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Chapter Text

Wednesday’s head spun at the words on the page. Why can’t we be like that?

She could hear the sadness in Enid’s voice as the words replayed in her head even though it was simply a letter from her beloved. Behind the locked door of her room, darkness brought by the curtains, she doesn’t need to mask the uncontrollable emotions that she will surely go to hell for. Wednesday looks forward to it more and more every day with Enid. If there’s anyone she could tolerate dragging to hell with her, it would be Enid herself and nobody else in this lifetime or beyond.

Closing her eyes, Wednesday lets herself imagine through the images that she had raced to the library to find on Nevermore the moment Enid had told her in a letter that she was going there and the words written on the page clutched in her hand.

Skipping through the halls, Enid doesn’t falter a single step. Neither does her smile. It is inside that her heart bends over its back trying to avoid the arrows attempting to make it bleed. Couple after couple were in the halls, the knowledge courtesy to her adamant attempt at keeping her title of gossip queen with her blog.

Part of her kept it up specifically so that she could tell Wednesday about it in her letters. It was part of their exchanges for Wednesday to make fun of her use of writing for social media.

Today wasn’t a special day by any means. It was yet another day. Another day without Wednesday. To be fair, Enid hadn’t seen her girlfriend in years now. Something that had burgeoned as a young puppy love had become something so much deeper through distance, as if the distance and the pain had gouged a larger place in each of their hearts for each other. It certainly hadn’t been love at first sight like Wednesday described her parent’s love story.

Still, some days Enid missed Wednesday more than others. Some days she let herself wonder if they weren’t outcasts, they would’ve been able to be the ones holding hands down the halls, walking each other to class.

Wondering further, Enid thought, would Wednesday have been the chivalrous type?

The answer was most definitely. Wednesday yearned to offer to carry Enid’s books and open the doors so that Enid would give her that knowing smirk once again that annoyed Wednesday so badly she wanted to die (more than usual).

Eyes snapping open, Wednesday knew she had to do something. There was no way she would let Enid continue to suffer this pain. The idea that she was feeling hurt that was related to Wednesday made Wednesday want to fall to her knees, which simply could not happen. Wednesday still had graves to dig, and a body count to add to.

More than that, even if Wednesday wouldn’t admit it, Enid’s suffering sat wrong with Wednesday. It was more than uncomfortable,

Tracing the letters and the grooves they left in the paper from the pressure of Enid’s letters, Wednesday pondered how. For a moment, Wednesday considered that perhaps letting go would be the best course of action. That way Enid could find somebody close to her that could hold her hand through the halls of Nevermore. The idea was quickly dispelled from her head however. Wednesday would give up murdering and maiming before she gave up on what she had with Enid. Addamses did not give up so easily.

No, if she could not give what Enid needed from here, she would simply have to find a way to get to Enid.

Don’t get it wrong, Wednesday was under no delusion that they would have to be any less secretive if she was near Enid. There was a very good reason why they had kept it a secret in the first place, and a secret it would remain until it was safe to reveal, or to their deaths.

However, just the idea of being in the menacingly glorious presence of Enid would darken (because who likes brightening? Certainly not wednesday) Wednesday’s days considerably.

Carefully folding the letter back into its envelope, Wednesday walked over to a worn spot in the dark floorboards near her bed. Kneeling down, she pulls back the floorboard to reveal a niche in the floor, filled with envelopes, from worn and faded and yellow to bright new and pink. Slipping the newest one towards the newer end, Wednesday let her eyes roam over the letters, years of love and like and feelings flitting through Wednesday as she recalled the content of each and every letter with her superior memory.

Her moment is interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. Slamming the floorboard back into the place, Wednesday barely has time to stand up and step out of the way as a knife goes whistling past her.

“Aww darn it. I thought I’d get you for sure this time”, Pugsley said with a frown.

“Never”, Wednesday replied surely before imperceptibly pulling out of a knife of her own, flicking it towards him so fast that no human eye could follow. Pugsley however, is an Addams, so he simply jumps out of the way with a grin.

“What do you want?” Wednesday demands gruffly.

“It’s dinner time.”

Nodding, Wednesday simply follows, head and heart too full of all the words that she wished to tell Enid, wondering if her words would even be enough to soothe Enid meanwhile. The truth was, if Wednesday didn’t do something soon, she was afraid she would lose Enid to somebody else closer, more available. The thought that Wednesday refused to acknowledge, the action that she knew would happen if Enid were to do so, was that Wednesday would simply let her if that became the situation, because Wednesday Addams was unlike her parents. If another made Enid happier, Wednesday would take over the incorrigible world to drag that person into Enid’s arms. Although, if anybody asked Wednesday, if Wednesday was to ask herself, she would still lie and say that she would murder anybody who dared to try to take her Enid away.

It was exactly what she was thinking about when she walked through the detestable halls of the intolerable public school she and Pugsley attended. Wednesday herself did not envy the overly affectionate teenagers in the hallways, but she could still hear Enid’s voice in her ear as if she was a ghost hovering over Wednesday’s shoulder. Why can’t we be like that?

In all honesty, it was what she was thinking about when she released Pugsley from his locker prison. However when her head snapped back in the vivid vision of the assault on Pugsley, Wednesday felt her heart pick up. Not only did it make her blood boil that somebody dared to hurt her brother besides her, it also meant she suddenly had the perfect excuse to get out of this rotten excuse of a school to Nevermore. It was a shining black ticket right within Wednesday’s grasp.

With manic glee, Wednesday retrieved the piranhas from her family property.

-0-

Cluelessly, in Nevermore, Enid clutches Wednesday’s latest letter to her chest as she lays down in bed that night. She inhales strongly, taking in a whiff of the paper that always smelled slightly like Wednesday. Not enough. Never enough, but it was just the hint of Wednesday Enid needed to cling onto the enigma that Wednesday had become over the years of their very long distance and secretive relationship.

If it weren’t for these letters, Enid could convince herself that she had made up the entire relationship in her head.

They are the only thing that Enid has of Wednesday, so she treasures them more than anything else. Letters weren’t really Enid’s thing. Texting was much easier than writing, and after a while of writing, Enid’s hand started to hurt and she had to focus harder to make sure her hand writing was presentable and readable. At the same time, Enid continues to write these letters without a single complaint, because she knows it is Wednesday’s preferred method of communication. Enid would never force Wednesday to get a phone if she didn’t want to touch electronics like that. Enid wasn’t sure if she could imagine Wednesday holding a phone and using it anyway.

Being honest, Enid suffered in their relationship more than she smiled. Some nights like these, she found herself crying, sniffling in her bed. She wondered if Wednesday would stand far away and cock her head in confusion at her tears if she could see the mess Enid was. “What are you doing, cara mia?” she would ask. Enid could see it perfectly as if Wednesday was really there. Even the idea of that was comforting, because Wednesday didn’t ask for people’s wellbeing, and she would certainly never step forward to brush the tears off Enid’s face. That just wasn’t Wednesday. Despite that, Enid had fallen for her. Sometimes Enid wondered if her affinity for physical affection was borne of the lack thereof in her romantic life.

Unfortunately, Enid wasn’t insane just yet. She knew this wasn’t reality and Wednesday would never stand in her dorm room, never be able to criticize all the color. Boy, Wednesday would have a field day with it given the chance.

So, with nobody to ask her why she was crying and give even a poor attempt at comfort, Enid wiped away her own tears like she did every single time. This was her fate, for falling for an Addams, the type of person she should never have fallen for, Enid supposed.

What she would give for Wednesday to appear tomorrow in front of her, Enid thought, completely unaware of what was happening in Wednesday’s part of the world.

Chapter Text

So excited about the news that she’s getting a new roommate, Enid manages to almost forget Wednesday. Almost. Really, she could never forget Wednesday for a single minute. Even if the world was cruel enough to rip away her memory, her heart would always remember her dark paramour.

Immediately, Enid smiles at the thought, knowing Wednesday would be proud of her inner vocabulary.

The door clicked and opened with no warning, Enid turning around from her laptop that she had been emptily staring at to face the intruder when her heart stopped. It happened every single time this person appeared in her vicinity. It was like she was death itself, stopping Enid’s heart and claiming her mind and soul as her own for the time that they were together.

 In walked Wednesday herself, the dark knight of Enid’s fluffiest dreams. Nobody else that had just walked in even registered into Enid’s brain. Not even Principal Weems. Enid had to be dreaming still, she would wake up soon and feel the heartbreak she could bet on it.

Enid could just jump up, run to Wednesday and jump into her arms. Then Wednesday would hold her, murmur into her ear that it was all okay, they didn’t have to pretend anymore. Except none of that happened, and Enid’s imagination shattered into a million pieces as she realized she could do none of that without revealing too much, resolving to examine Wednesday once again.

Wednesday’s face showed no sign of telling surprise as usual. For once, Enid cursed Wednesday’s ability to remain stoic. If Principal Weems was here… it meant that Wednesday was her new roommate, right?

Heart exploding into a thundering pound, Enid jumped up, unable to refrain herself anymore at her conclusion. “Howdy, roomie!” She rushed to jump into Wednesday’s arms, only to stop right before Wednesday, remembering that she had to keep up the facade no matter what.

It felt like a stake through her heart. Luckily, Enid wasn’t a vampire, so despite her smile slipping a little in its brightness, she couldn’t help but to continue smiling at Wednesday. How could she not smile when her girlfriend was in front of her for the first time in ages?

In the background, Weems says something, but Enid’s brain was simply swirling with questions. Why was Wednesday here? Why hadn’t she told Enid she would be here? It was enough to make Enid dizzy. In an attempt to ask what was going on without revealing their link, Enid asked, “Are you feeling okay?” Then realizing such a question would be suspect, she followed it up with, “You look a little pale.”

“Wednesday always looks half-dead”, the man behind Wednesday.

The fact was that Enid was more than aware of that, it was the tone of Wednesday’s skin that was somehow so gorgeously deathly in its hue in the moonlight in Enid’s memory. Even in the light of the multicolored window, Wednesday’s skin was just another reminder why Enid couldn’t resist Wednesday’s horrid magnetism. She could not escape a single aspect of it, not even the way that Wednesday radiated cold as if she had just stepped out of a freezer constantly.

Stepping forward in an attempt to feel some of that coldness, Enid doesn’t quite realize what she’s doing until she’s midstep and quickly raises her arms too to pass it off as a hug. Wednesday’s eyes sharpen and for the first time in this entire exchange, her face changes into a warning.

Dropping her arms, Enid murmured, “Not a hugger. Got it.” Inwardly, Enid wanted to curl up and cry. Of course she should’ve remembered that Wednesday wouldn’t hug her. Not only did Wednesday have an aversion to physical affection, she would never put Enid in jeopardy by revealing their relationship.

Despite that, Enid found herself half angry. Not only had Wednesday sprung this on her without a warning, she wasn’t even acknowledging Enid. Don’t cry, Enid , Esther’s voice reminded her, a wolf doesn’t cry .

Trying desperately to appear happy on the outside, Enid was fighting a losing battle.

-0-

Every time Wednesday saw Enid, she died a little more, death’s grasps closer to her soul. It was a beautiful thing, because she was so sure that Enid kept time running forward for her.

In fact, it seized Wednesday so spectacularly this time that she was out of words. Wednesday was hard pressed to admit that just the sight of Enid once again rendered her brain blank.

Wednesday is enamored with Enid’s eyes, and their blue hue. They told such a brilliant story, Wednesday was afraid she would never be able to top it with her novel writing. If there was a bigger inspiration for how Wednesday wrote than Mary Shelley, it was Enid Sinclair’s eyes and the emotions they held. It was a marvel how much they contained, because Wednesday was certain she had never felt so much emotion in a lifetime. 

Comparatively simple in a deceptive way, Wednesday’s emotions ranged from anger, to tortured. Tortured was the exact word Wednesday would use to describe what she had with Enid, as they held each other’s eyes. While Wednesday was used to pain and reveled in it, it still hurt her understand through the waver in Enid’s eyes that torture was something Enid didn’t enjoy.

Indeed, it was a marvel that Enid was still with her. If it were anyone else, they would probably suspect Enid was already cheating, but Wednesday knew Enid Sinclair’s pure heart better than that.

No, it would break Enid more than it would ever Wednesday if Enid were to cheat. In the case that it were to ever happen, it would not be Wednesday’s Enid anymore, but an entirely unrecognizable person.

Knowing Enid’s love language was physical affection had always been difficult for Wednesday, up until this moment. At that moment, as Enid stepped forward with her arms out, Wednesday wanted to wrap her up in her arms, and reassure her.

Frowning at the stray, unfamiliar feeling of wanting to comfort instead of hurt, Wednesday steps backward. This finally snaps her out of her daze and she is able to wrench her eyes away from Enid to glance at Weems and survey the room.

Tuning back in just in time, Wednesday is oddly relieved at Principal Weem’s request for Enid to show her around. It was easy for Wednesday to withstand pressure usually, completely normal in fact. Yet, when it was pressure of the sort that made her feel like a bad lover, Wednesday wasn’t sure she’d ever be able to find a way to see it as a pleasing feeling.

The whole way from the dorm room through the halls, Enid talked about things that mostly flew over Wednesday’s head. They were things about the school, things that Wednesday had long learned through the books she had found in the family library to read about Enid’s whereabouts. Being reluctant to touch technology did not render Wednesday out of the loop when it came to information.

For minutes on end, Wednesday simply listened, reveling in the sound of Enid’s voice, and more importantly wondering what the first thing she should say to Enid was. Wednesday would throw away her pride just for a chance to tell Enid how much she had missed her. Staring at the side of Enid’s face as Enid lead them through the halls, refusing to look back at Wednesday, Wednesday knew that there was no way she could do that. It would jeopardize Enid and everything they had.

“You can save the sanitized sale pitch. I don’t plan on staying here for long”, Wednesday finally said.

“Why not?” the way Enid’s voice went quiet made Wednesday want to take back whatever she had just said. It’s just for show, Cara Mia , Wednesday wanted to say as she swept Enid into her embrace. Everything meant nothing if she couldn’t love Enid, that was the truth. Her beloved was so close, yet so far. Instead, she settled for trying to communicate with her gaze with all her will and might as she spewed the nonsense about her parents.

The way Enid took a subtle breath in told Wednesday that her nonverbal communication had completely missed its mark. It meant that right now, Enid was suffering, thinking that Wednesday was just here for now, and they would once again be painfully ripped apart.

“In that case maybe you can clear something up. Rumor’s been swirling around that you killed at your school your old school, and that your parents pulled strings to get you off”, Enid said as she made a face.

Wednesday wasn’t quite sure what Enid wanted from her. Was she asking how Wednesday got here, or if she was just following Wednesday’s lead in the pointless and very dressed up conversation. The truth was Wednesday would’ve done anything to get to Nevermore for Enid. “Actually it was two kids but who’s counting?” I would kill a world of people for you, so why count?

Except, Enid’s reaction sent very mixed signals. The stall in her steps would say she had gotten the message, but frown that bordered on a grimace said that Wednesday had said the wrong thing. The worst part was, Wednesday had no idea what she had said wrong. It wasn’t like there was ever a shortage of threats coming from Wednesday that she was very willing to follow through on.

“Welcome to the quad”, Enid continued. In a twisted way, Wednesday wanted Enid to notice her frustration as much as she knew she logically needed to mask her emotions. Without fail, Enid always asked Wednesday how she was in her letters, although phrased differently every time. It irked Wednesday that now that they were here in person, Enid had just taken the “half-dead” answer. Surely Enid knew Wednesday better than that right?

It didn’t matter, Wednesday decided as she pushed the thought out of her mind. She didn’t need Enid to ask her how she was even if it was possible. However, she did miss Enid’s bright laughter or at least her horridly bright smile. “It’s a pentagon.” 

What Wednesday didn’t expect was a speech about being a snarky goth-girl. Enid knew her better than that, why was she testing Wednesday? Following Enid, Wednesday simultaneously filed the information in cliques as she rummaged through her head on what could possibly be going on. While an act was to be expected in public for their safety, Wednesday knew Enid enough to know that this was no act.

Clenching her jaw, Wednesday thought back to their past, desperately trying to remember something that would tell her how to reach Enid without words. Yet, her past experiences were not enough, and Wednesday cursed herself for not researching more into books about relationships.

All she could conjure up in her mind were Enid’s smiles. Never faltering, Enid had always smiled at Wednesday with an unwavering brightness. At first it had annoyed Wednesday so badly, this little werewolf following her around with so much joy it was like she was making up for the happiness that Wednesday did not, and did not want to possess. They were a perfect yin and yang and they had always been.

So where was that smile now? Where was the sun to her dark moon?

Wrapped up in her thoughts Wednesday almost misses Enid’s angelic voice abruptly being interrupted by a, “Yo! Enid! You’re not gonna believe the dirt I heard about your new roommate. She eats human flesh! Totally chowed down on that kid she murdered. You better watch your back.”

Wednesday could murder anyone who interrupted the voice of her angel. Alas she had to settle for verbal massacre, because Wednesday knew Enid would only be more upset at her if she hurt one of her intolerable friends. Even if Wednesday hadn’t quite figured out why Enid was upset yet. “Quite the contrary, I actually filet the body of my victims, then feed them to my menagerie of pets.”

Looking completely uncomfortable, Enid introduced the two of them, to which the gorgon said something that was completely out of Wednesday’s understanding. Of course she understood the words, she just didn’t understand their use. Curse teenagers and their made up slang. 

The conversation simply continued to confuse Wednesday further and further.

Even more appalled by Enid’s suggestion that she go on social media (why would she go on that soul sucking void?) Wednesday simply voiced her opinion and turned on her heel to leave. At least, that’s what the public saw. Behind her back, Wednesday motioned for Enid to follow with one finger, and quickly stalked through the halls of Nevermore until she found a quiet hall, at the end of which was a door marked Closet .

Looking both ways, Wednesday enters the closet, closing the door behind her. Then, because her mind is racing about what to do next because she had impulsively done this, Wednesday counted the seconds. Not having a plan when it came to Enid made Wednesday feel like she was dangling precariously off a cliff. It was exhilarating.

Her cursed heart only moves faster as the door opens and Enid slips in to lean against the wall across from her, simply looking at her.

Wednesday is so incredibly enamored and drawn to Enid it is insanity of a level that Wednesday could never conjure up on her own. Finding herself short of breath suddenly, Wednesday can’t tear her eyes away from Enid’s shining face as Enid holds her gaze, emotions barely held back on her face.

It was like two planets on an inevitable collision path, attracted by each other’s gravity. 

Slowly, hesitantly, Wednesday took a step forward, as if that would heal the ache within her that existed only for Enid.

That was the catalyst. Like an explosion of catastrophic proportions, Enid surged forward, and Wednesday simply reacted by pulling her towards her by the tie (the first thing she was able to grab onto) down to her as Enid’s hands grabbed her hips to pull her closer. 

Enid’s lips taste like the sweetest artificial flavors of fruit, enough chemicals to kill and for Wednesday to gag, except it was Enid’s lips, so soft and supple. Nothing else in the world mattered but the sudden warmth she was feeling, and Wednesday forgot herself.

She forgot her chase for death, her love for pain and torture. No, the only thing in this world worth remembering was Enid and remembering  how she felt against her, fitting perfectly against each other as their lips were locked.

The rest of the world could go to heaven or hell and Wednesday wouldn’t even open her eyes to mock them with her signature snark. Wednesday’s world revolved around Enid, she suddenly realized, and it wasn’t so bad after all. For that moment, Wednesday could imagine getting on her knees in public just to grandly kiss Enid’s hand in reverence.

Wednesday’s bubble was shattered when she tasted salty tears. Pulling back, Wednesday saw the last thing she ever wanted to behold. Tears streaked down Enid’s face and a small hiccup escaped her lips. Eyes going wide, Wednesday panics inwardly. Nobody ever expected Wednesday to show a comforting side, especially not when they were in tears. Something in Wednesday wishes she knew what to do in that moment, she wished she had learnt all those times she had just passed by and mocked those in pain just so she could know how to stop the wretched tears from laying claim to Enid.

Holding her gaze for a few more seconds, Enid seems to wait for exactly that. When Wednesday simply stares back in shock, Enid turns and simply leaves the closet without a single word. It was confirmed, every time Wednesday saw Enid she died a little more. This time it was from the amount of brain cells she was exhausting by trying to figure out what was up with Enid.

Chapter Text

Enid’s blood was reaching a boiling point. “What the hell did you do to my room?”

“Dividing our room equally.” She hated that the way Wednesday said our room made her heart skip a beat. There had never been an “ours” in Enid’s world with Wednesday. That had always existed on opposite coasts of the continent, separated by an uncrossable distance. If Enid was angry at everything that had happened, she would cry again just at the idea that she finally shared something with Wednesday other than feelings. “Looks like a rainbow vomited on your side.

“I-”

“Silence is appreciated, this is my writing time.” Enid is half glad Wednesday interrupts her because she doesn’t even know what to say at the blatant insensitivity Wednesday is showing. First Wednesday showed up out of nowhere, giving Enid absolutely no warning or communication. Then she told her that this happiness which Enid felt upon knowing Wednesday was finally near would be ripped away as quickly as it was given to her. Enid was honestly getting whiplash. It was as if Wednesday didn’t care how she felt and was just trampling all over Enid’s school, her safe haven, just because she could.

Enid had to wonder if Wednesday was here for her at all, or if it was just part of a plan Wednesday had failed to mention to her. The thought hurt like hell, but maybe Wednesday and Enid weren’t close enough for that. Perhaps the ever growing passion that Enid had felt throughout the years from the letters was just her imagination.

Was that why Wednesday hadn’t reached out to her when Wednesday had seen her crying earlier that day? More than anything it had hurt that Wednesday hadn’t reached out to hold her even in the secret of the closet, even when tears of happiness mixed with tears of confusion and overwhelming. Wednesday had done so much, but when Enid had needed her comfort, Wednesday didn’t even move a pinky.

“Your writing time?” Even now, all Wednesday could think about herself and what she wanted. It was so frustrating. Could it possibly be that Enid had remembered an idealized version of Wednesday?

“I devote a hour a day to my novel. Perhaps if you did the same your vlog might be coherent. I’ve read serial killer diaries with better punctuation.” Okay, now Wednesday was just asking for a fight. She knew how Enid wrote better than anyone, and that Enid could use proper punctuation when needed, like when she wrote letters to Wednesday.

“I write in my voice! It’s my truth! It’s what my followers love.” The blog was one of Enid’s pride and joys, something which she was sure Wednesday couldn’t understand. Still, it was one thing to not understand, and another thing to insult it.

“Your followers are clearly imbeciles. They respond to your stories with insipid little pictures.” That was more than enough to make Enid want to tear Wednesday apart. Instead she took a deep breath and attempted to reign in her temper.

“Uh, you mean emojis? It’s how people express their feelings, you know I realize that’s a foreign concept to you.” So what if Enid wasn't able to pull in the pettiness completely? Wednesday deserved it for how insensitive she had been the entire day. She hadn’t even acknowledged their relationship even once verbally.

“When I look at you the following emojis come to mind. Rope, shovel, hole. By the way there are two D’s in Addams. If you’re going to gossip about me, at least spell my name correctly.”

Gritting her teeth at how Wednesday simply turned around and ignored her after those words, Enid decided to be just as petty as Wednesday was acting. She turned on her music and started dancing to the music that she knew would make Wednesday’s ears bleed.

“Turn that off. This is your final warning”, Wednesday said, whipping around in her chair and stomping towards Enid. The anger on her face only made Enid feel triumph in the moment.

Extending her claws, Enid threatens, “Rawr. Don’t mess with me. This kitty’s got claws and I’m not afraid to use them.” She wasn’t somebody to be trampled all over, and she wouldn’t stand for it, especially not when it came to her emotions. The fact that this was her girlfriend made her feel like she should stand her ground even more.

Wednesday’s expression finally softens. It’s almost imperceptible, the change, but Enid knows Wednesday enough for just that subtle shift to mean a hundred thousand words. Just as soft as her current expression, Wednesday says, “There she is.”

“What?”Enid asks in confusion, not able to muster anger anymore when Wednesday looked at her with such eyes.

“My fury of a wolf has returned. It’s disturbing to see you so dejected, mon loup.” Breath hitching, Enid realizes all of a sudden that Wednesday had known exactly what she was feeling, and Enid had fallen right into Wednesday’s convoluted, yet oh so sweet plan. 

Enid’s shoulders drop, resolve to remain angry crumbling. “You noticed.”

“Of course I did. I may not be good with emotions like you said, but I know you .” The way Wednesday said the last word was filled with reverence as if Enid was a goddess to behold. Unable to help it, Enid’s stomach does a backflip. Wednesday had recognized her sadness, her emotions. It was something huge for somebody like Wednesday to perceive emotions, especially emotions that somebody was attempting to hide. Just the gesture made Enid almost blush. Wednesday was so caring in her own ways, even though she’d never admit it.

Stepping forward and pulling Enid down by the neck so their foreheads touch, Wednesday says in a quiet voice, “Tell me what is upsetting you. I cannot possibly read your horribly beautiful mind.”

“You drive me crazy, you know that? You come here without a warning and you just-” she gives a frustrated growl. It was so impossible for Enid to put into words just how happy she was that Wednesday was here. Even if this was a dream, Enid would willingly dream for a thousand years. She’d set out to beat the sleeping beauty of a princess.

When Enid just pauses, Wednesday waits. Except, Enid only bites her lip as she tries to find the right words, and after a few seconds more Wednesday finally nods in understanding. “I see. I have invaded your space. I will find a way to leave.” 

Eyes widening, Enid sputters, “What? No, that’s not what I-” It’s the exact opposite of what she wants, and the idea of Wednesday just leaving her again twisted her heart into inhumane angles. Brain going into overdrive, Enid tries to form the right words to explain that she was absolutely ecstatic that Wednesday was here, that she wished Wednesday could stay here forever with her. Enid’s words are interrupted however, and the door opened. They jumped apart, each on their side of their room to face the intruder, Ms. Thornhill.

-0-

In all of Wednesday’s dreams and thoughts, she had never imagined that perhaps Enid wouldn’t want to see her. Now, it seemed that was exactly what was happening. Not wanting to invade Enid’s space any more than she already has, Wednesday attempts to avoid Enid, but the one thing she cannot keep away from is the fencing hall. 

Fencing has always been enjoyable for Wednesday, and with her mind so clouded in the worst of ways, Wednesday felt she had no choice. The idea that she had lost Enid’s smile was crushing her, making her feel like she was suffocating. So she doesn’t even look at Enid when she walks in, aiming for the girl who postured the most. Wednesday hopes that it doesn’t bother Enid, doesn’t upset Enid further.

As she challenged the girl, Wednesday shoved the thought of Enid out of her head. This was about Wednesday and Wednesday only. The fluid movement of fencing was her salvation, her safe haven. The moves were engraved into her bones through years and years of sparring with Fester and Gomez.

Sching ! Their blades hit together, and a flash of how Wednesday thought Enid would run into her arms flashes through her brain. Their embrace would’ve been warm, unrelentingly warm in opposition to Wednesday’s natural cold, and it would be okay because it was Enid . Enid had always been so warm and loving, in ways that Wednesday could never imagine nor guess. 

If Wednesday was the embodiment of death and its facets, then Enid was life itself. It made Wednesday feel like she was touching a livewire. Unable to pull away, and oh so thrilled.

Shaking it out of her head, Wednesday tells herself to focus. Leaping forward, sching! Wednesday can only see the way the tears trailed down Enid’s face, knowing that she was the cause of such pain. Her heart was being petrified stiff, as if being fossilized by age. Time was always finicky when Wednesday was near Enid. Usually time slowed down, but this time, time only accelerated and the time that Wednesday would have to respect Enid’s wishes and leave Nevermore was rushing towards her like a locomotive train with its breaks cut.

Wednesday was seeing red, angry at herself for making Enid cry in the first place. In a haze, she battled the girl that she had picked at random to challenge.

It wasn’t until she felt her skin being pierced that she realized what she was doing, raising her hand in a state of disbelief to press to her forehead. The blood shocked her out of her anger, just standing there, barely registering what the one she had just battled was saying.

Chapter Text

Not able to stay away, Enid waits outside the infirmary as Wednesday gets patched up. If only Enid could reach Wednesday from here. If only Enid could run in and not have to face the repercussions that would rip her and Wednesday apart for sure. 

The minutes seem to be counting down because Enid knows that if she doesn’t stop Wednesday from leaving she’ll probably leave forever. She was stuck between a rock and a hard place. They almost never got time together. After the whole ordeal in their room, Wednesday had all but evaporated from Enid’s vicinity.

Enid could still feel the way Wednesday’s hand curled around the back of her neck, the way her forehead felt against Enid’s.

Still, Enid can’t help but feel proud as Wednesday brushes off Rowan with her usual sass. That’s Enid’s girl. Not that she would be for much longer if Enid didn’t make a move.

Wondering if Wednesday could maybe miraculously hear her thoughts, Enid starts composing her speech to Wednesday in her head.

I’m sorry for acting like that when you surprised me. No, Enid wasn’t sorry for that really. How else had Wednesday expected her to react to a shock like that?

Please, just stay Wednesday . But that already sounded too desperate in Enid’s head, and she was pretty sure it would only sound more desperate when said aloud. Not that Enid wasn’t desperate. All the shades of desperation were present in Enid’s body. Desperate to hold Wednesday, to tell her to stay. Enid was desperate to even just hear Wednesday’s melodious voice again.

Alas, her thoughts didn’t reach Wednesday, and when Wednesday exited the infirmary, she turned the other way from Enid to leave.

Slowly, she follows Wednesday when she leaves the infirmary, quite sure that Wednesday knows she’s following her. Enid wasn’t very good at stalking people, that was more Wednesday’s forte. Wednesday walks slowly, as if wanting Enid to follow her, to catch up to her and finally say something, but Enid’s brain is a storm and she can’t think of the right words. How can she say four years worth of words that she couldn’t fit into her letters?

So Enid is right there as Wednesday walks outside, and just turns the corner when she watches Xavier tackle her to the ground, gargoyle exploding just where Wednesday was standing a moment ago. It jars her from her thoughts. She barely has time to whip back around the corner and hide in an unlocked classroom.

Seeing the silhouette of Xavier carrying Wednesday through the muddled glass of the door, Enid scowls. It should be her arms that Wednesday was in. She was sure that Wednesday would much rather wake up to her than that artist boy. There was no way he could take Wednesday’s intensity and appreciate it the way Enid could. How she wished it could only be her. Enid hated hiding away as if she was stalking her own girlfriend.

Slipping out of the classroom as quietly as she possibly could, Enid follows and finds herself waiting outside the infirmary once again, quelling her instinct to rush in and check if Wednesday is okay herself. No, she can’t do that.

The jealousy chokes Enid as she listens to Xavier attempt to seem familiar to Wednesday. It was pitiful enough that Enid was surprised Wednesday wasn’t laughing in Xavier’s face. Enid and Wednesday’s meeting hadn’t needed the grandness of a fire or a coffin, for it to be unforgettable.

It was the undeniable magnetism between them that made it unforgettable and not something as trivial as saving one’s life by accident.

-0-

It was six years ago that they first met, a day as clear in Enid’s memory as yesterday. She had been wandering around the woods of the Sinclair clan territory, escaping her mother’s harsh demands once again. Inwardly, Enid wished so hard for her mother Esther’s approval despite knowing even at the ripe age of 9 that she would never get it.

Enid was only nine as she trampled through the woods, happening upon a ramshackle cabin. Peering through the only open window, Enid had to blink a few times at the sight that greeted her.

Inside, sparring vehemently with an invisible partner was a small girl around her age, face dirty and grimy, but braids arranged in two immaculate braids. The braids whipped with her as she twisted around to stab with her stick. It looked absolutely ridiculous, but Enid couldn’t rip her eyes away at the way that the girl moved.

Unfortunately, as she turned, her eyes fell on Enid, and she froze. In that moment, the the sun caught the girl’s face, highlighting her freckles, and Enid thought that this must be one of those people who grew up to be as pretty as those people on the tv.

Then the girl’s eyes narrowed and the girl hissed, “Leave.”

Standing straighter so that she was no longer just peeking into the window with just her eyes showing, Enid replied, “I don’t want to.” She didn’t want to go back to the house just to get yelled at. 

“I said leave,” the girl repeated herself, eyeing the doorway behind her as if a monster was about to come bursting through. However, Enid could hear absolutely nobody, not even with her superior hearing.

“But I want to learn how to do what you did”, Enid replied with a pout. Giving her best puppy eyes, Enid holds it for as long as she possibly can.

Seeming to contemplate this, the girl finally relents with a sigh. “Fine, one move. After that you’re going to go away and leave me alone.” That’s a win to Enid. The girl intrigues her, because Enid’s passed by this area thousands of times, but could swear she had never seen such a house, especially not one occupied by a girl her age.

Climbing through the window, Enid bounces in excitement on the balls of her feet, grinning at the girl who only scowls further. Picking up another stick from the leaves and dirt littered all over the messy floor, she hands it to Enid. “My name’s Enid! What’s yours?”

Without looking her, the girl grunts, “Wednesday.” Very quickly Wednesday replicates a move she just did in the air and then turns to look at Enid expectantly.

Trying to twist and turn the way the girl did, Enid waves her stick, but loses her balance, wobbling on an ending stance that looked nothing like Wednesday’s. Waving her arms in the air does nothing to help her as Enid topples over and ends up on her rear.

Wednesday stares at her with a raised brow, but for some reason Enid finds this more exciting, and a laugh bubbles out of her. Eyes widening like saucers, Wednesday stares at her like she’s grown two more heads and turned into cerberus. 

Jumping back up, Enid lets out a whoop of joy and then demands, “Show me again!”

The front door slams shut and echoes through the house. Wednesday’s eyes widen, and she starts to shove Enid towards the window. “Go!”she whispers urgently, pushing Enid so hard that she almost tumbles out of the window.

-0-

Wednesday could never forget the girl that came and demanded her attention. Not the way that she smiled at Wednesday instead of frowning like everyone else, the way she seemed impervious to Wednesday’s attempts to make her go away.

Until finally one day as they sat side by side, reading a book that Enid had brought, Enid looks up with her wide sky blue eyes and asked, “Wednesday, why do you always chase me out?”

Thinking it was obvious, Wednesday simply stated, “I don’t think you would enjoy being kidnapped.” Normally, the idea of somebody being kidnapped would fill Wednesday with glee, but for some reason she couldn’t stomach the idea of Enid crying in fear. It was weak of Wednesday, but Wednesday wasn’t quite sure where this weakness had appeared from.

“YOU’RE BEING KIDNAPPED?!” Enid straightened up from her hunched over position over the book and looked around as if the kidnapper was going to materialize out of thin air. The way Enid’s first thought was Wednesday and not her own safety made Wednesday’s stomach broil. At least, that’s what she assumed it was. Enid was so different from all of humanity that Wednesday had beheld. It made Wednesday want to keep Enid forever like a lab rat in a cage. A lab rat that was hers , and something for her to guard.

Rolling her eyes, Wednesday said, “Hush, I enjoy it. I let him because I wanted to see how a commoner’s kidnapping skills fare against the Addams’ methods.” In all honesty, the kidnapper’s tactics had been quite disappointing, but Wednesday had reveled in the silence of the cabin enough that first day to stay long enough to meet Enid.

“But… but that means you’re in danger. We’re in danger”, Enid replied, her lip quivering in fear. Wednesday wonders if she’s imagining the intensity of the broiling in her stomach increasing. Fear should excite Wednesday.

Simply shrugging, Wednesday explains, “Not really. She’s delusional and thinks I’m her daughter. I could escape any time I wanted really. I just find it fascinating to see somebody who’s so far gone.” After that first day, Wednesday found herself not wanting to leave, oddly. She told herself it was for the sake of observation.

Seeing the tears welling in Enid’s eyes, Wednesday quickly says, “I won’t stay here too long don’t worry.”

“That’s even worse! You’re going to disappear on me!” Enid sniffles, bringing a hand up to wipe at the corners of her eyes. The broiling in Wednesday’s stomach continued to build, and that’s when she realized. Wednesday didn’t want to see Enid upset. By some twisted fate, Wednesday cared about this girl and her obnoxious smiles.

Grasping for something to get Enid to stop crying, Wednesday stuttered, “I’ll- I- Don’t cry… please…”

Enid only starts sobbing harder.

“What if I promise I’ll be back?” Wednesday finally offered uncomfortably, hands over Enid’s back as if she was going to physically comfort her but decided otherwise. Dropping her hands, Wednesday feels her heart unclench (she didn’t even know it had clenched in the first place) as Enid looks up with hope.

“Pinky promise?” She holds up a pinky expectantly.

Tilting to her head to the side Wednesday looks at Enid in confusion. “A promise is a promise. Why does it have to involve our pinky’s?”

“Because it makes it more sacred!” Enid answered as if it was obvious, and for the first time Wednesday felt like maybe she was the dumb one for not knowing. 

Not sure what to do, Wednesday extends her pinky and bumps it against Enid’s. With a grin, Enid hooks her pinky around Wednesday’s enveloping it in warmth. This warmth was so horrible it started to spread through Wednesday’s limbs like a disease.

Chapter Text

Ending her rendition of “Paint it Black” Wednesday lets a long breath out of her nose. Today had been a long day of trying to find a way to escape, each move only bringing her farther from Enid. If Wednesday had a choice, she’d do none of this, but it was Enid’s wish, and her wish was Wednesday’s command.

Tapping on the music stand, Thing poses a question.

“No, I don’t really feel better.” She doesn’t dignify it with an explanation, and doesn’t think she needs to. Feeling horrible in all the wrong ways wasn’t in her game plan when she had decided to come see Enid in person.

The window clicks behind her and Wednesday doesn’t have to look up to know it’s Enid. Not that Wednesday dared to look up. She was afraid to meet Enid’s eyes, to see what emotion could possibly be held in this moment as they were about to be separated again. While sadness would kill her in the most glorious way, Wednesday knew there was a possibility of excitement, triumph. If Wednesday never looked, she wouldn’t have to see how much Enid wanted her to leave.

“You never told me you played an oversized violin”, Enid said quietly.

There were so many options there. If it were anyone else, Wednesday would correct them about the “oversized violin”, but this was Enid. Wednesday wanted to apologize, to tell her that there were so many words she couldn’t fit into her letters, so many moments she had wanted to share with Enid. Instead Wednesday locked all those thoughts inside her mind and replied, “You never asked.”

Out of the corner of her eyes, Wednesday watches Enid’s feet step forward so that she’s leaning against the railing. Only then does Wednesday dare to look up, seeing Enid’s magnificent figure hunched over. Knowing better than to ask why Enid hasn’t wolfed out (it had been the reason for Enid’s sorrow too many times over the years for Wednesday to count), Wednesday let the silence permeate the balcony.

“Would you play a song for me?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know any songs to your taste,” Wednesday replies, biting down on her tongue to refrain from adding mi loba to the end. It just flows from Wednesday’s brain and feels so natural. Wednesday knows better than that though. Enid’s dismissal of her presence is enough to tell her that there’s a possibility Enid is no longer hers.

“You’re my taste”, Enid murmurs. Wednesday’s heart skipped a beat.

“What?” Not able to help it, Wednesday holds her breath, waiting for Enid’s answer like her life depended on it. Truly, her life may as well have depended on it. Wednesday felt like she was on a precipice of falling, either harder than ever for Enid or right off this balcony and shattering all together from whatever Enid was about to say next.

Turning around to face Wednesday, Enid replied. “Nothing you do could be not to my taste, because it’s you, Wednesday.”

Standing up and resting her cello against the chair carefully, Wednesday takes a hesitant step forward. “Then… why do you want me to leave?”

“I don’t!” Enid frowned, and Wednesday had to frown with her. 

Clearly, Enid hadn’t wanted her around earlier because Wednesday drove her crazy, and Wednesday was certain Enid didn’t enjoy losing her mind the way Wednesday did. “I must admit, you have lost me.”

“Wednesday, you make me go crazy because I can’t sort out my thoughts around you, you make me blush, go insane, you make me want to squeal in excitement.”

“Aren’t those things bad to you? I’m failing to see your point here.” Wednesday didn’t dare hope that it meant something positive. Enid was saying that she didn’t enjoy the way Wednesday made her feel, there was no other explanation.

Throwing her hands up in the air, Enid huffed, “Argh. Wednesday, everything you do makes me go crazy because I like you too much.”

“Oh.” The blood rushes to Wednesday’s ears. Enid was truly saying that she cared for Wednesday. That meant that Enid still wanted Wednesday around. It was disgusting how happy this made Wednesday.

“Yeah”, Enid replies. Then after a while of Wednesday staring back, still too stunned to find coherent words, Enid adds. “You really suck at this.” A small tear trails down Enid’s face.

Panicking, Wednesday’s eyes widen. She had thought she was finally saying the right things with how Enid opened up. Once again, her black heart gave an odd pulse of pain at the sight of Enid in tears. In utter bewilderment, Wednesday has no choice but to ask, “Why are you crying?”

Just like that, Enid snapped. “Cause I’m upset! I see my girlfriend for the first time in years, and all we’ve done is argue. Doesn’t that upset you, or are you above those feelings too?”

-0-

The moment those words left her mouth, Enid’s eyes widened, knowing it was the wrong choice of words.

Wednesday’s face of confusion quickly hardened, her eyes narrowing as she steps forward with determination. Fear paralyzes Enid as Wednesday roughly grabs her by the sweater, whipping them around so that Enid’s back was to the window and swiftly and firmly marching Enid backward.

It’s this fear of never knowing what Wednesday will do that excites Enid so, Wednesday is an untameable black horse. Enid can only follow Wednesday’s lead and continue to back up, unable to muster the strength to even look away from the utter resolve on Wednesday.

Not stopping even as Enid felt her back press against the glass, she tumbled backward, tripping against the ledge of the circle, bringing Wednesday with her. 

Automatically, Enid wraps her arms around Wednesday to protect her, closing her eyes to brace for impact. Enid’s only instinct was that she didn’t want Wednesday to get hurt with her. With an oomf, Enid hits the ground hard. Slowly opening her eyes and looking downward, Enid realizes Wednesday has wrapped her arms around her waist, face nestled in the crook of her neck. Enid’s whole face went up in flames.

Wednesday never hugged her, she wasn’t a hugger by nature. Hating physical affection was part of Wednesday’s thing, and Enid would never dare to hope for any from her. Yet, here she was, clinging onto Enid as if her life depended on it.

“I’m not”, Wednesday murmured against her skin.

“You’re not?” In the time that it took Wednesday to push Enid back into their room, Enid had completely forgotten their conversation.

Pushing off of Enid just enough to look into her eyes, Wednesday explains, “Above feelings. As much as I loathe that fact, when it comes to you, I am not above feelings. I feel it when you’re sad too, I feel it when you look at me with those eyes of yours that tell me so many things I have trouble processing it.”

Then as if the words tasted like the most disgusting thing in the world, Wednesday added. “I care about you, Enid.”

Maybe to anyone else, the way Wednesday said it would make them even angrier, but Enid knew Wednesday never admitted such things. For all that it was worth, Wednesday was pretty emotionally challenged. It warmed Enid’s heart that Wednesday would go to the lengths of admitting such a thing even if it was just in their room between the two of them. Perhaps this attempt at physical affection, however aggressive the start of it was, was Wednesday’s attempt at caring.

Not daring to pull Wednesday back to her despite everything, Enid simply looked into Wednesday’s eyes. It wasn’t like Enid could look away, with how the light coming through the window framed Wednesday’s face. Really, every time Wednesday appeared Enid could stop and stare for a while, nevermind when she was literally sitting on top of Enid haloed by light. “Don’t leave.” Never had Enid meant every symbol of a sentence so much.

“Okay”, Wednesday agreed.

Just okay? Nothing else? “Okay?” Even as Enid asked, she knew that no other words were really needed. Even the word okay from Wednesday could heal her heart and soul that had been cracking right down the middle the entire day. Enid was like fragments of a crumbling mural, only complete with the glue that Wednesday was to hold her together.

Wednesday sighs and admits, “Yes. But I have to pretend to continue to look for a means of escape or people will be suspicious.”

“That’s okay. As long as you tell me.” Truly, Enid doesn’t mind. It’s not like she wants to know Wednesday’s every move or every second, she just wanted Wednesday to continue communicating.

Wednesday nods, and finally climbs off of Enid. Laying there with her hair splayed on the wood flooring, Enid just stares as Wednesday retreats towards her desk. In that moment, something started blooming in Enid’s  heart, something bigger than she could voice. All she knew was Wednesday was the cause, and she didn’t want it to stop. Enid would go to the ends of the earth following Wednesday to chase this feeling.

-0-

At first, Enid hated the idea of Wednesday pretending to escape. However, in her heart she knew she had to trust that Wednesday would come back.

Enid’s heart pounded as she got ready. Sure, this outing was mandatory and a part of Wednesday’s scheme of pretending to escape, but it was still their first outing in public together, ever. 

Yes, despite dating for years, they’d never gone on a date. They could never be too careful about keeping their relationship a secret.

When Enid turns around, finally done getting ready, she finds Wednesday staring right back at her with her signature blank expression. Despite the fact that it is nothing out of the ordinary, Enid’s throat goes dry at Wednesday’s outfit. Enid knew she didn’t have to tell Wednesday that she was beautiful every day. Words like that weren’t necessary between them.

Wednesday waits, and waits, before finally raising a brow in question. Shaking her head, Enid grins and says, “Nothing.” 

Eyebrows only going higher, Wednesday silently questions her answer, not looking away or relenting. Could it perhaps be that Wednesday was starting to understand the importance of communication?

Fidgeting with her sleeve, Enid feels all too shy in front of the girl who she’s known for so long. “It’s just that I was thinking this is the first time we’ll be in the public together even though  I know it’s not a date.”

Wednesday frowned. “I never thought of that.” Just that small phrase is enough to have Enid in the clouds because Wednesday is admitting she thinks of their relationship.

Enid gave a small laugh, waving her hands as if to brush it off. “It’s a silly thought.” Really, Enid could spend a lifetime reveling in just stolen moments with Wednesday and be content. The idea that they could ever be out on a date was a faroff dream. Plus, Wednesday probably wasn’t a dates sort of person.

So Enid is completely thrown off when Wednesday answers, “No. It’s not. It’s an injustice that a brilliant girl like you has never been taken on a date. I will one day, I swear on my ticket to hell.”

Face heating up like a tomato, Enid can’t help but give a squeak of surprise. “That’s… actually really sweet of you Wednesday, but you don’t have to, I know our relationship will never see the light of day.”

“Who said anything about daylight? Nighttime dates can just be as sickeningly romantic”, Wednesday replied before whipping around to head for the door. Apparently their conversation was over. Leave it to Wednesday to ruin one of the sweetest moments they have ever had. Enid can’t even find it in herself to be mad because it’s so on brand for Wednesday. To Wednesday, the conversation was over when there was no other words that were completely necessary. Which meant that sweet nothings were probably a pipe dream.

Chapter Text

Sitting on the bus to the harvest festival that weekend was the worst torture Wednesday has ever endured. Next to her, Enid seems to bounce in excitement in her overly bright outfit. Not only does it blind Wednesday’s eyes, it makes Wednesday feel like she’s being choked in the sweetest of ways. She hated the feeling.

The magnetism was so strong it wrenched Wednesday’s guts out of place. If only Wednesday could lean a little closer, but it would be too obvious with the prattle that was escaping Enid’s mouth as she conversed with Yoko. Normally, Wednesday wouldn’t mind if Enid was talking, if it was to her. Except this time, it got the cursed vampire’s eyes on Enid the entire ride.

Wednesday’s fingers twitched, itching to reach out to Enid’s. Then, as she realized what she was about to do in front of the vampire, she huffed a nearly silent breath and turned her head to look out the grimy bus window.

She doesn’t dare to look away until the bus grinds to a halt next to the festival, which was so brightly lit it blocked out the darkness of the night. Such a travesty.

Not wanting to follow the crowd, Wednesday waits as the students all file off the bus, until finally she hears. “Wi- Wednesday?” Willa . The nickname that she had once rejected echoes in her head, completing the rest of the name that Enid doesn’t dare utter in public. Not even when it was just them and the bus driver left on the bus.

All too aware that the bus driver was grumpily staring them down in the mirror at the front of the bus, Wednesday simply gets up, brushing gently past Enid as she stalks off the bus. In her head the only thing that echoes is Willa, Willa, Willa . Wednesday wills her shrunken heart not to react.

Footsteps crunch behind her and Wednesday keeps walking, letting her feet lead because all her head can do is run circles around Enid. It’s when she sees the tired looking boy with curly hair up ahead that she grinds to a halt.

Next to her, footsteps gently stop as well. Even if Wednesday couldn’t see Enid out of the corner of her eye, she could feel Enid’s heavy presence. It always weighed on Wednesday in the most baffling and torturous ways.

“Are you sure you can trust that normie?” Enid finally says, distaste obvious in her voice. Wednesday can just imagine her nose wrinkling.

“I trust that I can handle myself.”

As they turn to each other, Wednesday has to wonder how Enid could possibly smile even in such situations. Her bright burning fire never dimmed. “Well. Good luck and safe travels!” Enid opened her arms again, and Wednesday was so tempted to lean in. With a herculean effort, Wednesday steps back instead. “Still not a hugger. Got it”, Enid says before whipping around and leaving.

At the moment, Wednesday has to wonder how Enid feels. Did the lack of affection choke her as sweetly as it did Wednesday? Did it absolutely kill her to step away the way it did for Wednesday not to give in to her instincts and say something . Anything . Honestly, Wednesday didn’t understand why she felt the need to reassure Enid. They’d had a clear cut conversation about this and Enid had agreed to the plan. So why did this feel so wrong?

Or maybe it just felt wrong because Weems was decidedly staring her down. This was going to take quite the show to throw Weems off her and Enid’s trail. Walking over to the booth, Wednesday keeps an eye on Weems as she carelessly throws the darts. They all land on target.

Wednesday is almost relieved when Xavier drops onto his elbows against the booth next to her. Key word, almost. “Jeez you get any better at this, you’ll be taking home a whole pack.”

It worked perfectly for Wednesday’s plan, but horribly for Wednesday’s disgust levels. Hoping to drop a hint she replied, “Pandas don’t travel in packs. They prefer solitude.” It was true, for the exception of Enid. Despite needing a few pawns in her plan, Wednesday was fairly certain she could execute it without having to get too close to anyone else physically or emotionally.

“Alright. Subtle hint taken.”

Feeling almost bad for the way Xavier looked away, Wednesday decided to grace him with a sort of explanation. “You should know I’m waiting for someone.”

“Oh yeah? Who’s the lucky guy…or girl.” Enid, my heart will wait for Enid for an eternity. Never, even in death will it await another.

Frowning, Wednesday attempts to knock the thoughts out of her brain with no avail. Her focus is shattered whenever Enid comes into her mind. It was like Enid was the bane of her existence, which made her that much more of a perfect match for Wednesday. Plus, was she really waiting for Tyler? That would insinuate there was something worth waiting for in him (there really wasn’t). “What does it matter to you?”

A voice behind them makes both their heads turn, “Didn’t mean to interrupt.” Speaking of the angel, for Tyler (she thought) could never possess the cunningness of a devil.

Well, it was time to distract Weems.

The panda she had just won with the darts would do perfectly as a distraction.

-0-

Trying to truly enjoy the festival, Enid walked along silently as Yoko kept going on, dragging her from attraction to attraction. Not able to get her mind off of Wednesday, Enid knows she can’t voice her true thoughts, but can’t muster enough willpower to stop thinking about Wednesday.

So instead she just nods along, ignoring the side eye glances that she could see Yoko give her from above the shades when they slipped down a little too far.

Enid was finally getting into the groove of things, a grin starting to creep onto her face as she argued to Yoko about who would win the bean bag toss when both of them stopped, faces going pale.

Their Principal stalked towards them with a decided purpose, a giant stuffed panda in her arms. Finally arriving in front of the now silent girls, Principal Weems thrust the panda into Enid’s arms, obscuring her view of anything else. “For your collection”, was all the principal said before storming off the other way. Peeking out from behind the panda to look at Yoko and ask her what the heck that was about, Enid’s words die in her throat as she watches Wednesday break into a sprint from afar. 

Practically throwing the panda at Yoko, Enid breaks into a sprint as she yells over her shoulder, “I’ll be right back!” Her footsteps resound with her heartbeat as if they’re in sync as she picks up pace even further, putting every ounce of her superhuman strength into her strides.

Enid is so far away from them that if it weren’t for her superior sense of smell she would’ve lost Wednesday. In fact, if it were anyone else’s scent, one that she wasn’t so used to, she would’ve been completely thrown off.

Except it’s Wednesday, so Enid charges through the forest, slowing down as she nears the strong scent of Wednesday herself.

When she finally grinds to a halt, confident that her nose that has led her to Wednesday, Enid has to smack her hands over her mouth to muffle the gasp that escapes her lips. There Wednesday is, being choked by Rowan’s powers. Help her, help her, help her .

Enid wills her legs to move but she’s paralyzed with fear, rooted in place as her wide eyes witness the one she loved struggle for her life.

Then a mighty snarl echoes through the woods and the same time that Rowan is mauled to death in one shot, Wednesday drops against the tree.

Choking coughs escape Wednesday’s lips, and when she opens her eyes, said charcoal black eyes land right upon Enid. “Run”, Wednesday mouths. Despite not audibly speaking a single syllable, Wednesday’s dark eyes scream.

So, Enid runs. She’s not sure what she’s just seen, she’s not sure why her legs suddenly work, she only knows she’s running and running and running. It dawns on her as she runs that she has literally left Wednesday behind, right after she had almost been strangled to death. There was no guarantee that the danger was gone, even if Rowan’s attacker had disappeared as fast as they had appeared. Enid possibility just left Wednesday to die. It’s as she thinks that, that she literally runs into Yoko. 

“Whoa”, Yoko says, steadying her as Enid pants. She doesn’t ask what happened, she doesn’t ask anything at all. All Yoko does is wait for her to catch her breath. 

Just as Yoko opens her mouth, a voice calls out in the distance, “Yoko! Enid!”

Divina and Kent run up to them. “Where have you two been?” Shit , this was going to be hard to explain to all three of them. There was no way Enid was going to be able to explain it. What should she do? Enid didn’t have an alibi for whatever happened in the forest. 

Just as Enid is about to throw out the worst excuse on planet earth, Yoko cracks a grin as she presses a soft kiss to Divina’s cheek, “Bestie bonding time of course. You?”

Well damn. Enid was going to owe Yoko an explanation. How was she going to explain the crazy stuff that went down today without revealing her relationship?

Chapter Text

It’s late when Wednesday finally opens the door to their room. In fact, it was quite literally early morning. Still, she is greeted by the sight of Enid leaning against her bed, Thing patting her hand comfortingly.

“Why are you still up?” Wednesday asks as she closes the door behind her. Although Enid was a night owl, she still needed a lot more sleep than Wednesday ever did.

“Waiting for you”, Enid says, not looking up. Despite not being able to see Enid’s eyes, the way Enid’s fists clench around her sheets speaks volumes. Spiders crawled up Wednesday’s throat at the way Enid refused to look up, knowing the soft wolf was probably not used to such brutal violence. Something in the air thickened, like a string between them stretched so it was taut.

“I’m sorry you had to see that.”

“I’m sorry I ran away.”

They both spoke at the same time, both rushing to end the tension in the air.

“There’s nothing for you to be sorry for”, Wednesday tries to convince her. It was simply self preservation that Enid had demonstrated, and Wednesday couldn’t blame her for that. In fact, Wednesday was glad Enid had heeded her words, because Wednesday would blame herself if any danger ever came to Enid.

“I could say the same to you”, Enid answered, still staring religiously at her sheets. Wednesday hates how tense Enid looks, preferring a happy look on the girl. It felt wrong to see Enid like that.

Wednesday started her rebuttal with, “But-”

That’s when Enid snaps. Her bright eyes blaze the color of the hottest fires for a moment as she looks up to glare at Wednesday. “No, Wednesday you don’t get it.”

Wednesday blinks a few times at the way Enid shuts her down. The truth is that Enid is right, she doesn’t understand why Enid’s apologizing for protecting herself as she should’ve. “You’re right, I don’t.” She doesn’t ask Enid to explain, figuring that Enid was probably too upset by what she couldn’t understand to talk. 

Turning towards her closet, Wednesday starts to shrug off her jacket, and stops mid motion when Enid finally says, “Would you have run if you were me?” 

The question feels like a trap, but Wednesday replies on instinct, stepping right into it. Perhaps it's because Wednesday doesn’t mind being trapped if it’s Enid. Wednesday’s eyes are sharp as she turns to face Enid. “Don’t be silly, I would never run from danger, I revel in danger. I would rip apart any threat to you, cara mia. The idea of leaving you in danger is worse than facing a lifetime worth of sunny days only.” The idea is so preposterous, Wednesday running away from danger? She reveled in danger.

“Exactly”, Enid said as if that should’ve been the end of the discussion. 

It only left Wednesday with more questions. Wednesday not running from danger had nothing to do with Enid’s self preservation. Enid didn’t even like the feeling of death bearing down on her. “What?”

“I was so scared that I left you to die , Wednesday. It would’ve meant I could’ve saved you but you told me to run away instead of standing beside you. And I get that we can’t be seen as a couple, but I can’t just run away every time you face danger.” The words tumbled out of Enid, getting more and more hurried as she went on until she stopped, looking at Wednesday with pleading eyes. Oh. Oh . Never stopping to think that perhaps Enid would be just as devastated as her at the idea of the other getting hurt, Wednesday can only stare back with wider eyes than usual. The idea somehow makes Wednesday feel warm and fuzzy, which was not only revoltingly pleasant, but also in direct opposition to the way her heart clenched at the way Enid was looking at her as if she was going to say something to break Enid’s heart at any moment.

Enid practically whispers the last part. “Please, promise me you won’t make me leave you in danger again.”

Wednesday feels her mouth go dry, trying to fight her instinct to dive next to Enid’s bed and kneel next to it and promise something. Anything to make Enid feel better. Instead she tries to be as honest as possible. “I’m not good at making promises.”

Enid looks away again, staring at the wooden walls and just sighs.

Unable to resist it anymore, Wednesday walks forward and kneels next to her. “Look at me Enid.”

Refusing to listen, Enid’s jaw only clenches. Anger bubbles underneath Wednesday’s facade but she douses it with cold water as best as she can. She could never be angry at Enid, just the cursed situation that she herself had put them into. It was all Wednesday’s fault really. Reluctantly, Wednesday adds, “...please, Enid?” The word felt like sandpaper in her mouth, and she practically had to spit it out. Wednesday Addams didn’t beg… unless it was Enid apparently.

Slowly, Enid turns her head and waits for Wednesday. This close to her, the tears in the corner of her eyes are evident. “I can’t promise I won’t ask you to run, to protect yourself first. Don’t ask me to. However, I can promise that I’ll tell you everything that happens as soon as possible from now on.” Wednesday feels like she’s treading on thin ice as she says every word, hoping against all hope that Enid will accept her compromise because she doesn’t have the heart to give Enid a false promise.

Despite pouting, Enid responds with, “Fine, you’re lucky you’re cute, Willa.” 

Wednesday scowls immediately, pulling away and walking to her closet to put away her jacket like she was originally planning to. Spiders were suddenly crawling in her stomach, the most unwelcome invasion. “I’m not cute.”

“But you are my Willa”, Enid raises her voice a little to be heard across the room, and Wednesday can hear the happiness starting to seep back into her voice. It relieves Wednesday the way Enid cheers up and lets go of the argument, because Wednesday knows she isn’t equipped for a conversation on why they needed to keep their relationship a secret.

-0-

A harsh echo of laughter chases her as she runs towards Enid, being dragged away into the darkness. Wednesday runs and runs, and Enid only seems to get further. Lungs struggling to keep up for the first time, Wednesday knows she’s running out of breath, out of stamina but desperately continues to chase, reaching out for Enid’s hands that grasp at air as if it’ll help her from being dragged away.

When Enid finally disappears into the gloom surrounding them, Wednesday falls to her knees in despair, and she weeps for something in the first time in a long time.

“ You cursed your own beloved ”, the laughing voice reminds her in a horrifying echo.

Enid resurfaces from the darkness as if escaping its clutches, only this time she’s horridly disfigured and covered in blood. Wednesday can only stare, not able to tear her eyes away, because she knows this may be the last time she ever sees Enid whole.

As if acting on its own like Thing, a knife appears out of thin air and stabs Enid again and again.

Then Enid opens her mouth, and Wednesday expects her heart to break at whatever Enid will say in pain when the terrifying voice comes out of Enid’s mouth instead fogging accompanying the voice to gather around the girl. “ You’ve doomed her with your choice. ”

The fog gathers and gathers, spilling out of Enid’s all too wide mouth, her eyes red and bloodshot in the worst ways possible. It crawls as if alive towards Wednesday, and laughter continues to echo through the space despite it being an incoherent black void. 

As the fog reaches Wednesday and starts to choke her, it ends.

Gasping, Wednesday sits up in bed, arms still crossed over her chest, beads of sweat cold on her forehead. Normally she enjoyed her nightmares, but this was different. This one pertained to Enid.

A quick glance around the room tells her that it’s still before sunrise and Enid is still asleep. For that, Wednesday is glad. She would hate for Enid to see her like this, because all along she’s pulled on this brave face, stubbornly saying that if they keep their relationship a secret, this won’t happen.

Enid doesn’t know about the dreams that plague Wednesday’s nights once in a while. They started when Wednesday realized she’d fallen for the girl some years ago. The truth was that Wednesday wasn’t sure if keeping their relationship a secret would even help the curse from claiming Enid. Supernatural things were unpredictable. Especially the supernatural being in particular that had imposed this curse.

Standing up, Wednesday walks to her closet to get dressed, trying to clear her head from the wretched thought. Their secretive tactic had worked for years, there was no reason it should fail now. Other than moving to Nevermore. Breathing out of her nose, Wednesday forces herself to focus.

The search party should be done by now considering the time she had notified the police of Rowan’s death.

It’s as Wednesday is leaving that she steals a glance at the sleeping form of Enid. Her own words flash through her brain then. I promise that I’ll tell you everything .

Considering it further, Enid might panic if she woke up to Wednesday gone after the events of last night, or even worse be angry. A note won’t hurt Wednesday reasons as she reaches for some parchment. It was for Enid’s peace of mind. Most definitely not because Wednesday felt this odd feeling of loss every time she left Enid’s vicinity.

-0-

Wednesday was starting to understand that something odd was going on as she went back and forth with Sheriff Galpin. Not only was she frustrated, she was suspicious. There was no way both her and Enid had hallucinated Rowan being mauled to death.

If something was truly amiss, it meant that neither her nor Enid were safe at Nevermore. Wednesday clenched her jaw. Worst of all, there was no way to be certain that this wasn’t the curse of her past coming to claim Enid from her. Wednesday had to find Enid, quick. She was itching to run to Enid, to make sure she was okay, and that the curse hadn’t gotten to her already, but she was being stared down by both Galpin and Weems.

Speaking of Weems, she was absolutely not happy and definitely onto Wednesday. How annoying. Her scheme from last night had not only gone awry, but done the exact opposite of what she had intended for it to do.

It was another thing to add to Wednesday’s bucket list of things to do.

Check if Enid is okay, make sure last night's events weren’t related to the curse, throw Weems and Galpin off the trail of their relationship .

Brain feeling like a tornado of chaotic thoughts, Wednesday is ready to throw her own head at a blade. Except, she’s pretty sure Enid wouldn’t appreciate that, so she refrains and simply argues through the conversation with Weems and Galpin. That is until the doors to the office were thrown open, revealing a very much alive Rowan.

Chapter Text

Enid is positively buzzing in excitement. Not only is it finally time to start their preparations for the Poe Cup, she also received a note from Wednesday for the first time. It’s a simple gesture, but it has Enid above the clouds with a high she can’t describe. She can even forget the fact that Yoko knows something is up and is deciding to keep quiet about it for now.

Which is why she absolutely doesn’t expect Wednesday to appear behind her at all.

Especially not when she’s saying, “If Bianca Barclay wins again this year I will literally claw my eyes out.”

“I would pay money to see that”, an all too familiar voice reaches Enid’s ears.

Unable to help the grin that shoots into existence across her face and the giddy feeling that comes to her because Wednesday is visiting her while she’s doing her extracurricular activities like she’s dreamt of so many times, Enid whips around and approaches Wednesday with a skip hop and a jump. “Howdy, roomie. I’m so glad you decided to stay.” It’s the truth, Enid never wanted Wednesday to leave anyway.

The way Wednesday barely even scowls harder at the greeting made Enid do an internal double take. In their stolen moments, Enid had learned to read Wednesday to a perfect T. Despite not being near each other for years, Wednesday had stubbornly refused to change, meaning Enid could still read her as well as the day they started dating. Something was wrong with Wednesday.

In fact, Enid was aware that Wednesday wouldn’t seek her out if she didn’t have to, because it put their secret at jeopardy. So the question was why Wednesday would risk such a thing. “So… why the change of heart?”

“I refuse to play the role of a pawn in someone else’s corrupt game”, Wednesday replied, arms crossed. It was too vague, even for Enid to debunk. She wasn’t dumb, but she was no Sherlock Holmes. Heck, even Sherlock Holmes might not be able to get through Wednesday’s twisted riddles.

“You mean Rowan?” Even as she asks, Enid knows it’s not the entire answer.

“I witnessed his murder Enid.” So did Enid, which is what baffled Enid more than anything.

Except, “It’s just we all saw him this morning. Very much, like, not dead.” But what did that have to do with Enid?

“I know. Which leads me to believe I’ve been losing my mind. It’s not as fun as I anticipated.” That’s when it dawned on Enid. Wednesday only ever mentioned losing her mind when it came to the Addams family curse. This wasn’t about Rowan at all, it was about Enid and the curse.

-0-

Wednesday wished it was just about the Addams family curse. She wished beyond all hope that it was simply her losing her mind. That would be fine, it would be a joyous occasion. Except it wasn’t about that. It was what Wednesday had done herself that put both her and more importantly Enid at peril for falling for each other.

Which is why not that Wednesday has to make sure that whatever is going on with Rowan never touches a single hair on Enid, because if Enid were to get hurt like in her dreams, it would be 100% Wednesday’s fault.

Right after she recovered from that wink Enid gave her, that is.

“ARGH!” Wednesday lets out, slamming her fists onto her desk as Thing shakes with held in laughter.

‘ You are so whipped for her’, he signs teasingly, no doubt reveling in the chance to get back at Wednesday for threatening him to loyalty.

“I have not been whipped, although if Enid were in danger, I would take a thousand cuts from a whip for her”, Wednesday replies with a scowl, as if that didn’t prove his point further.

Groaning again, she leans her head back so that she’s looking at the ceiling, braids hanging from her head like ropes for a swing. Wednesday hated admitting that she was wrong, but she was. Her younger self had been so wrong to believe that she would never fall and never care the way her parents did.

Only now did she understand the sickening way her father looked at her mother. Wednesday replays the wink in her head, feeling her face flush at the mere memory of it. The sheer power of such a small movement from Enid was baffling. Then again, if Wednesday had the opportunity to look at Enid unabashedly that way without repercussions, she would for every second of her life and never let a single soul tear her away.

Alas that was not an option, for Enid’s protection. Which reminded her. Rowan.

Wednesday stood up abruptly, causing her chair to scrape loudly against the wooden floor. “Come on Thing, we somebody we must interrogate.”

In a flurry of motion, Wednesday marches out of her room with purpose. Absolutely nobody stops her, in fact they move out of her way. It satisfies her in an indescribable way knowing the fear she instilled in her fellow classmates.

-0-

Upon demanding to speak to Rowan, Wednesday not only gets informed by Weems that he has been expelled and to be leaving by train that very day, but also that she has to join an accursed extracurricular activity. Hating the idea of being well rounded, Wednesday wants to resist.

However, being kicked out of Nevermore Academy at such a time would leave Enid without her protection, and Wednesday would never allow for that.

So in her quest to find an extracurricular activity, Wednesday makes sure to pay a visit to Xavier Thorpe and his extracurricular activity of archery, as she managed to remember (barely, because honestly all the power of her brain had gone to preserving Enid’s wink) Enid mentioning Rowan being his roommate.

“Huh. You actually showed up. You ever shot a bow and arrow before?” Xavier says as glances her way, looking hollow and tired. If Wednesday didn’t know better she would’ve thought it was Xavier who had stayed up waiting for her and not Enid.

The insinuation that Wednesday hasn’t used such a common and useful weapon is downright insulting. “Only on live targets.”

He makes a face at that information. “Okay.” Then he launches into a completely unnecessary explanation despite acknowledging her answer. Wednesday hated people who treated her like an amateur, but hated the people who didn’t listen to her the first time even more. “Any questions?”

Plenty. “When’s the last time you saw your roommate Rowan?”

Xavier mocked her in response, a move that made her distaste for him only grow. “Oh you mean the one that was killed by the monster. The Harvest Festival. I haven’t talked to him since.”

Useless then. Even the information about Rowan being more off the last several weeks didn’t give her much more insight on what could possibly be going on with the boy with the glasses.

Leaving Xavier, Wednesday walks through the winding corridors of the school towards the next activity outlined on the paper, when she walks around the corner to find Enid leaning against the wall, tossing an apple into the air before catching it and doing it again.

A quick scan up and down the hall proved it to be empty for the exception of the two of them. “Enid? Aren’t you supposed to be working on the Poe Cup preparations?”

Enid shrugs, tossing up the apple once more. But this time she tosses it forward and instead of catching it, Enid leaps forward slicing the apple into pieces so quickly that if Wednesday had dared to blink she would’ve missed it.

Catching a single slice on her claw, Enid then turns around, a slice of apple crunching beneath her shoe as she approaches Wednesday with a glint in her eye. Reaching out to Wednesday’s mouth, Enid waits until Wednesday opens her mouth with a raised brow and pushes the slice past her lips and pops it into Wednesday’s mouth.

The way Enid looks at Wednesday’s lips in that moment makes her feel like she’s touching an electric fence in the best of ways. Then, to make Wednesday feel like she’s an atomic bomb about to explode, Enid retreats, bringing the claw to her mouth and licks it. The show leaves Wednesday breathless, her mouth so dry that she’s tempted to lick her lips. It’s hard not to reach out and touch Enid.

“You promised full disclosure”, Enid finally says as she continues to stare into Wednesday’s accursed soul.

Wednesday supposed Enid was correct, although she had hoped she had until the night before she had to disclose her suspicions. However, she would never break a promise to Enid like that. She’s made sure to never do so, right from their first pinky promise. “I believe whatever happened with Rowan is part of the curse, which activated when I decided to come to Nevermore for you.”

Expression softening, Enid walks forward slowly until they’re chest to chest. Quietly, she says, “I guess we’ll just have to make the most of time until the curse comes to claim me then.”

Something clenches in Wednesday at the idea of just biding her time until the curse won. “You know I’m going to fight it to the death and beyond for you right?”

Chuckling, Enid smiles, something that makes it almost feel like fairy dust is raining around them to make the moment more magical. “I know. But just let me have this moment before you run off again like always.”

It makes Wednesday feel guilty, realizing that despite being near each other they’re only really further away because now they can’t even exchange their long winded and heartfelt letters. Navigating through the complexities of having a secret relationship in person was harsh even without curses involved.

Sinking into the moment, Wednesday lets her shoulders react. She breathes in the smell of Enid, a sickly sweet smell that somehow makes Wednesday’s ice cold wall around her heart thaw. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to spend a little more time with Enid if the curse was already catching up to them, and Wednesday could forget that all of this is the result of her greediness.

Chapter Text

Of all the things Wednesday has on her ever expanding bucket list, coming back to their room to Enid sobbing isn’t one of them. It has Wednesday doing a double take, wondering what she had done wrong this time.
It takes Wednesday back, the memories flashing before her eyes.

-0-

It’s the year they both turned twelve, too innocent yet to quite know just how much Enid’s words in the next few seconds would impact the rest of their lives. It was yet another one of those weeks once a year where Wednesday allowed herself to be kidnapped just to have an excuse to see Enid.
Suddenly as they’re playing a rather aggressive game of tag (complete with jousting and wrestling to make the other surrender or until three strikes which meant their ‘death’), Enid whips around, opening her arms and waits.
Unable to stop fast enough, Wednesday barrels right into her, and finds Enid cushioning her fall on purpose.
Pushing herself off of the blonde girl immediately, Wednesday stares down quizzically. This was unusual, as Enid was usually bent on proving herself superior in the athletics department. It didn’t seem like a move to win the game no matter what angle Wednesday looked at it from.
Looking up with an unmatchable grin that engraved itself into Wednesday’s eyes, Wednesday almost gasps at the magnitude of brightness glowing off of Enid in that moment. Wednesday’s heart skips a beat and she wonders if maybe her chase for death has come to an end so early. Then she thinks that if this moment was her end, she could forgive herself for not having a grand death.
Opening her mouth, Enid requested, “Wednesday, be my girlfriend.”
Wednesday freezes, eyes barely widening as she stares back. The way Enid’s cheeks are flushed makes her want to reach out. Except for one thing. Wednesday couldn’t fall for anyone. It wasn’t possible. Except it evidently was by the way Wednesday’s heart was pounding. Racking her brain, Wednesday attempted to find a point where she had fallen for Enid, but realized she couldn’t. Had she been falling without noticing the entire time? Either way the existence of feelings meant Enid’s danger. “Enid, I can’t.”
Looking away and hiding her face behind two hands, Enid murmurs, “It was dumb I’m sorry! How can two girls be together right?”
Appalled by the obviously wrong reasoning, Wednesday frowns and answers, “No? There’s nothing wrong with that.” Slowly she reaches out with one hand and pulls Enid’s hands away from her face to reveal tears streaking down her face. Wednesday feels something in her drop to the floor.
Giving a wet hiccup of a laugh, Enid says, “Oh, you must not like me. That was so obvious. I- I’m sorry.” It breaks Wednesday the way Enid attempts to smile through it even though the tears start flowing even faster as she tries to get through the words that obviously pain Enid to say. The way Enid smiled for Wednesday despite seeming to break on the inside at Wednesday’s answer made Wednesday feel horrible in all the wrong ways. She had no idea how to fix this.
Letting go of Enid’s hands, Wednesday reaches towards her face once more to softly wipe away a tear with her knuckle. “No.”
“No?”
Taking a deep breath, Wednesday launched into her explanation, the only thing she could possibly do to get Enid to understand that it wasn’t that Wednesday didn’t want to. “Enid… I foolishly thought that I would never fall for anyone. So I made a deal with the devil to take my love away for a great and terrible power. If I parade you around as my girlfriend, the devil will definitely take you away.”
“Then just don’t do that”, Enid replied, hope starting to shine in her eyes again. Although glad for the cessation of Enid’s tears, Wednesday was utterly confused. How could she just not make a deal that was done long ago?
“Don’t do what?”
“Don’t parade me around. I don’t care if it’s just between the two of us. I’m not going to tell the devil, and you’re definitely not going to.” With that, Enid reached out and grabbed Wednesday’s hand to bring it to her cheek, nestling her face into it with the same bright grin she had started the conversation with.
Wednesday’s limbs felt as weak as her heart and her mind even weaker. There was no way she could possibly say no to Enid like this.

-0-

In the present, Enid whips around, a bottle of fury as she descends upon Wednesday. “Where have you been?! I’m literally having a heart attack right now. Yoko’s in the infirmary.”
Glancing up and down, Wednesday confirmed that her girlfriend who was currently aggressively pacing back and forth was most definitely not having a heart attack. “What happened?”
“Garlic bread incident at dinner. She had a major allergic reaction which means she’s out of the Poe Cup and I don’t have a co-pilot.
That didn’t add up. “I thought vampires had better senses than that”, Wednesday replied.
Enid’s shoes practically squeak to a halt against the floor. Her eyes now on the floorboards, Enid guiltily admits, “She was about to start asking what was up with me recently in front of everyone in the cafeteria so I shoved the thing in my hand into her mouth and it happened to be garlic and gosh, Wednesday I didn’t mean to. I almost killed her, Wednesday.”
Completely skipping over the part where Enid is feeling horrible about her actions, Wednesday hones in on the one thing that matters to her. “Why was she asking about what’s up with you recently?”
Enid looks up, tugging at her sleeves nervously. “I- promise you won’t go kill her immediately.” It’s like a slap in the face how hesitant Enid is towards her.
Still, Wednesday wasn’t about to promise something she probably wouldn’t keep. “No.”
“Wednesday…” Giving her best puppy eyes, Enid clasps her hands together. It’s so adorable Wednesday should be sick with disgust, but instead spiders crawl in her stomach.
There was no way she could say no to Enid when she looked like that. Not that it was easy to say no to Enid regularly. “Fine, but I do not promise I won’t cause bodily harm to whoever she is.”
Sighing, Enid relents, probably figuring it’s the best that she’ll get from Wednesday, and she’s quite correct. “Yoko covered for me the night that I ran after you and Rowan into the forest.”
This was news to Wednesday, causing her brain to churn with the possible holes in their scheme again. Crossing her arms, she murmurs to herself, “So we have another person on our trail.” This was quite the troublesome development, the more people knew the more danger there was that the devil would notice more and come to collect Enid sooner. It would be like dangling gold in front of a metaphorical Midas’ face.
“Another? Wednesday what do you mean another?” Enid asks, tilting her head in curiosity. Wednesday can’t help but wonder if that’s how Enid would tilt her head if she were to capture Wednesday’s lips. No, that was the wrong train of thought to go down at this time. Wednesday had to focus, despite Enid’s mere presence being the biggest distraction ever in her life.
“Weems has been onto me”, Wednesday explains, shrugging as if she had just told Enid she had gone to the grocery store.
Eyes widening, Enid starts pacing again. “Principal Weems is suspicious? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I thought it was obvious considering how she saw us on the first day”, Wednesday replied, waiting for Enid to calm down.
Spoiler alert, she did not calm down. “No? Oh my god, Wednesday what are we going to do?” Enid asked as she bit her lip and fiddled with her sleeve, continuing to trample all over the floor as if walking back and forth and wearing a hole in the floor would help their situation.
Seeing Enid like this set off blaring alarms in Wednesday’s head. The look of worry didn’t suit Enid. It should be Wednesday who did the worrying for the danger she had created, Wednesday reasoned completely neglecting the fact that relationships are about combined efforts to make things work.
Wednesday forged on the only way she knew how to. By trying to make Enid happy to distract her, and shouldering the heavy responsibilities by herself. “Well first we’re going to take Bianca down tomorrow.”
“How does that clear up this situation?” Enid replies, not taking the bait at first.
“It doesn’t. But I would maul anyone who makes you frown and massacre anyone who makes you cry. Plus I like the idea of crushing a person like Bianca as if she were a bug under my foot”, Wednesday admits. While making Enid happy was on the top of her list, Bianca had certainly gotten onto her hit list after class that day and even more so after Wednesday had gone snooping around. The way Bianca looked down on her fueled Wednesday’s ever burning fury in ways that she had never experienced. It was the feeling of a worthy rival for once.
“Yeah… but mostly you’re doing it cause you’re my girlfriend right?” Enid asks, snapping Wednesday out of her thoughts.
Eye twitching at the idea of admitting that she was participating in a school activity of all things to make her girlfriend happy made Wednesday want to cut her tongue out. So she didn’t admit it. Instead she turns around and curtly demands, “Tell me how she keeps winning.”
She can hear the hop in Enid’s step behind her and the grin in her voice as Enid spills the details on how the last few Poe Cups went down.

Chapter Text

It turns out? The Poe Cup was just as annoying and jarring as Wednesday had expected, if not more, starting with the outfit that Wednesday grudgingly puts on for Enid. The constant cheering made Wednesday’s ears ring. The way Enid smiled and did a little wave at the gorgon boy in the boat across the water made Wednesday grit her teeth. For Enid , Wednesday repeats again and again in her head.

Although she would love to murder the boy looking at Enid, Wednesday was sure Enid wouldn’t appreciate her being disqualified before the race even started. “Focus”, Wednesday hissed from behind Enid.

While the sinking boat had been quite amusing, nothing of note truly happened until Wednesday reached crackstone’s crypt. Upon grasping the flag, Wednesday’s head snaps back and her vision goes black.

Unlike her many times receiving visions, it doesn’t come back. This time the same distorted voice speaks from the darkness. “Your beloved’s time is coming near.” The strong stench of paint reeks in her nose as Wednesday attempts to reach out, finally grasping onto the lapel of a jacket before it fades in her grip into nothingness until she’s simply clenching her fist around nothing.

Then surprisingly, a girl’s voice from farther away. “You are the key.”

A third voice sounds, this one too familiar. “Wednesday? Wednesday!” Enid’s voice calls her name in panic, coming closer and closer.

Wednesday feels the warmth of Enid’s arms around her, cradling her, but still, the “vision” offers no visuals at all. All Wednesday can do is take in the scent of the forest that accompanies Enid as well as a pleasant, sweet smell of vanilla perfume that Enid often used, mixed with a tang of blood.

Eyes snapping open, Wednesday is greeted by a smirking Bianca. “Taking a catnap?” 

Pushing herself off the sprawled position on the forest floor, she races back to the boat and climbs in. Wednesday doesn’t say anything about the vision, or lack of thereof. It is neither the time nor the place.

-0-

Enid is all too aware that Wednesday has once again taken all the burden upon herself for the Poe Cup. Although Enid did employ WWWD (what would wednesday do) and sabotage a boat, most of the leg work had been done by Wednesday and nobody could deny that.

So when she found Wednesday with her eyes closed, leaning her head back against the statue, Enid couldn’t help just stopping to look at Wednesday. While Wednesday always looked half dead, at that moment Wednesday looked especially tired. It wasn’t something other people could tell. This was the type of fatigue that built mentally for a long time and made one’s shoulder heavy as if carrying boulders up a hill.

She wondered if Wednesday knew that she was only ever one call away to help her girlfriend. It wasn’t just Wednesday that would refrain from killing for Enid. Enid would do anything for Wednesday. Except Wednesday never asked as if Enid was as fragile as glass.

Walking forward, Enid sits down next to Wednesday quietly, knowing her preference for silence.

Something heavy drops onto Enid’s shoulder abruptly, and Enid almost gasps when she looks over to see Wednesday’s head on her shoulder. It’s something so little, yet so big because they don’t touch each other much. It was more than just the secret, it was how their relationship worked because Enid respected Wednesday’s boundaries of touch. So even such a small motion made Enid feel like she was being electrocuted, the shock spreading from where Wednesday’s head came into contact with her shoulder to the rest of her body.

Wednesday’s jaw is clenched, her brow furrowed. Still, Enid says nothing. If Wednesday wants a conversation, she’ll talk. Most likely though, Wednesday will just get up and walk away as if nothing happened, Enid reasons. That’s the most logical outcome.

Instead, Wednesday interrupts Enid’s thoughts by speaking at a barely audible volume. “I had a vision.” It’s something Wednesday rarely talks about, although Enid isn’t quite sure why. She can count the amount of times Wednesday has mentioned her visions on one hand. It’s a power that Enid wonders about, but knows it irks Wednesday more than anything.

“Yeah?” Enid asks, leaving it open ended for Wednesday to end the conversation there if she wants, even if she’s dying to bombard Wednesday with questions and smother her until Enid is sure she’s okay.

“I heard him . And then a girl. And then…” Wednesday’s voice quivers just the slightest here. “And then you. I couldn’t see a single thing, but I heard you calling out to me and I couldn’t do anything.”

Perhaps it’s because she has Wednesday right next to her, and knows that Wednesday will fight until the end, but Enid doesn’t feel fear. No, the way her chest squeezes is because Wednesday is clearly hurting for her sake.

“I’m going to lose you.” The I’m afraid of it goes unsaid. The statement is powerful enough without it. It’s raw, open in ways that Wednesday almost never is.

Finally looking at Wednesday, Enid nudges her head with her own until Wednesday lifts her head to look back. “I’m here now. And I’ll fight like nothing else to stay by your side, cause I never thought I’d even get to be your girlfriend. So now that I am, you’re not getting rid of me that easily.”

Wednesday’s lips twitch at the last part, and Enid knows she’s succeeded. “Now come on! We have a win to celebrate”, Enid continues as she tugs Wednesday to her feet by the sleeve.

Still, Wednesday argues, “People keep randomly smiling at me, it’s unsettling.”

Enid grins, almost chasing after Wednesday as she speeds up, “It’s called having your moment! You took down Bianca Barclay. Try to enjoy it. The girls want to know if you want to hang out later.” The answer is most definitely a no, and Enid knows it. Except, maybe it would do Wednesday some good to interact with people. At the very least it would annoy her enough to get her mind off of the whole selling Enid to the devil thing.

Wednesday gives her a look. “Oh c’mon it won’t kill you”, Enid pleads.

Relenting, Wednesday says, “I’ll think about it.”

While reluctant to leave Wednesday’s side, Enid knows that now that they’re in the quad she has to put on a show. So, she nods, and skips off to their table.

-0-

Enid doesn’t look back once as she skips off, but Wednesday looks back twice.

Then she walks off at a brisk pace to the infirmary.

The vampire spots her from over her sunglasses and gives an annoying smirk. “Nice of you to drop by, Addams.”

Crossing her arms and looming over the bed, Wednesday demands, “Drop the facade, I know you’re onto us, Tanaka.” Knowing Enid wouldn’t appreciate the way Wednesday dealt with this issue, Wednesday had decided to deal with it on her own.

“Us?” Yoko raises a brow over her sunglasses, slowly putting down her phone and turning it off. Finally, Wednesday had her full attention, as she should. Truly, Wednesday didn’t understand most everyone’s lack of eye contact. Eye contact was thrilling, and it meant Wednesday could see the fear in the other’s eyes.

Looking both ways to make sure the nurse wasn’t around, Wednesday explains, “Me and Enid.”

Unfortunately, Yoko’s eyes are covered by her sunglasses. In fact, she didn’t seem disturbed at all by Wednesday’s presence. Instead of cowering or looking surprised, Yoko just shrugs. “Yeah it’s pretty obvious with how Enid looks at you with hearts practically in her eyes. You may be good at acting, but the little wolf isn’t nearly as skilled.”

Yoko really knew how to get under Wednesday’s skin. Gritting her teeth, Wednesday forged on. “You have two options. Cooperate and help us, or I could make you lose your mind so that nobody will ever believe you.” She was quite serious. While Wednesday did not enjoy using her powers because every time, it reminded her that it was at the cost of Enid’s life, Wednesday would not shy away when it was necessary.

Holding up her hands in surrender, Yoko said, “Whoaaaa. Hold on. I don’t know, and I don’t want to know what that last part was about, cause there’s no way I’d ever sabotage Enid. If you two want to keep it a secret, count me in.”

Scrutinizing Yoko, Wednesday decided that the vampire seemed to be speaking genuinely. Wednesday was too familiar with lies (an expert liar herself), to be fooled by a mere vampire. While Wednesday didn’t enjoy working with other people, she recognized that this was getting out of hand between the visions, Weems, and Rowan. 

Nodding, Wednesday conceded, “Good. I will be contacting you when the time comes.”

“You should communicate more with her,  she worries about you”, Yoko yells after Wednesday. Internally, Wednesday scoffs. She doesn’t need a vampire to tell her how to communicate with her beloved.

-0-

Upon returning to their room that evening, Wednesday finds Enid already asleep, cuddling the trophy.

An odd feeling, similar to the anger that she had felt when Enid had waved at the gorgon boy surfaces.

Wednesday frowns as she walks forward into Enid’s space, mind racing faster and faster as she steps further into Enid’s territory. It is the furthest she has ever gone past their line and it weighs on Wednesday as she takes every step.

Stopping next to Enid’s bed, Wednesday stares down at Enid, admiring her silently. It’s rare that Enid stands still enough for Wednesday to admire her. Their days always seemed so filled with avoiding each other for the sake of the secret that Wednesday almost never stopped to look at Enid for too long. Fear always caged Wednesday’s actions into a small range around Enid.

As Wednesday stood above the bed, she realized that a new fear was blooming in her. In her quest to avoid Enid being taken away, Wednesday had neglected to spend time with Enid.

Now that Enid’s demise was becoming more imminent, Wednesday couldn’t think of enough times that she had genuinely spent with Enid without complications. If they continued this way, Wednesday would be left with no calm genuine memories of Enid.

Upon that inner revelation, Wednesday suddenly craves Enid’s warmth. She’s tired, and the only remedy she can think of is Enid’s proximity. Feeling like a thief, Wednesday noiselessly slips under the sheets with Enid, scooting forward until her head rests into the crook of Enid’s neck. Enid doesn’t move one bit, only giving a snore.

Wednesday knows she should move, that she hasn’t asked Enid for permission to be there and that this is a violation of everything Wednesday knows about herself, but she can’t help wanting to stay for just a little longer.

The entire night, Wednesday stays up, just barely touching Enid, too afraid to do more but too attached to move away. It isn’t until sunrise when Thing crawls up onto the desk and starts signing in her line of sight that she pulls away.

When Enid wakes up, she swears she smells Wednesday, but when she opens her eyes all that greets her is the trophy right in her face, and absolutely no Wednesday. Not sure why she feels a sense of loss, Enid tries to shake it off.

Chapter Text

Okay so what if Wednesday had conveniently forgotten to mention the page in the book that Rowan had left behind, and equally regretfully had forgotten to mention the symbol on the statue matching the page?

It was just for Enid’s own good not to worry so much. She always accounted for Enid’s wellbeing in her actions.

What Wednesday didn’t account for was to be tied to a chair, vision robbed from her. It was definitely her type of party. Then footsteps sounded closer and closer, a heavy stench of paint accompanying it just like in her vision. Immediately Wednesday feels something thrum in her veins, defensive mode turning on as she gets ready to fight.

The sack was ripped off of her head to reveal a group of people in masks, one of them adjusting their voices to seem more intimidating. “Who dares breach our inner sanctum?” Just like that, Wednesday’s hopes for a proper scuffle were dashed.

“You can take the mask off Bianca.” It was obvious to Wednesday who the voice belonged to, and while she was annoying, she wasn’t much of a threat.

Everyone seems to sigh collectively, pulling off their masks. Eyeing the circle, Wednesday discovers that the closest person to her is none other than Xavier Thorpe, the smell of paint practically oozing from him. He must’ve been painting before this.

Wednesday schools her expression to calculated boredom instead as she makes her way through the idle prattle of the group, apparently the current Nightshades (how disappointing) trying to figure out how she got there.

When Xavier walks up to grab the page, Wednesday has to force herself not to recoil, the voice that had come with such a smell still engraved in her head.

The only question now was why would Xavier be cooperating with the devil?

Question swirling in her mind, Wednesday doesn’t notice somebody following her back to the dorm until her name is called. “Wednesday!”

“I thought we were going by surname, Yoko ”, Wednesday answered, not bothering to turn around and simply waiting for Yoko to catch up. Then she glances around warily.

“Don’t worry, nobody followed me. I told them I needed to use the bathroom”, Yoko explains, as if that meant nobody would follow her. In Wednesday’s experience, there was absolutely no situation where one could trust they weren’t being followed.

“Okay.” Wednesday watched Yoko expectantly, only giving Yoko the liberty of speaking because of their agreement. Otherwise she would’ve walked away long ago. For Enid , Wednesday told herself.

“I have an idea how to prove to everyone that you two aren’t together. One of you can pretend to be into somebody else.”

“That’s not a half bad idea.”

“Right?” Yoko replied with a triumphant smirk on her face.

Immediately scowling, Wednesday simply shrugged and walked away. 

-0-

“Where have you been?” Enid asked as Wednesday attempted to sneak back into the room.

Being caught red handed, Wednesday has nothing she can do but be honest. Honesty isn’t her biggest forte though. “Just investigating”, Wednesday answers as vaguely as possible as she lets the door close behind her.

Getting up from her bed, Enid walks up to Wednesday with a frown that mars her face. “Investigating what?” It makes Wednesday feel like she’s under the spotlight in all the wrong ways, being investigated herself, or even better interrogated. It excites Wednesday the way Enid looks at her, because any look from Enid is like the best kind of trip to hell.

Wednesday sighs, “Into a drawing that Rowan had left behind.” There’s no hiding from Enid’s curious eyes, and definitely no hiding from the promise Wednesday made herself to Enid.

“I thought we were going to be honest with each other.” The disappointment in Enid’s voice and face were so prominent, Wednesday couldn’t help but feel guilty for the first time. Being guilty and feeling remorse were two separate things, fortunately for Wednesday, and she often found herself riddled with the first and not the second. This was not one of those cases.

“I’m sorry.” Wednesday’s not sure if she really means it, because she’s definitely not sorry for trying to protect Enid. It’s the words Enid usually wants to hear though.

“What else have you not told me?” Enid questions accusingly. 

Wednesday looks back, deciding not to be cowed by Enid’s wrath. “I talked to Tanaka about us, and she has agreed to help. In fact, she suggested that one of us pretend to be interested in others. That, and I’ve found out who the person from my vision was. He smelled exactly the same. Xavier Thorpe has to be involved in the plot of your demise.”

Apparently it’s the wrong choice because Enid starts to truly look angry. “Let me guess, you were going to pretend to be interested in Tyler Galpin so that I didn’t have to do anything and to protect me?” Her face twists in distaste at the idea.

Wednesday nods. Then she does something she’s quite unused to, something that she never has before. Wednesday asks for permission. “Is that okay?” It’s the biggest olive branch she can ever extend, to prove that she cares what Enid thinks.

“No.” Just like that, Enid has taken the metaphorical olive branch and chucked it off a balcony at mach speed.

Blinking twice, Wednesday asks, “Excuse me?” She’s not sure her brain can quite keep up, having expected Enid to accept her step forward in compromise. Or at least in Wednesday’s head it was a compromise to actually ask for permission to pretend to be into somebody else.

To Enid, it decidedly was not. “I said no. I don’t want my girlfriend pretending to be into somebody else. Got a problem with that?” Enid practically growls, a rumble coming from her throat. It sends Wednesday alight with glee, knowing that Enid had such a monster under her skin even if she didn’t have the ability to let it out. The danger of being with Enid thrilled Wednesday sometimes, until she remembered that the danger wasn’t always towards her, and sometimes towards Enid as well.

Wednesday doesn’t take the hint and forges onward, single minded in her idea that this would give Enid better odds. “Well, yes because how else are we going to prove to others that we’re not together?”

“If you want to do that so badly, I’ll do it. I’ll pretend to be into somebody else. But you, Wednesday…”, Enid leans in and Wednesday suddenly realizes how much Enid can tower over her despite it only being a few slight inches. “You aren’t allowed to look at anyone else the way you look at me.”

Suddenly aware of how close they are, and just how possessive and protective Enid is, Wednesday feels something spark in her. It makes her feel invigorated as if being stuck with pins and needles all over.

More than that, Wednesday becomes aware of how Enid glances down from her eyes to her lips. 

Raising a brow, Wednesday silently challenges Enid to lean in.

A small growl comes up from Enid’s throat, a sound that reverberates through Wednesday’s bones. That’s the only warning Wednesday gets before Enid leans in faster than Wednesday can track with her eyes and kisses her, soft, gentle, and passionate.

Wednesday can’t help but to sink into Enid, hands coming up to Enid’s face.

When they finally pull away for air Wednesday’s voice is deep and raspy as she sucks in as much air as possible. “Distracted much?” She asks.

“Can you blame me?” Enid murmurs before diving back in, hands drifting to the nape of Wednesday’s neck and another on her waist.

As she pulls her in, Enid finally takes note of the book in Wednesday’s arms that is now squashed between them. “What is that?”

Wednesday simply answers by opening the book and pulling out the missing page, pressing it against the remnants of the torn edges.

Leaning in and tilting her head to see the book, Enid peered at the book in the dim light of their room. 

“What does Crackstone have to do with Rowan and Xavier and the Devil?” Enid wondered aloud, voicing exactly what Wednesday had been questioning.

Wednesday shrugs. “That’s what I’m trying to find out.”

-0-

While the Outreach Day was a great success in proving to Wednesday that Xavier Thorpe was indeed involved (he had been the only one who showed up in the woods after the monster appeared), Wednesday finds it is not at all helpful for her mood. 

She is almost boiling with rage as Enid prepares for her “date” with the stupid gorgon Ajax. It’s a feeling she’s quite unused to. Something in Wednesday’s mind screams that she should be the one going on that date, even if rationality says that they could never be on a date to begin with. It was too risky.

“You’re going to be late”, Wednesday finally says, having had enough of Enid practically waving the date in her face.

“Wish me luck!” Enid says with a grimace, one that Wednesday doesn’t understand because Enid seemed so happy to be going on a date to begin with. 

“If he breaks your heart, I’ll nail-gun his”, Wednesday replies half jokingly. She might just nail gun his entire body anyway from irritation.

As Wednesday attempts to type away her frustration on her typewriter, she is determined not to look at Enid as she leaves because she knows that she’ll be weak and ask Enid to not go if she looks at how pretty the girl looks in her date attire. It is then that soft lips meet her cheek. Wednesday hadn’t noticed Enid approaching, with her head so loud, and typewriter equally as cacophonous. Freezing, Wednesday doesn’t know how to react, her cheeks heating up.

She is frozen in place so long, that she doesn’t move even long after the door has opened and closed behind Enid.

Chapter Text

As Enid stares at the side of Ajax’s oblivious head, she has to wonder what it would be like to be able to date somebody sweet, smiling, and more importantly able to be with her in the public. She tries hard to shake the idea, but in the end it sticks, plaguing her to no end.

It’s this feeling of what if that drives Enid to think that it’s cruel to keep Ajax out of the loop with what she’s about to ask of him, to quite literally lead him on. In fact it breaks her heart to do so to such a sweet guy. Seriously, what other guy would give a half smile while watching a girl brush the tail of a dead squirrel for so long?

Except, Enid knows Wednesday will throw a fit if another person finds out about their relationship because of her. It’s not that Enid is scared of Wednesday herself, what she fears is Wednesday’s fear. Riddled with worries that she never voices, Wednesday keeps them all to herself, and Enid doesn’t want to add to that.

So she flirts with Ajax without telling him the truth. It’s oddly pleasant, something she’s never experienced before, making it easy to fall into the role of deception. It’s why when he opens up, and says, “Gorgon’s are taught not to engage. I don’t want to accidentally stone someone”, Enid reaches out to his arm, hoping it’ll give him some comfort.

“I’m not afraid of getting stoned by you.” What strikes Enid is that it is the truth because Ajax is sweet, soft, and caring in his own way. His entire personality makes him easier to open up to.

Looking so hopeful as he looks at Enid, he asks, “Really?” It makes Enid feel guilty because he’s obviously being so honest, and Enid in turn is returning it by flirting with him despite being in a relationship that she can never explain to him nor tell him about.

She tries her best to put on a happy face, one that maybe shined so bright it seemed almost fake. “One hundo! So um… I was thinking of sneaking behind the greenhouse tonight. It’s supposed to be a blue moon.” She lets herself ramble, not knowing what else to do. Asking Wednesday out had been instinctual, but this was against every fiber of being, having to lie to his face, and perhaps even her own heart a little bit just so she could replicate the expression of excitement.

Enid is almost relieved when he doesn’t understand and bids her to have fun. At that moment, she wonders if she should stop, if she should just leave it there. Except if she stops, she knows Wednesday will go after Tyler, and Enid isn’t sure she could bear that. So excuse Enid if she’s done and she finally snaps at the idea of Wednesday going out with Tyler. She’s desperate. “Ajax! I’ve spent all morning flirting and hinting and trying to act cute while brushing some roadkill just so you would ask me on a date.”

The way he says “Oh!” as it dawns on him is kind of cute, Enid has to admit. If it weren’t for Wednesday’s existence, Enid could imagine ending up with him, cute little dates, touches, and public displays of affection.

-0-

Enid is well aware how Wednesday is seething behind her as she gets dressed and rambles about what she should wear. She can’t help but think Wednesday deserves it just a little for pushing her to do something like this. It wasn’t like Wednesday had said it outright, but the options Wednesday was giving her was continually shrinking in size.

Despite her conviction to irk Wednesday with her chipper attitude, Enid feels herself freeze, cheeks flushing as Wednesdsay bids her farewell with a, “If he breaks your heart, I’ll nail gun his.”

It’s one of the sweetest, most romantic things Wednesday has ever said to her. The idea of Wednesday nail gunning somebody’s heart for messing with  her sends Enid into a tizzy. Reciprocating in the only way she knows, Enid plants a chaste kiss on Wednesday’s cheeks before bounding out the door.

As Enid waits the entire night, all she can think about is Wednesday’s promise.

She waits, and waits, and waits.

Finally she understands why she fell for Wednesday instead. Wednesday was bad at communication, but she tried . Ajax didn’t even try to show up or text her that he was going to be late.

The later it got, the more Enid wished it was Wednesday with her. In a roar of frustration and loneliness, she attacked the bus, stabbing the tire before slipping to the ground, and holding her head. How had Wednesday arriving at Nevermore rendered her feeling lonelier than ever?

The next day gets even worse for Enid, as she not only strives to avoid Ajax, but is also faced with an entire board of gorey pictures the moment she steps back into her room with Wednesday. 

It was the last straw when Wednesday tromped up to her and said, “I’m going to the dance with Xavier.”

It takes Enid about five seconds before she explodes. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

-0-

Wednesday didn’t understand why Enid was so upset. Not that Enid seemed to care about Wednesday’s confusion as she got up off the bed and advanced on Wednesday until Wednesday had to take a step back so they weren’t nose to nose.

“I am not ‘kidding you’ as you said”, Wednesday replies.

That only serves to make Enid’s brow tick in anger as her expression drops into veritable rage. It’s so strong it’s suffocating, and Wednesday would be proud if it wasn’t directed towards her.

“Of course not”, Enid murmurs, shaking her head in disappointment. Wednesday feels backed up into a corner for the first time in her life. Normally she would come roaring back at somebody who attempted to back her into a corner like a helpless victim, but this was Enid. Enid wouldn’t do this without a reason. Even if the reasoning escaped Wednesday.

“Have you ever considered that I did all that with Ajax because you keep going out with these guys instead of me?” Enid practically spits out.

The words are irrational, nonsensical, because, “You know it was all for your safety.” That’s all Wednesday had ever wanted since she had arrived at nevermore.

“It always is, but never about my happiness is it? You never think that maybe I just want to enjoy the time I have left with you, do you?” Enid roars in reply, shaking her head with disbelief. “You never ask me what I think, you just keep making all these decisions by yourself, like investigating, but all I want is time with you, Wednesday.” Voice trailing off at the end, Enid looks hurt, even though Wednesday hasn’t done anything to hurt her.

It confuses Wednesday, how could she have hurt Enid without even meaning to? How was pain possible without malice? It pained Wednesday to admit that she had no idea, that she was clueless in the one thing that mattered the most.

Not knowing what to say because she wasn’t sorry for trying to protect Enid, Wednesday instead remained silent.

Enid looked at her, waiting for a whole minute before she gave up with a huff, turning and climbing out the window to the balcony. The window pointedly slams shut behind her.

A hand finally climbs into view onto Wednesday’s bed, facing her as if looking at her with disappointment. 

“Thing, as much as it pains me to admit, I don’t quite understand what I have done wrong”, Wednesday admits with a frown. It is a silent plea for Thing to help, because Wednesday refuses to verbally ask for help. She is not the type of person who needs help after all. Everyone might need help once in a while, but Wednesday wasn’t everyone.

The decapitated hand gives a wave of a finger and then pats the spot on the bed next to him, beckoning her to sit down next to him. This was going to be a long explanation.

-0-

Knowing what she must do after Thing’s suggestions, Wednesday sets out to prepare for the dance. She makes sure Xavier is out of the picture, even goes as far to let him understand that she was just suspicious of him, because if Enid is ready to embrace the danger, then Wednesday is more than happy to go with her.

Then she buys the accursed dress.

She’s staring at it as she paces back and forth in her room, Enid having left the room long ago to get ready with Yoko. Not that Enid was talking much to Wednesday now anyway. Wednesday loathed to admit that the lack of small communication that they had before stung.

When a knock sounds on her door, Wednesday doesn’t pause to think. She assumes it is Enid, perhaps forgetting that Enid likes to just throw open the door without warning because Wednesday wishes it was Enid so badly. Yanking the door open, Wednesday’s eyes go wide at Tyler Galpin, standing in front of her nervously.

Well this was a wrench in her plans.

Chapter Text

Enid was boiling in fury. Okay, so maybe she’d accepted Lucas’ idea to go to the Rave’N together just to get on Wednesday’s nerves. Except apparently Wednesday had the same exact idea with Tyler, because she waltzed in with the most stunning dress, with Tyler following behind like a lost puppy.

It’s the sense of loss that strikes Enid the most, the feeling that she’s lost this chance to go with Wednesday to the dance even if everyone else saw them as only friends. How she wished to be the one dragging a begrudging Wednesday into the dance.

Instead, she was the one walking up to Wednesday with yet another date. At least Wednesday looked like she was ready to kill Lucas. It almost horrified Enid how that made her feel better. Almost, but not entirely, because what type of girlfriend would she be if she wasn’t used to most of Wednesday’s tactics by now? Although, girlfriend was a rather loose term as of that moment.

It isn’t until Wednesday steps onto the dance floor that Enid realizes something. Wednesday is refusing to dance. She doesn’t show it the way anyone else would understand, nor does she look Enid’s way. 

To anyone else, this was Wednesday Addams, who didn’t know how to dance.

Enid knew better than that. She knew from how Wednesday fenced, from how Wednesday moved, from how Wednesday had complained in her letters about her parent’s passionate tangos that there was no way Wednesday didn’t know one dance or two.

Perhaps Wednesday didn’t know how to communicate, or refused to communicate. She was stubborn and set in her ways, and she was never really sorry. As Wednesday danced away in her own unique, creepy way, Enid knew Wednesday was saying something to her, as close to an apology as she would ever get. Wednesday Addams was refusing to dance properly for Tyler Galpin.

Enid wishes she could surge forward and kiss Wednesday on the dance floor for her little move, but instead she refrains and dives into the dance floor, ignoring Lucas’ departure. To be honest, she was too focused on Wednesday to even care. 

As the music thrummed, and Enid let her body flow to the beat. It was certainly no tango, but she was just a student dancing for fun and that was okay. Her worries started to slip away as she danced, her friends around her.

Enid found herself able to forget about the curse, the entire ordeal with Wednesday. The weight lifted off her shoulders.

That’s when it started raining blood. Everyone else looked up, but Enid’s gaze honed in on Wednesday. Behind her, a figure loomed. Eyes widening, Enid’s scream is lost along with everyone else’s in the frenzy. Wednesday is looking back at her, eyes riddled with fear as she screams something back.

Enid lets her claws out, ready to leap forward to Wednesday’s aid when the figure disappears into a cloud. Simultaneously something grabs her from behind, choking her. Then, unbearable pain in her abdomen. Looking down in horror, there’s blood coming from a stab wound. Looking back up, Enid watches as Wednesday brings up her hands, then clenches them, causing everyone to freeze except for her in a wave, room turning red slowly from Wednesday to the edges. Enid loses track of Wednesday then as she leaps forward, and practically reappears right in front of her.

Another blink, and the grip on her is released, Wednesday jumping forward to catch her as she slumps to the ground. Enid smiles as Wednesday cradles her. “I’m okay”, Enid manages to croak out, hand struggling to reach towards Wednesday. That said hand never gets there before the darkness overcomes Enid.

-0-

Wednesday has no time to enjoy the raining blood as a figure approaches from behind Enid, the girl completely unaware of the danger she is in. Screaming, Wednesday is completely unheard over the panicked screeches of their fellow classmates.

Unable to react fast enough, Wednesday watches as the figure grabs Enid by the neck and then stabs her. The figure might as well have stabbed Wednesday through the heart, because Wednesday feels herself bleed out with Enid.

Finally, Wednesday understands she has no choice, but to use the terrible power that she gained through her deal with the devil. She’s always avoided using it since she found out it was Enid that she was sacrificing, but there was no choice.

Clenching her fists together dramatically, Wednesday wills the power outward. Everyone freezes as she creates a domain of her own in the room, trapping everyone within in frozen time except for her, Enid, and the figure.

Using the control she possesses only in such a domain of her own, Wednesday leaps forward, forcing her legs to work faster than ever possible without the power, arriving before Enid and the figure and literally punching it in the head. The figure lets go all too easily, practically mocking Wednesday as it disappears without a trace.

So all Wednesday can do is catch Enid, letting go of her grip on the domain. It’s of no use to her anymore now that whatever it was is gone.

The frenzy in the room continues, and Wednesday doesn’t bother to scream for help. No, instead she listens as Enid tries to comfort her even as she is the one in pain. It hurts more than anything else, knowing that Enid’s thoughts were about her even in such a state.

Never has the idea of losing Enid been more real than this moment.

-0-

As Enid awakes, her head is groggy, vision coming back slowly.

Pressure against her leg makes her look down, to see Wednesday, asleep next to her. Wednesday’s hand is touching Enid’s as if too scared to take her hand in case anyone saw, but yearning for touch so much that she couldn’t pull away her hand. It’s adorable, although Wednesday would kill her if she ever heard Enid say that.

A tap nearby makes Enid transfer her gaze to the bedside table. Thing tapped away in morse code, “ She’s refused to leave your side. ”

“She must be tired”, Enid whispers back.

Thing nods up and down in agreement.

“Let’s let her sleep then”, Enid replies quietly.

Thing shakes a no. “ Your family will arrive soon .”

Enid takes a moment to take in that information. Really, she doesn’t want to see her family at all. There was too many explanations, too many lies to be told. She didn’t even know how she and Wednesday were going to explain how Wednesday managed to save her without anyone seeing. 

Not to mention, her family always looked down on her. They would definitely mock her for not being able to protect herself, especially her mother. Enid lets out a sigh.

“What’s wrong, cara mia?” Wednesday’s groggy voice asks. Rising like a possessed body from her position next to Enid, Wednesday eyes Enid with uncharacteristic worry.

“Nothing”, Enid says, shaking her head and attempting a small smile.

Wednesday raises a brow. “I find that hard to believe.”

“I just wish we could enjoy our time together before I get taken away”, Enid relents. Figuring that Wednesday will refuse the idea of her being taken away with a promise to protect her, Enid gets ready to argue her point.

Instead, Wednesday does something that makes Enid go red. She takes her hand into hers and kisses the back of her hand. “Then that’s what we’ll do from now on. We will enjoy our time together whenever we can.”

Chapter Text

Wednesday makes good on her words, refusing to leave Enid’s side or let go of Enid’s hand even as the door opens. Enid is pleasantly surprised, butterflies fluttering in her stomach constantly at the way Wednesday’s cold hand holds her own hand. Perhaps it’s the pain medication, but she finds herself floating in glee at the touch.
So when her brother rushes in, Enid can only grin wider. “Matthew!” The sight of her eldest brother was only trumped by the feeling of Wednesday’s hand in hers. His presence was once paramount, although no longer, now that she had Wednesday.
A wave of relief befalls him at the sight of Enid awake and well.
Meanwhile, Enid is well aware of the way Wednesday stiffens at the company, hand loosening slightly. Knowing that Wednesday is averse to public display of affections, Enid pulls her hand away, only for Wednesday to practically leap forward like a cat to catch her hand again and hold on even tighter than before.
Matthew is wise to not say anything about the obvious show and steps next to Enid’s bedside opposite of Wednesday. “What happened? Are you okay? The school just told us you were in the hospital.” A bead of sweat might as well have dripped down Enid’s face at the question. She looks to Wednesday for guidance for what to say. Obviously things had changed between them, but how much?
“Enid was stabbed. But it didn’t hit any vital organs”, Wednesday explains in her stead, finally meeting Matthews eyes with a gaze that dared him to ask more.
Eyes widening at the unnerving scrutiny he found himself under, Matthew averts his eyes to Enid and clears his throat. “Right. I’m just glad you’re okay, sis’.” His words are genuine in ways that not many people has offered Enid in her life.
Smiling sympathetically, Enid nods, “Thanks. Me too. Where’s Mom and Dad?” She’s curious, having expected them to burst in and berate her for not being able to protect herself.
Grimacing, Matthew breaks the news, “They’re busy with something. Pack politics. They’ll arrive in time for parents weekend though.”
Enid’s smile falls a little, and Wednesday squeezes her hand in comfort. She doesn’t have to look at Wednesday to know that she’s planning murder right now. It’s comforting that Wednesday would try that, but it doesn’t make up for the fact that her parents don’t care enough to show up even when she’s been stabbed. “Right. I should’ve expected that”, despite Enid’s words, she’s unable to keep the disappointment out of her words.
“Hey, I’m here. And I won’t leave until you ask me to”, Matthew says, giving his best attempt at comfort.
In the most unexpected and quiet mumble, Wednesday says, “Me too.” Enid’s eyes widen as she slowly looks at Wednesday. The girl looks tired beyond measure, paler than usual, darker circles under her eyes.
Yet, it was her two words that were strongest in telling Enid that she was trying more than anything to make up for all the time she had not given to Enid. Now, Wednesday was overcompensating by spending every second next to Enid, perhaps out of remorse for what had happened. Although, if Wednesday kept overcompensating, she would cause more problems than happiness.
Shaking her head, Enid said, “Yeah, but now I’m asking you to leave and come back later ‘cause I need you to actually rest, Wednesday.” It would take a lot of worry off Enid’s shoulders to know Wednesday was well rested.
“I do not-” Wednesday starts to argue only to be cut off by Enid.
“Yes you do, and if you continue arguing I’m not holding your hand for a week”, Enid threatens with a smirk, playfully removing her hand from Wednesday’s.
Opening her mouth to argue, Wednesday follows it by closing it, and then opening it again, and then closing it again. Then with a huff, she withdraws herself from Enid’s side, collecting Thing off the bedside table as she storms out of the room. Enid only chuckles at her show, knowing that Wednesday will probably get her back later for such a threat.
“So…Wednesday?” Matthew says, a cheeky grin on his face.
Cheeks heating up at Matthew’s acknowledgement of what had gone down, Enid looks away and murmurs, “What about her?”
“Hey, you can play oblivious all you want, but it’s obvious somethings happening between you two”, Matthew replies, plopping into the chair Wednesday once occupied and crossing his arms. Okay, so maybe Enid wasn’t so glad Matthew was here after all. She had forgotten his older brother's nature to want to know everything going on in her personal life.
The following days at the hospital were never dull with Wednesday only leaving Enid’s bedside when Matthew was there and threatened by Enid.

-0-

Five days after Enid woke up, Enid was released from the hospital with strict instructions not to aggravate her stitches. Which is why she found herself sitting in Weem’s office next to Wednesday.
Principal Weems slowly stood up from her desk, circling around her desk to reach them like a hawk preparing to dive in for its prey. “Would the two of you care to explain what happened at the Rave’N?”
“No”, Wednesday answered curtly with all the honesty in the world.
“Let me rephrase that, you two are to explain what happened at the Rave’N and how Enid got stabbed”, Principal Weems replied coldly, visibly ticked off and leaning down into Wednesday’s face. To her credit, Wednesday doesn’t flinch, blink, or move in the slightest.
Enid’s heart was pounding, her grip on the chair strong enough to almost crush the chair. They were about to get caught red handed. What was the punishment for a deal with the devil anyway? Burning at the stake?
The pressure on Enid kept increasing as the silence dragged on. She could hear the fire crackling, her own every breath, the way the winds outside howled, and the occasional footsteps outside the office. Each breath only got louder as it went in and out. It became more and more overwhelming with each second. Everything felt as if it was condensing around her, forcing the truth from within her to bubble out.
“The devil got to me.”
“I don’t know.”
Weems finally leans back from Wednesday, crossing her arms with a smirk. “Well, it seems somebody does know even if you don’t, Wednesday. Pray tell, Enid, why would the devil be after you?”
Enid clamped her hands over her mouth as if that would help her from blurting anything else out under pressure.
Eyeing Enid, Wednesday gives a small nod to herself as if making an agreement inwardly. “I made a deal with the devil for the power of absolute control over a certain domain around me, provided that I give the devil the love of my life. I had assumed I wouldn’t fall under the Addams family curse like my parent’s. I was gravely wrong”, Wednesday explains. It lets Enid slowly exhale the breath she didn’t know she was keeping in. Now that the secret was out, she didn’t have to keep pretending, she didn’t have to try not to say the wrong things. Everyone knew Enid Sinclair said the first thing that came to her mind too often.
Eyes softening to sympathy, as if mourning them already, Principal Weems whispers, “Oh you poor, poor fool. Love isn’t a curse, and isn’t just for the Addams family, Wednesday.”
“Whatever it is, it doesn’t change that I’ve put Enid in danger and need your help protecting her”, Wednesday replied, brushing off Weem’s attempt to educate her as usual.
Shaking her head as she sits back down, Principal Weems suddenly looks tired and older than usual. “I will do my best to protect any student of Nevermore, but Wednesday, you must know there’s only one solution to this.”
Wednesday’s brow only furrowed in confusion. If Wednesday was confused, Enid was utterly baffled at the direction that the conversation had turned. She had expected them to be punished or worse, expelled.

-0-

It’s that night that Enid wakes up to Wednesday’s scream. Crawling out of bed, Enid stands beside Wednesday’s bed as she thrashes, tears streaming down her pale cheeks as Wednesday murmurs, “No, no, no.”
“Wednesday”, Enid calls out, hoping it’s enough to get her awake.
To Enid’s relief, Wednesday shoots up from her spot, eyes wide, shoulders heaving as she snaps awake at Enid. As she realizes where she is and relaxes, Wednesday says softly, “Enid.” It’s the type of thing where nobody else could say Enid’s name the way Wednesday did. Wednesday exaggerated the “d” at the end, in a way that was soft and firm at the same time. It was unexplainable in words really, but Enid could hear it a hundred thousand more times and never get over the unique way that Wednesday said her name with so much reverence.
“You were having a bad dream”, Enid explains, fidgeting in her place. This is new territory for Enid, never having woken Wednesday up before. Being domestic was not part of their vocabulary as a couple.
When Wednesday just stares back blankly, Enid clears her throat. “Right. I should go back to my bed and uh- Yeah!”
Starting to move back to her bed, Enid is interrupted by Wednesday. “Stay.” It’s a simple word, devoid of emotion and lacking in context, but when Enid turns around the flush on Wednesday’s cheeks that is so slight it could’ve been the trick of the moonlight says it all.
Faster than Wednesday when she was saving Enid during the Rave’N, Enid climbs into the bed, nudging Wednesday over with a grin.
Wednesday just stares at her quietly, before crossing her arms and outright dropping back into her pillows so fast that her braids followed her head. It was acceptance if Enid had seen any, so Enid quickly rested her head against Wednesday’s shoulder. She was still aware of Wednesday’s boundaries which was why she wasn’t outright cuddling her. Wednesday said nothing, and didn’t move an inch. This was an approval in the terms of Wednesday Addams. Before Enid can quite take in the situation and panic at the fact that she’s in the same bed as her girlfriend, Enid finds herself drifting off, comforted by the cold radiated by her girlfriend.
Unbeknownst to her, Wednesday’s eyes remained open the entire night. While Wednesday had indeed been saved from her nightmares by Enid and that had felt loathsomely better than anything in the world out to feel, Wednesday was afraid. She was afraid that she would get used to such nice things, afraid that she would get used to the warmth of Enid’s hands.
Most of all, she was afraid that she would get used to spending time with Enid, because the more she got used to it, the weaker she would become when Enid was finally taken away. In the end no amount of memories would be enough to make up for the loss of Enid.

Chapter Text

Immediately aware of the coldness near her when she wakes up, Enid lifts up her head to look around only to squeak at the sight of Wednesday’s eyes wide open and staring back at her.

Jumping backward, Enid winces as she pulls on her wound.

Faster than Enid can react, Wednesday’s hand shoots out from her cross armed position to steady her and stop her from moving further. Enid feels the electricity running up her arm as if Wednesday herself was a power plant.

Brain groggy, Enid has a hard time catching herself up on what happened the previous night. She couldn’t believe she had slept next to Wednesday, with her head on Wednesday’s shoulder, no less. It was their first time ever doing so. It was a big thing!

To add to her already flustered thoughts, Wednesday was staring at her with that intense, scrutinizing type of gaze.

“I-I’m- I’m going to go to the bathroom!” Enid manages to squeak out before running off. Wednesday lets her, letting go of her as she races off. Once in the bathroom, Enid splashes water on her face in an attempt to cool down and make her face less red. Wednesday had no right to affect her so much, and yet she did. In all honesty, Enid couldn’t get enough of how Wednesday always made her feel like a chaotic mess on the inside, always throwing her off kilter.

Luckily nobody was there to witness Enid’s complete chaos. After a few minutes giving herself a pep talk in the mirror, Enid walks back to their room to face whatever Wednesday had going on. Maybe Wednesday would have her hair out of her braid or Wednesday would make up for the dance by offering to dance with her. Enid was ready to freak out no matter what happened.

Or so she thought. She did not account for the fact that Wednesday would be literally pacing back and forth in their room while twiddling with a whole cannon ball as if it was a fidget toy.

Wednesday completely ignores Enid as she walks in, even as the door closes behind her and she takes a few step toward the said girl. “Wednesday?” Enid calls out to her.

Eyes snapping up in wide surprise, Wednesday stiffens, hands already shifting on the cannonball to launch it. Upon seeing Enid’s familiar face, Wednesday relaxes a little. “Enid”, she breathes out in relief.

“What’s on your mind?” Enid asks, taking another step closer. At Enid’s words, Wednesday frowns, absentmindedly starting to fidget with the cannonball again by shifting its weight back and forth from hand to hand. For all the years she had spent reading Wednesday’s mannerisms and expressions, this was one she had never seen.

The way Wednesday looked at her, the way Wednesday couldn’t seem to keep her hands still, it was all so new. It was as if… “It doesn’t matter, because someday you won’t be here to ask that.” Yes, the way her voice shook, the way Wednesday looked at her as if she would disappear right then and there, it was fear.

Enid had never seen Wednesday give in and simply feel her emotions, especially not fear. Yet, here Wednesday was, baring herself to Enid, absolutely terrified of what Enid would say next.

The worst part is that Enid knows. She knows that someday she won’t exist to catch Wednesday’s heart of glass. When the devil takes her, Wednesday’s falling heart will hit the floor and shatter.

Even if Wednesday got on her knees and asked Enid to marry her right then and there, they both knew that a “yes” would be a lie. They didn’t have the time to live a life out together, and they had never hoped to.

It breaks Enid to imagine it, but she knows that one day another pair will occupy the space they call theirs right now. They would be unaware of the star crossed couple that had occupied it before.

As time went on, Wednesday would have to move on too, until one day an october breeze would come by like the one that wafted in at that moment as Wednesday waited for Enid’s answer, and it wouldn’t remind Wednesday of Enid anymore.

Maybe Enid should’ve reassured Wednesday, but she couldn’t think of one word that wouldn’t be a lie, that she wouldn’t regret telling Wednesday in the end. Instead, something bubbled up her throat, choking her as tears brimmed in her eyes. “Don’t forget me”, Enid asked in an almost whisper.

Setting the cannonball down, Wednesday steps forward until they are close enough and reaches a hand out to Enid, waiting until Enid takes it so that their hands hang, joined together between them. Then Wednesday looks her in the eyes and says, “Enid. The mark you have left on me is indelible. Anytime I grow nauseous at the sight of a rainbow or hear a pop song that makes my ears bleed, I’ll think of you.”

Nodding, Enid doesn’t trust her voice to say something coherent, so instead she does what she knows best and uses physical affection. She steps forward and kisses Wednesday on the forehead, hoping that Wednesday understands. Enid doesn’t want to leave Wednesday behind in the slightest, and it hurts to think of a future where she won’t be by Wednesday’s side. All Enid can do is leave the best memories possible and hope they keep Wednesday going on the worst of days.

-0-

The rest of the day doesn’t get easier for either of them.

Wednesday is absolutely uncomfortable as she sits on the cramped couch between her parents that was specially brought into Weems’ now crowded office, facing the Sinclair family. Well the family was an overstatement, it was really just Enid’s parents and Matthew, but it was plenty of people to make the room feel suffocatingly small.

Not to mention Weems had just dropped the bomb of the contract with the devil on both families. Wednesday hadn’t liked the idea, but Weems had insisted that she had no say in such a thing if she wanted Enid as safe as possible.

Wednesday counted the seconds. It took exactly ten before Esther Sinclair’s livid voice cut through the silence. “So you mean to tell me, Enid, that you went and fell in love, and ruined your own chance at life?” Ready to stand up for Enid, Wednesday starts to move and open her mouth when her mother puts a hand over hers gently.

That’s when Wednesday watches Enid, whose face goes from scared to outraged. “Why is it my fault even now?” Enid stands up, whipping to face her mother. “I’m going to die, and it’s still my fault? I’m sorry I have feelings, I’m sorry I can’t control love and feelings, is that better?!” 

“Enid Sinclair! You do not speak to me that way!” Esther throws back, scolding her with no sympathy.

Enid shakes her head in anger mutely before storming off, throwing the doors to the office wide open. In pure instinct, Wednesday and Matthew both jump up to chase after her.

They barely see the sleeve of her colorful sweater turn the corner as they dash out of the office, almost knocking down several students as they chased her down, out of the school and down the property into the woods until the tree line opened up again to reveal the docks of the lake.

There Enid sat on the wooden dock, legs dangling over and kicking back and forth slowly. Wednesday and Matthew each sat down on one side of Enid, all three of them looking out at the lake that shimmered in the daylight.

“She’ll come around eventually”, Matthew reasons.

Enid nods. “I know. I’m just not sure I’ll be around long enough to see it.”

Chapter Text

The crickets chirped, air crisp as Wednesday sat in the grass, leaning back on her palms. She lets the familiar footsteps approach her on the lawn of Nevermore as she looks up at the stars in the sky, wondering how none of them shone as bright as Enid’s smile.

Footfalls stopping, the person plops down beside her with a grunt.

Of course Gomez can’t keep his mouth shut even in the sacred silence of the night. “Something bothering you, little scorpion?”

Wednesday doesn’t glance his way, eyes glued to the sky. “Don’t ask pointless questions that you know the answer to.” Her words lack bite. Drained from all the emotions swirling in her (a first for Wednesday), she wasn’t sure she was equipped to deal with them.

“You’re not the only one you know”, Gomez says, as if that’s supposed to comfort Wednesday. 

It does, in the way where it’s laughable that another fool probably sold their loved ones for something that wasn’t worth the trade. It doesn’t in the way that nothing could comfort her because it was all her fault that Enid was going to disappear from this world much sooner than she should’ve. “Of course not”, Wednesday replies, shaking her head.

“Sometimes the people we look up to are fools in their own ways. Fools that may wander the woods aimlessly, or perhaps the fools may know the answer to our biggest problems”, Gomez said.

The words might not have made sense to anyone else, but they made perfect sense to Wednesday. There were very few people that Wednesday looked up to. Finally looking down at the stars, she looked at her father for confirmation. He simply lifted a brow at her. What are you waiting for?

With renewed vigor, Wednesday gets up and starts marching towards the woods. Before she gets very far, Wednesday looks back over her shoulder. “Thank you.” Then she is gone into the brush and thicket of the treeline.

Giving a small chuckle to himself, Gomez lights a cigar and gives it a puff. It was all up to Wednesday now.

-0-

Racing into the woods, Wednesday suddenly feels a shock of goosebumps down her spine. Stopping, she whips out her knife and attacks, only for the attacker to clasp it in his hands and shock her into dropping the blade.

“Still as sharp as ever, my pig-tailed protege!” the attacker gleefully compliments. 

An unnatural grin splays itself across Wednesday’s face. “Uncle Fester!”

Taking off his hat, he gives a chortle of a laugh, sound coming straight from his belly. Fester looks upon her with his kooky smile, oh so familiar in the woods that were not nearly as. It was relieving to see his face within the chaos that surrounded her these days.

“Father mentioned somebody doing the same as me. It was you?” Wednesday asked, not afraid to dive into the topic with her familiar uncle. After all, he did not ever judge her, only encourage her in a way that didn’t smother her.

Fester nods. “I see that Gomez has told you.” He scratches his bald head and grins. “He filled me in on what’s going on. What fun!”

At those words, Wednesday frowns and slouches into a sulking position. Fun was definitely not how she’d describe it. Torturous in all the wrong ways maybe. “I thought it would be. It’s not nearly as fun as I predicted when I made the deal.”

“Then just steal your way out of it”, Fester shrugs as if it’s no big deal. He was so nonchalant even in the face of what felt like the end of Wednesday’s world. It’s perhaps what Wednesday admired about him the most, his attitude.

Wednesday cocks her head, curious now at Fester’s words. “How?”

Fester steps forward, leaning in ominously, “There’s always a way. As long as you’re willing to give.” Then he leans back, frowning a little. “I wasn’t willing to give and I paid the price.” He shakes his head and shivers dramatically as if it was simply a creepy memory, that he had given up something so important because he wasn’t willing to “give”.

Except, what did give even mean? What could she give that could possibly appease the devil?

“Does your school have a bonfire going for family weekend? I’m hungry”, Fester snaps her out of her thoughts.

Brow furrowing at the seemingly random question, Wednesday asks, “Where did you get that idea?”

Following Fester’s pointer finger, Wednesday turns around and looks into the sky at the pillar of smoke coming up from Nevermore. Her eyes widening, Wednesday doesn’t have the time to have a heart attack because Enid .

Running and running faster and faster, Wednesday pushes the upper limits of her physical performance. The only thing she can think about is Enid’s safety, the fact that Wednesday had left her all alone in the dorm room to go out even when she knew the devil would be coming soon.

Her heart pounded along with her footsteps, every step pushing her closer to her lover, but not fast enough, not close enough.

Upon finally reaching the quad, Wednesday grinds to a halt, eyes wide at the sight that greets her. The tables are on fire, the heat blazing in Wednesday’s face. Tied above the stack of blazing tables was Enid, kicking her face and crying in fear. Xavier stood, a twisted smirk on his face. He whipped to face her, ready to step forward, when his face contorts and he falls to his knees and hands. Rolling onto the floor, he claws at his neck, turning red.

“R-run. I-i can’t hold him off”, Xavier’s voice comes out choked towards Wednesday as he fights off the devil inside him. It doesn’t scare Wednesday in the least.

As he continues, Wednesday does the exact opposite of his words and starts to move forward, when blackness starts coming out of Xavier, forming a figure standing above him, a figure that solidifies into a zombified-pilgrim-like man.

Before Wednesday can react and activate her power, the haunting voice from her dreams comes from his mouth. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. I still have her life in my hands.”

The fact that the devil doesn’t even bother to remember or say Enid’s name enrages Wednesday further, but she’s scared. Too scared to activate her powers, and instead she stands, hands clenched, unable to do anything. It is this all powerful type of fear that ranks above all else. This fear has manifested for all the years since she’d accepted Enid’s request to be together.

The devil cackles as he pulls out a knife, testing it on his own finger, only for the gash to close up immediately thanks to a swirling fog that appears from inside his flesh. Then with barely a blink of an eye he chucks it at Wednesday.

Closing her eyes, Wednesday accepts her fate. She knows that moving out of the way will result in the devil hurting Enid, so she stays. There’s nothing more she can do to protect Enid but give her life. Perhaps that’s what Fester meant by give. If that’s what it came to, she would be more than content to do so.

But then she hears cracking and popping of bones, and a roar. Wednesday opens her eyes just fast enough. To see the last of Enid’s transformation, the sheer impact of her sudden growth in size shredding the ropes holding her to the post into pieces. Leaping off the post, Enid places herself right between Wednesday and the knife just in time for it to sink into her. Wednesday doesn’t even have the chance to tell her no, or to stop.

With a howl of pain, Enid collapses. The blood immediately soaks through her blood and onto the ground.

“No. No! No!” Wednesday screeches as she drops to her knees, trying to hold the wound together as if it’ll help. Nothing could’ve prepared her for this moment as Enid gasped for air in front of her.

“It’s too late. Your powers aren’t enough”, the devil cackles.

Enid looks at her, even in her wolf form, with so much love in those glowing eyes, the same eyes that teased Wednesday in her human form. She watched as life slipped away agonizingly slowly, and Enid’s eyes closed.

It was only then that Wednesday screamed in desperation, dipping her two fingers into the pool of Enid’s blood, drawing a giant rune circle around Enid’s body. Then she drops to her knees on the ring of blood, clasping her hands together and looking straight into the devil’s eyes. “Take it. Take it and take even more if you need to, I’ll agree to any deal, but give her back. YOU HEAR ME?! GIVE HER BACK!”

The devil leered, his zombified face cracking in places as he did so. “As you wish, you foolish human.”

With a snap of his hand, it all went black and Wednesday felt the powers and more slip out of her.

-0-

Awaking in her human form, Enid looked around the blazing courtyard to see Wednesday crumpled on the ground. A cry of Wednesday’s name ripped from her throat as she scrambled to Wednesday’s side, drawing the pigtailed girl into her arms.

Slowly Wednesday opened her eyes and a dopey smile crossed her face. It was unnatural, unnerving. Enid should be glad that they were both still alive, but something was wrong, completely off.

“Wednesday?” Enid asked again.

“Yes?” Wednesday still refused to look at her, staring straight ahead. It was almost as if…

Horrified, Enid slowly lifted her hand and waved it in front of Wednesday’s face. There wasn’t a single reaction. 

“Wednesday. What did you do?” Enid asked.

“If you’re asking then you already know what I did”, Wednesday replies. Shakily her hand comes up, reaching towards Enid’s face, or at least attempting to. Enid’s hand came up to grasp hers and nuzzled her cheek into Wednesday’s hand.

A content expression graces Wednesday’s face despite the blank, glassy look of Wednesday’s eyes.

Feeling the tears sting her eyes, Enid sniffles. “You idiot. I can’t believe you gave up your eyesight for me.” Wednesday would never be able to see Enid again, she knew it. Yet, Wednesday didn’t seem upset at all, but instead triumphant. So instead Enid cried for her, letting the tears spill down her cheeks, mourning Wednesday’s vision in a way that Wednesday refused to.

Chapter Text

Tigger was perhaps the one thing that was silent in the class. It was a while before everyone returned to classes at Nevermore with repairs and everything. It had given Wednesday enough time to figure things out, test her boundaries, and learn to defend herself by hearing alone. Anything that breathed, whistled, or rustled could be pinpointed by her hearing. There were, of course, limits. Fencing was no longer something she was able to do because it was too close proximity and the reaction time was too immediate for her to hear and be able to react.

Still, in a classroom like Wednesday was stuck in at the moment, Tigger was the only thing that Wednesday couldn’t hear. She could hear the clicking of the clock, the giggling of the gaggle of girls in the back of class, the incessant scratching of Xavier’s pencil on the sketchbook whom she sat next to.

They had become fast friends after Xavier’s attempt to ward off the devil from within himself. That did not mean that the way he constantly drew during class and how the smell of paint practically assaulted her nostrils was any easier to bear. The scent mixed with those of the flowers around them as the new botany teacher droned on about something that Wednesday absolutely couldn’t focus on.

It was a good thing that every class of hers was audio recorded for her as an accommodation.

Suddenly the bell rang, causing Wednesday to wince. Without being able to look at clocks, her inner clock was all messed up. She couldn’t tell how fast or slow time moved, the only indication was the bell at the beginning and end of each class.

Reaching out her hand, Tigger’s familiar harness slowly slid into her palm. Wednesday was glad it was the end of the day, the vein in her forehead already ticking from the overstimulation. Being forced to be hyper aware of her remaining senses wasn’t fun.

Making her way into the room with Tigger’s help, Wednesday murmured to him, “Cello.” Without a complaint, Tigger led her forward toward her instrument of solace, leading her to set it up on the balcony past their split round window.

The vibrations thrummed through Wednesday’s fingers into her body as she played the song, the wind softly caressed her bangs. She knows from a poorly hidden gasp that Enid is beyond her. Ignoring it, Wednesday continues. Letting her fingers run from memory, and feeling alone, Wednesday can’t help but close her eyes despite it doing absolutely nothing. Her vision is black regardless. The music simply flows from her flawlessly.

As Wednesday finishes her rendition of the song and slowly lowers her bow, the floorboard creaks, indicating Enid stepping forward.

“Wednesday. That’s the song you played that first night on our balcony. Wednesday you’re playing again”, Enid manages to choke out in disbelief. 

Wednesday shrugs in place as if it was nothing, simply looking ahead and waiting as Enid steps closer until she wraps her arms around Wednesday from behind the chair and rests her chin on Wednesday’s shoulder. In return Wednesday leans back a little. The warmth of Enid contrasted against the chill of fall. It was a lovely reminder that the world could be so cold without her beloved.

For the longest time, Wednesday had refused to pick up the cello, too afraid that she wouldn’t remember the positions well enough to play. It wasn’t until six months after the incident while she had been in her room that she felt a tug towards the instrument, missing the feeling of its lacquered black wood in her hands.

Still, she hadn’t dared to play in front of anyone until now.

“I wanted to surprise you”, Wednesday said, for no reason in particular. She could’ve gone without saying it, but without seeing Enid’s face, Wednesday wasn’t sure if she had received Wednesday’s gesture as a romantic surprise or a simple miracle of a coincidence.

“You did”, Enid replied.

That was enough for Wednesday, as she sat there in Enid’s embrace. Losing her vision had made her enjoy the simple things at a slower pace. It had been frustrating to relearn everything at such an agonizingly snail-like tempo, but eventually Wednesday had learned to appreciate it. Just like right then, as the breeze brought the smell of decaying leaves of fall, the sound of the leaves rustling.

Then their moment was interrupted by a yawn, from neither of them. Hearing its paws pad up to them, Wednesday can only guess that’s where Enid retreats off to.

“Hey there Tigger”, Enid cooed. Wednesday could imagine the grin on Enid’s face. It was one of those things that still made Wednesday’s heart tug, because she would never see the brightness of Enid’s smile ever again.

“I still can’t believe we chose a tiger and that I let you name him Tigger”, Wednesday said, scowling as she put down her bow. In fact, Wednesday had wanted to get a service animal that was all black, but when she had heard Enid’s squeals at the shelter they had gone to, Wednesday couldn’t help but hope that it would put a smile on Enid’s face more often. A tiger could be just as stealthy as a black jaguar if trained correctly.

Maybe Wednesday was lacking in sight, but her other senses still functioned, and she could hear the sorrow in Enid’s voice when she saw Wednesday. More than that, for the longest time it was like Enid was tiptoeing around Wednesday, avoiding the word “look” and things of that nature.

“You love both of us”, Enid replies easily as Wednesday feels the furry cat brush up against her side with a purr.

Grabbing onto Tigger’s harness, Wednesday lets him guide her to the cello case to put the cello down. Enid was too right. Wednesday loved her, and she could finally say so after everything they had gone through. “I do.”

Every day was harsh on Wednesday, but slowly Wednesday was getting used to the feeling, and more importantly she was getting used to the feeling of being loved by Enid. For the first time, it was okay. Enid wasn’t going to be taken away, and the girl had made it plenty clear that she would never leave Wednesday’s side. So Wednesday was okay as long as it was her and Enid against the world. Okay and maybe Tigger too.