Work Text:
Mask
Wednesday Addams was a trouble magnet. Wherever she went, something was bound to happen, and today was no exception.
She had recently arrived in San Francisco, following her latest lead on a copycat of her favorite serial killer: The Kansas City Scalper.
She first heard of them while fencing with her Father. It had been during summer break from university, while she was staying at the mansion after a rather unceremonious breakup with her ex.
She was blowing off steam, her blade slicing through the air, when a voice from the radio caught her attention. “…marking the San Francisco Scalper’s 3er victim…”
She froze mid-attack, her blade hovering inches from Gomez’s chest, and turned her head towards the sound, but the broadcast shifted almost immediately to a report on yet another economic crisis…
“Mija, is everything alright?” Gomez asked, lowering his own rapier as he noticed her pause.
“Everything is fine, Father.” She replied calmly, “I might have just found my latest hyper-fixation.” She removed her gloves with a quiet pull, “I will be taking a short trip tomorrow.”
Gomez blinked, “I didn’t know you had traveling plans, my little death trap. Where are you headed to?”
Wednesday turned, flashing her Father a hint of a smirk, “San Francisco.”
…
She had only been there for a weekend and already had a trail. This Scalper was far more cautious than the original one, leaving little physical evidence and fewer patterns. Still, Wednesday had narrowed her suspect list to one…
Now, concealed among the shadows of an aging apartment complex, Wednesday observed her target through her portable spyglass. She was entirely dressed in black from head to toe in a fitted, utilitarian ensemble with a ninja-like hood and mask that concealed all but her eyes.
Her suspect exited their car, retrieving a duffel bag from the trunk. Wednesday tenses, ready to strike. A single press of her taser would end this chase… Suddenly, she felt something swoosh by, a blur of motion swept past her peripheral vision, catching her off guard and making her lose concentration.
The scalper was also alerted by the sudden commotion. They got into their car and hit the gas. Wednesday sprinted to her rented motorcycle, swung on, and gunned the engine. The tires screeched against the pavement as she gave chase, but she wasn’t the only one…
“What…” Wednesday’s head snapped up.
Whatever or whoever had swung past her moments before was already ahead of her, darting from lamp post to rooftop. They moved with unnerving precision, like a pendulum in motion.
Wednesday squinted, trying to make out the figure through the neon blur of city lights, only lowering her vision when she heard a meow…the cat leaped across her path. She swerved, narrowly avoiding it, and crashed into a fire hydrant. Water erupted as she was thrown from her seat, straight into someone’s firm arms.
“You know, helmets are a thing now, right?” A digitally distorted voice teased.
Wednesday's eyes flickered up and then frowned. Her unlikely savior was currently holding her tightly around the waist, clad in a skin-tight suit adorned with intricate webbing and a Wolf-Spider emblem across their chest. A mask covered their entire face, with reflective lenses hiding their eyes. She had only seen this kind of spectacle in her brother’s comics, which told her everything she needed to know.
“Put me down. Now!” Wednesday ordered.
“Whoa, ok, ok. Ms. Darkness.” The spider person replied. They touched ground, and they gently set her on her feet.
Wednesday backed away and pulled out a knife from her boot.
“Hey! What the…I just saved your life!”
“I had it under control.” Wednesday retorted, circling the spider…girl with a predator’s scrutiny.
Now that she looked closer, she could tell that the person under the suit was undeniably female…a very athletic-looking female… Her suit clung to her toned frame; she had broad shoulders, defined arms, a sculpted abdomen, and the legs of a dancer or maybe a runner…
“Uh? Earth to Ms. Darkness?” The spider girl waved her hand in front of Wednesday’s face.
Wednesday realized she had been staring. Her fingers tightened on her knife. She looked down, forgetting that only half her face was hidden. “You lost me my suspect.” She accused, deflecting.
“Sheesh, a thank you would’ve been enough.” The spider person stuck their hand out, swiftly snatching the knife right out of her hand with a string of webbing, “You won't be needing that.” She tilted her head, “Name’s Wolf-Spider, and you are?”
Wednesday huffed in exasperation, having had enough with the conversation already, “Viper.” She replied dryly, turning on her heel and heading towards the motorcycle that was lying on the side of the road.
Wolf-Spider curiously watched her step away, “Hey! Not so fast!” She jogged beside her, “What were you doing stalking Creepy McDufflebag back there?”
“That is on a need-to-know basis,” Wednesday said flatly.
Wolf-Spider shook her head, “Uh-huh. Yeah, see, not on my turf. These are my playing grounds, and I've never seen you before.”
Wednesday reached into her pocket, pulled a small pouch of dark violet dust, turned abruptly, and blew it in Wolf-Spider’s face, “And you will not again.”
Wolf-Spider stumbled, blinking rapidly as her limbs went slack, her vision blurred, and she felt lightheaded, “Nightsh…” She muttered, collapsing into unconsciousness.
When she woke, Wednesday Addams was long gone.
…
The next morning, Wednesday decided to head to the nearest library to decompress. Wolf-Spider had effectively ruined her night, and when she eventually returned home, she found several missed calls from her ex…
She sighed and tossed her phone into her bag. The last thing she needed was another emotional distraction. She only hoped the library wouldn’t be too crowded this morning.
Her mind was still caught between annoyance and curiosity as she stepped into the elevator, which, to her relief, was empty. She leaned against the cool metal wall, allowing the silence to ground her, until the elevator stopped with a sharp ding.
The doors slid open, but no one was there. She pressed the close button, eager to resume her solitude ride down, but some motion caught her eye, a tall, blonde girl was sprinting down the hallway towards the elevator. “Hold the door, please!” The girl yelled, her voice muffled by the donut she had in her mouth. She looked almost comical, with the alarming number of books and papers in her arms.
The doors began to close on her, and Wednesday made no effort to stop it. The sight was far too ridiculous to interrupt. She waited for the inevitable, knowing the girl wouldn’t make it in, which is why she was caught off guard when the blonde squeezed through the closing doors with intense agility.
“Thanks!” The girl said breathlessly, her tone laced with sarcasm. “Got off the wrong side of the bed today?” She asked, smiling as she chewed, her glasses sliding down her nose from the commotion.
Wednesday stared at her judgmentally, “Tragic the doors did not crush you.” She deadpanned, “That would have made my morning.”
The girl chuckled, “You must be fun at parties.”
“I am where parties go to die,” Wednesday said with a roll of her eyes.
The elevator jolted slightly as it descended; the motion sent several sheets of paper fluttering from the blonde’s pile. They scattered at Wednesday’s feet. She bent to pick them up out of instinct, noting the dense molecular diagrams and handwritten annotations. “Biochemistry,” She murmured. “Curious.”
“Can I have those back?” The girl asked casually, still juggling her stack. “If I lose those, my professor will actually murder me.”
Wednesday placed the notes on the top of her pile, “I did not peg you as a science major.”
The girl grinned, unbothered. “Yeah, well, huge nerd here. I’m Enid, by the way.”
When they reached the lower floor, Enid stood in front of the doors, holding them open for Wednesday, “Are you new here? Haven’t seen you around the building before.”
This was the second time some had asked her that, which irked her slightly. Still, she found herself replying, “I have recently moved into the building.”
They walked side by side towards the main entrance, “Sweet!” Enid said brightly, “We don’t get new tenants that often, so welcome…?”
Wednesday glared at her. There was something more to this colorful person in front of her than what she gave away, and this tickled her brain, “Wednesday Addams.”
Enid blinked, and her smile widened, “Wednesday. That’s…unique. I like it!”
The comment caught Wednesday off guard. Her shoulders stiffened, and she felt an unwelcome warmth threatening to creep into her cheeks, now wishing she had her face mask with her, too.
“Anyways, it was nice meeting you, Wednesday, but I really gotta run.” Enid continued, carefully glancing at her watch. “I’m already like 15 minutes late.”
And just like that, she was gone in a blur of blonde hair, color, and noise, vanishing through the lobby doors.
Wednesday started after her for a moment longer than necessary, her pulse inexplicably quickened. Then she exhaled sharply, adjusting her bag. “What an unsettling creature.”
…
The night air of San Francisco was chilly and heavy with fog. Wednesday was now crouched at the ledge of a half-abandoned building, looking down at the alley below.
She had found out that the Scalper most likely had an accomplice, and she had tracked them to this location. She had been watching the place for hours; stillness and silence were her only companions.
She was starting to question if her suspect was going to come out at any point in the night when she noticed movement among the fog. A shadow darted across the alley and vanished from her sight.
Then she saw it again; it darted across the adjacent rooftop, swift and weightless, like a ghost. Her jaw tightened, and she sighed, “Not again…” She muttered, rubbing her temples.
She was about to make a run for it when something landed behind her with a soft thud.
“Miss me, Ms. Darkness?” Wolf-Spider’s voice was calm and with a hint of a smirk.
Wednesday turned slowly. Wolf-Spider stood there, hands on her hips, the city lights glinting against the silver threads of her suit.
“I thought I told you not to follow me,” Wednesday said coolly, turning to walk away.
Wolf-Spider flipped and landed right in front of her, “Yeah, well, I thought I had made myself clear the other night, right before you knocked me out.” Wolf-Spider accused, poking Wednesday on the shoulder, “I still don’t know where you stand…But I see you're bad at listening.”
Wednesday glared, smacking Wolf-Spider’s hand away from her, “Touch me again and you will lose your fingers…Hope they are not precious to you.” She walked passed, bumping shoulders with Wolf-Spider. “You are obstructing my investigation.”
Wolf-Spider tilted her head. “I handled that.”
Wednesday stopped in her tracks, “What?”
Wolf-Spider smiled smugly, “I captured the guy you were chasing. Wedded him up for the cops.”
Wednesday frowned, “That is not possible…besides, that was my capture.”
“No…my capture.” Wolf-Spider corrected, tapping the side of her mask. “I do this sort of thing for a living. You just…dress like you do.” She signaled Wednesday up and down with her hand to make a point. “You’re welcome, by the way.”
Wednesday’s stare could have frozen fire. “Your arrogance is only matched by your gaudy aesthetic.”
“Aww, you noticed my aesthetic.” Wolf-Spider chuckled, taking a step closer. Her voice dropping a bit, “Careful, Viper. You keep looking at me like that, and I’d think you might actually like me.”
That was it, Wednesday snapped. She swiped her foot under Wolf-Spider’s legs, which she avoided by jumping in the air and landing swiftly behind Wednesday.
“Hey! Just when I thought we were having a moment!” Wolf-Spider whined in fake offense.
Wednesday turned agilely, daggers flying everywhere as Wolf-Spider dogged all of them except one. The blade flew past her left cheek, cutting her mask just under her lens.
Wolf-Spider froze, her hand lifting towards the trickle of blood dripping from her cheek, “Whoa…you really live up to your name.”
Wednesday began to walk away nonchalantly, “Next time, I will not be so generous.”
Wolf-Spider smirked, shooting her webbing straight for Wednesday’s arms, firmly pinning them to her sides.
Wednesday let out an exasperated huff, “Do you really want to do this?”
“I'm not done with you, yet, Viper,” Wolf-Spider said, full of confidence as she walked towards Wednesday.
Wednesday’s mouth partner for a sharp retort, but for some reason, it refused to form. She couldn't decide what was more infuriating, the smugness in Wolf-Spider’s voice or the fact that her heart had skipped at her choice of words…
Now standing right in front of her, Wolf-Spider leaned slightly forward, lenses glinting. “Now that I finally have you where I want you…” Her voice now lacking the playfulness from before, “What are you even doing chasing this guy anyway, or is this some sort of weird material for your goth blog?”
Wednesday rolled her eyes and sighed, “You are insufferable.”
“Thanks! I practice.” Wolf-Spider said smugly.
They stood in a charged, silent stare-down. Wolf-Spider didn't notice that Wednesday had already cut through most of her webbing. She stuck out her hand and threw the webbing at Wolf-Spider’s feet, “You may believe yourself to be a hero, but you are reckless. I suggest you stay out of my way.” This time, she started walking away backwards, keeping her eyes on Wolf-Spider.
She smirked once more and saluted lazily, “Yes, ma’am. But you might wanna duck.”
Wednesday frowned, taken slightly aback, “What?”
Gunshots rained towards them. A drone swooped overhead, flashing as it shot bluet after bluet. But just as fast as it started, she felt an arm wrap tightly around her waist. The two swung off the edge together, suspended by a strand of shimmering web.
The wind hit coolly against her skin, making her close her eyes as they descended. Wolf-Spider’s arm wrapped her tighter as she turned, protecting her from the window they had just crashed into.
They landed with smooth precision, but Wolf-Spider didn't let go, still shielding her with her body. One hand reaching to cover her mouth under her facemask, “Shh…I think we lost it.” She looked over Wednesday’s shoulder, her lenses narrowing.
“Did she have some sort of X-ray vision?” Wednesday through, as she observed her quizzically. She also noticed her pulse was far too fast for her liking. She pulled away slightly, fixing her coat, glaring up at Wolf-Spider, “If you insist on rescuing me, at least do it silently. I am sure that the drone and all the people in a 50-mile radius heard you slam through that window.”
Wolf-Spider reached and touched the spider on her chest, making it come to life. It flew out cautiously, scanning the surrounding area. Wolf-Spider studied her wrist watch, completely ignoring Wednesday as she slipped away to leave.
“It’s gone.” The spider drone came flying back and landed on her chest once more. “Leaving so fast? We were just starting to have fun.” Wolf-Spider teased as she leaned against a wall.
“This will not happen again.” Wednesday deadpanned, “Consider this our last meeting.”
Behind her, the spider’s voice softened, barely above the hum of the city. “That’s what you said last time…”
Wednesday didn't respond, not aloud, but her hand lingered at her side, near the spot where Wolf-Spider had held her, and for the briefest moment, she allowed herself the smallest of smiles before walking out of the building, vanishing into the fog.
…
The library was quieter than she expected, dimly lit, the faint scent of old paper hanging in the air. It was perfect.
Wednesday set her nag beside the window seat and began sorting through the local crime archives. The Scalper hadn’t had another hit since their 3er victim, which was a good thing. Their pattern had become erratic, but Wednesday’s instinct told her there was a connection between them and their henchmen. She was just narrowing down the correlation when someone slid into the seat across from her.
“Howdy, neighbor!”
She froze mid-scribble.
Enid, the whirlwind of a neighbor from the elevator, was now smiling at her over a precarious tower of textbooks, her quad, notes, and pens.
“You…” Wednesday blinked, slowly regaining composure.
“Me!” Enid chirped. “Wow, small world. I didn't think I would see you again so soon.”
“Nor did I,” Wednesday replied, voice flat.
Enid chuckled and began taking out her things happily. “Mind if I sit here? All the other tables are taken.”
Wednesday lifted her head and glanced around the half-empty library, “Evidently.”
Enid took that as a yes. “Thanks! I promise I’ll be quiet. Well, mostly.”
Wednesday rolled her eyes and went back to reading her notes.
Enid, true to her word, kept mostly to herself, silently taking notes, tapping her pen to the rhythm of a song playing in her head. Wednesday had been trying to ignore her, but her attention kept drifting from the crime report to the girl’s scribbled formulas.
Enid chewed on her pen, muttering softly, “If X equals the reaction rate constant then…” She stopped and groaned, dropping her pen in the process. “Ugh, I hate kinetics.”
“Then perhaps you should choose a different field of study,” Wednesday said without looking up.
Enid huffed. “Oh, come on, you never struggled with something?”
“Of course I have. I simply overcame it.”
Enid smiled, resting her chin on her hand. “You sound like a motivational poster. A scary one, that is.”
Wednesday finally looked up. “I am not known for being motivational.”
“Well, you could’ve fooled me,” Enid said, grin widening. “You have that whole mysterious-professor vibe going. Like you would grade with a dagger instead of a pen.”
Wednesday’s pen paused over the page. “You are remarkably attentive for someone who nearly tripped over her own shoelaces this morning.”
“Ugh…you saw that?!” Enid groaned, covering her face with her hands, “That was…a tactical misstep.” She countered, lowering her hands to look her in the eyes, “Besides, I landed on my feet…eventually.”
A reluctant tug at the corner of Wednesday's lips betrayed her composure. She looked away before Enid could notice, or so she hoped.
Enid leaned back in her chair, humming quietly. “So, Wednesday. What are you even studying so vehemently?”
“Human behavior,” Wednesday replied, a bit flushed.
“That explains a lot,” Enid murmured under her breath.
“What was that?” Wednesday scowled.
“Nothing!” Enid smiled too quickly. “Just…it’s cool. You must be super observant then.”
Wednesday studied her, pen poised between her fingers. “You would be surprised how little escapes my attention.”
The way Enid’s hair caught the sunlight. The faint scent of a sugary coffee. The quick pulse in her throat when she smiled… Unsettling. Entirely unsettling….
Enid yawned and stretched, her sleeve slipping down her arm, showing a bracelet with a faint web-shaped charm glinting under the light. Wednesday’s gaze caught on it for just a fraction of a second. Her stomach tightened, though she wouldn’t say why…
“Anyway.” Enid said, oblivious, “I should probably head to the lab before my professor thinks I got eaten by a textbook.” She packed her things quickly, then waved. “See you around, Wednesday!”
Wednesday watched her leave and said nothing. The library felt quieter after she was gone…colder…
She stared at her notebook, where she had unknowingly written the same words twice: Wolf-Spider…
She tapped her pen against the page. “Curious.”
…
It was her final hit. Wednesday now stood over the bound Scalper, his men sprawled unconscious around the slick rooftop. Her braid clung tightly to her neck, her clothes soaked through. The ache in her ribs pulsed with each breath, but she refused to show it.
A few meters away, Wolf-Spider crouched on the ledge, one leg dangling, her mask half torn from the strenuous fight. She looked equally wrecked; she had scratches on her jaw, one of her lenses was cracked, and her breathing was shallow. Yet when she turned to look at Wednesday, she smiled.
Together, they had discovered that the Scalper was an outcast, a Multiplier one, which explained why every time they caught them, they showed up once more, but today, they managed to take on all of them and won…
“Well, that’s one way to spend a Friday night,” Wolf-Spider said, voice slightly distorted through the crack modulator.
Wednesday crossed her arms around her, faking bravery but really trying to soothe the pain on her sides. “You have an unhealthy definition of recreation.”
Wolf-Spider chuckled softly. “Says the woman who hunts serial killers for fun.”
“I do not hunt for fun. I hunt for closure.” Wednesday scoffed.
“Sure, sure,” Wolf-Spider replied, pushing herself up, wincing at the abrupt movement. “Still…we make a pretty good team, Viper.”
Wednesday looked at her then, really looked. Beneath the damaged mask and soaked suit, Wolf-Spider’s chest rose and fell heavily. The rain caught on her lashes. For someone who spoke so casually, there was a quiet bravery in the way she carried herself, undaunted and unyielding, making Wednesday feel something twist in her chest… “Perhaps,” She admitted quietly.
Wolf-Spider tilted her head. “You almost sound like that was a compliment.”
“I assure you, it was not.”
They stood in the rain; the job was done. The mysterious chase that had kept them circling each other for several nights had finally ended. There was nothing left to tether them together…nothing but the lingering question of what exactly had formed between them…
“Well,” Wolf-Spider finally said, as the police sirens wailed in the distance, “Guess this is goodbye, huh?”
Wednesday nodded. “It would seem so.”
Wolf-Spider shot her webbing to the lamppost above Wednesday's head, flipping gracefully despite the pain and state she was currently in. She swung, hanging upside down right in front of Wednesday’s face. Rain dripped from her suit; her exposed hair was damp beneath the torn mask.
“You know,” She said softly, her voice warmer now that her modulator faltered completely. “…We really have to stop meeting like this…”
Wednesday blinked; her pulse skipped a beat. Her body was moving on its own accord. Slowly, she stepped closer, tilting her chin up to meet the inverted gaze above her.
“You are right…” She murmured, “We really do…” She lifted her mask slightly, exposing her mouth…
Their eyes locked, hers dark and deep, Enid’s bright and shining through the cracked lens. The rain muffled everything else around them. Wednesday reached up, brushing her fingers against the torn edge of the spider’s mask, hesitating only for a breath before pulling it down just enough to…
The kiss was brief, impossibly gentle for two people covered in bruises, blood, and possibly broken bones, but it was real, electric, and grounding all at once.
When they parted, Wolf-Spider was smiling, upside down, lips curved in wonder.
“So,” She whispered, breathless, “See you around, Ms. Darkness?”
Wednesday’s lips twitched, “We shall see…”
With one last smile, Wolf-Spider took off, swinging in the distance as Wednesday lingered…
…
The next morning was deceptively calm. The rain had washed the city clean, and San Francisco looked almost peaceful, if one ignored the police barricades two blocks over.
Wednesday, of course, didn’t ignore them. She had been up since dawn, packing her stuff as the news played in the background. The corner of her mouth betrayed the faintest curve when the anchor mentioned that the mysterious vigilante known as Wolf-Spider had yet again disappeared into the night after a victorious capture.
She knew very well who she was.
She had known since the day at the library. She confirmed it last night when she looked into her bright blue eyes. The height, the tone, the rhythm of her speech, and the fact that she's the only person in her building who possesses that level of reckless enthusiasm and not to mention the physical agility…
A light knock echoed and pulled her from her thoughts. She walked to her living room, staring at the door, “Hey, uh…Wednesday? It’s Enid. I think one of your notes got kinda mixed up with mine and…”
Wednesday exhaled, closing her eyes before she opened the door. Enid was holding up a paper in one hand and two cups of coffee in the other. Her hair was slightly damp from the misty morning, her glasses slipping down her nose again. She smiled awkwardly, “I brought some of your favorites.” She said, showing her the cups.
“That was not necessary.” Wednesday began.
“Yeah, well, I figured you’d like something to keep you cold on this rainy day. Annnnd, I felt that if I didn't get you your note back, you'd hex me into my next life.” She chuckled nervously.
“Most likely,” Wednesday replied, stepping aside to let her in.
Enid walked in and noticed the suitcase packed and ready, standing by the door. “Going somewhere?” She asked, curiously.
“Home,” Wednesday replied, standing in front of the closed door.
“Ah, I see.” Enid’s tone shifted to something raw. She cleared her throat, “So.. crazy night last night, huh? Sirens everywhere. I heard the police caught that serial killer you mentioned. Pretty wild stuff.” She shuffled awkwardly.
Wednesday’s gaze lingered on her face a little too long. “Indeed. Thought, it appears the police had… unexpected assistance.”
Enid stopped moving, “Ug…assistance? What kind of…” Her question was cut off when she saw Wednesday fully smiling at her…
She ducked her head in hiding, but the faintest hint of amusement still flicked in her eyes. She took a few steps closer, “And you were right…We really must stop meeting like this.” She said in the softest tone Enid had ever heard come from her.
Enid’s lips parted, eyes widening. She looked like she had just been struck by the lightning outside as realization slowly spread across her features. Her voice dropped to a whisper, “You’re…Viper…”
Wednesday stepped impossibly closer, her expression calm, but her pulse thrumming beneath her skin. “And you are far less subtle than you believe, Miss Wolf-Spider…”
Enid swallowed, her usual chatter gone.
Wednesday studied her, amused. “Thank you.” She whispered, sincerely.
“For what…” Enid’s voice was hoarse.
“Everything,” Wednesday replied, leaning forward, closing the distance. The kiss was softer than the one shared last night under the rain. It was warmer and real, the kind that didn't need hiding behind masks.
They parted, foreheads touching. Enid’s arms wrapped around Wednesday's waist like they had many times before, “Stay…” She whispered.
Wednesday caressed the side of her bruised cheek, “I find your presence… inconveniently compelling." Her voice was low at her almost confession, “I intended to leave before that became a problem…”
“And now?” Enid asked, full of dread and hope.
Wednesday’s gaze dipped to her lips, “Now I am reconsidering…”
Enid pulled Wednesday in for another deep kiss. It held the words they couldn’t muster: certain, a promise, and surrender. The room became silent around them; the only sound was the beat of their hearts racing. The temperature of the room rose as they moved together, hesitant at first, then sure.
Thunder roared somewhere beyond the city as their entangled bodies hit the couch…and whatever came next belonged only to them and San Francisco.