We all acknowledge that she's your mate." 

"Mine." 

"No touching, no looking. I'll keep him to the ground now okay? Take care of your mate."

Enid slowly gets up, groaning as she transforms back and Duncan puts his knee on Brad's chest.

Enid looks at her hands and then starts wiping them on her brother's shirt. He sighs but says nothing. 

Enid’s bottom lip wobbles when she gently takes Wednesday’s forearm into her hands. "He- no, no, no. Wens, can I please- I know I can't kiss but can I still lick? These have to hurt." 

"No, it is fine, it doesn't-"

"By the goddess, Addams, just let her do it alright. It can't be that gross to you." 

Enid looks so close to crying. Wednesday nods. 

Wolfgirl gingerly laps with her tongue at each wound. It feels hot on her skin and Wednesday tenses up and looks away.

"Yo Addams, is she doing it? I can't fucking look. If yes, are you healed?" 

Wednesday stares at the arm.

The wounds are gone.

"Yes to both," she says confused.

"Congrats, we mauled a dude for nothing."

"This isn't the time for male solidarity-" 

"She's still high, but it's not a love potion." 

"Told you so." Enid says sniffling. 

"What?" 

"Since you're really mates, she's gotta be under some version of Mate Seeker. Newsflash, our mother fucking sucks." 

"This doesn’t make any sense." 

"Goddess, I thought that a fucking witch would know her magics better. First of all, magic can't fake mates into happening, so jot that down. And fuck, she earlier first said girlfriend so that was a fake out-

"Why would I, you're just my brother, also you can look at her, she prefers eye contact," Enid tells him.

"Sure Ennie, maybe call me bitchless too-” Duncan moves his head so his eye roll is visible to Wednesday.

"You could only get a fake mate while I have a real one~" Enid says as she sways and scratches at the hem of Wednesday’s glove. 

Wednesday looks at only half conscious from pain Brad, sheaves the dagger and takes off the gloves. Enid starts playing with her fingers.

"So anyway, she got laser focused on mate aspect around a foreign fur, wolfed out when you were in danger and only calmed down when matehood got acknowledged, also, no fucken way she could be this fast without Mate Seeker-"

"It doesn’t absolve him of anything. And what in Lilith's name is Mate Seeker," Wednesday says impatiently.

"Great. Perfect, so short version, drug used to be used during mate matchmaking seasons, makes everyone hyperfocused on looking for and then courting a mate, and then if there are contenders, each suitor drinks it and duels, since only the true mate will get the biggest power up, capiche? Something that mom would've totally used if she felt like she should, what with Enid ignoring the guy. She’s insane about her matchmaking." 

Wednesday grits her teeth at conflicting information.

"No, we are not- she would've noticed that we're mates earlier!" 

"I did Wenny." Enid says and squeezes her hands.

"It doesn’t make sense. Why wouldn’t you do something about it."

"I did Wenny." Enid repeats and cradles her face.

Wednesday swats away her hands.

"You didn't! You didn’t say anything! You didn’t touch me like this!"

"You're wrong, I feel like I always feel about you and I've been trying-" her eyebrows momentarily furrow "but that doesn't really matter. We're soulmates now." 

"You're still high! I can't know if that’s what you would really choose! I don't even know how to stop it either!" 

"Thing! Come on buddy, help me remind her." 

"You can't even remember it by yourself! I'm not listening to you until you're sober!"

"It's not my fault nothing worked on you before. Wens, please."

"We could wait for her to sober up but Enid gets long trips considering it's still working and from what I know from last time she had my cookies. But I have something that just cuts anise highs short." 

"Why can't you just trust me Wenny. I told you it's real and not a love potion. I've been telling you the truth the whole time." 

"Then you would've told me I'm your mate before also!" 

"Okay, telling you everything plainly unprompted going forward. I can smell your arousal." 

Wednesday freezes up.

"What?" 

"It's probably from me doing violence. I think. Or was it the licking?" 

Wednesday takes a step back.

"Wenny, I'm not saying we have to do anything about it. I won't do anything unless you tell me to." 

Wednesday takes a haggard breath. This is too much. 

She forcefully steps on a bloody shoulder.

"AAAAHHH WHAT THE FUCK, I'M INNOCENT!"

His screams calm her down. Breathing gets easier. She lets Enid pull her away from him.

"Oh no buddy, you still gave a drugged steak to my sister like an idiot. Really, you couldn't smell something wrong?" 

"You mother made it why would I-"

"Never trust Esther Sinclair moron." 

"Her mate didn't realize shit either!"

"Cause she's not a werewolf idiot! Now what happened is that we just wanted to have a friendly chat but you lashed out at my sister's mate so you were fair game-"

"She attacked me first! I just wanted to disarm her!"

"You have no witnesses-" Enid hugs Wednesday tightly from the back. Wednesday closes her eyes exasperatedly.  "Thing, take the needle out."

"Oh no, no, no AAARGH." 

"But we're letting you go cause you learned your lesson, and will always make sure there aren't drugs in girl's food or drinks, capiche?"

"Yes, yes, just please stop. Please please pleas-" 

Duncan's room is sparse yet messy and full of wrestling paraphernalia. Wednesday holds Enid's hand and refuses to look at her. Wolfguy sniffs a small bottle he found in the house and offers it to Wednesday. 

"This is what she was drugged with, right?" 

She checks the smell.

"Correct." 

"Yeah, it doesn't smell of magic. Let me look for my crash potion."

Enid pulls on her hand. Wednesday ignores it. The whine too. Enid then huffs and inspects the drug herself. 

She stops making noises then. Not even a nervous tap of feet.

"Aha! Here it is. Now drink up sis." 

Enid doesn't look at the cure in her brother's hand as she has a thousand yard stare while she clutches on the half used bottle. "No." 

"Enid, if you don't trust your brother we can travel to Cousin Wake so they'll check it and maybe offer an alternative." 

"No, he knows his drugs. I just don't want to. I'm not drinking it." Wolfgirls steps back away from her brother.

"Enid-"

"You were right, okay? You- you only, we, I mean- this summer sucked and I want to stay high okay? I like how it feels to be around you on it. How much easier everything is. I don't want it to stop. I don't." Her blue eyes are panic stricken.

"It won't get worse." 

"No! I only managed to get anywhere with you while high! So I'm not taking it! You only like me high!" Enid steps back onto the bed, further away from her brother.

"Enid, that's not true." Wednesday tries to pull on their joined hands. Enid doesn’t budge.

"You would be perfectly happy if you didn't realize! And then I'd get sober and I could keep that progress but now you just latched onto an excuse to deny everything!" 

"It's not an excuse. Duncan-"

"Oh no, I'm not getting between you two. I can't fight her. You're in charge of her. You can destroy my room for all I care, I'll just go check if that's all the Seeker that's in this house.`` he says and pushes the elixir bottle into Wednesday's hand as he walks out. 

"Then believe me when I say I love you Wednesday! And say it back!" 

"I cannot right now."

"I'm staying high until you do." 

"It doesn’t work like that."

"It does! You only got it yesterday! You wouldn’t kiss me until yesterday!" 

"I'll be much happier to kiss you after you drink it and it works." 

"No, you won't. You'll shut down and pretend nothing happened. Not even a clear rejection. Won't talk about it. Just make me confused if I did too much or too little. Like you always do."

"I'll gladly kiss you and I won't deny anything mi alma." 

Enid softens at the sound of the pet name. She steps down.

"... you will?" she asks whilst cradling the tan hand to her chest. 

"I promise." 

Enid calms down her breath. She swallows thickly and then frees Wednesday’s hand from her chest, instead of just tightly interlocking their fingers with their arms down.  

"Okay." 

She slowly drinks the cure and grimaces afterwards. 

After a few moments she starts blinking rapidly. She groans and covers her eyes with a hand. Wednesday lets go of her other one and steps away. Enid moves to push the heels of her hands into her eye sockets as she leans down. Her breathing speeds up again. Thing pats her shoulder. 

Enid takes a singular deep breath and holds it.

"Enid."

The wolfgirl groans and opens her eyes dazedly as her arms fall down.

"Enid, can you hear me?" 

"Wednesday?" Enid slowly straightens out. She's still blinking often. 

"Did it work?" 

Enid stops blinking. She reaches out for Wednesday. The goth steps away. "Did it work?" she asks tensely again. 

Enid should be able to stand being apart from her by now.

" Wenny?" Enid steps forward. Wednesday takes another back. 

The blue eyes are wide open and confused. Her reached out hand has nervous fingers.

"Enid you keep reaching for me, I can't tell if it worked or not." 

"Ah, yeah. Yeah I think so. Wens could you please just-" she tries to get closer again. 

Wednesday panics. What if she’s lying?

"Then prove it and control your actions for once." 

Enid blanches and hugs herself. Her eyes and eyebrows twitch as she looks at Wednesday. She opens her mouth to say something but it gets stuck in her throat so she closes it. She backs away.

Wednesday relaxes at that. So she is capable of staying away.

There's some sort of reaction in Enid's eyes and the wolfgirl looks down at her hands before covering her mouth with them.

Before Wednesday gets to say anything the werewolf runs out of the room. 

"Enid!" 

Loud thud of closed doors resonates in the house. When Wednesday is midway the flight of stairs there's a screech of something propped up against the wood. When she gets to the door there are the faintest muffled cries. 

Wednesday is at a loss. Why would Enid run away? 

"Enid?" Her knocks are ignored. She tries calling Enid’s cellphone. The call gets declined. 

She waits patiently for a few minutes and knocks again. "Enid, please open." 

"For what?" a broken voice asks. Why would she ask that? Does she want to only speak through doors? Or not speak at all?

"I- well if you don't want to see me- if this is a dismissive question I can leave instead?" 

Screech of something being moved. Half opened door reveals a face broken by tears. "What did you just say?" Enid shrieks.

"I- if you need space I can take my bag and-"

"NO!" She slams the door again.

"Enid, just talk to me." 

"What more could I say?!" 

"I don't understand." 

"No, no, no, you're doing it again. Stop doing it!" 

"Enid you're not making any sense." 

Just more cries in response. They make it harder for Wednesday to breathe. 

"I'll let you calm down first then." 

When she turns to the stairs there's a confused Duncan at the base of them with something clutched in his arms. "What the fuck- you were supposed to- Oh goddess." He looks uncomfortable as he walks by her and knocks on Enid's door. "Hey, it's me, Dunnie," he says softly.

Which is the last thing Wednesday hears before leaving the house. 

There is a beginning of fog on Sinclair lake. Wednesday stares at it, sitting on the surprisingly cold sand. She only knows that she should stay on the premises and await Enid's judgment.

Her mind is empty. It feels heavy like the something that made the nest in the chest but nonetheless empty. 

She can't make sense of what happened. Enid was supposed to just confirm that she's sober so that they may talk. 

Was she not careful enough and Enid remembered something that she allowed and felt sick with herself?

She wonders if drowning in the lake will clear up her mind. 

She registers a sound of a car parking. Maybe she should be figuring out how to doom Esther Sinclair for drugging her daughter. But thinking about it doesn't help her mood.

Floating in the water starts being more attractive than just simply existing in her body. Surrounding her skin by more than just the pressure of the air, releasing the tension between her temples that’s been building since she woke up. She takes off her shoes and socks and puts away the phone. 

The water is cold. Familiar. Comforting in its contrast to everything else that happened in the waking world. She didn’t get much rest. She closes her eyes as she floats. 

A forceful wave gets her out of her trance. 

Muffled "Idiot!" sounds through. Warm hands drag her through the water. Near the shore the hands fully pick her up in the air. And then softly throw her on the grass.

 She's pinned by no longer crying Enid. The wolfgirl shakes her head to get water out of her hair and then she slicks it back, panting. Her eyes are red rimmed but her expression half amused. 

"Swimming without me with all your clothes on. The opposite of what I was thinking about." 

"What?" 

Enid huffs and just plops her body onto Wednesday. "A joke, now hug me." 

Wednesday circles her arms around the taller girl. Wolfgirl nuzzles her face into her neck. 

Wednesday blinks and wonders if she fell asleep and is dreaming. 

"You're supposed to be gentle with people coming off of a high you dumbass. And you so weren’t. You made me think-" Enid starts saying. 

"I'm sorry." 

"You promised something." Enid quietly says as she props up herself on her forearms above Wednesday. 

Wednesday gulps. "It's- it was about the way I would respond if you-" 

"I love you, I'm in love with you, you're my mate, even if you're impossible to flirt with. You don't even know. It was so terrifying. So, so scary."  Enid says while nosing from Wednesday's jaw to her ear, lips ghosting over skin.

Blissful feelings blooms in Wednesday's chest making it hard to think of a response.

"I- the feeling is extremely mutual." 

Enid sighs and caresses the raven's face. "Gosh you can be so shy." She kisses her cheek. "But is that really the best you can do?" she murmurs into her ear.

Wednesday clutches onto Enid with both arms and legs. Wolfgirl softly giggles.

"I love you," Wednesday breathes out. 

Enid hums contently and kisses her softly. Way too short. She didn’t get to kiss back. She entangles fingers in blonde hair and tugs. Enid whines and opens her mouth for a proper kiss. For an exhilarating heady kiss that makes Wednesday groan into it. For a confusingly chilly kiss from the water and peppermint. A lot of peppermint. 

Which still doesn't fully cover the cloyingly sweet taste of the drug. Sweet misery wrapped in traitorous bitter mint.

Wednesday wrenches herself from under Enid as dread befalls her. 

"YOU PROMISED." Enid catches her ankle.

"If it works!" Pulling away is of failed effort.

"It did!" 

"Then just stay 5 feet away from me for an hour and we'll go back to kissing!" Before she attempts kicking Enid frees her.

"Wens, no, no, no. Please don't. It worked, okay? It worked. Don't do this to me," Enid pleads and moves closer.

Wednesday is out of the water but she feels as if her brain is still swimming. She can’t move when Enid sounds so heartbroken.

"You're still high. How are you still high?" 

"It doesn’t matter, I drank it, it worked, we were apart for more than an hour in the meantime so stop breaking your promise!" she clenches the drenched black shirt.

"That doesn’t- you took it again. Enid, why?" Wednesday hears her own voice break at the end.

"You didn't specify that I can't." 

"You knew that it'll bother me so you tried to mask the taste. That was deliberate. So why?" 

"I told you! The only way I can get anywhere with you is if I'm high! Did you really think yesterday was the start of it? That mom got that brilliant idea midway the whole operation? The steak didn't taste any different for me cause that's just how meat tasted to me the whole summer! And I didn't even question how shit it made me feel because that's just how being home is for me. Dissociating the whole day and then dreaming that you're nice to me? Not out of the ordinary. Imagine my surprise at suddenly finding voice recordings of your messages on my phone. I couldn't fully remember what I did for you to finally change but I was too happy to think about it. And too scared to ask. Sometimes I thought I hallucinated your voice but then the next day I could check, yep, you're still texting me first. You only came here because I called you high. In the flesh, in hours. Across the country so fast, for me. Then when I tried to flirt sober you shut down, as always and I didn't know how to move past it! I had to blackmail you into feeding me. But then you allowed touch and kissing. And you were fine with everything right now as long as you didn't realize that I'm high. So of course I took it again. Of course I did. I was so terrified between you recoiling and me connecting the dots on my mom's bullshit until I drank it. It feels so good to have you touch me. It always does but this pays off the weeks of depressed haze. I need to have it pay off. Please Winny. I've been telling the truth the whole time. We're soulmates, remember?"

Wednesday feels dizzy wrapping her head around the information. She can't tell if she's furious or despondent more from Enid’s tearful confession. She knows her lung ache but at the same time her blood boils. 

Weeks. 

Weeks of drugging. 

It is impossible to determine if to find solace in the fact her unaware actions eased the pain or mourn that she didn’t do more. That she didn’t realize faster. The target of rolling fury inside is undecided. 

But what is clear is that Enid is clearly hurting. Teary eyes and wobbling lips. The seer can’t stand it.

Wednesday reaches out with shaking arms. Enid hugs back tightly, clutching like a lifeline. "Lo siento. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Wednesday murmurs into her hair. 

"Don't say sorry, just don't recoil from me so much. Please."

"I won't. And it is not- do you still want to leave for the summer?" 

"Together?" 

"Of course, mi alma. I won't leave you." 

"Yes, please." 

"Como desées." 

"What's that one?"

"Whatever you desire. As you wish." 

"Te deseo?" 

Wednesday breathes out slowly. She should’ve expected it. 

"Let's get you out of this cursed household." 

There is a sound of a loud fight coming from the house. Esther's and Duncan's voices. 

Thing waves from the open window.

"No, Enid, you can't throw me into your room. Your strength is amplified right now. Just jump in first yourself."

Enid pouts at that. 

"And no comments on my size either." 

Wolfgirl barely contains her giggle.

"Check your jump height first." Wednesday warns.

Enid lets go of Wednesday’s hand and jumps up a few times. Then she takes a step back and effortlessly leaps into her room. It's only a moment before she's leaning down from the window, with a hand reaching out. Fingers twirling. 

Wednesday takes more steps back for a windup, sprints and then jumpscales up the wall before catching Enid’s hand. 

Wolfgirl fakes a straining sound as she easily pulls the smaller girl in, and then she hugs her while falling backwards. 

Wednesday indulges for a few seconds before moving on to change out of wet clothes.

Thing already got started on sorting out Enid's belongings. 

The goth hastily dresses.

"Wens, I'm out of colorless shirts."

Wednesday finishes buttoning her own and grabs an oversized one for Enid. "You should pack your dirty laundry-" she tries to advise but as she gives the shirt to Enid the blonde is fully topless. Scars and thin skin tightly wrapping her lithe muscles on full display as well as-

Wednesday closes eyes and turns back around. 

"Aww, you like what you see?" 

Wednesday curses lycan heightened senses. 

"Cloth yourself and go back to packing." 

Her hand loses the shirt. 

"But I want an answer."

"I hate it." 

She quickly realizes, even before Enid’s hurt noise, what she might have implied. "I did- I did not mean that your body is unattractive, it is simply visible that you haven't been eating well. I loathe that. And I-, no, focus on the packing. We can have any discussion you desire in the car." 

"Wens-" 

Wednesday spins around and grabs her face. "The sight of your scars fills me with both a scorching and saccharine sensation. NOW PACK." 

Lurch notifies that he's close.

Wednesday throws the bags from the window and Enid catches them. 

The verbal fisticuffs between Enid’s family seems to be moving upstairs. 

"Your generation uses anise all the time anyway, Enid had to have your damn pastries constantly so I just gave her a little bit more this time, she cannot still be high!"

"That's- there's so much wrong in what you just said, mom, again, YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE IN AT ALL!"

"You didn't wanted a mate yet you were happy going across country to Nevermore for yours when you got one and she always wanted it and just got into her head so she just needed a little push-" 

Esther stops abruptly at the sight of Wednesday half out of the window. 

Wednesday jumps down while closing it. She swiftly picks up her share of baggage. 

"Run." 

Wednesday starts a mad dash through the trees. Enid slows hers to match it.

"Enid Iris Sinclair, get back here right now!"

They only run faster. To the nearest border of the pack territory. Away from the actual main road. Narrowly dodging the obstacles. Jumping over fallen branches. The exertion reminds the seer why she prefers patiently hunting with stationary traps instead of running.

Wednesday hoped to get further away before Esther would've caught up. But in a more barren clearing she feels being pulled backwards. Her back hits the ground. 

There's a loud cracking sound and a thud as she gets up. 

When she looks behind her Enid is fiercely kicking her mother further into a broken tree. 

Well, they still seem far away enough from the house that anyone from the pack won't notice and interfere if they were about to come back home. Wednesday puts down her bags, regains her ragged breath and leisurely walks towards the fight while putting on gloves. 

Enid is like a furry cannonball with how she repeatedly launches herself against the bigger woman. Again. And again. With each hit Esther seems to be losing her strength's integrity. Crumbling. Withering. Like a decrepit castle inner wall that didn't expect to ever be attacked. Weak spots splintered by immense force.

If her soul wasn't so obviously distraught during it Wednesday would've enjoyed it like the greatest violent piece of art.

Enid finally manages to put her in a hold, with her mother's face down and arm twisted. 

Wolfgirl snarls at and pushes the woman's head further into the ground each time she attempts to speak. The half transformed blonde seems more agitated at these attempts than by the fight itself.

"Amor, may I talk to her?" 

Enid stops pushing at the neck and keeps breathing harshly instead of responding. 

Wednesday takes out the dagger. 

"What kind of witchcraft have you used on my daughter-" Esther stops talking at the feel of the silver blade on her face. 

"I'm speaking first. I do not recommend interrupting me as I'll transition into throwing these" Wednesday brandishes the needles "down your throat anytime you'll open your mouth without permission. But it is your choice, truly." 

Wednesday waits a moment to see if the woman will try to play smart and speak through gritted teeth.

She doesn't.

"Splendid. Now, here are the facts. You've drugged your daughter with Mate Seeker. Congratulations, it worked, she found me, courted me and I accepted. That's the end of the fortunate consequences as alchemical abuse is an extremely well working basis for emancipation. So she's leaving. Do not think you can have sway by holding hostage any documents since I do have resources to get copies or to sue you to get them. Nonetheless you are free to wage war against my family but I doubt you'll get many allies by saying that you child followed her mate after you pushed her towards that goal in the first place. You may give a response now." 

"No daughter of mine could've have a mate in a shoddy, vile, little-" 

Esther's upper body leaves a vaguely figure shaped hole in the ground after Enid’s attempt at silencing her. 

"Yes, that’s the point of emancipation Esther. But if you meant to discredit Enid's bond with me I'm shocked you aren’t aware of the consequences of doing that while she is under the effect of the drug of your choice. If it were up to me you would be long dead and gone but your fate is up to Enid as I have no interest in treating her like a weapon and telling her what to do. But if you'll keep aggravating her I might suggest to her how to inflict more long lasting trauma than a simple blunt one. Let's get back to the topic at hand. Perhaps I should simplify your choices for you. You can keep trying to stop us from going. That will simply end with you incapacitated. Or you can let us go. If you choose this you may also inform us if you plan on simply letting us be or perhaps try to wage war after all. You may even lie. Choose now." 

"Enid, if you'll go with the witch I'm kicking you from the pack. You'll be a lone wolf." 

"Incorrect. As long as I'm alive Enid will never be alone." 

"I'm leaving," Enid grunts out.

"If you so insist on being a disappointment-" Esther stops talking when Wednesday stabs her foot. 

To her credit she doesn’t show her pain in any other way. She even holds a furious eye contact for a respectable amount of time.

Wednesday doesn't deign her an explanation as she cleans and sheaves her dagger. Then she takes off the gloves and pulls on Enid's arm. "Let's go then." 

Enid transforms back and interlocks their fingers on the way to their bags. 

Duncan bangs on the hearse window just before Lurch starts driving. Wednesday reaches to open the door and then goes back to playing with Enid’s hair.

"What?" 

"I have Ennie’s birth certificate. And some other stuff. I think. I just grabbed everything that had her name," he says panting with two massive backpacks over his shoulders. 

Wednesday narrows her eyes at him.

"Why?" 

"Cause I was also getting my own? I've realized I gotta bounce for college even earlier than I thought, so. Ah, I could get it out right now or you can let me in and drive me to the airport so I won't have to get an Uber. Just a thought."

"Sure, Dunnie," Enid says sitting from Wednesday's lap and then goes back to gluing her face to Wednesday’s neck.

Wednesday fights the urge to roll her eyes at Enid’s instant authorization.

"First, I feel the need to point out that in no way what you've done so far has been anything more than what should be expected from you as a brother. Second… sit shotgun." 

He does. Lurch restarts the car.

After some time Wednesday realizes the airport is in the other direction.

"Duncan, what is your destination?"

"Uh, New York?" 

"Then it'll be faster for both of us if you'll go with us to Los Angeles." 

"Huh?"

"Teleportation circle that we're gonna take to New Jersey is there."

"Oh yeah, cause you're a witch. Cool."

Wednesday goes through her memory to check if she ever mentioned an ability to cast spells. She didn’t. It’s been barely mentioned  around Sinclairs that she has Sight.

"Enid, why does your family insist on calling me that?"

"Cause you're too amazing to not be magical," Enid says dreamily and kisses her cheek. 

Enid feels good enough to flirt again. The goth stills her hand in blond hair. Wednesday should feel relieved. But instead a tension shows up in her body, now when she doesn't feel like she's just simply taking care of a shaken Enid. A threat of indulgence unnerving her.

"Yo, if you're not making out just cause y'all need me to testify later that you weren't the one to drug her for your own gain I can just close the divider and we'll be gucci, ya know?" 

Wednesday’s murderous glance could kill even through the closed divider. He still closes it.

Wednesday groans. She puts her hand on Enid’s lips before she tries anything. "I still don't feel comfortable kissing you while you're under influence." 

She can feel the pout with her fingers.

Wednesday closes eyes. 

Enid did wish for a lot of touch to feel better about the whole situation. The fear of overstepping is mostly irrational considering their wildly different levels of comfort with touch. She should attempt to grant the wish to her best ability. Even in these uncertain circumstances.

Wednesday sighs and reopens her eyes. "On the lips at least."

She sees the eyebrows go up and feels the smile on her hand. She puts it away to be able to see it too. 

Wednesday takes Enid’s hand and brings it up to softly kiss it. She does it as she keeps her gaze on the previously smirking lips as they part in a dazzle. Sharp teeth slightly poking out.

Wolfgirl blinks in surprise. She stares at her own hand in marvel. Flexes her fingers and breathes as if she forgot to do that for a moment. "Again."

Wednesday turns the hand to kiss it in the middle of the palm this time. Longer. Whilst looking into the amazed eyes. With how Enid’s irises disappear in awe she might be more of a cat than a wolf in that moment. 

“Oh wow,” the wolfcat says as she plops her head back on Wednesday's shoulder. 

The seer’s eyebrows go up in response to this reaction and she hums as she draws circles with her thumb on the pale palm. She feels weirdly accomplished.

“I feel so precious,” Enid whispers.

Wednesday blinks and shakes her head to reset herself from the shiver. 

“You are more precious than all the gold in the world, tesoro.”

“Hm?”

“Treasure.” 

Enid sighs and noses on Wednesday’s neck. 

“I’m treasured.”

More impressions of success.

“Yes, Enid.”

“Cozy.” She softly giggles. “You’ve improved since calling me, what was it, ge-, geut-, eh, it was something like… blondie, right.” 

Wednesday holds back a groan. “If I tell you the history of depictions of the sun in art in Spanish will you nap?” 

Wednesday can feel Enid’s bright smile against her neck.

“Because I’m your sun?”

“Correct.”

“Okay, put me to sleep, my moon .”

They walk into the only real haunted house in Los Angeles as Lurch maneuvers the car onto the magic circle. Duncan is still heaving on the sidewalk.

Lurch’s fast driving isn't for the weak.

Cousin Wake has a glittery black robe and flashy makeup on. Enid is giddy. “Howdy, I’m Enid. What’s your name?”

Wake snaps their fingers and guitar music starts playing out of nowhere. “Right now it is So Wake Me When It’s Through, dreadful to meet you Enid. But I’m more generally known as Wake The Dead For Their Last Party Addams. Or just Wake for short,” they say with an irish lilt and a bow.

Enid smiles brightly and curtsies. “Awful to meet you too! My full name is- wait” she pulls on Wednesday's sleeve. “Wens, Wens, Wens. I want to have your last name.”

The seer blinks profusely. “Of course, you may have it.”

“A PROPOSAL!” Wake yells while throwing their arms up and confetti starts falling down from the ceiling.

“Wait, Cousin Wake, no! No party! We need to leave soon,” Wednesday says.

“We do?” Enid asks poutingly.

“Yes Enid, we promised your brother to get him to New York faster than a plane.” Wednesday grits out.

Confetti and music disappears as the witch circles their wrist. They sigh. 

“Drinks at least then. Does the young fiancee like champagne?” a glass materializes in their hand.

“Oooh, I dunno but I wanna try.” Enid reaches out.

Wednesday pulls her away.

“Enid, no, you’re already high. On that note, cousin, do you have anything for gently sobering up a werewolf?”

“Not again-” A can of soda drops into Enid’s hand as they walk into the alchemical studio. 

“It is just to have choices mi alma.” Enid doesn’t protest further. A glass with deep red wine shows up in Wednesday’s hand.

Wake clinks it with their glass and chugs the alcohol before explaining the array of cures they have.

Chapter Text

“Bye Cousin Enid!”

“See ya Cousin Wake!” Enid waves back to the witch as glittery magic envelopes the car.

Enid keeps waving. “Howdy missus and mister Addams!” 

Wednesday feels all of her veins fill with ice. 

Duncan also lowers himself in his own seat.

Wednesday didn’t expect to be ambushed immediately after teleporting.

Gomez opens the doors for Enid, who drags Wednesday with her out. 

“Lobita, what did I tell you about addressing me?”

“To call you Gomez! How about an apology hug?”

“Of course!”

Wednesday steps away from the contest of who can twirl who more in a hug. She tries to not look at her mother. 

“Hello my raven.”

“Greetings mother,” Wednesday breathes in and looks up “ did Cousin Wake-?”

“Oh yes. The whole family knows.”

Wednesday squeezes her fists.

“Well, she isn’t here because of the proposal.”

“She isn’t?”

“I have kidnapped her.”

“Before or after the engagement?”

Wednesday grinds her teeth. 

“Before, not that the proposal is binding unless she repeats it while sober-”

“That’s too bad, we could’ve celebrated your bridal abduction.”

“She will need somewhere to stay nonetheless. I think going through emancipation takes priority over engagement parties.”

Morticia smiles gently. Wednesday relaxes her hands and steps forward for an air kiss.

“Of course ma cherie. Let’s bring her things up. Lurch-”

“Actually there’s another thing. Lurch might need to drive to New York.” 

“Oh?”

Wednesday leaves terrified Duncan to her mother’s mercy and decides to save her father from death by lycan embrace. 

“Padre, she’s on strength amplifying drugs, you cannot win. Also, there is a threat of werewolf invasion.”

Gomez puts down Enid and laughs. “Ahh, just splendid! Pugsley will finally get to try out his improvements on our explosives!”

Enid’s eyebrows furrow in confusion. Wednesday reaches for her and Enid responds by encircling her waist.

“Although only a slight chance.” Wednesday clarifies.

“Who needs more werewolves howling when we’ve got our sunshine already then!” 

Enid giggles when he hugs both of them this time.

“Ennie, remember two things. One, I know U-Hauling is a thing but at least slow down enough so I can come to the wedding. Second, do you remember what I told you after you ate my anise cookies?”

Enid blinks and tilts her head a few times before responding.

“That you will allow me more only when I’m your age.”

“Newsflash, I’m older, dumbass. You will never be my age, so no more drugs again.” 

Enid huffs and pushes him and he only barely stands his ground, almost falling over Enid’s baggage. She stabilizes him with a hug. 

He looks to Wednesday, “Why do I feel like any shovel talk about my sister I’ll try will be useless?”

The raven haired girl stares at him, “I have already given your sister instruction on the best way to dig a grave. I doubt there is much you could teach me, but if you wish to compare notes and a list of potential dump sites when you return we can always check."

“Yep, that’s what I thought.”

He salutes Wednesday and gets back into the hearse.

Enid looks so happy Wednesday fears that the wolfgirl might get an idea of making them dance together. Without music. She gets nauseous at the thought.

For now Enid just twirls around as she inspect Wednesday’s bedroom. The big canopy contraption interests her the most.

“Which side of the bed do you sleep on?”

“Enid, you can get your own room.”

“Do I have to?”

Wednesday sighs. “No. The bed is big enough for both of us. I just don’t want you to go insane from the lack of colors.” 

“I’m good. This room smells like you. I feel safe here.”

“You’re safe in the whole manor. That is why I brought you here.”

“I feel extra safe in your bedroom. Super duper extra.”

“Very well. Do you feel safe enough to speed up the sobering or do you wish for it to wane naturally?” 

Enid tenses up and squeezes on their joined hands. Wednesday squeezes back. “I’ll be able to be more affectionate once you sober up. And I promise to be gentle. To have any serious discussion about us you need to be of sound mind Enid. But if you wish to indulge in the heightened enjoyment I'll do my best to accommodate that. Although it will not be much if you'll reach for me in your sleep, interrupting mine."

Enid whimpers. "What?"

“I will not be able to sleep if you unconsciously grab me. No, you did not upset me last night but the facts are my willpower for withstanding stimuli will be lessened after another insufficient rest.” 

Worry clouds Enid’s light eyes. Her lips frown. Her fingers mindlessly fidgets between Wednesday’s. “So I really should sleep somewhere else?”

“No, we could sleep in the same bed if you want, I simply would prefer to be able to escape your hold on me.”

“A bit of cuddles is fine?”

“Yes.”

“Is- is there something that could work while I sleep?”

“Yes, we have something that would gently let you recover in hours instead of minutes, so if you were to take it before sleeping you wouldn’t suddenly wake up.” 

“And you’ll be okay with a few more hours of me being clingy today?”

“You are always clingy Enid.”

Enid pouts instead of frowning. “Meanie.”

“No longer a stupid one?” Wednesday cocks an eyebrow.

Enid takes a few moments to intensely think and then huffs amusedly. “No, but still sleepy apparently.” She brushes her knuckles on Wednesday’s face before cradling it. “Could you close your eyes for a bit?”

Wednesday does. Then she feels Enid pepper kisses on her eyelids. Her breath hitches.

She keeps them closed for a long time. Enid's finger stabs her cheek.

“Wens? Did I break you?”

“No.” 

She can imagine Enid’s puppy thinking face. Then she hears her giggle. 

Enid graces her with more kisses. Many more. On and around the eyes. The one on top of her nose tickles the most. She opens her eyes then.

“Oh my god, you look angry when you enjoy touch, that totes won’t be confusing later.” 

Wednesday tries to neutralize her facial expression. It is hard to do since her face feels like livewire. 

“Aww, it’s okay. You never blush when you’re angry.”

Wednesday pushes down the hands from her face and turns around. “I should make you some food.”

“Nooo, if you cook your hands will be too busy to hold mine.” Enid entangles their hands and doesn’t let Wednesday move further away.

“There should be some leftovers-” she stops at Enid’s more forceful squeeze. She looks back. Enid is nervously jumping on her soles. The expression on her face makes Wednesday surprised that her claws aren’t out. Even if she’s biting her lip in the way she does when she attempts to hide her nerves. “- but they might be too spicy for you.”

Enid relaxes.

“We could steal Pugsley’s sweets?” Wednesday proposes cautiously. Enid needs more calories. 

“Nah, I don’t think I’m on that level with him yet. I do want coffee though. Do you have a manual espresso machine? With how much quads you drink it seems like you should.”

 Wednesday works her jaw. “Yes I do. Do you ever drink your coffee with heavy cream?”

“Oooh, I haven’t tried that yet. Now I wanna. Do you have honey from Nevermore?” 

“Of course. Too much even. You can have it all.” 

“I take back ever complaining that you joined Hummers.”

As Enid happily drinks her monstrosity of calories Wednesday wonders the ethics of it. Should she ever point out that that’s why she mentioned the additive? Is that too manipulative?

Maybe she should make Enid feel safer before broaching the subject further. On the other hand it seems like she is fine as long as she watches Wednesday preparing it, that would match her previous requests for hunting and cooking. 

“Enid, cooking eggs with you glued to my back might be as safe as making espresso in the same conditions.” 

“I feel full tho,” Enid says absentmindedly. 

“From one cup?”

“It’s a big cup,” Enid mumbles and looks away, biting her lip.

So her stomach shrunk. Wednesday takes a calming breath. She closes her eyes tightly for a second. “You mentioned manicure?”

The volume of the squeal almost collapses the raven.

The goth sits at the head of her bed and stares at the drying moon night design on her nails. It is tolerable. She doesn’t hate it. Even as Enid threatens revenge if she chips it too fast and just paints over it instead of using nail polish remover. The smell of it is nauseating. Yet it’s familiar from their Nevermore room.

She realizes her fingers yearn to type. 

But Enid wants attention. 

Enid that’s in a lycan trance that seems to make her more resistant to disgust, like at full moon. 

“Do you want to read my manuscript?” 

Enid puts down nail polish bottles and instantly snaps her head to focus her sight on Wednesday. Wolfgirl narrows her eyes. Wednesday blinks and Enid’s face is suddenly mere inches from hers. The blonde is practically on her lap. There are happy sparks in her eyes. Teeth bared.“Can I really?” 

Wednesday swallows and tries to focus on why she asked in the first place. She can feel her willpower dying. Enid’s nose scrunches up. 

“If it will be a fair exchange for enduring the sound of the typewriter.”

Enid tilts her head in thought. “Yep!” 

Writing is finally as easy as ever. Despite constant reminders that Enid is in the room too. Hums, gasps and taps. 

Or perhaps it's because of them.

Enid occasionally twirls her hand in front of the typewriter to get it kissed but doesn't interrupt beyond that. 

Words easily flow from her mind on the pages. Creaks and streams and rivers of sentences.

Until a muffled sound reminds Wednesday why exactly she forbidden Enid from reading. 

Wednesday surges out of the chair. Enid escapes her grasp.

"Wens, no! I'M NOT GETTING BANNED AGAIN." She cradles the binder to her chest and sniffles while dodging.

"I can't focus with you crying." 

"Then put in earplugs!" She jumps away.

"The only thing I'll be able to think of when I write another tragic scene will be your crying face." 

"Awww, softie can't deal with how others are affected by her art. KARMA!" She brings the binder in the air with one hand while keeping Wednesday away with the other.

"Enid, you know well that's it's only because it's you." 

"Oh do I? Do I really, babycakes?  I don't recall you saying anything like that. Where are the other people you let read your books so I may compare my experiences of you responding to their tears, huh?" 

"It's only you."

"Only me what?"

"Only your tears break my heart." 

Enid hides the binder behind her back and takes a slow step forward. And another. She encircles Wednesday shoulders with one arm. She purses her lip. “My poor sweetheart. What will I do with ya?” 

“I am not. And you can stop reading for one.”

“Not happening. I’m binging while I can’t faint.” 

Wednesday swallows. “Please?” 

Enid sighs. “I’ll cry less if you’ll tell me Viper will get a break eventually. Theme of the importance of altruism despite no gains is all good and dandy but she deserves a bit of happiness, hm? A hero should get a bit of peace.”

“She’s not a hero.” Wednesday creeps her hands behind Enid.

“Oh my god I can’t believe I’m about to commit the Death Of The Author in front of one.” 

“It would be preferable if you actually killed me.” One hand on the small of Enid’s back while the other stalks on her arm.

“The avenger of the wronged and protector of the ostracized sure ain’t a hero cause she’s rude, breaks the law and everyone thinks she’s emotionless. Right. No rewards for meanies. I’ll keep that in mind.” Enid pops out claws in one hand and slowly slides one finger on the side of a tan cheek. She’s smirking.

Wednesday stills like her breath. 

“Nevermind, go back to practicing Death of the Author right now.” 

Another metallic SHTING and now two hands are softly caressing Wednesday’s face. She can’t think when these teeth are visible. And so sharp.

“Great! So Viper is a hero and deserves good things cause I just looove her character.” 

“Enid.” Wednesday tries to blink and focus. 

“Hm, what is it?” 

“Stop doing that.” 

“What am I doing?” 

Wednesday grunts when the hands distractedly move.

“You know what.”

“Nah, I'm so lost babycakes. What’s the problem?” 

That Enid is too strong and dextrous to allow Wednesday to pierce herself on the claws. But that’s only a distraction. Distraction from the manuscript that ended up on her bed. And from the pointed comments.

“You’re comparing.” Wednesday grits out.

“Comparing what? Or who?”

“Viper isn’t me.”

“Of course not. I never said that.” The teeth get hidden by condescending lips.

“You implied it.” 

“Huh? Did I? How?” The ostentatious lips are too far.

“By- you- just please stop.” 

The claws recede and warm palms more firmly hold her face. Wednesday’s eyes flutter shut. 

“Hypothetically, is being called a hero a problem?”

“ I’m not .” This wouldn’t be so hard if she were. Everything wouldn’t be so hard. So many mistakes. So much unearned pain. Caring would be easier. 

“Alrighty, you’re the dragon that kidnapped and guards the princess in the tower. Pretty please kill every knight that will come knocking. I like the tower. I don’t wanna leave.” 

When Wednesday looks up the blue eyes gaze with easy affection. 

“... como desées tesoro."

"And that means?" Wednesday almost huffs and rolls her eyes at the question but then she realizes that it's genuine. Enid fully tilted her head in a doglike curiosity.

"Ah- as you wish, treasure. My fortune."  

The sun smiles brightly despite the finished sundown beyond the window.

Enid's memory starts to cloud more than it already sort of was from the drugs. Perhaps from fatigue. Arguing about the novel won't help to get her to rest. Wednesday remembers her old bedtime stories.

"I- I can give you something less tragic to read. Something I wrote before Viper.”

“Oh shit, lil Winny tales? YES.”

Enid cries more anyway. Wednesday is at wits end.

“Enid!”

The blonde is sobbing.``The dragon killed the army and surviveed. And got reunited with the wooolf.” 

“Yes! So why are you crying?!” 

“Because I’m so happy for them. The antagonists of children’s tales got a happy ending. It’s heartwarming.” 

“You cry when you’re happy?”

“YOU DON'T REMEMBER THAT I CRIED WHEN YOU HUGGED ME FOR THE FIRST TIME?”

Wednesday blanches and swiftly puts on headphones to go back to writing. She wasn't supposed to argue, she remembers.

Enid puts her furious, tears touched face between Wednesday and the page. Wednesday closes her eyes.

Enid takes off the headphones. 

“Wednesday.” 

“Yes, mi alma?”

“Don’t tell me you forgot our first hug.” 

“I did not forget our first hug.”

“Look at me.”

“The tears match but the rest of your face isn’t what it was when I hugged you for the first time.” 

“Our second hug.” Enid puts her hands on the top of the chair, surrounding Wednesday. The claws scratch the wood.

“The same night as I cleaned your wounds you told me you couldn’t kill him so I hugged you. Again, the tears match, but not the rest of your face. It was mostly grimacing in pain.” 

“I actually wanted a kiss.” Enid still looks upset but not as angry.

“If you had asked me I would have done it.” 

The anger completely disappears. Claws recede.

Enid blinks profusely. “What?”

“I would probably kill the gorgon on sight afterwards but, yes, I would have kissed you if you asked me.” 

Enid hoists her leg over Wednesday's thighs to sit on her lap. She’s breathing heavily as she cradles Wednesday’s face. “When else?”

“When else what?”

“When would you have kissed me if I asked?” 

“I do not know.”

“Bullshit.” 

“Why would I pay those moments any mind when you were in love with another?”

“I was never in love with Ajax!”

“How would I know? You only officially broke up with him after spring break.” 

“I told you I was done with him in January, it was a pretend relationship and you knew that!”

“High school public relations politics elude me, you know that.”

“Kiss me right now.”

“You know I won’t.” 

Enid slides in closer. “I need you to kiss me.”

“I had a fleeting thought of kissing you when you came back after the ambush on Thing. I quickly killed it. Especially since you were interested in matchmaking me with-”

“Wens…”

“I don’t remember the other times the same way you will forget the details of this conversation. Because for you this is a pleasant dream and for me hope was an unpleasant nightmare. So I forcibly blinded myself to it. Perhaps if my chances were simply nonexistent I could've relished in the anguish. But the way you are- how dare you keep making me feel things beyond simple pain and anger. How dare you. Denying the existence of the craving was easier to stomach. Denial is a hell of a drug too. If you have further commentary on my novel I hope you wrote it down before you forget it as well.” 

Wednesday gets reminded of how much control Enid’s sad eyes have over her. New tears fall down her paramour’s face.

Wednesday catches them and continues.

"If you write it down it might help you remember when you read it. Perhaps I should've gotten you to document your memories this whole time. I apologize." 

The tears don't stop. Wednesday closes her eyes again. Then she kisses one of the hands that is cradling her face. "I love you. I'm besotted by you. I know better now than to attempt to escape my treacherous feelings. If you feel agitated from lack of attention and because it is near sleeping time and wish to delay the cure we may." 

Enid’s hands ease their grasp and fall down to shoulders instead. Wolfgirl stays silent for a long minute. "But you're tired." 

"I can attempt to take a nap while holding your hand and you could write down anything you want to remember with the other. And then we could do whatever you wish for." 

The hands move from the shoulder to instead encircle her neck. Wednesday hugs back, loosely holding onto the stretched out black shirt. She can feel with her own chest Enid’s breaths slowing down. 

“ Okay .” 

Wednesday gets ready for sleeping and lays down on the left side. Enid sits down on the other. The goth stares at the pale hands she’s holding. The colorful suns on the nails. She kisses the hand softly and commences her usual sleeping position, just with Enid’s hand put over her heart. Relief comes in a dreamless sleep.

There are fingers tracing her jawline. Her eyes snap open. 

The half lidded eyes glow teal in the dark over her. They’re glazed over. She can feel weighty puffs of air reaching her face. 

“What is it?” Wednesday asks.

The wolf looks away before speaking. “ Cuddles .”

Wednesday opens her arms. The wolf burrows herself between them as much as it is physically possible for her. She keeps adjusting herself. When Wednesday entangles her hand in the blonde hair the wolfgirl stills for a moment, before tensing up in a tight embrace. Wednesday hopes her ribs will burst without alarming Enid.

“Which bottle was it?” Enid quietly asks.

“Vibrant yellow, labeled ‘excitare ad rem’.” The goth attempts to not sound strangled.

But Enid detangles them from the cuddle and gets up. “Is that latin?”

“Wake up to reality.”

Enid makes some kind of noise. Half of a whine and a huff. She goes to turn on lights and towards the small case with elixirs nevertheless. When she comes back with the glass container she’s biting her lip to blood. Wednesday reaches to save it. Enid curls up on the bed trapping the tan hand under her cheek. 

The raven waits patiently. 

Enid seems to be looking for something in Wednesday’s face. “You won’t flinch away from me?”

“I promise.” 

“Not even from kissing?”

“I promise I will happily kiss you when you recover. If you’ll ask or permit it.” 

“Okay.” Enid breathes out and sits up. “Open this for me?”

Wednesday does and Enid chugs the cure this time. Then she pouts at the bottle. “This one actually tasted good.” 

“Cousin Wake will be appalled at your surprise.” 

Enid huffs while smirking. “You gonna snitch on me?”

“Never.”

Wednesday could stare at that smile forever. So unpractical of her. So tempting of Enid to smile so much around her. 

The smile fades. “You have that look again,” Enid says quietly. The slit eyebrow is uneven. 

“Which look mi sol?”

Something flashes on Enid’s face as she sighs tortuously and gets up to turn off the light. 

“If you want easy freedom you’ve gotta be the big spoon.”

“Spoon?”

“I lay on my side and you cuddle me from the back. Like spoons slotted together.”

Enid doesn’t move to commence the described pose right after getting back to bed. “Goodnight kiss?”

“Where?”

“Forehead.”

Wednesday does it.

“And temple. And scars. And cheeks. Eyebrows. Oooh and eyelids!”

“Enid.”

Wolfgirl does a small whine as an alternative to a pout. As if that’s the whole argument she needs.

“Choose just one more.”

“Lips.”

“Enid.”

“Just a peck can be friendly yaknow. No need to stress about it.”

Wednesday kisses her scrunched up nose and lays back down. “Pleasant dreams Enid. Turn around.”

A sigh.”Wretched nightmares Wenny.”

As the wolfgirl does she pulls on the raven's hand to hug tightly. Enid’s smell has Wednesday’s shampoo mixed in with it. The goth focuses on it and tries to relax her mind as much as she can while feeling the warmth pressed against her. 

Wednesday is supposed to detangle herself and attempt real sleep. But Enid turned herself in the embrace at some point. They’re face to face. She’s been staring at the peaceful expression of the wolf too long. At how her mouth looks when she grinds her teeth.

She knows what her nightmare will be about now. 

Or perhaps she’s scared of a lack of one, for a reason other than too short a time to get one. Like previous times uncontrollable repeating nightmares disappear when she comes back from a break to comfortably sleep in the same room as Enid. She doesn’t want to think about the possible meaning. For the solitude to be prophetic and connected to Enid. 

She stays a bit longer despite the nauseous needles going up her spine from so much touch.

Few more seconds. Just a few more seconds. Just-

She wrenches herself out and groans. If only she could take off her skin and sharpen away the jagged feeling before putting it back on. 

Enid curls up and growls. Wednesday escapes the hot insides of the bed. Another growl. 

Raven picks up a plushie from blonde’s collection and softly slots it between the wolf’s arms. Enid turns and traps it under herself as she lays on her stomach now. No more growls.

Soft light of the dawn creeps in around dark curtains. If she can’t sleep she might as well get started on her preparations. There is extensive shopping she needs to do amongst them.

Despite leaving a note and getting Thing to watch over Enid so she won’t wake up alone Wednesday messages her each time she changes her location. Enid is still sleeping when she comes back and leaves some of the goods in the room. So she notifies Thing that she’ll be in the kitchen.

She almost forgets to put on cleaning gloves before washing the new tableware and equipment. She has nails to care for now. Begrudgingly. 

At least she doesn’t have to be so careful when sharpening the new knives. It’s calming. Maybe she only went on such a sweeping shopping spree to buy new blades now that she thinks about it. Honing steel sounds good to her ears. She twirls each knife after sharpening it. Miniscule ridges disappearing are satisfying. 

She gets almost too focused to hear thunderous running steps coming into the kitchen. When she looks up from the cleaver, Enid stands stunned in the doorway, in a dark vest Wednesday would also wear a shirt underneath and slacks that are too short but only hang onto her hips thanks to a garish pink belt. 

Wednesday puts the blade away with other Enid dedicated stuff. “I’m assuming you forgot how you got here?”

Enid takes a deep breath and recovers from the shock. Then she takes cautious steps forward and holds Wednesday’s lapels firmly with both hands. “Wens. You-. No. I didn’t. It’s just that-. I’m really here.” She’s still breathing heavily. She bites her lip as she examines Wednesday’s face with nervous eyes. Her disbelief doesn’t easily fade into a smile like last time she woke up to her mate granting her wish without question. More rest just giving her more energy to fuel anxiety with. Scarred eyebrow doesn't relax as if the safety isn’t yet fully guaranteed. Her fingers anxiously flexing as if the reality that Wednesday’s offer of hospitality was real is so much harder to grasp.

The goth carefully takes one of her hands. Four fingers under palm, thumb over and brings it up to kiss in the middle, while holding eye contact. The proper greeting kiss. “Welcome to the Addams manor, Enid. Welcome home.” 

Teal eyes slightly soften. She lets go of the lapel and intertwines their fingers with both hands. “ Really ?”

“Yes, Enid. Really.” 

Enid starts jumping up and down on her soles and does her thing where she fights a growing blinding smile seemingly just to enjoy the process of the expression. Like a shy sun waking up on a foggy morning. The goth doesn’t want to ever shade herself from it.

Wednesday frees one hand to offer a small cup to Enid. “Coffee? Do not worry, it has your usual amount of caffeine in it. As much as I bemoaned your narcotized state I know you require this substance for a base level sentience.” 

Enid takes it so Wednesday moves onto the next item on the agenda. “Shallots or sweet onions?”

“Hm? What? Sweet onions I guess.” 

Wednesday starts taking out ingredients from the fridge onto the kitchen island. When Enid finishes drinking, Wednesday gives her an unopened small jar of mustard. “Check if it isn’t too spicy for you.”

“I’m not that weak to heat-” Enid stops when she sees beef filet hitting a cutting board. “You’re making steak tartare.”

“Of course I am.”

Before the raven gets to cutting the wolf is pulling on her hand. Then traps the freckled face between her hands. Her stare is intense. “You’re making my favorite.”

“Yes, as I said since the requirements have been met, I told you I’ll make you your favorite.” 

Enid is biting the inside of her cheeks and her eyebrows twitch. She doesn’t say anything for a long time. Wednesday patiently waits, keeping her face neutral, for Enid to do something that she clearly wants to. Fruitlessly. Useless interruption in that case.

“Enid, if this is an attempt to distract me from feeding you it is unneeded. I won’t force you. And everything I’m using is brand new and hasn't been touched by anyone else. But if the meat is the problem I bought alternatives-.”

“No, no, I’ll eat.” And the hands fall down. 

Wednesday directs her to sit on the other side of the island. “Do check the mustard. It is supposedly only medium but I have no gauge for heat.” 

Enid says that it’s fine so Wednesday moves on with the process. It goes smoothly, a sharp knife sliding through flesh is always so soothing. Her proficiency earned through long practice. Dicing meat goes by too fast even. Perhaps next time she’ll have to slaughter and carve out a piece herself so she’d be more satisfied by the procedure. Cutting vegetables is exponentially less exciting and she feels a shadow of hesitancy looming again over performing a new thing to her, despite the ease of action.

She’s not sure what she’d do if Enid’s favorite meal involved anything else beyond that. Probably fail repeatedly and humiliate herself. Knowing Enid she’d eat out of pity then. Maybe she should weaponise that notion in the future. 

The wolf is unusually quiet.  Aside from the nervous taps of fingers on the counter. 

“The only seasonings in this will be the mustard, salt and pepper. Should I stay clear in the future of any spices associated with aphrodisiacs? Or just saffron and ginseng?” 

Enid’s eyes snap up from watching Wednesday’s hands. “In the future?”

“Yes.” 

“You’ll cook more for me?”

“If you’ll need me to, I will attempt to. You’re free to use the kitchen yourself too. Whatever will make you more at ease.” 

“When I was younger I had no idea magic actually existed and just thought it was the good food that could make someone love you. Watching you with a knife, I'm not sure I was wrong.” She’s biting her lip.

Wednesday slows down the cutting slightly as she processes. “You might regret that, I have no qualms over adding chili peppers right now.” 

“Is chili an aphrodisiac?” Enid can't help but flirt.

She didn’t slow down enough and almost cut herself. “Normies misconstrued many substances as magical of all effects when they’re just mild poisons. But your instinct is right with some as historically misogynistic notions about wives serving their husbands would dictate to get proficient at cooking. Cloves, basil, lovage- although lovage was also thought to work by the smell alone.”

“I always thought you’d rather use a knife to get to my heart through the ribcage. I’m not complaining about this plot twist,” Enid’s voice goes up a pitch when she’s saying that. She’s fidgeting and her eyes are expectant. 

Wednesday swallows. In the face of stopping herself from denial her instinct is to get angry at the implication of using silver on Enid. But it’s not like she’s even sure that Enid remembers how cautious she was with it around her. Wolfgirl's foot picks up speed in the silence. 

After gently mixing the ingredients she presses a portion in the smallest bowl she bought and carefully flips it onto a plate in front of Enid. 

"The easiest way to anyone's heart is through their stomach, you don't have to worry about hitting a rib."

Enid is hugging her knees with one arm whilst sitting in front of the empty plate. The other is clutching Wednesday’s hand. She lost feeling in it a minute ago.

Enid is doing some form of breathing exercises. “Sorry, it was good. just- sorry. I’m sorry.”

“It is fine, Enid. If you keep it down, that's victory already.”

“Weeens.”

“Yes?”

Enid has tears in her eyes when she looks up. “Stop.”

“Stop what?”

Wolfgirl sniffles. “Being perfect.”

“I am not. You’re just lucky that all I had to do was cut.”

“Nooo. You also bought brand new stuff so I’ll feel safer.”

“Well that was simply essential since we cook with deadly poison occasionally.”

Enid’s eyes widen. 

“We clean everything extensively after of course but I wouldn’t dare to risk making you ill. Nothing we cook with could do worse to a werewolf but I did get rid of all the wolfsbane from the manor today. In much later future we could do poison resistance training.” Wednesday continues. 

Enid relaxes and pouts.

“If you’ll say bare minimum misconduct or whatever I’m kicking your ass.” 

Wednesday blinks, “Just stay away from our hot sauce.”

Enid flinches when Pugsley speaks up out of nowhere. “No way you made food! Can I have some?”

Wednesday reaches for her personal knives “Don’t you dare-”

“Sure Pugs, I won’t be able to eat it all.”

Wednesday blinks at her. "But you'll eat at least another portion, yes?" 

Enid softly smiles. "Yeah, Winny, I will." 

Wednesday sees her brother reaching for the bowl. "Do not contaminate the new white tableware or waterboarding will be the least of your troubles." 

Pugsley rolls his eyes. "Órale, fine, can't believe you got engaged and immediately went into housewife mode." 

He easily dodges the knife throw. Wednesday curses and tries to regain feeling in her dominant hand to throw better with it. 

He starts eating in the meantime. "Ooh, Enid, did you open the package with the new phone? It's an engagement gift from me, amongst other things it's got a map of all the landmines I set up."

Enid catches Wednesday's hands before she throws another blade. "Wens." 

"Yes?"

"We're engaged?" She squeaks out.

Wednesday blinks profusely. That seemed like the first thing that would be on a list of things to remember.

Pugsley laughs. "Your fiance forgot she proposed to you! That's too funny, meanwhile mom already started foreseeing the preparations- Wait, did you actually make this? It tastes like nothing, it needs the sauce right now."

Wednesday manages to get a hand out and this time the blade hits and pins his sleeve before he tries anything. "If you'll attempt spicing anything that I make I'll cut out your tongue and eat it myself."

"Wens, Wens, Wens. I ASKED YOU TO MARRY ME?!"

"Well, no, you didn't ask exactly-" 

Enid pulls her down more and then catches her face. "Did I, yes or no?" 

"Yes. But I'm not holding you up to it since you were high." 

"But your family still knows somehow?" 

"You said it around Cousin Wake and they notified the whole family."

"WHOLE FAMILY?!"

"Well, it is not like- I- this should've been on top of the list of reminders, there's no need to yell at me."

"What reminders?"

Wednesday wants to facepalm. Of course Enid forgot about the memory tactic. 

Enid looks like she wants to bite her nails as she glances between her phone and Wednesday. Eventually she stops pacing and sits on the bed. "Well this still doesn't explain the proposal exactly. Why would I do that then?"

"You were introducing yourself and demanded to have my last name. I agreed." 

Enid blanches and hides her face in a pillow. There's muffled screaming. 

Wednesday picks up folders and packages in the meantime. When Enid finishes screaming she shows them and puts them next to her on the bed. "There are more pressing matters to discuss. First of all, here are your documents that Duncan stole. Then paperwork concerning emancipation and contact information for a lawyer proficient in pack law, completely up to you is the degree of exploiting anti-outcast legislature, she's flexible. Lastly, things concerning your stay here, phone from Pugsley with new number so your family will have harder time reaching you as well as aforementioned map, then there's details of your new insurance, credit cards-" 

"Wends stop. Slow down. I- just- I don't know, can we start with you telling me one thing you want me to remind me of?"

"As long as I'm alive you'll never be alone. Well, that's what I told your mother, but the actual truth is that beyond my death you'll still have my family. So as long as any Addams will live you won't be a lone wolf. Ever. So I didn't attempt at clearing up the proposal confusion since in the grand scheme of things details don't matter. I've brought you to our family, fiance or not, everyone knows it now, which is the only important part."

Enid looks close to tears. But her face doesn't contort in sadness nor is she protesting what is being said. It's hard to look at it nonetheless so Wednesday directs her gaze to the scar that peeks out from her vest. She reaches to touch it. "Small things first. I am in no way kicking you out of my bed, but since you will stay in the manor for at least the rest of the summer there is a choice of a room. Any furnishing will be covered by the main house fund. Do not fret over anyone's judgment of it, your space is fully up to you. Till the end of the summer also I'll be able to cook for you in the kitchen. If your apprehension towards food continues so strongly we'll figure out if we'll need to make an illegal teleport from Nevermore to the manor."

 Enid covers Wednesday’s hand with her own and pushes it further on the shoulder under the material. “And if I want to stay here?”

“You- you can add colors to my room.”

“ Really?” In a flash, the sun has returned as Enid's face shines too bright to look at, even with just a corner of an eye.

Wednesday squeezes on the shoulder and fully looks away. “Yes, I’m used to them from our dorm already.”

Enid gently tilts her head back with fingers. There’s familiar amusement on her face. 

Wednesday hastily speaks before Enid can “regardless of emancipation or our relationship status you’ll have your own debit and credit cards as well at 18 you’ll get access to your own trust fund. Two actually. If you go to college it’ll be three-

Enid interrupts her exasperatedly “Wens you’re doing it again- wait you’re a trust fund kid?”

“You are too now.” 

“How many do you have?”

“One now.”

“Less than me?! And what do you mean now?”

“I gave you one of mine.”

“What the f-” Enid drags hands across her own face.

“I didn’t steal you from a family that only offered conditional love and care just to require you to get a degree to give you financial stability.” 

“That’s not even close- don’t give me- and what do you mean by relationship status?”

“That nothing that I mentioned will be dependent on whether you return my feelings or not.”

Enid moves as if to strangle her. “Whether? Whether?! How do you still-”

“I’m not doubting my mate status or your affection,-” Wednesday tries and fails at appeasing the furious blonde as she gets interrupted by the werewolf throwing away the bank documentation.

“How many times do I have to say that I love you? The first time I said it I was sober!”

“You’re not listening to me.” 

“No! You’re the deaf one! You found a new denial mechanism!” From the look of the angry face the raven is surprised that it’s just nails and not claws that push into her shoulders when Enid grabs her.

Wednesday puts hands on her elbows. “That is not what is happening.”

“Believe me for once Wednesday! You’re my mate! And not a platonic one! I love you! I want to be with you! Get it through your thick skull!” Each sentence punctuated by a slight shake of shoulders and more prominent tears. 

Wednesday tries to make her touch movement soothing. “I love you too.”

“Great! So we’re dating, no more talk on ifs or buts or I’ll propose again right now! Then just leave to talk with your mom about the wedding so I can be the worst bridezilla in history!” Enid says around awkwardly enlarged teeth. 

“Enid, please, calm down. I believe in you and only you. I just can’t believe in destiny.” Wednesday tries to relax Enid’s tense jaw with a tender stroke of fingers.

The scarred face transforms into an upset perplexity. “I’ve never claimed-”

“I’m a raven Enid. Just like you’re a wolf and have a destined mate in me I have visions. Tragic visions. Visions that have only been true and unchanging. Visions in which the clearest thing I was told was that I am destined to be alone. One contradicts the other. While my mother’s positive and hopeful Sight is fickle. She has to fight to grasp onto the smallest chance of hers being fulfilled. Do you understand what this means? I cannot sit idle and trust in my happiness. I have to and will fight for it. And I will do it because I believe you. Because I trust you want the same. But you have put your trust in me to guarantee your safety so that is what I am doing. You won't be kicked out or neglected if you do not fulfill my desires in any way. There are no strings attached to my help, I want your safety so I’m freely giving it to you. Do you understand? You have torn open my ribcage with your garish claws, burrowed and nested comfortably where my heart is supposed to be so profoundly that if you ever leave I won't have a heart but your empty shape in its place. But I cannot build you a home out of flesh. I can't. A home like that will crumble for the foundation may rot easily. Please recognize that.”

Enid has a tearful and pitiful smile that would fit on a statue of an angel. “And you wondered why I never told you that you’re my mate. So stupid.” She works her loosened jaw as she mulls over the grin.

“Enid.”  The raven’s patience for emotional displays weakens and she drops her arms.

Enid brushes off her own tears. “I understand, and I'm grateful that you’re kind, and protective and you’re madly in love with me, and so beautifully dramatic but you’re still a dumbass for giving me your own trust fund. Take it back, the stupid mistake that we should be making is thinking we’ll be easily able to go to the same college or crap like that. I don’t love you cause you’re my mate or think it’ll easily work out cause of it, why would I be so scared of flirting with you if I did. Ooh effin destiny. You’re so impossible. I love you so, so much. Sorry that I can’t put it in words like you, oh dark mistress of language.”

Wednesday can feel the same tears when Enid caresses her face. “I- you-. It is fine.”

“Wait, can I still try?” There’s a happy glint in her eye. 

“Yes?”

“I love you like…” Enid’s tongue slightly slips out as she glances around the room in thought. Until she finds something. Wednesday doesn’t know how long that took. On her mind were just fingers that were tapping on her cheek in concentration.” Oh, like a blank page loves ink. Like soft clay loves the fire that hardens it into pottery. Like endless possibilities dying-” she mimes an explosion with her hands. “-as a sacrifice for something concrete to exist. Is that like any good?” 

Enid has a proud smile and did her happy little shoulder dance so even if it were the worst comparisons Wednesday ever heard she would’ve lied that they’re not. But she doesn't have to. Mercifully, since she doesn’t know how much she could focus on a good lie while drowning in those eyes.

“You’re not a bad wordsmith, you just struggle with punctuation and grammar. The theme was acceptable, use of repetition suitable and the examples simple, efficient and adequate. The message came across.”

She gets a glint of the teeth as a reward for the praise.``Oh, did it? Is that enough ‘I love you’s for your thickskullness?”

Wednesday nods and then blinks a few times to focus. 

Enid continues. “It’s fun actually, I’m already coming up with more. I love you like yarn loves crochet hooks. I love you like-”

“What did you mean that the first time was sober?”

“Oooh, is ‘cómo quieras’ connected to ‘te quiero’?"

Wednesday eyes snap up to glare. “That doesn’t count.”

“It does!” Enid drapes her arms around her neck.

“It doesn’t!”

“Does too!” Enid giggles.

“It might as well meant asking If I love you not the other-”

Loud rapid knocks interrupt her. Enid whines and pouts.

Wednesday blinks at how close her face is. More knocks. She swallows. "Do you want me to make sure we won't be disturbed for a few hours?" 

Still pouting, Enid nods yes.

Wednesday goes to the door and opens it. On the other side is Pugsley. "Did Enid like the phone? Did you tell her I can also build her a PC-"

"Enid and I are having sex, leave." 

Chapter Text

Wednesday blinks at how close her face is. More knocks. She swallows. "Do you want me to make sure we won't be disturbed for a few hours?" 

Still pouting, Enid nods yes.

Wednesday goes to the door and opens it. On the other side is Pugsley. "Did Enid like the phone? Did you tell her I can also build her a PC-"

"Enid and I are having sex, leave." 

"EWWW." Puglsey yells as he runs away and Wednesday closes the door. His reaction was mildly amusing.

But when she turns around Enid looks pale. "What- uh, nooo?" 

"Of course not. But we'll be left alone now." 

Enid’s face slowly becomes pink regardless. She doesn’t look into Wednesday's eyes when she sits down again. That reaction tugs on something in the raven.

It is a pink that doesn't hurt Wednesday to touch. "If lying about it disturbs you I won't do it again." 

Even as she looks like she wants to hide her head in her shoulders Enid moves into the hands touching her cheeks. She mumbles something.

"Repeat that." 

Enid looks up "Why am I getting a hunch you'll want me in this room mostly so you can use this excuse to be left alone?" 

"Obviously not alone. You made me resent real solitude so I need you here." 

"Well you're a master chef in zoning out from my presence-" Enid stops and squeaks when Wednesday caresses her scars.

The goth narrows her eyes at that. 

"Eventually it won't be merely an excuse I presume," Wednesday's finger leaves her scarred cheek to linger, just for a moment, on Enid's lips.

Enid’s eyes widen and look away again. She's nervously giggling. But when Wednesday tries to take her hands away she's stopped by Enid’s. 

Enid’s bashfulness feels like victory to Wednesday.

"You're much more skittish than before." Wednesday says amusedly. 

"You don't say." Enid mumbles out. 

Raven is capable of aligning her fingers to feel Enid’s pulse from under her jaw.

"Lobita." 

Enid’s breath hitches but she resumes eye contact. "Yeah?" 

"Mon chiot." 

Enid gulps at that. "What? French?" 

Wednesday waits a minute, counting the heartbeats.

"Hundchen." 

"What are you doing? Wednesday?" Enid asks in a high pitched voice.

"Cucciola." 

Enid whines. "Stooop. Explain." 

"I'm calling you a puppy to check if you have a preference for a language. It's hard to say, your heart races regardless." 

"You- that’s- you can just ask me!" 

"Do you?" Wednesday raises a single eyebrow and her lips quirk into a small smile.

Enid drops her eyes and mumbles. 

"Apparently I cannot ask." 

"I like how your voice sounds in all of them, okay! And I'm not you, I can't become a polyglot at the drop of a hat so if you'll try multiple I'll get confused," Enid pulls on her shirt as she desperately tries to look anywhere but at her lover.

"So Spanish then." 

"Yeah." 

"Tranquila, lobita."

Enid furrows her eyebrows momentarily "Is that? Seriously, telling me to relax while using a pet name, what do you actually expect to happen?" 

"It is indeed comforting that despite your lack of fear for my violent ways I can still make your heart race so easily, mi alma." 

Wolfgirl whines and paws at her shirt. "Say that again." 

"Tranquila, but if you were to say it tranqui might suit you better." 

"No, the other one, call me that again." 

"Tu eres mi alma," Wednesday leans close and whispers the words, her breath raising the hair on Enid's neck.

Enid breathes out slowly. "I'm your soul. Forever and always." 

"Yes, Enid. And together we're soulmates." 

"Soulmates, that's- I came up with that right?" A flicker of memory tickles at Enid's brain.

"No, Enid, I made the initiative of thinking of a saccharine nickname for us amidst dread over possibly assaulting you." 

"You're so rude!" Enid mock-pushes while still clenching on the material. Wednesday readjust to kneel with her body more towards Enid. Barely in reach to still caress the scars.

"Complain to your Goddess over her choice of a mate for you." 

"She won't listen to me after my transgression of considering you my moon." Enid bites her lip and looks as if she found something in Wednesday’s face.

"Religious defiance already, you are fitting into the family wonderfully." 

Wolf pulls on the shirt harder. "Wednesday." 

Enid has been using her full name one too many times.

"Yes, Mrs Addams?" 

Enid gasps. "No! Don't you dare use that on me! It's unfair! Stop it and come closer." 

"Two demands at the same time and I am the unjust one?" 

"Fine, just stop it then." Enid swats away the hands and pushes on Wednesday to really sit.  Then she positions herself on Wednesday's lap and encircles her neck.

The goth wilfully overlooks that with the push Enid commanded multiple demands after all. "What now then?" 

"Depends. On a scale of 1 to 10 how happy you'd be to kiss me right now?"

"How juvenile." 

"Rude again!" 

"What is the maximum happiness on that-" 

Enid’s kiss makes Wednesday immediately fall back on the bed. It makes the wolfgirl giggle as she follows. She’s kissing with the tenacity of someone forcing a dream to come true. Wednesday has no reason to deny her. Not anymore. She cannot think of a single one as all encompassing fire burns away all her reason. Enid’s hot mouth incinerating all thoughts. Sending a signing feeling across her body. Scorching neural endings. 

In fact it’s cauterizing them, making responsive movement harder and harder. Wednesday can feel her own mind becoming sluggish from overstimulation. It’s happening way too soon. She wants to enjoy the touch longer. The feel and taste of Enid’s lips. Her tongue-

Wednesday pulls on Enid’s waist so she’d lay her full weight and trap her. Anchor her so her mind won’t swim away. It eases the brain fire only for a moment. Threat of Enid stopping looming. But then something stings her hand and resets her mind. So she grasps onto it. Mundane physical pain balancing the pleasure. Other hand she entangles in the golden hair. Enid stops anyway.

“Wenny I need air .”

Opening eyes to Enid’s flushed face is too much. Wednesday gives up on trying and just lets her head fall to the side as the wolf pants. A puff of air tickles her ear and makes her tense up. 

Enid audibly swallows,“ Oh. Fuck. No-”

Raven grasps with all her strength on the back of the wolf's neck to keep her in place. Then she moves her own head more away. 

Quiet sound of a snap of a jaw is her only warning before the bliss of deep laceration pain. Sunken relief overtakes her and makes all breathing tranquil. Aftershock is so encompassing she doesn’t fully register how aggravating are the following soft nibs at her skin. 

“Bleh, I can’t believe I enjoy your bitter af blood.” Enid’s voice hazily reaches her.

Wednesday can only hum in response. Her eyelids are so heavy.

She opens her eyes when shaken on the shoulders. “Wednesday, where are your allergy meds, you idiot?” 

The seer blinks confusedly. She’s laying in a different part of bed now and there’s a pillow under her head all of sudden. 

“What?”

Enid shakes her again. “You grasped on the only colorful thing on my body and then passed out and I can’t find your meds you dumbass. How the hell did I even overwhelm you only when sober.” 

Wednesday reaches down Enid’s torso to remind herself of what happened and then shrugs. Allergic reaction was more than fair exchange for kissing Enid longer. Actually, they could resume that right now. She tries to tug again but wolfgirl swats away her hand and curses as she takes off the pink belt. 

“Don’t shrug at me! Where are they?” 

“I thought you did not want to disrobe earlier.”

Enid makes a high pitched noise, “No! No jokes! Where are the meds! And also your belts since you have such mindless grabby hands!”

Wednesday winces at the volume and brings her aching hand up. “Just kiss it.”

The blonde huffs. “Passing out from kissing and then wanting more?”

“Kiss it.” Wednesday waves hand at her.

Enid rolls her eyes and presses a kiss on the palm. Wednesday pulls away her hand to stare at the faint mark of lips amongst the red swell. 

“Ya know, it’ll be more efficient if I just lick it.”

The raven just keeps staring at the kiss mark. “No. Just kiss.” 

In the corner of her eye she can see the wolf narrows hers. “Wednesday.”

“Hm?”

“Pajarito.”

Wednesday glances at her. “Si, lobita?”

“You sound drunk. Could you give me a sound reason for why?”

Wednesday shrugs.

 Enid groans.”Kay, great. I’ll kiss you more if you tell me where you keep belts.”

“Second drawer. Suspenders.” 

“Great, I never used-”

“I’ll show you.”

She does and then pulls on the straps to get Enid on top again. Blonde girl resists it. “No, no, first your hand.” 

She resists again after healing her hand. “Nuh huh.”

“Por que,?”

“For lying that you’ll sleep dumbass.” 

“I did.” Wednesday sounds petulant even to her own ears. 

“Oh, after I fell asleep?” 

“Por supuesto, siii, corazon. ¿Por qué no lo haría?” 

“This sounds like the worst lie you’ve ever said in your life.”

Wednesday blinks forcefully multiple times to regain her thoughts. “I tried, Enid. It isn’t my fault you frighten off my nightmares.”

“Oh are you suggesting that it’s my fault that you didn’t sleep even when I asked if you need me to sleep somewhere else?” 

Wednesday squints and changes tactics. “I’m changing my mind. I simply want a reward.” 

“For what? Staying awake stupidly?”

The raven groans and pulls on the suspenders. “Fine, I want to enjoy my stolen golden bounty. Te quiero tesoro.”

She can see Enid’s breath hitch and her lick her lips. But then the blond looks away. “For someone complaining when I complimented her looks you seem to base petnames on the color of my hair.”

“Que?”

“Sun, gold treasure. The latter is kinda super objectifying innit.” 

“Nooo, you’re the sun because of your disgustingly bright personality and destructive anger and saving me, and making me burn and more and more and more and the gold is because that's what dragons steal and I want to drown in you. But if that’s too objectifying how about this. I wish to devour the fair maiden. ¿Puedo, princesa? ” 

Enid looks as if swallowing a scream. “Why do you only smile when doing innuendos?” she whines.

Ah so that’s the weird feeling in her cheeks. “If I were to base descriptions on your looks I would call your gaze the ocean the way I yearn to control it like the moon does with tides.” 

Enid sighs. “You’re really trying hard to get me to kiss you.” 

“Can you imagine?”

There’s a glint of something in Enid’s eye. “Fine, dragón, enjoy this then. But I’m getting my own room.” 

Enid’s kiss is forceful and like a ball of fire. Burning her lungs.

When she opens her eyes Enid is sitting at her desk. Reading.

What?

When she blinks Enid is kissing her again. Nevermind then. 

In another blink Enid is doing some kind of shuffle dance while typing on her phone. This time Wednesday blearily notices movement towards the bed before she feels a hot tongue on her lips. Did she reach out before or after the blur?

Reading. Dancing. Reading. Moving. 

Touch, touch, touch.

Smiles. Smiles smiles smiles. An abundance of them. Smirks, grins and beams of affectionate warmth. All feel different against her lips, against her skin. Soft kisses, brushes and pecks. Infuriating nibs and teases. Barriers to sharp cutting pain. To blissful agony and sultry searing. Threats of pout and frowns. 

Such an obnoxious, cursed, ardent mouth. And even worse, the owner. 

She’s aware of her surroundings so when a gentle touch traces her jawline so she opens her eyes. Enid is lying on her side, propped up on an elbow. “Great, seems like you napped enough. Now, I’ve gotta tell you. Most of my phone notes were on your novel, which also lied that your newest chapters are only mild gore, bleh, but I’ve got through some of them and before I mention anything you need to answer my question. Did you even mean to write an unrequited love plotpoint?”

“What?”

“So no, great, I knew it, then-”

"Do you dislike eating rabbits because of notions of cannibalism?" Wednesday quickly changes the subject to avoid answering uncomfortable questions.

"HUH?"

"I have never seen you lay on your back for longer than a minute. Rabbits panic, paralyze in tonic immobility and possibly get heart attacks when laid on their backs." 

"I- I can't tell if its your disastrous flirting or I bluescreened your brain too much."

"There's also your habit of constantly jumping me."

"OKAY, back to Viper." 

Wednesday sits up whilst pushing on Enid’s shoulder to lie down. "We can check if you'll get stressed from being on your back and die right now." 

Enid narrows her eyes. "How about after the Viper discussion?" 

"You're resisting, is it really that terrifying?"

"Are you upset that I was the one on top or something?"

"What does that have to do with anything?"

“That’s the one you don’t get?”

“What is there to get? If I have not enjoyed your weight on me I would not have pulled on you to impose it on me.”

“Cause it- nevermind, so Eris in your book-”

Pushing on Enid’s hip yields success easier. Wednesday sits on the wolf’s hips so she doesn’t turn. Enid freezes up, truly like a rabbit, but after the goth doesn’t do anything beyond that on her face shows up just exasperation. “You really wanna reach to call me prey or somethin?”

“Are you uncomfortable? How is your heart?”

“I dunno, you tell me, you own it.” 

Wednesday encircles Enid’s wrist with fingers. “The beat is faster than usual, corazón.”

“Yeah you genius, my very beautiful girlfriend is sitting on my lap.” Enid sits up. “You know, if it’s all just a bait into me kissing you it would be easier if you’d just kiss me first. That’s a thing.”

“Two minutes and 13 seconds. Let’s check if you can beat it.” Wednesday pushes on her shoulders and Enid falls back groaning. 

“I get bored easily, you know that, and this is pretty boring.” Enid raises her knees up until her thighs are against Wednesday’s back.

“You can feel boredom even despite amorous hormones coursing through your veins. Fascinating.”

“You’re not doing much, I need you to make me another coffee.” Wednesday feels more than hears that Enid is tapping her feet on the mattress.

“We can get you actual ADHD medication later.”

“Anygay, so Eris-”

“Is it a thing about an exposed stomach being vulnerable?” 

Enid grabs Wednesday's hands before she tries anything. 

“Most furs do wrestling okay? Having both shoulder blades on the ground gets beaten out of you. Or I just don’t like it. Happy?”

“No. Why are you not pushing me off then?”

“Well at first I was hoping you were making the first move for once but now I just like your attention anyway. Even if you’re examining me like a strange animal.” 

“Seeing you willingly vulnerable is compelling.” 

“Then do the same dumbass and tell me whatcha planning with that character you named after me.” 

“I did not.” 

“Enid and Iris mushed together isn’t really sneaky. If you’ll kill her I will be hella concerned.” 

“The name is simply thematically relevant.” 

"Ah yes, sowing discord. Like I sow discord in your heart?"

Enid’s teasing smile doesn’t relent under Wednesday’s glower. The luster of amusement is all too obvious, remorseless and unflinching despite the uncomfortable shuffle of her shoulders. Despite occasional slight shakes of head and uneasy tenses of muscles at the distressing position.

Eventually Enid rolls her eyes and huffs. “Will you spill if I get even more vulnerable? Fine, I have a ticklish tummy. Is that enough weakness?” 

Wednesday looks at their joined hands, tilts her head and adjusts her sitting position. Enid’s eyes widen and her smile drops momentarily before her claws unsheath. The goth blinks distractedly. But even as the blonde’s smile comes back and seemingly a diversion tactic the claws are another symptom of distress. 

Enid is indeed offering contentions of vulnerability to ease Wednesday’s own discomfort at addressing emotions. After taking interest in a piece of media too morbid to be in her comfort zone. All for Wednesday. Surface amusement being more of a choice to dutifully find her own fun in the process than straightforward enjoyment. 

The seer closes her eyes and takes a breath. “I did draft a happy ending,” she says a bit quieter than she planned to.

Squeeze of hands. “Really? An actual one and not a bittersweet one like previous parts?” The goth doesn’t know if she’d prefer to hear indifference than the genuine interest that’s apparent in Enid's voice. 

“Yes.”

“With Viper getting the girl?”

Wednesday scoffs. “If you have to call it that, yes. It is-” She makes the mistake of opening her eyes. Enid’s smile is as tender as the wound it seems to be causing inside of the goth. 

Wednesday falls silent for a few moments to not get choked up on the words. “The third time around solving the case does not come at the cost of her… positive affiliations.” 

“Can you find a middle ground between terms for getting the girl and positive affiliations?”

“Fruitful liaison.” 

Enid snorts. “It sure is fruity.” 

“I may need to alter previous plot points to accommodate the change.”

“Nooo, it’s gonna take you forever to rewrite everything again.” Enid pouts. 

Wednesday doesn’t bother to fight the urge to roll her eyes. 

“You asked for it. But perhaps if it is not that narratively rewarding I will keep the-”

“Oh goddess, don't tell me you really wanted to kill her.”

Wednesday quirks an eyebrow. 

“Wednesday!”

“Why would it matter?”

“You know why!”

“I do not.” 

Enid sits up to demonstratively scrunch her face in disagreement more directly. “Trying to cope with your feelings by metaphorically killing them is maybe in character but still mean to me.”

Wednesday stares at the offended eyes. “You put too much weight on the similarities. It is a murder mystery with elements of horror, not a biography."

Enid scoffs.”Like yeah, these cases didn’t happen to you, nor do I think you committed all the same crimes or have the exact same abilities, I trust in your rabid morbid research to cover that. But the emotional parts are better when you keep closer to what you personally know. Considering your whole deal with empathy.”

“I did not write to kill her. Just the routine abandonment after misguided betrayal. That is what I planned for. But she refused to leave the narrative. Still, that did not motivate me at first to be directed towards a happy ending. I pondered that it could drive Viper to grasp for desperate measures to secure her stay. Like a starved beast exposed to a whiff of feed. Having a single bite and only putting more force into the next frenzied one. Perhaps hopelessly. Only ensuring the opposite. To answer your question quickly is no, I didn't want to kill her. For the most part.”

Enid’s eyebrows furrow with each sentence. Wednesday continues. “But for a moment I wondered if it could be Viper’s descent into malevolence punctuated with murder of her own. Possessive attempt to claim someone forever. Be the last person they'll see. The last person they’ll hear, sense, touch. Since Viper isn’t me. And fictional and is free to act on a purely metaphorical level and not a tangible one with a myriad of unintended consequences. Of unwanted consequences. That also quickly unraveled itself to not work. I burned any attempt at that. Nor could I resume work on that path. Considering my whole deal, that is impossible now. Any attempt at romantic plot now I can only envision as earnest pursuit of happiness, no matter how tumultuous. So in all honesty, yes, I was so mean as to think of killing Eris. If you care so much as to put stock in that and hold it against me.” 

Enid’s forehead relaxes as she chews on the inside of her cheek. Then she sighs deeply. “Is this where I give up on comparing or vow to never let you be capable of writing a tragic romance?” 

“I doubt I can control your choice in either.” 

“Yeah, I know,” Enid says softly. 

“Nor would I want-”

“I know.” Clawless hand caress Wednesday’s cheek. Enid comes close to murmuring into her lips. “After you’ll write the happy ending I promise I’ll do both.” 

“You managed seven minutes and-”

Enid swallows the sound with her own mouth. Wednesday indulges for a few moments before she remembers.

“Did you read through your documents?”

“Oh shut up,” Enid says, following it with more kissing.

Enid’s big furnishing shopping spree is going swimmingly. Or at least it seems so since Wednesday skipped out on nauseating and blinding herself. Enid’s laughter cuts between noise of moving furniture and two sets of doors from her room on the other side of the hallway. Wednesday just busies herself with reading at her desk. She has to use shorthand for the notes in the margins because of the dimensions of the pages. 

Noise gets momentarily louder before her door closes again. Then there’s a thud of something thrown on the ground next to her chair. When she glances Enid is falling onto a boorishly colorful shapeless cushion. The explosion of color sticks out in the dark room like a broken bone out of skin. After she-wolf sets herself favorably she’s staring daringly at Wednesday. Drilling a hole in her head. Wednesday returns the stare fully. 

"Any comments?" Enid asks, finally.

"Are you comfortable?"

"Yep." Enid answers, popping the p. 

Wednesday just nods and goes back to reading her book. 

Enid interrupts by stepping close and tapping her lips lightly. Then tapping her own in a silent request. Wednesday tugs her down for a singular kiss before attempting reading once again. 

“Wanna see how I redecorated?” 

The raven doesn’t. But when she looks at her girlfriend she’s so excitedly bright, dimming such enthusiasm seems like too much of an unforgivable crime. 

As Enid shows all the changes she made, the first thing Wednesday realizes is that Enid’s room is warmer than the rest of the manor. The House seems to be accommodating the new resident immediately. Second is that the bedding is suspiciously devoid of color. Before she makes any comment the werewolf clamps her mouth with her hand when she notices an amused expression and the eyeline. 

“It’s for literal sleep,” the blonde hisses out, only mildly blushing. 

Wednesday relaxes her eyebrows so Enid releases and lets her talk. “In no way will I be able to sleep here.” If she could she’d point out the specific reasons she would but there’s too much. Bright walls, barrage of colorful furniture, proximity to Enid’s creepy unicorn collection, way too many reflective lamps, and window pointing east amongst them. Safe linen and curtains on the canopy bed are not enough of an argument. Above all the heat will be unbearable.

Enid pouts momentarily before asking “how about cuddles?”

Wednesday stares at the abundance of soft blankets “Perhaps.”

“Me lying on you for wolfnaps?” 

“It is possible that I’ll allow it.”

Enid huffs. “Well you’re gonna have to be here for movie nights. I didn’t install a tv for nothing.” 

Wednesday raises an eyebrow. “Maybe I have grown too accustomed to your lap computer to withstand such change.” 

The following pout is too upset for this exchange to be simple banter. The raven endures it only a few moments before she asks.“What is the hidden agenda behind trapping me in your bed specifically?” 

“I want your smell here.” Enid answers as she plays with the hem of dark shirt.

“Very well then. Cuddles, naps and movies. Should I also surrender my pillows?”

Enid giggles. “Wenny, darling if you wouldn’t I’d steal your shirt to use as a pillow case.” 

Wednesday senses that she lacks the context for why this is such an amusing idea. 

The ‘bean bag’ gets surrounded by its own set of fairy lights and accessories. Enid carving out her place in everything Wednesday as always. And she intuitively follows set times of haunting her abode. It does wonders for goth’s inspiration. 

What doesn’t are Enid’s occasional breakdowns. After them it usually means Enid sleeping the full night in Wednesday’s bed instead of the agreed on half before retreating to her own. It isn’t like Wednesday ever kicks her out. Normal night just means that she has her determination to make the seer keep a sleeping schedule intact. But whenever she lets herself think, really think about what happened, what could’ve happened, what helps her the most is proximity. What gets her to eat is Wednesday sitting next to her. What lets her sleep is Wednesday’s company. Even as darkness bores her to death, Wednesday’s gloom can’t hurt her. The only things in this home that are capable are the silver weapons, stored under lock and key and not allowed in any form in Wednesday’s room. 

The seer doesn’t miss it. Silver is the color of the primest loser. Gold, despite its adjacency to yellow, is always preferable. Gold is victory. Gold is triumph. Gold is success. Gold fits Enid more. Enid makes Wednesday feel like a winner. Like she achieved something of note. Proof that she doesn’t need to become a whole new person to keep someone close, without obligation forcing them. To make someone like that happy. Just a simple evolution to make the improbable situation work. 

Impossible achievement. Perhaps only possible due to confounding variables. In no way should she be glad that they happened. She’s not grateful. Enid’s pain isn’t worth it. No successful manipulation would’ve been worth her pain. But it is not like Wednesday was ever above dirty plays. Enid swears that it doesn’t matter. But Wednesday’s Sight doesn’t let her see the roots of happiness. Best gift is that for all touch through Enid’s emotional collapses lack of visions mean that there’s no sinister secret to her tears and nothing she did propels them to a downfall. Feelings of fraudulence still linger. Even with each day of Enid smiling brightly at her just existing, with each day of successful not-failure, each instance of accomplished comfort. Maybe feeling indebted will make her hide her displeasure at things Wednesday does. What then? Will she care enough to notice? Will caring be enough to notice? Will she care so much only because she was forced by necessity in the face of an emergency? Is trying enough? No win feels like complete assurance of capability. She has to keep trying and gamble instead of simply doing. The hits of glory have to sustain her. So she keeps trying.

But sometimes the signs of distress happen for the most mundane reasons. She hasn’t figured out yet how to not feel frustrated by unpredictability. No success can award Wednesday actual significant emotional intelligence or sudden empathy. 

“NOOO!” The screech as it abruptly starts is abruptly muffled. Enid is face down on the cushion beating it with her own head. Wednesday stills her fingers on the typewriter. 

“What is it?”

“I completely missed Loona’s redebut! Why did I have to be high the summer they won their independence from bbc, nooo, this is the worst.” 

Wednesday looks away and regrets asking. Out of all things it had to be Korean pop. She’s not hearing Enid’s joking tone so it has to be in some way genuine. Infuriating fixation of disproportionate intensity.

“The worst?” She dryly asks. Might as well keep digging. She already paused writing.

“Uhuh, like, crap like this is unheard of! They all sued and won and majority signed under a new management and redebut together, like a whole ass sequel girl group and now I missed the whole promotion cycle-” Wednesday changes her mind and zones out. This isn’t how she wants her scraps of compassion to be lynched.

Enid makes a statement with the rising tone of a question. Inquiry of listening. 

“This is your primary regret.” 

“Yep, exactly.” There’s a shuffle sound signaling she’s getting up. 

Maybe if she then had left to call and rant to one of her friends about it Wednesday would’ve managed to not be condescending. But Enid got up just to stand expectantly. Waiting for Wednesday to address and look at her directly. So Wednesday does. “You’d turn back time and change everything that happened specifically to witness in real time a single pop music release that you still can listen and watch now regardless. Laudable cause indeed.”

Enid is smirking. “Oh no babycakes. Nothing would get me to do that. That’s just the only regret I have over being zonked out. Never getting sploshed again. And especially I’m not risking getting crossfaded. Who knows what I will miss then. F(x) comeback maybe. Or Big Bang debuting a new member. Can you imagine?”

“No.” Wednesday resumes looking at the typewriter. 

Enid interrupts that by setting herself on her lap. Wednesday stubbornly reaches for the keytops regardless. 

“Mi luna.”

“¿Si?”

“Nothing would be worth not being here right now.” Enid punctuates her point with a cheek kiss.

Wednesday grasps at the table edge. 

Enid continues into her ear. " Perdoname , I lied.  I gotta never ever be kited so you won't have an excuse to not kiss me. That'd be like the actual worst of the worst. You not kissing me? Oof. Torture. This is my forever sober arc now." 

The raven lets her hands fall around the wolf that’s nuzzling into her neck. The writing hour ended a moment ago anyway. Enid taps her lips. Wednesday just moves her head to allow the kiss.

Maybe instead of whiteknucklingly trying she just needs to learn to let things happen. 

The bean bag seems unlucky.

 That’s where Enid sits when she brings up trying out video games. (“Come on, they’re older than us! They’re like practically vintage!”) 

Or sings a song completely unaware that it’s in Spanish. ( “Cada vez que me acerco, tu amor se escapa~” 

“Enid stop being passive aggressive about my past denial.”

 “Huh?” 

“Furthermore, I told you that the only banal pop lyrics that are allowed in here are in Korean so my mind can’t be dulled by understanding them.”

“This is literally kpop song what do you- OH SHIT CHUNGHA HAS A FULLY SPANISH SONG.”)

And now it’s-

“Can we adopt a kitten?”

Wednesday could just say no. Technically. In theory. It is a plausible, possible, action.

“Why?”

“I was never allowed before. And I know you like exotic pets but I want a normal one first. And it has to be a kitten cause older cat might already learn canine hatred, we’ve gotta socialize one into liking me.” 

“We’re leaving for Nevermore soon.” 

“With a teleport to here!”

“Might give you a motif to understate your own recovery.”

Enid pouts at the accusation. Wednesday isn’t impressed. 

“But I want a cat babyyy.” Enid full on whines.

Wednesday blinks at her.

Love. Housewife. A kid. 

If mother hears about it she’ll never let it go.

“Over my dead body.”

Chapter Text

Wednesday barricaded herself in her own room. Temperature balance is a delicate matter during a heat wave. As long as she keeps it as the coldest bastion against it she cannot let any new air to enter and mix with outside. Just existing is exhausting but she might preserve some energy to do anything as long as she won’t let-

“Wennyyyyy!”

When Wednesday opens the door Enid is her cheery self, completely unaffected by heat. 

And holding a still steaming cup of coffee.

“Absolutely not.” Wednesday slams the door shut. 

“Come ooon.”

“Maybe if you stop foolishly drinking scalding hot beverages in this abominable weather. Come back after cooling down or even better, never-”

“Can’t hear yaaa.”

Wednesday cracks open the door. “You’re not allowed entry unless the temperature drops or you stop being a furnace.”

“But I miss my moon.”

“Cope.”

Next time Enid knocks it’s with an offering of an iced quad. Wednesday takes it and retreats again. Enid doesn’t manage to get a whine before Wednesday remembers and reopens.

“Did you eat?” 

Enid brightens up. “Yep! The tiny chilaquiles were yummy. Gracias muchacha.”

“They’re sopes. And don’t call me that.”

“Lo siento y gracias amorcita.”

Wednesday stiffly nods and tries to hastily close the door to prevent more needless heart exertion but Enid hands stops it. “The coffee costs a kiss.” 

“Ex post facto. I already took it.”

“I’ll die without at least a daily kiss from my mate.”

“Then perish.”

Enid doesn’t budge and keeps pouting. With sad eyes on full display. Wednesday sighs and gives in.

Zero point five seconds into the kiss she regrets not drinking the coffee first. Enid’s mouth is always too hot. A peck will have to sustain her as Wednesday doesn’t even try a dignified flee attempt and slams the door shut the loudest yet. After it she slumps down the door and chugs the cooling drink. 

Why did she have to fall in love with a walking ball of fire? 

And persistent one at that. 

Another quad arrives wordlessly. Enid just taps her own lips as Wednesday takes a sip. The goth tries to resign herself for two seconds of torture. Enid wrecks that plan by holding Wednesday’s face and opening her mouth for a tongue kiss. For a cold kiss. Chilly, soothing reprieve. Even despite Enid’s hot palms. In a serene haze she makes a mistake grasping for Enid to come closer but that just makes the cool melts away faster. She just barely realizes shards of ice disappearing on her own tongue. Intrusive warmth inside her mouth complementary with traitorous cardiac organ assaults her again. 

Enid doesn’t look upset by the abrupt end of this kiss. She’s smug even. “So if I’ll bring a bucket of ice cubes we could make out?” 

Wednesday blinks profusely. She’s still clutching onto Enid’s thin excuse of a shirt. Ridges of scars are easily touchable. Her sluggish mind catches up to the implication and combusts. 

Perhaps pushing Enid away is excessive but Wednesday desperately needs to get under a cold shower. Away from the source of the heat.

After the shower, laying on cold ground she realizes the possible harshness of her reactions. Perhaps.

But survival is of higher importance. Then maybe planning on getting rid of this hell on earth brought upon by oil industry moguls. How many people would she have to kill for the system to collapse from fear of death if continued? Preferably small enough amount she could come back home in 24 hours and- 

No, just thoughts of murder. Cold calculated killings and not icy blue iris gates to the blistering sensations-

Wednesday forces herself to pass out until evening. 

When the goth gasps to reset herself from the coma she realizes that hours passed. There was no knock that woke her up prematurely. 

Did Enid gave up ever approaching her again-

Wednesday goes looking for her phone. 

The only notification is

Enid : We need to get a kitty cause cat videos are what help me when I miss you :cccc They remind me of you c:

So not a silent treatment at least. She can breathe calmly.

When the three dots show up to dance and signify Enid typing another message she throws the phone on the bed. 

Thing was supposed to get rid of ‘read receipts’ or whatever was the thing.

She ignores the sound from it and gets the cello out of its case to play it. 

But after that she couldn’t ignore the knock. 

“Enid and I are playing Counter Strike with our slavic cousins, wanna join?” Pugsley asks.

She should’ve ignored the knock.

Pugsley yells through the slam closed door. “Don’t be angry just cause you expected to see Enid and get kisses!”

He runs away before she manages to open and get a kick in.

But that’s when Enid’s door opens with the blonde in headphones sticking her face out. And smiling brightly. 

Wednesday wonders if the door will eventually fall off the hinges from overuse. 

Enid affords her some reprieve before knocking. 

Wolfgirl is leaning on the doorframe. “Come here often?” She asks and then giggles at herself for some reason. She’s wearing a completely different outfit than earlier, vibrant pink top with white tennis skirt and hair half up half down, leaving scars exposed. Fairly muted and easy on Wednesday’s eyes while still Enid.

Wednesday just stares blankly. It’s suspicious.

Enid rolls her eyes. “It’s a small talk prompt for flirting with a stranger in a public place.”

“Why do you stay so persistent despite my non reciprocity?”

“Because you open every time immediately after just one knock, amorcita.” She winks. “Now respond to my question.”

“I’m here all of the time.”

“Oh, so you should know your order already, I’d love to take you out right now.”

“Murder on the first date? How dashing.” Wednesday indulges.

“You’d love that I know, unfortunately for you this is just thinly veiled blackmail that I won’t eat dinner if you don’t join me this minute.”

Wednesday stares at her smile instead of responding.

“Tick-tock, tick-tock amor.” 

“You don’t need me, the food is already made.”

“Yes, and that’s why the kitchen is cold cause nothing has been cooked there for hours. So perfect for spending time with you.”

“We embark for Nevermore tomorrow and it will be a super moon. I will be your squeeze toy next night regardless.”

“Wednesday, Wenny, Winny, Wens, my moon, my mate, love of my life, the thorn in my side, my poisonous nectar, pretty please join me for dinner.” Enid says while offering a dazzling smile and a hand to take.

Wednesday does so Enid leads them skipping to the kitchen. The small table is already made. With a single candle in a hollowed out skull in the middle. One bottle of bitter Italian soda and one coke.

And food that Wednesday cooked. 

“Don’t worry, I contributed and made dessert.” Enid says at the judgmental stare and points at a plate of salted chocolate cookies on the near counter.

Wednesday sits down. “Enid, what’s the meaning of this?”

“It’s a celebration.” Enid raises her glass.

“Of what?”

“Full month of my sobriety!”

Wednesday blinks at her silently.

“This is where you congratulate me.”

“Congratulations.”

The glasses clink.

“Gracias, gracias. It also means it’s our one month anniversary.”

Wednesday freezes in panic momentarily, irrationally, before scoffing. “The ann part in anniversary means yearly, Enid.”

“One monthversary! Either way it’s been a month of me openly, romantically, adoringly tolerating your antics on straight edge, totes sober, no help, just powered by my affection for you my weirdo.” Enid reaches over the table to tap Wednesday’s nose. “Now eat or I won’t either."

Wednesday chews on the surprisingly spicy meat. Enid had to modify it before serving already. 

After finishing, Enid throws her a small trinket. It looks like a small sun crocheted from a metallic yarn. 

She-wolf offers the plate of cookies while leaning on the table. “Your phone has a hook for charms. So it needs mine of course. Dreadful one monthversary, love. Now, how does that bucket of ice cubes sound?”

“How many more of versaries will there be before the real one?”

“60 days, 90 days, 100 days, mensiversary, semi versary 200 days, and 300 days. Sooo, seven?”

“No.”

“Pretty please? I’ll put them in a calendar but you’ll only need to do anything beyond accepting gifts for me on mensiversary, semi and anniversary.” 

Wednesday bites down on a cookie that can’t be sweeter than Enid’s smile. She can feel her mind firing up at the promise of quick glucose fix but it’s without her tongue wanting to rip itself out. 

“Some of those seem extremely arbitrary.” 

“Well I didn’t want to go only by sobriety milestones and I think Koreans have the right idea with 100 days.”

“Commit to either.”

Enid pouts momentarily. “Okaaay. I’ll report to you when I decide.”

“The ice was a clever idea.” 

Enid does a little happy shoulder shake and then finger walks up Wednesday’s arm. “Oh was it.”

Wednesday reaches out for the closest safe part to touch on Enid’s body. Which is her hip because of the colorless skirt. “Yes.”

Enid’s hand slides to lean more loosely on Wednesday's shoulder as claws shoot out and the wolfgirl visibly swallows but valiantly keeps her smile on. Even when Wednesday spreads her fingers to reside a bit more on the thigh. 

“Great, so let’s use it!”

The teleport to Nevermore Academy had its limitations. It also had mandated rules if they were not to be discovered.

Wednesday felt wrong and woke up shortly after falling asleep, long before her planned midnight cooking. 

The dormroom is empty apart from her. Really obviously. She sighs and palms at the wall behind her desk to go through. 

Enid is swaying in place in front of a stove humming to herself.

“What are you doing?”

Enid freezes and looks at her surprised. “Uhhh, flipping tortillas?”

“Why?”

“To eat. Cause I’m hungry and have free will.”

“With what?”

Enid huffs. “Salsa and chicken. Why are you so against eating all of a sudden?”

“We’re out of salsa.”

“Oh.”

“Is that what you’ve been doing after leaving my room at night? Eating tortillas?”

“I mean maybe, what, is night snacking a crime?”

“I’ve been waterboarding Puglsey for stealing for naught then.”

“Ah. So nooo?”

“Also if we’ll go back now there’s a chance dorm mother will be in our room and will see us show up since you didn’t wait until after random inspection”

“Oh.”

“You can still eat it with just salt if the taste of nothing filling you is agreeable.”

“Ooor I can put butter cinnamon and sugar on top!”

“I will not be a witness to that, I’m going to sleep in my room until morning chaos will be enough of a cover to come back. You can come up with excuses for what we were doing out all night if we get caught.

She doesn’t wait for the response and walks upstairs. 

It isn’t long before Enid creeps into her bed, ignoring Wednesday’s glare. “Shush, it’s so much colder here now, especially in comparison to our dorm so you’ll be fine.” 

“You’re still a furnace.” 

Enid sighs and leaves the bed, taking the blanket with her. And then comes back with a much lighter one, more for the habit of having material on the body during sleep, before draping herself over Wednesday. The one position which helps Wednesday sleep instead of interfering.

“We were on a Nightshade mission if anyone asks.”

“Leaving the alibi up to Barclay? Interesting.”

If Enid wouldn’t have slammed her own face into the pillow Wednesday guesses that the wolfgirl would’ve snarled at mention of the siren. 

“We went to try and see if we can butter up a few outcast-in-denial kids from Jericho to get their shit together and join Nevermore,” comes out a partially muffled voice.

“Where? And who?”

“First of all, we failed so we’d protect their privacy, duh and I can find a party happening from socials right now.”

“So, we snuck out for a party?” 

This time a sigh hits Wednesday’s neck. “Kay, fine, I’ll just find a few closet cases in 5 minutes tops that only wanted to meet after dark and we’re good.”

Wednesday hums and scratches her back so Enid relaxes. “Did you plan on strangling me with the additional force of the weighted blanket?”

Enid unrelaxes. 

“What? That’s not-” she paws at the material “oh you little shit” Enid’s revenge comes as a sloppy lick at Wednesday’s face. Wednesday grimaces. 

“I will have to wake up early to cook.”

“Kay. Throw me off when the time comes. Oooh, we could have breakfast at home.”

Enid sounds suspiciously happy about being woken up. 

“Don’t you have a math test in the morning?”

“Ye, new teacher sucks, test so early.” Enid hugs Wednesday more as she talks. Then starts rubbing her face on Wednesday’s neck. 

Maybe just simple hunger wasn’t her motif for sudden irritation and disregarding rules. 

“I’ll bring more honey jars to our dorm.” 

“Yeya.”

Wednesday takes off her fencing mask to ask Bianca a question after their private bout.

“You know the parameters for a scholarship from personal experience, yes?”

“I mean yeah, but it’s not like you need it.”

“Having normie parents is one of the qualifiers is it not?”

“Yeah, even one can get you a place here, for discriminatory protection alongside a program- why do you ask again?”

“Something Enid mentioned that Nightshades could be doing.”

“Enid, huh?” 

Bianca’s smug face expression doesn’t match the tone of the discussion.

“Correct.” 

“Does something else about your roommate make you realize about yourself maybe? How’s your personal introspection been doing lately? Any better? Or is your brain still stuck in an emotional prohibition era alongside your backwards taste?”

Wednesday blinks at her. That was a strange topic change.

“Wennyyy!” Enid's voice rings out from across the room so Wednesday directs her attention to the appeared devil they spoke of.

Enid waves and theatrically motions for invisible bow and arrow. Then she aims, with the hand that would be supposed to hold the grip instead doing the weird finger thumb pose she once called a finger heart. 

Wednesday sighs and at the bright smile accompanied by a mimed release she fully falls back down onto her back on the floor. Stiff as a board.

“Oh Triton no, this is gross. We are busy! This is rude. Noone actually allowed you to be so disgustingly sappy in public.” Bianca’s dramatically upset face comes into goth’s eyesight while the siren's foot kicks her side.  

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Barclay.” Wednesday says, still on the ground.

Before another kick connects Enid slides in on her knees between them. “Awww, did someone fall for me?”

“Blergh, this is nauseating. Happy gay come out Addams, never do this again. Being right wasn’t worth it after all. I’m ending this practice.” 

“I still have no idea what you mean.” Wednesday deadpans.

“Yeah, no idea what attacked your dark heart, totes none.” Enid giggles while finger stabbing Wednesday’s chest.

“Correct.” Wednesday says dryly, her heartbeat stuttering just once at the sunny smile.

Bianca throws her arms into the air and walks away. Her indignation is amusing.

“Why did you interrupt, Enid?”

“It’s dinner time soon, you took too long with Bianca like you always do.”

“Ah.” 

Just after the closing door sounds out Enid taps her lips.

Wednesday stares at the microwave as the enchiladas spin around. Enid prefers her food to be hot. It is as much a taste changing heating up method as any other all things considered. And the cook in charge of the school kitchen won’t let her use anything else. Not that she would have a good explanation why she has her own pans at school anyway. It’s fine. Something she made being minisculely altered is fine. Technology is fine. Not the first time and not the last time she will use it. 

Perfectly fine. 

The machine dings so she takes out the tupperware and heads to the pentagon. Then to the table that’s Enid sitting at. And Bianca, and the vampire with her own siren. 

No Eugene. Sweet Lucifer-

Enid brightens up when she notices the seer. 

So it’s alright. 

“Muchas gracias, hermosa.” 

“De nada, perrita.”

Enid sticks out her tongue at being called a literal puppy and opens the tupperware. 

A groan makes Wednesday look at Bianca. The siren is dragging hand across her face. “I thought Yoko was pranking me somehow when she said you were cooking for Enid. By the gods Addams, how smitten are you?"

“Cooking? Me? What gave you that preposterous idea?” Wednesday says in her best approximation of a genuine tone.

“Oh no, no, no, you’re not gonna sit here and pretend that your months long denial was actually playing pretend and you’ve been together all along.  That’s not happening. No way.”

“Puedes besarme.” Wednesday says whilst keeping her eyes straight at Bianca, who furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, and Wednesday fully knowing without looking that Enid perked up at the words. 

“What did you just say-” Bianca tries to voice her confusion. Unsuccessfully. 

The siren stops talking when Enid pulls Wednesday to her side, supernaturally light eyes widening. Perhaps expecting the seer to brandish knives at sudden grab. But instead there are just very enthusiastic lips on Wednesday’s cheek that she has to put all her focus on not to show her reaction with her face, just keeping a deadly stare at Bianca. That just adds to whatever turmoil that Barclay has.

“What words, Barclay? I didn't say anything, and I don’t know what denial you’re talking about, there’s nothing going on.”

“Oh, I don’t deserve to be treated like this, fuck your gay rights in particular Addams, au revoir.” Bianca rolls her eyes and leaves the table for a fully siren one.

At Enid’s laughter hitting her ear directly Wednesday knows she lost her focus to keep her face straight. She pushes Enid’s head away and tries to neutralize whatever scowl showed up on her face. Fighting off the blush being its own beast. 

When she notices the heavy stare from Tanaka she realizes she just scared away the last tolerable person from the table. Now she’s stuck with Enid’s friends that she talks with about the topics that Wednesday finds the most nauseating. 

But then again her ear still feels Enid’s laugh so maybe it was worth it. After a few moments of eating the vampire stops staring at the seer. 

“Damn Enie, past weeks start to make me think you either lied about losing appetite or Addams puts drugs in the food.”

It wasn’t worth it. Neither was the choice not to equip stakes in the morning.  Or holy water, or- 

Enid’s fingers dig into Wednesday's thigh to keep her sitting. It works despite rage boiled blood assisting with extra strength.  Enid's force is greater than her usual control allows for. 

“Don’t be silly Yoks, if you’re jealous and want to try for yourself just say that instead.” 

“Nah, I’ll pass, no way Addams ‘licorice is the best candy’ can use spices correctly anyway.” 

“Your loss bestie.” Enid’s cheery tone would be fully believable if Wednesday weren’t at the risk of serious bruising. 

And if Enid hadn't paused her eating for so long. 

“You know what, I am kinda curious actually.” Divina says. 

“Sure, have an enchilada.” 

Enid laughs shortly when the siren starts to curse around the bite she took. Divina throws a closed box of milk at the werewolf and she opens it with a claw for the siren to gulp it. 

Slight amusement at her friend’s pain relaxes the wolfgirl enough to instead painfully clutch on Wednesday’s hand instead of disabling her leg permanently. “No drugs but noone asked anything about poison technically. The- what is it Wens?” she asks while pulling on her hand. Still too strongly.

“Capsaicin.” Wednesday answers while calculating if she’ll be able to find free time to put shoulder back into its socket the same day without Enid realizing.

“Because it’s public knowledge you don’t like spice beyond mild!” the siren hisses between gulps.

“It is mild, your tongue just can’t handle any, Vinnie.”

“Actually it’s not meant to be mild. At least by your, clearly outdated, standards.” Wednesday clarifies for the sake of transparency.

Enid hauls her head around to give her a bewildered look. “What?”

“Enchillada, from enchilear, meaning to add chillies. I thought you’d expect piquance. The speed of your pain tolerance must have escaped me. Forgive me for not keeping up with your preferences. I’ll adjust the amount faster now.”

“Faster?”

“Yes. Perhaps I’ll have to additionally consider that family curses are affecting your resistance since to everyone-”

Enid clamps Wednesday’s mouth shut. “You were supposed to forget that.” 

Wednesday squints at her contemplating if a joke will help or upset her more. She can’t tell if the distress in her voice is around food or proposal teasing more currently. “Regardless of that, you’re so deeply and permanently entrenched in my family it is best anyway that the safety measures are happening independently of my cooking.”

From the process on Enid’s face she doesn’t know either. “Family safety curses, okay, uh huh.”

“Aw Addams, cooking and putting curses, you are a good little housewife after all.” Bianca pops back like an unwanted ghost, sliding another boxed milk to her fellow siren.

“Me? Married? What wretched thinking process happened in your fish brain for you to come up with such an implausible accusation?” Wednesday says as Enid slowly cradles her arm to her chest, pain spreading and breaking her focus.

“Your chances of getting murdered rise with marriage for one.”

“New hypothetical framework, how fun. If I wanted death, getting a husband sure would help. But a wife raises an average life span, especially a happy one which I’m so supposedly aiming for.” Enid graces Wednesday with a singular pleased chuckle for saying that.

“Not if you’re rich,” Bianca says.

“Murder for money? Well that’s the weakest motive possible. Marriage for inheritance is the least straightforward way to get it.”

“That can’t be true.”

“Enid, what impossible hurdles have I made you jump to get any amount?”

“None? It’s not that I asked- Well no-” Enid clicks her tongue and hesitates nervously shifting”I mean I kinda have it cause I asked you not to murder my mother I guess?”

“So not even affection but just having a very killable mother then?” Bianca asks.

“Why? Do you have one?”

“Perhaps I do.”

“Then clearly and only if I cared it would be either murder or money.”

“This won’t work, I’ve accepted that your emotionally stunted ways make you say stuff and intonations that actually mean the opposite. The more you deny that we’re close, the more apparent that is.” Bianca smirks.

Wednesday stares evenly at her despite her shoulder just screaming from how tight Enid is entangling her. “Delusions? You finally made peace with your own insanity. I’m proud of you Bianca.”

From Barclay’s cocked eyebrow she knows it wasn’t her best work. “I hate you, Wednesday .”

“I would be careful with such passionate words, it’s dangerous in the opposite meaning world that you created in your mind if I’m spoken for like you think I am.”

Bianca squints at her for a second before sending Wednesday a wink as she leaves again. “All bark no bite,” she thrills from a distance.

Wednesday feels by proximity more than hears Enid’s growl but is too distracted and her arm too painfully constricted to send a knife Bianca’s way. Dislocated shoulder would impair her throwing too much anyway. Instead she racks her brain on how to calm Enid since the attempt at aggravating Bianca did the opposite of its intended purpose. How to get her motivated or distracted enough so she’d finish eating.

She puts a free hand under the werewolf's chin and moves slightly away to address her. 

“Give me a smile.”

Enid hacklers lower and she blinks once in confusion before offering a toothy one. “And what will it get me?”

“What is your wish?”

“Nice words for starters.”

Wednesday leans in and slides a finger down elongated canine tooth. “I miss the sinful feeling of laceration you’re capable of. Would the promise of my taste as dessert make you finish eating faster?” she asks in a lowered voice.

She can see Enid’s pupils enlarge as a response. She just nods, smile falling as she licks her lips, before snapping her attention to food. 

“Splendid.”

It was strange to be met with a judgmental stare from a vampire when looking up. Infuriating considering how much turmoil her careless joke cost. She wouldn’t stop herself from glowering at her even if she had any more patience to do that.

Wednesday didn’t account for all the kissing that would follow. How did she not account for the kissing? It’s Enid. Enid loves kissing. Shortsightedness from overwhelmed made Wednesday only calculate for the pain of bruises, dislocated joint and pierced skin that would quickly disappear with a massage of a tongue. 

Laying down aggravating the shoulder isn’t helping the goth focus. Enid happily hums as she kisses Wednesday with the taste of blood still on her lips. So Enid’s better. She should ask. She lightly pushes Enid with the hand attached to painless joints.

The werewolf rubs their noses together before moving far enough to talk. “Hm?”

“Does Tanaka know about-”

Sound of claws coming out interrupts her. “No! No, no, she didn’t mean to- noone knows that part so any jokes are unintended. No need for nailgunning or anything like that. Okay?” 

Pain sparks crowding Wednesday’s brain make it impossible to even consider not agreeing with Enid. “Okay.”

Pulling back and resuming kissing isn’t too successful for Wednesday as her girlfriend halts shortly after it with a giggle. “Hey, it’s your writing time soon, you can’t doze off or I’ll laze off too and get no work done.”

Wednesday squints at her. “Can you get us tea then?”

“Como quieras, bonita.” Enid kisses her cheek and skips out of the room. 

Wednesday waits until she’s certain that Enid is out of range. And then another minute. 

Banging her shoulder against the wall forces out an involuntary hiss. Several spots dancing on her eyes distract her from noticing the smell of lotion for too long.

“Hello Thing.”

He waves from her desk.

She stares at him, contemplating if he noticed the fixing of dislocation and will snitch.

[Did you win?]

So he did. Wednesday lets herself fall on knees. She breathes in deeply. Might as well go for simplicity. 

“Enid’s fault without meaning to. Only tell her if you want her to feel guilty needlessly.”

Thing flattens himself in anxious deliberation before shooting a thumbs up. Wednesday closes eyes in focus to slow breathing down and recover faster. 

“Why are you here? Enid doesn’t gossip to parents enough?”

[She hasn't actually responded to some messages.]

Wednesday nods.

[Wanna talk what happened?]

She shakes her head. It’s not even as if he can help at hurting the vampire since that’s forbidden.

Thing climbs up her good arm and pats her back as she sits down at the desk.

After talking to Enid about her work for father, Thing helps out at typewriter management. 

Bianca refuses to put her saber up. “Addams, out until you’re healed.” 

“There’s nothing to get healed. En garde Barclay.”

“Tout d’abord this denial shtick is getting fucking annoying. And second, you’ve been using your left hand.”

“I’m ambidextrous and graciously offering you a rare advantageous practice. We should be training our non-dominant hands anyway.”

“I’d believe that and feel moved if your offhand we’rent arthritic as fuck. Impressive attempt at keeping it moving the least possible but you’re still out until whatever joint you hurt is healed. I’m not wasting my free time by hurting you further, that's ridiculous.”

“I’m fine.” Wednesday puts her blade in position.

Bianca swats it away casually with enough force to disbalance Wednesday for a millisecond. “And you can go to hell and argue about it there. With a sling on or something.”

“I can not.”

“You can surely stuff that stupid pride up your own ass.”

“It isn’t about pride.”

“Illuminate me then moron, why else you’re hiding an impairment.”

Wednesday grits her teeth. 

“I’d have to explain to Enid why I’m not at fencing.” 

“She surely already knows who you sent to the infirmary as payback, it won’t be a complicated conversation, stop bullshitting.”

Wednesday flexes her jaw and stays silent, eyes in the ground.

“Unless she did it and you’re a spineless coward all of a sudden. Wow, I did not have the resident sunshine committing domestic violence on my bingo that’s for sure.”

“It was an accident.”

“Which you’re making worse by pretending it didn’t happen so now you’re gonna slip and fall into a sling or I’m booting your ass entirely.”

“You’re blowing this out of proportion.”

“Just get the sling and fucking tell her that you asked me to go harder on you and hurt yourself by that request.”

“She doesn’t like lying-”

“I swear on Triton I will murder you, you're lying by omission already. Get out! And if she impairs you again because of your hiding I will pretend I never knew you, if you don’t give a fuck that I’m worried at least think of the competitions.”

Enid showed up in the infirmary just as Wednesday got discharged. Like Bianca predicted. 

How does gossip travel so fast?

“Bianca did what?!”

Wednesday stares at her bared teeth for a socially acceptable time, as they are in the hallway, before responding, at least she thinks so. “I’m fine.”

“You’re in a sling!” wolfgirl exclaims as she clutches on the material.

“Implied risk of a sport. And I heal fast.”

“Can Grandmama help with a potion or something?”

Wednesday freezes. The old crone will not believe the fencing accident excuse. 

“If you want me bedridden from side effects for days. It really is fine, you know how I am with pain.”

Enid’s teeth turn back enough for her to pout. “But you’re gonna be upset at being one handed.”

“Thing can help with that.”

Enid smiles slightly. “Yeah he knows the struggle quite a bit,” she says as she moves her hand up to fix Wednesday’s collar. 

Then she grabs onto it. “Wait, he’s been helping you with typing for a few days already.”

She doesn’t let up when Wednesday looks away and tries to step away. Goth’s control over her heartbeat escapes her long enough for Enid to hear.

“Wednesday, how long has it been actually?” 

“That doesn’t matter.”

Warm hands cup her face. “Wens.” 

Sadness of the blue eyes has always been the most heart wrenching weapon against her. She can’t let them get colored further by guilt.

“I just didn't notice the severity for awhile and thought it’ll heal before it will be worth mentioning. Blessings and curses of high pain tolerance.”

“Then you can’t hide it at all, Wenny.”

“As you wish.”

“Promise?”

Wednesday’s jaw tightness against the palms. “My so-called pride might break the promise and I’d hate to do that to you.”

“Please?”

“If Bianca hurts me I promise I will tell you immediately.” 

Enid pouts again. “Not just Bianca.”

“Who else could get close enough?”

“Me.”

“Being away from you is more excruciating than anything you could do to me.”

“Wednesday.”

“Omitting Eugene is also very insulting.”

“Stop deflecting.”

“I love you.” Gratuitous words of affection in public, she’s mad, is she mad? It’s Enid’s fault she’s making them argue in public- no Enid is always blameless, well that’s the crux of it she can’t feel blame, it’s fine it’s her own problem, which can be fixed by fond words isn’t that perfect, isn’t she a genius- She realizes that exhaustion, pain and hormones associated with Enid’s closeness are affecting her mind too much. But still. Doesn’t Enid like when she’s nice? 

“You’re impossible.” Well that’s not negative.

“But I want you to leave bruises on me. Extremely plausible.”

“Oh Goddess, can you just-”

“I am still just a mortal. That’s why you throwing me around-” 

“No throwing around!”

“Now or never?”

“Distracting me by flustering me would work better if you weren't so visibly injured."

“I’m just negotiating the extent of your respect for my masochism."

"Hiding injuries isn't sustainable for it!" 

"So you will hurt me if I ask?"

"I already bite you! And I'm not gonna do it again unless I'm sure you will tell me if something is wrong."

They can never talk outside Wednesday decides. This would be easier if she could just kiss her to distract her. Now she’s getting blackmailed. Again that day. 

Over the same thing. 

She wants to sigh. At least it’s a two birds stone kill. “I promise I will notify you the moment I think something is wrong with me physically.”

Enid is still holding her face in place. “Your feelings are important too.”

Wednesday does sigh finally. “Alexithymia.” 

Enid blinks at that and her hands just fall to the middle of neck and Wednesday’s shoulder as she thinks. “Oh, yeah.”

“ Yeah. ” Wednesday picks up one of the hands and marches them back to their dorm. She will not talk about her stunted feelings in the hallway with so many people watching. It’s enough that underqualified therapists would speculate on which villainized disorder she has. She doesn’t need to give a reason to teenagers to do that either.

Enid is enough with her video app induced deep dives into psychology research.

“Well, I could tell you how emotions feel in my body, right? We can figure something out.” 

“I feel tired.” 

“Okies, so nap and ooh, you’re gonna be irritated from boredom from limited doing stuff, we can plan what we can do together with your one handness-”

Wednesday knocks her head on Enid’s shoulder as she blabbers on their way to the dorm. She can hear Enid mutter ‘cat behavior’ under her breath amongst the plans of the week of dates.

“Weeens. Wenny, hey, can you wake up? Wakey wakey, love. Come on amorcita. Hey, hey, I know you can hear me, I don’t have all day. Wednesday Addams if you don’t wake up right now it means you don’t love me.”

“Blackmail is beneath-” Wednesday gets interrupted by her own cough. 

“Still worked! And I thought right, you’re sick, uncoolio. So here’s some pills I got and tea. Don’t you dare go to class I’ll report you’re sick. Just drink and go back to sleep, I’ll get you food later, bye, love ya!”

Between bleary blinks Wednesday manages to see Enid kiss her braid before skipping to the door and disappearing behind it. When Enid doesn’t come back after five minutes Wednesday gets up. 

Sick? Her? Not possible. She doesn’t get sick. Her body is too sturdy. She coughed only once. She can move her body fine. 

Touching the cup of tea is horridly comforting. 

It’s just because Enid made it, her body temperature is fine. It’s fine. She can go to class, she just needs to skip breakfast to not be too late.  Thought of eating is extremely tortuous anyway.

Changing into the uniform definitely doesn't feel grating on her skin.

She's not sure if she didn't just teleported into the class. But as she blinks at the board it doesn't contain any information that gives her problems understanding. She doesn’t need to make notes, it doesn't matter. Her fingers feeling too painful to move don't matter.

The moment she leaves the classroom someone hauls her over their shoulder. 

"Unhand me this instant!" 

"Nope, we're going to infirmary you dumbass." 

"I'm fine, there's no reason for this imbecilic show of strength you brute, let me go." Wednesday punches her captors' back.

"Nuh huh." 

The position and letting out a string of curses makes Wednesday go into a fit of coughs. Enid changes her hold into bridal carry. That just makes Wednesday punch her shoulder instead. 

"This is an extremely feeble excuse to forcefully hug me, you clingy beast." 

"Wouldn't need to if ya haven't gone and decided to both endanger yourself and others." 

"I'm not sick, I don't get sick. Cease the foolishness, mutt."

It's not that Wednesday’s arm got too tired to keep punching, she just decided it's fruitless. Enid’s skin won't even bruise. 

"Sure, when you used to go to normie schools, welcome to outcast schooling babyyy. Diseases bouncing off immune vampires and werewolves just to knock off sirens' and psychics' socks off. You're smart, you get it. Because of the fever I’ll give you a bit to let it sink so that your promise will hold up."

Warmth of Enid's chest suddenly started becoming distracting. Somehow making her eyes want to close themselves.

"I'm an Addams." She mutters. 

"Yeah you are, and also very precious to me so we gotta get you back to health speedy time." 

"You're making up a scenario to coddle me and I won’t stand for it you moron."

"No, you." 

"Uncreative halfwit." 

"I sure ain’t no sun today cause I’m not the cause of your current hubristic downfall oh not-Icarus, my prideful raven."

The siren call to close eyes wins. Enid is too comfortable.

"Better." 

"Awww, thanks babe."

Wednesday suddenly teleported on an infirmary cot. In a few blinks a nurse is staring at a thermometer. "Well her temperature is fine at least, even a little low."

"In her resting state it's actually like 90 so that's way too high then. It should say so in her documents." Enid argues back.

"How do you even know that?" Wednesday asks, eyebrows furrowed.

"Oh baby, fever is really making you dumber, how would I not notice?" 

Wednesday loses her focus on coming up with an answer when Enid’s warm fingers brush off her bangs. That was so disgustingly affectionate. The goth grabs onto the hand. It's so warm. It melts away the frustratingly invasive feeling deep inside the muscles of her fingers. Would more skin contact help? Wednesday sneaks both hands under Enid's sleeve. 

She-wolf wrangles her arm free and puts some kind of bag into the arm of the seer. Then bridal carries Wednesday again. 

"I can walk. Stop manhandling me."

"You fell over when I sat you up."

"I did not."

"You sure did, baby."

"Stop infantilizing me."

"Yes ma'am."

"You're missing class." 

"Yep, just for an exclusive time with your grumpy ass, I'm such a winner." 

"Don't involve me in your time wasting schemes like this." 

"Okies, next time I'll come up with one just to cuddle with Yoko." 

"Nevermind. Just be more transparent next time you want to use me to cut class."

"Uh huh, sure will amorcita. Mission feed sick girlfriend and cuddle up right now."

The teleportation isn't even surprising this time. Mostly embarrassing how distracted she was by staring at Enid to not notice that she took off her jacket and necktie, before being given a sweater to wear. Enid pouted until she put it on. Ridiculous mutt. Then she pouts again until Wednesday drinks some ghastly medicine. The trick is getting tedious. 

When Enid climbs into the bed with her, she has a dark sweater on too. Technically Wednesday’s, a gift from Enid, but the werewolf wears it more often than her. Like many cloth gifts from Enid. Highly illogical. And also meaning that when Wednesday buries her face into it it's a mix of scents instead of just Enid, which is highly frustrating. 

Wednesday drags the stiff collar down as much as she can and tries to glue her face to the expanse of the skin. Just Enid. All Enid. It's so warm and soft. Insanely comforting. So maddeningly. And addicting. And not enough. 

"Wens, go to sleep instead of biting me. You'll get food after a nap." 

Food. She tries to get up but Enid’s arms are too heavy. “Where do you think you’re going?” the heavy armed werewolf asks.

“Kitchen. Let me go.”

“Why?”

“No class, free time to cook.”

“No, no cook, rest.” 

“I didn’t make a backup for tomorrow.” 

“I’ll manage, just please sleep.” 

“You won’t, you need food. You need to eat. You can’t not eat. Full moon soon. I haven’t prepared enough in advance.” 

“And you need to recover. I’ll make some myself okay? For us both-”

“You are not allowed to leave me.”

“You won’t even notice if you close your eyes.”

“You’re not practiced, and will get distracted, and mix things up and take too long and-”

“Your mom will help.”

“You told my mother?! Why do you insist on humiliating me today?”

Wednesday trashes, trying to get away. She stops when Enid’s palms hold her face firmly.

“Wednesday, look into my eyes right now and-”

“When ever do I not?”

“Stop with the sass, and try telling me right now that you think me weak for needing your help.”

“I do not. You’re in no way weak.”

“Then stop acting like that towards yourself.”

“This isn’t equivalent. And you don’t tell people what happened exactly either. If I’m a hypocrite then you're one too.”

“No, cause them knowing won’t help me, but I tell those that can. Like you, and a therapist and your parents et cetera. So, if not your mother, who would you be your first pick after yourself to help with food?”

“I don’t want you to get panicked or nauseous and throw up.”

“I should be fine as long as I’ll get to see the whole process. You know I trust your family right?”

“Our family.”

“Yeah. And also if you got beat by this flu they could too so you can’t go home.”

“Mother is the best pick.” Wednesday begrudgingly answers. Grandmama could easily forget about the no poison rule, father would try making it gourmet and take too long, Lurch is too slow to be efficient. 

“Okies, one mama’s soup for the grumpy sick baby coming up.” Enid cheerfully says and kisses her forehead. 

Wednesday blinks at her. “You are trying to embarrass me.”

“Just a biiit.”

“I hate you with utter vitriol,” Wednesday mumbles from somewhere deep within Enid’s chest.

A giggle and another forehead kiss. “Well, that’s not nice. I’m telling your mom you’re being a bitch.”

“As if she won’t just give you an ax to finish me out. So please do.”

“Nah, you’re not allowed to die before me.”

“I long to die exactly 20 seconds before you. Then get buried in the same grave so our bones stay intertwined for centuries in a deathly embrace.”

"Mhm, so very sweet, tambien quiero eso, why don't you focus on imagining that."

Wednesday does her best to intertwine their bodies, and bury herself in warmth, arms surrounding her pounding headache and own cursedly painful hands entombing themselves in scorching flesh. When fingers card through her hair and rest at the nape of her neck, the content shiver makes her let out a sigh. At least she would only call it a sigh, any precision to the real nature of the sound only making her flustered.

“I can’t believe you needed to get sick to appreciate my hotness,” Enid says in a quiet amusement, as if to only say to herself. But not quiet enough to not be heard partway of Wednesday’s journey to dreamworld.

“I would have more of a chance to savor your heating qualities if you were more willing to disrobe around me.”

“OKAY, no teasing, got it, sleepy time, snooze now.”

“You started it.”

"And if you don't stop talking I'll initiate the protocol Reverse Sleeping Beauty." 

"What? That makes no sense-" 

The last thing she's aware of before falling into the deep end of unconsciousness are Enid’s lips.

Chapter Text

First thing Enid does after exiting the courtroom is giving a thumbs up and nodding at Gomez. The second is picking up Wednesday and twirling around. Bursting of wired happiness fueling the laughter and the sudden disequilibrium. In the vertigo of happiness the overjoyed giggles ebb away to tears, slowing down the twirl to a stop and tight hug. Thing takes the opportunity to climb up and join the embrace, deepening Enid’s sobs. Wednesday lets herself be swayed from side to side and keeps her arms firmly locked around Enid as the werewolf cries away her relief, tension softening. 

Until she finally backs away sniffling and hugging Thing individually for a moment before putting him away in favor of holding Wednesday's hand and swaying it while smiling.

“What does freedom feel like, mi corazón?” Wednesday asks

Enid smiles even brighter while knitting her eyebrows in thought. “Pretty good, but like something I gotta cherish a lot cause soon I’ll be in jail.”

“This is not a public talk discussion, we'll fix that later.”

Enid giggles and puts her hand on Wednesday’s waist. “It's just that I'm gonna get jailed for being a cougar instead of a wolf, silly.”

Wednesday blinks at her in confusion before it clicks and she groans. “Enid…”

Enid steps in closer while pulling on the healthy Wednesday arm to encircle her too. “I’m an adult dating a sixteen year old! That’s jail time like for real. I won’t even be able to lie about regretting it when I get caught.” The wolf girl struggles to keep laughter out of her serious tone.

“We’re the same age.”

Enid shakes her head, rolling her eyes. “Claiming to be as mature as me will not help babycakes, that’s like so cliche.”

“I’m clearly more mature than you.”

“Oh no, I’m also making you do emotional labor for me, my crimes are endless.”

That’s when, with his sudden reappearance, Wednesday realizes that her father has been gone since Enid got out. Now sans the briefcase he had before, documents in hand instead. 

“It worked?” Enid asks. 

Gomez smiles and gives her the paper. Enid reads it holding high up in the air and starts hopping in place. "No more judge talk, no more judge taaalk, no more cleeerks. Speedy business." She sings songs.

Wednesday can't read the waved in the air paper to check for herself what cost a sudden bribe. Wasn’t the briefcase in case of emancipation troubles, what other document could it produce?

Enid smirks at Wednesday’s consternation. "Wanna see?"

The paper is an accepted change name form.

Spelling Enid Iris.

No middle name.

Wednesday glares at her. "Enid." 

"Siii, amorcita? What’s the problem?"

"Do you really want Eris to become a placeholder name?"

"Hey, they were my names first and they're cool so I'm just keeping them. And it's not like we're married yet so I'm not taking yours yet." She boops Wednesday’s nose.

"We could be married in an hour. Father is already here to provide parental consent."

"We're not getting married just cause ya want to bury my coolio last name before you get published."

"Little tormenta, how could you expect me to agree to marry you off without the rest of the family present?" Gomez asks dramatically.

Wednesday closes eyes briefly at the betrayal. “Sabes que no quise decir eso, padre.”

“Si, lo sé, nube negra,” her father agrees that he was being obtuse on purpose.

“Ah, guys, translation for the gringa?”

“Father admits to preferring you over me,” Wednesday says and quickly regrets it.

It was clearly the worst explanation she could give if she wanted to avoid more tears before going back to Nevermore. Gomez didn’t get to discuss possible dates for celebratory parties. Not even a quick one for committing a first bribe.

When Wednesday wakes up past midnight Enid is sitting in the middle of the room surrounded by dark fabrics, her hands illuminated by a small lamp she put next to herself. She's too focused to notice Wednesday getting up. Even as her headphones are around her neck and not covering her ears.

“Enid, go to sleep.”

“Mhm.” The tip of the werewolf’s tongue is sticking out as she makes the sound.

Coming closer the needing complete focus action turns out to be embroidery. Enid is stabbing the sleeve of a dark sweater repeatedly with a needle. 

“Whatever you’re doing with my clothes, it can wait till morning.”

“I’ll sleep in five minutes.” Enid mumbles.

“Then can you tell me how long you have been doing this for?”

“Like two hours? Maybe less.” 

“Did you start at midnight?”

“No?”

“It is two am.”

Enid finally looks up. Wednesday offers her a hand to help her get up. But then Enid pouts at it. 

“I might as well finish till you come back.” 

“It can’t be more important than your sleep.”

Enid makes a buzzer sound and resumes stabs. “Wrong.”

“I can not be wrong about my own clothes, give up.”

“First of all, I bought those. Second of all you’re sooo mean right now, so shush.”

“If gifted rights are so easily revoked, perhaps I’ll stop accepting.”

“Uh huh.” Enid sounds disconnected from reality again.

After a few seconds it’s clear that the motion is too thought consuming to argue so Wednesday leaves for the kitchen. After cooking she comes back with an additional glass of water since hyperfocused work had to have left Enid dehydrated. She puts it down and goes to store food. As she closes the minifridge Enid wraps arms around her. 

“Wanna see what I did?”

“I’m presuming that I will regardless of my answer.”

“Meeeaaan.”

“Yes, Enid, I want to see what got you working so hard.”

“Better.” After a wet cheek kiss Enid hauls her around and sits them down. Then she shows the design on the sleeves. Mostly white suns with golden parts surround the cuff. 

“Can ya guess the idea?” 

“Signing your territory with your moniker?”

“Kinda. But that’s not it.”

“I do not need visual reminders to think of you.”

Enid smiles into her neck. “Yeah I know. Want a clue?”

“What is it?”

“What did you call me beside the sun?”

“My soul?”

“Another.”

Wednesday stares at the sleeve in thought and sighs. 

“Heart.”

Enid squeezes her harder. “Yepp, without me you have no heart for loving and nooow-”

“I can wear my heart on my sleeves.”

The werewolf sways them from side to side. “Yes! You like it?”

“It is disgustingly sappy.”

Enid giggles. 

“Now I will have more of a motivation to stop you from stealing them,” Wednesday says.

“Nooo, that’s my girlfriend privilege. All your hoodies and sweaters are mine too.”

“What is mine?”

“My very intentional love. Happy two months pajarito.”

“Congratulations lobita.”

Wednesday really shouldn’t be late to Hummer’s meeting. Eugene is the only person in the whole institution that doesn’t question when she says that she’s fine. Nor questions the validity of her injury excuses. He didn’t complain even a little that she missed previous club meetings because of it either. 

Enid is making it really hard not to miss it again. Her hands locked somewhere on seer’s waist. Or maybe under her shirt, splayed out under her bra. Her warm soft tongue is somewhere in Wednesday’s mouth. Or maybe it’s vice versa. 

She lost track of what’s happening exactly. Of which bed they are on. Of who’s biting who. Of which side of her neck is bruised up. Is she on Enid’s lap directly or kneeling around it more?

She just faintly remembers that Enid wanted forward payment- or was it back up affection? Something to replace something else in future. Lost time. Lost affection? Projected income? 

It was a messy argument that still resulted in a messy state of Wednesday's brain. And neck. Hopefully back if she didn’t imagine the sound of claws at some point. Enid always gets so pink when she's at war with herself if she should propose to lick claw wounds to heal. Wednesday knows that she’s smiling because Enid makes a strangled noise and immediately pauses open mouth kisses to catch a glimpse of the dimple. Just to cover it with another kiss and start a familiar path from it to the neck to spread more purpling color. It will take so long for it to heal into something presentable. Wednesday wants to smile again but is worried that it will get noticed again somehow and distract Enid. 

Knocks on the door. Enid doesn’t get distracted by those one bit. Just whines quietly without stopping when Wednesday orients her head towards the source of the sound, hands bracing on Enid’s shoulders.

 “Wednesday, you there?”

“Eugene?”

“Yeah so, uh you didn’t text back, if you’re still sick or shoulder still hurts we can postpone again-”

“No, it’s fine, we don’t have to-” the rest of her sentence gets swallowed by Enid’s mouth. Escape is further stopped by the werewolf’s vice grip on the back of her neck and waist. 

“I can’t hear you that well-” sound of the door opening. Wednesday breaks Enid’s focus by grazing the werewolf’s scent glands with nails. She only manages to shuffle away enough to notice Eugene’s slight confusion from not finding Wednesday on her own side of the room morphing into something more acute as he stares back and forth between the two girls. His body frozen. 

“I said that we don’t have to postpone I just need-”

This time it’s the slam of the door shut as Eugene runs away that interrupts her. 

Enid sees it as an invitation to resume what they were doing. 

Wednesday’s brain is in a completely new mess. Eugene seemed hurt. Or at least shocked. Which of those or neither should happen, she tries to think. If he’s hurt about Enid being unavailable he shouldn’t ever so that’s not her problem-

No, it wouldn’t be the first time that Eugene is upset that she unexpectedly ditched him for supposedly romantic affairs.

Wait, how unexpected is it really-

It’s hard to think about emotions when Enid doesn’t care. Smothering her with more kisses and bites.

Now that feels deeply wrong. Between the two of them Enid is the one that cares. She notices and cares about hurt feelings, about Wednesday hurting anyone’s feelings and scolds her and says what to do.  

But now she’s trying to cover Wednesday’s other side of the neck instead of at least healing the previous marks so that she can go out.

“Enid.” 

“Mhm.” Enid stays latched onto her skin.

“I- I think Eugene is hurt. I should-”

“Club stuff can’t be that serious.” Enid mumbles out before sucking on a patch of skin. 

Lucifer, did she ever tell him that they’re together? “It’s- well- he has- had? Feelings for you? And-”

“Not my problem.” Enid says and Wednesday has enough of being interrupted. 

She clamps Enid’s mouth shut and away with hand. She’s ready to do more but Enid just fully freezes. No playful lick or bite. Just a hit of anxiety in her eyes. And taking her arms away from the seer’s body. Wednesday takes away the hand. Enid stays frozen. Eyes widened.

Wednesday focuses on the fact that she has her full attention.

“Last time I abandoned him for what he thought was a romantic endeavor he nearly died.”

Blue eyes seem completely empty until Enid blinks forcefully while regaining her breath. “That’s- yeah, well it wasn’t your fault- yeah you’re right you should go talk to him. You can- no, I’ll apologize to him for holding you up myself next time I’ll see him,” she looks away “ I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” Her hands go up to rub at her neck nervously, still so pink from her blush.

Wednesday dazedly remembers that Enid has sleepover plans with her friends for today. 

No motion feels correct to do at the moment. She doesn’t know what’s the protocol for the so tense goodbye. Enid not looking at her. Something inside the seer feels taut at the lack of a bright smile. Is Enid just trying to hold herself back to not push them into another drowning of good chemicals?

Wednesday gingerly takes the pink cheeks between her hands and plants a soft kiss on the bridge of the nose. Where it should be surrounded by a happy scrunch.

Enid’s face twitches a few times before she giggles and smiles wide enough for Wednesday to relax. 

“How much can I tell him about us?” the goth asks.

Enid freezes again, even if just for one hold of a breath, holding her smile too. “However much you want. Oh, I left one saved cookie for you on your desk, don’t forget that. Bye linda.” Enid kisses both hands caressing her face.

“Enjoy your sleepover.”

Wednesday finds Eugene amongst the beehives, surrounded by bees and eating whole honeycombs. With some kind of upset expression in his face.

She’s fully lost on what to do about it. There’s no one to punch to fix it. Best she could do is punch herself but that would only ever benefit herself and offend others. 

So she just sits in front of him, silently, hoping that he will propose what she could do exactly. Signaling non abandonment at least.

He finally looks up at her after a few minutes. “Were you actually hurt, sick and busy?”

“Yes.”

He nods and sways back and forth, taking another bite. Wednesday cringes at the sticky texture coating his fingers. 

“I was thinking of asking again with new rumors about it if you changed your stance on dating. Even if I-” his lip wobbles. 

She faintly remembers getting irritated at his questions last semester, questions replacing discussions on how to court Enid. 

Did everyone really know before her?

Infuriating. 

But the current problem is that her automatic silence on the topic associated with such a long dismissal is what upset Eugene. 

Well.

She might have forgotten that they’re not actually siblings so he couldn’t have gotten Cousin’s Wake message about an engagement party.

“I’ve been with her since she left her family.”

“Two months?!”

“I see my failing in appointing a limit of two unsolicited questions on each topic into the Hive Code now.” 

“No mames! Two months! Are we even really beesties?”

“Yes Eugene.”

“Beesties tell each other when they start dating the cutest girl in school.” he grumbles. 

“I forgot that you’re not really my brother and- It was complicated.” 

“It’s not! You just got over your bullcrap-"

"Eugene." Wednesday tries hissing at him but he ignores it.

"-and finally got with her while- oh damn you like almost eloped, did you elope? Now it seems like you totally abducted her for marriage, oh my bees-"

"Stop assuming-" Wednesday tries again but he ignores her again so she presses the heels of her hands into her eye socket and attempts calming breaths to not blow up at him.

"I wasn’t at your wedding nooo, how could you do this to me? Not being the best man is one thing but-”

“Will you stop being upset if I answer your questions?” she says tiredly and it miraculously works.

“Unless I still can’t ask more than 2 about stuff.”

Wednesday sighs and nods silently.

“I promise no TMI, your neck is uhm, kinda already enough, it’s just-, hey, did you didn’t want to talk about it cause you’re not mates-”

“Of course we are.” Wednesday snarls.

“Then why do you look like you got mauled-”

“Because usually Enid doesn’t let me out of the room without healing first but you were-” she notices Eugene’s widening of eyes “stop using your imagination”

“I’m not! Well now that you said it-”

“I said stop.”

“The bees are saying that your back is bleeding!”

Wednesday blinks. Her shirt is indeed sticking to her back. 

And she won’t see Enid till the morning. 

Why did she had to bloody promise-

“Well that at least explicitly contradicts half of the rumors I've been meaning to ask about.” Eugene says.

“What?”

“Not like I actually believed that you would do like- okay so- well-”

“Spit it out.”

“Half the school thinks you hurt your shoulder trying to like- like- outpower werewolf strength- or something- I didn’t mean to actually ask about that! Total TMI, uh, well I also didn’t believe the previous dating rumors but this time they’re true so I don’t know anymore-”

“Eugene, start making sense, what rumors?”

“Well, last semester they started when Enid broke out of her lupin cage just to come back dragging you into it, so, you know, everyone thought that you’re dating, so, well, no, that’s not when they started, there were so many, like when you sent a guy to infirmary for looking at Enid’s butt- which kind of insane cause I’m pretty sure that was when she was still dating Ajax and obviously you’d kill him first-”

“Eugene.”

“Okay! Short version! Dating rumors, lotsa times, I didn’t know how to ask directly without dying and just trusted you’d tell me otherwise, and they always would die off like so quickly. Some of them mean cause Enid was still with Ajax. But the current ones, well, not dead and got stronger after you got injured and also really super mean, partly cause furs and Enid being technically a lone wolf now. Partly cause well, you- you’re my beestie you know right- but not a lot of people are good at appreciating you and knowing that you’re not really bad-”

“Don’t sugarcoat.”

“People don’t like you and think you’re a controlling sadist.”

Wednesday blinks. “And that colors the dating part.”

“Ye-yeah.”

“Negatively.” She grits her teeth.

Eugene nods.

She takes a measured breath. “She didn’t tell me- I am but I don’t-”

“I know. I know.”

“Then what could you ask about?!”

“Are you happy?”

Wednesday deflates and stares at him for a beat, processing the vague question and its possible meanings. “Right now, no.” Her hand goes up to touch her neck, pressing at the bruise.”Around her, yes. Disgustingly so.”

“I’m sorry. And congrats? Hey, I did thought that if not me then you deserve the best, you know?” He looks as if he’s about to propose sharing the honey.

When did this change into comforting her and not him? Her eyebrows furrow. This was supposed to be her making up for professing too little. Wednesday swallows and looks away. “She dragged me into the cage after a stupid fight. I misunderstood her sarcasm about not needing me. And I didn’t send the idiot to the infirmary, just threatened him. And the injury- how on earth did that-” Lilith, she feels stupid. Gossip is so nonsensical.

“I don’t know- well, you do look super angry sometimes when she touches you so even though obviously if you didn’t really want it the touch wouldn’t happen at all and people talk about how on edge she looks in between classes when you’re not around, kinda panicky I guess? Especially-”

“Meal times?”

“Yeah.”

“She dislocated my shoulder during dinner.”

“Oh shee- What? Why?”

“Pulled me by my hand too strongly by accident. She still doesn’t know that she did it. And- she might have been in a panic about getting drugged.”

“That’s- sounds messed up. Should I really-”

“It’s fine. During summer her mother kept her drugged for weeks until I got her out.”

“Oh gods. That does sound complicated. I don’t- you know that you don’t have to tell me-”

“I do. Noone else will believe the truth apparently.”

“What truth?”

“That it wasn’t I that drugged her with Mate Seeker.”

“...shit.”

“Out of questions?”

“...do you wanna beat someone up?”

He’s doing the comforting again. Wednesday closes her eyes as she curls up. 

No. She doesn’t want that. It’s awful.

What she wants is Enid to hug her and tell that everything is fine. That her reputation isn’t important. That it’s not a problem how it might affect Enid. Them. That they will stay together. That her nightmares are just nightmares.

“She did propose to me while high. Not that it really counted but I wouldn’t marry her without you there.”

Eugene smiles. “Well, it’s no best man proposal pero gracias beestie. Bee time or- yeah the bees are saying you’re still bleeding.”

Wednesday sighs. “I will need a hand. A clean one."

Dream visions are Wednesday’s least favorite part of being a Seer. Just like psychometric visions offer electrical paralysis without the burns, prophetic raven visions are like nightmares without the delicious adrenaline, stealing away the real nightmare’s time. 

It took her a while to tell the difference. 

And it was extremely infuriating to learn what Xavier once meant by desire skewing the powers. There was a preconceived narrative when they started that they fit right into. Goody’s words about lonely destiny. That it wasn’t the consequences of her own actions. Just fate.

The first time was just after her birthday. When Enid left. Her first dream about an unknown, crushingly lonely cold room. Just a dream by itself.

Enid came back. No dream that night. No dreams between school closing and emergency break starting. 

And then deja vu for the whole winter break. 

New semester, no dreams. 

She forgot about them. They were just dreams. Not fading from memory immediately after waking, and consistent, but they went away, so surely just dreams. Just an occasional blip of her mind. They couldn’t coincide with Enid’s sleepovers outside. Sometimes she’d feel like a fight with Enid had already happened before but the terrifying room was gone so she was safe.

Spring break and she could draw the specific travel typewriter from the room from memory again. Spring break and after a convoluted conversation with mother she had to accept that her powers haunt her nightmares. Occasionally. They can’t have a clear sense though. It’s not like they have an obvious trigger like with touch. At most the reason for them had to be her own bed in the manor. She had to misremember the nights after her birthday. That was the only clue. The only pattern. The only one. The only. The only. The only. 

That broke completely after saving Enid. But it is hard to notice the absence of something when you don't want to think about it. About the implications. The warning. The grim promise of abandonment-

If she let herself pay attention she would know that she should expect the dream to come back with the absence of Enid. 

Wretched shiny typewriter keys don't abort her mind even when she shifts awake on the bed, aggravating the dressed claw wounds. The choking solitude and overwhelming cold still affect her when she gets up. 

She wants to breathe. She doesn’t want to freeze. She doesn’t want the cold. She wants it gone. Gone, gone, gone. Go. She interrupts the wave of hands as she runs to slow down and wrap them around herself- she’s not sure when she went out of the room. 

Her feet got her to Tanaka’s room. Enid is on the other side. 

Enid.

Wednesday clenches her fist. And releases. And clenches. Puts it up to knock. Falls. Releases.

Clench-

The door opens by an inch and red eyes drills into her. 

“Unless it's an emergency, not even a word.” The vampire quietly hisses.

Wednesday stares back unflinchingly. 

Tanaka rolls her eyes dramatically. “Do you know how bloody hard it was to get her to sleep? I’m surprised your steps didn’t wake her up but if you say anything she’ll probably snap awake, so state your emergency or drag your ass back.”

Wednesday opens her mouth and then closes it.

It's not important. Her stupid visions aren't important. 

The apprehension in red eyes is palpable. 

She's seen as controlling as it is. She just turns away and forces her rigid muscles to walk.

A mutter of "yeah, I thought so," still reaches her.

She went to cook early. She finished early. At least as far as food being done. Not yet put in the container to leave exactly.

She doesn’t have the will to get up from the kitchen isle and go back. She stares down the clock instead. 

Tick.

Tock.

She forgot about the cookies that Enid made. There’s probably a saccharine note with them.

Tick.

Tock.

Enid will be upset if she doesn’t open the gift. 

The ticking of the clock can't be heard from under the clicks of heels. 

"Good evening, ma cheri." 

"You're up late, mère."

“And you have been here awhile, mon corbeau.”

Raven. 

Why does she have to be a raven?

Tick.

Tock.

“Are you sitting here because you want to?” her mother asks, from a closer distance. Wednesday’s gaze is too stuck to see from where.

Tick.

Tock.

Idea that admitting her mother’s assumption is right as always only makes her body rev up the flight or fight mode.

Tick.

Tock.

And yet she is only more stuck.

Tick.

Tock.

“I’m surprised you didn’t exploit my frequent trips back to ambush me like this earlier, mother.”

The most quiet sigh closer again. Quieter than the suddenly seamless steps.

Tick.

Tock.

A sound of a moving chair. A dark figure in the periphery. 

And then silence again.

Except for-

Tick.

Tock.

No movement closer. Like Wednesday is a skittish pet. Not domesticated. Easily compelled to fly away without a promise to come back. 

Unlike doves.

Tick. 

Tock.

Glorified pigeons. 

Tick.

Tock.

Messengers.

Tick.

Tock.

Oldest domesticated birds.

Tick.

Tock.

Multiple ways of reading surroundings.

Tick.

Tock.

Always finding home.

Tick.

Tock.

“What would you do if you repeatedly dreamed of a vision without dad in it?”

Tick.

“Wait for it. Frequent repeats usually means I won’t have to meddle to make it true.”

Tick that she almost doesn’t hear over the sudden roar of her heart.

Morticia continues “but I’m guessing you don’t simply mean that it just isn’t about your father.”

No.

Tick.

What would be the equivalent for a dove?

Tock.

“What if you saw yourself with someone else.” 

Tick.

“I would make it so it involves him too.”

“Elaborate.”

Tock.

“If that happiness comes, I will ensure it’s on my terms.” Tock. “And my terms mean your father is alive, happy and mine too.”

Tick. 

Tock.

Tick.

“If you don’t have context, create the most favorable one, mijita.”

“I don’t understand how you still have a French accent in Spanish, ma,” Wednesday lies.

Dad likes it. The sound of a non native speaking Spanish for him.

“And I wonder why the stove is on when you’re not watching it.”

Wednesday springs up from her seat to check if her mother lied too.

She didn’t.

Smell of coal hits her. She grits her teeth as she stares at the ruined meal. Sounds hurt her ears.

Wednesday almost throws the food at the clock. 

But when she looks at it, it’s quiet already. Unmoving. Silenced.

The most recent clacks were her mother’s steps to look at the food too.

Drum of long pale fingers against lips in thought before falling down to fix Wednesday’s braid so they’re symmetrically both in front of the chest. 

No movement beyond that. 

No comments.

No verbal offer to help.

Just standing close.

In a now soundless, clockless kitchen.

Wednesday looks up at her. “Wretched nightmares, maman.”

Morticia smiles. “Dreamless night darling,” she says softly and quietly leaves.

Wednesday sighs and takes out ingredients for a meal she doesn’t have to watch motionlessly while making. 

After stashing the food Wednesday ignores her bed. Instead she turns on her desk lamp to look at her typewriter. Appraising the machine while letting the memory of a dream come out of the heavy locked safe she put it in.

Matte, old metal keys. Black machine with a minimal skeleton in front of her. Portable, but in her dreams the model has a built in case for travel specifically. The most glaring difference aside from the blurry name being in the wrong place. Definitely not the Jewel brand, much shinier and modern. Possibly more common. Not a specific one that would be hard to get a hold of unless in a specific sequence of events. Malleable circumstances?

Not a used antique. She wouldn’t be using the future machine with help of instinctual talent granted as a side effect of psychometry. No more reliance on her earliest supernatural skill sign. Will she become comfortable enough for a change like this? 

Separate model for travel? 

If yes, why travel?

If traveling, why alone?

Running away? 

From what?

Who?

No, she should be traveling. 

But why alone and miserable.

Why away from Enid?

Wednesday closes her eyes and takes a haggard breath.

She reaches for the snack gift on the desk. Just touches it.

It’s probably delicious. What if her brain decides to interpret the stimuli as an annoying intruder and wastes it? With a note full of new elaborate nicknames. What if she loses it before remembering it by heart?

“Don’t tell me you plan to eat it only after staying up all night writing,” a sleepy voice grumbles.

Wednesday’s eyes open immediately. She freezes while appraising what she can. She’s still in her dorm. Still at the desk. Cookies still unopened under her fingers. It’s still night. Her spine isn’t uncomfortable. 

“Come on dormilona, I warmed the bed already. I’m so lonely in it,” Enidlike voice says.

Experiencing psychosis isn’t an uncommon side effect of being a seer.

Wednesday slowly moves her head towards the bed. Black bed is occupied by a groggy werewolf.

A pouty wolfgirl waving her arm over the bed. "Mimir tiiime. Sleepy tiempo. Pwetty pwease. Pow- hehe paw favor." Quiet shting of claws alongside a giggle.

The blue eye shine stays after turning off the lamp. Wednesday steps cautiously towards the bed.

Enid smiles sleepily and scoots, getting on her knees to give space for Wednesday to lay. "Yay, we goin mimir."

"I can't sleep on my back."

"Hm? Oh okay, I be bottom bunk now." And Enid falls heavily before opening her arms.

"My back is scratched open," Wednesday cautiously clarifies.

"Aw, my moon is hurt. My heart. No, I'm heart. My liver. What other organ ya wanna be?" Enid asks while pulling on her sleeve.

"Moon is an organ?" Wednesday responds while kneeling around her bed intruder’s hips.

"It is a bio affecting- hey, I'm bio affecting! Wan kiss and you'll be okay."  Enid reaches out to caress her face.

"Stop acting cute. I'm already in bed." Wednesday leans in, still appraising her face.

Enid pouts again. "Act? I'm adorbs!"

Bright eyes interrupt getting used to the dark and obstruct Wednesday’s already minimal skill at reading face expressions.

"I do adore you. But I should leave you for paw pun alone."

“Nooo.” Enid tries locking her arms around the tan neck.

"You'd have to earn my love all over again or trick me like last time."

"I would, every time. All the time."

“You would?”

"Yesh and I'm here so it's all okies. No leaving. We mimir." Enid pulls down around Wednesday’s neck and lower back. Successfully. And then nuzzles their cheeks together. 

The raven lets her, finally accepting this is all too sweet to be a fruit of her exhausted imagination tormenting her.

"Why are you here in the first place?"

Enid adjusts their position and then pats Wednesday’s butt. "So you be okay."

"Were you okay?"

A tension in the muscles of her holding cell. "Hmmm, no, too cold," Enid ends up mumbling into her mate’s neck.

It doesn’t explain anything.

"I'm not warm."

"But ya can't beat a vampire in coldness. Brrr. Nuh huh. So I sneaked."

"Sneaked," Wednesday echoes warily.

"Ye, out. So sneaky- ah shitballs I gotta…" Enid reaches for her phone and squints at the sudden light. She mumbles to herself as she types. And types.

And types.

Lying without constraints prickles unsettled.

"Enid?"

"Shhh, I'm trying- this keeps sounding too spicy."

"What does?"

"Sleeping with you. But I'm just so eepy."

"Why does it matter?" Wednesday asks tiredly.

"I gotta be clear. So clear. I'm okie and you're okie, it's all okie. Hmm, what if I'll be mean."

"Mean how?"

"No I can't. Hmm, spicy it is. Even if we shouldn't." Enis puts away the phone. She sighs deeply when resuming a careful lock around the smaller body, burying nose in the nearest patch of skin. Confining any unsteadiness.

"Shouldn't what?"

Only a growly snore responds. Louder than Wednesday’s thoughts.

It’s impossible not to sleep too. The bonds surrounding her are too grounding.

There can’t be anything beyond them.