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Wednesday Addams absolutely hated everything about Tyler Galpin. At least that's what she told herself every morning that she woke up at the Hyde Camp. In fact she made it a point to articulate it once a day, most often to Enid but occasionally to Capri or the subject of her suffering itself.
It had been about 4 weeks since Wednesday and Thing had finally tracked down Enid. Fester had gotten bored of the chase for the Alpha after 2 weeks leaving Wednesday and Thing on their own for an additional 6 weeks, hot on Enid’s trail but never being able to catch her.
Wednesday knew that her time to find Enid was limited which was what prompted her to track down Isadora Capi. She was only slightly amused when she realized Capri had also been tracking down Enid unknowingly.
“The pack has been going crazy over this Alpha scent. Figured it would be better for us to catch and help them before they get attacked by the wrong wolves.” Capri had said when they physically ran into each other in the woods.
“Your pack doesn't have the desire to kill Enid?” Wednesday affirmed asking. Wednesday thought all werewolves were biologically trained to attack Alphas. She was pleased Capri’s Pack had managed a way to overcome that fatal genetic planning.
“No, it's not our instinct to want to kill. We're more about helping lost Outcasts find their way.” Capri said in a quiet tone as they made their way through the clearing towards what Wednesday would learn to be camp.
“I'm glad to see not all wolves are genetically inferior.” Wednesday spoke in her usual deadpanned tone, she would have to get Agnes to do some more research. However Wednesday was stopped by her music teacher putting a hand on her upper arm. Wednesday immediately stiffened at the contact.
“There's something you should know about the pack. They're not wolves. I haven't been truthful to you about what I am.” Capri spoke slowly as if not to spoil Wednesday as her fingers tightened around the girl’s arm, not in an offensive way but a grounding one.
“You mean you're admitting that you didn't have the qualifications to be giving advice on anybody's musical performances?” Wednesday deadpanned furrowing her brows as Capri let out a sigh.
“The pack are Hydes not wolves. My father, it was his pack but when he died, well they took me in.” Capri’s voice was full of emotion as a chill ran up Wednesday’s spine. So Alfie Penn wasn't the only Hyde that Capri had encountered.
“So you're a Hyde, you're not a wolf.” Wednesday retorted, a ting of anger hiding behind her eyes. That would've been helpful information when she was trying to Master Tyler. Instead she had to deal with Capri’s sob love story.
“I'm a hybrid, I'm half-Hyde and half-wolf. It's an awful thing, my wolf pack didn't accept me, they thought I was an abomination who should be slain. Here though, I was accepted. They're good people who want to help and they can help Enid.” Capri said as Wednesday’s expression gave nothing further away, she simply stared at her music teacher.
“You're hiding something by telling me another sob story about your life. What is it?” Wednesday demanded, she had gotten better at reading her music teacher after all.
“Tyler,” Capri could hear Wednesday’s heart pound faster at the boy’s mention. “Is here. He's doing okay, playing well with others but please do not provoke him.” Capri warned as she let go of Wednesday’s arm.
“I despise Tyler. I have no reason to interact with him nor will I seek out one to do so.” Wednesday spoke, practiced, rehearsed and said it in a way that seemed like she was to convince herself of that.
“Whatever your feelings are towards him, he has been through a lot and is trying to start over. I fear him seeing you is only going to cause him to fall backwards.” Capri admitted. While she hadn't been able to get much out from Tyler about Wednesday, she noticed his physical reactions when she had asked previously. The tick of his jaw, pained look in his eyes and hitched breath.
“The more comfortable he is here, the better chance I never have to see him again after this is all over.” Wednesday spoke, her voice was laced with something that Capri hadn't heard from the girl before.
However, Wednesday was pleased when Capri didn't push the conversation further and simply just led her to the camp. Capri helped Wednesday get set up in one of the spare rooms of one of the cabins that had two beds for when they would find Enid.
The next morning Wednesday saw Tyler for the first time. Capri had insisted on showing her around camp after breakfast just so Wednesday would know where she was going. She didn't plan on staying past finding Enid but begrudgingly agreed.
The pack and camp grounds were giving her flashbacks to the summer her and Pugsley had gone to Camp Chippewa. However, the atmosphere here was more muted, painful and trauma filled than the juvenile one of her summer camp. It made the environment more tolerable for her.
“Oh, Tyler, I thought you would still be with the group.” Capri said in a tone that seemed stiffer than her normal voice.
Wednesday, however, had no qualms with walking past Tyler. She was in such a hurry to get away from him that their shoulders quickly brushed as Wednesday stomped off to the forest. Not even acknowledging the situation or waiting for Capi to follow along.
Capri gave Tyler a sympathetic look before beginning to run after Wednesday. “Wait up, Wednesday!” Capri hollered after the teenager. Tyler just gave a weak chuckle to himself as he turned around watching Wednesday’s dual braid move as she angrily stomped off. He knew she wouldn't turn around but felt satisfied that seeing him had invoked that reaction in her.
With Capri’s help they were able to find Enid in 3 days. Wednesday was blessed that this cursed journey was over, however, then became the struggle in trying to help Enid transition back into a human.
Wednesday was thankful that Enid still seemed to recognize her despite so much time in her Alpha form. It was quite amusing to watch the giant wolf curled up on a neon pink blanket surrounded by Enid’s plushies that Wednesday had Agnes ship up. However, Enid still wasn't shifting back and it was causing Wednesday and Capri to slowly lose their patience.
The teenager had actually allowed herself to leave Enid’s side to sit down with Capri for dinner so they could have a conversation re-evaluating things. They had been focused on music therapy from Capri’s end as many studies proved music therapy had been successful in helping Alpha’s transition back.
Wednesday has also begun to lace Wednesday’s food with a potion she had gotten advice from her Mother on. However, that was showing no promising returns either. Enid could not permanently be in this form, Wednesday wouldn't let her.
After a very unfulfilling and difficult dinner with Capri, Wednesday found herself dreadfully going back to her cabin. Not that she minded being with Enid in this form but every time she saw Enid in that form it reminded her of her failures and shortcomings.
It reminded her of that night, Tyler’s face as she was lowered into a premature grave morphed into Tyler’s face as he begged her to kill him. The fact that she hadn't had been haunting her for weeks, she couldn't figure out why she let him live.
However, when she opened the door letting the door slam shut behind her as she kicked off her shoes. Before she could turn around the air around her was filled with a noise, a laugh. Enid’s laugh specifically, Enid’s human laugh. Wednesday Addams didn't freeze, she was always collected, strategic and rational but in that moment she froze at the scene in front of her.
Enid, in her human form, was sitting on the bed that had been yet to be claimed as hers, bundled up in a sweatshirt and shorts. She was laughing, laughing hard at something that Tyler had said. Wednesday felt her breath catch in her chest as Tyler and Enid both looked towards the door. Tyler looked at her so gently, with a small smile pulling across her lips.
Wednesday had no time to react as Enid was squeaking, “Bestie!” And tackling Wednesday to the ground with a hug. For a rarity, Wednesday let her and let her non-furry friend cling to her for a long moment. Just a moment before pushing back and looking behind her where Tyler had padded across the wooden floors and stood in doorway.
“I'll leave you guys.” He spoke, a small smile still pulled across his face as he snuck out the front door before either girl could really have an opportunity to protest and comment on such.
After Enid had taken a very, very, very long shower. And began a very long rendition of her skincare and nail routines, with help from Thing of course. Wednesday watched with a careful eye the scene in front of her. Almost like if she looked away for a moment that Enid would be ripped away in front of her.
“What did he do to get you to transform back?” Wednesday spoke watching as Enid and Thing were cleaning up her cuticles. The ones that Enid had wined were ‘utterly destroyed and would take weeks to fix.’ How her roommate was an alpha was a cruel twist of fate.
“He just came by to talk.” Enid spoke swiftly. It wasn't like Enid to give a clipped or a swift answer, but for once she actually didn't ramble on. The one time Wednesday had actually wanted her to ramble she didn't.
“About what?” Wednesday inquired with more urgency creeping in through her tone.
“Is that really important?” Enid asked, letting her eyes drift up from her nails to look at Wednesday. She could see Wednesday’s mouth twitch downward for only a split second before a more neutral expression overtook her face.
“Yes, Capri, Agnes and I have been looking for every study, every book, every case of transitioning an Alpha back to human. We've tried every recorded method and it did not work.” Wednesday spoke frustratedly. Of course she would spend weeks working on something for Tyler Galpin to come in at the last second and steal her thunder.
Wednesday could see Enid uncharacteristically stiffen as she put down the cuticle cutter down on the blanket beside her. Giving Wednesday her undivided attention as she looked up.
“He talked to me about you.” Enid spoke and before she could say anything else, Wednesday stormed into the bathroom and slammed the door behind her.
“Still a sensitive situation?” Enid whispered to Thing who signed ‘You have no idea.’
That began Enid’s journey of forcing Wednesday to spend time with her and Tyler. Enid played the guilt trip card shockingly well and Wednesday kept finding herself falling for it. At the news of Enid being an Alpha, her parents had disowned her.
Something that Enid wasn't rather surprised at but something that was still hurting her. Wednesday had assured Enid that she would be able to come stay at the Addams household. That her parents would be delighted to welcome her. Capri had also offered Enid to stay with the Hyde Pack. She hadn't fully made up her mind yet, something that was weighing on Wednesday heavily.
It was such an easy decision in Wednesday’s eyes and she felt herself beginning to compete for Enid’s decision. As Tyler and Enid bonded more over their shared experiences as shifters, Wednesday almost found herself getting more territorial over Enid. She wouldn't allow herself to lose to Tyler, not again. Never again.
That was how Wednesday found herself sitting at a stupid diner with Enid and Tyler on a Friday night. They were blabbering over some reality TV show that Wednesday had no interest in watching. She was going to slice her ears off if she had to hear the words ‘Love Island’ one more time.
“I think we're boring, Wednesday, again.” Tyler said in a tone with a sheepish look on his face before reaching for his burger.
“Your simple conversations about this subject make my brain cells shrivel up and die. I can only hope it's a painful death.” Wednesday muttered, stabbing Tyler’s french fries with a fork before hesitantly eating one. She wouldn't admit that she liked them.
“Well, what about any movies or TV shows that you like?” Enid spoke optimistically, this was the closest Wednesday had gotten to actually responding to Tyler.
“I enjoy horror movies. Gore, Violence, the uncensored versions of course.” Wednesday spoke proudly.
“So does Legally Blonde fall under that category?” Tyler asked, his grin getting hidden by taking a sip of his chocolate milkshake.
“That was an awfully dreadful movie.” Wednesday spoke almost as if she was reminiscing.
“You are quite the contrarian.” Tyler spoke and gave Wednesday a slight wink. One that made her feel like everything inside of her was shining and glistening. Most people wouldn't take it as a compliment but most people weren't Wednesday Addams.
As the summer days dragged on, Enid’s progress at connecting her human and alpha halves were going exceedingly well. After about a week and a conversation in which Enid called it a ‘heart to heart', she decided she wanted to go back to Jersey with Wednesday.
At first, Wednesday felt herself reveling in her victory, that was until she saw the smile fall on Tyler’s face when Enid told him the news. Tyler recovered it quickly, fast enough that Enid wouldn't notice but Wednesday noticed, she always noticed him and all that she did.
She noticed him meditating in the mornings before everyone got breakfast. Especially how there was always a quad waiting in her signature spot. The way he would go for swims in the evening, at the perfect time between when the sun was setting and when the dark was rolling in. She especially noticed when Tyler and Enid would train together, she felt a burning sensation at the sight of the two of them so close.
“You keep glaring at Tyler every time he and I spar. You know he's not going to hurt me.” Enid spoke softly to her roommate one night as they were both in their beds. The lights were off, only thing filling the room was the moonlight from the windows.
“I don't glare at him out of concern for you, you are strong enough to hold your own over him. He is simply someone who I hate.” Wednesday spoke clinically as she swore Enid groaned in disappointment. Enid didn't further comment as Wednesday let Enid’s disappointment lull her to sleep.
Wednesday knew it was summer and that meant most people didn't like to wear as much clothing due to the heat. She never minded, it reminded her of the warm hug of hell that was awaiting her. She sat in a chair, which had become her chair, in the shade under a tree, basking in the darkness and coolness. It was near the lake and for some reason Wednesday felt her best plot points for her novel formed at this spot.
The spot was fairly popular amongst the camp residents but that didn't explain why Tyler Galpin insisted on visually assaulting her with his display of generic looks. As he walked past her towards the dock that connected to the lake.
She could hear giggly and whispering from a few of the girls sitting on a picnic blanket in front of her. The group sat on the grass, basking in the last bit of sun of that day. They called out to Tyler who simply gave a smile and polite “Hi.”
Wednesday hadn't initially realized how many people their age were at the camp. She had never really looked around until Enid asked Wednesday if she thought a blonde haired girl was flirting with him over breakfast. The girl was laughing at something Tyler said, touching his chest as she was doing so. Wednesday found herself storming out of breakfast that morning, leaving her quad half empty.
The fact that Tyler was here was torturous enough until Wednesday watched him drop the bag that was in his hand and begin to strip off his t-shirt.
His body that looked like it was sculpted by the gods themselves, each muscle being so perfectedly shaped on his body. The scars across his back, chest, and face distracted from his perfectly golden skin. His curls falling perfectly into place, it was shorter than the last time she had seen him but longer than when they had met. The honey color of his hair looked spectacularly golden with the sunset shining on him.
Wednesday ignored how the longing and admiration was painted all over the girls faces as they tried to start a conversation with him. The one thing she hated more than Tyler was the fact that every single teenage girl in that camp wanted Tyler. She had seen the lingering glances and hugs that girls would give him. Almost like they were jumping out of their skin in order to talk to him, gain his attention, feel his touch. It infuriated her to no end.
Tyler had always been quite beautiful, even from the day that they had met in Weathervane. A fact that Wednesday detested every minute she was around him. Even as a known serial killer, there were girls still reaching for his attention and affections. She wondered what it was like for him prior to Laurel, if girls acted the same towards him in Jericho.
Wednesday found herself drawn out of her thoughts by Enid waving a hand in front of her face and snapping her fingers. It was on the third “Wednesday.” That she finally turned her eyes to look at Enid who was blocking her view from Tyler who was pushing himself into the lake.
“Wednesday, are you okay? Your face is flushed red, I know you said the heat doesn't bother you but I'm worried you're going to get heat stroke in that outfit.” Enid said worriedly, putting a hand on Wednesday’s forehead, her concern growing when Wednesday didn't swat it away immediately.
“I have never seen a more pathetic display of teenage hormones.” Wednesday spoke, her typically deadpanned tone laced with something that sounded like disdain.
“What are you even talking about? Do I need to get Miss Capri to take you to the hospital?” Enid began before the sound of a loud giggle and a “Later Tyler!” Came from behind her back. A smug smile started making its way across Enid’s face as an expression near a scowl made its way across Wednesdays.
“Oh my gee, are you jealous?” Enid whispered in a voice that came out in a squeal. Her voice did turn high enough that Wednesday was convinced only dogs would be able to hear the Alpha.
“How dare you?” Wednesday demanded in her most offended tone. What was there to be jealous of? Tyler Galpin was certainly not a prize in her eyes.
“You don't have to admit it to me, hell, you don't have to even admit it to him but you should admit it to yourself, Wednesday. Especially because you probably won't see him again after we leave here.” Enid said, putting a hand on Wednesday’s shoulder before walking away.
Wednesday allowed herself to get lost in her notes, she would use a notebook when sitting outside to work on plot points, characterization, detailing and storylining for her novels. She had to become adaptable on the road yet she missed her typewriter dearly. She wasn't sure how long she had been writing but had looked up at the perfect moment to see Tyler emerging out of the water.
Tyler’s muscles flexed as he pushed himself onto the dock from the lake, cleanly and practiced. A very strong display of male strength and agility Wednesday noted. This time Wednesday was pleased to not hear the group of girls ogling and giggling over him. When she looked up to where they were seated, they were gone, likely back to camp for that evening’s campfire.
Turning her head back in front of her she was met with Tyler’s golden chest, wet with water droplets from the lake. Even in the shade, the golden glow from his appearance didn't fade and she despised him for it. He could be her lightness within her dark. She pushed that thought away as she let her eyes wander up to his face.
“Are you going to keep glaring at me or are you ever going to come join me?” Tyler asked with a smirk pulling across his lips. This wasn't the first time he had caught her “working” on her novel while he was taking his afternoon swim.
“If I ever joined you in the water it would be to drown you.” Wednesday spoke pointedly, her eyes staying locked on his as he had the audacity to laugh at her words.
“I mean you sure spend a lot of time out here pretending not to watch me every evening. Even Abby admitted I'm quite a sight for sore eyes.” Tyler said in a teasing tone, the one that could so easily get under her skin and break her composure.
“Is that one of the blondes who’s insistent on staring at you shirtless every evening.” Wednesday let her eyes flicker back down to her notebook, feigning disinterest.
“So you have been watching me!” Tyler spoke excitedly, a smile breaking out on his face like a kid on Christmas. Wednesday was holding her pen so tightly she was certain it was going to break. She stood up rapidly and turned around to storm off when Tyler's firm hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her back towards him.
“Tyler, let me go.” Wednesday gritted through her teeth as she tried to pull her wrist back. Damn Hyde strength. Her gaze was a glare against him, if looks could kill he would be joining his family 6 feet under.
“Stay. One swim with me.” Tyler spoke quickly before adding, “Please.” In a voice that was so quiet she barely heard it but the look on his face had turned from a shit eating grin to one of longing. Here he was begging for her to stay with him. The last time he begged her for anything it was when he asked her to… Wednesday looked up at Tyler before her brain could finish that thought.
“I don't have a swimsuit here.” Wednesday stupidly found that being the thing to come out of her mouth. She could've cursed him so eloquently he wouldn't understand, tell him how much his existence bothered her but her concern was that. Stupidly enough she found herself regretting not picking up a bathing suit of her own when Enid had forced her into Walmart to regain a sense of humanity. Wednesday wanted to slam herself into a wall.
“You can wear my shirt instead of your clothes.” Tyler offered as his cheeks turned the color of rose blush as Wednesday pondered his offer. He loosened his grip on her wrist so he was moving to hold her hand, so slowly that she didn't realize that he was intertwining her fingers in his. However, she had no intention of pulling her fingers away from him.
“I make no promises that I won't drown you.” Wednesday spoke and started to walk towards the dock now pulling Tyler with her. The sun had set. It was dark, the glow of the moon being the only thing to illuminate them.
Tyler’s hand left hers and found the small of her back as she stepped onto the dock. He whispered from behind her “Careful.” It felt just as nice as it did when he was taking her to Crackstone’s Crypt. Her chest made an uncomfortable throb at the memory.
Once they were both on the dock, Tyler stood on the ladder down to the lake as Wednesday began unlacing and pulling off her boots, placing them next to Tyler’s bag. When her boots and socks were off, she looked up at Tyler, making eye contact with him in the moonlight.
“My T-Shirt is in the bag. It's black, it won't impact your allergy.” Tyler said in a soft voice, almost like he was afraid to spook her away. She paused slightly at his words, had he been planning this, hoping for this moment with her.
She began to pull off her sweater leaving her in a simple black sports bra. She made no effort to reach for his shirt although it was within reach as she folded her sweater and placed it down in his bag. Wednesday did however find her hands shaking ever so slightly as she unbuttoned her trousers and pushed them down leaving her just in her undergarment.
Tyler’s breath hitched staring at the sight in front of him. She had always been incredibly beautiful but this vulnerability was something else entirely. He was snapped out of his trance when Wednesday walked in front of him. They were close to eye level with the way he was standing on the dock.
His heart was about to jump out of his chest at her proximity. Even more so when her hands were on his pectorals. Unfortunately for Tyler, that was because Wednesday pushed him into the lake and he landed backwards with a loud splash.
Wednesday smirked ever so slightly at Tyler’s splash and sputtering after the fact. She could see the amusement hidden in his eyes when he steadied himself in the water. It was at that moment she decided to jump right into Tyler’s eager arms.