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Chapter Text

     The plan was simple, thoroughly researched, and outlined in the blackest of ink. A gradual showcase throughout June, July, and August whereby Wednesday would affirm her friendship with Enid and using her unique Addams family charm court and woo Miss Sinclair by summer’s end. This was no shallow attachment or casual crush, this was the culmination of two years’ worth of friendship, trust, respect, and love building a werewolf sized room in Wednesday’s heart. A table had been built in the middle of it, furnished in the loveliest pink pastels with black accents, with room for two seats pulled up to its edges that may allow the occupants to lean in close and whisper sweet nothings into each other’s blushing ears. When Wednesday had first envisioned this scene, her stomach had started to flutter and an unusual red blush had overtaken her cool features.

     ‘So, this is love?’

     Her summer vacation was to be the make-or-break mission of her young life, and she genuinely viewed it as such despite the difficulties of the last academic year. The blood that pumped through her veins, the air that pushed through her lungs, the very fibre of her being was on electrified tenterhooks as she entered the summer holidays with one sincere aim: to ask Enid Sinclair to be her girlfriend.

     Wednesday did not falter in the earnestness of her feelings nor the genuineness of her heart but where the strings of concern and anxiousness pulled at her sleeve concerned her plans execution. How was she to pull such an endeavour off? She had never considered herself a romantic but she had grown up around two of the most nauseously in love parents a child could have. The saying, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, could be applied to Wednesday in so many areas, particularly in their shared interest in the macabre, their fierce love for family, their distaste for injustice, and their respect for the underdog, and yet Wednesday had always felt lacking in one area that her parents excelled in; romance. This was not surprising, after all a teenage girl has her whole life to experience the complicated chaos that is romantic love. While other girls may wistfully pine for it, replay rom-coms, and dip their toes into the depths of the soppiest fan fiction, daydreaming about what their future partner may be like, Wednesday had never been afflicted with such distracting thoughts. That is, until she came to the creeping realisation that she was in love with her best friend.

     It had been slow, like dripping water against a flagstone that erodes over time. Day to day one would hardly notice, and yet it slowly kneaded its way further into the rock despite its roughness, gradually leaving its sharp, uneven edges smooth and well rounded. Wednesday’s heart, no matter how fiercely she tried to present otherwise, had never been as hard or impenetrable as rock, which made it even easier for Enid’s joyful character to wrap its soft-padded claws around Wednesday’s young heart. The evolution from reluctant roommate to reserved friend all the way to proud BFFs had been filled with action, danger, mortal risk, and betrayal from others that had only deepened and affirmed their bond. From afar one less acquainted with the eldest Addams child may think her too aloof or independent a character to take romantic love seriously. Wednesday Addams in love? What a joke! People may be attracted to such a girl in theory, but they would surely lose interest when they realised that she was a real person and not some blank archetype that they could paint their fantasies on to. Everyone wants a ‘Goth Girlfriend’ until they realise that she’s actually, well, a goth. A goth Wednesday was not, and yet the type of person to assume she was would have neither the patience nor the inclination to ask her, nor await her correction of their assumption. Yet fall in love she had, and it pulled her in directions she had never once considered.

     Did she really willingly walk into a large over-stuffed chain box store because Enid had casually mentioned a brand of potato chips that she couldn’t buy in her hometown and Wednesday had decided she would buy her a whole box worth? Yes, yes, she did because the girl was in love and it was sickening. She felt ill except she had no symptoms of a fever and yet when she recalled the details of Enid’s face or the bounce of her blond hair the tips of her ears grew hot and she felt her heart begin to thunder within her chest. Love was a curious affliction, she thought, but the restless academics and adventurous thinkers of the world always considered what new experiences one could have that might deepen their understanding of the other living beings around them. Love was simply a new subject that Wednesday had yet to figure out, but she intended to ace it … if Enid wanted to be her partner in such an endeavour, of course.

     What was an Addams to do?

     Her family doubtless all had their opinions on how she may approach this mammoth moment in her young life, but surely foiling a double-murder plot and saving Enid’s life in the last school year was the hardest part over? Their second year together was supposed to be one “filled with fun” as Enid had proclaimed it at the start of the first term, and yet it had transformed into a nightmare where Wednesday, plagued with visions of Enid’s death, had desperately fought to save her all the while her friend felt iced out and overlooked. The poor girl had almost died herself. Wednesday had barely time to breathe all year, and just when she thought Enid was done with boyfriends for a while a new one had taken the place of the old one. She had been too preoccupied to dissect her feelings at the time about why it irked her so much, a second useless boy to replace the first one, what was Enid thinking? But crucially Wednesday hadn’t been thinking either, and so now she found herself facing the start of the long summer break with nothing but time and Enid on her mind and in her diary. The summer months were wall-to-wall Enid Sinclair and by some cosmic miracle Wednesday hadn’t even been the instigator of her own good fortune, it had been Enid herself who had brought the subject up.

     “We should sync our calendars,” Enid had innocently suggested as they packed up their belongings in their shared dorm room. “That way we can know when the other is free or when we might be busy. Remove the guess work, you know? While I trust the professionalism of the raven postal service I can’t say I’m bowled over by their efficiency compared to messenger or email. Just think about it, the beauty of the linked-up calendar between besties. Wednesday, it will be a GAME. CHANGER!”

     Enid paused before offering an apologetic glance towards the window concerned that she may have upset a nearby worker of the Corvus class. “Not that I think ravens aren’t up to the task, obviously, that would be rude!”

     “Enid, you really do say the most ridiculous things sometimes,” replied Wednesday with the faintest hint of a smile at the corners of her mouth.

     All the while in Wednesday’s head, her mind had been drowning with the same thought over and over again.

     ‘I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you…’

     So, it came to be that they had synced their calendars and proceeded to spend no less than two hours organising their summer break to maximise the amount of time they could spend together. Enid had led the spontaneous planning session and Wednesday had dutifully followed, albeit in a cool, reserved fashion that was tinged with a simmering level of agreement that Enid could perceive and be reassured in, but that would not risk betraying Wednesday’s feelings of excitement and euphoria.

     If their love story was an anime, Wednesday Addams would be a tsundere extraordinaire and Enid Sinclair would be the bubbly deuteragonist who captured her heart.*

     Meandering conversations and a couple of snack breaks had filled out their time, and none of it had included packing their room up, but after the two hours had concluded Enid had assigned the first two weeks of their break in June to Wednesday visiting her in San Franciso. This was followed by no less than three weeks in July where Enid would come to stay with Wednesday at the Addams family mansion, the total length being disputed by Enid in a non-serious fashion the entire time to which Wednesday had repeatedly reassured Enid that her family would love for her to stay.

     “You’re sure, Wednesday? It wouldn’t be too much of an imposition, really? Three weeks is a long time after all,” Enid had said.

     “Enid, my family adore you,” Wednesday had replied.

     ‘I adore you,’ she had thought.

     “You’re practically an Addams in their eyes,” Wednesday had gone on to say.

     ‘I want to marry you,’ the shorter girl had thought longingly.

     “My mother cannot wait to host you, my father will doubtless look forward to showing you his antique gun collection, Pugsley thinks of you as a second sister, and I imagine Thing will be sick to be separated from you in the interim. Uncle Fester would pop by especially just to show you his latest dynamite concoction, or some other variant of explosive, and Grandmama has already indicated that she wishes to summer with us this year. I … she will likely wish to spend some time with you as well. Werewolves are an especial fascination to her.”

     ‘I’ll gladly share you with them,’ Wednesday had thought, ‘but not too much.’

     “Goodness, it sounds like those three weeks will be Addams family filled!” Enid had replied excitedly. “Though, I should like to get plenty of Wednesday time too, after all,” Enid had paused here and Wednesday remembered this specifically because her breath had caught in her throat at the way the blond girl’s eyelashes had fluttered, “that is the main reason why I am going.”

     It was at this point that Wednesday had been ready to ascend. Often in her childhood she had surveyed graveyards, made etchings of tombstones, and measured her growing body for a coffin or two, assured in the knowledge that one day she would be forever entombed in the soft embrace of the dirt and the dark alongside her family. Just typical girlhood stuff. Enid Sinclair made her reassess this image more and more with each passing day. It was not the final destination that changed, but the timeline within which she got there, and how the view came to take shape. How long a life time might she have, and how many years could she spend with Enid before she inevitably took her place in the ground next to her family? Might Enid slumber next to her underneath a tombstone big enough for two? Would she want that? Want me?

     ‘She probably fluttered her eyelashes just now because she’s warm and she’s moving the heat away from her eyes. Enid couldn’t possibly be fluttering them at me,’ Wednesday had thought this to herself as it seemed the most logical conclusion she could come to. After all, why would her best friend be fluttering her eyelashes at her?

     Then came August.

     “Tell me if I’m getting ahead of myself, Wednesday, I mean, you might be sick of me by then,” Enid gushed before pausing.

     ‘Would a panda tire of the humble bamboo shoot? Oh, Enid,’ and it was all Wednesday could do not to hint at a smile again. This girl really did have a hold over her.

     “What if, in August, we go on a girls’ trip? A week somewhere together that isn’t either of our houses, or this dorm room, or Nevermore, but somewhere new that we’d like to go to. I have some money saved up, and I promise it won’t be something super touristy it would be 100% certified Wednesday Addams compliant. I, I would have to work out what that might be, but I promise you it’ll be fun! Even you can stomach fun … in fact,” Enid had leant towards Wednesday at that moment, the weight of her hand on the bed sheets caused their bodies to lean together even closer. They were so close that Wednesday thought that Enid might hear how fast her heart was beating and she had swallowed hard, her usual confidence evaporating around her in a curtain of mist that only she could discern. “I think you secretly enjoy fun, even if you won’t admit it.”

     “Now that’s where you’re wrong, Enid,” and Wednesday had fought hard to steady her voice. “I have no objection to the idea; I simply find that my definition of fun is quite different to what others find … agreeable.”

     “Ha, yeah, people can be prettyyy basic,” nodded Enid sweetly, her tone had been playful and light, almost teasing, and Wednesday had had to steady herself so as not to press their foreheads together.

     “You’re not,” Wednesday had replied quickly, earnestly, “you’re fascinating and fascinating people make fun out of even the mundane.”

     “No Wednesday, that’s you!”

     “Then we’re in good company together, are we not?”

     That had been over a week ago and now here she was, Wednesday Addams, the girl who unapologetically walked to the beat of her own drum, scrambling to pack the most suitable and respectable black ensembles in her wardrobe for her stay in San Francisco with Enid and her family. Though perhaps ‘scrambling’ was too energetic a word to describe the calm but meticulous preparation that Wednesday was spending on packing her trunk. Every item was thought out, and some were packed, unpacked, and then repacked again after careful consideration. June was about making a good impression to Enid’s family and ensuring Enid had a fun time. She would show her best friend that she was there for her, and they could just do what girls do … whatever that was? Wednesday hadn’t the foggiest idea.

     June was for laying the foundations, July was for gathering courage and showing what a good girlfriend she could be, and August was … well August was going to roll around regardless and Wednesday simply had to make sure that she was ready.

     “Enid Sinclair, prepare to be wooed.”

-----

*[Footnote]: I think Wednesday and Enid would enjoy Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury. Enid would make them watch it together and Wednesday would dutifully agree, because whatever her girl says goes. Suletta and Miorine [SPOILER ALERT] getting engaged in the first episode would give Wednesday heart palpitations and leave her questioning whether she should’ve proposed to Enid on their first proper date together, or if that’s only something that happens in GL’s. The fact that it’s a mech anime with a yuri twist would fly right over her head. Enid, on the other hand, would be jotting down notes and playfully calling Wednesday “my Groom” just to see her girlfriend blush because the little werewolf is a menace.  

Chapter Text

     Wednesday noted how the Tamalpais Valley kissed the borders of the Muir Woods National Monument, its snaking panoramic highway offering views of the giant redwoods that she imagined drew many an insipid tourist. They would come in their droves pounding the well-trodden paths and absentmindedly touch the great looming trees with their oily palms and unappreciative fingers, snapping selfies and dropping litter without a second thought before packing back up into their air conditioned, gas guzzling monstrosities that they deem a suitable daily driver for a family of four with a dog that had never hauled so much as a plank of wood in its truck bed before careening off to some other tourist spot that was listed on a ’10 Best Places to Visit’ sightseeing website that had you scroll through never ending ads just to be able to read the article.

     ‘Pity,’ Wednesday thought, ‘that such enigmatic giants should be pawed at by such uninspired sheep. I wonder if they even think to look up into the canopy or if they are permanently bent over their phone the entire time? How sickening. The roots should pull them underneath to join them in the earth at the sheer disrespect.’

     The Sinclair household was tucked away near the top of the valley and as the Addams family car pulled off the main highway on to a minor road that clearly saw limited traffic Wednesday took out her knife from her pocket and began playing with it, her precise movements and impeccable finger work occupying her hands and, crucially, stilling her mind. Yet it was not her mind that was the problem but that troublesome dark organ that ran at a pace within her chest and threatened to rattle and crack its way out of her rib cage the closer their car got to its intended destination. Her parents had insisted that Lurch be her driver to and from the airport and he would come back to pick both girls up at the conclusion of the San Francisco portion of their summer break. It was a task he happily undertook with his usual pallid vigour, and it was an unspoken understanding that Thing would accompany Wednesday on her visit as well. Enid had explicitly asked him to come and although the eldest Addams offspring was initially concerned that this may hamper her opportunities to romance Enid, she realised that it was actually a boon to have him. Thing adored Enid and before setting off Wednesday had confided her plan to him under the strictest veil of secrecy.

-----

     “This may be the most dangerous, daring, and demanding undertaking of my life so far and to help me in my endeavour I need, to put it colloquially … a wingman.”

     Thing excitedly signed to Wednesday that he was “born for this” and that he would do everything he could to help.

     “Naturally, Enid must not know what I am planning. For her to consider me as a suitable romantic partner and a worthy mate I must first prove myself in battle. This I believe I have done through our collaborative take down of the Hyde and the successful disruption of this year’s murder plot.”

     Thing had given Wednesday an amused look, one that would have doubtless included an eye roll if he had possessed a pair.

     “Cool the attitude, Thing. For an appendage you can be quite judgmental. Did my melancholy as a Raven lead me to see a vision that some may consider ‘extreme’ and ‘overblown?’ … perhaps. Yet when faced with the prospect of someone stalking Enid can I really be condemned so harshly for my concern?”

     Thing’s unmoving stance was like daggers; his gaze penetrating and precise.

     “Truly, you know how to needle at me until I am undone. Such unrelenting cruelty is impressive, Thing.”

     He gave a low bow in response. 

     “Your time as an interrogator during the Cold War keeps you sharp, I see. I respect that,” admitted Wednesday, impressed.

     The floorboards creaked underfoot as Wednesday paced backwards and forwards across her bedroom, her braids pristine as she moved with such precision that she barely jostled her hair. Thing watched her expectantly from atop her bureau, the young mistress momentarily in her own world as she trod the same path repeatedly until she came to an abrupt stop in front of her bed.

     “The difficulty is that she likely has never considered me as a serious romantic prospect given my former attitude. If one is to be frank, I have given her no reason to. Yet knowing my nature she persisted until our friendship bloomed. I would surely be doing a disservice to her if I didn’t apply my upmost effort to this endeavour. Enid deserves someone who will love her sincerely, earnestly, unashamedly, and with the radiant joy of the sun that she emulates so sweetly. Nothing else will do.”

     She glanced at Thing who looked thoroughly amused. He had never heard the young mistress speak in such saccharine tones before. Had Hell frozen over?

     “Don’t look at me like that, Thing. Wednesday Addams may not be synonymous with gaiety and lightness, but it is something I would protect fiercely in those that I care about. Her qualities are endearing precisely because they are genuinely felt, not performed. Enid is unlike anyone I have ever met, and her friendship is of the upmost importance to me. Her happiness is the compass that I navigate by so that she may not face the perilous sea alone.”

     She paused; her features subtly masked even in the privacy of her own room within the Addams estate. Wednesday dared not get her hopes up, it would be premature and ill advised, though it would also be the most natural thing in the world for a teenage girl to simultaneously yearn for and mourn the relationship experienced with her best friend.

     “Enid enjoys me for me, as a friend. Perhaps, just perhaps…”

-----

     A towering treeline, impenetrable and thickly packed gradually gave way to a vibrant clearing of tall, windswept grass that surrounded the Sinclair household. Their boundary extended into the trees but their gardens were separated from the untouched grass by a tall redbrick wall that encircled the entire property. As their car passed through the gates Wednesday noted the carved wolf statues atop their greyed and moss-covered pedestals that kept watch over every arrival and departure. Their eyes were firmly set on the treeline, their forms unmoving sentries that offered a subtle glimpse into the nature of the house’s owners.

     “I suppose you will take in a viewpoint or two on your way back Lurch?” asked Wednesday as the cars tyres crunched under the stones of the driveway.

     Lurch groaned in the affirmative, eliciting a nod from Wednesday in the backseat.

     “You do so enjoy a pair of publicly installed binoculars overlooking a federally protected nature reserve. I suppose you have a list of birds that you wish to spot during your sojourn across the county?”

     Her stoic driver offered another groan in reply.

     “I envy your anticipation and excitement, Lurch. The valley offers little in the realm of the poisonous, venomous, or damned that I find myself yearning to return to our estate in New Jersey. At least there I could practice the latest in government leaked methods of military torture on Pugsley. Instead, it is I who must endure the torture of pretending to make polite small talk with Esther Sinclair, a woman who I would rather leave tied to the tracks for all the good she is to Enid. I cannot fake concern or respect for the woman, but for Enid’s sake, I suppose I must be … cordial. I imagine mother would not approve if I was rude to my host.”

     The dark and melancholy mood that came over Wednesday in a thunderous wave when contemplating the imminent appearance of Esther Sinclair was nothing but a momentary blip as the outline of Enid came into view. Her hands began waving manically back and forth above her head and Wednesday allowed a smile to relax her face as she realised that Enid was jumping up and down on the steps like an energetic puppy in anticipation at her arrival. Suddenly, though it might only be perceptible to a person well versed in “Wednesday” her eyes had grown wider as her eyebrows rose above her jet-black bangs and she had the sudden realisation that her heart was practically galloping. If she was that happy and excited at merely the girl’s outline it was going to be a long summer.

     ‘Courage,’ thought Wednesday, ‘you are an Addams. There is no scenario that you cannot face.’

     She repeated her father’s words of affirmation as Lurch pulled the car to a halt in front of the house steps and Wednesday saw Enid bounce down them two at a time before she landed with aplomb in front of Wednesday’s car door. It suddenly occurred to Wednesday that she was uncharacteristically uncomposed and when Enid flung the door open with wolf-like speed she had yet to slow down the rate of her heart. Any hope that she had of stilling it was entirely doomed as Enid’s full face came into view.

     As always, Enid’s smile was from ear to ear, cute and canine, and so infectiously genuine that it could easily blind an unprepared bystander from its sheer dazzling beauty. Eight days, nine hours, and thirty-seven seconds was how long they had been apart between finishing the school year and Wednesday arriving at the Sinclair household. Utter agony, every second of it, and it was completely forgotten with one look at the blond girl’s plump cheeks and bright eyes. Wednesday fell all over again, or perhaps she simply felt settled in Enid’s presence that the lightness that her steps took against the gravel driveway was a happy symptom of her current state. One moment she was sat on red leather, and the next she was standing dead still in front of Enid, her arms hanging loosely against her sides, fists tensely balled together in the hope that she might calm herself. The taller blond leaned down ever so slightly, her hair swaying in the California breeze as she held her hands in front of her stomach.

     “Howdy bestie!”

     Not even twelve hours had passed since she had heard the musical tones of Enid’s voice over the phone, and yet it had felt like a lifetime. Wednesday really was in trouble. Let it never be said that an Addams shrank away from the challenging or the uncomfortable, these areas were their forte and Wednesday told herself that this was no different. As Wednesday composed herself she allowed her eyes to hold Enid’s warm gaze, the corners of the girl’s eyes crinkling with the size of her smile as her canines sparkled in the sun. Ordinarily, Enid’s outfits would be what Wednesday categorised as “an assault to the eyes and the senses” but she had gradually warmed to them over time. A mismatch of textures, sizes, and various shades of pink, it was as if an inebriated unicorn had puked all over her. The young Addams found it incredibly endearing as, after all, it was Enid’s signature. Yet Wednesday was surprised when taking in her current attire. Befitting the warmer winds atop the valley Enid was wearing a white t-shirt with short pink sleeves, low-slung brown cargos with a pink pastel enamel flower chain around her waist, and a pair of white converses on her feet.

     Wednesday was confused.

     “Enid, is everything alright?” asked Wednesday, her voice tinged with concern.

     “What, no hello, huh? Straight to business I see,” replied Enid warmly. “Of course everything’s fine, Wednesday,” as she leaned in closer her voice was bright and breezy, “you’re here!”

     A bloom of heat rippled across her cold white cheeks and Wednesday steadied herself immediately against the attack of pure sweetness that was clinging to her insides. A toothache would be preferable, the kind that required an electric drill and pliers.

     ‘She’s simply greeting her best friend, get a grip Addams.’

     After taking a breath to center herself Wednesday wanted to follow-up immediately but she noticed the waiting figure of Esther Sinclair looming just inside the doorway and decided that now was not the time.  

     “Eight days,” said Wednesday simply.

     “What?” Enid replied, unsure what her friend meant. She tilted her head to her right side and smiled with a closed mouth, and it made her cheeks look particularly squishable.

     “Eight days, nine hours, three minutes, and twelve seconds since we were parted from each other Enid. I must admit I have found it to be most disagreeable. I find I have become so used to your presence that your absence is … loud. Of course, the time spent apart was likely a breeze for one such as yourself, after all you are less melancholy than I am. You have a more flexible routine than I.”

     Wednesday noted that Enid’s right eyebrow twitched upwards ever so slightly.

     “Are you kidding! It’s been gross, I’ve hated it. I put a countdown on my phone the moment I got in the car back to San Francisco. Look, I’ll show you.”

     In a flash she retrieved her pink phone from her back pocket and tapped on it furiously for a few moments before she whipped it around to show the screen to Wednesday.

     “I added a widget to my phone’s calendar and today’s the big day! Go on, Wednesday, click on it! I want you to see.”

     The shorter girl squinted slightly, dubious of what was to come but curious at her friend’s excitement, and so she dutifully read the text on the screen. In black italics it read BESTIE TIME in all capitals and it was bookended by two hearts, one black and one pink. Wednesday’s finger hovered momentarily above the screen before she lightly tapped on the glass. In a burst of colour, the screen was filled with fireworks and the black and pink hearts began to beat in unison.

     “Isn’t it the coolest?”

     “It’s certainly colourful,” she replied, taken aback at how giddy she felt, before hastily adding, “and memorable. Utterly befitting the occasion in your signature style, Enid. Thank you for showing me.”

     Enid’s face stretched so far into a smile that Wednesday thought it looked almost painful.

     ‘Perhaps smiling has its perks after all,’ she thought.

     With a dull patter Thing appeared on Wednesday’s right shoulder and Enid began to coo over him. Without a moment’s hesitation she extended out her pinkie finger for him to shake and he happily accepted. It was their signature greeting whenever they saw each other.

     “You’ve gotta see the fireworks too, Thing,” she squealed in happiness, tapping the screen again so that he could watch. “Cool, right?”

     Thing signed happily in agreement.

     Enid’s eyes flicked to the other side of the car as Lurch unloaded the last of Wednesday’s belongings from on top of the roof.

     “Hi Lurch,” she greeted enthusiastically, giving him a wave.

      Lurch groaned in greeting and the whisper of a smile could be seen at the corners of his mouth, and Wednesday thought there was even a sparkle in his eyes. It was only natural that everyone in her family adored Enid and it filled her chest with pride.

     “I hope you guys had a good journey up,” asked Enid, “I know the heat isn’t appealing to everyone.”

     “One must wonder why werewolves would seek to settle here at all, given all the fur,” Wednesday quipped.

     “Ha, well you got me there. Summer shedding is no joke; I would stay well away from all of my brother’s if you favour your sanity. I’ve left a lint roller in your room for fur shedding emergencies.”

     “Enid, how considerate, but a little fur shed is unlikely to bother me. Besides, it would be incredibly rude of me to take exception to a werewolf’s natural cycle when I am a guest in one’s home.”

     “Well don’t say I didn’t warn you. Our winter coats are uncomfortably warm in summer, and so all that extra fluff has gotta go. Pretty lucky that you’re only allergic to colour, eh Wednesday?”

     “I have found that I’ve become more tolerant of it of late,” admitted Wednesday. “Your influence, I suppose,” as Wednesday’s voice trailed off.

     Thing give her shoulder a knowing squeeze and Wednesday couldn’t help but give the helping hand a formidable glare.

     “Does Lurch want to come in and rest for a bit before he heads out again?” enquired Enid. “He’s done a lot of driving.”

     Wednesday nodded in approval.

     “A cooling refreshment would be most agreeable. Lurch,” began Wednesday as he walked round the back of the car with a large trunk underneath one arm and Wednesday’s typewriter box under the other. “Enid has invited you to stop over for a while so you can take some refreshment. I agree that it’s a good idea before you depart. Please continue unloading the car and then join us in the house.”

     The sheer size of the smile that swept across his face almost bowled Enid over, it was so sweet and unexpected.

     “Lurch, do you like iced peach tea?” asked Enid all excited.

     The towering man’s eyes beamed.

     “Great! I’ll get the pitchers ready.”

     Suddenly, Enid looked back behind her before snapping her head around to face Wednesday.

     “We’d better say hi to my Mom. She’s been expecting you too, obviously, and wants to say hi. Sorry, I don’t think we can avoid it.”

     Enid sounded apologetic and Wednesday instinctively reached out and took her left hand in her right.

“Nonsense, it would be incredibly negligent of me to not acknowledge my host upon arrival, and I imagine your mother feels the same way having me as her guest.” Wednesday paused. “Naturally, having travelled far we may wish to keep it short and sweet before freshening up.”

     Enid smiled a knowing and thankful smile at her friend’s attentiveness and considering the sudden grip around Wednesday’s lungs she didn’t trust herself well enough to speak without sounding a fool, and so she allowed herself to give Enid’s hand a squeeze. She thought she saw the taller girl’s breath catch before the moment was lost in the breeze.

     “Enid, dear, aren’t you going to bring your friend into the house. I doubt she wishes to camp out on the steps for the whole two weeks.”

     The grating voice of Esther Sinclair wafted down uninvited and Wednesday internally cursed the woman’s name.

     Enid’s face was equally irked.

     “Better go up or she’ll get restless,” admitted Enid.

     Wednesday’s demeanour was serious and deadpan.

     “I would certainly hate to make a wolf restless. Little Red should’ve gone into Granny’s cabin with an axe instead of a basket … or perhaps a rifle. This is a mistake that I have no intention of imitating.”

     Enid’s eyes lit up.

     “Oh my god, Wednesday, you’re not … you’re not carrying anything, are you?”

     “Oh, Enid, open gun carry is illegal in California although conceal carry is permitted for folding knives that aren’t switchblades.”

     Wednesday paused.

     “Although I do conceal carry my tanto blade for any every day eventuality that may require one.”

     “Sooo, you can conceal carry fixed knives here?” inquired Enid, she was genuinely uncertain what the law was, and was wildly hoping that her hunch was incorrect.

     “Actually, the law requires all fixed blades to be visibly carried within a sheath at the waist but I fear this would ruin the element of surprise within the scope of personal protection.”

     All Enid could offer in response was nervous laughter.

     “I guess I should have expected that.”

     “Shall we face her together then?” asked Wednesday reassuringly.

     In response Enid offered Wednesday an inviting smile, and any concern over what weaponry the shorter girl may or may not be carrying was quickly forgotten as they made their way up to the house. Wednesday had never bore a natural talent at offering people what they needed as she was prone to insular insight and acts of self-interest, but when it came to her family and friends (mother, father, Pugsley, Eugene) she had tried to do better of late.

     But with Enid it was different. With her she didn’t have to force herself or actively remind herself to look outward, although admittedly she found herself tied more and more often into knots the deeper their friendship became. Instead, she naturally sought to support Enid in her discomfort or disquiet, her distress or her worry, and Wednesday understood what a sore issue her mother was for the youngest Sinclair child. Anxiety threatened to bubble to the surface and it made Wednesday angry on Enid’s behalf. If Enid allowed her to be her champion, Wednesday would relish taking up the sword for her, but this would likely do her no favours in winning Enid’s heart, and so the blade that Wednesday would have to wield would be made of soft tongue flesh that could still whip and sting when required.

     Standing in the middle of the foyer was the grey-haired Sinclair matriarch, her arms crossed in front of her stomach and her mouth a thin line across her face. As Wednesday and Enid stepped into the soft yellow light the woman’s demeanour remained stiff but she softened her mouth ever so slightly in an act that Wednesday found disingenuous.

      “Mom, you remember Wednesday. She’s travelled a long way so I’ll show her straight to her room.”

     With almost comical haste Enid twisted on the balls of her feet, whipping her whole body to the right towards the brown wood staircase beside them. Holding on to Wednesday’s hand in her left, she gently tugged at the top of her friend’s arm with the other and began to usher Wednesday towards the foot of the stairs before Esther called after them.

     “Goodness, Enid, why the rush? Let me at least say hello to the girl before you run away with her.”

     Wednesday thought her tone leaned more towards being amused than irked, which wasn’t necessarily bad, but her body language still suggested a slight unease. Clearly, she was more used to hosting other werewolves and while the Addams family were certainly outcasts like them, their brand of different was not a natural fit in the world of a werewolf pack. They were human after all. Esther regarded the young Addams warily, and despite them having met before (she had visited Enid last year before the start of their second year together at school) the woman had yet to decide whether she liked the girl or not.  

     “It’s alright, Enid, while I am certainly rather dishevelled after my travels one should always make time to offer greetings to one’s host. Thank you for having me, Mrs Sinclair, I appreciate you opening your home up to me again so that I can visit Enid.”

     Enid looked down at Wednesday, taking her in from her shoes to her head, and the blond girl couldn’t find a single shoe lace, button, or hair out of place.

     “Formal as ever, I see, Miss Addams.”

     This time, Wednesday did think she sounded slightly irked, and she had to repress a gloating smile.

     “An Addams is taught manners as soon as they’re out of the crib. It goes hand in hand with petrol bomb making and the most efficient way to flay a corpse.”

     Esther gulped and Wednesday could see that it took everything that the woman had not to take a step away from her, but they both knew that to do so would be a sign of weakness. Esther would feel it as one, and Wednesday would recognise it as such, and so the woman simply inhaled deeply before ignoring the comment entirely and switching her attention to her daughter.

     “Enid, sweetie, you haven’t shared what you have planned though I imagine you two girls will find enough ways to fill your time over the two weeks that they’ll just fly by.”

     Wednesday sensed that this was a personal wish on Esther’s part more so than it was a throw away remark.

     ‘How excellent that I clearly get under this woman’s skin so much. As long as it doesn’t transform into outright hatred that would encourage her to seek my removal from Enid’s side, her unease is something that I can work with.’

     “Enid’s father is away with work, but he’ll return next week. Enid, when you see your brothers’ can you please remind them that dinner is at 7pm and I expect them washed and ready by 6:45pm.”

     “Good luck with that, they’ll probably be hanging out at the treehouse in the woods all day or down by the ford.” Enid paused. “I don’t imagine they’d listen to me anyway.”

     “Just remind them if you see them, honey. I need to go into town for some supplies. You girls will be alright on your own, won’t you?”

     Before Enid could reply, Esther moved towards the door with her car keys in hand.

     “Be good!”

     With that, she strode out the front door and while she did offer a smile to her daughter it dropped just enough as her eyes crossed that of Wednesday’s confident gaze that the woman quickly flicked her eyes away.

“Er, okay, bye Mom!”

      Enid called out to her and going by her tone she clearly had not realised that she was about to go out.

     “Whatever,” Enid said, increasing her grip on Wednesday’s arm as she led her towards the stairs. “Now it’s just the two of us!”

     Thing tapped two fingers on Wednesday’s shoulder in a huff.

“Three of us! Sorry, Thing,” she smiled apologetically.

     A low groan from behind them announced the entrance of Lurch with Wednesday’s bags.

     “Follow us, Lurch, it’s just up here,” said Enid excitedly as she began to jump up the stairs two at a time, and Wednesday happily followed, allowing the taller girl to lead her.

     “Gosh Wednesday, I cannot wait for this summer. We’re going to have so much fun together.”

     “So much fun,” echoed Wednesday as her naturally cool palm got hotter and hotter within Enid’s warm embrace.

Chapter Text

The glowing crystal ball crackled into life announcing an incoming call from Wednesday’s parents. In a bloom of dark mist appeared the pale and loving faces of Morticia and Gomez Addams. Gomez immediately fell into a paternal smile at the sight of his daughter, and Morticia’s eyes gleamed in warm happiness as Wednesday’s face came into view.

                “Wednesday, my darling, how was your journey? Are you all settled in?” asked Morticia.

                “Yes, my little death trap, how are you fairing under the sweltering California rays? Is it positively ghastly?” inquired Gomez.

                “Mother, father, the climate is gratingly hot such that a dip in the geysers of Yellowstone would be preferable. At least then I could boil alive in an efficient fashion, peeling my flesh back to the bone,” quipped Wednesday with a glint in her eye.

                “If only we could be so lucky,” replied Gomez sweetly.

                “I am perfectly well, mother, as while the climate is not to my liking Enid has made me quite at home. She cleared one side of her room in anticipation of my arrival, kept the curtains drawn, and prepared me my own bedding and towels all in my signature black. Her consideration has made the transition to California living almost tolerable … almost.”

                “I would expect nothing less from such a darling girl as Enid, my little raven. It fills a mother’s heart with such volcanic warmth at the thought of you being so well looked after. Lurch could not wait to share his delight with us about the potency of his … now what was it he said again, mon amour?”

                “He expressed his belief that the iced peach tea would make an excellent liquid substitution in the waterboarding process, caramia,” recalled Gomez.

                “That was it, thank you my love. He was most effusive about its practicalities as a method of torture, given its sickly-sweet taste and perfumed scent, your father and I were quite impressed. Ambushing one’s guests upon arrival with such a beverage is a masterstroke, Enid is certainly a young lady of many talents,” beamed Morticia.

                “She is, mother, although knowing Enid this end use may not have been the one she had in mind, but no matter,” offered Wednesday. “If truth be told, dear parents, I did not expect a summons on the crystal ball quite so soon. After all, this is only my second day.”

                “Please do not begrudge your parents the pleasure of seeing your deathly features, my little fly trap, your mother and I have no intention of ‘cramping your style’ as the kids say,” explained Gomez effusively.

                “And what kids are those, father? For I certainly do not keep the company of any such person who would utter anything as mortifying as that,” replied Wednesday sharply.

                “All your father means, Wednesday, is that we wanted to make sure you were all settled in for your two-week sojourn with Enid. After all, California is all the way on the other side of the country and we only had you home in New Jersey for eight fleeting days before your departure,” lamented Morticia.

                “Truly, mother, I will be home in no time after which you will have me trapped for weeks on end. You can torture me then,” moaned Wednesday in faux annoyance, for she did not actually begrudge her mother’s sentiments but she would not dare admit it too readily.

                “Do you and Enid have much planned, Wednesday?” asked Gomez, moving the conversation along.

                “Enid wants to go shopping down in the valley and I believe there are some local nature haunts that she wants to show me. There will be a full moon next week and so I’m keen to run out with her for that … if I am permitted to join by the Sinclair family, of course.”

                Wednesday paused, her breath slow and steady as she envisioned sharing the woods with Enid in her werewolf form. Her pulse quickened at the thought of hunting beside her, Enid’s maw slick and dripping with the blood of her latest kill as Wednesday skinned and gutted her own offering that she would present to Enid as a gift of her affection.

                “Is that wise, my darling?” Morticia’s voice was tinged with maternal concern. “You didn’t take your bow and arrows with you, and a hunter is only as deadly as their preparation allows.”

                “Naturally, for an occasion such as this I brought my crossbow with me, mother. There is nothing quite as exhilarating as a little bolt action under pale moonlight.”

                “That’s my little scorpion,” cooed Gomez in approval.

                “Naturally,” echoed Morticia, “I should have expected nothing less.”

                The composed and serene features of Morticia’s face barely gave anything away, but she was highly amused and greatly satisfied with her daughter’s plans. Yet Wednesday noted the knowing glint in her mother’s eyes that suggested she should step cautiously.

                ‘There’s no way she knows,’ thought Wednesday to herself.

                “Oh Gomez, running through the dark trees underneath the pale glow of the moonlight. Isn’t it romantic?” effused Morticia, and with that she winked at Wednesday.

                “Thingggggg!”

                Wednesday whipped her head around to where Thing had been relaxing in a string hammock that Enid had prepared for him but it was suddenly vacant, the only evidence that it had been occupied until recently was the fact that it was still swinging from side to side.

‘Damn that rotting appendage, does the sanctity of secrecy mean nothing to him?’

                “Oh Wednesday, dear, do not curse Thing for I really left him little choice but to share. I for one applaud the match,” assured Morticia with an amused grin. “Your father and I cannot wait to host darling Enid in a few weeks, can we, my love?”

                “It is all your mother can talk about, my little buzzsaw, our anticipation is through the roof. Everyone in the family is gripped with anticipation.”

                “Not you too, father, have you no shame?” insisted Wednesday exasperated. “Enid and I are friends, mother, and so I am sure I do not know what you are implying by your rogue turn of interrogation.”

                “Fine, have it your way Wednesday, but I look forward to your next update with great interest. She really is a wonderful girl, my darling, and so my advice would be not to tarry too long and to share your feelings else you risk falling into a pit of despair and madness. An enviable state to be in, to be sure, but one that perhaps may be best saved for when you are a little older.”

                Wednesday thought her mother looked like the lion that captured the gazelle to such a degree did her eyes sparkle with mischievous intent. It was truly wretched, and no matter how much it vexed Wednesday she really had to respect her mother for her methods; they got results.

                “Suffice to say, mother, that I expect to spend these two weeks with Enid undisturbed and free of any meddling from afar,” stated Wednesday firmly.

                “Of course, my firefly, your father and I eagerly await your next communication,” smiled Morticia sweetly.

                “Remember not to tarry too long in the sunlight, my little death trap, or you will risk losing your beautiful pallid complexion,” offered her father in concern for his daughter’s health.

                “An Addams never comes unprepared, father, do not worry,” assured Wednesday.

                “Please share my greetings with dear Enid, and tell her we are very much looking forward to seeing her. I’m sure you girls will have lots of fun.”

                “Goodbye mother, goodbye father,” said Wednesday quickly before her parents changed their minds and tried to continue the call.

                “Goodbye Wednesday!”

                “Bye, sweetling,” and with that her mother’s voice was lost to the dark mist that swirled within the crystal ball as they ended the call.

                ‘That stitched up informant had better spend his next moments wisely, because he will soon be down a digit when I’m through with him.’

-----

The first few days passed by peacefully and Wednesday was thankful for the stillness after such a trying year. The young Addams was a habitually early riser in contrast to Enid’s natural preference to lie in. This didn’t bother Wednesday, she didn’t find herself wondering how to fill the two hours before Enid would rise because she had grown to find them incredibly peaceful. Returning to her room on the Addams family estate had been surprisingly difficult, as while she had not completely outgrown the space Wednesday had a growing feeling that she was more and more prone to restlessness in a room that was once her one and only refuge. Why did it now seem like it was missing something?

‘Enid…’

Enid Sinclair haunted her. Wednesday expected her to walk into her bedroom at any moment, nail polish in hand, asking Thing if he wanted to try out a new colour to make his skin pop. “What do you think of this colour, Wednesday, it suits me, right?” As Wednesday would tap steadily at her typewriter she could hear Enid behind her, reclined on her bed, earphones in while reading the latest fashion magazine, and she would be humming along to the music as she read. It was the way Enid had a knack of occupying their shared bathroom whenever it was Wednesday’s allotted time to use the facilities and Enid would apologetically call out “five more mins Wends!” through the door and try as she might Wednesday didn’t have it within her to be mad or even mildly annoyed. Instead, she’d hear herself reply, “take your time.” The first time she had replied in such a manner Thing had contacted her parents concerned that she had been replaced by a body snatcher. Yet none of these little shared moments had occurred in her bedroom, they had happened hundreds of miles away and if Wednesday hadn’t acknowledged the nature of her feelings before, she certainly could not ignore them when she had returned home. Enid’s absence was like a knife in her heart, and not in a fun way.

Despite this not being her own room or even their shared dorm Wednesday felt calm. Was it a mess of neon and pastel pinks, purples, and yellows littered with clothes, plushies, and peeling posters on the walls of her favourite fashion, books, and movies? Yes. Was it in such utterly poor taste that a blind man with newly restored eyesight would seek to wrench his eyeballs from their sockets in horror at the scene? Almost certainly. Yet without being asked Enid had carved out half the space for Wednesday to use, fashioned it in a colour palette of black on black and had installed black out curtains for good measure as a deterrent against the uncompromising California sun.

‘Such a considerate girl.’

Wednesday had once considered such a personality trait a weakness and looked on at its wielders with disgusted pity, but she had to admit that Enid had caused a change within her so profound that she hardly recognised herself. She hadn’t even been torturing Pugsley as often, was she going soft?

The wind seemed to whisper ‘perhaps’ and yet she was not afraid.

Was it soft to roll on to one’s side so that one might gaze upon the sleeping visage of one’s best friend and roommate as they sleep, secretly hoping that they do not awaken yet so that even a single more second might be spent admiring them? It was certainly not something that friends do, but Wednesday had already reached that juncture and realised that she wanted to be more than just friends. What ecstasy it would be for her girlfriend to be her best friend, could such a creature as Wednesday Addams be so lucky? Her family, both immediate and extended, certainly had a knack for marrying for love such that their unions survived multiple decades. In fact, Wednesday was not aware of a single divorce amongst them. Given her character she had always vowed that she would never love, never take a spouse, and never have children, and yet that vision seemed less and less appealing of late. This was not because her opinion on the matter was less valid than it had been before, but because she had found a person who genuinely made her excited at the prospect of being with someone, to share her life with an equal who she adored. But had she done anything to get the wheels moving on this sentimental love train that gripped her heart and mind every waking hour?

Does her current pining as she watches the drool run down Enid’s open mouth and on to her pillow count as madness? Perhaps, depending on who you ask.

‘Enid really is beautiful in the morning,’ thought Wednesday, quite love drunk.

Curious, as despite how effusive she could be within her own mind she knew she would never completely take after her father. His love for her mother was so loud, so brash, and his public displays of affection made Wednesday wince. Her mother would always meet his fervent energy with her own passion, but hers was something more composed and just bubbling at the surface, never quite spilling over. Her mother’s love was a steadying hand to her father’s giddy school boy pining and for them it worked. Wednesday knew she was neither of these, as the idea of “pda” did not appeal to her. Yet the thought of demonstrating her love through action held far greater appeal and it was this that she wished to work on over the summer. To give Enid her full and undivided attention, to make her feel appreciated and valued, and to reassure her that she was loved and understood. Nothing else mattered to Wednesday.

She knew in her heart that any physical intimacy that may come in the future would have its foundations in their shared trust and understanding of each other as friends, and this was a development that Wednesday had never seen coming. Rather ironic for a Raven like herself.

Wednesday sighed a heavy sigh.

Enid’s hair was a mess, spread across her pillow and half her face, the blue and pink obscuring the blond underneath. The steady dribble of drool continued but it did not seem to disturb her slumber as she lay with half the covers off, one leg underneath and the other on top of it as she hugged the bedding between her body.

‘How can she possibly be comfortable like that?’

Wednesday could see the pop of Enid’s nails on her left hand that hung ever so slightly off the bed, and the black nail polish that stood out from the rest.

‘Her ring finger,’ sighed Wednesday again, deeper than before.

Her friend’s new look had not gone unnoticed when Wednesday had arrived back at Nevermore. From Enid’s updated hair style to her torn tights, black boots, shorter skirt and that black nail, she had taken it all in a flash and had only hoped that her face hadn’t betrayed her surprise. Out of every thing it was the black nail that caused Wednesday to flail the most, like a sucker punch to her gut that violently ripped out the air from her lungs in some tortuous ecstasy.

‘Does Enid realise what that finger means … was it selected for that very reason?’

Wednesday gave little attention to coincidences and so the only conclusion that she could come to was that it was picked on purpose, but for what purpose she did not know.

“Ugh.”

Wednesday immediately looked up to see that Enid was now awake and, in a flash, the taller girl suddenly retracted her hanging hand to her face as she wiped the sleep from her closed eyes. She let out a loud yawn and stretched out all four limbs before her body shook and she nuzzled her cheek closer into the rolled-up bedding underneath her. She sighed a contended sigh, or so it sounded to Wednesday.

“Hmmm, morning roomie,” mumbled Enid groggily, “been up long?”

“One hour and eleven minutes … and thirteen seconds,” replied Wednesday who sounded practically perky compared to Enid’s gravelly sleep induced voice.

“Ah, gotcha, hope you weren’t too bored,” offered Enid as she edged closer to the side of the bed. “Wha-what time is it?”

“It’s half past eight,” answered Wednesday, “I must note that you were uncharacteristically mobile last night, in fact you have been slightly unsettled every night so far since I’ve arrived. I don’t recall your sleep being so fretful, is everything alright?”

Wednesday couldn’t quite make out Enid’s face as it was buried between her pillow and her bedding, but for a split second she thought she saw one of Enid’s eyes widen before slamming shut, however it was such an unideal angle that she couldn’t say for sure.

“Oh, that’s weird,” replied Enid, her voice a little higher pitched than normal, “can’t say I’ve noticed. Guess, er, guess it’s because I’m back in my double. All this extra room and I just end up stretching out I guess.”

Enid paused, and then suddenly she lifted her head up out of her bedding and looked down to Wednesday who was sleeping on an old fold out bed.

“It’s super comfy, wanna try it?” asked Enid, patting her hand on the mattress next to her in invitation.

Wednesday sat up straight from where she lay, her arms still crossed over her chest as she rose efficiently to a seating position with which to better look at Enid.

“Thank you, Enid, but I can see it fine from here,” Wednesday replied simply, unsure what solicited the invitation.

“Oh, come on Wednesday, it’s super comfy, you’ve gotta try it!”

“The fact that you describe it as such does nothing to endear to it to me, Enid, you know what my preferences are.”

Enid scrunched up her nose as she racked her brain.

“Right, yeah, what was it you said? You like nothing better than a stiff rack to straighten you out, something like that?”

“Close, Enid, but the rack is only for special occasions or when I’m feeling like I need a quiet moment to myself. A coffin is much more preferable but my parents say I should save mine or risk spoiling it for myself, and so I opt for a firm mattress. I must say, this one that you have provided is surprisingly adequate.”

“That thing is ancient, I’m sorry we couldn’t offer you anything better,” apologised Enid, clearly unsatisfied with her family’s hosting abilities.

“It’s positively abominable for my back, my compliments to the manufacturer,” said Wednesday without a hint of irony.

“Even more reason for you to try out mine, Wednesday, come on, it won’t bite!”

“If only it did, it would be far more interesting.”

“Wednesday.”

Enid said this with a pout and Wednesday felt like she had flown too close to the sun, it was blinding.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were about ready to twist my arm,” ventured Wednesday almost hopeful.

‘As if I’d be so lucky,’ she thought to herself.

“Don’t test my strength, Wednesday, a human wouldn’t last long in a tussle with a werewolf.”

Wednesday resisted rolling her eyes.

“I suppose I can test it out. I would be remiss to write it off without first experiencing it for myself,” and so the shorter girl gave in as she pulled the blanket off her body and stood up out of her bed to make her way to Enid’s side.

“Yay!” Enid smiled and clapped happily, “come lay down next to me.”

As Wednesday approached the vacant side of the bed she began to wonder if this was such a good idea. Should she be doing this when she couldn’t trust her heart not to explode? Was she … was she an idiot? No, Wednesday Addams was too sharp to fall into such a hopeless scenario, but this was Enid Sinclair that she was dealing with and Wednesday never knew what Enid was going to say next. If she were being honest, it was probably something that the two friends shared, after all, how many times had Wednesday dumbfounded Enid with some off hand remark that she herself had offered? Except Enid couldn’t possibly be in love with Wednesday whereas Wednesday was in love with her, and so the idea of laying inches apart on a bed sized for two was causing her to have heart palpitations.

“Come on,” and Enid tapped the bare mattress with a playful pat, “I bet you end up liking it!”

‘Enid, you have no idea,’ and Wednesday thought she might scream if she was physically capable of such an act.

Against her better judgement Wednesday acquiesced and joined Enid in her bed. She lay herself down carefully, ensuring she gave Enid enough space and didn’t encroach on her side but to her surprise Enid remained on her own side too. She edged closer to the invisible line in the centre so much so that Wednesday could feel the mattress dip as she got closer, and yet Enid never crossed the line.

To Wednesday’s great surprise she felt … disappointed.

“There, isn’t this cosy Wednesday. We’re as snug as two bugs in a rug!”

Wednesday was prepared for most eventualities but what she was not prepared for was the giggle that Enid let out as she wiggled under the sheets they shared, and despite their bodies never touching she thought her skin had been set alight with the heat that swept over her.

“So, bestie, what do you think? Comfy, right?”

‘This is it,’ thought Wednesday, ‘this is how I die, from instantaneous combustion inside the bed of the girl I love but who doesn’t love me. And here I thought the universe didn’t have a sense of humour at all.’

“It’s very…”

“Yes?” said Enid expectantly, her eyes scrunched into her smile.

“It’s very … pink.”

“Honestly Wednesday ‘pink’ is not a marker for comfort and oh my god your allergies, I didn’t think at all. I’m such a bad friend. Are you going to be alright? Don’t break out on me, OK Wednesday, I’d feel awful.”

A foreign and unfamiliar feeling gripped her stomach and in an instant Wednesday was left temporarily speechless. This girl was so thoughtful and caring and she sounded so genuinely bereft on Wednesday’s account.

“Don’t,” Wednesday sucked in her breath between her teeth, “don’t fret Enid, it may be that prolonged exposure to your colourful style has made my allergies more tolerable. I doubt I shall break out into hives any time soon.”

“Phew, thank goodness, I was starting to freak. That would be just like me to give you an allergic reaction,” and Wednesday thought her eyes looked incredibly kind, even kinder than usual. Or perhaps it was because their faces had gradually moved closer and closer together that she could see the flecks of colour swirling in her eyes and the delicateness of her light eyelashes … or was she wishing they were closer?

Wednesday swallowed hard.

“I can assure you that I am made of sterner stuff than that, Enid, do not worry.”

“No skin about to peel off the bone?” checked Enid humorously.

“No, Enid, no peeling skin,” reassured Wednesday, though mentally she was impressed that Enid had remembered that detail as she hadn’t alluded to it since the day they had met, and that had been over two years ago. “What’s in the diary for today?” followed up Wednesday quickly before she could linger too long on her friend’s eyelashes.

“OK Wednesday, don’t kill me, but I was thinking shopping down in the valley because I know you want some new boots (me too, what a coinki-dink), lunch out, and then me and Thing were going to get mani pedis together.”

Wednesday’s face must have dropped in despair as Enid immediately followed it up with an assurance that she would have a fun time.

“Don’t freak out, I would never drag you to a nail salon, I know that’s your idea of hell on earth!”

“It certainly does sound perfectly horrifying,” agreed Wednesday perturbed by the very notion.

“Buttttttt in consideration of this, there’s this super cool, super old bookstore that’s right opposite the salon. My thinking was Thing and I can join you once we’re done. That way you won’t be caught in the neon light nightmare of hair spray and nail polish and instead be wrapped in the safety of soft bound leather and paper moths. Cool, right? Plus, I know how much you value your alone time and so I figured this was a good way to offer that after a day around town.”

Wednesday lay in silence for a few moments mulling over her reply.

“I must admit that there is nothing quite like the smell of mildew to get one’s blood pumping, it keeps ones writing instincts sharp,” and yet this left her feeling … lacking, as if she was missing something.

Suddenly, a revelation.

It occurred to Wednesday that this was exactly the opportunity that she needed to face head on. There was no doubt the mani pedis was an activity aimed to appeal to Thing and Enid’s shared interest but if Wednesday was to reassure Enid that she would make a suitable mate she had to demonstrate that she was flexible and willing to go out of her comfort zone every once in a while.

“I find myself wondering aloud, a question on the tip of my tongue,” began Wednesday almost cryptically, and Enid gave her friend a quizzical look in return.

“Wednesday?”

“I suppose … mani pedis,” Wednesday had to force the words out of her mouth, “are something to be enjoyed between best friend’s, right Enid?”

“Yes, but you don’t have to get one, it’s just I know that Thing will kill me after I mentioned that there was a great nail place in town. That’s why I went ahead and checked the bookstore’s opening hours, it’s a coffee place too you know, so you can choose a booth, settle down with your four shots of espresso and read away to your hearts content in peace far away from the terrifying colours and acrid smells.”

Wednesday had to remind herself to breathe as she listened intently to the day Enid had planned for them, noting the care she had taken to ensure that Wednesday would be comfortable, and rather inevitably more warmth bloomed in her chest.

“I swear, I love salons, but some of the products that they use in there are enough to give anyone a headache.”

Wednesday perked up at this.

“What kind of headache? Tension, cluster, migraine, thunderclap … ice pick?” Wednesday said this last one in an almost hopeful tone.

“Er gosh, I don’t know Wends, it’s a strong chemical smell,” admitted Enid.

The shorter girl thought about this for a moment before turning her head back towards Enid.

“I would like to see this chemical torture house for myself, Enid. Let us rise and get ready for breakfast.”

Enid began nodding happily before she realised what her friend had just said.

“Great, we’ll – wait, what?”

Chapter Text

               “OMG, you totally rock slate grey. I know you lean more towards just straight black, but you should definitely consider playing around with a different shade or two.”

                Enid was beaming her adorable canine smile straight at Wednesday and the shorter girl thought she would go blind. In their pursuit of a pair of boots, a pair suitably sturdy, durable, and practical for Wednesday in real leather, and a pair that was perfectly stylish and comfortable for Enid, Wednesday had found herself in an unenviable position. Enid had cast her eye far beyond simply shoes and every other clothing item she came across warranted inspection, assessment, and appraisal. This would be intolerable on its own as Wednesday despised clothes shopping, finding the task arduous, superficial, and ripe for disappointment as the same poorly made, aesthetically redundant, mass-produced garbage that cluttered the railings of most chain stores made her skin crawl off her bones. Inevitably the items would fit the average persons frame poorly, would break and fade after only a couple of washes, and would look utterly uninspired. Wednesday would at least give Enid the benefit of individuality, as she sought to express her personality through her clothing in an authentically Enid way, which was something she could not say for the majority of people.  The experience became even more arduous when Enid turned her attention beyond herself and extended it towards Wednesday.

                “I bet you’d look so cool in these black knee highs, oh, oh, with a cute pair of black denim shorts and that lighter-scorched top with a shoulder cut off. Can you see the vision, Wednesday? You can totally make it work!”

                Enid’s tone was warm and vibrant, her words sincerely felt and expressed, and Wednesday found herself fighting an internal battle in between the discount racks at the local valley thrift store. How the mighty have fallen. Everything about this scenario was utter nightmare fuel made to destroy her will to live, and yet she wasn’t completely in despair if only because it was Enid she was shopping with, pointing out things that she might genuinely like and that may suit Wednesday’s style. It was truly intolerable, a complete exquisite horror, and all the young Addams could do was join Enid for the ride. Though Wednesday was slightly puzzled by some of Enid’s behaviour as she seemed even more high energy than usual, a genuine live wire of restlessness that pulled Wednesday along in all directions as if Enid didn’t even know what she wanted to do or where she wanted to go. Her round cheeks were a particular shade of deep pink that Wednesday found quite distracting.

                ‘Is she using a new blush?’ wondered Wednesday, before she blinked the thought away with concern that her gaze may have lingered for too long on her friend’s cheeks. She blinked a lot more now when she never used to before, and she could only hope that Enid hadn’t noticed. ‘There’s no time for that,’ Wednesday reprimanded herself, ‘I haven’t heard a thing Enid has been saying for the last few minutes, I need to recover my composure.’

                Alas, with this Enid turned on her toes with the grace of a ballerina leaving her hair cascading around her like a cotton candy waterfall and Wednesday felt herself lose another piece of her sanity. Her black heart pumped faster within her young chest and she felt the air in her lungs rattle into a low gasp that she hoped Enid could not hear over the crackling speakers overhead that were playing the local radio station.

                ‘Has she always been this beautiful, or have I been a blind fool until now?’

                “Er, Wednesday, are you OK? I know you could give a cadaver a run for their money but it does freak me out when you just spontaneously stop breathing like that. I worry, you know.”

                ‘Breathe, Addams, breathe,’ Wednesday repeated the words solemnly to herself as if she were reading a eulogy and she felt a calmness wash over her in shaky waves.

                “Of course, Enid, your concern is appreciated but unnecessary. I simply find myself unsettled in such unknown waters as,” and Wednesday squinted as she read the shop sign with quiet disdain, ‘Reggie’s Thrifting Hole.’”

                Wednesday shook her head.

                “I will give it to the establishment owner, given that this place is closer to a hole of despair the name is perhaps halfway fitting.”

                Enid rolled her eyes at her friend’s dramatics and skipped over to her side, her shoulder brushing Wednesday’s jumper for just a moment.

                “Don’t worry, I won’t submit you to the horrors of thrifting for a second longer than necessary. I knew I should’ve picked up that fuchsia top when I saw it last week, of course it’s nowhere to be found now,” Enid sighed.

                “I thought thrift stores were supposed to harbour the more antiquated pieces that people halfway tolerated because of their mark down prices. All I see here is rack after rack of cheap Shein and TikTok shop rejects that were made to rot in a burning garment hole somewhere but that for some reason only a dirty pig capitalist could justify is listed with a ‘sale’ price of over forty dollars.” Wednesday paused for a moment, contemplating. “The very fact I have had to utter that sentence makes my veins want to spontaneously close up in an effort to stop my black heart from beating. Perhaps only then I may know some peace in this world. This is why it helps to recycle one’s clothes straight from the graveyard, I’d take a haunted lace collar over a synthetic polymer weave any day. In fact, it would be preferable.”

                “Why only the collar?” queried Enid quickly, intrigued by the image and worried about what it might mean, “wouldn’t the whole dress be haunted if that were really a thing?”

                Wednesday thought it incredibly cute that the collar was the part that Enid was concerned about.

                “Clothing can retain the essence of a person’s final moments, Enid, and so a haunted dress is no less likely than a haunted doll. Prominence of spirit may localise in one area, for instance in the case of a hanging, as the victim may retain the most visceral response in their neck, hence a focus on the collar over the rest of the garment.”

                “I see,” began Enid, slightly concerned, “you say that as if you’ve come across it, which you haven’t of course … right?”

                “Not myself, no,” lamented Wednesday seriously, “but my aunt is in possession of a haunted pair of men’s bamboo socks that compel the wearer to walk in front of the nearest locomotive. I wanted Pugsley to wear them for his birthday but my parents vetoed the idea. They said he was too small, and so they wouldn’t fit.” Wednesday paused, a slight smile curling the corners of her mouth. “But give it a year.”

                Enid shook her head and returned the item she had in her hand to the clothes rail.

                “Remind me never to try on any clothes at your house,” she said half laughing.

                “I’m afraid we wouldn’t have any pink enough to complement your style,” admitted Wednesday sincerely.

                “Then it sounds like I’m in the clear!” and the taller girl exhaled in genuine relief.

                A moment passed, and then two, and then several, and Wednesday realised that they hadn’t spoken a word to each other for what felt like minutes as Enid gazed into her eyes with a look that Wednesday couldn’t quite place, she only knew it made her feel a rush of violent warmth within her breast.

                Enid suddenly seemed to sense it too, their eyes lingering on each other too long for a reason neither of them could name, and for a moment Wednesday thought that her friend’s hand was going to reach out to hold her own before Enid caught herself in the motion and recalled her arm back to her side.

                “Bleh, it smells of eggs in here, don’t cha think? Let’s go, Wednesday. Thing!” Enid called out, “come on, we’re leaving now.”

                Her smile returned easily to her face as if it had never left, so naturally and brightly did it shine, and Wednesday was more than happy for her to lead the way out of the harshly lit store and into the yellow rays of the California sun, a feeling that the young Addams found surprising.

                ‘Perhaps I really am going soft,’ she thought.

                It was then that she spotted Thing who had waddled up Enid’s back and sat atop her shoulder, and she thought he looked very pleased with himself.

                “Really, Thing, a bow tie?” queried Wednesday flatly, “I didn’t realise you had a black-tie event later.”

                Thing tapped his index finger in annoyance at Wednesday’s lack of appreciation for his latest fashion piece, and instead walked down Enid’s arm so that she could hold him in her palm.

                “Well, I think you look nifty, Thing, very suave and mature. Just the kind of accessory a striking hand like yourself could need for a more formal occasion,” offered Enid supportively, and she gave Wednesday slight side eye. “Don’t you think so, Wednesday?”

                The blonde girl paused, raising her eyebrows in expectation at her friend and flicking her eyes down in the direction of Thing nestled within her hand.

                “I suppose you would not look out of place in a funeral procession given the mournful colour, a most auspicious choice, Thing.”

                Her response seemed agreeable to the grey appendage, and he happily signed his thanks at both of their favourable words.

                “What time is our appointment at the nail house of horrors?” asked Wednesday, deadpan.

                “Hmm,” Enid whipped out her phone from her back pocket and smiled a smile that was all cheeks. “In half an hour. It’s only a few blocks away, shall we start walking down?”

                Wednesday nodded in the affirmative and Enid skipped to her side; the bubbly blonds smile never leaving her face. Thing scuttled back up her arm and took pride of place on Enid’s shoulder to get a better view as the two girls walked, arm close to swinging arm, as they slowly made their way to the nail salon. As they neared the crossing a sudden realisation came across Wednesday that hit her with a jolt as her eyes flicked to Enid’s side and then beyond to the street behind her.

                ‘This is abominable,’ she thought. Wednesday may know how to torture her family but she was naturally inclined to protect her loved ones and the idea of Enid walking on the outside of the sidewalk closest to the street, to danger, made her feel … what was the sensation? Unsettled? Concerned? Protective? All three? She needed to correct this immediately, but how should she approach the change without asking Enid directly to switch sides with her? She couldn’t possibly say what she was actually thinking:

                ‘Enid, let me walk closest to the road side so that I may be the only one impaled by the oversized truck with zero pedestrian visibility instead of you. I would feel greatly relieved if you walked by my side, between me and the shop fronts, so that I can protect you with my whole body. An Addams is compelled to protect the one that they love.’

No, she couldn’t possibly say that, it would sound weird and far too suspicious. Although, Enid seemed to not mind Wednesday’s quirks, not for a long time in fact, and so perhaps she could risk being a little more direct in her motivations with her? Albeit not too obvious in her feelings, as there was no telling how Enid might react if she knew it was because Wednesday was in love with her as opposed to her simply being a thoughtful best friend.

“Enid, change sides with me,” directed Wednesday, and she walked behind Enid with great speed so that she could move to her right side.

“Huh, what’s up?” the taller girl asked, a little confused by the sudden change in Wednesday’s demeanour.

“Nothing is ‘up’, Enid, I simply wish to walk on the side closest to the street.”

Except Wednesday forgot that Enid was a werewolf, a lupin daughter of the blood moon herself, and her speed, strength, stamina, and senses all made Wednesday’s look quaint by comparison. In addition to her dance skills which added to her lightness of foot and overall gracefulness, it was simply inevitable that Wednesday found herself twirled back around to the inside of the side walk by Enid’s strong arms, only realising what had happened when she saw her reflection staring back at her in the window of the pet store they happened to be passing by.

Wednesday was silent, utterly dumbstruck.

“Enid,” she said her name quietly, “did you just … did you just twirl me?”

Wednesday Addams was in a state of confusion and, frankly, embarrassment. How did that just happen?

“You surprised me Wednesday, you moved so quickly, and I thought something was going to hit you and so I didn’t really think. My body kind of just reacted and I guess I felt the best thing to do was to move you away from the cars. I only moved you to the side, Wednesday., I didn’t mean to pick you up like that!”

“Enid, you twirled me,” and her emphasis on the word ‘twirled’ was likely hard for Enid to read as Wednesday didn’t know what to feel herself. Why did she feel slightly euphoric? Was she coming down with a cold, was that the reason for this apparent unbalance within stomach?

“Gee, I don’t know about twirled, more like scooped,” clarified Enid quickly, a little flushed.

“Scooped? Enid, that’s worse. An Addams is not one to be ‘scooped’ up like a pet dog,” replied Wednesday in surprise, caught off guard at how warm she suddenly felt. Was there a heatwave due today? She didn’t recall seeing that listed on the morning’s forecast.

“Really Wednesday, please don’t pout, it was just a natural reaction,” reassured Enid, “I didn’t mean to.”

“I can assure you, Enid, that I do not pout, in fact I have never pouted a day in my life and today is no exception.”

It was then that Enid snorted in amusement and disbelief at her friend’s ridiculousness and lack of awareness, and Wednesday’s face reacted before she had a chance to calm herself. Her lips moved out and up of their own accord and her eyebrows furrowed just below her jet-black bangs.    

“I can’t believe you’d try to deny it when you’re pouting at me right now, Wednesday Addams,” teased Enid, and the way she said her name made Wednesday’s stomach perform somersaults.

This was unacceptable, she had to get a grip and regain her composure.

“I simply wished to walk on your right side so that you could walk on my left, that way you would be closest to the store fronts and I would be closest to the street. If my swift movements unsettled you, I apologise as it was not my intention. I’ll make sure to announce myself before I move next time.”

Enid just stared at Wednesday, her face seemingly running through a gauntlet of emotions and she began to form a word as her mouth swiftly clamped shut before a sound could even leave her mouth.

‘Have I upset her?’ worried Wednesday. ‘That was unintentional.’

After what felt like a lifetime, Enid spoke up.

“Why?” she asked simply.

“Why what?” repeated Wednesday, unclear of what the confusion could be about.

“Why do you want to walk closest to the street?”

Wednesday held Enid’s confused and questioning gaze, her friend’s eyes were wide and she had begun to play with her hands in front of her stomach, her fingers fidgeting as she awaited Wednesday’s answer.

“It is not about me wanting to be closest to the street, Enid, I simply do not wish you to be close to the cars. I suppose,” Wednesday paused, only for a moment, before deciding to be honest. “I would wish to shield you from any vehicle that may leave the road and drive up on to the sidewalk. That way you would be at a lower risk of being mortally wounded.”

Enid blinked quickly, and Wednesday thought her chest was rising higher than it had before.

“Enid, are you alright, you seem flushed? Is it the heat?”

“I, um, no, yeah, I’m fine. I’m fine,” Enid repeated the words as if in a daze but she kept looking at Wednesday and Wednesday looked back, not shying away from the eye contact that only a few years before would have been unbearable.

“Does my explanation displease you, Enid? I can assure you it is only founded in my concern for your safety.”

‘I wonder if this comes across as chivalrous to her?’ hoped Wednesday quietly to herself. 

“Displease me?” shot back Enid quickly, “No, it’s the complete opposite in fact…” before her voice trailed off.

Her face softened then and her eyes settled as her adorably canine smile returned and Wednesday thought this must be what angels looked like.

“Then why did you … why did you ‘scoop’ me up just now?” asked Wednesday, concerned that her reputation had taken a hit considering how easily Enid had picked her up and twirled her around 180 degrees without so much as batting an eyelash.

“Wednesday, I adore you, but you’re not exactly physically intimidating, and I am a werewolf after all. Werewolf reflexes trump your Addams skills I’m afraid.”

‘She, she adores me?’

It was at this moment that Wednesday’s temporary love coloured haze fell away as she noticed the snickering hand on Enid’s shoulder and she flicked her eyes to rest on the spot and gave the stitched-up shoulder dweller a deathly glare.

“Thing, if you sign what I think you’re about to sign I’ll take that bow tie and hog tie you with it, before I dangle you down the storm drain to make friends with the rats and the sewer people.”

Enid gasped, raising her right hand up to hold Thing’s pinkie finger.

“Don’t be so rotten, Thing didn’t even say anything,” defended Enid.

“But he was thinking it,” replied Wednesday, straight faced and deadly serious, “I would advise against it, Thing, if you value retaining your royal jelly hand balm.”

Thing tapped and stretched in shock, swiftly silenced by the threat of such a great loss, and turned around to face his back towards Wednesday.

“That’s what I thought,” said Wednesday, a little smug, as Enid gently shook her head.

“Honestly, such children, the pair of you.”

A strange sensation came over Wednesday, a sudden desire to bridge the small gap between them and offer something that she knew Enid would want and that she realised she wished to give. Wednesday walked purposefully to Enid’s right side, making her smile, but it was what Wednesday did next that made Enid’s eyes widen in shock.

The young Addams offered her left arm to Enid and without hesitation Enid took it, looping her right-hand underneath so that she could rest it on Wednesday’s arm, locking them together. She could immediately feel Enid’s warmth and the pressure of her muscled arms through her thin top and Wednesday felt herself begin to smile. Neither girl moved straight away, both holding their gaze on their entwined arms, a little shocked at what both were seeing, and yet to Wednesday it felt surprisingly natural.

‘Why didn’t I do this before?’ she wondered to herself. ‘Enid fits so perfectly in my arms.’

The sounds of the city around her faded away, and Wednesday felt incredibly peaceful, the most peaceful she had felt in months, and she told herself that she should offer her arm to Enid more often.

Finally, Wednesday broke the silence.

“Shall we?” the shorter girl asked as she motioned with her eyes down the street, their destination not yet visible.

“Yeah, let’s go,” Enid said happily, her smile all teeth.

-----

They were only a few doors away when Enid’s eyes settled on a sparkling light to her left. It seemed to Wednesday as if it pulled her in like a tracking beam and she had no recourse but to be pulled along with her. They were standing outside an antique store and amongst the masses of furniture, paintings, and cupboards full of old china was a small jewellery display that was steeped in golden light. Wednesday’s eyes whipped to her side to watch Enid’s enraptured face as the girl had clearly been overtaken with interest by something. The shorter girl finally dipped her gaze downward towards the display to join Enid’s and what she saw surprised her. Nestled amongst red velvet cushions was a pair of delicate golden signet rings, ones that would take pride of place on one’s little finger. The one on the left was slightly bigger and had a face of opal, and the sun’s rays made its hypnotic colours dance against the window. On the right was a second, slightly smaller ring with an onyx face that when polished would be the most beautiful black reminiscent of the deepest obsidian. Wednesday could not look away, and after a moment she realised that Enid was squeezing her arm with her hand, the taller girls thumb rubbing circles over her wrist. A chill ran down her spine.

Enid hesitated for a moment, before she turned to Wednesday excitedly.

“What do you think Wednesday?”

‘What a curious question,’ the young Addams thought.

“What do I think of what, Enid?”

“The rings, of course,” she clarified, giving her friend’s wrist another squeeze.

‘How am I supposed to concentrate like this,’ lamented Wednesday, ‘this is intolerable.’  

“I am not a great judge of jewellery, but they seem like a perfectly adequate pair of signet rings.” She paused, peering closer to the glass to scrutinise them further. “They could do with a polish,” she added in disapproval, “the proprietor does their wares a disservice displaying them without the proper care.”

“But they’re quite eye catching, dontcha think?”

Wednesday didn’t reply straight away, instead she stared at the rings for a few more moments before turning to look at Enid.

“I am surprised to see you so taken with them, as I would not have said they were to your taste.”

“Ha, you’d be right, but I don’t know … these are kinda calling to me. They’re complimentary to each other, a pair; do not separate,” she said with a small laugh, and then Enid paused, wetting her lips with her tongue slightly before taking a deep breath. “They remind me of us, don’t you think Wednesday?”

Any air that had lurked in her lungs was promptly ripped out, her heart clenched, and her pulse quickened into a fever. What a horrible affliction, what a painful existence it was to be known and seen by such an exquisite being as Enid Sinclair. Wednesday had the notion that if she were swallowed up by the earth and taken to her grave, she would lament her premature passing as it would cut her time with her beloved werewolf short. How utterly intolerable her situation had become that she now hoped death did not come for her until she was wrinkled and grey. Is this what happened when you stared directly into the face of the sun?

‘I have to say something,’ Wednesday thought, scrambling to come up with something coherent that wasn’t her going down on to one knee and offering Enid her eternal devotion.

“I suppose I can see a casual similarity between us if I squint,” she began, never taking her eyes away from Enid’s. Her response didn’t seem to be the one that Enid wanted, and so Wednesday continued. “Opal was highly valued throughout antiquity and beloved by royalty. Given this one’s spectrum of brilliant colour throughout I would guess it was a Brazilian precious opal. You see how the light catches a different colour at every angle? It likely displays nearly every possible colour on the spectrum. Upon reflection, I think it quite perfect for you.”

Wednesday paused to appreciate Enid’s eyes which she thought looked a little wet at the corners. Unsure how to interpret this change, she moved to Enid’s hair which was now close to her shoulders. Without thinking, Wednesday lifted her free hand and gently took a few strands in-between her fingers, the small braid a mixture of pink, blue, and blond. She allowed herself to linger there for a few moments, rolling the soft tresses between her fingertips before she sensed that she may have held it for too long, and with great sadness she let go.

“And of course the onyx-”

“Black as night but often banded with a white streak. Dark and mysterious with a little light wrapped around it, right Wednesday?” asked Enid, her tone deeper than usual so much so that it caught Wednesday off guard.

She took a moment to steady herself before replying.

“A band and a streak are different things, Enid,” was all she could think to say and she immediately regretted it, because it wasn’t what she wanted to express at all, and she could see that it wasn’t what Enid wanted to hear.

“Only you would point that out at a time like this, it’s such a Wednesday thing to do,” Enid replied with a sigh.

“I have upset you,” and Wednesday’s voice was genuinely tinged with concern that she had ruined the moment.

“Don’t be silly, I just mean it’s such a ‘you’ thing to say, in a weird way it’s kind of reassuring. Besides, I just think you don’t want to admit that you have a white streak of your own.”

Enid leaned closer to Wednesday’s face, her grip tightening on her wrist. Wednesday immediately leaned into her embrace.

“I am black through to my core, Enid, my heart is enshrined in a shroud of thorns.”

“Yet if I knocked on the door to your heart, would you turn me away, Wednesday Addams?”

Wednesday couldn’t breathe, her limbs felt heavy and yet her skin was alight with fire, and she couldn’t stop her eyes from blinking. When she felt Enid rub her thumb again against her bare wrist, the tip skirting the edge of her shirt cuff, her eyesight became spotted and she realised that she was growing lightheaded.

“Would you, Wednesday?” Enid asked again, her cheeks a warm pink. “Or would you let me touch the white within?”

‘I am deceased,’ Wednesday thought, and for some reason she felt a sudden growing pressure that made her want to squeeze her thighs tightly together.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Wednesday answered.

“There is nothing in this world that I would deny you, Enid, you would need only name it and I would engineer a means to secure it for you.”

Her answer appeared to surprise Enid as she was now silent, her eyes fluttering and the sudden confidence displayed by her deep tones and purposeful gaze receded as her cheeks became pinker before she whipped her face away from Wednesday’s piercing brown eyes. The shorter girl was momentarily saddened before she noticed the tip of Enid’s ear peeking through her hair, and she thought it looked a brilliant scarlet.

‘Curious,’ and while Wednesday dared to even think that she may affect Enid the way that Enid affected her she certainly felt her confidence rise with the thought that she made Enid blush just as Enid made her lightheaded. The young Addams was struck by the image of the opal signet ring being lovingly placed on to Enid’s slender finger, and Wednesday’s heart swelled with violent emotion.

“Would you like it, Enid?”

“Huh?”

Enid jumped a little, clearly still deep in some thought that made Wednesday’s sudden question surprise her, it reminded Wednesday of a startled puppy, her eyes were so big and warm, and yet again she thought they looked slightly wet.

‘Perhaps she’s suffering from allergies,’ wondered Wednesday, concerned for her wellbeing.

“The opal signet ring, would you like it?”

Enid turned her head back and forth between the ring and Wednesday, her hair rustling against her light pink wrap shirt.

“What? Wednesday,” Enid replied, rather alarmed, as she pointed her index finger against the glass, “it’s almost $500.00 for the opal ring alone, you cannot be serious.”

Enid’s eyes were wide with shock and Wednesday thought it incredibly endearing, so much so that she felt a little smile of her own coming along.

“Did I not just say that there is nothing that I would deny you, Enid Sinclair. If you ask me, I will buy it for you.”

“I can’t possibly ask you to do that, Wednesday, be serious!”

“I am always serious,” Wednesday retorted.

“Well, geez, be less serious for once. I am not asking you to buy me that, it’s way too much money. Besides, the whole point is they’re a pair. You would need to have the onyx ring otherwise what’s the point?”

Wednesday thought on this for a moment, and imagined offering her hand to Enid’s outstretched palm where she would hold Wednesday’s hand in her own and place the onyx ring on her little finger.

‘A complimentary pair … do not separate.’ Enid’s words echoed in her head.

She began to smile, hope crashing against the walls of her heart in overwhelming pink waves.

“I have the funds,” said Wednesday, slightly smug, “it would be no trouble.”

“No way, absolutely not,” said Enid shaking her head, and she began to tug on Wednesday’s arm to pull her away from the window. “I never meant to suggest that you buy it for me, Wednesday, I don’t want you to think that I’m trying to spend your money.”

“I never thought that,” the shorter girl replied warmly in an attempt to reassure her as she allowed herself to be led away from the window. Enid picked up the pace and practically began marching them to the nail salon at a frog march. “I offer to buy it for you happily, because you would like it. It’s important to me that you know that I appreciate you.”

“By buying me jewellery!” stuttered Enid, the pink in her cheeks having given way to a deep scarlet, “what will your parents think! They’ll probably imagine I’m taking advantage of you, and I can’t bear the idea of Morticia hating me.”

“Firstly, my mother adores you, and secondly, my parents would likely congratulate me for tapping into my ro- … my Addams side, for once.”

‘I can’t say romantic side,’ Wednesday chastised herself, ‘what will Enid think?’

“When are you not tapping into your Addams side, Wednesday,” Enid laughed at the absurdity of her friend’s comment, “you’re so unapologetically you, it’s one of the things I love about you.”

Such a casual comment, and yet the effect was hardly casual at all.

“Come on, the nail salon is just here,” and Wednesday thought that Enid almost sounded relieved.

-----

Bright neon’s, oppressive office lighting, a ‘live, laugh, love’ sign, and a front desk run by a young boy that looked no more than twelve and who was undoubtedly the owner’s son wrangled into helping over the holidays, Trudie’s Nail’s was truly two doors down from hell itself. Upon entering the establishment Wednesday considered why none of the workers had yet succumbed to madness in such a desolate place as the fumes alone were enough to make a child cry.

“Thing, brace yourself,” Wednesday said quietly as the little hand hopped over to his mistress’s shoulder. “We have entered into a circle of hell not yet mapped out within Dante’s inferno.”

Thing tapped in agreement, equally struck by the deplorable nature of the place.

“I suppose they wish to incapacitate their patrons through the use of noxious gases so that they can reduce their mental faculty’s thereby extracting more money from them in a cloud of nausea and confusion. I must commend them for their despicable racket even if the method and setting leaves much to be desired.”

Enid rolled her eyes playfully, clearly amused by her best friend’s characteristic dramatics.

“Come on, you two, you’ll change your tune once they freshen up your cuticles and give you a new lick of paint,” enthused Enid happily.

“I shall reserve my judgement until the torture is complete,” replied Wednesday unenthusiastically.

“And here I thought all the Addams family yearned for torture of all kinds,” quipped Enid, raising an amused eyebrow at her friend.

“There is torture divine, and there is,” Wednesday looked around in barely contained disgust, “whatever this is.”

While Enid talked to the boy behind the front desk Wednesday motioned to Thing on her shoulder, walking to the waiting area in the far corner of the room she placed him down on the coffee table in front of her on top of a stack of fashion magazines. Sitting down on the low fabric couch she leaned in closely to Thing and kept her voice low.

“I need you to do me a favour, Thing, and you must be discreet. In, out, no messing around. Are you up to the task?”

Thing signed enthusiastically that he was before giving a humorous tap as he glanced back towards Enid at the front desk.

“Watch your tone, cheeky hand, I do not need her catching on,” replied Wednesday, annoyance lacing her voice.

With great amusement Thing tapped and signed, and Wednesday scrunched up her face and scooped him up in her hands with such speed that the grey appendage was visibly shocked.

“I am not whipped,” she whispered animatedly back, “and I do not appreciate the insinuation. Now, be a good fellow, and listen to the plan. Above all, act natural, and we’ll rendezvous at the bookstore afterwards. I’ll tell Enid that you needed to excuse yourself in search of some fresh air. You’ll have to insist that you go first, and you should be finished in no time given you only have one set of nails to buff and paint.”

If Thing had a body he would have crossed his arms and puffed out his chest in faux grievance.

“Come on, Thing, you know I only meant it in a practical way. I did not mean to offend you.”

It was then that Enid’s voice was calling out to them, announcing that it was time for their treatments. Wednesday whispered to him before she placed Thing back down on the magazine stack and offered her hand to him.

“Are we agreed on the plan?” her tone serious and authoritative.

Thing thought it over for a moment, leaving Wednesday visibly irked, before accepting her outstretched hand and shaking it.

“Thank you, Thing,” she replied, her voice low, before raising it to reply to Enid. “Coming.”

What followed was a blur to Wednesday. Following a five-minute back and forth where the nail technician chastised her on everything to her nail colour to her firm desire to keep her nails short, she found herself in the technician’s chair awaiting to be poked, prodded, scraped, and buffed. What the social expectations were for this particular customer/worker interaction, Wednesday had no idea. Was she expected to make small talk? She had already been chided for insisting on black nail polish, no gel, no shellac, no fake tips, just her natural short nails with a shape up and a fresh coat of black paint. The worker clearly didn’t get many customers like Wednesday come into the salon and the technicians clear discomfort pleased the girl greatly.

Enid had decided on multi-coloured gels and much to Wednesday’s internal joy she stuck with the black nail on her left ring finger. At this point, she realised she would mourn its loss if she were to stop painting it black. What surprised her though was the addition of two painted characters on each of her middle fingers. On the left was a raven and on the right was a wolf. The raven was completed first and Wednesday was impressed by the fine detail required on such a small area to create the art and make it look recognisably like a raven. When it was finished and Enid offered up her hand for Wednesday to have a look she was slightly taken aback.

“A raven?” queried Wednesday curiously, “may I ask what prompted such a choice?”

Her interest was genuine, as she had expected Enid to simply go with colours and not character designs.

“Can’t you tell?” insisted Enid, “the raven is you, and the wolf is me.” Enid waggled her right elbow off the table in an attempt to divert Wednesday’s attention downwards without disrupting the technician. “Cute, right?”

“Cute…?” pondered Wednesday, her mind a mass of thoughts.

‘What does she mean by this?’ wondered Wednesday to herself, her heart heavy with unanswered questions. ‘I suppose it could be another way to show our friendship, but when she does things like this it almost gives me hope that I dare not dream of.’

“As designs go, given the cramped surface area not conducive to detailed painting, I think it is surprisingly competent.”

At this, Enid’s technician looked up at her with such a stinking glare that Wednesday was almost impressed. In response she returned the woman’s glare with her own unblinking stare, completely unmoved, and the woman quickly looked away.  

“Sure, but do you like it?” probed Enid expectantly.

Enid’s voice was high and hopeful, and her eyes widened as she awaited Wednesday’s response.

“The raven is for me?” repeated Wednesday, wanting to be sure.

“Uh huh, that’s right,” Enid replied with her canine grin.

“So, when you look down at your left hand, you’ll have me with you?” asked Wednesday, her voice almost catching in her throat near the end of the sentence. She could only hope that Enid wouldn’t pick up on it.

“Ri-right, exactly, though I thought of you already with the black nail. The raven is like the cherry on top, you know?”

Did Enid Sinclair have any comprehension of the exquisite pain that she brought down upon Wednesday Addams in that moment? Confirmation of a hope that Wednesday barely breathed out into existence and Enid brought it ringing into reality with a casual brilliance that was blinding.

“Is that so,” was all she good bring herself to say, fearing that if she talked further her voice would betray her. Though she knew she could do nothing about her eyes which were surely wide in awe and surprise, and given the depth of her feelings at this moment, filled with unlimited adoration and reverence for the girl that she loved. Wednesday could only hope that Enid could not decipher the range of emotions that currently gripped her, body and soul.

“Is it too on the nose?” asked Enid, dipping her face down to better look at Wednesday who had suddenly turned hers away from her friend.

“No, no, I think it a pertinent choice given what you wish it to symbolise. The designs suit you, as usual your taste is unapologetically ‘you’, Enid. It’s something I greatly admire about you.”

A moment of silence turned into what felt like an eternity but Wednesday dared not turn to face Enid. Finally, the blond girls voice made its way to Wednesday’s waiting ear and it was little more than a whisper.

“Is that so.”

Wednesday maintained eye contact with the tabletop in front of her, her head tipped downwards, but she could feel Enid’s gaze burning a whole into her head.

‘How much longer are these nails going to take?’ she wondered to herself, concerned for her health.

-----

The bookstore that also daylighted as a coffee shop was humming with gentle busyness, no one was in a rush to be anywhere in particular, and while the coffee machine on the other side of the stacks was obnoxiously loud as all coffee machines were, it was easy to block out the noise as one meandered through the towering bookshelves that were overflowing with book after book.

A familiar tapping alerted Wednesday to Thing’s return as the scarred hand shimmied his way up a neighbouring bookcase to reach the young Addams at eye level.

“The length of your absence was beginning to concern Enid. Did everything go to plan?” asked Wednesday in a hushed tone. Her eyes flicked between the stacks to where Enid was looking teary eyed at an old copy of Marley and Me.

‘Well, that’s a disaster waiting to happen,’ Wednesday thought, and she breathed a sigh of relief when Enid returned the dog-eared copy to the shelf.

Thing tapped and signed furiously and Wednesday’s eyes widened in alarm.

“Give me names, facial profiles, and what articles of clothing they were wearing. Trying to shake down a hard-working hand for money, do people have no shame.”

Wednesday was outraged on Thing’s behalf, as while you can always count on a Normie to stare, they usually gave the family a wide berth. Accosting a family member was a grave crime in Wednesday’s book, and she immediately felt called to action.

“They had their hoods up in this weather? Of course, only cowards hide their faces. What else? They didn’t take anything from you, did they?”

Thing signed to Wednesday to tell her to check her right pocket and to her great relief she felt two small bags against her investigating fingers. Unwilling to inspect them when Enid could round the corner at any moment, she made do by gently holding them in her eager hand within the privacy of her pocket, her thumb caressing the soft pouches that held the treasure within. One hand’s pickpocketing skill could also be used in the reverse to plant incriminating evidence on the unknowing. Luckily in Wednesday’s case it was used to secure an extremely important package instead.

“Good job, Thing. I am glad you came back safe.”

He began to brush her worry off, but Wednesday wasn’t having it.

“Don’t attempt to be stoic, it doesn’t suit you. Everyone knows you wear your feelings on your wrist.”

Thing hung his wrist down in discomfort.

“They mocked your bow tie? Those snivelling idiots couldn’t appreciate fashion if it hit them in the face. I am sorry I wasn’t there to support you, Thing. I really do appreciate you getting these for me.”

She held out her palm and Thing happily scurried into her friendly embrace.

“Let’s go and find Enid, as she was asking after you. It goes without saying, but do not share the true nature of your errand if you want to keep all of your fingers.”

Thing began to aggressively tap, “who do you think I am” into Wednesday’s palm which the pale girl found incredibly amusing. She had lost sight of Enid, and so Wednesday slowly wandered around until the stacks gave way to an opening where the cashier’s till stood. An acne covered teenage was wrapping something up in paper for Enid, and Wednesday watched as she hastily stowed the item away into her bag. In her characteristic quiet approach, Wednesday made her way to Enid’s side but the young Sinclair’s ears twitched as she neared her and she spun around in a whirlwind.

“Wednesday, there you are! And you’re with Thing, I was beginning to worry. I hope the fumes weren’t too much for you. You left the salon so abruptly once your nails were done.”

Thing signed that he was perfectly fine.

“I know you don’t have a nose, but can’t a girl worry about her friend all the same?”

Enid offered her palm out to him and he happily jumped into her waiting hand.

“Did you find something of interest, Enid?” asked Wednesday.

“Huh,” and with that Enid’s eyes went wide and her voice almost came out in a squeak. “Er, nothing much, just something my mom wanted me to pick up for my dad.”

“I see,” replied Wednesday flatly. “Shall we find a booth?”

Enid’s face flipped back into a warm smile, and she motioned towards the opposite side of the store.

“I need a coffee, stat!” she beamed.

“I share the sentiment. I find California living a drag on my soul,” and Wednesday said this so sincerely that it took every inch of control that Enid possessed not to burst out into laughter.

“Honestly, what am I going to do with you, Wednesday?”

Wednesday offered her arm to Enid again and the taller girl practically squealed in delight as she wrapped her arm around Wednesday’s.

“Two arm holds in one day, careful Wednesday cos if you keep spoiling me like this, I’m going to get greedy!”

“Impossible, you don’t possess the character traits for greed,” disagreed Wednesday.

“When it comes to you, Wednesday, I fear my greed knows no bounds.”

Wednesday considered her comment the entire walk to the booth table in a state of confusion as Enid led the way, arm in arm, practically skipping through the store and once again all the young Addams could do was go along for the ride.

Chapter Text

CLACK! CLACK! CLACK! CLACK!

                Wednesday held her focus intently on the paper in front of her as she typed, her eyebrows knitting close together in a frown of concentration. Behind her, reclined in comfort and completely at his leisure, Thing enjoyed the hammock as it rocked gently from side to side, squeaking under his weight. Several hours had passed since Enid had been called downstairs to assist her mother, giving Wednesday ample time to continue working on her next novel. Yet despite her best efforts the words that stared back at her from her typewriter were uninspiring, uninteresting, and completely devoid of the usual quality that Wednesday strives to achieve in her literary endeavours.

                ‘Enid has been gone a while,’ she thought.

                Her hands felt cumbersome, her fingers languishing under the weight of her cluttered mind until finally it was no use, and her fingertips stilled atop the cool keys unable to continue.

                ‘I’m not even writing anything of substance,’ lamented Wednesday to herself.

                The muffled squeak of the hammock continued to rumble behind her, it got louder and louder in her ears until she felt her blood pressure boil over, and the raven-haired girl spun around in her chair to shoot a death stare at Thing. The poor hand was startled by the abrupt movement and unable to escape his mistresses gaze and yet at a loss at how to stop the hammock from swinging he stood up unsteadily in great haste. As he attempted to jump out one of his fingers got stuck in one of the hammocks many holes and he ended up being dragged underneath the hammocks structure, and the greater he struggled to free himself the more he wrapped himself up. Wednesday watched this pantomime of errors unfold in rigid silence, unmoved, before finally she rolled her eyes and stood up from the desk. The young girl strode over to the drawers where the hammock had been setup and she loomed over the scene still as a statue as Thing continued to wriggle to free himself with great difficulty.

                “Need a hand?” asked the girl with a smirk.

                Without hesitation Thing managed to swing his body around and replied to Wednesday by giving her the middle finger.

                “Such attitude. I can walk back over to that desk in two seconds and turn my back to you and your predicament if that is your preference? It truly makes no difference to me,” she replied flatly.

                Thing managed to brokenly sign that she was the reason that he was all tied up.

                “I thought you had nerves of steel; you disappoint me Thing.”

                He tapped in exasperation against the wooden table top and Wednesday simply crossed her arms in response.

                “Ask me nicely, and I’ll consider it.”

                Thing shook his whole body in the negative, declining her request while he continued to struggle against the grip of the hammock.

                “Suit yourself,” and with a swivel of her heels Wednesday turned her back on him and walked back to her desk. As she pulled the chair back out to sit down, she heard Thing’s furious taps behind her and she felt her right eye begin to twitch.

                “This has nothing to do with Enid,” she managed to say through gritted teeth.

                Thing continued to tap away behind her and Wednesday remained unmoved, and yet unconsciously she began to ball her hands into tight fists.

                “And what would you know about it?” she spun herself back around so furiously that her braids whipped through the air and settled behind her shoulders as her eyes settled on Thing’s dejected frame. He had stopped fighting the hammock and she watched with great restraint as gravity finally did the work and his finger was released, his body landing on the wood with a loud thud. He slowly stood up, finally securing his fingertips on solid ground once more and he shook himself as a shiver shot up his palm.

                It wasn’t always easy being a hand.

                Wednesday found herself feeling slightly sorry for him, and wondered if she was being too harsh. She considered offering her apologies but then Thing shrugged and signed animatedly at her from across the room.

                “What kind of hand are you that you let a comically sized hammock give you so much grief? If I didn’t know any better, I would say you were losing your edge, old man.”

                Thing jumped back in shock and dismay at the accusation and sloppily signed at her in his rush to get out his words before the girl could interrupt.

                “I’m not stalling, I plan to ask Enid out before the summer ends, you know this. I just … I don’t want to get it wrong.”

                Wednesday admitted this to Thing in barely an audible whisper, her eyes dipping down to her feet so that she couldn’t see his reaction. The room was quiet, and in the distance, she could hear muffled voices from below. The air was thick and stifling, the atmosphere uncomfortably close and Wednesday felt suddenly incredibly aware of her body. Her usually cool skin felt clammy, a growing tension bubbled just above her eyes, and her mouth was noticeably parched. When had she last moved from this room? When did she last drink something?

                Where was Enid?

                It was on this last question that her mind lingered as her mind’s eye wandered, cutting a cross section through the floorboards beneath her, moving passed the cobwebs and the dust, until she emerged into the ground floor below and flew through the corridor, her body as light as air as she visualised the kitchen at the end of the hallway. The voices beneath grew in strength and the slamming of doors was followed by the familiar voice of her beloved, but her usual cheery tone was replaced with a voice full of anger and sadness, her words wobbling and catching in her throat. Wednesday’s fists tightened reflexively.

                “Why are you like this?!?”

                Then as suddenly as it started the tension dissipated and Wednesday became aware of the fact that Enid must have left the house and gone into the garden and then the woods beyond.

                “Enid…” Wednesday whispered, her voice soft and sick with worry.

                She looked at the chest of drawers to see Thing watching her intently and he slowly tapped his concern at her change in demeanour.

                “I’m fine, Thing, but I think Enid is upset. No doubt her shrew of a mother has said something unreasonable and Enid being tender hearted can only react with passion in return. One of these days I may be inclined to skin that woman, after all, she would make a perfectly adequate wolf skin rug.”

                Wednesday walked over to the grey hand and offered out her index finger to him to touch.

                “I didn’t mean to startle you earlier, apparently, I am feeling rather unsettled today and bristle easily. Here, let me untangle this for you.”

                Enid wouldn’t have made Thing jump, but then Wednesday did not have her friend’s temperament. The best Wednesday could offer was her assistance as way of an apology, and expertly unwrapped the coiled hammock with deft fingers before she offered out her outstretched palm to Thing. She half expected him to reject her, but to her surprise he hopped in her hand and she placed him gently into the supportive bed of the hammock and pushed the side of it with great care so that it began to swing.

                “Don’t wait up for me,” her voice a little warmer than before.

                Thing signed his thanks and lay back in preparation of taking another nap. Satisfied that he was taken care of, Wednesday embarked on her search for Enid.

-----

                One stone, two stones, three stones, four. Wednesday watched from the shaded treeline as Enid threw stone after stone into the rush of the creek below her. The shorter girl was entranced as the light bathed the cotton candy haired goddess in a warm aura that highlighted the swirling dust moths with a flash of white. Enid looked strong and determined as she squatted down to pick up a large and cumbersomely shaped rock and all Wednesday could do was marvel at her athletic frame as the werewolf pushed it upwards and held it above her head.

Wednesday didn’t move an inch. A whistling wind rushed through the trees that rustled her braids.

Enid paused then as she held the weight of the rock above her head, and it was in that moment that Wednesday wished she could see her face. The moment ended, and Enid growled as she placed her left foot back and slightly bent her knees, bringing the rock behind her before using all her strength to fling it over the flowing water below and across into the trees on the other side. The snapping sound of branches ripped from their trunks followed as the rock disappeared into the shadows beyond and it landed somewhere far away with a loud thump, unsettling the nearby birds nesting in the canopy above. They voiced their disapproval with vigour, their cries a forest choir, before their flying forms broke through the treeline and were lost to the depths of the woods.

Suddenly, Wednesday remembered to breathe and her right eye twitched as Enid held her powerful stance, her growls gradually receding back into her chest. There was no sign of strain or tiredness, all her movements effortless and strong, her colourful claws flashing pink, white, yellow, and black in the sun. Enid’s breathing was measured but deep, her concentration absolute as a rush of feelings clearly clawed at her breast. Wednesday thought she might cry, no, she suddenly realised that she had been crying. Whatever had passed between her and her mother had left a mark and it was the woods that now felt the brunt of her teenage frustration. A bead of sweat pooled at Enid’s temple, catching in a sudden flash in the light as it descended the side of her face, down the plump blush of her cheek before it came to rest at the sharp edge of her maturing jawline.

Wednesday couldn’t look away, she dared not, and if she were honest, she didn’t want to no matter how much it pained her.

‘Oh.’

Wednesday gasped.

Suddenly aware that she wasn’t alone Enid twisted around to her left only to be faced with the familiar face of her best friend standing in the shadow of the trees and her claws retracted instantly.

“Wednesday!” she called out in surprise, her expression lightening at the sight of a friendly face, “when did you get here?”

Her body was so strong but the way her voice caught in her throat from where it was hoarse from crying was like a stake to the heart.

Wednesday’s mind was … it was completely blank. No sharp retort or macabre remark, no smart observation or knowing commentary, nothing, only the sound of her black heart galloping in her ears like a thunderstorm. A storm of Valkyries screaming from within her, telling her … no, demanding her to capitulate to the emotion, and it scared her. Its ferocity, its depth that seemingly had no end, its sincerity, it was all too overwhelming and Wednesday didn’t know what to do. Most of all the part that scared her the most was its erotic edges that felt hot as flame, a curling knot growing in her stomach that threatened to bloom downwards and drown her until she was at its mercy. The emotional giving way to the physical. A loss of control to the sentimental. Must she surrender to it, relinquish what she thought she knew of herself to make herself vulnerable for this girl standing before her?

She thought she had come to understand the complexity of her feelings but she was arrogant to think she could master them in just a few months. When their nature began to reveal themselves to her Wednesday had been shocked, and yet she had not shied away, her inquisitive mind taking great interest in this new development. Something to investigate and evaluate, something to dissect. A personal project like no other and one that only she could complete. But now? Wednesday felt out of her depth.

‘Can Enid see? Can she sense the nature of my feelings?’ She was suddenly unnerved.

Yet, there was also a flair of anger that threatened to spill over born out of a desire to protect and to shield.

How could Esther hurt such a beautiful, caring creature as Enid? Was she not ashamed to cause her pain, to be the source of her daughter’s tears?

‘A thousand curses upon your head, Esther Sinclair, for causing Enid a moment of heartache.’

Fear gripped the young girl’s breast. Wednesday was too smart for her own good, and her recent personal growth had generated a type of introspection that she now dreaded.

‘I have always been at my centre a selfish and self-serving being, uninterested in the concerns of others. The antithesis of her. It’s what I’ve always told others and what I have believed about myself my entire life. The thought of being the source of Enid’s anguish haunts me. Is it right for me to court her when I may not be able to offer her what she deserves?’

“Wednesday?”

Enid’s voice seemed far away, muddied, as if clawing through treacle as Wednesday became lost in her own thoughts. If someone was to pull her aside and ask her what had brought on her sudden self-doubt she would answer truthfully and say she did not know. It was nothing and it was everything all at once and the all-consuming nature of her feelings was beginning to unsettle her. Why did she have to feel this way? Why was she changing? Why did she want to find comfort in Enid’s arms?

In the beginning, Wednesday’s analytical brain had happily forged a path into the practical steps that she would take to navigate her love for her best friend. It was only logical to seek to court Enid with the end goal of becoming her girlfriend and, in time, her lifelong mate. Yet acknowledging her feelings, identifying what they were and feeling them, really feeling them, she realised, were very different things. The end of the school year had been a rush, and she had been operating on increasing levels of adrenaline with her only goal to save Enid or to die trying and it had engulfed everything else. Now the pace had slowed, a moment had the potential to be a spark, and it began to dawn on Wednesday amongst the towering pines what being in love with Enid Sinclair really meant.

Girlfriends? That was more than just being friends, it was romantic love and the potential for shared emotional and physical intimacy. Lifelong mates? An enduring and everlasting bond made reality in the sharing of lover’s marks and the understanding that they would be each other’s person until they were parted by death. Wives? This one in particular made Wednesday stumble, because she could see the ring on Enid’s finger so clearly and she wanted to be the one to put it on her. She wanted to whisper to her that her heart belonged to no other, and she wanted Enid to say the same back to her.

The next thought that came was completely unbidden, and it was like a thunderstrike against her nerves. In her desperate attempts to forge her own path and to untangle herself from the natural pull of her mother Wednesday had blindly stumbled into echoing her father.

‘Why me?’ wondered Wednesday, a crown of daggers hanging over her head. ‘Love is so illogical, I cannot possibly be suited to it.’

Yet none of this would help Enid, and her friend was standing right in front of her waiting for a response, and Wednesday suddenly became conscious of the fact that Enid had begun to walk towards her with her hands outstretched.

‘Snap out of it, Addams,’ she rebuked herself firmly. ‘What are you doing?’

She took a breath and steadied herself.

“Enid,” came her reply, her voice barely a whisper. “Are, are you alright? You look like you’ve been crying?”

The straw may have broken the camel’s back, but here with the tress as their witnesses it was the soft enquiry of her best friend that broke Enid Sinclair. Wednesday could see her swallow hard, her throat constricting, her hands balled into fists so tightly that if she had not retracted her claws, they would shred skin. Enid’s bottom lip wobbled before the last thread of her resolve dissolved as Wednesday held her gaze with her concerned brown eyes and Enid began to cry. These were not small tears that could be brushed aside with a finger, as Enid seemingly began to weep from the very depths of soul, and Wednesday could see her knees were going to give out from underneath her.

Her Addams reflexes kicked in instinctively and Wednesday ran to bridge the gap extending out her arms to catch Enid’s shaking body in her own and in an instant their knees were on the mossy ground. Wednesday felt Enid desperately claw at her back, pulling her closer, and the shorter girl offered no resistance. Instead, she placed her left hand in the small of Enid’s back and gently placed her right palm on the back of the sobbing girl’s head and guided Enid into the crook of her cool neck. A shiver went down her spine as Enid’s warm breath raggedly brushed against her now goosebump ridden skin in irregular, forceful waves and Wednesday fought to regulate her own breathing and calm her heartbeat down.

Neither girl spoke.

There was no weight or dread in the silence that they shared, only a mutual understanding. Enid needed Wednesday and Wednesday was holding her, her grip firm and secure, sensitive to the crying girl’s signals. It was tender. Gradually, Enid’s breathing became less ragged until it slowed to a controlled pace, and Wednesday felt the loss of her breath’s kiss against her exposed neck as Enid pulled away with one final sob. Wednesday loosened her grip but continued to hold her and Enid made no effort to release herself from her friend’s embrace. Instead, their eyes finally met, and the eyes looking back up into Wednesday’s bloomed with red at their edges, the whites of Enid’s eyes slightly bloodshot from the exertion of her crying, and yet the beautiful blue shone and glistened like two captured stars under water. Wednesday didn’t want to look away, and instead it was Enid who broke the connection as she suddenly shook her head before dropping her gaze and rested her face down against Wednesday’s shirt about where her collarbone was.

Wednesday was saddened that she could no longer see Enid’s face and yet part of her thought it might be a good thing as the unsolicited thought that had entered her mind a moment prior was that Enid was the most beautiful being she had ever seen.

‘It’s completely inappropriate to think such a thing at a time like this,’ Wednesday chided herself. ‘What would Enid say if she knew you thought about her like that when she’s at her most vulnerable?’

She never wanted to see Enid’s kind eyes overflowing with tears of pain ever again.

Everything that Wednesday did, from her actions and her words, to her reactions and her unsolicited thoughts were guided, influenced, and ultimately decided by her love for Enid. The fact that the girl she loved was crying in her arms and Enid’s own mother was the culprit made Wednesday’s blood boil to the point that at any moment she thought her ears might begin to release hot steam.  

[Mumble].

The sound was sudden, unexpected, and it completely broke the tension.

At first, it was soft, subtle, as Wednesday felt Enid lean deeper into her body, and she thought she could hear the end of a mumble leave her friend’s lips. A few seconds passed and Enid’s whole body shook, rattling against Wednesday’s and the sound that escaped from Enid made the raven-haired girl pause in shock.

HICCUP.

Enid gasped.

HICCUP.

So desperate had been her sobs that she had taken in so much air so quickly that some had become trapped and the young werewolf was now wrecked by an uncontrollable onslaught of hiccups. Enid lifted her head, her eyes wide as she cupped her hands to her mouth, but the hiccups just kept coming. Wednesday felt her eyes soften and her body followed, her hands skimming along Enid’s body until they found her elbows and she firmly supported them in her eager palms. Wednesday would be the stoic and solid frame on which Enid could lean on for support.

“Oh my god [hiccup] Wednesday, I can’t [hiccup] stop hiccupping,” she groaned.

They both paused, and Wednesday desperately tried to read the shift in tone of the shared moment. Things had moved, evolved, the betrayal of Enid’s body was a light reprieve from the emotional heaviness and when the first peal of Enid’s glorious laughter reached her ears Wednesday’s face brightened at the sound. Surely an Angel’s song would be nothing compared to the joy of Enid’s laughter.

“Wednesday [hiccup] are you, are you [hiccup] smiling?”

Enid seemed genuinely shocked and Wednesday was too as she hadn’t realised that she had begun to smile. Over the years, when pushy adults had insisted that she had to make an effort to smile at others, Wednesday would give them exactly what they wanted and would extend and contort her face into such a haunting version of a smile that usually the disturbed adult would never ask it of her again. Concern gripped her chest that this might be the only smile that she was good for and she feared that Enid would reject it. Yet her face wasn’t rushing to return to its usual resting place, instead the upward curl of her lips and scrunching of her eyes felt … perfectly acceptable.

To her great joy Enid did not pull away, she remained securely held in Wednesday’s arms and the young Addams felt a sudden jolt erupt throughout her body as Enid began to rub her back with her hands, her fingers delicately caressing her in what she could only assume was Enid’s way of seeking comfort through touch. After all, Enid was such a tactile person that it would only make sense for her to extend their contact, and Wednesday had read about how many people found it reassuring to have their back rubbed, and to rub back in return.

‘Perhaps this is her way of further friendship bonding with me?’

“I’m smiling?” queried Wednesday, confused.

“Yes [hiccup] you are,” and Enid began to beam back at Wednesday. “Man, these hiccups [hiccup] really suck. My [hiccup] chest feels like its [hiccup] going to burst at any moment.”

“I suppose I am relieved,” and Wednesday paused to watch Enid’s face as her smile wobbled and she realised that Enid was concerned for her.

“Relieved?” she repeated the words quietly.

“After the desperation of your sobs hearing your laughter was like a warming balm on a fresh wound. I must confess that I find it disconcerting to hear you cry, Enid. I … I worry about you.”

‘Why did I just say that?’ Wednesday’s voice rose in her head, ‘what will she think? There her eyes go again, fluttering at me. What can it mean?’

Enid’s eyelashes did flutter and she stuttered to speak between her hiccups.

“Wednesday, that’s so sweet. I … I worry about you too.”

The tips of Wednesday’s ears felt suddenly warm and she could only hope that the heat was internal and it did not break through to the surface.

“Enid,” Wednesday cleared her throat clumsily, “Enid, I am not the one in distress.”

Overtaken by a sudden idea, Wednesday held on to Enid’s elbows as she steadily rose to her feet and she guided her friend to do the same. Enid gave her a questioning glance as they stood up, her hands glued to Wednesday’s back.

“I’m not going anywhere Enid. If you release me, I shall not disappear,” reassured Wednesday, her tone very gentle.

“Oh my god, I’m practically clinging to you, I’m so sorry! [hiccup] Why didn’t you say something earlier?” squeaked Enid apologetically.

‘Because I want to drown in your embrace and lay my head in the crook of your neck so that I can breathe in your scent.’

“I could not possibly turn you away in such a moment of need, Enid. You were going to fall and the natural response was to catch you. Please do not worry,” explained Wednesday simply, and yet her eyes had whipped down towards her shoes to avoid eye contact.

“T-thanks, Wednesday. It means a lot,” Enid replied sweetly.

“Your hiccups are slowing,” observed Wednesday cooly. “Come.”

With great speed and efficiency Wednesday unzipped her black jacket and slid it off her shoulders before smoothing it out against her thighs. She bent her knees and leant down placing the outside of her jacket on to the mossy ground of the woodland floor.

‘Show her how important she is to you. Show her that you care with every gesture,’ Wednesday told herself.  

The raven-haired girl held out her right hand, inviting Enid to take it. Wednesday struggled to read the emotion that she glimpsed on Enid’s face before the taller girl settled, and she saw her friend breathe in deeply before wordlessly accepting, taking her hand. As Enid’s hot palm made contact with her cool skin Wednesday felt like her entire body was a livewire, every sense that she possessed was heightened and her entire bodies focus went to the pooling heat shared between their kissing palms. Wednesday rubbed her thumb in small circles against the top of Enid’s hand, mimicking how Enid’s thumb had skated along her wrist, and neither girl looked away from each other. Slowly, Wednesday guided Enid to sit down on her jacket and she watched her awkwardly sit down before she took her seat next to her, retaining a possessive grip of Enid’s left hand in her right.

Enid’s pupils were blown and Wednesday noticed that her gaze kept going downwards before flicking back up to meet her eyes.

‘Is there something on my face?’ she wondered, slightly annoyed at the thought that there might be.

Finally, Enid broke the silence.

“Wednesday, yo- you didn’t have to take your jacket off.”

‘How curious, she doesn’t usually stutter over her words,’ observed Wednesday, eternally interested by anything Enid did.

“I did not want your shorts to get dirty,” Wednesday offered simply, her voice steady and her tone warm. “Besides, it’s no trouble. Afterall, we couldn’t stay kneeling on the ground indefinitely.”

Enid smiled her adorably canine smile and it felt like a crowbar to Wednesday’s ribcage that was violently cracking her open to reveal her beating black heart within.

“Oh,” was all Enid could say, and she looked away from her friend’s deep brown eyes to stare at the sun splattered creek below.

-----

They did not speak for a while, which Wednesday found unusual because Enid had a knack of filling any silence with her puppy dog energy. She took the opportunity to tune into Enid’s breathing, and her focus worked its way down to the heat of her friend’s hand and the way her fingers squeezed her own hand back. She didn’t dare look into her eyes yet and so her gaze worked its way downwards to where their knees were only an inch apart.

Wednesday’s eyes sharpened as she leaned down slightly, a flash of pink claiming her attention.

Peaking out of the toes of Enid’s shoes were ten colourfully painted claws, five on each foot, and it made the young Addams girl almost smile in amusement.

“Enid, your claws are beautiful,” whispered Wednesday, enamoured.

Enid’s clothes rustled as she turned her head to face her friend.

“Huh?”

The blonde girl was confused.

“But my claws aren’t ou- OH MY GOD!”

Enid shrieked in horror.

Embarrassed, she pulled her knees tightly into her chest and twisted away from Wednesday, letting go of her friend’s hand, she struggled to face her back to the shorter girl who watched the scene unfold with increasing confusion.

“Enid, what is wrong? Have I … have I upset you?”

“What? Of course not Wednesday, I just can’t believe my claws were out like that and I didn’t even notice. My sneakers are ruined.”

Before she met Enid Wednesday’s natural inclination would have been to make fun of someone who placed heavy importance on their clothes or on their looks. But in Enid’s case it was something else entirely, and Wednesday was now mature enough to recognise the difference. In her friend’s case it was the value her clothes offered to her sense of self expression that was fundamental to Enid’s developing character and sense of self, and that meant that the loss of a favourite pair of shoes was tantamount to a small heartbreak.

“I know how much you favoured those shoes, Enid,” Wednesday replied warmly, “perhaps they can be repaired?”

Enid sniffed softly, her back still turned to Wednesday.

“I’ve ripped right through them, the holes are massive,” she replied weakly, her voice a low mumble as she pulled at the loose material around the gaping hole of her right shoe. Her claws were now retracted but the damage had already been done.

“My father has a cobbler, Showalter & Daughters, who he has frequented for years. When you visit me in New Jersey, I will get him to introduce you to her. I have no doubt that her skilful hands will be up to the task.” Wednesday paused. “Can you tell me why you turned away from me just now?”

Enid sniffed again and Wednesday could see her fiddling with her shoelaces.

“I dunno,” Enid mumbled, “I guess, I guess I just felt embarrassed.”

Wednesday frowned.

“It’s only me, Enid. You have no reason to feel embarrassed about such a natural physical reaction,” replied Wednesday, trying her best to reassure her but not feeling confident in her skills at all.

Enid shook her head gently and her cotton candy hair rustled gently against her back and neck.

“I – I know it must seem silly. I can’t really explain it,” Enid paused then, and Wednesday tried desperately to measure how she was feeling but she had to admit to herself that she simply couldn’t gauge where her friend was coming from.

Her feelings burned so brightly and fiercely that they threatened to scorch Wednesday with their heat but the young Addams didn’t let that deter her. If Enid needed time, then she would wait among the creaking trees for as long as she needed her. This was something that still came unnaturally to her, these attempts at selflessness and empathy, but being a good friend meant that sometimes support would ebb and flow between them. Their natural state was to meet in the middle, but sometimes Wednesday would need more of Enid, and other times, like now, Enid would need more of Wednesday, and the raven-haired girl had found within herself that she had endless amounts to give to Enid Sinclair.

“I must seem ridiculous to you, huh?” worried Enid.

“Not at all,” came Wednesday’s simple and calm reply, “I find myself often perplexed by my own feelings and their nature. They irk and confuse me in equal measure. I think it is a painful symptom of living and it is burden that we must all bear. But,” Wednesday paused, her hands unmoving in her lap, “you are not alone, Enid.”

She heard her friend exhale deeply, shakily, the sound of her desperate fingers pulling at her shoelaces stopped and she slowly turned herself to look back at Wednesday. Enid’s eyes shone brightly with the threat of tears now subsiding but her bottom lip looked red and a little puffy. A little clumsily, like a rather cumbersome puppy, she swung her feet back round but still held her knees closely to her chest. The only evidence of her long since retracted claws being the gaping open holes in the toes of her sneakers.

Enid looked at her then and smiled.

“You really are getting soft, you’d better be careful that you don’t start getting a reputation as Wednesday Addams the soft-hearted Raven. It suits you, I think.”

Enid was now all cheek and mischievousness, a glint in her gleaming blue eyes, and Wednesday was appalled.

“You should not joke about such a thing. I would never be able to return to school if that were the case,” she rebuked grimly, her face turning sour.

This caused Enid to double down in her playful mocking, and Wednesday thought that she enjoyed teasing her very much.

“I think we’re far past the point of you pretending that you don’t have a heart, Wednesday. You love your family deeply after all, and then we’re … well, we’re friends.”

Neither girl said a word, the silence between them not really silent at all.

“I suppose there is truth to that,” the shorter girl offered begrudgingly.

Love was really testing her resolve.

“You only suppose,” huffed Enid, as her cheeks glowed in a flushed pink under the dappled light of the trees. “You really don’t give an inch, do you?”

“Yet despite my best efforts you manage to needle it out of me millimetre by dreaded millimetre, it is a hardship.”

“I think you mean it’s a joy,” shot back Enid, her smile growing by the mile before it relaxed into a pout.

This was dangerous territory, as there was something about this mood that Enid was in that made Wednesday lose all common sense. If the young Sinclair continued in this manner, Wednesday feared that she would not survive the onslaught of werewolf cuteness that Enid would undoubtedly throw her way. But how could she possibly evade the onslaught at such close quarters?

“It means a lot to me that you care, you have no idea how much,” said Enid quietly and she paused, taking a small breath as her gaze steadied, locking itself on to Wednesday with such purpose and intensity that Wednesday felt suddenly naked underneath it, as if it pierced through right to muscle and bone.

“You know, Wednesday Addams, you can be rather chivalrous at times.”

Enid leaned forward, her eyes never leaving Wednesday’s own, and the poor girl began to panic.

‘What does she mean by chivalrous? What do I do? Why is she leaning so close to my face?’

Wednesday froze, and she was so utterly appalled as she realised that she was nothing but a deer in headlights. Enid was the sun, and she could do nothing but be pulled along in her rapturous orbit.

‘Her eyelashes are fluttering again,’ Wednesday noticed. ‘This is all so intolerable.’

Enid stopped a few inches away from Wednesday’s face and she could see that her friend was gauging whether to continue and to her great disappointment she leaned backwards, increasing the space between them once more. Enid, ever the thoughtful friend, gave Wednesday what she had always craved and routinely guarded, she gave her space.

She desperately wished that she didn’t.

‘What is she doing? She was so close to me I could feel her honeyed breath against my lips. I need to calm down,’ Wednesday told herself.

“I care about you a lot too, Wednesday. You have no idea how much. Or maybe you do?” she asked shyly, her eyes flicking down, and with a rush of blood to her head Wednesday realised that Enid must be looking at her lips. “Wednesday…”

“E-nid!”

Wednesday had lost complete control, her heart was hammering in her ears, her palms were almost warm, and she had blinked so much in the last few seconds that she thought she was going to take flight.

Wednesday’s stomach was a twisted knot of nerves, her hands that were stabilising herself at her sides gripped her jacket as a rudimentary way to ground herself, and she felt her mouth grow dry from sheer terror.

‘It is impossible to read her, to understand her wants, her desires. Do I want Enid to kiss me? I know I want her near me…’

Before Wednesday had time to contemplate her own question, to drill down into her overwhelming desires, she realised that Enid’s pupils were completely dilated. Her skin was flushed and her lips were slightly parted. The sun, peeking through the canopy above, kissed her hair and skin and gave her a warm glow that only added to her beauty.

‘I wonder what her lips would feel like?’ Wednesday allowed herself to wonder. ‘What they would taste like…’

Wednesday was in a cloud, completely blind to the outside world, lost and alone with only Enid in her sights and all her bravery and resolve melted away underneath her best friend’s warm gaze. But she realised it was more than warmth, Wednesday thought it looked closer to a hunger that now gripped Enid’s features and she felt herself squeeze her thighs tightly together.  

“Your eyes really are beautiful, Wednesday, so, so…”

Whatever she was going to say died on her lips, left unspoken and lost to the wind. Enid’s left hand was now placed beside Wednesday’s right knee, and her stomach and chest that had been guarded by her knees was now open and facing towards Wednesday’s body. There was a gap between the edge of Enid’s shirt and the top of her shorts that left her midriff exposed and for some reason Wednesday was only now noticing. She felt a heat ripple underneath her skin.

So many thoughts and feelings shot through her at once, and yet it had hardly been but a few seconds in real time. Enid’s voice broke her out of her panic-stricken stupor, and she was now even more confused than before. Her friend’s voice was low, heated. If Wednesday didn’t know any better, she thought that it could even be tinged with a hint of yearning.

It was as if Enid sought to consume her.

“My, my eyes?” repeated Wednesday shakily.

Enid nodded slowly, precisely, her eyes burrowing into Wednesday’s soul. The young Addams was a mess.

‘This is a nightmare,’ thought Wednesday, ‘I have completely lost control.’

Then, with another flutter of her eyelashes, Enid began to lean back in. The air between them was electric, there was nothing else, only Enid, her hair, the blush on her cheeks, the wetness of her lips where she had licked them, the bounciness to her dyed locks, and the sheer piercing beauty of her blue eyes. Wednesday was struck by the intensity of the moment as inch-by-inch Enid leaned closer and in a clumsy, desperate move, Wednesday did something that she had never done before.

Wednesday Addams panicked.

“Is … is your mother the reason you were crying earlier?”

She stumbled over her blurted words as she completely and unceremoniously changed the subject of conversation. Enid’s advance halted immediately, and her whole body stiffened.

The tension between the pair suddenly snapped.

Enid’s face dropped and an almost thunderous anger sparked in her eyes. She leaned away from Wednesday with urgency as if she had been burned and crossed her arms tightly against her chest.

“Wednesday, you really have a rotten knack for timing sometimes.”

“I have upset you.”

“I’m not upset,” snapped Enid between gritted teeth, “I’m annoyed.”

“I did not mean to annoy you,” insisted Wednesday sincerely, almost desperate, and incredibly confused.

“And yet you annoy me anyway, as only you can,” and Enid began to aimlessly rake her fingers across the mossy ground beside her until she found some small stones that she could fidget with. “Wednesday do you … do you like me?”

The pointed question hung in the air like a dangerously stretched balloon that threatened to burst at any moment.

“How can that even be in question, Enid, of course I like you. You are my best friend,” and rather uncharacteristically Wednesday’s voice wobbled a little at the end of her sentence, her nerves slightly frayed.

“Then why are you asking me about my mom right now?”

Enid was fully pouting, her eyebrows knitted into a frown, and annoyance seeped out of every pour that it threatened to overwhelm Wednesday completely.

“Are you saying that I shouldn’t ask you about why I found you upset and crying? I only wish to show you that I care. Like a friend should.”

“Like a friend should, I see,” and Enid sounded genuinely pissed off. She took one of the small stones in her hand and threw it towards the creek.

“I did not intend to make you angry, I only wish to make sure that you are alright. If Esther has upset you, I want to know. I have to know so that I can support you and … and protect you from her if need be.”

Wednesdays voiced dropped to barely a whisper as she shared her wish to protect Enid, the depth of her feelings threatening to bubble over at any moment.

‘Please understand me,’ she thought to herself.

Enid blinked in a flurry, scrunching up her face, clearly overwhelmed with feeling.

“Of course I want you to care, Wednesday,” she replied finally, “I’ll always want you to care about me, but you really can’t read the room sometimes. I knew this about you already, it shouldn’t surprise me, and it really shouldn’t annoy me. Usually, it wouldn’t, but right now, right now it does and I’m just … I’m just frustrated, Wednesday.”

Enid stood up abruptly and Wednesday watched her as a sharp pain gripped her chest, surprise and confusion threatening to crack her controlled façade that she clung on to with all her might.

“What can I do?” the pale girl asked simply, as she stood up to join Enid. “Name it, and I shall do it.”

Enid turned around to look back at her, tears threatening to drop from the corners of her eyes. Wednesday was dumbfounded at the scene, and the sheer scale of the shock that overcame her broke through to the surface, and she allowed the feeling to show on her face.

“Nothing, Wednesday, just leave it. I’m … I’m tired,” and Enid expressed her frustration with her entire body, her hands flying all over the place as her voice rose. “I think I’ll head back to the house.”

Wednesday stepped forward to be by her side.

“I’ll accompany you.”

“No!”

Enid snapped her head around to look away from her friend as she shouted the word out, her voice echoing through the trees.

“No, thank you, I want to walk back alone.”

“Oh,” replied Wednesday meekly, and all the air was punched out of her lungs all at once. All she could think to say was nothing much at all, she simply went through the motions. “Very well, please be safe on your walk back. I will see you at dinner.”

For a moment, Wednesday thought that Enid was going to look back at her and she took another tentative step towards her, her right hand outstretched. But the moment was gone, and Enid simply nodded with her back towards her as she marched in the direction towards the house.

Wednesday stood by the creek, the charming calmness of the water rushing over the rocks sounding like a mocking death knell. Behind her lay her dirtied jacket forgotten on the leaf strewn floor as she watched Enid walk away from her and she silently vowed that she would not make the same mistake twice.

Chapter Text

A FEW MONTHS EARLIER

                The harsh light within the sterile hospital room was clinical in its effectiveness but completely unforgiving on the senses. Around the white wash walls the beeping of the heart monitor echoed off every corner, adding to a sense of dread that Enid was trying her best to ignore. The young werewolf fought to temper her agitation and worry but it spilled out of her despite her best efforts. It was in her knee which could only bounce up and down, it was in her hands that fidgeted in her lap, and it was reflected in her inflamed eyes from where her tears had fallen in spite of her determination to be strong.

                ‘Wake up Wednesday,’ Enid whispered within herself, her internal voice shaky and desperate, ‘you have to wake up.’

                Cold and pale, her hands still in repose across her chest, lay the unconscious body of her best friend, and Enid didn’t know what to do. Except in that moment, she knew precisely what she desired.

She wanted to reach out across the blanket, the object of her attention unmoving against Wednesday’s breast, her fingernails in their characteristic black. She wanted to gently, with all the reverence that the moment demanded, lift Wednesday’s fingers with her own until she could take her friend’s hand in the safety and warmth of her steady palm and hold her. Hold her as long as she was able. Enid would squeeze her hand to let her know that she was beside her, and she would run her thumb across the back of Wednesday’s hand to memorise the feeling of her cool skin.

                ‘Would Wednesday mind that? If it was me?’

                Enid had not been this concerned since the blood moon. She had desperately searched for Wednesday after wolfing out for the first time, the nerves of her first transformation gradually giving way to a sense of euphoria. Her body had felt strong, her surge of power immense, her wolf howling within her so ferociously that she could barely hear anything else. Yet only the pull towards Wednesday mattered, finding her whereabouts, making sure that she was safe. All the colour would drop from Enid’s face whenever she remembered how the Hyde had held Wednesday in its clutches, her small body lifted aloft and pinned, Tyler’s wretched form preparing to fatally strike her friend. It was all too much to bear. Her actions that night had felt natural, and when their eyes had locked for a moment underneath the light of the blood moon Enid had felt a swell of emotion ripple throughout her entire being.

                ‘Wednesday…’

                Her wolf had recognised Wednesday instantly, no hesitation or confusion, it was a simple understanding and recognition of what she felt was hers. She had been fraught with worry until the instance she had locked eyes with Wednesday again across the school grounds, running into her arms, adrenaline pumping in her veins, as all she wanted, all she needed was to be close to her, to hold her, to know that she was alright.

                Wednesday’s embrace was like nothing she had felt before and it didn’t matter that Enid had been covered in blood and entrails, or that she was wearing her bright pink coat, because Wednesday had looked into her eyes and pulled her back into her body so tightly that Enid’s emotions overcame her all at once. She recalled how she could finally exhale as she felt Wednesday’s arms around her, protective and strong, firm but surprisingly soft, and when she would think back to that pivotal moment Enid could swear she could still feel the coolness of the shorter girl’s cheek as it sought out the curve of her neck.

                ‘Wednesday…’

                Yet here she now sat, a powerful and strong werewolf born of a blood moon, and all she could do was watch as her friend lay unconscious in the coldness of the hospital. What good was she to Wednesday like this? Enid felt like every breath she took was shallow, every blink of her eyes an agitation in case she missed a single sign that her friend might awaken.

                It was torture.

                Enid held her head low, her eyes forever focused on Wednesday’s face as she implored the universe for a sign. Gently, like being pulled out of cold water by supple hands, Enid was tugged out of her reverie by the voice of Morticia Addams.

                “Enid my dear, you’re still here?”

                The young wolf’s head whipped round to meet the large concerned eyes of the Addams matriarch and she offered a half-hearted attempt at a smile in reply.

                “Oh, hi Mrs Addams,” she replied flatly, her attempt to perk up at the arrival of company failing, “Yeah, I’m still here. I really don’t want to leave her.”

                Morticia walked over to Wednesday’s bedside, her movements as precise and effortless as ever, as even in a state of maternal dread she sought to present herself with grace. Enid admired her fortitude greatly and wished that she could do her best to mimic it, but her young inexperienced heart was just too vulnerable and she could do nothing but lay out all her feelings for anyone to see.

                Enid watched as Morticia’s observant gaze took in the scene. Enid’s chair was pulled up as close to the bed as possible, her jacket had fallen on to the floor behind her some time ago, forgotten and unthought of, and Enid’s left hand rested on the black blanket tantalisingly close to Wednesday’s elbow. Every inch felt like a mile. She thought she saw the woman smile a little, a small crease in the corner of her mouth before it slipped away and she sat down slowly into the empty chair on the opposite side of Wednesday’s bed.

                They didn’t talk straight away and in the place of conversation the hum and beep of machines filled the clinical silence. In the end, it was Morticia who broke through the quiet hush.

                “You look tired, my dear. Have you eaten or drank anything since you arrived?”

                Morticia asked Enid this with sincere motherly concern as the woman saw the bags underneath the girl’s eyes, and she couldn’t help but feel a pang of empathy and understanding at the sight.

                Enid simply shook her head as her voice suddenly betrayed her and she felt the hot stab of tears threaten to build and fall from her sleepy eyes. Her entire body felt like it was on fire from within, her nerves scorched at their edges as she the endless wait consumed her.

                “I am sure that even in unconsciousness Wednesday feels great comfort in your presence, Enid. My darling daughter presents a stoic and dispassionate front, but it only shields outsiders from the maelstrom of emotion that bubbles underneath her tidy surface. When she feels, and do not let her fool you into thinking she does not, she feels deeply. It warms my heart to see her blossoming friendship with you, Miss Sinclair, and although Wednesday may be reticent about disclosing her most personal thoughts and emotions, she highly values and protects her most prized and intimate relationships with a lioness’s ferocity. Your being here will be a soothing balm against the inner storm.”

                With a quickness that took Enid by surprise her mouth became dry and her throat closed as she fought to stop her tears from falling. She desperately wanted to be strong in front of Wednesday’s mother, and she wanted Wednesday to feel that strength so that it could reach her wherever her consciousness was.

                ‘You are a wolf of a blood moon, get it together Enid,’ she chastised herself internally, willing herself to be what she thought her friend needed her to be.

                “I just hate seeing her like this, Mrs Addams, and I hate it even more that I can’t do anything to help her. She looks so … small. I’m used to Wednesday commanding any room that she’s in with an intensity that would make anyone back away. Seeing her helpless like this feels wrong somehow.”

                Enid’s voice caught multiple times in her throat but she forced the words out, her speech was unsteady and noticeably full of emotion, and it made Morticia’s chest tighten as she saw the fierceness of the girl’s feelings laid out before her to bear witness.

                “If I could snap my fingers so it was me lying in that bed instead of her, I’d do it. Wednesday would probably rebuke me for it, but I don’t care.” The volume of her voice increased and Enid allowed her emotions to flow as she let her frustration and anger become visible. “I knew I shouldn’t have let her go into Willow Hill on her own, but she insisted that I act as a lookout. I’m so stupid, if I was inside I … I could have helped her somehow. The Hyde broke her skull open piece by piece and it’s all my fault. Why, why didn’t she want me by her side?”

                Finally, after days of building resentment and confusion, blinded by worry and upset by a medical possibility that she dared not name out loud, Enid allowed her tears to fall in the grey hush of the hospital room, her chest tightening as the pain and torment of the last few days overflowed all at once.

                The dam had burst.

                “I should have been there!”

                Enid looked down at the blanket that was carefully tucked around Wednesday’s broken body, its darkness an anchor for the brightly attired girl amidst her sudden flood of feelings. Morticia watched her patiently, allowing Enid to settle herself before speaking.

                “This is not your fault, Enid, you must shun any such thoughts from your mind as they will only destabilise you in your time of emotional vulnerability. There is nothing you could have done to stop the Hyde from attacking Wednesday.”

                Morticia’s voice was warm but firm, her eyes piercing into Enid from across the bed in a stubborn refusal to back down. She would make the girl hear her.

                “Within Willow Hill lay creatures and circumstances that could not be accounted for, and Wednesday was reckless in her approach and her execution, her worry and fear clouding her thoughts until we now arrived at this sorrowful outcome. Please do not chastise yourself for things that you could not control.”

                ‘Wednesday clouded by worry? By fear?’ Enid ruminated on this admission confused and intrigued but unsure whether it was the right moment to push for clarification. Sensing that Morticia intended to say more, she bit her tongue.

                “My daughter, my beautiful, intelligent, and endlessly creative child was uncharacteristically careless in her planning and while no one could have foreseen the damage that the undead would do in contributing to the chaos that unfolded within Willow Hill, she did not have to rush in the way that she did. No one could have foreseen that the Hyde would escape and that it would do this to her. Tyler Galpin has proved himself to be utterly irredeemable. Ultimately, Wednesday took a risk and after weighing up her options she decided that it was worth it. And so, I say again, Miss Sinclair, that none of this is your fault.”

                Her words carried a weight to them, a gravitas that implored Enid to relent and to agree, and yet Enid could not shake the feeling that she should have done more to protect Wednesday. Afterall, she had protected her friend from the Hyde once before, and yet she failed to do it again in the moment when Wednesday needed her most.

                “No Mrs Addams, I know what you’re trying to say, but maybe things would have gone differently if I was with her. Geez, I’m a werewolf of a blood moon, I should be stronger than this, more capable than this, and instead all I could do was watch her be thrown out of that window and land on the ground below.”

                Enid felt nauseous as she remembered with unrelenting detail how she had sprinted to where Wednesday’s body lay sprawled and bloodied on the steps in front of Willow Hill, her head cracked open in multiple places and lacerations all over her small body. She could feel a boiling pressure rising as her blood got heated all over again and it was only the sound of Morticia’s voice that pulled her out of her downward spiral into anger.

                “Your concern and care are earnestly felt and well meaning, Enid, but the fact remains that it was not a full moon. Even with your heightened strength and werewolf reflexes I fear that in your human form the Hyde would have proven too dangerous a foe for you to stand against. I know that Wednesday would have wanted to avoid endangering you at any cost. Sadly, for us both, that cost now lies before us.”

                Her passionate defiance and refusal to accept the reality of the circumstances before her led Enid to shake her head, and she balled her hands into fists within her lap as her tears gradually came to an end. All that was left in their place was a physical ache that stabbed and pulled at her from within.

                Enid knew then and there that she would not only kill for Wednesday but she would die for her too if needed, and the fact that she was denied the possibility to protect her friend would haunt her forever. There was also another feeling that pricked at her skin, one that she dared not admit for fear that it would leave her even more at sea.

                At her core, no more than a muted whisper, she was angry with Wednesday. Why had she pushed her away? Why had she been so distant, removing her from her plans but becoming close to that psycho Agnes instead? Had she done something to upset her Wednesday? When she had flat out asked her if she still wanted to be her friend anymore it was the result of weeks’ worth of bubbling resentment and confusion as Enid felt her best friend pull further and further away from her. She felt like she was being punished with every new inch of distance between them, both physical and emotional.

                The torment of not knowing why ate away at her.

                Enid was in pain before Wednesday’s body had even been thrown from that window, and then her feelings became tinged with ones of guilt and regret at ever feeling such emotions in the first place. Not when there was a possibility that Wednesday might die.

                All Enid had wanted was Wednesday’s attention, to be her first thought and her first choice for once, and now she faced the prospect that she may never feel the barb of one of her friend’s morbid quips ever again, and the very thought risked breaking Enid Sinclair into a thousand devastated pieces.

                They had been making such progress in their relationship, their hug breaking down those final barriers so that now their connection was undeniable, and yet ever since they had returned to school Wednesday had cut Enid adrift to leave her in the shadows, to rot in despair.

                It was utterly unbearable.

                Morticia knew that she could help end the young girl’s heartache, she could see clearly the storm of emotions coiled around her heart and she wanted nothing more than to bandage the wound within her. Yet to explain why Wednesday was so adamant to protect Enid would be to betray Wednesday’s confidence and trust and that was something that Morticia was not willing to do. Therefore, the woman had to simply watch as the teenage werewolf tied herself up into knots as she blamed herself over and over again.

                ‘Oh Wednesday, my darling girl,’ thought Morticia as she watched Enid’s hands unfurl themselves and she placed them tentatively back to within a whisper of Wednesday’s elbow. ‘If only you could see what a mark you have left on this poor creature. Hurry and wake, my little viper, as we all desperately need you.’

                More days passed and Wednesday had numerous visitors. Her mother and father were ever stoic and presented themselves admirably, but it hurt Enid to see how pained Mr and Mrs Addams were at the sight of their little girl tucked up unconscious in her hospital bed. Her brother Pugsley did not say much, either to her or to Wednesday, but when he did, he moaned that she was taking far too long a nap, and wouldn’t she like to wake up soon so that she could torment him in only the way she could?

                “Wouldn’t you like to test those new explosives that Uncle Fester bought us, Wednesday? Of course, you can’t do that in your sleep, so maybe you can wake up soon, yeah?”

                Eugene had sheepishly visited her a few times and although he had clearly tried valiantly to keep himself together, he would just end up crying and his moms would have to take him outside to get some fresh air. Bianca and Ajax came too and they each offered Enid small smiles that she would gratefully receive even if they didn’t make her feel any better.

                “Still here, huh Sinclair?” noted Bianca. “At this rate you’re going to become a permanent fixture, the hospital will end up naming a ward after you.”

                Bianca’s eyes were steady but they were rimmed with an understanding empathy at their edge as she didn’t prod Enid as much as she usually would. At least not to start with. When Ajax had left to get them some coffee and snacks, Bianca had picked up the empty chair on the other side of the bed and carried it over so that she could sit beside Enid instead. The blond girl’s eyes flicked to her side momentarily but she did not acknowledge the gesture directly.

                Ever watchful and observant, Bianca didn’t let them sit in silence for long, sensing that Ajax would return at any moment and so the siren seized her opportunity before it was gone.

                “What are you doing, Sinclair?” Bianca asked directly, her tone almost accusatory but dripped with friendly concern. If it was a bite, it was soft yet unyielding, its grip tight and going immediately for Enid’s neck.

                “Huh, what do you mean Binaca?” Enid blinked quickly but kept her eyes solely on Wednesday’s sleeping face.

                “I mean you’re here day in day out, you’re not sleeping or eating properly, and at this point I think you’re giving even Mr and Mrs Addams a run for their money when it comes to patient visitation. Have you got something to get off your chest?”

                “To get off my chest? What the hell are you on about Barclay?” asked Enid irritated.

                “Don’t you think this goes beyond simple friendly concern?” she asked, her right shoulder leaning into Enid’s space and it made the young werewolf see red.

                “I don’t know what you’re getting at Bianca but your stupid questions aren’t wanted right now. I’m here to support Wednesday, my best friend, so excuse me if I ignore you for however long you plan to stick around.”

                Enid’s reply was childish and almost petty, her tone removed of any playful undertones and instead it displayed genuine annoyance that was uncharacteristic for her.

                “Oh, make no mistake, Sinclair, I am actually here for Wednesday. Addams may be a macabre little freak that I still can’t quite figure out, but she’s genuine and straight talking and the last thing I want is for her to be hurt. Tyler is demon and … I’m not heartless, you know.”

                Bianca lowered her voice as she said the last part, and although her pride and self-assurance meant that she would never dare mumble over her words, she did feel a little insecure in trying to get her position across to Enid.

                Enid didn’t reply straight away and instead she slowly leaned back in her chair, her back screaming at her faintly from where her body had been scrunched up for so many hours. After mulling over Bianca’s words for a few moments she finally turned to look at her.

                “I don’t think that you’re heartless, Bianca … I’ve never thought that about you.”

                Her tone was noticeably friendlier and less aggressive and Bianca nodded in acknowledgement at Enid’s welcome admission.

                “I know Wednesday is the one in a coma but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little bit worried about you girl. You’re not going to be any good to her when she wakes up if you instantly keel over from exhaustion and malnourishment.”

                Enid rolled her eyes.

                “Whatever, you just don’t get it,” replied Enid simply, brushing Bianca’s question away.

                “Then enlighten me,” pushed the siren, turning her body in her chair to look at Enid.

                Enid felt like squirming underneath Bianca’s persistent gaze, her eyes burrowing into the side of her skull in an unrelenting push. She was going to get annoyed all over again.

                “Ugh, what is your deal today, Barclay?”

                “My deal, Sinclair, is that I have a nose for drama and an eye for a secret and the way you’re looking at your best friend right now is the stuff that romance poets torture themselves over. Spill.”

                The blond girl remained silent for a moment, her body stiffened in her chair, absolutely dumbstruck at what the siren had just said.

                “What are you talking about?” she finally fired back. “What part of ‘my best friend is in a coma’ are you struggling to understand? Of course I’m distraught, Bianca, I could lose Wednesday and all you’re concerned with is giving me the third degree. What is your problem?”

                “Gosh, someone is getting rather defensive. Suck a prickly dog, should I be afraid that you’ll bite me, Enid?” retorted Bianca, annoyingly playful as if she wasn’t intimidated by Enid at all.

                “Oh my god, Bianca, cut it out already. Wednesday doesn’t need your rotten energy disturbing her rest right now.”

                Enid turned away from Bianca and crossed her arms together across her chest in a huff, she just couldn’t understand why the siren’s comments were making her so agitated. While her emotions had been running high over the last few days surely there was no reason for her to get this riled up so quickly, not by Bianca Barclay of all people.

                “Oh honey, you really are so far gone and you don’t even realise it, do you?”

                Bianca’s words were taunting her, alluding to something that she didn’t understand, and it was beginning to piss her off.

                “Unless you actually plan to be useful and read the room, Bianca, as in pay your respects peacefully to Wednesday may I suggest that you reacquaint yourself with the door, preferably letting it hit you on your way out.”

                “Ouch, why so heartless all of a sudden, Sinclair? Is it possible that what I’m saying has hit a nerve?”

                Her annoyance began to bubble over further as Enid was completely at a loss at what this conversation was with Bianca, she just knew that it was taking her attention and energy away from the only person that mattered right now, and she wouldn’t let Bianca Barclay of all people disturb Wednesday’s peace.

                “Look, Bianca, if you have something to say then just say it. Otherwise, get the hell out of Wednesday’s room and go make a nuisance of yourself somewhere else. I do not have the time for this today.”

                “Fine,” replied Bianca with a gleam in her eye, as she decided to take up Enid’s invitation. “Why are you bothering with that Bruno boy?”

                “Huh?”

                Now Enid really was lost.

                “Bruno? What the heck is this about, Bianca?” demanded Enid, her voice rising in her confusion.

                “The boy is clearly a placeholder, the perfectly harmless, bland stand-in in the absence of your precious Wednesday’s attention. I’m just surprised you’re still keeping him around. I know the pack is giving you attention now, but I didn’t think he was your type.”

                Enid began to blink rapidly, her anger spiking as her very veins seemed to clench throughout her entire body.

                “Barclay, I don’t know what this weird idea of an interrogation is but you have some nerve. You timing sucks too, by the way.”

                “I could care less about being socially acceptable, that’s just a byword for suppression half the time by people who don’t want you to rock the boat. I just hate to see when people get in their own way. There are strangers who may line up to mess with you, and so the last thing you need is to be your own enemy, even if it’s by mistake.”

                “Seriously, Bianca, I don’t understand what you are talking about.”

                Bianca sighed, utterly exasperated.

                “Girl, you do not give a damn about that boy. Don’t you think it’s time you cut him loose? Clearly your focus and feelings are …elsewhere.”

                Bianca said this last word so pointedly that she practically spat it at Enid, and the young werewolf’s hackles raised up in response. To cement her point, Bianca’s eyes looked down and came to rest upon the sleeping face of Wednesday Addams and Enid suddenly felt a surge of realisation wash over her as she finally allowed herself to acknowledge what Bianca was saying to her.

                Enid couldn’t breathe.

                “Gee, Sinclair, are you okay? You’re looking pretty flushed all of a sudden,” observed Bianca, her tone chipper and practically swelling with triumph. The siren was smug. Her point had been made and now Enid was unravelling before her very eyes.

                “What the hell Bianca!”

                Enid stood up so fast that her chair fell over and hit the wall and Bianca stood up to meet her, her gaze steady and unrelenting as she faced the agitated werewolf head on.

                “Get out of my face, Barclay, I do not have time for this right now!”

                “Then when will you have time for it, Enid? When you’re dead?”

                Enid shook her head and pushed passed Bianca, her hands moving on their own in the air, flailing in quiet upset at this disruption to her already fraught equilibrium.

                “Why are you saying these things to me, Bianca? My best friend is lying in that bed, her head cracked open, cuts all over her body, and I can’t do anything about it. I’m in hell, Bianca, actual living hell, completely sick with worry and now you’ve come here to mess with my head. What is your problem?”

                Enid stood her ground in the middle of the room, her voice swelling with emotion and with hurt, her body unsteady as unclaimed feelings threatened to bubble to the surface. Bianca walked round the end of Wednesday’s bed, her hands held up in front of her in an attempt to lower the heat of their exchange. Sadly for Bianca she had lit the trail to a mess of unexplored and unacknowledged feelings within Enid that were now at risk of being ripped out of the young werewolf by an unexpected force, set alight to burn the walls down of her carefully constructed exterior, and Bianca Barclay was to be her witness.

                “I honestly didn’t think you’d react like this, Enid, I gotta be frank. I thought you were playing around with Bruno because Wednesday clearly wasn’t giving you the kind of attention that you needed, but I never thought you weren’t aware of your own feelings. I clearly messed that part up. Your interest in boys always seemed so shallow, as if you were going through the motions of what the average teenage girl should want to experience. But’s clearly not actually you, Enid. The reason I even mentioned it is because I kinda felt a little sorry for you. I mean, let’s be honest, being in love with Wednesdays Addams can’t be easy.”

                It was as if a grenade had gone off. Bianca Barclay had looked her directly in the eyes as she pulled the pin and threw it at her as if she was expected to catch it, and all it could do was explode in Enid’s face. Her entire body felt numb and a sudden weakness flushed through her. Enid felt light headed and it was like she could taste static on top of her tongue.

                “Wha-what did you just say?”

                The blond girl’s voice was barely a whisper over the mechanical buzzes and whirring of the machines that were hooked up to Wednesday’s body. It was as if all the air had been sucked out the room and Enid was trying to desperately operate in the vacuum that was left behind.

                “Oh my god,” whispered Bianca, “you really didn’t know, did you? I’m … I’m sorry Enid.”

                She could feel hot tears welling in her eyes as she looked away from the apologetic face of Bianca and instead, she wordlessly walked over to Wednesday in a trance. Enid was vaguely aware that Bianca was trying to talk to her but she couldn’t hear a word that she said. All her focus, her complete rapt attention was on Wednesday.

                Her raven black braids were perfectly placed either side of head, her pale face shining back up at Enid was highlighted harshly by the cold hospital lighting overhead. It washed out her complexion even more, Enid thought, and did her beauty no justice. The girl’s attention landed on Wednesday’s eyelashes, they were long and full, and Enid wanted nothing more than for them to flutter awake to reveal her gorgeous brown eyes within. Wordlessly, as the echo of Bianca’s apology now finished in the background, Enid pushed down the wall partition of Wednesday’s bed and gently sat down next to her, taking great care to not jostle her friend’s body as she leaned her weight into the mattress.

                Enid’s tear-filled eyes wandered downwards to Wednesday’s sweet lips and the girl’s breath hitched, a sharp stabbing pain cutting through her breast all the way down in between her ribs, knocking the last of her breath out of her lungs.

                ‘Have you always been this beautiful, Wednesday? What an idiot I am … of course you have,’ and on the inside, Enid was crying as the intensity and sincerity of her feelings for her best friend were finally allowed to claim her. ‘I’m sorry, Wednesday, I’m so sorry.’

                Hesitantly, if only because she was suddenly gripped with worry about whether Wednesday would approve, Enid reached out and lifted the smaller girl’s hand that lay on top of her chest. Her skin was cool to the touch, just as Enid remembered, and she pulled it to her chest, leaning her upper body over it so that she could cradle her best friend’s hand in the safety of her chest.

                Close to Enid’s heart.

                Enid sniffed as she kept her eyes lovingly on Wednesday’s sleeping face, her voice unsteady but full of warmth as she addressed Bianca.

                “Thank you, Bianca. Can you, can you leave us now … please?”

                Enid was so entranced by the sleeping girl that she did not look back at Bianca as she left, but the young siren understood. Without saying a word she left the room, stopping Ajax from re-entering as he rounded the corner at the end of the corridor. Not that Enid knew that.

                All she knew was that her heart had been torn open, and what she thought lied within wasn’t what she had thought at all. Yet, the ferocity of the feeling wasn’t any form of denial or dismissal, it was an almost immediate submission. She felt so much all at once that she did not know what to do, and so all she could think was to be close to Wednesday. She wanted to soak up every pore on her face, to feel the cold smoothness of her skin as she held it within the heat of her hand, and she whispered reverently into her friend’s sleeping ear with a respectful gentleness.

                “Please wake up, Wednesday. Please don’t leave me alone. Werewolves don’t do well on their own,” she sniffed, “we’re just not suited to it. There’s so much I want to discuss with you, but I can’t tell you while you’re asleep. Do you hear me, Wednesday Addams?”

                Her breath kissed against Wednesday’s ear and she squeezed her friend’s hand with a fierce possessiveness, one that sought to protect as well as to claim.

                “You don’t mind if I talk your ear off, do you? You roll your eyes when I talk all the time, and yet you always remember even the smallest things that I say. I’ve always really appreciated that, Wednesday, it’s like you see me when no one else does. You hear me when no one else listens.”

                Delicately, Enid reached out and allowed herself to gently cup Wednesday’s face in her palm. A part of her worried that her friend would not approve but she couldn’t help herself. The confusing swell of feelings within her was threatening to overwhelm her and holding Wednesday helped to ground her.

                “So, you need to wake up now, okay, so that I can talk your ear off even more. I won’t let you pull away from me again, do you hear. We’re going to talk it out, Wednesday, I’m going to be so annoying.”

                Enid allowed herself to smile as she pictured them returning to their room in Ophelia Hall, the warm glow of the sun rippling through their window.

                Their room.

                Their sanctuary.

                “You need to take responsibility for all these feelings I’m feeling, Wednesday, it’s just not fair,” Enid whispered adoringly, leaning in closer as if she were about to kiss Wednesday’s cheek.

                “So please, Wednesday, please wake up.”

Chapter Text

The purple swirl inside the crystal ball announced the impending arrival of her parents’ call and Wednesday found herself pinned to her seat with an uncharacteristic sense of dread. A small part of her, locked within the very depths of her soul, wished to confide in her misstep with Enid. However, this was greatly outweighed by her determination to carve her own path and the idea of revealing such a vulnerable moment to her parents made her want to scoop out her own eyeballs with a hot spoon.

                It was a conundrum.

                Wednesday was not someone who typically sought to confide in others, preferring to maintain a quiet solitude within which she could mull over the mysterious of her life, but Enid had already begun to crack her open long ago, and the thought of continuing to battle with her mother had increasingly lost its appeal as time marched on. She had never truly been in conflict with her despite how desperately Wednesday ached to be her own person. Afterall her parents had always given her ample space to be exactly that and it was something that she could begrudgingly acknowledge. At her core, nothing was more important to Wednesday Addams than family. Yet the look of sadness in Enid’s eyes haunted her, and it was like venom pushed through her veins whenever she recalled the speed of Enid’s body recoiling away from her own, and her disappointment and frustration were etched into Wednesday’s very skin. She could not stand it.

                Something had to be done.

                Emerging from the hazy mist to greet her with warm smiles were the well put together visages of her parents, Morticia and Gomez, and Wednesday was glad to see them.

                “Mother, father, good morning. I trust our home hasn’t entirely burned down in my absence. I know how careless Pugsley can be with a flamethrower.”

                “No need to fret, my petite guillotine, every room is as dark and desolate as when you left it,” reassured Gomez effusively.

                The girl’s eyes remained unblinking as they greeted her father before they scanned to the side to look at her mother. Morticia’s silky black hair cascaded down her sides and back like a dark waterfall and her gown of choice today was made of crushed velvet and accessorised with a thorned rose broach just above her collarbone.

‘Mother is beautiful as always,’ Wednesday thought.

Yet she was surprised to see the intensity with which her mother’s eyes were locked on to her.

                “Wednesday, my darling, you look more pale than usual. Is everything alright?” asked Morticia, her right eyebrow rising at the end of her question.

                Morticia took in the scene, her keen maternal eye raking over her daughter with great care, but Wednesday saw her posture straighten even more. She was like a blood hound assessing the scene of a crime and Wednesday was Morticia’s prey.

Wednesday sat upright, her back perfectly erect, her posture reminiscent of a mannequin, her porcelain hands resting in her lap unmoving. A dull light shimmered against her jet-black braids that hung neatly against her chest and her breathing was steady and controlled. This was all perfectly regular except when Morticia scanned upwards and held her daughter’s gaze, where she found Wednesday’s beautiful brown eyes were like black wells, an abyss of emotion tinged with turmoil at their edges.

                Her motherly intuition told her that something had upset her, and yet it was Wednesday’s response that proved the most surprising.

                “I see your perception remains as sharp as an ice pick, mother, even from across the country,” quipped Wednesday dryly.

                The young Addams surprised herself with how easily she acknowledged her mother’s observation when ordinarily she would try to deny or evade such a question. Perhaps she was feeling out of sorts today?

                “What is this? No pointed quip for your dear mother at my question regarding your wellbeing? Gomez,” said Morticia, her voice lowering as she turned to her husband in slight alarm, “I think Wednesday is out of sorts.”

                “Oh Tish, we have barely said two words to each other yet, let us at least get through the hellos,” suggested Gomez before he too leant closer to meet his wife, his voice a low rumble, “but I agree that this is … unusual.”

                Wednesday rolled her eyes in annoyance.

                “Do not talk about me as if I am not here. I have little tolerance for your whispering into each other’s ears,” the raven-haired girl stated firmly. “Perhaps I should not answer at all in future.”

                Her parents shared a knowing look at each other because for all their daughter’s bite they could tell that there was something on her mind, brewing just beneath the surface and the tension of the water would soon break.

                “My darling girl,” began Morticia soothingly, “what ails you? What gnaws at the gates of your heart? You can tell your mother.”

                Wednesday stared at them blankly in her characteristically cool demeanour and yet she felt a little unsettled at her core. It surprised her, the strength of feeling with which you wished to unburden herself was unfamiliar to her and she was unsure how to navigate it. When she had come back to the house after her failure at the creek, she had blanked Thing completely and sat down immediately to aggressively write at her typewriter, the words that flooded out of her a mirror to the whirlpool within her heart.

                Sensing his daughter’s distress, Gomez offered her a thorn branch upon which she could latch on to if she so chose.

                “Wednesday, nothing is more important to your mother and I than your happiness and prosperity. Nothing that you say could ever endanger our love and pride for you, my little scorpion, on this you have my word.”

                He looked at her imploringly through the purpled veil, the faces of her parents beaming back at her with such cloying kindness it made her want to wince and yet she did not retreat. Instead, she settled her mind and steeled her nerves.

‘Would telling them be so bad?’ she wondered to herself. ‘They could offer a point of view which I am lacking, though I am loathe to give them entry to that particular corner of my heart. Father will surely be overly sappy and mother will want to offer her assistance. And yet…’

Wednesday’s thought trailed off in her mind, unsure of what she should do. Romance, communication, feelings, communication of those feelings, it was all proving to be rather troublesome to her and she was struggling against her own solitary nature that bellowed within her to handle the storm on her own. By her own admission it was a stubborn point of pride for her.  

Some may label it a character flaw.

It was then that the voice of her mother glided through the air as if on a witch’s broom.

                “Perhaps, my love, we may make our Wednesday more comfortable by turning away. Confessionals can prove easier to stomach when not spoken eye to eye.”

                And so, completely unprompted but with great consideration for their daughter’s affected mood, the loving pair turned away from her to offer Wednesday their backs as they held each other’s hands adoringly.

                Wednesday blinked, completely caught off guard, as she was greeted with the backs of her parents’ heads, their piercing and empathy filled eyes turned away from her but their ears ever ready to listen should she choose to unburden herself. Even in the cobweb covered corners of her calcified heart, the young girl was truly touched.

                ‘I cannot hurt Enid again,’ was the thought and worry that Wednesday came back to over and over. ‘It may be prudent to seek their advice … no matter how much it pains me.’

                “Your dramatics never fail to amuse me, mother … thank you,” began Wednesday, a hint of warmth in her voice.

                Ahead of her, hidden from Wednesday’s view, her parents smiled.

                “It’s … about Enid.”

                A silence naturally unfolded between the three and Wednesday felt like her admission may have been a mistake. Enid was her sanctuary and she was protective of her, talking about her like this would be a step closer to something that Wednesday could not quite name and it frightened her and thrilled her in equal measure. Having other people know, having them judge or comment, even if it was her parents, was genuinely terrifying.

Wednesday would accept no criticism of Enid.

Besides which, what on earth would her parents think? They had been filled with humour when her mother had alluded to Thing’s treachery on their earlier call and yet now the young Addams was filled with a small stabbing fear of doubt. When her mother had said she applauded the match did she understand the sincerity of feeling and depth of love that Wednesday felt for Enid? Would she understand?

‘I will never know unless I take action,’ Wednesday finally lamented.

“I made an error in judgement yesterday and now I do not know how to approach her. I fear that I have stumbled and made her upset with me when it was the opposite of my intention with her.”

Wednesday forced the words out, every syllable a thorn digging into her throat so painful was it to make herself so vulnerable. Even a single scale removed from her armour was enough to draw blood, was enough to mortally wound her, and Wednesday felt this acutely.

Sensing that their daughter’s heart remained close to overflowing Gomez and Morticia remained silent, letting Wednesday set the pace without interruption. With a quick glance to her left Morticia snuck a look at her husband and she could see that Gomez was bursting at the seams to say something but she shook her head and gave him such a fierce look that he snapped his mouth shut instantly.

“You alluded to my friendship with Enid on our call last week and I firmly denounced your troublesome prods for information, a stance which I stand by,” Wednesday began, her voice remaining firm but with an undertone of unsteadiness that betrayed her nerves. “I do not know what Thing said to you but I suppose it will do me no good to only half reference a truth if you are to offer your advice.”

Wednesday stopped, breathing in deeply, closing her eyes to steady herself. Her mouth felt dry and she held her hands so tightly together in her lap that the tips of her fingers were turning to ash.

“Enid is … special to me. I will elaborate no further for now, a position which I hope you both respect.”

Gomez squeezed Morticia’s hand as he peered to look at his wife’s face and, just as expected her eyes were welling with tears of joy as their daughter began to unburden herself, even if it was completely on Wednesday’s own terms.

“Yesterday, during a moment of … well, I am unsure how to describe it. Enid was upset after having a fight with her mother and I sought to comfort her. Eventually, the mood lightened and I found myself inches away from her, our faces almost touching, she ... she’s so impossible to read, it’s infuriating,” and here Wednesday paused as her eyes darted down to her lap as she balled her hands into fists. Her eyes remained downward as even the backs of her parents’ heads proved to be too much for her. “The moment seemed to last forever, it was as if I was walking a tightrope, and to reach Enid I had to make my way to the other side … but instead all I did was fall into a nameless abyss from which I do not know how to escape.”

Wednesday’s frustration was no longer a low rumble; it was a loud thundering within her that was about to erupt its way out by sheer force. She had not slept the night before, the vision of Enid’s body turned away from her across the room a sharp reminder of her failure, her friend’s back to her the entire night. Enid had barely spoken to her for the rest of the evening after they had returned from the creek and when they had gone to bed her friend’s usual bubbly nature had been swept away, replaced instead by a brooding melancholy that had filled Wednesday with despair.

Enid was angry with her, and Wednesday hated herself.

“Enid was the first to rise this morning and when I went down to breakfast her mother told me that she had already eaten and had gone down into the valley on an errand with her brothers’. I am completely at sea in the eye of a storm that I cannot name. My insides feel like they’ve been shaken apart and stitched back inside in all the wrong places. I … I am in agony.”

The sheer force of her feelings surprised Wednesday now that she was voicing them out loud. The words and emotions that tumbled out was like a blow to the head, she felt discombobulated, as if she were viewing events from outside her own body. There was no mistaking it.

Enid being mad at her did not suit Wednesday at all.

“Oh Wednesday,” was all her mother could say, her voice swelling with emotion.

Morticia turned around slowly and now seemingly having permission, Gomez wordlessly followed suit. Wednesday steeled herself to look up at them, to meet their eyes and dare them to say something. The moment she did she was struck by the empathy with which they looked back at her.

“Father are you, are you crying?” Wednesday asked in confusion. “You are becoming softer in your old age.”

“Oh Tish, our little raven is in love! Quickly, I must find my handkerchief.”

Gomez stumbled through each of his pockets, the hunt taking longer as he refused to relinquish his hold of Morticia’s hand.

“I knew this was a mistake,” whispered Wednesday through gritted teeth as she went to stand up, “you are both far too soppy. I should have known to keep this to myself.”

“No, Wednesday, please don’t go,” entreated Morticia, her free hand outstretched with so much purpose Wednesday thought that her mother might actually be able to reach her through the purple mist. “Do not begrudge your father and I our emotions when loving you is the easiest thing we have ever done. You may call us soppy, but everything we do comes from the heart, my darling tempest.”

Begrudgingly, Wednesday sat back down in her seat.

“If it helps, your father won’t say another word for now, will you Gomez?”

The Addams patriarch balked in his seat, dismayed to be shut down when he felt that he had sound advice to offer, but observing the look on Morticia’s face he sensed that his wife knew what Wednesday needed from them in that moment and so dutifully, but with great sorrow, he bit his tongue.

“That may prove agreeable … I suppose,” offered Wednesday stubbornly.

Morticia gave her daughter a knowing look and to Wednesday it seemed like her mother had steeled herself for a challenge.

“I will not seek to probe, as you say, where you do not wish us to, but I can tell that when it comes to matters of the heart that they sit within you uncomfortably. I believe this is because you are unused to them, and not because you may try and tell yourself that you are unsuited to them, my darling. My first piece of advice is to not be so harsh on yourself.”

Morticia gave her daughter a small smile and Wednesday blinked at her mother in return. Happy to not be immediately dismissed, she continued tentatively, emboldened with purpose.

“This … moment … between you and Enid. Was it physically intimate in nature?”

Her mother’s eyes twitched and sparkled in anticipation knowing how difficult a question it would be for Wednesday to answer without wishing to physically evaporate out of the room and away from the conversation, and yet she asked it anyway without a hint of subtlety. Morticia may be attempting to navigate the topic with care, but Wednesday felt like she was going straight for her neck.

“Your teeth are as sharp as ever, mother, it is a wonder I have any breath left within my body at all with this line of questioning,” stated Wednesday, her eyes growing smaller as she moved all her focus to her mother. “While I respect it, I cannot say that I welcome it.”

“Now, Wednesday, a little provocation cannot hurt, especially when I believe the battle ahead will be in your identifying the nature of the misunderstanding you had with Enid. So, I will ask again, my darling girl, more plainly this time, was Enid perhaps trying to initiate a kiss?”

All the blood drained from Wednesday’s body and her breath caught in her throat abruptly to the point that she had to stifle a cough.

“A … a kiss? Mother, you have gone quite mad,” and Wednesday leaned forward as if to end the call.

“Wednesday, wait, hear your mother out,” implored Gomez, “you will not make any progress if you are not open to experiencing discomfort, my little landmine.”

Her hand stilled, the purple mist circling around her parents in a hypnotic dance. With a flick of her wrist, she could dismiss them and their troublesome questioning for good. Unless they chartered a flight to California it would be easy to avoid them as she could so easily walk out into the garden and throw the crystal ball into the Sinclair’s koi pond. She could reject her feelings of inadequacy and discomfort and forget all about them.

Except that would be a lie. Wednesday would remain troubled, afflicted with feelings of grief and profound woe.

The girl knew that there was truth to this but she acknowledged it so begrudgingly it physically pained her. Why was this all so difficult? Perhaps it would be simpler to remove her heart altogether for all the bother it gave her. Yet Enid saw something in her that she liked well enough that she sought out and developed their friendship. It gave Wednesday hope for something more that might be cultivated between them, something that might bloom in an abundance of colour and vibrance that would surely blind Wednesday and yet she walked towards it still regardless.

Wednesday sighed a small sigh.

‘In for a penny…’

“What …. what makes you think she was trying to kiss me, mother?” the girl asked as she leaned back into her seat.

Morticia seemed physically relieved to not be dismissed and the size of Gomez’s smile doubled in size.

“You mentioned that Enid was inches away from you and yet you were unsure how to describe the moment. Or perhaps how to interpret it. What happened that Enid went from seeking closeness with you to her being upset? Can you share it with us, my love?”

Wednesday was determined to make progress but to do so she had to accept that she had to willingly engage with the conversation otherwise she would simply go around in circles, and that would be such a pointless exercise that the very thought annoyed her.

 “Well, I suppose I can share some details that may be useful to you. Although why you jump to such a conclusion mother is a mystery to me,” admitted Wednesday as she remained ram-rod straight in her chair. “Enid and I were sat next to each other and as we were talking, she leaned towards me. She stopped initially, leaning away from me. Enid is such a thoughtful girl and she knows how I value my personal space. But then she leaned in again, closer this time, so close I could feel her breath on my face…”

Wednesday paused, suddenly lost in the memory, the face of Enid so vivid in her mind’s eye that she became momentarily stunned once again in the flutter of her eyelashes and the way the sun caught her blond hair.

Gomez and Morticia leaned forward in their seats, neither one daring to say a word.

“Then I … well then, I asked her what happened between her and her mother and she recoiled from me as if I had pushed away. You would think I had spewed acid into her face, mother, it caused me physical pain to see it. Her eyes moistened at the corners and she said I could not ‘read the room’ which is a comical phrase to use considering we were in the middle of a forest.”

Morticia sighed a deep sigh and Gomez held up his hands and looked up at the sky as if in exasperation.

“Oh Wednesday,” began Morticia softly, “my darling girl, I do love you so.”

“Your affection does not help me, mother, it is your critical analysis that I am in need of at present,” noted Wednesday with the slightest hint of a pout. “Help, do not help, it makes no difference to me.”

She crossed her arms.

“Of course, and you shall have it,” replied Morticia and Wednesday thought her mother had developed a devious look in her eyes that would surely spell trouble.

“You have a wonderfully perceptive eye for detail and a nose for a mystery, Wednesday, your inclination to seek out answers to the seemingly unsolvable and to investigate the dark corners of the world are a talent which you have developed since infancy. But,” paused Morticia solemnly, “you lack the same respect and care that you so deftly wield out in the world when it comes to your own feelings and the feelings of others. You say that Enid is impossible to read and yet it may be that you have not yet opened yourself up fully to a relationship with her and so it leaves you fighting blind spots in the dark.”

“Not open,” repeated Wednesday darkly, feeling personally attacked and misunderstood. “You have no comprehension of the depth of my feelings for Enid, mother.”

“Calm, Wednesday,” entreated Gomez, his palms open to her, “calm.”

“Given your determination to save Enid this year to the point of you abusing your psychic abilities and almost dying in the process, I should say that I have more than an inkling of your feelings, my darling, and how very important Enid is to you. The sincerity and earnestness of your love is not in question here; I simply implore you to be open to what that means. Within your own mind you have clearly acknowledged your feelings in principle and yet you cannot unlearn a lifetime of avoidance and anti-social behaviour within a few weeks, Wednesday.”

“I … I don’t understand. What are you saying?”

“What does it mean to have a crush?”

“It is not a mere crush, mother.”

“Quite right,” agreed Morticia, pleased at Wednesday’s speed in correcting her. “What does it mean then to be in love? Do you feel flushed? Does your heart race? Does the thought of her being close leave you giddy? Do not run away from these physical signs that complement the growing storm within. They are nothing to be feared, Wednesday, they are completely natural. You must be willing to become vulnerable, Wednesday, to lose control! Enid moved to be physically closer to you, and whether she tried to kiss you or not, you did not know what to do and so you abruptly broke the mood.”

“The mood?” repeated Wednesday, confused.

“Oh, mi amour,” sighed Gomez, unable to hold back any longer and practically falling off his seat, he had leaned so far forward out it. “The push and pull of shared attraction, the desperate need to be close, the spark of a shared look or inadvertent touch that your mind repeats over and over to the point that you are close to madness. Seize the feeling, look it in the eye, respect it for the glorious joy that it can bring you. No fear, my little bombita, no fear!”

Gomez had now jumped out of his chair unable to contain his excitement, the sheer force of energy in his body compelling him to stand, to throw his hands into the air, to convey his feelings to his daughter with the vigour that was needed for the moment.

Wednesday leaned away from the crystal ball, her eyebrows knitting into a frown as she fought to not roll her eyes at her father’s behaviour.

“Truly, father, you should have joined the theatre instead of taking the bar. Your physical dramatics are only suitable for the stage.”

Morticia looked over to her husband as he began pacing back and forth behind their seats and she affectionately shook her head at him.

“You know how your father is, my dear, he wears his feelings on his sleeve,” Morticia said adoringly.

“This is all well and good but I fear you are mistaken. I recognise and understand what a relationship can mean and what … what it can lead to and I am not cowed by it,” admitted Wednesday with a hint of a blush on her cheeks. “It’s just how do I know that Enid would be open to my feelings? How … how do I know if she reciprocates?”

The last question came out barely more than a whisper.

Wednesday broke eye contact with her mother and settled her gaze back down to her lap, suddenly shy as her doubts and insecurities surfaced.

Morticia breathed in deeply.

“Now I understand,” she whispered.

“Huh? What was that, Tish?”

“You are afraid that Enid may not like you back, is that right my love?”

Wednesday kept her head bowed but offered the slightest nod to her mother’s question.

“I think you do yourself a disservice, Wednesday. Many couples begin life as friends, and falling in love with your best friend is a certain type of magic because of how terrifying it is. Truly, what tormenting bliss it will be for you both, my darling viper. I envy you.”

Wednesday looked up from her lap to see her mother looking back at her with so much love and understanding in her eyes that the girl felt a lump build in the back of her throat.

“Your question to Enid in that moment may have come with care for her wellbeing attached, but to her it may have felt like a personal blow. A clumsy way for you to create distance between you, both physical and emotional, even if it was momentary. It was a swift change in conversation and tone that took her by surprise and clearly her reaction to your question was not what you anticipated. Whatever her feelings, Wednesday, do not run away and hide. When you next see her reach out to her and try to be honest. It is never good to let things fester. She may be feeling conflicted too, after all she is not usually one to speak harshly to others.”

Wednesday was unsure what to think and so she sat with her mother’s words fresh in her mind. Finally, it was her father who broke the silence.

“Your mother is right, Wednesday, it may be that the moment seems far worse in your mind than it is in reality, but you will never know if you don’t make an effort to talk to Enid about it and to clear the air. It may not be as serious as you think.”

He gave his daughter a sympathetic smile.

Wednesday breathed in deeply.

“You have both given me much to think about … thank you.”

“Do not wallow in your own woe, Wednesday, some things are never as bad as they seem.”

“Noted, mother.”

“I hope to hear that when you both come home to New Jersey you will have cleared this little misunderstanding up,” offered Morticia, her voice hopeful.

“Wait until you see what your mother has prepared for Enid, my little hatchet, it will bowl your girl over,” enthused Gomez.

“Enid is not my girl, father, you should not say things like that,” chided Wednesday, a greater hint of blush circling her cheeks.

‘At least not yet,’ she thought to herself longingly.

Gomez put up his hands in apology.

“You must forgive your old man, Wednesday, I am simply a sucker for love.”

Wednesday rolled her eyes in exasperation.

“Do not share a word of this conversation with the family. I hope you realise that this topic is strictly confidential,” explained Wednesday sternly. “If Pugsley gets wind of it, I will take no responsibility for the fratricide that may follow.”

“Of course, my darling, my lips are sealed,” replied Morticia playfully.

“You too, father, I will accept no betrayal from you,” demanded Wednesday seriously.

“I wouldn’t dare, my little tormenta,” reassured Gomez animatedly.

Wednesday nodded, happy with her parents’ assurance that it would remain between the three of them.

“I shall say good day to you both,” announced Wednesday as she leaned closer to the crystal ball. “Do stay out of trouble, the pair of you.”

“Why my dear, we are always on our best behaviour,” cooed Morticia as she offered a devilish wink.

With a flick of her hand Wednesday ended the call and her parents’ beaming faces were lost to the purple mist once more. She remained sat at the desk ruminating over everything they had said and feeling unsure how to move forward. Though Wednesday was reassured to know that her parents clearly approved of and encouraged the match.

‘How could they not?’ Wednesday thought to herself pridefully.

Finally, it was time for action.

“I should find Enid,” she said to herself as she stood up with a renewed sense of energy and purpose before she left their bedroom determined to find her and to clear the air between them.

As she left the room, Wednesday’s thoughts were only of her.

-----

Enid was a mess.

Sleep had evaded her and the only reason she had not tossed and turned all night was out of her fear of rolling over and seeing Wednesday’s face across their shared bedroom. The young werewolf surprised herself with how she had reacted to Wednesday’s rebuff of her affections, and when she had randomly brought up her mother Esther when Enid’s lips were mere inches away from Wednesday’s own, she felt like she could cry.

Yet now, sat in the back of her dad’s minivan and wedged in-between two of her burly brothers’ as they drove through the valley Enid wanted nothing more than to be swallowed up whole, lost to the earth and eaten by worms. What had she been thinking? This was Wednesday Addams, her cool, stoic, aloof best friend who guarded her autonomy, independence, and personal space like a sacred vow.

What had Enid been thinking trying to kiss her?

If one were to place Enid Sinclair in a court of law and she was called up to take the stand to defend herself she would say it wasn’t her fault, that she simply couldn’t help herself.

Your honour, I must plead madness. Your honour, you wouldn’t imprison a lovesick wolf, would you?

For weeks now a shift in Wednesday’s behaviour had been driving her mad, little by little, in her movements, in the way the girl’s dark eyes lingered over her own, in the manner of her speech that occasionally hesitated as if Wednesday’s breath had caught in her throat. She never stumbled over words, she never hesitated, she rarely showed her nerves for Wednesday’s were moulded in the toughest steel, and yet Enid could not shake the feeling that something had changed. Wednesday was slipping. The hope that it sparked within the young werewolf’s breast could fuel a forest fire, it bloomed in her so violently she thought she would be overwhelmed.

Enid needed to calm herself down.

Bianca Barclay had taken a match and lit the fuse in Wednesday’s hospital room, blowing through all of Enid’s bluster and denial and ‘let’s keep everything light and breezy’ attitude with such direct force that she should really bill the siren for the therapy sessions that she would need. Everything that Enid thought she knew about herself was questioned and analysed, turned over and then reappraised, and come the end of the year she really could not deny that her feelings for Wednesday were anything but platonic.

The cherry on the cake had been when Enid had awoken in a hot sweat in their shared room in Nevermore, her heart racing, her core aching, her thighs pressed tightly together, and the taunting warmth of the dream Wednesday’s lips scorched on to her own like a fire brand. When her sleep muddled consciousness came to the realisation that it had all been a dream Enid had been so bitterly disappointed and distressed, so overcome with emotion that it had not been real, she had been too upset to sleep for the rest of the night.

Perhaps she was doomed?

No one could deny that Wednesday cared for Enid. Every action that the raven-haired girl had taken had been for Enid’s safety and wellbeing, no matter how poorly thought out or extreme it had been. But who was Enid kidding? There was far too much risk in the assumption that it was because Wednesday harboured romantic feelings for her alongside her ones of friendship. Though Enid’s breast did swell with a smug pride in the knowledge that there is no one else that held Wednesday’s attention quite like herself. Enid could get away with practically anything when it came to Wednesday Addams.

Enid had Wednesday’s ear, but could she ever have her heart?

Miss Sinclair was determined to try, and the way Wednesday had been acting recently offered her a little light to step into. She felt terrible now that some time had passed and the evening’s rejection had been washed away by the morning sun and all Enid felt now was embarrassment. Wednesday’s question was perfectly innocent and well meaning, but good lord the timing was terrible.

The question was, had she asked it because she was uncomfortable with Enid’s forwardness? Or was Wednesday oblivious and decided to change the topic on a whim? Was there a third option that Enid was missing?

‘Ugh, this is so messy. I don’t know what to do,’ Enid cursed.

The poor girl didn’t know which way was up or down.

As her family made the return journey back up to the house, she chastised herself and renewed her commitment to try and identify the nature of Wednesday’s feelings for her. Enid knew her own.

She wanted more … she wanted Wednesday.

But the last thing Enid wanted to do was to make her friend uncomfortable and so the young girl would have to be content for the foreseeable with the pair being friends. A happier pairing there could not be, of course, as in their weird way they complemented each other so well it was like the universe was playing a grand jest when their worlds collided together for the first time. Enid would simply have to do her best to try and survive the rest of the summer by Wednesday’s side and hope she hadn’t blown it.

‘I have to talk to Wednesday when I get back,’ she told herself.

-----

The green minivan pulled into the driveway with the squeak of brakes giving way to the crunch of the gravel and from her seat at the top of the staircase Wednesday waited until Murray Sinclair and his sons trundled through the foyer and made a beeline straight for the kitchen. The last to enter was Enid, her head downcast and her demeanour seemingly on edge, her limbs twitching with energy it didn’t know what to do with.

Wednesday watched her from her viewpoint on high, her face cast in shadow as she remained unmoving for a few moments more to ensure that Enid was alone. Thing sat atop her right shoulder and upon seeing Enid walk through the front door he gave his concerned mistress a small squeeze on the shoulder. With a high-pitched whistle, its source some forgotten open window at the end of the landing, a breeze hummed past Wednesday from her vantage point atop the stairs and tumbled downwards. Just as it rustled the girl’s black braids seconds earlier so too did it make its way to Enid’s golden locks where it caused her sun kissed hair to wash across her face like a glittering curtain.

The young Addams observed with keen interest as Enid came to a sudden halt, her head tilting first to the left and then to the right, her attention caught up in some unspeakable thing that Wednesday could not name. Her friend’s eyes began searching for something before she lifted her head up and scanned the room, starting at the foot of the stairs.

Wednesday realised with a bloom of heat that Enid must be looking for her.

‘Can … can Enid smell my scent?’ Wednesday wondered, her heart thundering in her ears at the thought as she brought her right hand up to gently tease the end of her braid.

She dared not dwell on such a possibility, but the very idea that Enid recognised her scent and that she could detect it from even the smallest of breezes thrilled Wednesday’s blood into an almost carnal frenzy such that the strength of the feeling caught her off guard. She remained seated a little longer out of fear that her legs would buckle from underneath her if she tried to stand and she refused to risk a scenario where she fell flat on her face in front of Enid.

Wednesday would never recover.

With what Wednesday thought looked like a glint in her eyes Enid’s searching gaze found her shadowed form secluded behind the balustrades at the top of the stairs and to her great relief Enid smiled up at her. The smile was small and a little shy, but Wednesday didn’t care because it filled her heart with joy regardless.

‘There is still hope,’ thought Wednesday as her heart swelled with emotion.

Enid’s smile remained as she turned towards the stairs and Wednesday stood up with fierce purpose. As Enid ascended Wednesday descended to meet her, their measured and cautious steps synced, each one slow in their approach in fear of rushing and yet both eager to meet again, and they came to a halt in front of each other as they reunited in the middle.

Their meeting felt awkward, something that was now foreign to them after being together for as long as they had, and neither girl dared to break the silence first. Wednesday’s heart fluttered as Enid flicked up her eyes to meet hers, the dazzling blue a beacon to her amidst the many shades of brown, green, and ochre that dominated the room. The young Addams was vaguely aware that Thing was squeezing her shoulder again, seemingly encouraging her to exit her reverie and break the ice.

‘… some things are never as bad as they seem…’

Her mother’s words echoed in her mind as Wednesday’s eyes softened underneath Enid’s warm gaze, the girl’s proximity a soothing presence to the storm within her, and despite only being apart for a little while it had left a physical and emotional mark that Wednesday was determined not to repeat.

“Enid,” Wednesday greeted her softly, her name akin to a vow leaving her lips she uttered it with such sweet reverence. “I missed you this morning at breakfast. I hope you had a fruitful trip into town with your family.”

‘Oh Wednesday,’ groaned Enid internally, her heart clenching. ‘You really are such an adorable dork sometimes.’

“Hey, Wednesday,” replied Enid, the name equally soft as it left the werewolf’s quivering mouth. Wednesday’s scent was almost overwhelming now and Enid unconsciously leaned into it, hoping that she might drown in its dark notes and whispering edges.

“I’m … I’m sorry for leaving this morning without saying anything. That was like, really rude of me,” mumbled Enid, her eyes quickly flicking away from her friend to hide the sting of her guilt.

“It is I who must apologise, Enid, I upset you yesterday and although it was not my intention, I cannot ignore the effect it had on you … or indeed on myself. I am sorry, Enid.”

Enid sucked in her breath, the hitching of it at the back of her throat painful as Wednesday’s beautiful brown eyes looked at her like she was a wounded deer seeking absolution.

Enid wanted to die on the spot.

She wanted to scoop the smaller girl up into her arms and never let her go. Except she couldn’t say anything close to that unless she wanted Wednesday to think that she was utterly raving mad. What was a teenage werewolf to do?

“Please know that I did not mean to … ruin the mood,” explained Wednesday, deciding to use the phrase her mother had used and hoping it didn’t come back to bite her.

‘Ruin the mood! Ruin the mood!?!? What does Wednesday mean?’ scrambled Enid, her mind suddenly thrown into disarray. ‘Like, seriously, what does she mean? Oh my god, oh my god.’

Enid breathed in deeply and silently preyed that Wednesday hadn’t noticed the blush that was spreading across her cheeks. If she did notice and she ended up saying something, Enid would just have to lie and say it was the summer heat.

“Er, I guess I was just feeling pretty emotional after my fight with my mom,” blurted Enid, her pulse twitching uncomfortably in her neck as she word vomited a mile a minute. “But like, don’t worry about it Wednesday, I totally overreacted yesterday. Guess I can be kind of a sulky werewolf when I want to be, huh. Not that it’s any excuse, right, I mean I was so mean to you out of nowhere. I feel horrible.”

The heat rippling across Enid’s cheeks was enough to melt marshmallows as if they were held over a camp fire and she wanted to evaporate into the air to escape how utterly awkward and embarrassed she felt.

“Please, Enid, do not disregard your feelings so quickly. You told me that I ‘cannot read the room’ and I want you to know that I take what you say seriously. I will try to understand you better in future.”

Wednesday’s eyes remained incredibly soft and her usually rigid mouth had the slightest hint of an upward curve at its edges. Enid was entranced.

“I know it isn’t easy, being my friend, so much so that my ways often infuriate even my closest kin. But please know, Enid, that your happiness is extremely important to me. I am increasingly aware of my shortcomings and I am trying to be better.”

“Oh Wednesday,” sighed Enid aloud. “Er, wow, um, what I mean is you really don’t have to worry, ok, you’re my friend because you’re you, Wednesday, I wouldn’t want you to act differently for anyone, especially me!”

Enid scrambled to compose herself, her sigh dangerously close to a moan, and she started fidgeting with her hands and looking up at the tall vaulted ceilings, anything to not have to see how Wednesday was looking at her. When Enid finally felt confident enough to look at her again, she was greeted by Wednesday’s unfaltering and penetrating gaze, her dark eyes like shining obsidian pools in the low light of the staircase.

Neither girl moved, and neither one spoke, but across from each other and unknown to each other, their heart beats fell into a steady rhythm that matched across the short distance between them. Both of their hearts galloping as fast as a racehorse.

Frustrated with their lack of progress despite his growing amusement, Thing jumped down on to the railing and tapped against it loudly, begrudgingly pulling Wednesday’s attention away from her roommate.

“What is it Thing?” she asked cooly. “Have you got something to get off your wrist?”

“Oh, hey Thing,” cooed Enid warmly, thankful for the reprieve that he offered in their conversation. “Didn’t see you there, how ya doing buddy?”

Enid offered out her hand and he happily hopped into her welcoming palm in a single jump.

“Sorry that I left you too, this morning. Hope you got in some quality zzz’s last night. I know this heat doesn’t really suit you,” and she gave the scarred hand a squeeze on his little finger which made him shimmy in her palm in happy little taps.

“You coddle him, Enid, every member of the Addams clan must be able to adapt to their environment or die. Survival of the fittest,” Wednesday observed, her voice steely.

“Oh, come on, Wednesday, don’t be such a meanie. Even hands need their beauty sleep, isn’t that right Thing?”

Thing energetically agreed with a flurry of finger waves.

As they both looked down at Thing Enid felt a gnawing worry tease the back of her head, a final unspoken fear gripping her that left her uncertain how to proceed. She hadn’t finished clearing the air with Wednesday, at least not in the way that mattered to her.

‘Courage, Sinclair!’ she told herself.

“Um, Wednesday … coming back to yesterday,” she began quietly, her voice a little shy, “I hope I didn’t make you uncomfortable.”

“Uncomfortable,” repeated Wednesday, “what do you mean?”

‘Confused, almost certainly,’ thought Wednesday to herself.

“Well, I know how important your personal space is to you and I was kinda all up in your business at the end there. I just wanna make sure you’re ok,” she explained, her voice trailing off near the end as she almost didn’t want to know what Wednesday’s answer would be.

“I see,” muttered Wednesday softly.

In defiance of how vividly the heat raged within her chest Wednesday did not reply straight away, instead choosing to wait until Enid’s downcast eyes travelled back up her body to meet her own once again.

“You need not worry unnecessarily, Enid. I find your presence surprisingly calming despite your restless and chaotic nature. I … I miss you when you are not there.”

Wednesday steeled herself for some form of rejection as she felt acutely vulnerable stood in front of Enid. Yet no rejection was forthcoming.

Opposite her, Enid was enduring a silent torture, her hands gripping the hem of her glittering blue skirt firmly to the point that the tips of her fingers were turning white from the force.

“You, you miss me?”

“Your absence is keenly felt … always.”

Enid gulped.

“Your growing proximity, our worlds pulled into each other’s orbits despite there being no obvious common thread to tether them together, I find myself unable to now envision my life without you in it, Enid Sinclair.” Wednesday’s breath hitched, the weight of her words pinning her to the ground. “You are so tactile in nature, your need to be close a grating nuisance in the beginning of our time together. Yet now … now I find it quite natural. Like a push and pull of magnets except I do not fear if they should brush against each other. The opposite in fact is now true, as I would feel aggrieved if they were pulled apart. You have never made me uncomfortable, Enid, and I doubt you ever could. Please remove any such thoughts from your mind. Any … any fumbling, yesterday, was purely my own.”

‘Fumbling,’ the word echoed around Enid’s head, her wolf howling in hope at the insinuation.

All Enid could do was stare back at Wednesday, the heat behind her cheeks erupting into a crimson clarion call that she was sure Wednesday must see. Her keen eye was too perceptive. The young werewolf could only hope that Wednesday would not be able to pin down the cause of her growing heat.

“That, gosh, that means so much to me Wednesday,” gushed Enid, her eyes threatening to fill with tears. “I would miss you too, you have no idea how much!”

Enid couldn’t help but think back to when Wednesday was in a coma and the memory made her heart hurt.

Across from her, their heights almost matching as she stood on the taller step, Wednesday was struck by how positively Enid responded to her words and she felt a happy chill run up her spine. The thrill a small triumph after their unfortunate misunderstanding the day before.

“I am glad,” replied Wednesday simply, leaning down and into Enid’s space.

With a jolt of realisation Enid tilted her head up, their foreheads a mere inch away from touching.

‘No fear, my little bombita, no fear!’

Her father’s effusive words filled Wednesday’s mind and she closed the gap, gently pressing her cool forehead against Enid’s, the heat of her skin eliciting a shiver that swept through her whole body. The softness of her raven bangs rustled against Enid, the contact electrifying and pinning her to the spot. Neither girl moved, neither one dared, their breaths mingling together as they each caressed each other’s lips without ever touching.

Enid wanted to howl.

Wednesday wanted to die.

For both, what bliss!

From his vantage point within Enid’s shaking palm Thing wished that he had a camera to capture the moment, although his angle was the opposite of flattering. Not wishing to overstay his welcome he gently dropped down to Enid’s feet and quickly descended the stairs, leaving the pair alone in the shadowy light.

Far away, somewhere in the depths of the house, the groaning sounds of the kitchen bellowed into life, some Sinclair family member working up a sweat over a boiling stove and humming oven. Yet neither girl paid much attention to anything. Not to Thing who had left them some moments earlier, not to the creaking of the pipes as water rushed through its winding maze within the walls, or to the wooden grandfather clock below them that now struck a singing chord below them announcing it was now midday.

For Wednesday, there was only Enid, and for Enid there was only Wednesday.

“Enid,” the shorter girl mumbled softly.

“Wednesday?” the taller girl shyly replied.

“Would you accompany me to the ice rink this afternoon?” she tentatively asked, her eyes remaining closed as she tried to steady herself.

“Huh?” mumbled Enid, still drunk on Wednesday’s scent. “What was that?”

“I thought I could take you out … out to see the San Jose Sharks.”

“Hmm,” Enid rumbled lowly, “the Sharks…”

Enid stood upright abruptly, her eyes darting open in alarm and confusion, suddenly pulled out of her Wednesday induced stupor at the mention of her favourite ice hockey team.

“Wait, Wednesday, what?”

There was never a dull moment when Wednesday Addams was involved, and she was determined to continue to court Enid as best she could. What better way to the girl’s heart, than to take her out to see her favourite team play?

The normie crowds, the sporting enthusiasm, the guzzling of beer in plastic cups, the scrape of ice, the club chants, the overzealous mascots, and the obnoxious colours, it was likely to be a collection of everything that Wednesday sought to avoid in her daily life all in one place.

But for Enid, she would endure it all.

Chapter Text

WELCOME TO THE SHARK TANK!

The banner was a sign of things to come, the tone set in blazing Pacific teal, white, and black. Wednesday came to a halt as she looked up at it, its breezy invitation in all capitals and signed off with an exclamation mark as if to insinuate a reason to be excited. It struck her as a setup for disappointment.

“There are no sharks here,” she lamented aloud, “the city should sue for false advertising.”

Beside her, her face beaming in puppyish awe, was Enid who upon hearing her friend’s dry remark turned to her with a teasing look.

“Honestly Wednesday, every great team needs a mascot. The San Jose Sharks are the best! I’ve been following them for years in the NHL. We’re in the Pacific League, there are Pacific sharks, boom! San Jose Sharks!”

Raw energy rolled off Enid in waves, her excitement palpable and her commitment to her team unshakable. Wednesday found it endearing even if she could not quite understand it. Her friend’s joy certainly made her even cuter than usual and the young Addams wondered if she’d be able to concentrate on the hockey at all.

“Your tribalism and sporting pride is no doubt genuinely felt and freely given but do their results merit such devotion, Enid?”

“Hey, don’t knock the Sharks until you see them in action, Wednesday. I think you’ll be surprised how fun ice hockey can be.”

Enid paused, her eyes widening with mischievous glee.

“If there’s not at least one fight and a bit of spilled blood, it’s not a good game!” the young werewolf enthused.

Wednesday’s eyes lit up, her interest piqued and her attention caught.

“Thuggery on ice was not what I was expecting, and while I do not expect much innovation in the normie sporting scene I suppose I would do it a disservice if I did not keep an open mind to the experience. I had not considered the aspect of bloodlust making an appearance.”

Enid’s face grew into a beaming smile that seemed targeted directly for her heart, and the shorter girl’s head hummed with the notion that they could be the only two people in the whole arena such was their focus on each other, and it left Wednesday feeling like she was levitating.  

From Enid’s perspective, she was incredibly eager for Wednesday to enjoy herself, and the fact that Wednesday had so quickly shifted to keeping an open mind made Enid’s wolf hum in happiness. If tonight went well then it could only be a positive sign of things to come.

With any luck, Enid found herself thinking, the next time the pair came to a game together it might be on an actual real-life date.

‘I’d actually swoon,’ thought Enid, before sighing internally, ‘fat chance of me being so lucky though, right?’

Enid cursed herself for being such a downer, and decided to immediately perk up and focus her mind. After all, she was a werewolf with a mission.

“OMG, you totally get it! Tonight is going to be so much fun, Wednesday! Though ‘thuggery on ice’ is a bit mean. It’s kinda do-or-die out on the rink you know,” Enid explained seriously, if a little defensively.

“Then my remark remains correct until proven otherwise,” she quipped warmly, and Enid simply rolled her eyes playfully in response.

“Come on, Wednesday, let’s go find our seats. Eek, this is going to be so good!”

The SAP Center at San Jose was thrumming with people, the foyer and stands a cacophony of noise and activity that filled Wednesday with a morbid sense of dread.

‘The things I do for love,’ she thought.

As they made their way through the crush, the crowds a sea of white and teal home and away jerseys, Enid peered over the tops of heads and through the gaps in-between bodies to work out where their seats were located. She realised that they needed to make their way to the stand at the far end of the rink and of course, it was on the opposite side of where they currently stood.

An idea struck her like a lightning bolt.

“Um, Wednesday,” began Enid, a little sheepishly. “Our seats are wayyy over there, and I was thinking, cos I know how you hate crowds, totally yucky right, that we could … maybe … hold hands as we make our way through?”

Enid steeled herself for rejection and she told herself that when Wednesday inevitably declined, she would make sure not to look too disappointed so she didn’t make her feel bad. Opposite her, Wednesday’s face was an unreadable mask as she fought to keep the shock from sweeping across her face.

During moments like these Wednesday did worry that Enid might be able to sense the quickening of her pulse or the changes in her posture but for all her blood moon power Enid Sinclair was still a teenager who could be easily distracted, and Wednesday found herself thankful that the Shark Tank was as busy as it was. 

“What you propose is agreeable, Enid. As the aim is to survive the swarm of the crowds intact, I accept.”

“Huh?”

Enid was dumbstruck, the girl basically flabbergasted into silence where she stood, and her mouth fell open as if her very jaw had come out of its sockets. 

“Wait, you mean, you’re saying yes?”

“Why are you so surprised Enid when you are the one who proposed the idea? Or perhaps you have now changed your mind?” asked Wednesday, a leading question to test the waters as now that the image had formed in her mind, she wanted to do nothing else so she could feel the warmth of Enid’s hand in her own.

Following her talk with her parents Wednesday endeavoured to be open to ‘going with the flow,’ although she utterly hated the phrase, and to be more flexible in equal measure. Her brain whirred with the possible implications of Enid suggesting that they hold hands but she fought to remain calm headed as becoming giddy in a public space was out of the question.

“Um, absolutely, yes! Er, don’t worry Wednesday, I’ve got this. You’ll be safe from the crowds with me.”

The two girls stood and looked at each other, neither one making a move, and Enid wanted to flop on to the floor and roll away in embarrassment. What kind of werewolf was she that she was scared to initiate a little platonic hand holding between best friends?

Wednesday was her pack. Why was this so difficult?

For Wednesday’s part she was socially aware enough to recognise that this silent hesitation was extending into a farce but as Enid had suggested the idea, she felt that she should also be the one to initiate the contact.

So it came to pass that the two lovestruck idiots stared at each other for some seconds.

Breaking the tension of their self-imposed standoff of yearning was the scratchy, tin-sounding voice coming out of the SAP centre sound system. An overly enthusiastic concessions employee was announcing the day’s specials and rates and Wednesday’s ears perked up.

“Enid, we must first make haste to the food stall. It is my understanding that it is customary to buy food and drink while attending sporting matches. Come!”

The young blond blinked confusedly, her shock clearly obvious on her face as Wednesday motioned for her to follow. Enid skipped to bridge the gap, Wednesday’s shorter gait being made up for by the girl’s impressive speed, and Enid had to make an effort to catch up with her before she lost her to the crowds.

“Are you serious? I didn’t think you’d wanna have any and so I didn’t mention it,” Enid admitted sweetly.

“A grave error in judgement, Enid, considering your voracious appetite. I will ensure that you have the proper nourishment to sustain you through the game. I’m buying.”

Enid squeaked in excitement, and her skipping became even more exaggerated as she took over the lead from Wednesday.

“OMG, I mean, talk about twisting my arm, but if you insist! I could totally slam a hot dog or two. Gah, wait, they have the blue slushies here. Wednesday, you’ve gotta try one!”

“I don’t let anything past my lips that sounds like it came from melted snow that was scooped up off the sidewalk, Enid,” Wednesday retorted quickly. “I’ll have a black coffee.”

Enid pouted as if she oversaw the concessions personally.

“Suit yourself, but you’re missing out,” replied Enid, a little sassier than usual, her body practically vibrating as the scent of hots dogs and onions hit her nose.

With sustenance acquired that could sustain even the hungriest of werewolves the girls once again found themselves in front of the double doors outside the stands. Enid held a tray in one hand that contained her spoils of two large ‘everything dogs’, a bag of chips, a large chocolate chip cookie, and an extra-large blue raspberry slushie, the second cup holder housing Wednesday’s steaming coffee.

“I don’t know why you insisted on carrying it all yourself, Enid, when my hands are in perfectly good working order,” noted Wednesday lightly.

“No way, roomie, my rink, my rules! I know you’re the one who invited me but this is my domain. You paid, so I carry, that’s the deal,” shot down Enid merrily, a little werewolf pride flaring in her chest. “Don’t even try to fight it.”

Wednesday looked at Enid steadily and she was clearly amused as the young Sinclair realised that her mouth was dangerously close to edging into a smile. Truthfully, Enid wanted to make a show of her strength and dexterity in front of Wednesday and it gave her a little thrill to think that Wednesday enjoyed it.

“Right,” began Enid as she puffed out her chest, “let’s hit those stands. We’ve got some hockey to watch!”

As she looked at Wednesday her eyes noticeably softened and slowly, nervously, she held out her free hand for her friend to hold. Next to her, Wednesday’s pupils dilated and her blood bubbled over, a sign of the tempest within.

“Ready?” asked Enid, her eyes darting down to Wednesday’s hand and then back to her own open palm that was outstretched before her. 

Wednesday gladly accepted the invitation at contact and slipped her small hand into Enid’s larger one, and as they wrapped into each other she felt Enid give her a little reassuring squeeze.

Sat atop his mistress’s shoulder and watching this teenage love affair unfold with great amusement was Thing. As the pair made their way to their seats, he tapped a message on to Wednesday’s shoulder that made her want to whip her head around, her eyes transforming into a ferocious glare that would send a chill down the spine of even the most hardened criminal.

“You are on thin ice, old man,” whispered Wednesday menacingly, “I would think seriously about your next choice of words.”

Thing trembled in response but he did not regret pulling the young girl’s leg. She was far too fun to tease.

Just as she said she would, Enid led Wednesday through the crowds, her hand gently squeezing her friend’s every now and then as she was keenly aware how out of her comfort zone Wednesday likely was. The eldest Addams child wasn’t exactly the type to frequent sporting rallies, and Enid greatly doubted that she had ever worn the colours of any team, whether with pride or otherwise. She felt incredibly protective of Wednesday as she led her to their seats and feeling increasingly brave, she began to rub her thumb across her friend’s knuckles in a circling motion, seeking to soothe and reassure in equal measure.

Though a part of Enid also hoped that it would come across as loving.

If constant movement hadn’t been imperative to not be lost to the throng, Wednesday would have stumbled over her own feet at the feeling once she realised what Enid was doing.

“Not a word, Thing,” the raven-haired girl commanded under her breath.

Now safely settled into their seats in the middle of the stand Wednesday surveyed the vast room to check where the fire exits were located and as she did so she noted that it was quite a diverse group attending the game. There were families loudly talking over each other, gaggles of teens taking selfies and checking out reels on their phones, students trying not to be obvious about sipping on beer that they weren’t quite old enough to legally buy, and rosy cheeked pensioners decked out in full kit waving scarfs above their heads emblazoned with the Sharks logo and happily leading club chants.

‘I suppose statistically they do have the most disposable income,’ Wednesday thought to herself.

Ever watchful, the flash of orange, black, and metallic gold caught the raven-haired girl’s eye from across the other side of the rink.

“The opposition for this evening’s festivities I suppose?” Wednesday asked Enid, motioning with her head towards the pockets of fans dotted throughout the stands that weren’t splashed out in shark jerseys.

“Yep, they’re supporting the Anaheim Ducks. Hope they’re ready to eat ice!” announced Enid confidently.

“Sharks versus Ducks does not seem entirely fair, although the evolutionary food chain rarely is,” quipped Wednesday dryly.

“You get it, they should just accept defeat now although watching them be humiliated is part of the fun,” squealed Enid before taking a massive bite of hot dog.

Wednesday could not hide her amusement at how badly Enid wanted the other team to lose. This competitive side of her friend was always one that she found incredibly attractive.

“Are they not very good?” asked Wednesday. “Your confidence is dazzling to the point that I’m surprised the Ducks supporters across from us aren’t blinded where they sit.”

Enid attempted to reply while chewing but a rogue piece of onion stuck to the corner of her mouth, gravely hampering her efforts. Wednesday’s gaze honed in on it, and Enid suddenly blushed in alarm, concerned that she looked a mess.

Wednesday breathed in slowly, steeling her nerves.

“Such a mucky puppy,” she playfully scalded, her voice husky and low.

With her bare hand she cupped Enid’s chin with her fingers before sweeping the thumb of her right hand across Enid’s bottom lip and wiping the offending food debris off her face. Enid was as still as a statue as all her strength evaporated from her body, gasping at the contact that sent a chill down her spine. Daring to be brave, Wednesday held her thumb against her friend’s lip for a tantalising number of seconds, her penetrative gaze flowing downwards from Enid’s wide eyes to her heaving chest.

Long enough for it to be intentional.

The young Addams could see Enid’s breathing had transformed from a steady trot to a crashing gallop and was utterly thrilled to illicit such a response before she whipped her brown eyes back up to hold Enid’s blue ones. The poor girl’s pupils were completely dilated. To complete her dubious attempt at seduction Wednesday relinquished her steady hold on Enid’s face and brought her hand to her own mouth and, almost faltering at the last moment but choosing to barrel headfirst regardless of the consequences, she brought her thumb that balanced the errant onion to her lips and popped it into her mouth.

All the while, Wednesday never broke eye contact.

Enid worried that she was genuinely having heart palpitations and her eyes were blinking so fast she was at risk of starting a small tornado.

“We-Wednesday!” she gasped, the name coming out in a high-pitched squeak.

In that moment Enid couldn’t help recalling the dreams she’d been having lately and deeply yearned for even half of them to come true.

Somehow, despite the burning fire within her veins, Wednesday maintained the facade of ultimate cool calm and studied control, her eyebrows still and her movements precise as she sucked on her thumb before slowly removing it, her lips parting slightly to reveal the spit covered appendage between her wet lips.

“Hmm,” she said, her voice low and dark, “delicious.”

Poor Enid felt like she could go feral, and her mind’s eye was overcome with the image of her jumping on top of Wednesday in a flash and claiming her silky lips in a burning kiss. She wanted her so badly she could whine, but such a heady display would probably get them kicked out. Worse still, worried Enid woefully, Wednesday would probably hate it.

‘Or maybe she wouldn’t?’ wondered Enid, hope flickering in her breast.

Meanwhile, while Enid was drowning in her teenage werewolf hormones that left her a wanting, horny mess, Wednesday felt triumphant and was riding a wave of euphoria. Her eyes never left Enid’s lips which were slightly parted from how hard she was panting and the shorter girl fantasised about what it would be like to kiss her.

‘If Enid really was trying to kiss me next to the creek,’ mused Wednesday, ‘I should let her know that the feeling is reciprocated.’

A wave of cheers erupted throughout the arena and music thundered over the speakers as the lights dimmed before spotlights flicked across the ice in a choreographed dance. Yet still their eyes never left each other. It was only when the screaming child beside Wednesday flung his open tray of beef nachos across her lap and she whipped her head around with intentions of violence that the tension abruptly broke.

“SHARKIEEEEEEEEEE!”

Enid finally felt like she could breathe again and turned away to try and calm herself down as Wednesday glared at the young boy beside her.

“Small demon, what is the meaning of your food-based attack? Were you not raised properly as an infant?”

Startled by the abrupt change in tone, Thing sulked from his position on top of Wednesday’s knee, having been enjoying the messy unfolding of events. Now he had to grapple with salsa and melted cheese splattered on his manicured nails.

Wednesday’s eyes darkened as she leaned towards him and the boy was so startled that he looked like he could cry.

“Explain yourself? Do you not know how to behave in public?”

The boys lower lip began to wobble and the corners of his eyes were framed with tears. With great energy he lifted up his little hand and pointed at the ice rink where the object of his adoration resided.

“Sha-sharkie…” he mumbled, lowering his eyes down to his Velcro sneakers with flames emblazoned on the sides.

Wednesday flicked her head to the ice and saw the new object of her disdain emerging from a haze of teal smoke.

“Oh,” piped up Enid, her voice a little shaky, “it’s S.J. Sharkie!”

“Who?”

“Our team mascot, S.J. Sharkie himself in the flesh.”

“You mean in the polyester,” bit back Wednesday, vexed to have had her intimate moment with Enid interrupted because of a skating man in a shark costume and a child who had zero motor control.

“Are you ok Wednesday?” Enid asked, her voice full of alarm. “You’re covered!”

“I’m fine, Enid,” she reassured her as her attention turned back to the skating shark. “Perhaps I should test if his suit is flame retardant?” she mused darkly.

Next to her, the little boy gasped.

“No hurt Sharkie!” he shouted, stomping upright on to his feet.

“Hey kid,” shouted Enid, leaning over Wednesday as she caught the boy’s attention. “Where are your parents?”

With a defiant quiver of his little face, he turned around to point to his side where two hunched over forms that vaguely resembled two adults in their early forties cradled their phones close to their faces, their attention overtaken by mindless scrolling. Empty beer cups littered the floor by their feet and they were whispering to each other about something, completely ignorant to what their child was doing.

Both girls stared at them for a long time but neither adult ever looked up.

Enid shook her head and gave the poor boy a sympathetic look before she found Wednesday’s eyes and wordlessly, but very firmly, entreated her to be kind to the child. Wednesday wanted to squirm underneath Enid’s unnerving stare but the werewolf looked up at her with such expectant and serious puppy eyes that she had no choice but to obey.

A little flustered, she flicked her eyes from side to side before standing up to look down on the child.

“Your parents should have taught you better, and that’s not your fault,” Wednesday said simply, this time with a little less venom in her voice.

With two quick steps Wednesday came to a halt in front of his occupied parents, her small frame an imposing and malevolent shadow against the backdrop of the low lights. The man sat down below her jolted with alarm, elbowing his wife in the process.

“What the heck,” he squealed in fright as he looked Wednesday up and down. Seeing that it was only a teenage girl his demeanour changed from startled to annoyed. “Jeez, girly, you should wear a bell or something. I almost jumped out of my skin.”

“Keep your sun burned skin suit to yourself,” ordered Wednesday darkly, “and take control of your offspring.”

Gesturing to her sauce covered black and white dress with a smooth flourish she then motioned for the boy to stand beside her, and all the while Wednesday’s judgemental gaze was unrelenting. Next to her husband, the woman leaned away, scooting a little in her seat in a fruitless attempt to gain some distance from the intense teenager.

“What? Don’t tell me how to parent my kid, kid!” rebuffed the man.

“Your immaturity betrays you as a weak-willed fool. He may be young enough for now that he does not notice your disinterest but what happens when your son gets older? What a shame that any child should suffer from the offensive disease that is neglectful parenting.”

“Neglectful?” jumped in the woman, her face beet red. “You’ve got a lot of nerve. Haven’t you ever been around kids? They get excited sometimes, it’s no big deal.”

Wednesday balled her hands into fists and crossed her arms tightly across her chest, preparing to go in for the kill.

“I have observed you three since I took my seat in this arena of overstimulation and you have ignored the child the entire time. What if the food had been scorching hot?” Wednesday asked pointedly as she directed their attention to the remnants of spilled nacho sauce, beef, and cheese across the boy’s jersey and shorts. “He could have burned himself, and while I am not against a little child endangerment between siblings, I draw the line at wounds gained from parental neglect.”

Behind her, Enid puffed up with pride at the sight of Wednesday reading the pair the riot act.

‘She actually cares so much, in her own Wednesday way,’ she thought adoringly.

The man rolled his eyes, completely dismissive, but the woman looked a little embarrassed.

“Barry, over here now. Let me look at you,” she shouted as she called her son over to her with a wiggle of her index finger that made Wednesday’s skin crawl.

“Barry! Who names their kid Barry?” asked Enid Thing without thinking, unable to hide the surprise in her voice.

Her palm slammed over her mouth as she realised how loudly she had said it, and worried it had come across as rude she snapped her eyes down to Thing who simply gave her his version of a shrug.

“Someone who has lofty aspirations for their child to manage a pool cleaning company in his middle age,” quipped Wednesday as she flicked her eyes behind her as she addressed Enid. “A perfectly adequate endeavour but nothing to set the world on fire.”

Enid snorted with laughter and her cheeks dutifully erupted into a light rouge, her eyes darting away to avoid the man’s shocked face.

“Shhh, Wednesday,” she chided in a low voice, “you shouldn’t say things like that.”

“There are far worse names to be called, Enid,” Wednesday paused as she ruminated on the topic before continuing. “Nigel comes to mind … or Karen.”

The man stood up in an angry huff overhearing the conversation, insulted, his voice rising to a shaking boom as he stared Wednesday down unconvincingly.

“My name happens to be Nigel you little shit.”

“And my name is Karen,” followed his wife as she jumped to her feet, her stance a little unsteady from the cheap beer that she had already downed before the game had even started.

“My commiserations to you both. That must be a hardship for you,” replied Wednesday cooly, completely unbothered by their attempt at physical intimidation.

Suddenly, with hurried little taps, Thing scurried up Wednesday’s back and emerged on to her right shoulder, making his consternation known by tapping hurriedly against her shoulder. The pair gawped at the scarred appendage, sickened at the sight.

“Gross, what the hell is that?” asked the woman, pointing at Thing shakily.

“That’s incredibly rude!” snapped Enid, standing up on to her feet behind Wednesday. “Thing has more manners than you do.”

“God, you’re weird!” snapped the man, his eyes darting between them. “You all are!”

“Freak!” chimed in the woman. “Honey, are you gonna let her talk to me like that? Sort her out, already.”

Her ears pricked up as Wednesday became aware of a low sniffling and she realised that the boy had begun to cry, her view of him obstructed by his oaf of a father.

“No shout, no shout,” he pleaded meekly, “I wanna go home.”

“Shut up, Barry,” reprimanded the obnoxious man.

Now sobbing, confused and scared by the tension and animosity coming from his father, the boy ran in front of him and began to bang on his legs with his little hands.

“What is your problem?” demanded Enid, her voice a sharp rumble. “You’re upsetting him.”

“Nigel!” spat the woman, calling her husband by name this time.

“Alright, alright, maybe I should sort em out seeing as no one around here has any manners. This one,” he sneered, looking down at Wednesday, “her mouth yaps too much for her own good. You ever been punched, little girl? Perhaps today is your lucky day.”

Wednesday’s mouth erupted into a maniacal smile and her eyes widened with expectant glee as she looked upon the face of a man who had just sealed his own fate. Behind her, she felt the air crack and fizzle as Enid flew into action.

A rumbling growl of anger and territorial rage ripped out of Enid’s throat as she flew to Wednesday’s side. With a sweep of her arms, she twirled the boy around so he would not see what she was about to do, dragging him away from his father’s legs, before she took up her powerful stance in front of Wednesday with urgency, her body a barrier between her friend and the increasingly angry man. Her eyes threatened bloody murder as she flicked up her hands in front of her chest and unsheathed her claws and her canines grew into sharp fangs.

“Fuck!” he shrieked as he jumped back, but his wife was blocking his path behind him and he almost fell over her.

“You lay a hand on her and I’ll carve you open like a Christmas turkey, asshole!”

Enid could feel her wolf howling, her hackles raised, as the threat of violence towards her packmate could not be ignored. Was she really prepared to gut a man in the middle of the SAP Centre for threatening to hit Wednesday?

The answer was yes; she was.

“Who the hell talks about punching people over something so stupid? You two are the freaks!” growled Enid deeply, her face contorted into a snarl. “Worse, you’re losers!”

Without looking, she reached blindly behind her with her left hand until she felt Wednesday’s body, and wordlessly she pushed the girl gently backwards so that she wasn’t so close to the man. Wednesday’s body lit up at the contact and offered zero resistance as it was unmistakeably an act of protectiveness but also, she thought, of slight possessiveness.

‘Enid is magnificent,’ Wednesday thought to herself, her nerves tingling.  

“Security! Security!” screamed the woman.

Everyone in the seats around them was now watching them open mouthed, confused but completely invested, their phones recording the unfolding drama as their wielders showed no signs of intervening.

“Security for who?” questioned Wednesday pointedly. “Enid only seeks to protect while you seek to assault. It appears you have no shame, a damning trait to complement your arrogance.”

Wednesday gestured down to the sobbing boy whose hand she was now holding. Every fibre of her being wanted to recoil from the touch, his little hands clammy and so small that it was difficult to get a good grasp on his digits. Yet as she looked into his eyes, she felt a burning rage on his behalf.

“Your child is stood here crying and you appear completely uninterested. One has to wonder why you procreated in the first place.”

“Shut up freak! Barry, Barry, come here! Get away from her!” screamed the woman, practically hysterical now.

The young Addams looked back down at the boy and although her eyes were still steely, they had a softer edge to them. The little boy appeared to be unafraid of her.

“Enid,” Wednesday said softly, “that’s enough.”

“Huh, you sure?” she asked, concern apparent in her tone. She asked the question without turning away from the man who now had his hands balled into fists that were hovering above his hips.

“This one is all bark and no bite and is not worth our time,” replied Wednesday simply. “Besides, security is here.”

A low chorus of confused voices spread towards them in a chaotic wave as bodies were pushed out of the way, the high-vis jackets of SAP Center security making their way purposefully towards them. Reluctantly, Enid retracted her claws and pulled her canines back in, but she never took her eyes off the man.

“What the hell is going on here?” demanded the cap wearing security guard, his ear piece buzzing with radio traffic. “Save the fights for the ice!”

“But these freaks tried to attack us!” accused the woman.

“Mommy that’s a lie,” shouted the little boy, and his parents looked down at him incredulously.

“Barry, come here!” scolded his father as he pushed past Enid and ripped the boys hand out of Wednesday’s grasp. “Don’t touch my kid, weirdo.”

Enid moved backwards away from the man as the pair of security guards watched them, clearly trying to piece together the cause of the disruption. The young werewolf remained in front of Wednesday the entire time, her eyes scouring their faces for any signs of change, her nose assessing their scents for indications of stress spikes.

The man was now completely red in the face, a thick vein popping out of his neck, and he had begun to sway from the adrenaline coursing through his body. Though Enid sensed there was more fear than anything. Behind him, one of the security guards pushed past the woman and tugged at his shoulder, pulling him around to face him.

“Wheeler? Dammit Wheeler, I thought it was you,” the security guard moaned in annoyance. “You know that you’re banned this season. Out!”

“What? Since when?” the man pleaded in fake ignorance.

“Don’t give me shit today, now move it. You too Karen.” He promptly looked down at the little boy at his mother’s feet who had now stopped crying but was clearly emotionally overwhelmed.

“Oh, hey there buddy. You’re going to have to follow your parents now, ok?” the man said in a softer tone.

“But, but sharkie!” sniffled the little boy.

“Sharkie is off the ice now, kiddo. Come on,” he said more sharply as he addressed the parents. “With me.”

The pair tried to resist but another couple of security guards came up behind Wednesday.

“Sorry Miss, gotta squeeze through here. Oh, it’s you Nigel. What are you up to this time? And how did you get in here?” the older man asked, puzzled, not even attempting to hide the annoyance in his voice. “You’re banned!”

“Why do you guys keep saying that?”

As the man was being led away, he looked back at Wednesday and Enid and saw that the shorter girl was smirking at him, her dark eyes unblinking.

“You little shit!” he shouted as the security guard tugged harder at his arm. “Hey, let go of me, it’s them you want!”

The security guards laughed.

“Only you would get into a fight with a pair of teenage girls, Wheeler, and with your family here too. Keep it moving!”

The crowd around them watched, shocked, and confused, as they were led away. With one final look at the girls before he slipped from view the last thing Nigel Wheeler saw was Thing giving him the middle finger from atop Wednesday’s shoulder.

As quickly as the fire had been sparked it was just as speedily blown out as the people around them returned to talking in their little groups, their interest proving to be surprisingly fleeting.

Careful to conceal her werewolf status from the masses, Enid had been purposeful in her approach despite her raw rage and had been cautious not to flash her claws and teeth around too much, and it had worked. In the end, the only people who really noticed were the only ones that she had been concerned about.

“Crap, Wednesday, are you ok?” Enid asked as she spun around, her voice full of worry.

The shorter girl uncrossed her arms from her chest and gave her friend a simple nod.

“I’m fine, Enid,” she confirmed, her tone calm but with a slight edge to it that belied her annoyance at the unnecessary disagreement that had lit up like kindling. “Here I thought the disputes were reserved for the ice, how wrong was I?”

“Jeez, I don’t know what their problem was, like, it escalated so fast. You sure you’re alright Wednesday?” she asked again, her tone serious. “I was worried he was going to hurt you.”

‘She looks so beautiful,’ thought Wednesday adoringly.

“I hope you don’t think I would have let it escalate to him laying a hand on me, Enid. There are at least three concealed weapons on my person that I could have utilised before he even crossed the gap to get to me,” she explained dryly, her face sporting a small smirk.

The blond girl sighed, shaking her head as she flopped back down into her seat, the adrenaline rush wearing off. Wednesday followed suit, while Thing hopped down to rest on her knee. He gingerly picked away at the remnants of the now cold nachos that splattered her otherwise crisp dress.

“Wednesday, please be serious!”

“I am always serious, Enid,” she replied simply and yet she couldn’t quite hide the amusement in her voice.

“Hmm, well as much as I know you can take care of yourself there was no way I was going to let him touch you. That asshole is lucky I didn’t claw his nose off,” she said, and as she looked down at her hands she realised how hard she was gripping her seat on either side of her knees.

Wednesday noticed this, picking up on her disquiet, and turned around to face her.

“You were that worried about me?” she asked, her voice soft.

“Uh huh,” mumbled Enid, “my … my wolf kinda jumped out there, didn’t it?”

Enid looked up at her, a little shy, as she was afraid she had gone overboard. Afterall, this was a normie event.

“Enid, you were spectacular!”

The blond girl’s head whipped up, her colourful hair rustling against her face as her worried features transformed into a growing canine smile.

“Wait, seriously? You, you think I was spectacular?” she repeated shyly, wanting to hear Wednesday’s praise again.

“You were magnificent and I doubt any of them will forget the encounter. Although,” she paused, her tone becoming serious, “I do hope they are better with the child going forward. If there is one thing I cannot stand, it is narcissistic and incompetent parents who ruin their offspring before they even have a chance to know any differently.”

Around them the fans roared into life as the game was underway, and the chants, claps, and music were joined by the scraping of ice and the whack of hockey sticks, the puck slapped around the rink with pulsing energy, as the two teams fought for dominance on the ice.

Enid sighed.

Wednesday frowned.

“What is it?” the raven-haired girl asked.

“I love how you care, Wednesday. Behind that perfectly cultivated exterior that screams scary emo vibes you show up for the things that matter, and the people that matter too.” She leaned into Wednesday’s shoulder, and the young Addams remained motionless. “I saw you holding that little boy’s hand, you secret softie!”

Unable to believe what she was hearing she crossed her arms defensively against her chest but did not move away from Enid, instead finding herself quite content to keep her close by.

“Don’t read too much into it, Enid. Besides, the depth of your concern is unnecessary considering what dangers we have faced at Nevermore. I doubt we would have been in any actual danger,” her tone almost teasing.

She flicked her eyes towards Enid and was surprised to see her staring at her so intensely that she felt a hot heat sweep across her skin. Wednesday didn’t blink, her mouth suddenly dry.

“Wednesday, I don’t care if it’s a comedy car of clowns or a full-blown serial killer, I will never stand for someone threatening you. Ever. You’re my best friend, my … my packmate, Wednesday. I could not imagine my life without you.”

How many hundreds of people were packed into the arena? How many bodies boomed and clapped, and prickled with heat from the mass of bodies and the industrial lights overhead? None of that mattered, none of it was noticed, because they were only concerned with each other.

“You’re … you’re my packmate too, Enid. I would do anything for you,” said Wednesday, her voice a low hush as she leaned in close to Enid’s face.

Enid leaned in even closer to meet her, their faces only inches apart. Their breaths were warm as they mingled together, and neither girl dared to blink, dared to swallow, dared to breathe.

“After the year we’ve had,” whispered Enid sweetly, “perhaps we should try and avoid drama.”

“Agreed,” replied Wednesday simply, her voice a little shaky.

Enid noticed, she saw how the girl’s mouth quivered a little at the corners, and how her fingers twitched atop her knees.

“Wednesday…”

“Enid?”

“Do you know that you’re my favourite person?”

Unable to fight back her growing giddiness Wednesday gulped hard, and Enid could see the lump in her friend’s throat as she swallowed. Her wolf howled.

“You’re perfectly adequate company,” deadpanned Wednesday in return.

“Oh, is that right, huh? Perfectly adequate,” laughed Enid as she tried to mimic Wednesday’s voice, her shoulders swaying closer and closer, desperate to make contact.

“I think it’s safe to say that your future career should not revolve around impressions,” Wednesday quipped, a mischievous look in her eyes.

“Oh, come on, that was pretty good!” insisted Enid happily, not at all annoyed.

Pausing for a moment to work up her courage she gently brushed her shoulder against Wednesday’s, setting off a spark between them that made the heat in the arena feel almost oppressive. Although how much of it was hormones and how much of it was yearning neither one could say.

No small amount of it was lust.

Mainly, however, it was love.

Enid fought against the little voice in the back of her head that told her to retreat, and instead she let her weight lean against Wednesday and to her joy the girl did not lean away or push her back. Instead, Wednesday also leaned into the touch with her own shoulder and they remained seated like that for quite some time.

To her great surprise, Wednesday did not entirely hate the game although she could not completely understand the appeal once it had finished.

“These sporting events have simply replaced more animalistic rituals which our ancestors would have performed. Though I can admit that behind the body slams and cuss outs there is some degree of skill involved.”

“See, I knew you’d end up enjoying yourself,” beamed Enid, feeling victorious.

“I suppose I have,” acknowledged Wednesday, “though I dare say that was more due to the company than the hockey itself.”

“Oh,” blushed Enid, “I see.”

Unsure where to look as they walked into the main foyer, and worrying her cheeks were a scandalous shade of scarlet, Enid moved her attention to Thing who was happily sat once again on Wednesday’s shoulder.

“What about you, Thing? Final verdict on ice hockey?”

Thing shifted his weight on to his wrist stump and held up his digits into the air.

“Wow, five out of five fingers. The hockey was a hit! We’ll have to come again sometime,” Enid enthused.

“I could be persuaded,” allowed Wednesday, surprisingly forthcoming considering it was unprompted.

“Oh, I am absolutely holding you to that roomie!” shot back Enid, her voice low as she fluttered her eyelashes.

“The ball is in your court. Don’t keep me waiting too long, Sinclair,” Wednesday teased.

‘Oh my god,” shrieked Enid internally, her mind racing a mile a minute, ‘are we … are we flirting with each other right now?’

“Give me a date?” Enid pushed back, her tone breathy as her heartbeat thundered in her ears.

Wednesday looked her dead in the eyes, her right eyebrow wiggling upwards.

“You have my calendar, Enid. Surprise me.”

‘What am I doing?’ The question raced loudly around Wednesday’s head as she kept her longing gaze on Enid. ‘I’m not quite sure what this is, but I like it.’

The pair had now stopped walking and were standing in the middle of the foyer, surrounded by strangers bustling past them who streamed out into the street beyond the glass doors.

“You … you have to wear a Sharks jersey next time, Wednesday. I won’t take no for an answer.” To punctuate her point she lowered her chin down, her eyes half lidded as her mouth formed into a pout.

Wednesday had little chance against Enid when she was like this. Her defences were made of tissue paper.

“Holding my attendance to ransom on the proviso that I wear one of those gaudy tents. I didn’t know you could be cruel, Enid.”

“I’ve grown since we first met, you know. You’re talking to a werewolf born of a blood moon, Wednesday Addams. This kitty’s got claws, remember?”

Enid said this in such a sultry way that she did not try to hide the fact that she was flirting with Wednesday and for the first time the young Addams believed that her feelings might genuinely be reciprocated.

Wednesday felt like she was floating on air.

“How could I not notice, puppy?” fired back Wednesday, her words crackling with heat and unspoken desire. “Everything you do is of interest to me.”

Enid sucked in her breath quickly, her legs turning to jelly. This felt dangerously close to something unprecedented, and she was now completely convinced that Wednesday was flirting back with her.

“Puppy, huh Addams?”

“If the shoe fits, Sinclair.”

Their awkward yearning had momentarily transformed into actual flirtation and both girls were operating on such a high that the foyer felt like it was buzzing.

“You don’t know my measurements,” replied Enid quickly, afraid to break their momentum and lose the moment to a memory.

“I sized you up the day we met, Enid. Why, you look surprised?”

Wednesday tipped down her chin, her eyes widening with something Enid couldn’t quite label because she didn’t think she had ever seen Wednesday give her that exact look before. Enid almost felt naked under her gaze, and she wasn’t mad about it.

Enid was thrilled.

“Fighting talk, Wednesday, gimme yours and we’ll be even. I intend to see you in that Sharks jersey.”

“I will acquiesce to your request on one condition, Enid.”

Enid gulped.

Wednesday blinked.

Thing shook.

“Make mine in black and I’ll wear anything you want.”

Neither Wednesday or Enid could entirely comprehend what was happening between them but they really didn’t care to analyse it in the moment. Both girls were enjoying each other so much that neither one wanted it to end.

“It’s … it’s a date, Wednesday.”

What a difference a day can make.

Chapter Text

Wednesday slept like the dead, her sleep restful and rejuvenating as the triumphant success of the ice hockey date (that was not a date) wrapped her in a calming veil, her confidence bolstered tremendously. Enid, meanwhile, could not sleep a wink as her mind replayed the evenings events repeatedly, her wolf howling within her in joy at a wonderful night well spent but also growing increasingly frustrated at the lack of ‘official’ development between her and Wednesday.

Thanks to Bianca Barclay’s rather forceful push in the right direction, Enid had become increasingly aware and open to her romantic feelings for her friend. The brewing attraction, however, was now dangerously close to boiling over as Enid could no longer deny the raw nature of what she felt.

She had even dared to name it, whispering it to her mother in the low hush of their chaotic family kitchen. Considering the monumental crash out that followed, deciding to share it with Esther had clearly been a mistake.

After Wednesday had successfully tempered Tyler’s Hyde she had become his interim master, a title she begrudgingly held only in name and not with the intent to use it as Thornhill had. Enid had hoped to try and reclaim her ‘fun and freedom era’ that she had been set on having at the beginning of the year. With Dr Fairburn moving the recaptured Tyler to a facility across the country and the discovery of Isaac Knight’s notes on how to separate a Hyde from the human psyche Enid honestly thought her school year was about to get back on track.

Secretly, greedily, she hoped that without a mystery to solve, no avian agitator on the loose, or a Hyde breathing down their necks, it would mean that Wednesday’s attention would now be all hers. They could focus on school, Wednesday might rejoin the orchestra and take back up her place on the fencing team, and Enid could continue with the dance club, and they would both have a chance to have a more stable school experience together.

With Tyler far away and under lock and key, as well as the avian threat exposed and neatly tied up, Enid had decided to focus her efforts on three things in order of their importance to her:

1. Figure out how to get closer to Wednesday without freaking her best friend and roommate out
2. Become captain of the dance team
3. Not let her parents’ apparent lack of interest in her life get her down

It was all incredibly simple, or at least it was supposed to be.

How wrong could she have been?

‘Why me?’ she had thought desperately.

All Enid had wanted was to wolf out last year after her endless cycles of misery and embarrassment as a late bloomer. But why the overcompensation? Transforming for the first time underneath a blood moon felt incredible, and in the back of her mind her heart raced with the implication that she would not end up a lone wolf. Yet to her utter horror she wolfed out without a full moon, her fate apparently sealed as her status as an alpha came into heart wrenching focus.

Isaac’s devotion to his sister Francoise had been so unerring that he had gone on a brain eating spree throughout Jericho with the aim of reuniting with her. Thankful that Tyler had been unable to hurt anyone, his sister did feel distraught at not being able to reunite with her son properly before being taken away, but she had told herself that it was probably for the best. If Francoise had known the chaos that would ensue in her brother’s wake as he sought to succeed where he had previously failed she would have pushed back harder, but the small hope of some day being with her son again fuelled her to accept his entreaties for them to try again, this time using Pugsley Addams in the place of his father Gomez to power his machine within the clock tower.

Enid thought she had been scared seeing Wednesday in the claws of Tyler’s Hyde underneath the blood moon, but nothing prepared her for her terror at the thought of Wednesday being buried alive and Enid not doing everything in her power to save her. There was no choice to make, only an unspoken understanding within her that Enid would offer up her humanity if it meant Wednesday Addams continued to breathe.

Besides, Wednesday would find her, she knew it in her soul.

So, despite Miss Capri’s dire warning not to transform underneath a full moon she did exactly that, her alpha being fully realised for the first time underneath the blue light of the lunar cycle at its height.

Her best friend had kept her word to her, tracking Enid down with the help of Wednesday’s Uncle Fester during the remainder of the semester. A time that was supposed to be for lessons, school clubs, and normal teenage things was instead lost to her as she became consumed by her wolf from within. Yet Wednesday never wavered, never backed down, and she reunited with Enid before she could be hunted down by other werewolves.

Enid had been terrified but Wednesday had pulled her back from the depths, her wolf recognising Wednesday’s soul in a reunion of pure joy and electricity as Wednesday had held her tightly in a hug, their second ever, as Enid’s werewolf form retreated and her human form returned. The hands that enclosed around Wednesday’s back, returning the hug in earnest, had been the familiar warm ones that Wednesday vaguely remembered feeling during her days in a coma.

The relief within them both was apparent as Enid sobbed, her entire body shaking in unrestrained emotion. Wednesday’s own eyes had welled with tears that she fought valiantly against. Out of sheer stubbornness, Wednesday won, and they remained framed in the corners of her eyes instead of running down her ashen cheeks but Enid knew what they signified all the same.

Truthfully, after everything that had happened to Enid, her parents had been against Wednesday coming to visit, a sentiment that Enid could not even comprehend. Esther’s reasoning had been that Enid had been through trauma and that she needed time away from everything back with her family at home. Yet it had not been her family who had searched for her, nor had it been her supposed packmates among her fellow Furs at Nevermore who had worked tirelessly to temper the tempest of her alpha wolf.

It had been Wednesday, and in her heart, Enid knew it always would be.

During their return journey back to Nevermore to catch the last few weeks of their second school year together Wednesday and Enid had been bundled up in the Addams family car which had been dispatched at great speed by Gomez and Morticia after Wednesday had crystal balled them to share her success at finding Enid. Her bones had felt heavy, her muscles ached, and Enid found the adjustment back into her human form after weeks of roaming around as a wolf startling. Beside her in the back seat, Wednesday had pulled out a pretty pink blanket that she had told Lurch to buy on the drive over to collect them, and she had wrapped Enid up with immense care, creating a warm, safe cocoon for the exhausted werewolf.

According to an amused Wednesday upon their arrival back at Nevermore, Enid had slept the entire journey. Thing had wanted to take a picture, but Wednesday had shooed the pesky hand away.

Now that they were at each other’s side again Enid did not want to be parted from Wednesday, meaning that the looming summer holidays felt like a stab in the back as she would once again be flung far away from her. Yet Enid refused, ‘innocently’ bringing up the ploy of sharing their calendars before bombarding Wednesday with summer planning that meant there would hardly be any days where they were apart.

‘Grrrrrr,’ she roared from within, tossing and turning around her mattress as if she were being burned. ‘It’s no use, I can’t sleep at all.’

Enid rolled over in bed until she came to a stop at the edge, her eyes wide and soft with endless yearning as she watched Wednesday sleep, the dark-haired girl’s braids neatly framing her face as her chest barely moved. Anyone would think that she was actually dead.

‘How can she look so peaceful? Maybe it’s just me whose suffering?’

She remained in her position on the bed, hugging her body pillow into her chest with one leg wrapped over the top, her eyes entreating and puppy like as she looked at Wednesday adoringly.

‘Wednesday didn’t say much when I said it would be a date next time. Was it too much? We were definitely flirting though, right? Yeah, we definitely were. It’s either that or Wednesday was having an aneurism…’

All Enid could do was close her eyes in the hope that sleep would somehow find her, but it never did, as all her mind could think about was Wednesday and her lips that she desperately wished to claim.

-----

Morning announced itself with a thunderous howl that jolted Wednesday out of her catatonic state. Reflexively she retrieved a small knife from underneath her pillow and held it out, her eyes searching the darkness of the bedroom for any signs of danger.

“Enid, are you alright?” she asked, her voice steady in the face of potential violence but still clearly concerned for any potential threat to her best friend.

“Shit, sorry Wednesday, I should have warned you about the moon call,” groaned Enid apologetically, her voice croaky with sleep.

In a tale as old as time, sleep had eventually found Enid and for all of half an hour she was blissfully lost to her dreams before the howl had shaken through the house to announce the start of a new day.

“Moon call?” repeated Wednesday, irked. “Explain, as this was not a feature of the previous mornings’ routines.”

“It only rings on the morning of a full moon, it’s meant to, I dunno, rile you up before you transform. Kinda stupid now that I think about it.”

“I thought it was a bad idea to encourage hysteria in werewolves as it triggers their bloodlust and more animalistic tendencies?” mused Wednesday as she stood up, returning her blade back to its place underneath her pillow.

“You’d be right, but back in the day werewolf bravado was in, and well, moon calls were all the rage. That howl you just heard? That’s actually a recording of my great-grandfather, Harold Sinclair. Most packs and families have phased the use out, but oh no, not my embarrassing family. Stupid, right?”

Enid looked across at Wednesday as she attempted to assess her posture and the way she held her face for signs of whether the girl agreed or not. To Enid’s dismay she was proving annoyingly difficult to read this morning.

“If the intention is to intimidate rivals or impress a potential ally, I could see how it might be utilised. However, I cannot claim it to be in good taste,” Wednesday deadpanned.

“Ha, yeahhhhh, it’s kinda corny to be honest. Again, I cannot stress how old school it is to have one nowadays,” and Enid practically winced in embarrassment.  

“Do not mistake my critique in taste for a judgement on you, Enid, you should be proud of your werewolf heritage. Back home my mother has a locket that is infused with a Frump ancestor’s dying voice. It is said she was apprenticed to a selkie in Scotland, a choice that proved fatal. Upon opening the clamshell necklace, her shrieks are potent enough to cause mania in under ten seconds. It really is a boon to have remnants of family members that feel real.”

Truthfully, Enid was a little creeped out, but the look on Wednesday’s face was a happy and prideful one, delighted to share this little titbit of family lore with her, and so Enid simply nodded her head in agreement.

“Wow, that … that sure is something,” was all Enid could think to say.

The blond girl quietly told herself to not touch anything in the Addams household without first checking its haunted status with Wednesday first. A dead werewolf was good to no one except perhaps a taxidermist.

“Your family really gets creative with that sorta thing, huh?”

“A talent shared between both the Addams and Frump lines,” confirmed Wednesday in a bit of a boast.

From her position sat upright in her bed Enid yawned before contorting herself into a large, wolfish stretch, before a shiver overtook her and she shook her head. She let out a little puff of air, the strands of hair that straddled her face going flying into the air from the force.

From her vantage point opposite her, Wednesday thought it was incredibly cute to see the powerful alpha wolf resembling something closer to a pampered puppy. Her heart squeezed in her chest and her belly filled with warmth, the unsettling butterflies that would torment her whenever Enid did something adorable mocking Wednesday once more as they flew around within her unchallenged.

Around them the opening and closing of doors and scuffling of feet on bare floorboards announced that the house was awakening, its numerous sleeping occupants lurching into life with a shared groan at the moon call.

“Hungry?” asked Wednesday, her eyes remaining on Enid’s face.

“Actually, I could absolutely murder a-”

“… a stack of pancakes with steak sauce and a large Frappuccino, extra cream, extra marshmallows” interrupted Wednesday.

“OMG, yes!” beamed Enid as she bounded out of bed. She skipped across the room, coming to a halt in front of her friend. “And you are already envisioning your quad over ice with burnt toast on the side, no butter.”

“Correct,” replied Wednesday simply.

They got changed and made their way down to breakfast. Enid’s brothers stormed into the kitchen like a flurry of tornadoes, downing cups of steaming coffee and slamming back stacks of pancakes, sausages, and hash browns as if it was their last meal on earth before they fled the kitchen with the same frenetic energy under which they had entered it. As difficult as it was to be in such close quarters to such a display first thing in the morning, she held back her tongue from cutting into them, yet Enid could tell that their lack of social grace and constant disruption of Wednesday’s personal space was a genuine battle for the Addams girl to endure. But endure it she did, as whenever she would look to her side, she could see Enid giving her the most apologetic and supportive puppy dog eyes that she wanted to combust.

The girls found themselves alone with Esther and Murray Sinclair and although it was hardly the first time the difference on this particular morning was that it would be a full moon that night and, in Esther’s mind, that changed everything.

“Enid, I think it best that you lock up in the lupin cages tonight. I don’t want to risk having any issues. Your Aunt and cousins will be visiting once you two leave for New Jersey, and they’re bringing along some very important guests from a pack based in Nevada, and the last thing I need is my house turned upside down and the woods disturbed by an alpha running amuck.”

Esther said this without breaking eye contact from her plate as she cut up her mountain of sausages into rough pieces with such force that Wednesday thought the woman’s knife would cut through the plate and into the wooden tabletop below. Ever observant, she then switched her attention to Murray who gave his wife a quick sideways glance before burying his nose into a comically large mug of coffee.

‘I see her parents remain utterly inadequate,’ Wednesday surmised unhappily to herself, annoyed on Enid’s behalf.

“Huh? Who is visiting?” followed up Enid quickly, seemingly confused by this new information.

“Just a pack who we’ve been meaning to be introduced to for ages but who we finally managed to pin down,” explained Esther, a little short.

‘How unfortunate for them,’ Wednesday thought.

“Nothing to concern yourself with, Enid dear,” and Esther looked up at her daughter with a slightly unsettled look that was poorly hidden behind an attempt at presenting nonchalance. Wednesday found it intriguing and very telling.

“Well, you don’t have to worry mom, I think I should be fine to run out with you guys to-”

Esther banged her open palm against the table, rattling the cutlery, chinaware, and glassware with the force of the impact.

“Run out with us? Enid, are you mad? Until I am sure that you’re not a risk you will do as you’re told and see out the full moon under lock and key. Do I make myself clear?”

Esther looked down her nose at Enid clearly expecting complete obedience and Wednesday slightly pitied the woman.

‘Alphas don’t take commands very well,’ Wednesday thought gleefully, ‘this old hag should step carefully unless she wants her plate to go flying.’

Beside her she could hear Enid’s breathing increasing and the heat that radiated off her was intensifying. The agitated girl was bouncing her knee relentlessly, her left hand on top of it in a failed attempt to self soothe. On the table her right hand was balled into a fist.

“Don’t you trust me, mom?” Enid asked, her gaze penetrating and direct as her eyes became noticeably wet at the edges, betraying her emotion.

“It’s not about trust, Enid, it’s about managing the unmanageable,” replied Esther in an inelegant attempt to wriggle out of answering the question.

“I … I know this isn’t what any of us expected, me being an alpha,” began Enid, her voice a little lower as she sought to bring the temperature down in the room. “But I actually think I’ve got a handle on this.”

Murray remained silent, his eyes darting between his wife and his daughter.

‘The man is truly spineless,’ thought Wednesday, disgusted by his refusal to take a side.

“You don’t know what you’re saying dear, something like this will surely take years to master and I won’t have you make a laughing stock of our good name. It’s a wonder you weren’t picked apart up in Canada, and goodness knows what a relief it was to hear you were alright in the end, but there was no guarantee that it was going to happen Enid.”

Enid was enraged. Who the hell was she to say anything when her mom hadn’t done a damn thing to help? Unexpectedly, a familiar coolness wrapped itself around her left hand that was rocking up and down on top of her bouncing knee. The shocked girl flicked her eyes down and saw Wednesday’s hand over hers. She dared not look up at her face in case she started to cry, but Enid could tell that Wednesday was trying to comfort her.

‘Oh Wednesday,’ her mind repeating her love’s name as she felt her friend give her hand a little squeeze.

Making such a move just for Enid despite her difficult Wednesday found physical contact? Enid being Wednesday’s exception over and over again. The girl’s heart fluttered, her determination bolstered by the contact.

“Do you know why I’m feeling confident about the full moon, mom? Because of Wednesday,” she stated, her voice rising with conviction and purpose. “Wednesday is the reason I wasn’t killed by the hunting packs, Wednesday is the one who returned me to myself, speaking directly to my wolf and pulling me back into my human form. Yet you’ve never thanked her! You didn’t thank her when you picked me up from Nevermore and you still haven’t. She’s been here almost two weeks, but nope, no thank you. What gives, mom?”

Enid’s attachment to the Addams girl was a thorn in Esther Sinclair’s side, a rogue element that she did not want to have to deal with. Her daughter’s outburst was troublesome, her bond with Wednesday seemingly growing day by day. It unnerved the spiteful woman immensely.

“You’re right, Enid, I have yet to say thank you to Miss Addams here, and that is by design. Frankly, werewolf affairs should remain within the pack as while human outcast consideration is tolerated to a degree, I really cannot say that it should be encouraged.”

Wednesday gave Enid’s hand another squeeze, this one longer, firmer, her cold palm and fingers surprisingly supple as she sought to show Enid that she was not alone. Wednesday wanted nothing more than to tear the arrogant and bigoted woman apart but it would not resolve the core issue, and would only falsely affirm Esther’s twisted belief as correct in her eyes.

“That’s crap!” shouted Enid, “dad, aren’t you going to say anything?”

The passionate girl looked at her father imploringly, willing him not to disappoint her again, but sadly she found his answer underwhelming.

“Enid, sweetie, you know that we were worried about you. No one is happier that you’re ok than I am, but you did give us a fright. You know it’s difficult for families when one of their pack runs out as a lone wolf, but an alpha? Enid, honey, your mother and I just weren’t prepared for that.”

His voice was meek and apologetic, completely lacking in conviction or any emotion that actually counted. Wednesday wanted to slap him.

“No shit you weren’t prepared,” spat Enid, “you didn’t even bother to look for me!”

“Now Enid, that’s unfair,” spluttered Murray.

“Families are encouraged not to interfere with the hunting packs, it’s an uncomfortable truth and its one that your father and I had to grapple with alone while you running around north of the border,” interrupted her mother, her tone unapologetic.

“Oh well, excuse me for causing the family so much disruption. My bad, I guess,” bit back Enid sarcastically.

Wednesday was nearing the end of her tether, and knew that if Esther and Murray continued like this, she would do something drastic.

“Is the tone really necessary, Enid?” shot back Esther.

“You are lucky it’s that and not her claws, you intolerable wretch,” spat out Wednesday, her words stinging like venom. Her unnerving gaze locked on to Esther and she was prepared to go for the woman’s throat.

“Perhaps we should all cool down?” entreated Murray, but it was no good.

All three women around the table were heated, their body language suggesting that a physical altercation wasn’t off the cards.

“So, she speaks!” exclaimed Esther wearily, “I did wonder when you would pipe up, Miss Addams.”

“Rest assured that Enid can handle herself but do not for one moment think that I will not hesitate to go for your jugular if she wished me to.”

Murray physically recoiled and to Wednesday’s delight she could see that Esther was fighting her gut instinct to do the same, but the woman knew how Wednesday would interpret the move and so she dug her fingernails into the soft wood of the dining table and stood up abruptly.

“Luckily for everyone you will be leaving in a few days, Miss Addams, and I cannot say I shall miss your disconcerting presence. For formalities sake, I hereby acknowledge your assistance in returning my daughter and restoring her human form … thank you. But I still maintain that you are a negative influence on my daughter.”

Enid rushed to her feet.

“Bullshit! Wednesday is the best thing that ever happened to me, mom. You’re crazy if you can’t see that!”

Esther was utterly perplexed and unprepared to deal with the level of resistance that her daughter was showing. Underlining it, just beneath the surface, was a fear that she refused to name, the truth intolerable, as she felt her tenuous grip slipping further away from her youngest child.

“Alpha or not, Enid, I am still your mother and you will watch your tone when you talk to me,” demanded Esther.

Murray stood up to appeal to his wife directly but she shooed him away, her eyes remaining on Enid.

Enid was distraught, frustrated, and incredibly confused, her mother proving to be an enigma. She learned the other day after their fallout that Esther had not been ready to hear about her feelings for Wednesday but Enid had quietly hoped that in time, she would come to acknowledge them even if she did not understand them. With a growing unease in her stomach that left her feeling nauseous she realised that such a time may never come.

It wasn’t just her attitude to Wednesday; it was also her relationship with Enid herself. The woman’s disappointment in her daughter being a late bloomer had since transformed into something else in light of her presenting as an alpha. For whatever reason, Esther was unwilling to tell her exactly what her trouble with it was, but it was as if she was already pulling away from Enid before Enid could do the same to her.

Enid felt overwhelmed, unsure what action was best to take, but she knew she had to get away from her mom before she wolfed out right there and then in their kitchen. She bit her bottom lip, refusing to cry in front of her parents, her fists pressed together so tightly that her fingers were white up to the first knuckle.

“You’re a hateful woman!” she shouted before she turned towards Wednesday. “Let’s go, we’re leaving.”

Wordlessly Wednesday stood up from the table and followed Enid’s lead, not bothering to look back at the pair’s shocked faces.

“Enid! Enid, come back, this conversation is not over!” demanded Esther unsuccessfully.

Her stride widened, her pace quickened, and Enid’s focus was all consuming as she emerged into the hush of the foyer and bound up the stairs three steps at a time. Wednesday trailed after her like a dark cloud.

The door to the bedroom opened with a loud bang, Enid’s raw strength in her agitated state almost ripping it off its hinges. Shocked at their sudden entrance, Thing almost tumbled out of his hammock as the pair strode into the room, and he quickly soaked up their disquiet.

He jumped on to the dresser and furiously signed and tapped at Wednesday to ask why Enid was so upset.

Wednesday offered one word in reply.

“Esther.”

Thing’s fingers sagged, disheartened on his friend’s behalf, and watched her as Enid flopped face first on to her bed and screamed into it, her voice muffled by the linen.

Wednesday’s heart was shattered open, her physical pain echoing Enid’s emotional distress, such was her affinity with the young werewolf. When Enid was pained it seemed so too was Wednesday. The young Addams was incensed on Enid’s behalf but was unsure how to approach her now that they were away from Esther and Murray.

She balled her hands into fists; her face filled with thunderous rage.

“I could murder that woman,” she said darkly, her voice low and bubbling with icy rage. “Thing, start packing. We leave in thirty minutes.”

The grey hand immediately sprung into action. Behind him, Wednesday retrieved the crystal ball from her trunk and called to her parents through the mist. To her genuine relief the face that greeted her was that of her mother.

“My darling, what is wrong? I felt a great disquiet wash over me and then the next thing I knew you were calling out to me over the crystal ball.”

Morticia’s enquiry was tender in its delivery as she could sense that something had happened.

“Change of plans, mother. Enid and I will decamp from the Sinclair estate immediately and stay at a local motel. Please dispatch Lurch at once so that he can pick us up tomorrow. Our arrival back home has been unexpectedly moved up.”

Wednesday was making every effort to keep her voice measured and calm, but the energy emanating off her was fierce and her voice had caught when she had said Enid’s name.

“It will be done, my darling. Your father and I will await your arrival, we can talk more then.”

She was grateful for her mother’s lack of probing, Morticia sensing that it was clearly not the time, and Wednesday nodded to her gratefully.

“Thank you, mother. Until tomorrow.”

Morticia disappeared within the purple mist and Wednesday exhaled a shaky breath. Behind her, Enid’s sobs had mellowed ever so slightly, but her tears would not stop streaming. As Thing busily packed up around them, she approached the bed and after a moment of hesitation gingerly sat down next to Enid’s shaking frame on the bed.

“Enid,” she called out her name softly, the venom that had been reserved for Esther now long gone, and in its place was a warmth and tenderness that she hoped her friend would find comforting. One that was reserved only for her.

As Enid raised her face from the bed she sniffled, her eyes red and bloodshot from crying. Wednesday was floored by the overwhelming desire to hold her in her arms but she quickly shook the feeling away, moving her focus to Enid’s immediate needs instead.

“You’re a mess, Enid,” she said sweetly.

She leaned over to the low side table by the bed and pulled a couple of tissues out of the box, turning back towards Enid with her hand outstretched in offering.

“Always such a mucky puppy,” she whispered.

Despite her distress, Enid cracked the smallest of smiles in response and she gladly took the tissues from her friend. Unsteadily and rather slowly she sat up on the bed and blew her nose. She looked over to Wednesday sheepishly, unsure what to say.

Nothing seemed suitable, nothing seemed enough.

“Thank you Wednesday,” replied Enid. The last time she had uttered a ‘thank you’ so sincerely it had been within Wednesday’s arms as she had transformed back into her human form. “I … I must look a mess, huh?”

“You do,” confirmed Wednesday with a glint in her eye, “but you are an endearing mess. I feel very protective of you in such a state.”

Enid gasped.  

“Hey,” she began shakily, “that’s my thing you know.”

“Is it indeed? Well today I can take more of the load, ok?”

Enid sniffed, nodding her head lightly as she wiped her nose again. She was concerned she genuinely was a mess, and while she imagined that Wednesday Addams of all people would not be put off by a little messiness the last thing Enid wanted was for her to see her with a snotty nose.

“How did you know?” asked Enid after a moment to gather her thoughts.

“Know what?”

“That I just wanna get out of here.”

“Enid, you said ‘we’re leaving’ very emphatically. I simply see no point in waiting around,” and Enid thought that Wednesday’s brown eyes were the most beautiful ones she had ever seen, they looked back at her with such empathy that it surprised her.

They truly were both unrecognisable from two years ago.

“I guess I did, didn’t I?”

Why should Enid be scared or timid? Why should she be reduced to sobbing in her childhood bedroom simply because her mother refused to listen to reason, to consider a different opinion, a different way of living?

Above all how could she be so violently opposed to Wednesday?

Enid wiped her tears away with the back of her hands and pushed off the bed with purpose, and Wednesday looked up at her in silent awe as she watched in real time as her friend composed herself, steeling herself with a renewed strength of spirit.

“Ah, god, I can cry anytime, right now we gotta pack!”

The blond girl looked down at Wednesday and she offered her a smile that shined with determination.

“Enid,” said Wednesday reverently as she stood up to join her friend in front of the bed, “you really are a marvel.”

The young werewolf puffed her chest out with pride, and deep within her wolf howled in delight.

Rather unsurprisingly, Esther and Murray were waiting for them in the foyer. They remained silent as Enid, Wednesday, and Thing progressed downwards to meet them by the front door, and Esther’s eyes grew two sizes in shock at the sight of her daughter.

Walking with graceful ease as if completely unburdened Enid carried Wednesday’s formidable trunk over her right shoulder while her left hand held her large glittering suitcase by its strained handle. Wednesday followed closely behind holding her typewriter box, a sizeable purple rucksack slung on her back that threatened to bring her out in hives but that was sadly unavoidable in the circumstances. On her right shoulder sat Thing who began to tense his fingers at the sight of the Sinclair’s below.

How could Esther possibly dispute Enid’s alpha status when she so effortlessly handled so much luggage so that would take three ordinary people to carry it all down safely. Not a hint of a slip or a twinge of her joints, her body was all powerful, her muscles rippling underneath her skin, and although she didn’t really have any skin exposed Wednesday’s eyes could not help but drink her body in from the back of her angelic head to her strong calves that were defined even through her dark tights.

Thankfully the focus was not on Wednesday as they descended.

“Enid?”

Esther’s voice was weak and breathy, her shock written all over her face.

“You still look so much like your old self and yet you’re, you’re…”

Esther did not know what to say to her daughter.

“Alphas are the strongest of our kind, mom, this luggage is nothing,” and she gave her mother such a smug smile that Esther screwed up her face in displeasure.

There was no doubt that Enid was becoming more dominant even in her human form, and other werewolves would become more and more aware as time went on that she was not someone they would want to cross. Wednesday was faintly aware of this push and pull between the werewolves, their scents and their body language playing a crucial role in their behaviour as well as their social and familial hierarchies. Naturally she had learnt about werewolves at school but there was something that Wednesday could almost taste on her tongue that she could not name that informed her about the unspoken conversations that the Sinclair’s were having with each other without a single word being uttered.

Sadly, she did not have time to analyse in great detail now but she made a mental note to discuss it with Enid later.

“Enid, sweetie,” said Murray, his voice quivering with emotion as he broke the tense silence, “please don’t be hasty, love. You’re not due in New Jersey for another two days.”

“Don’t be stupid, Enid!” interrupted Esther, “not on a full moon. Where do you two expect to stay tonight? Or do you plan to hole up in some bed and breakfast down in the valley? I don’t imagine they would be happy to have their room torn up by a werewolf. Besides, there’s a surcharge for dogs, you know.”

Wednesday gave her a death glare following the ‘dog’ comment, but she did also remonstrate herself internally. As much as she despised Esther she was correct to say that they could not risk staying in town, not without the security of a lupin cage for Enid to use in case she felt overwhelmed.

“Don’t act like you’re concerned for me, mom, you’re probably happy that I’m going for now. After all, I’d hate to embarrass you for when your ‘important’ guests visit,” and Enid rolled her eyes at her in disgust.

“We should talk this out, sweetheart,” suggested Esther unconvincingly.

“That would require you actually being honest with me, mom, which you clearly don’t want to do. So, whatever!” Enid’s voice lowered as she continued and she looked to Wednesday quickly before continuing. “It’s not like I’m leaving forever, but I can’t stay here right now. I’m going to stay at Wednesday’s for the rest of the summer.”

Murray shook his head but Esther just crossed her arms in a huff and turned away from them.

“Whatever yourself, my dear, I simply do not understand where this combative and rude energy has sprung from all of a sudden,” and Esther paused before twisting around to stare at Wednesday accusingly. “Your influence, I suppose?”

Enid shook her head, utterly exasperated.

“You always wanted me to stand up for myself, to represent my pack with pride, and you were so desperate for me to wolf out, mom, it was making me sick with worry. Deep inside,” Enid’s voice was cracking with emotion as she took one more stab at trying to get through to her mother. “Deep inside I was so sad for so long, mom. Well, now I haven’t just wolfed out, I’ve presented as an alpha and I grew a backbone. I have no interest in people pleasing or being what others think I should be. Chasing shallow relationships just so I can pretend at feeling like I belong, feeling like I should be with boys that she me the slightest interest at school just so that I would appear to fit in. I never have to do that again. My pack is right here, mom, she’s standing beside me and she likes me exactly as I am.”

Esther’s eyes widened in alarm, her whole body reacting as if Enid had just spat acid in her face.

“Ugh,” groaned the woman in annoyance, unable to think of a single thing to say.

Enid pleaded with her eyes for her mother to reply, to reach out across the space between them and try, just try to truly understand her. Instead, Esther broke her daughter’s heart by turning away and throwing her hands up in the air as she walked into the shadows of the hallway away from Enid and Wednesday.

Murray was lost in agitation, his eyes whipping back between his daughter and his wife, completely perplexed. He tentatively walked towards Enid, coming to a stop just in front of her, making every effort not to look Wednesday’s way as her stare bore into the side of his head.

“I’ll talk to her honey, ok, just please keep yourself safe and let me know when you arrive in New Jersey, alright?”

Enid let her bottom lip wobble just a little before sucking in her breath and forcing her face to look strong. Murray motioned to hug her, but she raised her open palm up to him in an indication to stop.

“I don’t want you to touch me right now dad,” she said, trying to hide the pain in her voice.

Murray dropped his chin down, his eyes looking down at his feet.

“Oh, ok love.”

He shifted uncomfortably before looking up and turning his attention to Wednesday.

“Please take care of my daughter,” he pleaded, his voice breaking.

Without another word, he turned around and went after Esther, leaving them alone in the foyer. Wednesday gave Enid a reassuring look before she motioned with her head towards the door.

“You’ll be back,” Wednesday told her.

Enid knew she was right, she just didn’t know how she would feel when she next crossed over the front door’s threshold.

“Let’s go, Wednesday.”

-----

Underneath the starry sky, with few clouds to block its path, Enid and Wednesday looked up as the full moon began to emerge in all its glory. They had ended up ordering an Uber into town and Wednesday paid for a motel room where they could leave their luggage overnight. In an effort to lighten the mood during their wait, Wednesday had offered to subject herself to whatever tortuous activity Enid wished.

Clothes shopping? Wednesday had survived it before and she could do it again. Fortunately for the pining Addams girl, Enid had laughed and visibly lightened a little at her friend’s offer to endure the hardships of the local high street. Eventually they settled on hanging out in a café before going to a few different places to buy food and drink for later.

As the day progressed, they returned to their room in the afternoon to hang out and eat snacks while watching bad TV, and Wednesday contacted her parents to give them the motel’s address. Finally, the time had come for them to leave, and Wednesday instructed Thing to guard the room before her and Enid had walked to the outskirts of town ahead of nightfall.

However, night was now upon them.

Residual warmth from the day’s heat crackled in the air all around them, the atmosphere having a dry edge to it that was abrasive. Wednesday revelled in the discomfort.

Truthfully, they hadn’t thought too far ahead when they abruptly upped sticks and left in the morning, they just wordlessly knew that they had to get away and yet Enid found she wasn’t afraid. She looked over to where Wednesday was sat at the base of a large tree, her gaze focused on the shadowy canopy above her head. The leaves submerged in the growing darkness playing playful tricks on her watchful eyes that Wednesday found incredibly hypnotising.

The young werewolf walked over to her, slumping against the tree and leaning against it as she lowered herself to sit down beside Wednesday.

“Nervous?” asked Enid.

Wednesday slowly looked back down before her eyes settled on the goddess sat beside her. She fought not to blink too erratically but when Enid was so close to her like this it was a struggle not to just lean into her and reveal her love with a confessional kiss.

“Shouldn’t I be asking you that, Enid?” Wednesday asked simply, her brown eyes searching Enid’s blue ones for any signs of fear or doubt.

The eyes that looked back at her were strong and fierce, and a quiet calm radiated from her body as she leaned her shoulder against Wednesday’s. Enid’s wolf howled loudly within. The contact was chaste and something that they had done before, but the full moon was about to emerge in all its lunar glory and Enid felt like she could take on a hundred Hydes and not even break out into a sweat.

Wednesday could feel the power rolling off her friend in potent waves and she was again struck by how in tune to Enid’s body she felt. Her curiosity really was piqued by the oddity, and it made her wonder…

“I actually feel pretty chill right now, believe it or not.”

Enid’s voice pulled Wednesday out of her own head and back into the present.

“Chill?” mused Wednesday, amused by the choice. “What an incredible downplaying of the rollercoaster of emotions that you have experienced today. I suppose feeling ‘chill’ is not a bad place to be ahead of the full moon. Though to me a chill should be something that runs down your spine as you meet your impending doom.”

Enid smiled at her friend’s inability to not be a little macabre in any given scenario. The way that Wednesday viewed the world was an endless wonder, if a little confusing.  

“You’re the reason you know, Wednesday. You are my strength,” and Enid felt a lump form in her throat.

For an all-powerful alpha, Wednesday really knew how to make her into nothing but a soft puppy.

“Is that so?” replied Wednesday quietly.

“Don’t get me wrong, the nerves are definitely there but I think I would be kinda mad not to have them a little, you know?”

“Developing an ego alongside your alpha traits would surely be a recipe for disaster,” deadpanned Wednesday.

“Ha, you’re probably right,” sighed Enid. “Thanks for being here with me.”

Wednesday turned away from Enid, her attempts at remaining neutral faced cracking underneath her friend’s gaze.

“There is no where else I would be,” Wednesday told her sincerely.

Wednesday fought to control her breathing, her throat constricting painfully with the effort. For Enid, the pain was mirrored as Wednesday’s scent was all she could think about. They remained sat together, their shoulders touching, as they each fought to survive the silence that momentarily fell between them.

A memory abruptly came to the forefront of Enid’s mind and the effect it had on her was potent. Her shock and awe were the same even in remembrance just as it was in the moment.

“Wednesday?”

“Yes, Enid.”

“Your wolf was beautiful. I don’t think I’ve told you before.”

Wednesday whipped her head around to find that Enid was already looking in her direction, her braids flying with the effort and hitting her with a thud against her chest.

“My wolf?” she repeated the word, mulling it over in her mouth, feeling it out with her tongue like it was some unknowable thing that she couldn’t quite grasp.

“You wolfed out, remember? Isaac came at me with an axe when he tried to stop us from shutting down his machine at Willow Hill. You transformed to stop him from attacking me.”

Wednesday gulped.

Of course she remembered. The transformation had been startling and it hadn’t been until much later that she digested the fact that she had turned into a werewolf that it finally felt real.

“I mean, the whole ‘body swap trick as a punishment’ thing was so trippy but I didn’t think you would wolf out while still in my body. But the wolf that showed up was nothing like mine, it was all you Wednesday. The wolf saw your soul and it adapted to fit. You were … you were magnificent!”

The raven-haired girl’s heartrate was galloping so fast she was certain that Enid would hear it this time, and as she looked into Enid’s eyes, she thought she saw the corner of her right eye twitch.

“So much happened during those twenty-four hours that me turning into a werewolf didn’t even seem that outrageous at the time,” contemplated Wednesday aloud. “I don’t think my introduction to werewolf biology prepared me for such an eventuality.”

“Me neither and I’m a werewolf!”

“How is it even possible?”

Wednesday couldn’t understand it at all, but now that the topic had come up, she did wonder if it was somehow the source of her growing affinity with Enid. Her love already existed before Rotwood’s price had to be paid, and since then Wednesday had felt like something was different. Perhaps this was the reason.

“Enid, do you think the wolf lingers … even now?”

“Gosh, I really don’t know. What’s up? You look like you’ve got something on your mind.”

Wednesday bristled at how easily Enid was able to read her and a small part of her longed to maintain her previous wall of mystery and unapproachability. Enid would never have it, of course.

“Hey, Wednesday, look at me.”

Enid’s command was softly spoken but her expectation was not up for debate, and who was Wednesday Addams to deny her? The brown eyes that looked back at Enid were glossy, her pupils wide in adjustment to the darkness, and Enid knew that she would happily drown in the dark pools.

“Your wolf was fierce, and breathtaking, and as black as night. She was beautiful, Wednesday, just like you.”

Wednesday gulped.

This was dangerous territory for Enid.

The moon’s pull was so strong and her wolf was rattling within every fibre of her body, clawing to get out. She could wolf out at any moment and the last thing she wanted was to attempt a first kiss when she could potentially put Wednesday into danger. The thought was too unbearable to even consider.

Enid knew within her heart that she would never consciously hurt Wednesday as her wolf would recognise her anywhere, but if she was too close to her when the transformation happened, she feared what damage her claws could do before Wednesday could move away from her.

“Have I ever told you that I have been fascinated by lycanthropy since childhood?”

Amazed by her friend’s unprompted candour, Enid snorted with laughter.

“What? Wednesday are you pulling my leg right now?”

“I am quite serious, Enid. As mother will tell you I used to howl on top of the roof of our mansion every full moon for a whole year during my youth in the hope that I might transform. Needless to say, my efforts were unsuccessful.”

“Awwww, oh my god, little Wednesday howling at the moon is the cutest freakin thing I’ve ever heard!”

Wednesday frowned.

“You must swear absolute secrecy, Enid. That was for your ears only,” her tone a mixture of intimidation tinged with slight mortification.

“Cross my heart and hope to die, bestie! I’ll take it to the grave, I swear,” Enid assured Wednesday, her mood transformed into one that was genuinely upbeat after such an emotionally draining day.

It was within these quiet moments together where they had no expectations of each other that they found the most surprises, their bond deepening as their understanding of each other grew more intimate moment by moment.

“You called it ‘your wolf’ and asked me if it lingers. Why would you think it could?” asked Enid, her tone more serious.

It was unclear to Wednesday if now was the right time to share her concerns with Enid and as she tilted her head upwards, she could see the beauty of the full moon in all its glory. By rights, Enid should have wolfed out by now and yet she appeared serene despite the growing chaos within her.

“This may be a topic to pick back up another time,” Wednesday noted as she pointed towards the sky. “She demands your attention.”

Enid smiled as she joined Wednesday in looking up.

“Sure,” agreed Enid.

They both stood up wordlessly and Enid began to hold her elbows in her hands as she sought to calm herself down, a sudden wave of fear flooding her body that made her wolf rumble in displeasure. Wednesday noticed the sudden shift immediately and tried to help her.

“Breathe Enid, this is nothing you haven’t faced before,” reasoned Wednesday, her tone steady.

“I just don’t want to be afraid of it,” admitted Enid.

“What’s your dream Enid?”

“My dream?” she repeated quickly, cocking her head to the side.

Wednesday thought it made her look even more like a puppy than usual.

“Your dream outcome for your evolving life as an alpha. How do you want to live?”

Enid held her friend’s gaze and Wednesday’s silent power and stability made her feel so safe that she pushed down the last remnants of her nerves until they were nothing but a shadow of where a feeling used to reside.

What had she to fear with Wednesday by her side?

“The moon bends to my will, and not me to the moon’s. That my wolf is something that I can come to look upon as an old friend and not as an adversary to be feared and avoided. Regardless of the day or night, my wolf and are aligned. Wednesday, I want to thrive! My fun and freedom era as an alpha could be more epic than anything I could have previously imagined.”

Enid’s breathing was heavy and fast as rippling energy surged throughout her entire body.  

“My wolf is mine and a full moon is nothing to fear. I know who I am and I know that my pack will always have my back … right, Wednesday?”

The blue-eyed girl had tears running down her cheeks as she spoke out her intentions into the universe, determined to make a life for herself that she could be proud of.

“We can be lone wolves together, Enid. May the world underestimate your brilliance at its peril,” declared Wednesday, her voice bouncing off the trees and carrying on the breeze with purpose.

Enid’s face erupted into such a wide smile that it perfectly showed off her growing fangs.

“I’ll be with you the entire time, Enid.”

Enid began to walk backwards but she never stopped looking at Wednesday. In a flash of realisation, she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that she was in control, not the wolf, and so what she chose to do next was purely her choice.

The young werewolf knew she had Wednesday as her packmate, and she knew that in some form or another that they would always be in each other’s lives. But it wasn’t enough. She wanted Wednesday to desire her just as she desired Wednesday. As she looked at the girl’s pale silhouette in the darkness her wolf roared, the first real growl ripping out of her chest.

As she came to a stop, she never broke eye contact with Wednesday and Wednesday, for her part, didn’t dare look away from her. It was too dark and Enid was stood too far away but she hoped beyond hope that this would make Wednesday turn a scandalous shade of scarlet.

First, she removed her boots, and unzipped her hoodie. Next to come off was her t-shirt which she pulled off over her head, leaving her torso covered by only her pink bra. Feeling increasingly brave, her wolf clamouring at her the whole time, she undid the button of her shorts before unzipping them, pulling them down to her ankles and stepping out of them slowly. Then she took the waistband of her tights between her thumbs and forefingers and slid them down, and inch by tortuous inch her silky-smooth skin was revealed under the light of the moon.

Wednesday couldn’t breathe.

In fact, she was dangerously close to hyperventilating. She had never felt this way before as her body was physically reacting to such a degree that she thought she might collapse, her legs giving way from underneath her.

Enid felt ten feet tall and soon she practically would be, her alpha werewolf form taking shape underneath the full moon’s glow. But she wasn’t quite done yet. She reached her hands behind her back and unhooked her bra and holding on to only one end she pulled it away from her body and held it out in front of her, pausing to catch how Wednesday had begun to fidget with her hands.

With a flourish, she dropped her bra on to the forest floor.

That left only her pink panties and Wednesday felt like she was on fire. Her core was painful and she could feel how wet her underwear was getting.

‘Is Enid trying to murder me?’ she thought.

Slowly, with absolutely no attempt to hide her intention to be seductive, Enid bent down and held the top of her underwear lightly between her fingers. As she pulled them down, she kept her face looking upwards, never breaking eye contact. When they finally came to a stop at her feet she stepped out of them.

Wednesday was entranced.

Wednesday was in love.

Enid gave her one final smile before her howl filled the forest. Her fingers contorted and extended with painful cracks, her claws catching the light of the moon and shining, their deadliness undeniable. Her alpha form was a hulking mass of muscle and blond fur, her neck, arms, and thighs had all thickened out since her first time wolfing out underneath the blood moon and her fangs were wider and longer too, her bite sharper and more devastating.

If another werewolf were to come across her, they would instinctively seek to evade her notice for fear of angering her with their mere presence.

Not Wednesday Addams though.

Wednesday thought she looked beautiful like this too.

Enid surged upwards on to her hind legs, her howl a terrifying announcement of her raw alpha power. Inside Wednesday something without a name rumbled inside her, and she recognised it as the shadow of her wolf that had been born the day that she had swapped bodies with Enid. A little bit of wolf had refused to let her go, and now it would remain with her always.

Perhaps the two had been fated to meet?

Wednesday Addams, the emotionally reserved black sheep of her family who was adamant she would live and die alone, her inability to bend threatening the most important relationships in her life.

Enid Sinclair, the late bloomer who was desperate for friendship and genuine connection whose greatest fear was becoming a lone wolf, and yet destined to become an alpha and end up exactly that.

A black sheep and a lone wolf.

A raven and a werewolf.

They complemented each other so well, their two flawed halves creating a whole that they could work on together. They were roommates, they were best friends, they were each other’s pack.

They were something else too.

As Enid’s alpha form looked across to where Wednesday stood in the dappled moonlight of the forest it recognised the beautiful form of the girl that it knew to be its mate.

Soundlessly the pair walked towards each other and Wednesday stopped just short of their touching. She extended out her hand and the werewolf sniffed it before she let out a little howl in happiness. Enid dropped down on to the forest floor, curling up into a ball but leaving a gap small enough for her chosen to mate to lie within. Without hesitation, Wednesday climbed into the space and the werewolf curled further inwards, wrapping a protective paw over Wednesday’s body.

“I see,” whispered Wednesday, her heart still thundering, “you will watch over me while I slumber, won’t you Enid?”

Enid whimpered lightly and rustled the top of Wednesday’s head with her snout.

“Hmm, I suppose I really should get some rest,” sighed Wednesday, her voice suddenly groggy as the weight of the day caught up with her.

As she lost herself to sleep the young Addams was struck by the thought that her summer of courting Enid was going in very unexpected directions and yet she felt no fear.

Her cold, black heart was filled to the brim with love for the girl who held her in her warm embrace, and she secretly wished that the morning would be slow to come.

‘Perhaps,’ thought Wednesday, her final conscious thoughts tumbling out of her messily as she fell into a deep slumber, ‘perhaps I should tell Enid how I feel.’

Chapter Text

Wednesday watched as Enid’s chest rose and fell slowly, her eyes closed as she was lost in a deep sleep. Her pink and blue eye makeup was framed with silver glitter and her squishable cheeks had the faintest tint of pink to them as her head rested against the soft red leather.

‘Werewolves do run hot, after all,’ thought Wednesday to herself with a hint of a smile.

Her beautiful hair was blonder than ever as her signature blue and pink dye had begun to fade, and Wednesday made a mental note to dispatch Lurch on an errand after they arrived at the Addams estate. Every third or fourth breath was a little louder than the others, and as the enamoured girl admired her a chill caused Enid to spasm momentarily. Her need to get comfortable remained even in her sleeping state, and Enid nuzzled her face deeper into the cushion that Wednesday had propped behind her head.

Enid was wrapped up in the pink blanket that she had used when they had made their journey back down from Canada. Wednesday had told Lurch to keep it in an unused cubby in the depths of the Addams family car where no poor family member might risk accidentally coming across it and getting a shock to the nervous system.

With all her recent exposure to every shade of the rainbow Wednesday had increased her allergy medicine dose from one pill a day to two, although she found this change to her routine irksome and was considering seeking her mother’s advice about redesigning the composition so that she could maintain it at only one per day for efficiency.

Sat atop his specially commissioned red velvet shelf over the drink’s cabinet, Thing observed the young mistress as her eyes never left Enid’s face, and he began to tap his fingers eagerly.

Without moving her head Wednesday’s eyes whipped to Thing’s position across from her and her stare was steely.

“I would consider your next words carefully, old friend, unless you seek to be the first volunteer for my electrified thumbscrews. Peer-review cannot be overlooked when seeking the highest quality torture tools. Proceed with caution.”

Her nostrils flared slightly at their edges and with slow precision she turned her head around to match the direction of her gaze. Thing flexed his fingers up and down in discomfort before steeling himself to continue.

There was still a long way to drive and very little in way of entertainment to keep him occupied within the car, and Lurch wasn’t much of a conversationalist. Pushing Wednesday’s buttons may be a dangerous choice, but it was certainly the most thrilling option available to him.

“Last Night / How go?” he signed to her.

“As expected, Enid was a triumph,” declared Wednesday proudly. “An alpha to be feared and revered for her control as well as her power.”

Thing considered the look that washed over the girl’s face as the corners of her mouth eased upwards into a small, contented smile, and her brown eyes gleamed with simmering dark emotion. For Thing, it was fascinating to see Wednesday evolve into the creature before him, her continuing transformation born of Enid’s influence was a genuine wonder to watch in real time.

“That it?” he queried, a little disappointed with the lack of details.

“What else could you possibly need to know?” she pushed back, glaring at him slightly.

Despite her defensive heat he continued with his questioning, hoping for something a bit juicier.

“No confess? / Boring.”

“Cut out the sass, it doesn’t suit you,” and Wednesday crossed her arms.

“In love / Enid / Why wait?” he tapped energetically.

Wednesday breathed in deeply through her nose, her eyes unblinking, annoyed at the impromptu interrogation. Enid could awaken at any moment and she was fluent in Thing, and with her wolf hearing she could likely identify what he was saying even in a state of half sleep.

“You know, Thing, with a flick of this switch I can tip your shelf downwards and a trap door will open. They say cats always land on their paws, but I wonder if the same can be said for hands? Shall we test the theory?”

Her eyes widened in sadistic glee as she moved her right arm to longue along the armrest, her index finger extending outwards to menacingly stroke the top of the switch that would seal Thing’s fate.

“How long do you think it will take you to tap your way back home?”

Thing had known Wednesday since she was brought back home from the hospital and placed down into the Addams family crib, the twirling knife mobile circling her head in a dark dance that had absorbed her attention from a young age. Before that he had tapped little messages of greeting against Morticia’s pregnant stomach so that she would know him before she arrived into the dark and dismal world. He considered himself pretty adept at ‘speaking’ Wednesday.

She sought to change the subject precisely because something happened. He did not know what exactly, but even if it wasn’t his to know, he could still tease her with the threat of him discovering the truth of their private moment.

There was nothing she retreated from faster than the sentimental.

How fun.

“You / kiss?”

Of all the questions he could have chosen to ask he knew that was the one that was sure to light a fire of burning anger within her young breast.

“I see you have a death wish today,” she spoke each word with precision, her voice edged with violent intent.

Beside her, Enid whined in her sleep and it was comical how quickly Wednesday turned her head to look at her friend, and her murderous eyes softened instantly as she breathed her in from her seat next to her.

Thing made his hand version of a snort.

“Whipped,” he tapped gleefully.

Without looking away from Enid, Wednesday’s finger rested on top of the switch and she made a motion as if she were about to pull it back.

“Mmmmm,” Enid groaned in her sleep next to her. “We-Wednesday.”

The words barely escaped Enid’s lips as more than a husky whisper but hearing her friend say her name in her sleep had a pronounced physical and psychological effect on the morbid girl. As if she had been burned, she withdrew her hand from where it had been hovering above the switch and she began to fidget with her tense fingers, resting them within her lap. During times like these Wednesday wished she had longer nails so that she could feel their sharp sting in her cool palms, but ever the efficient and practical type she preferred to keep them short.

Wednesday blinked slowly, her breath in danger of becoming irregular, and she saw out of the corner of her eyes that Thing was laughing as only Thing could.

“Not. A. Word,” Wednesday commanded through gritted teeth.

“Night / good?” he quickly signed before Wednesday could throw something at him. “Glad / Strong bond / Bodes well / Still on / mission?”

Wednesday exhaled forcefully and rolled her eyes before she considered Thing’s comments and told herself that perhaps she was being a little harsh on him.

She blinked, shocked at herself.

‘Enid’s influence is insidious,’ she thought.

With a flick of her deep brown eyes, she reassessed whether her roommate was at risk of awakening. When she was happy that she remained in a deep slumber she turned her attention back to her scheming accomplice.

Wednesday leaned forwards and Thing moved to meet her, and when she spoke her voice was hushed and deadly serious.

“The plan remains. My courting of Enid continues at home in earnest, and I intend to ensure that she is swept off her feet.”

Thing hopped on the spot in happiness.

“Give / present?” he enquired.

“Yes,” she confirmed, accompanied with a slight nod, “but the timing must be optimal for the gift to have the most impact. Anything less than perfect will be inadequate. I want to show her how important she is to me.”

Thing shook.

“Wednesday / overthink,” he signed.

“Why do you say that? Courted many sentient body parts lately? No? That’s what I thought.”

If Thing could huff, he would have done.

“Enid / Wednesday / Strong bond / Don’t overthink.”

Wednesday frowned as she turned away from Thing, bristling at the suggestion that she was making her courting of Enid convoluted. The young Addams was determined to do things properly, with the greatest care, so that Enid would feel safe and appreciated.

‘This journey cannot end soon enough,’ she thought, as Lurch dutifully drove them homeward.

-----

Enid had been unsure exactly what to expect. She knew it would be dark and gloomy, intimidating and gothic, but also full of character that reflected its macabre and eccentric inhabitants. As Lurch drove through the rusted iron gates and down the driveway Enid pressed her warm cheek against the cold glass of the window and peered upwards, the imposing Addams mansion extending upwards into the dark and stormy sky like a shadowy phantom.

Enid gulped.

More than anything she wanted to make a good impression as a friend of Wednesday and as someone who was soon to be a houseguest for an extended period. After all, no one enjoyed the person that overstayed their welcome. She was desperate for the family to like her, to truly like her, as their interactions with each other had often been brief and filled with the typical Nevermore chaos back at school.

Everything Mr and Mrs Addams knew about Enid had been gleaned from Wednesday herself and her tongue could be barbed and critical as she well knew. Although their early days of fraught room sharing in their dorm had long since passed Enid was bubbling with nerves for a variety of reasons.

Above all else she desired that Morticia and Gomez would one day see her as a suitable partner for their daughter and eldest child. This summer visit was her chance to make a good impression outside of the restricted conditions and controlled atmosphere of the school. Contrasting her nerves was a bubbling excitement about seeing Wednesday in her home with her family.

Wednesday Addams in her natural habitat. What kind of creature will she be?

What was Wednesday like outside of school when there wasn’t a monster to hunt or an abusive adult to foil? The young werewolf could clearly picture Wednesday’s side of their shared room back at Nevermore in her mind and soon she would get to see her friend’s actual childhood bedroom.

She told herself that she had to relax as a hyperventilating werewolf was a terrible impression to make upon arrival.

“Ready?” asked Wednesday, her voice steady.

“As I’ll ever be, I guess,” Enid winced, a little whine coming out at the end.

Wednesday appraised her friend’s body language and realised that Enid was practically vibrating with nervous puppy dog energy.

“There are no Esther Sinclair’s here. Try to calm your mind.”

To reiterate her point, Thing tapped that he would personally run Esther off the premises if she dared to darken their doorstep during her visit, making Enid smile.

“Thanks Thing, it’s cool to know that you’ve always got my back,” and with a flourish of her hand she brought her thumb and index fingers together, crossing them together to make a Korean finger heart.

The grey appendage jumped into action, eager to reciprocate, leaning back on to his wrist stump so that he could make a finger heart back at his friend.

“And if that doesn’t suffice, I can set out bear traps,” added Wednesday dryly, as she valiantly tried to ignore the nausea that threatened to creep upon her after observing such a cloying sentimental display.

Not expecting such a comical image to come into her mind Enid snorted with laughter, the angelic noise ringing a bell within Wednesday’s blackened chest that made her feel as light as air.

Lurch brought the vehicle to a stop and they all exited. Even with the spaciousness of the Addams family car it had still been a long journey and Enid stretched and shook out her limbs to shift the sleepiness from them before she peered across to see that the tall black double doors were open in anticipation. Beyond the threshold, Enid could just make out the waiting figures of Wednesday’s parents inside.

Wednesday motioned for Enid to join her in front of the steep steps, her face painted in her usual guarded composure that was proving harder to read today, but that might have been because Enid was so nervous that she was struggling to focus. Would running laps around the car to release some of her frenetic wolf energy be viewed upon as endearing or concerning?

‘Best not to risk it,’ she thought to herself.

The well-dressed figures of Wednesday’s parents were now in full view and Enid was freaking out.

‘Mrs Addams really is beautiful,’ thought Enid as they climbed the steps. ‘And Mr Addams is smiling; that’s a good sign … I think.’

Morticia’s warm smile grew upwards and the slightest hint of teeth popped into view, framed by her dark red lips that had an undertone of cool purple to them. The graceful woman opened her arms outwards in greeting, prompting Gomez to look up at her adoringly as if she had just cured world hunger with a wave of her hands.

“Wednesday my darling, welcome home,” she enthused as the pair strode over the threshold and came to a stop inside the dark and morbid opulence of the foyer. In front of them, Morticia and Gomez awaited them at the foot of the grand staircase.

Enid’s nose began to twitch as she breathed in the mingling scents of damp and mildew.

Morticia stepped forward, leaning towards Wednesday to blow two loving air kisses to her daughter’s cheeks. Wednesday reciprocated, leaning into the greeting and turning her cheeks in turn to receive the touchless affection but unlike her mother she did not pucker her lips.

“There’s my little landmine,” cooed Gomez proudly, “We’ve missed you.”

The doting father gently held Wednesday by the shoulders and hugged her, and the girl allowed it, although she kept her arms hanging loosely by her sides.

“Temper your enthusiasm, father, I have only been absent twelve days.”

“And darling Enid,” greeted Morticia with refined eagerness, “it is such a joy to finally have you here in our humble abode of mayhem.”

‘This is it,’ thought Enid, and she swallowed hard before offering Mrs Addams her best werewolf grin.

“Thank you so much, Mrs Addams, I’m really excited to be here with you all, and with Wednesday,” the smiling girl added, her eyes darting to the side to catch Wednesday’s face.

It remained unreadable except for the slightest twitch at the corner of her mouth.

Morticia held out her hands, inviting Enid to take them, and the nervous blonde almost tripped over her feet in her urgency which elicited an approving smile from Gomez as he watched.

“I do not know what happened back in California, my dear, but I want you to know that you can stay here for as long as you want,” and Morticia squeezed Enid’s warm hands with her soft but cold fingertips, sending a shiver down Enid’s spine that whilst cool was not uncomfortable.

“Wow, that’s so, so generous of you, Mrs Addams. I … I don’t know what to say!” gushed Enid, beginning to babble in relief. A wave of adrenaline rushed over her as her nerves snapped chaotically, making way for a bubbling acceptance that settled in her chest.

Wednesday noticed how her friend’s shoulders untensed and a weight seemed to be lifted from her as Enid slowly straightened her posture and stood tall to look up into her mother’s eyes.

“Thank you so much,” added Enid, a blush blooming across her cheeks.

Their hands remaining together, Enid looked over to Gomez and the man’s smile doubled in size, his hands clasped around his lapels. Upon meeting eyes with Enid, he held his open hands up in the air in an exaggerated greeting and enthused about how exciting it was to have her visit them.

“Enid, my little serotonin supply, we have been counting down the days until your arrival,” Gomez announced, his friendliness almost bowling Enid over.

“OMG, thank you Mr Addams. Gah, Wednesday, did you hear that? I’m a serotonin supply.”

Morticia and Gomez laughed as Enid’s chest puffed out in appreciation, and Wednesday could not help but roll her eyes. Ever observant of her daughter’s behaviour, Morticia’s eyes caught the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it action causing her to gently shake her head at her daughter’s dedicated display of nonchalance. She could tell it wasn’t genuinely felt as her whole body seemed to vibrate when Enid spoke to her.

“Imagine our happiness when we discovered we would receive you two days early,” he said before pausing, his eyebrows twitching in displeasure as he leaned towards his wife and guest, “though it pains me to know that the reason is an unhappy one. If you want to talk…”

He reached into his jacket pocket and his hand remerged with his business card nestled between two fingers which he then held out to Enid expectantly.

“My card,” Gomez explained, “in case you want to investigate emancipation. You have options,” and Gomez gave the girl a fatherly wink of reassurance.

Enid’s jaw dropped open and she spluttered, her attempt to speak failing as she took the card from Mr Addams.

“Er, thanks, Mr Addams … I think,” replied Enid, a little perplexed as she tried to work out if he was joking. She pocketed the card into her jeans hastily.

Wednesday glared at her father, concerned that Enid would take the gesture badly, and the prickly heat from his daughter’s gaze made Gomez laugh.

Morticia tutted, releasing Enid’s remaining hand with a maternal squeeze.

“Enough probing, my love, I am sure the girls want to retreat to their rooms to rest and freshen up after their long journey. Come.”

Turning with a flourish of her long sleeves Morticia moved around and Gomez immediately sprung to her side and held his wife’s hand as they ascended the creaking staircase. Wednesday waited for Enid’s eyes to find hers, and she didn’t have to wait long as the blonde girl shimmied over to her friend’s side to whisper into her ear.

“I think that went ok, right?” she asked shyly. “I think … I think they like me.”

“Enid, please evict these feelings of inadequacy from your mind. They betray your kind heart and make it heavier than it should be. My parents adore you,” reassured Wednesday, her voice low but commanding authority in the hope that what she was saying would be taken to heart.

Her friend nodded a small nod as she fidgeted with her hands before swinging them behind her back and holding them loosely, her body swaying gently as the pair moved to follow Wednesday’s parents.

“Your restless energy is inescapable today. If you can focus on nothing else, make it my words,” and Wednesday had adopted a tone of a school teacher chastising an unruly pupil.

Enid made a face at the serious girl, scrunching up her nose into her eyes playfully as she walked.

“OK, ok, message received, Wednesday,” she said lazily, feigning annoyance but secretly enjoying how seriously her friend seemed to be taking her mood. “No need to be so bossyyyy.”

Enid’s face shifted, her mischievous side coming out as they walked along the hallway. She felt like pushing her luck a little.

Wednesday was amused but she didn’t show it.

“I am not bossy; I am simply correct.”

Enid scoffed.

“Even a broken clock is right twice a day, I suppose,” Enid retorted teasingly.

Wednesday stopped in her tracks, her oblivious parents continuing forwards until their swaying bodies disappeared round the corner.

“Besides, you can’t boss around the boss, Wednesday,” and Enid winked at her.

Enid’s face was touched with such a smug look, her chin raised in a show of being haughty, that seemed to invite Wednesday to dare to disagree with her, and Wednesday didn’t know where to look.

“You are painfully incorrect, Enid, as you often are,” replied Wednesday, fighting to maintain her monotone.

“And who is the alpha here? Oh right, it’s me,” Enid declared gleefully, pointing to herself.

Seeing the effect her words had on her friend’s face Enid began to skip away from her before pausing to look back and seeing the perplexed look Wednesday had. With her right hand she motioned for her to follow.

“Well, come on Wednesday, we can’t keep your parents waiting.”

Enid’s cheeky smile was like a thousand small cuts that tore apart Wednesday’s flesh in a flurry of red, exposing her beating black heart within. The pain of her snarky sweetness was close to diabolical torture.

‘This girl means to unravel me,’ groaned Wednesday painfully to herself.

Coming up behind her at that moment was Thing who trundled past on one of Gomez’s model trains, his form reclined in a luxurious carriage. Wednesday blanked him completely, already aware that he had likely witnessed the exchange and being in no mood for anymore of his teasing she walked onwards. The train jostled past her on its rattling tracks, catching up to Enid who squealed in excitement at the unexpected sight.

“Gah, look at you. Riding in style, Thing, hell yeah!”

By the time the pair reconvened in the west wing Morticia and Gomez were waiting for them, ensconced in a Victorian Tête-à-Tête chair, and Enid felt awkward interrupting their amorous display. It felt incredibly private. She looked towards Wednesday pleadingly, her puppy eyes twitching with embarrassment, unsure what to do, and Wednesday glowered as she stormed towards her parents in deadly silence.

“Cease your undignified face sucking at once,” she rebuked her parents, her voice low and venomous, threatening to bite at any moment, “we have a guest, and Enid does not need to be mentally scarred further.”

Her parents regretfully parted and they continued to make kissing noises at each other as they leaned away from each other’s embrace to stand up. While Enid was certainly embarrassed, she did think it sweet how in love the couple clearly were.

‘How does Wednesday survive all their PDA without killing them?’ she thought, genuinely stumped.

“Wednesday, sheath your daggered stare. Your father and I only had time to indulge in a little affection on account of your … dawdling,” Morticia teased with a knowing look at her daughter before her eyes flicked over to Enid.

“If anyone else in this meddling family continues to push their luck there will be hell to pay,” whispered Wednesday tensely to her parents, careful not to let Enid hear her. Her eyes were fiery as she narrowed them at her mother and lowered her chin menacingly.  

Behind her, Enid let out a little yelp.

‘What did Mrs Addams mean by that?’ worried the werewolf. ‘She didn’t hear us, right? It was just playful jabbing between friends, that’s all,’ Enid told herself in a slight panic.

“Tish, please, my anticipation is through the roof. Show her, caramia, show her,” begged Gomez. “Girls, come see what has she’s prepared.”

Mother and daughter moved in sync as they turned away from each other before Wednesday looked back and invited Enid to her side with a look. With great speed she bounded over to her friend, coming to a stop by her side with a bounce.

“Do you know what this is about?” enquired Enid, intrigued, her mind racing a mile a minute with theories.

“I do not. Doubtless it is some curious project that my mother has sunk endless time into,” replied Wednesday dryly. “She is nothing without a hobby.”

Enid frowned, her roommate’s answer offering little in the way of insight.  

Morticia stood in front of the imposing double doors, her eyes bright and glossy, and her closed smile beaming at Enid directly as if she was the only other person on the landing with her. Wednesday noted the location of the room her mother had chosen, flicking her eyes further down the hallway to a shadowy corner where a decrepit looking door stood.

“I considered at great length how to make you feel as comfortable as possible and after consulting my darling Gomez I settled on the route that made the most sense,” explained Morticia, her voice smooth and crackling with maternal warmth as well as what Wednesday recognised as a subtle edge of pride.

“You have shared a room with our darling Wednesday and survived, no mean feat in this family I can assure you. I hope you don’t mind that I took inspiration directly from the source, but your room’s decor and,” Morticia trailed her eyes up and down Enid as she tried to find the most appropriate words, “your singular wardrobe style inspired me to create what I hope will be your home away from home.”

Morticia pushed the door’s open and led the way in, but Enid found her feet pinned to the floor.

She couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

The walls had been newly painted on three of its four sides in an orchid pink with the fourth wall opposite the door decked out in a luxurious wallpaper whose design was reminiscent of a wildflower field. In the middle of the back wall was a wooden four poster bed wrapped with sparkling orange and fuchsia translucent sheets up and down its supportive columns and roof that created a shimmering canopy above the mattress. On the far-right wall was an old, ornate fireplace, its inky blackness gilded in gold leaf and it was festooned with dried berries, fruits, and flowers that gave off a heavenly scent.

A small desk was nestled underneath a window to the left of the bed, and on the floor space in the left-hand corner was a rug, low coffee table, and two quilted bean bags for lounging around on when the bed or chair proved unsuitable. A wooden ottoman with a brown leather cushioned top rested at the foot of the bed, and in the corner closet to the door was a tall wooden wardrobe and dresser with a full-length mirror beside it. Finally, greeting any visitor that walked through the doorway, was a rainbow shaped tufted rug.

Enid didn’t know where to look but her breath caught in the back of her throat and she felt her eyes getting wet as she slowly walked into the bedroom, unsure where to look first. Her head didn’t stop moving, every new corner she discovered surprising her, and she was bowled over by how bright and open the room was. She was in a state of shock, her mouth open and her arms flapping around as she began to bounce around the room in amazement.

“Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!”

Her unleashed excitement reverberated off the walls as she flopped on to the bed, laughing, before she hopped off it and flung herself into the desk chair, twirling herself around in it before she bounded over to one of the bean bags and slumped down into it, giggling.

Her laughter was contagious as she realised that Gomez and Morticia were softly laughing with her, overjoyed to see the girl’s reaction. As her heartbeat thundered in her chest, her heart overflowing with happiness and gratitude, Enid realised that unlike the blue bean bag she was sitting on the one on the opposite side of the coffee table was black. In fact, now that she was looking more closely there were blacks, greys, and whites dotted throughout the room. It was in the black floorboards and the white wooden bed, as well as the black and gold fireplace, and while there was a colourful throw on top of the bed, the bedding underneath was a patchwork of dark greens, blacks, greys, and browns, flecked with white.

“Wow,” was all Enid found herself able to say.

She returned to her feet slowly and her fingers ended up finding comfort at the edges of her hoodie, before her right hand moved to nervously play with the zip.

“You … you did all this for me?” Enid asked, astounded, the shock and awe plastered across her face.

Morticia nodded.

“Do you find it suitable, my dear? I can make any adjustment that you need, I want you to be comfortable here,” reassured Morticia, her keen eye watching Enid’s body language with great interest. “Your sanctuary, if you wish it to be.”

Enid’s eyes got wetter and she took in a deep breath before nodding her head furiously in approval and appreciation, her hair flying all over the place from her enthusiasm.

“I don’t have words. Mrs Addams, Mr Addams, thank you so much. This … this is more than I deserve.”

“Nonsense,” shot down Morticia, “of course you deserve it. Besides, I was happy to arrange it for you. You’re so good to our Wednesday. Did you know that you’re the first friend she’s ever brought back home.”

Enid gasped.

“You’re breaking new ground, Enid,” joked Gomez.

“Wait, really?” she asked, trying to make it not too obvious how happy that particular fact made her.

“Speaking of my darling daughter…”

Morticia’s eye caught the sight of her daughter looming in the shadow of the threshold, her body unmoving but her eyes ever watchful.

“Now, Wednesday, don’t lurk at the door like a spectre, dear. You know such behaviour is best saved for when everyone is asleep.”

“Ah yes,” agreed Gomez, nodding, “fewer witnesses.”

The couple shared an adoring look between them, and Enid found herself thinking that the poisoned apple really does not fall far from the rotten tree.

Wednesday’s steps were measured and purposeful and as she stepped through the bedroom door she assessed every item of furniture, and every colourful throw. Her sharp eyes noticed how every surface was spotlessly clean and was devoid of any dust, rust, debris, or decay, and she struggled to fathom how she was still stood in her own home.

“If I had woken up in this room without seeing it first, I would have assumed that I had been kidnapped,” she deadpanned. “Mother, you have outdone yourself.”

Morticia’s eyes lit up at the rare positive praise from her daughter.

“Though how did you survive decorating without going blind … or mad?” Wednesday asked seriously.

“Oh, well, my darling,” she replied as she waved her hand around the room. “I designed the room plan and décor myself and oversaw all the work,” explained Morticia.

Wednesday stared at her, unblinking.

“You made Lurch do it, didn’t you?”

Wednesday raised the corner of her eyebrow as she stared at her mother, knowing that her needling would annoy her.

“It’s called task management, Wednesday, before you continue with that judgemental tone of yours,” bristled Morticia.

“More like middle management, you mean,” fired back Wednesday with a hint of a devious grin.

Morticia tutted.

“What do you think, Wednesday?” asked Enid, changing the topic. “Isn’t it pretty?”

Wednesday watched as Enid sprang up from the bean bag and bounded over to her, her smile wide and puppy like, her nerves no longer detectable as they had been washed away by the thoughtful welcome that her parents had prepared for her.

“My eyes are in agony from the assault of bright colours, my nose is twitching from the scent of citrus and berries, and there is not a single cobweb, rusty nail, or leaky pipe to be found. I would struggle to survive in such a torture chamber but I have no doubt that you shall flourish in it.”

Behind her, Gomez squeezed his wife’s hand as he could tell how happy Wednesday’s words made her feel.

“Soooooo it’s Wednesday approved?” Enid asked, leaning down into her friend’s space, her hands behind her back as she eagerly awaited her reply.

“It’s … adequate,” she offered simply.

“Yay! In Wednesday speak that’s basically a five-star review, eek!”

The excited werewolf spun herself around until she got dizzy, landing on her back on the bed sprawled out like a starfish. From her watchful position at the foot of the bed Wednesday thought she was an adorable idiot.

“Well girls, better head on down. You two take your time, unpack, unwind, whatever you like,” Gomez said happily as he offered Morticia his arm.

“Dinner will be at seven. Pugsley does not return from Eugene’s until tomorrow, and so it will just be the four of us dining together tonight. I hope you brought your appetite with you, my dear,” and Morticia scrunched up her nose at Enid as the couple made their way out of the room.

Fear struck the alpha’s heart. Enid had violent flashbacks to the roadkill pot pie and was concerned she may not survive the meal.

“Err, right, dinner, of course. Looking forward to it Mrs Addams,” she replied politely, hoping beyond hope that the woman couldn’t tell how panicked she was.

“Until then,” said Morticia, and Gomez pulled the double doors behind them. He gave a final look to his daughter, a knowing wink, closing the doors before he could see how furious his daughter doubtless was with him.

Enid sighed in relief, content on the bed. The softness of the mattress and the cosy throw underneath her were a much-needed comfort.

“Your parents are the best,” Enid mumbled softly.

“Don’t let them hear you say that. I don’t need their ego inflated unnecessarily,” quipped Wednesday dryly.

A knock at the door immediately stole their attention and Wednesday opened it to find Lurch standing tall with Enid’s bags, awaiting entry.

“Excellent timing Lurch. Put them over there,” directed Wednesday as she pointed towards the corner with the wardrobe and dresser.

Lurch dutifully complied and Enid sat up from the bed and waved at him.

“You’re the best Lurch!” she beamed, soliciting a happy groan from the butler.

As he was heading out the door Wednesday glared at him to stop, and with her back to Enid she whispered to him.

“Have you secured the items I asked for?” she asked lowly.

Lurch groaned in the affirmative.

“Return after you have served dinner and leave them at the threshold,” she instructed.

Lurch nodded and Wednesday excused him with a flick of her eyes towards the door.

Hearing the doors close as Lurch left Enid realised that it was now just her and Wednesday in the bedroom and her heart began to gallop in her chest. Her powerful ribcage could barely contain it. Her mind raced with the potential that the rest of the summer offered, and if Wednesday hadn’t been right in front of her, she would’ve kicked her feet and rolled around the mattress like the lovesick teenager that she was.

Soundlessly, Wednesday appeared in front of her at the side of the bed and Enid almost jumped out of her skin.

“Geez Wednesday, how do you do that?”

“You are undisciplined, Enid. A werewolf should be aware of her surroundings,” she replied, and Enid thought Wednesday sounded a little bratty.

“Huh, easy for you to say,” she pushed back as she sat upright before standing in front of her. “Your mom is the best, by the way, your dad too.”

“They serve their purpose admirably,” Wednesday replied, refusing to give an inch.

“Sourpuss!” teased Enid as she began to walk around Wednesday in a circle.

The raven-haired girl never moved her head but her eyes kept track of Enid with a serious steadiness.

“Obviously we’re used to sharing but I hope you come and hang out in here too, Wednesday. I see a black bean bag over there that has your name on it.”

Enid stopped her circling to walk over to the corner and point at the bean bag with an exaggerated flourish. Wednesday’s mouth twitched as she fought to maintain her stoic exterior which proved a struggle where her roommate was concerned. The problem for the girl was that Enid Sinclair was incredibly cute.

“If my name is not written in blood then it does not count,” she quipped dryly.

Enid frowned.

“Hmmm, will red nail polish do?” she asked jokingly.

Wednesday rolled her eyes.

“I thought you wanted me to sit in it, Enid?”

“Oh, come on, red nail polish is nothing crazy,” she said breezily, waving her hand.

“Black is the only acceptable shade that I associate with,” shot down Wednesday.

Enid stuck out her tongue to her before twirling around and flopping into the blue bean bag dramatically.

“Man am I beat!” Enid groaned.

With her back to Wednesday, she leaned all the way back in the bean bag and tilted her chin to the ceiling until Wednesday was faced with her upside-down head. Enid pointed to the empty bean bag opposite her.

“C’mon I know you want to,” she teased.

Wednesday sighed.

Wordlessly she walked over to the foot of the black bean bag and lowered herself down slowly, and when she was fully reclined into its embrace, her knees high and her hands holding her shins she made a face of what Enid thought looked like disgust.

“There’s no way you don’t like it, Wednesday, everybody loves bean bags!” insisted Enid from the other side of the coffee table.

“Enid, this is striping me of my dignity. I feel like a toddler,” Wednesday moaned grumpily.

“A cute toddler,” Enid replied cheekily with a large canine grin.

“You are exasperating,” Wednesday teased in faux annoyance.

“And you’re a grumpy kitten,” fired back Enid.

Wednesday stared at her.

“Enid, a kitten?” she repeated, seemingly insulted.

“Black, grumpy, and with a belly full of milk. Oh, and little claws too!” she beamed.

“You’re serious?” replied Wednesday, tilting down her chin to intensify her death glare.

“It’s not just me who thinks it Wednesday. Agnes says I’m the golden retriever to your black cat, isn’t that like, so cute.”

Enid knew exactly what she was doing and Wednesday wasn’t sure how to handle it. Slowly cracking underneath Enid’s beautiful blue eyes, she blinked, and her friend subsequently looked incredibly smug.

“Shall I regret inviting you to stay?” mused Wednesday leaning forward.

The werewolf leaned back in shock, her face incredulous.

“Wow, we both know you’d miss me in two minutes flat, if that. You can’t live without me.”

Naturally, Enid was correct, but Wednesday couldn’t admit that. Instead, she stood up in one fluid motion, her braids rustling against her shirt, and Enid stood up to join her.

“Pretty sure your silence means yes,” gloated Enid.

Wednesday rolled her eyes again. She did not recall performing the movement as often before her introduction to Enid.

There was one thing that Enid had forgotten to ask Mrs Addams about and now that they were stood up again, she walked over to the far-left wall where a second door stood.

“By the way where does this lead to? Gah, wait, don’t tell me it’s a walk-in closet, cos I’ll die!”

“Prepare to be disappointed then,” responded Wednesday. “Through this door is my room, though I must note that it was not here twelve days ago. My mother certainly kept Lurch busy.”

Enid froze.

“Your … your room!”

Wednesday opened the door and walked through, her body immediately cast in shadow from the low light. Enid jumped to follow her, eager to see what Wednesday’s bedroom looked like as a thought struck her.

“Wait, you mean your mom built a new doorway just so that we could access each other’s rooms from the inside? What?”

“Knowing mother and her sentimentality she likely thought that we might miss sharing a room, a ridiculous notion of course. I imagine she installed this new access point as a middle ground. Not quite sharing but not shut away from each other,” concluded Wednesday, attempting to hide her satisfaction with the arrangement.

There was nothing she disliked more than people spying on her business, and if she could not be in the same bedroom as Enid then having the walkthrough without needing to enter the hallway to access her room was incredibly useful. That was not to say that she was still entirely convinced about room sharing, as oftentimes she missed the solitary conditions of her childhood bedroom where she could practice the cello or write her novel in complete peace.

Utilising the dark arts also proved tricky when a roommate had to be considered.

Yet she knew that Enid had so naturally and thoroughly weaved her way into her life and her soul that to be entirely disconnected from her would be tortuous, as she discovered to her dismay when she had been lost within her alpha form for weeks.

The childhood bedroom of Wednesday Addams was deathly quiet and sparsely furnished. The main points of interest were her dark wooden bed with its amusing white octopus design and her small writing desk above which hung a framed newspaper cutting. Her wardrobe and dresser were each stood at a slant, threatening to fall over at any moment.

To Enid’s heightened senses a mouse was likely scurrying around nearby.

“Hmm…”

Enid walked around the room.

“Hmm…”

“Enid.”

“Huh?”

“You clearly have something to say,” observed Wednesday. “Either unburden yourself or refrain from humming.”

“I’m just taking it all in, that’s all,” she said chirpily.

Wednesday’s eyes narrowed.

“I see, and what is your assessment?”

The shorter girl surprised herself as she realised that she genuinely wanted to know.

“No one does minimal macabre living quite like Wednesday Addams. Your room is basically the same as your side back at Nevermore except there’s like, ten times more cobwebs,” Enid chuckled warily as her eyes inspected the corners of the ceiling for any lurking spiders.

“My amusement continues Enid, because a werewolf really should not fear a house spider. Besides, aren’t you a big bad alpha?” Wednesday asked teasingly from across the room.

Enid snorted, puffing out her chest.

“You know it!” she exclaimed.

“Enid, there’s a spider on your shoulder,” Wednesday warned quietly.

“Huh, yeah right, I’m not falling for that one Wednesday.”

Her face immediately shifted into fear as she felt something run down her body.

“Eww, eww, get it off, get it off!”

Her arms flailed as she jumped around the room in a comical battle of alpha werewolf versus spider, and from Wednesday’s perspective the spider was winning.

“Wednesday, don’t just stand there, get it off!” Enid shrieked.

The bouncing blonde made a beeline for where Wednesday was standing as the shorter girl clearly had no inclination to move. As Enid sidled up to her, repeating calls of ‘ew’ and ‘gross’ Wednesday cupped her hand over the spider that was scurrying down her hoodie and removed it, settling it in the palm of her hand.

“Calm yourself, Enid,” she entreated.

She walked over to a large, dusty window, condensation fogging the glass, and opened it. Wednesday placed the spider outside on the ledge and closed the window back up before slowly turning to Enid who was now looking rather sheepishly around the room.

“I may have overreacted there,” admitted Enid shyly.

Wednesday shook her head.

“Alpha indeed,” the shorter girl teased.

-----

As Enid cast her eye over the vast dining table she gulped.

They had not long come down for dinner, having freshened up in their rooms and hung out for a little while, and if Enid was honest, she was absolutely starving. The pair ate lunch while still on the road and so the young werewolf was looking forward to a proper sit-down meal, but this was an Addams family dinner and if the food in Rotwood’s Cottage was anything to go by Enid was bracing herself for an assault on the senses and the palate.

‘You can do this,’ Enid told herself a little unconvincingly. ‘You have a stronger stomach than you think.’

For the girl that had spent weeks hunting down and eating everything from rabbits to deer in the wilderness surely her first night around the Addams dinner table would be a piece of cake … right?

“I hope you brought your appetite, Enid,” beamed Gomez, “we’re serving up all Wednesday’s favourites tonight to celebrate her return and your arrival.”

Gomez held up his wine glass to Enid and gave her a sweet look.

Enid tried not to panic.

“Wednesday’s favourite dish, that’s not … that’s not the roadkill pot pie, is it?” she asked, trying not to display the alarm in her voice.

“The very same, how did you know?” exclaimed Gomez impressed.

“My love, Enid dined with us as Wednesday at the cottage if you recall?” reminded Morticia gently.

Gomez theatrically gestured to the air with his hands.

“Of course, how could I forget,” he said, before turning to Wednesday. “Your brother got the rack that afternoon.”

Wednesday’s eyes lit up at the thought of Pugsley being tortured. She reminisced fondly about the last time she had gotten to put Pugsley to the rack before she turned her attention to Enid opposite her on the table and she could sense her friend’s unease.

“Enid,” she asked softly, “is everything alright?”

“Er, yep, all good over here,” she replied with a slight squeak to her voice as she forced a smile on to her face.

Wednesday wasn’t entirely convinced but the arrival of Lurch with the serving trolley announced that dinner was about to be served and she watched Enid crane her neck to try and see what was lurking underneath the gleaming silver serving domes.

The young Addams smiled in anticipation, watching Enid so that she did not miss her reaction as Lurch made his way over with the food.

The looming butler placed dish after dish into the middle of the table and prepared their plates in front of the family. There was indeed the roadkill pot pie but there was also a steaming green sludge that had an unnatural wiggle, a soup that was floating with what Enid hoped was only fish eyes, and those were bad enough, and a sizzling greyish, blueish slab of unidentifiable meat surrounded by a garnish of greens.

‘I’m screwed,’ winced Enid.

As her hope left her body Enid said a silent prayer.

It was then that Lurch returned with a second smaller trolley and he rolled it directly to Enid’s side, placing two sterling silver serving dishes in front of her plate on the table.

“Um, what are these?” the werewolf asked innocently.

“Wednesday mentioned that you might prefer some traditional werewolf fair, Enid, and so I do hope what Lurch has prepared is to your liking,” answered Morticia.

Wednesday’s eyes widened in expectation as she watched from across the table.

Lurch lifted up the two lids to reveal the piping hot food within and Enid’s mouth began watering.

“Oh my god, oh my god, steak, sausages, potatoes, pork chops, greens, gah, I’m in heaven!” she squealed.

Wednesday leaned against the edge of the table, her eyes soft and glistening.

“The steak is bloody,” Wednesday said darkly.

All Enid could do was squeal in happiness again, a massive bullet dodged, and she clapped her hands together in excitement.

“This all looks so good, thank you so much Mrs Addams, thanks Lurch,” she said as she peered upwards towards the stoic man.

A little more quietly, Enid leaned over her plate to talk to Wednesday.

“Thanks Wednesday, you’re the best!”

The cold-hearted girl’s entire body sizzled with heat as she saw how happy the food made Enid, and Wednesday felt seven feet tall.

“You’re welcome,” she replied, her voice low as she flicked her eyes back down to her plate.

With dinner at an end, Enid contentedly patted her belly which was absolutely stuffed with food.

“Such a good dinner, Lurch, and the steak was blue just how I like it.”

He offered Enid a slight bow before returning to the kitchen.

“Food really makes life worth living,” declared Gomez as he tugged at his tight waistband.

“It really does, mi amour,” cooed Morticia.

“You cleared your plate, Enid,” noted Wednesday warmly, “that’s good.”

The blonde girl nodded animatedly as she gave her friend a wide smile.

“I can’t even tell you how good that all was, Wednesday, I’m definitely being spoiled,” she babbled happily.

“Good,” replied Wednesday cooly.

‘You deserve to be spoiled,’ Wednesday thought to herself.

A flurry of fast taps heralded Thing’s arrival as he walked towards Enid’s seat across the table.

“It’s a real shame you don’t have a mouth, Thing, because you are missing out on some crazy good meats,” the young werewolf said.

“He would still need a palate to appreciate them, Enid, and in Thing’s case he has terrible taste,” interjected Wednesday, being a little petty.

Thing squeezed his joints in annoyance.

“My darlings, let us adjourn to the sitting room,” declared Morticia as she rose from her chair.

“An excellent idea, Tish!”

Unlike Wednesday’s bedroom the dining room and sitting room were more generously furnished, and from her current vantage point on a deep red settee sat next to Wednesday, Enid surveyed the room from the ceiling down to the floorboards.

The curtains looked thick and heavy and featured the most wonderful detailing, and while the chandeliers were covered in dust and cobwebs that lightly swayed in the breeze the pieces themselves were made from the most beautiful cut glass with gold flourishes. While at school it was easy to forget that Wednesday’s family had money, but sat in the middle of their gothic sitting room Enid was reminded that while their taste may be unusual their pockets were deep.

“Tea or coffee, my dear?” asked Morticia as she received a cup and saucer from Lurch. “I personally favour a mix of spiced apple and vanilla infused with camomile and passionflower, with a dash of brine to bring it altogether.”

The woman had been describing the drink so enthusiastically that Enid was warming up to the idea, but Mrs Addams completely lost her when it came to the brine. In her mind’s eye she fantasised about her adored furracinos back at school and told herself that she would have to make do without them for a while. Not wanting to put the family out any further, Enid declined a drink, citing that she was too full for anything else, even fluids.

This made Wednesday suspicious.

Turning to Lurch in her seat on the settee she began to list off instructions for Enid’s favourite drink.

“Lurch, Enid takes her coffee with milk, lashings of whipped cream, and marshmallows. If there is any steak sauce or juices leftover from the dirty dishes, please pour some in. Enid likes her coffee with an undercurrent of meatiness to it,” Wednesday explained confidently.

Enid double blinked, and then she double blinked again.

“I mean, if you’re sure it’s no trouble, Lurch,” enquired Enid, “that would be amazing!”

“It’s not,” confirmed Wednesday on his behalf.

Once again dispatched to the kitchen, Lurch groaned.

“Thanks Wednesday,” Enid said sweetly as she grazed her shoulder against her friend’s, a fleeting moment of contact that did not go unnoticed by Morticia.

Gomez was so engrossed swirling his whiskey and smoking his cigar that he was none the wiser.

Wednesday felt that familiar crackling heat ripple across her skin and she breathed in deeply.

“My pleasure,” she replied simply.

As Morticia observed the young pair sat across from her a thought popped into her head, and seeing an opportunity to aid their blossoming young love she drew Enid’s attention to the grand piano in the far corner of the room.

What she was about to do would likely cause Wednesday to seek bloody murder but Morticia could not help herself.

“Enid, my dear, do you play the piano?” she asked innocently enough.

“Um, no Mrs Addams, I don’t,” she admitted, “but I can play hot cross buns on the recorder.”

“Well, perhaps after refreshments you can take a look at it all the same,” invited Morticia.

To her side, Wednesday snorted.

Now it was Enid’s turn to glare as she turned her attention to her friend who had worked quickly to stifle her laugh.

“Excuse you, what is so funny about that?”

“Nothing at all, Enid,” replied Wednesday, sensing that she was in danger.

“We can’t all be cello prodigies you know,” moaned Enid.

“I am hardly that, you exaggerate,” denied Wednesday quickly.

“Nope, even if Capri’s criticisms are valid, you’re a wonder on that thing and don’t even try and deny it or I’ll get cross,” and Enid pulled her best faux angry face.

‘This girl,’ thought Wednesday affectionately.

Taking her silence for a victory, she did a small happy dance in her seat, swaying her shoulders and shimmying her hips. Wednesday found it very distracting. Enid’s smile widened when she spotted Lurch reappear and he was holding what, from the surface, looked like a perfect furracino.

“Yay, thanks Lurch!”

“Bottoms up,” declared Gomez merrily as he held his whiskey glass up to offer her a toast in the air.

Enid didn’t hesitate, closing her eyes to savour the taste, as the moment the mixture of sweet cream, sticky marshmallows, and meaty coffee hit her tongue the werewolf was in heaven. Before she realised what she was doing she let out a little ‘awoo’ and suddenly remembering where she was her eyes whipped open in alarm.

Unsure what look she would find on her friend she twisted round to her only to find Wednesday staring at her with an indescribable look on her face. Enid couldn’t quite place it, but it made her cheeks feel hot.

“I didn’t know alphas could make such cute sounds, Enid,” teased Wednesday smugly.

Enid was mortified, sneaking a look at Morticia and Gomez she was at least a little reassured to see that they had taken her slip up in good humour.

“You let it all out, my girl,” said Gomez, “whenever I have a good cigar I feel like howling too.”

She thought Wednesday’s father was incredibly sweet. As her embarrassment dissipated Enid realised what Wednesday had said and she immediately leaned into her friend’s side, jostling her arm enough that Wednesday’s cup rattled on its saucer.

Wednesday gave her an unimpressed look but Enid thought it lacked its usual bite that was her roommate’s signature.

“Cute, huh?” she whispered into Wednesday’s ear.

“Enid?”

“You think I’m cute,” stated Enid again.

“I think you’re troublesome when I am trying to drink my coffee in peace,” replied Wednesday as she hoped that the heat she felt wasn’t reflected in her cheeks.

“Liar, liar,” Enid mumbled close to her friend’s ear.

‘This is intolerable,’ thought Wednesday, ‘and right in front of my parents.’

“Enid, dear.”

Morticia’s voice wafted over the table and for once Wednesday was glad for her mother’s interruption.

“Let me show you the piano now,” she said as she stood up gracefully.

“Oh right, sure thing Mrs Addams.”

Unbeknownst to either Enid or Wednesday the piano was not the object of interest for Morticia, it was what sat on top of it that she wanted Enid to see. Initially, Enid did not notice but as she sat down at the piano and ran her hands carefully over the ivory keys her eyes lifted up and she was faced with a wall of framed family photographs.

A photo of Gomez and his brother Fester with scuba kit on and lit dynamite in their hands.

Pugsley hanging by the ankles over a shark pool.

Morticia from her school days in her uniform.

But then it was as if the seas parted as Enid’s eyes ran over photograph after photograph of Wednesday herself.

Wednesday with her brother carving pumpkins as a child.

‘Cute,’ thought Enid.

Wednesday in her black fencing uniform, foil in hand, her body clearly in motion, making Enid want to swoon.

‘God, she’s hot in that one,’ Enid found herself thinking.

As much as it pained her, she ripped her eyes away in fear of making a scene.

From across the room, Morticia walked towards Enid with a large leather-bound book in her hands.

“If you enjoyed those, my dear, let me show you the family album. Wednesday’s baby photos are in here,” she announced happily.

“Wednesday! Baby photos! Oh gimme, gimme!”

In an instant Wednesday’s blood froze, her eyebrows twitched, and her mouth turned into a grimace. She stood up so quickly from her seat that she almost spilled her coffee, and she walked around the settee and marched towards her mother where she was standing in front of the piano.

“On pain of death, mother, you will not show Enid that album!” demanded Wednesday, her voice rising shakily in genuine rage.

“But darling, Enid is already enjoying it,” replied Morticia.

Her mother moved aside and dread filled Wednesday from head to toe. She was too late. Enid held the album open in her lap and she was giddily flicking through its pages.

‘I will never live this down,’ thought Wednesday, her heart dropping.  ‘I am doomed.’

Making her best effort to push through the horror, Wednesday took the final two steps to stand beside Enid and she held out her right hand, palm open.

“Hand it over, Enid,” she commanded.

Enid was having none of it.

“What? No way, Wednesday, these photos are just too sweet. Hey, wanna sit next to me on the bench so that we look through them together?”

The blonde girl looked up at Wednesday with such wide puppy dog eyes that she thought she might go blind.

“Enid,” repeated Wednesday even more firmly.

Feeling a little bratty, Enid crossed her arms and shook her head dramatically.

“Nope, no can do.”

“A curse on your family, Enid Sinclair,” and with an abrupt swivel on her heel Wednesday left the room in a dark cloud.

‘Crap,’ thought Enid.

Scrambling off the bench, she placed the photo album on to the piano, made her excuses to Mr and Mrs Addams, and ran after Wednesday.

“Hey Wednesday, wait up!”

Chapter Text

Darkness.

Dread.

Melancholy.

Woe.

Wednesday lay on her bed, arms crossed over her chest, as her mind raced a mile a minute in an uncharacteristic frenzy. Her chest let out a shallow rattle and her bones ached, as if her very body was responding to her spike in emotions. Upon arriving at her bedroom door an hour earlier, she had flung it open and immediately sat down at her desk to vent her frustrations on to the unforgiving keys of her typewriter.

“Evelyn possessed an unnatural ability to snoop, pressing her snout into other people’s business where it did not belong. Encouraged in her dismantling of boundaries by the looming spectre of Viper’s mother, Dominica, the beleaguered teenage investigator was forced to escape the suffocating conditions of the after-dinner refreshments and returned to the dark sanctuary of her room where she might be able to find some quiet refuge from the unending toils of social mingling.”

Despite her frenzied outpouring she found her fingers eventually cooled, the words on the page staring back at her mockingly as if to say that this was all she could do. Viper might survive, adapt, and rise again stronger than before but Wednesday was the one sat sulking in her room. Unable to make sense of the bubbling emotions in her breast she lay down on the bed to ground herself, closing her eyes to enjoy the sounds of the resident mice scurrying underneath the floorboards and the wails of the ghost haunting the belfry above.

Enid had followed her immediately and promptly arrived at her door, knocking on it ceaselessly, calling out to Wednesday to let her in but the girl would not be moved.

“Go away, Enid.”

Wednesday thought she had heard a whimper from the other side of the door before the sound of retreating footsteps became fainter as Enid disappeared to her room.

‘How can I possibly show my face again?’

All Wednesday could do was seethe and boil in her discontent, the betrayal sticking to her skin like a boiled candy that had melted and burned into her flesh.

‘What if Enid saw the photographs of me in the bathtub … the … the rubber duck…’

She pressed her arms closer into her chest, the pressure a soothing comfort, and she opened her dark eyes to watch the dust float in the air above her head. This was not how she wished to end the evening and now Wednesday was not sure how to proceed.

‘I shall talk to mother tomorrow,’ she decided, her mood sour.

Yet her thoughts returned repeatedly to Enid who had sounded genuinely upset and regretful on the other side of the door. Their new found foray into flirting was like a revelation to the girl who had spent her life keeping everyone at arm’s length, but Wednesday still struggled with vulnerability. Enid merrily leafing through pages upon pages of her baby photos was a nightmare scenario. It left Wednesday feeling adrift, her feet forcefully removed from the solid ground that she desperately needed to navigate the world with any semblance of control.

Little Wednesday had chubby cheeks and shorter braids, a figure even smaller in stature but no less deadly. Little Wednesday was unpolished, occasionally cried (much to her embarrassment), and still sought out and accepted physical comfort from her family.

She was a work in progress.

Then there was infant Wednesday to consider. A dark cherub of the night, an angel of death in a thorn halo.

Wednesday would never risk Enid seeing her like that, she would never survive it, and yet Enid now had and the poor girl did not know how to handle it. Although she was aware enough to know that sulking on her bed would get her nowhere.

Life was a continuous conundrum, a shopping list of disappointments, obstacles, and vexations that caused Wednesday no small amount of frustration and disquiet.

After all, did she not do her best work in the dark? Being seen in the cold light of day threatened her precisely controlled image.

Slowly, with no small amount of trepidation in her breast that she forced down, Wednesday rose from the bed and walked to the other side of the room, coming to a stop in front of their shared door. Unlike the external door to her bedroom this one was unlocked and yet Enid had not attempted entry, instead waiting for Wednesday to approach her when she was ready.

The raven-haired girl inhaled deeply and steeled her nerves.

-----

Enid didn’t know what to do.

She pulled open her bedroom door aggressively, the hinges creaking with the effort, before slamming it shut behind her to begin pacing back and forth across the black wooden floor. Her hands wouldn’t stop fidgeting and her wolf was anxious, whining deep within her chest.

Wednesday was mad at her.

“Wednesday probably hates me now,” she mumbled under her breath, her voice catching in her throat in an almost sob. “It was only photos, right, what harm could they do?”

Deep inside, Enid knew that Wednesday would likely be uncomfortable sharing something so personal but when Mrs Addams had suggested the idea, she simply couldn’t help herself.

“Mrs Addams seemed so chill about it, it should’ve been fine, but it’s clearly not fine, ugh, this sucks.”

Enid paused her thunderous stomping of the floorboards to pine at Wednesday’s door, releasing a small whine.

“Gah, she’s right there, this is so rubbish,” she groaned, as she began pacing back and forth again.

“Think, Enid, think, W.W.W.D, What Would Wednesday Do? Well, I’ve already got my answer there and it’s not good.”

Her arms flailing out from her sides she stomped over to the bed and flung herself on to it, shouting into the soft blanket underneath her squirming frame. Enid lay there for a few moments, her breathing remaining erratic, before she rolled on to her back and looked up at the colourful canopy overhead.

“Maybe if I had asked first, would she have been happy to do it then? Or was it because her parents were there?”

The anxious girl went over an endless list of questions and theories in her head, wondering what the best thing to do was.

“She clearly doesn’t want to talk to me right now, so I guess I’ll have to wait,” she said with a pout to no one in particular. “Ugh, this sucks so bad! And when we were just getting flirty, too.”

Her thoughts settled back to the other night underneath the full moon. Despite her naked body being partly obscured by shadow and darkness Wednesday hadn’t been able to look away and it made Enid howl with triumph inside. They seemed to be so close to something, numerous shared moments that were shimmering with tension and overflowing with intimacy but that never quite crossed the line into something more.

God, how Enid wanted it to be something more.

The werewolf told herself that she would always respect Wednesday’s boundaries because she would rather die than make her uncomfortable, and she always would, and yet she felt like her friend had been more open to exploring those boundaries recently.

She felt so tantalisingly close and it was driving her mad. 

The prospect of a slip up and losing all their hard fought for momentum was causing Enid to spiral out, as the mere thought of taking one or two steps back filled her with such dread that she felt like she was losing her mind.

Enid would rather die than mess up her chance to be with Wednesday.

She desperately needed to vent.

Enid lifted up her right hip and pulled her phone out of her back pocket and immediately opened the message app. Thankfully, she didn’t need to scroll to find the exact group chat that she wanted.

“Please be online guys, I need you!” she said to herself as she began frantically tapping the screen.

ENID: S.O.S. I need to chat ASAP! Anyone online?

To her great relief three dots appeared on the screen within a few moments of her message being sent and it was Yoko who replied first.

YOKO: Enid, hey girl, how u been?? OMG what’s up?

BIANCA: Sinclair?

ENID: girls, help, it’s about Wednesday!

BIANCA: of course it is…

DIVINA: lol what now?

ENID: she’s upset with me ☹

YOKO: we talkin a lil moody? Or full-on Addams crash out?

DIVINA: no pls she can be so scary

ENID: I may have seen her baby photos …

BIANCA: ohhhh you are so dead girl

YOKO: damn Enid, I’d pray for u but vampires & the church aren’t really on speaking terms, ya know?

DIVINA: what? How? I have so many questions!

YOKO: was baby Wednesday holding a knife? TNT? Does baby Wednesday have a mugshot? Balaclava baby?

DIVINA: lol I can totally see that

ENID: u guys are the worst, pls focus

BIANCA: what happened?

ENID: Mrs Addams asked if I wanted to see them? Like I’m gonna turn that down. I swear it was only a peak…

YOKO: uh huh sure

ENID: Yokooooooo

BIANCA: and?

ENID: Wednesday asked for the album back, I said no, then she stormed out. She’s in her room. She won’t talk to me guys, I’m so sad ☹

DIVINA: such a drama queen

YOKO: Divina, babe, come on

BIANCA: you’re at her place right now, yeah?

ENID: yeah in NJ

BIANCA: u tell her yet?

ENID: ummmm

YOKO: wait, there’s goss I don’t know? Spill

DIVINA: OMG tell her what?

ENID: Bianca!

BIANCA: so that’s a no

ENID: pls people, focus, what am I gonna do?

DIVINA: she can’t be that mad at u, right?

YOKO: this is Wednesday freakin Addams Div, girlie can make grown men cry

ENID: so I’m doomed … I knew it

BIANCA: now who’s being dramatic? What’s she doing now?

ENID: in her room. I knocked but she told me to go away

BIANCA: she probably just needs to cool down. Leave her a bit

YOKO: yeah Wednesday does things on her own time, you just gotta leave her girl … soooo this gossip??

BIANCA: drop it Yoko

YOKO: damn, Barclay, ur the one that mentioned it

DIVINA: wait, is this about ur crush on Wednesday??

Enid almost dropped her phone on her face.

ENID: what the hell Divina?

YOKO: as if she’d tell us … but seriously what’s up with u 2?

ENID: nothing Yoko, drop it

BIANCA: u should talk to her, get stuff off that furry chest of yours

ENID: not helping Bianca

YOKO: no one ever tells me anything ☹

ENID: cos there’s nothing to tell!

AGNES: no pls I don’t want my mothers to fight

BIANCA: why is there a 13yr old in our gc?

YOKO: lol how long have u been here DeMille?

DIVINA: wait did u just call Enid & Wednesday ur MOMs?!?!

ENID: Agnes ur not helping ☹

AGNES: I’ve been in the gc for ages … I just don’t comment much

BIANCA: no u stalk the chat

YOKO: next ur gonna tell me Wednesday is in this gc

ENID: don’t even joke Yoko!

BIANCA: Addams would die before she had a phone, be serious Tanaka

DIVINA: Enid go talk to her, damn

ENID: I can’ttttttttt ☹

BIANCA: chill Sinclair, she’ll calm down. Wednesday is soft for u anyway

YOKO: Wednesday? Soft? Be so for real Bianca

BIANCA: are you blind Tanaka? Get too much sun lately? Scorch those vamp brain cells of yours?

DIVINA: chill with my girl, B

BIANCA: Wednesday lets Enid get away with murder. This gc is so unserious

YOKO: damn, Barclay, who scuffed your scales today?

BIANCA: I swear I’m the only one who pays attention

AGNES: I pay attention

YOKO: that’s because ur usually at the scene of the crime … lurking

AGNES: u can’t prove that Yoko

ENID: girls lay off Agnes, that’s my lil sis

AGNES: I would kill for u, Enid

ENID: pls don’t

BIANCA: no cos that kinda talk is reserved just for Wednesday, right Sinclair?

ENID: WHY DID I EVEN BOTHER MESSAGING U GUYS. WHAT IS THIS? AN INTERROGATION?!?!

YOKO: so u guys are up to something…

DIVINA: omg Kent is gonna freak

ENID: DO NOT TELL UR BROTHER DIVINA!!

BIANCA: u know I was kinda bored this evening but this chat is giving me life

YOKO: we need popcorn

ENID: I hope it has garlic in it!

YOKO: damn Enid

ENID: ur all hopeless!

AGNES: not me though, right?

ENID: not u Agnes

AGNES: yay

ENID: I’m out, fat lot of help u all are

YOKO: no, don’t go girl, we need the gossip

DIVINA: are u 2 gonna get married? Addams seems like the type to propose after the first date

YOKO: intense vibes for sure babe

AGNES: if my moms were getting married I’d be the first 2 know

ENID: pls Agnes ur killing me

BIANCA: as much fun as this is I’ve gotta get ready for my bar job. Catch u girls later @sinclairenid stop spiralling & talk to her girl, damn

DIVINA: nighttttt

AGNES: can I be a bridesmaid?

ENID: goodnight Agnes

YOKO: nooo wait, pls, I need the goss

DIVINA: babe

YOKO: alright, alright, good luck Enid!

BIANCA: go snag ur raven Sinclair

ENID: Barclay!

Enid stared dumbfounded at her phone.

“Absolutely useless,” she moaned as she chucked her phone aside in despair and covered her face with her hands.

She rolled over on the bed to stare longingly at the door to Wednesday’s bedroom. Slowly she tucked her knees into her chest and hugged them tightly to her body as she wondered how long it would be until the girl she loved walked through the door.

“Come on Wednesday.”

----

Opening the door with a wailing creak Wednesday paused, remaining on her own side for a moment, before she strode through the doorway. Her eyes quickly began seeking out Enid and it did not take her long to find her curled up on her bed facing their shared door. Upon seeing Wednesday enter the room she instantly sat up, her hands reaching up to her head to smooth down her hair as she had the slightest hint of bed head.  

‘Beautiful,’ Wednesday thought longingly.

“We-Wednesday,” stuttered Enid, jumping up from the bed. “Hey.”

Inhaling deeply Wednesday continued forward, walking across the bedroom she avoided the rainbow rug and came to a stop in front of the fireplace. Keeping her back to Enid she remained motionless and Enid wasn’t sure what to do, but she figured that her friend still needed some time to mull over things and so Enid stood up and waited at the end of the bed.

‘She really can brood when she wants to,’ thought Enid affectionately.

Wednesday stood dramatically with her back to Enid; her hands held in front of her waist and in the low evening light with only a few small lamps turned on her small frame cast a long shadow along the wall. The girl did not move.

“I … I am sorry for raising my voice at you earlier,” said Wednesday, breaking the heavy silence in a low, moody tone.

Enid swallowed hard.

“I was unprepared for photographs,” Wednesday admitted honestly.

Enid’s heart ached as she watched Wednesday’s unmoving form stand in front of the fireplace and she would have given anything for her to turn around so she could see her face even if it meant being stared down by her formidable dark eyes.

“How much did you see?” the concerned girl asked tentatively, unsure if she wanted to know the answer.

Enid remained stood on the rug at the foot of her bed as her eyes settled on her friend’s black hair.

“Not much, I swear Wednesday. Hardly anything, really,” explained Enid hurriedly, her words running into each other in her speed to reassure her friend and ease the tension.

“Not much is quite a lot more than nothing,” mused Wednesday concerned.

The blonde girl felt distraught on her best friend’s behalf and she desperately wanted to hold her but she dared not, fearing it would upset Wednesday further and she would end up being rejected.

“Tell me which ones you saw.”

Enid breathed in quickly and her fingers remained restless as she played with her hands in front of her chest.

“Um, gosh, I remember one of you swaddled in black in your crib. You could only see a little bit of your face in that one, your cheeks mainly actually,” began Enid cautiously, her tone filled with placating warmth that sought to soothe. Yet she couldn’t stop herself from smiling as she pictured baby Wednesday’s perfectly squishable cheeks.

Wednesday winced.

“Go on.”

“One where you were sat outside in a stripped dress, you were so little your braids hardly passed your ears. You had a rattlesnake in your hand. Your stare was kinda intense even then, but you did look adorable.”

Enid wasn’t sure if the last sentence would help but it was truthful to how she felt, and so she decided to include it. From the other side of the room, she thought she heard Wednesday sigh.  

“Anything else?” the shorter girl asked through gritted teeth.

Did Enid dare admit to seeing the one that Wednesday was likely most embarrassed of? Most fearful of? The one that would make her feel incredibly vulnerable?

“Gee, Wednesday, it was all a bit of a blur to be honest,” lied Enid.

Wednesday breathed in deeply and Enid saw her shoulders physically relax.

“Nothing springs to your mind?” she pushed, slightly turning her head to the left and giving Enid a glimpse of her pale cheek.

“Nope, my mind is kinda springless right now, ha” stammered Enid, laughing nervously.

‘Crap, that was so lame,’ Enid thought, kicking herself.

There was one photograph that would forever be seared into the young werewolf’s brain, an image so darkly sweet that it made her heart melt, and she chose to pretend she hadn’t seen it because Wednesday’s trust and comfort was all she cared about.

“I see,” Wednesday said quietly, though it was more to herself than to Enid.

Finally, with little urgency, she turned around to face her friend who appeared to be bursting at the seams to see her. In an instant Wednesday’s eyes swept up and down Enid’s body and she seemed to be just as anxious as she was, the only difference being that Enid couldn’t hide it and Wednesday could … just.  

“My mother shouldn’t have done that, I shall speak to her about it tomorrow,” shared Wednesday seriously as her eyes came to rest in Enid’s gaze.

“Sure,” acknowledged Enid, “but Wednesday, she didn’t mean anything bad by it.”

Wednesday tensed up, clearly irked.

“My mother has a tendency to meddle and this is no different. I don’t know what she was thinking,” explained Wednesday, her tone clearly one of annoyance. “She must have known I wouldn’t want you of all people to see me like that.”

‘Anyone but you,’ Wednesday thought desperately.

‘Oh,’ realised Enid, her heart swelling in her chest, ‘there it is.’

Enid took a step towards Wednesday and happily she found that her friend was responsive to it, and so she took another.

“Why me of all people?” asked Enid gently. “Don’t best friends get a pass?”

Wednesday shook her head.

“My mother is a sentimental Dove who doubtless thought that you, being soppy, would want to see me at my most ridiculous,” Wednesday explained scathingly.

“Wednesday, stop that,” pushed back Enid as she took another step towards her. “There’s nothing ridiculous about you. Plus, I’m not soppy.”

Wednesday raised her right eyebrow.

“I didn’t choose to share those photographs with you,” explained Wednesday, her voice steely.

“So, it’s because it wasn’t your choice? Plus, your parents were there, right? Your mom was the one who came up with the idea and you don’t like it when she decides things for you, is that it?”

Enid began reeling off her thoughts but Wednesday remained melancholy, the mood stalled within a tense vacuum that she couldn’t quite understand. 

Opposite her, Wednesday was internally kicking herself at how poorly she was expressing herself. Enid was trying, and the werewolf’s face was soft and inviting and her eyes were appealing to her to understand.

‘Why is this so difficult?’ wondered Wednesday, realising with a groan that she was getting annoyed with herself.

“Enid, you don’t understand,” replied Wednesday in a huff.

“Then help me to understand,” pleaded Enid, her voice rising as she took the final step towards Wednesday. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Enid.”

“You’re clearly upset, and I can’t handle you being upset with me Wednesday, it ruins my entire freakin day!”

Wednesday looked at her confused.

“What do you mean?”

“Did I jump at the chance to see cute little Wednesday photos? Absolutely, because I want to know everything about you. I also want your mom to like me, and saying yes to her suggestion was, like, such a no brainer. But if I had known it would make you all sad and moody like this then I would’ve said no, Wednesday.”

‘Oh Enid,’ and Wednesday said her name so softly, so reverently in her head that she was surprised Enid could not hear it through her skull.

Enid’s head tilted to the side and she scrunched up her eyes and Wednesday thought it was a particularly intense look, but also slightly confused. She looked to the side of the room to avoid her eyes.

“Did you say something?” asked Enid lowly, scanning her roommates face intensely.

Wednesday’s eyes flicked back with speed as she stared at Enid.

‘Surely not?’ thought Wednesday, feeling slightly alarmed.

“No,” the shorter girl replied simply.

“Hmmm,” hummed Enid, “ok. Ugh, you’re so hard to read sometimes, even now I can just tell you’re still a ‘lil moody.”

Wednesday’s eyes widened slightly to better take in the pouting look that Enid now had on her face.

“Moody?” repeated Wednesday, her eyebrow twitching.

“You just brooded in front of the fireplace for five minutes, Wednesday,” sighed Enid, making a half-hearted attempt to roll her eyes.

“I don’t brood.”

“Yeah, you do, it’s very Addams of you,” Enid said with a smile.

‘This girl,’ groaned Wednesday internally.

The shorter girl quickly looked somewhere else, the heat rising in her cheeks as she sought to steady herself. Once she was happy that she was safe to continue she slowly looked back to Enid who was waiting for her although Wednesday could tell she was impatient to continue with their conversation.

“I was surprised you wouldn’t give me the album back when I asked. I didn’t expect you to say no to me,” frowned Wednesday in displeasure.

“Oh, right, my bad,” apologised Enid, “it’s just we’ve been so…”

Enid was going to say ‘flirty’ before coming to her senses.

“We’ve been so playful with each other lately, we are so playful. Ever since you saved me it’s been so nice, you know, no secrets, no fighting, just us. Being with you makes me so happy, not just from a pack sense but a ‘you’re my best friend and my favourite person’ sense. Honestly, Wednesday, it’s like, totally our thing to bicker like that but when you ran to your room, I realised you were serious. You were really upset, and I hated myself.”

Enid didn’t break eye contact from her, and Wednesday would have run from the intimacy of the look if it had been anyone else. Yet she had no desire to run from Enid, and her brown eyes were glossy and full of unrelenting yearning that her chest felt deliciously painful.

‘She’s so beautiful,’ was all Wednesday could think. ‘It’s a torment to be near her like this.’

“Hating yourself is an overreaction,” Wednesday said finally after a long pause.  

“But it’s true,” doubled down Enid, “I don’t want you to be unhappy with me.”

“A feeling that we share,” admitted Wednesday as she swallowed hard.

“Oh,” gasped Enid, “it is?”

“I find myself surprisingly sensitive to your mood, and it’s only heightened since the trick played by Rotwood. When you asked me if I wanted to remain friends with you while planning the Willow Hill sting, I would’ve happily plucked out my own eyes to avoid your disappointed and probing stare at me. It’s disquieting when you are upset with me, Enid, something that happens more than I would like considering our strong personalities.”

Enid blinked quickly, her heart racing.

“Complementary,” the blonde girl replied firmly.

“Complementary?” repeated Wednesday, raising an eyebrow.

“Uh huh, we shouldn’t work but we do, remember when I said that? Well, I still stand by it. I’ll always stand by that, Wednesday, because you’re my best friend and I … I care about you. A lot. In fact, no, of course we work.”

Both girls were rooted to the spot, their skin highlighted by the soft glow of the lamps. Neither one moved, the fact being they couldn’t if they tried, and the air began to feel uncomfortably hot even for Enid.

“Let’s be honest, if I was exactly like you, you’d hate it,” stated Enid confidently.

Wednesday saw on her face how much Enid meant it.

“And if I was another Enid Sinclair, you and I would not be friends, correct?” surmised Wednesday.

They stared at each other.

“Honestly? Probably not, no, I can hardly handle me most days let alone someone else just like me,” admitted Enid as she exhaled shakily.

“Once again our feelings align,” and Wednesday said this with a noticeably lighter tone. “Life was hard enough with Agnes copying me, and it was anything but flattering. Whereas for all your colourful exuberance I would not change a thing about you. I would mourn the loss.”

When Wednesday had begun speaking, she had not planned to be so forthright but in the back of her mind the memory of her fear of losing Enid forever to her wolf form picked at her nerves and she found herself wanting to be honest. She felt incredibly uncomfortable doing it but perhaps that was what she needed.

The only person she would trust with such vulnerability was Enid, and that was the lesson that her parents had been trying to teach her. Perhaps she could finally take it to heart and put it into practice.

“You, you would?” asked Enid, her mind racing to analyse everything Wednesday could mean by the admission.

“Enid, I fought and grappled for most of last year to save you from dying only to fail at the final hurdle and be the reason that you sacrificed your humanity. You deserve for me to be honest with you, no matter how tortuous it is for me.”

In front of her Wednesday could see Enid’s eyes become wet with tears, dangerously close to being overcome with emotion, and it made her black heart constrict tightly.

“Earlier, the reason I got upset is because I was … I was embarrassed. All control was lost in an instant and I felt compelled to act to somehow regain it.”

“Wednesday,” Enid uttered her name so gently that it was almost a whisper.

The shorter girl adored how her name sounded in Enid’s mouth.

Enid took a half step into Wednesday’s space and the young Addams had to stifle a gasp as she felt the warmth of Enid’s hand embracing hers. With a pounding heart that she could now hear in her ears, she looked down to see that her body was indeed not playing tricks on her as Enid was holding her right hand.

The taller girl gave it a squeeze and rubbed her thumb across Wednesday’s cool skin.

“I swear I’m not trying to be pushy,” she whispered, “I just, grrr, I just wanna hold you Wednesday. Is this, ok?”

Within a moment something happened that Enid hadn’t seen before, and she thought her eyes were playing tricks on her in the low light.

Wednesday’s eyelashes fluttered.

As the shorter girl prepared to answer she gave Enid’s hand an approving squeeze.

“Ok,” was all she could say, her throat suddenly tight.

Enid exhaled in relief.

“You don’t ever have to be embarrassed around me, Wednesday. I’m your pack, remember? I want you to feel safe with me and I want to … I want to protect you.”

Enid’s eyes searched Wednesday’s face for any sign of discomfort or annoyance, or heaven forbid disgust or disapproval, and happily she found none. Instead, her friend squeezed her hand again and Enid thought her eyes looked glossier than they did earlier.

‘She’s stunning,’ Enid thought, as her gaze flicked downwards to Wednesday’s lips that were ever so slightly parted.

“Wednesday, I would kill for you,” Enid said quietly, her words meant only for her.

As Wednesday looked into Enid’s blue eyes that were overflowing with emotion she could see and feel how seriously her friend meant it.

“And I would die for you, Enid,” replied Wednesday, the corners of her mouth teasing upwards into a smile.

“Umm, no dying please, ok, or my wolf is gonna get stressed out,” moaned Enid, her tone lighter as she tried not to laugh.

A sudden realisation flashed across Wednesday’s face and she lowered her chin and narrowed her eyes.

“Enid, considering the topic of conversation did you just threaten to kill my mother?”

The blonde girls soft, watery eyes that had been half closed as she happily drowned in her friend’s dark aura abruptly shot open as wide as they would go. She let out a soft, apologetic whine.

“What? OMG, no, wait, no, that’s not what I meant at all. I love your mom! Ugh, Wednesday,” groaned Enid, slapping her friend’s arm with her free hand in annoyance, “you know that’s not what I was saying.”

Enid stomped her feet, making Wednesday’s mouth curl even closer into a smile. She still hid her teeth, but it was tantalisingly close.

“Really, Enid?”

“What?”

“Was the stomp necessary?” Wednesday teased.

“Ugh, Wednesday,” groaned Enid again, hitting the shorter girl’s arm a bit harder this time.

Wednesday’s eyes narrowed.

“Your cheeks are bright crimson, are you well?” asked Wednesday, her tone serious.

Enid gasped and despite her wolf whining in protest she pulled away from Wednesday and let go of her hand, making something within Wednesday whine too.

“Er, must be the heat,” stammered Enid, “and the low light.”

Although she said this second part less convincingly.

“I see,” replied Wednesday simply as she looked around the room, and she came to the conclusion that it was not the lamps.

Enid remained stood in front of her friend, unwilling to completely break the closeness even if she had broken their contact.

“How are you feeling now? About earlier?”

Without blinking Wednesday breathed in gently, allowing Enid’s question to sit with her for a few moments as she assessed herself. How did she feel now?

“My initial boiling heat has now been reduced to a low simmer, but I shall still have a word with my mother tomorrow,” decided Wednesday.

“OK, sounds good,” said Enid supportively as she gave her friend a large smile, her blue eyes sparkling at Wednesday in adoration.

As the pair stood in front of the bed, Enid all nervous puppy energy and Wednesday as still as a statue, the final sliver of tension was released and they were simply two pining and lovesick fools who did not know what to say to each other.

After a few tortuous moments Wednesday broke the silence.

“I got you something. Wait here.”

Without another word she disappeared back into the gloom of her bedroom before returning, bag in hand, causing Enid to tilt her head back and forth as she tried to work out what was in it. Wednesday held it out to her with one hand, inviting Enid to take it from her, and as the blonde girl did her warm fingers brushed against Wednesday’s cool skin. Feeling suddenly hot, both girls looked away from each other as Enid began to peer into the bag.

“What is it?” she asked, as she peeked into the bag.

“I noticed your dye was fading and so I dispatched Lurch to procure some in town. I took an educated guess on the brand and colours, knowing your penchant for bright pinks and blues.”

Enid squealed, jumping up and down on the spot.

“Gah, yes, thank you, thank you!”

The happy werewolf’s jumps evolved into little taps as she zoomed over to the corner and flopped into her bean bag, decanting the bags contents on to the coffee table. Wednesday watched her from her place in front of the bed and with Enid’s back to her she smiled warmly.

“These will be perfect; you’re the best Wednesday! Remind me to thank Lurch too when I see him,” beamed Enid as she looked back at her friend by the bed.

“Praise for such a simple task will be unnecessary,” replied Wednesday flatly as she fought to settle herself.

“Nope, you thought about me, which is super sweet, so I’m gonna thank you again now just to make a point,” and she scrunched up her nose and poked out her tongue at Wednesday gleefully.

Wednesday shook her head, turning away from her to hide the growing heat that threatened to break out along her skin, and she began a slow walk around the room.

“Your immaturity remains intact I see,” retorted Wednesday dryly, but her eyes had a spark to them that betrayed how much she was enjoying Enid’s approval.

Enid rolled her eyes.

“Would it be, like, super rude if I did this now?” she asked as she stood up, her fingers gently teasing the faded colour in her hair.

Wednesday stopped in front of her, placing her hands in front of her waist.

“By all means,” replied Wednesday. “I shall await your return.”

“Great, won’t be long!” beamed Enid as she grabbed a fresh towel from the dresser and opened the door to the hallway. She gave her friend a final canine smile before she bounded out and closed the door behind her.

Wednesday sighed.

-----

The warmth of the water against her head had proven to be just what Enid needed, and she realised how tired she was. Despite the coldness of the bathroom and the dark décor she could tell that this particular room had been cleaned up ahead of her arrival, with an assortment of soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and body washes available to choose from. Tiredness overcame Enid in waves as she finished up her hair, and she decided a quick body wash in the shower to warm her bones wasn’t such a bad idea.

She hoped it would help settle the butterflies in her stomach too, but this was a hopeful wish that she knew had little chance of succeeding. There was also a gnawing feeling in her chest that she couldn’t shake.

‘What was that earlier?’ she found herself thinking as she lathered up the body wash and began scrubbing up and down her arms.

Now squeaky clean and with shining hair that popped and dazzled with brilliant blue and pink highlights, Enid realised she had kept Wednesday waiting longer than intended and it was now quite late.

‘I hope she isn’t asleep yet,’ Enid found herself thinking as she walked along the dark corridor, her pace fast as she didn’t fancy dawdling in the low light.

When she returned Wednesday was curled up on the black bean bag, a large book in hand, and she had changed into her black pyjamas. Upon hearing the creak of the door opening her eyes moved sideways to watch Enid, her head remaining perfectly still.

“Sorry for the wait. I needed a shower asap, I didn’t realise how icky I felt,” Enid explained as she pulled a small face at the memory of how gross she felt after travelling.

“I did momentarily consider that you had fallen foul to the phantom that haunts the water pipes, but when no howl was forthcoming, I assumed that you had chosen to bathe. My book proved to be perfect company in your absence,” said Wednesday, her monotone a bit livelier than usual. “Marie Curie was a fascinating woman.”

Enid paused in her tracks in front of the wardrobe.

“Er, Wednesday, did you just say phantom?” squeaked Enid, her eyes wide with alarm.

“His name is Waldo,” explained Wednesday simply, as she went back to reading.

A shiver ran through Enid’s entire body and she shook her head, deciding to just not think about it, and she aggressively packed her things away in a flurry to try and trick her mind into focusing on the task instead.

While she was busy Wednesday found her attention no longer remained on the pages of her book and instead it slowly creeped over to the corner where she could see the bright pop of blue and pink that now shone from her friend’s blonde hair. A gnawing ache tugged at her chest and she pressed her knees tighter into her body as she forced herself to continue reading but her eyes kept wandering back to Enid.

“You’re in PJs? Good idea,” noticed Enid, as she began to rummage through the dresser that now

housed some of her clothes. “I think I’ll get changed too. No peaking Wednesday!”

The moment Enid told her not to peak Wednesday’s eyes did one final flick in her friend’s direction and as if anticipating the move Enid’s eyes were waiting for her, and with a flirty grin she gave Wednesday a wink.

Immediately feeling hot under the collar Wednesday buried her nose into her book and kept it there until Enid’s bouncing form came into view wearing her fresh set of pyjamas.

“Ta-da, all done!”

Wednesday’s attention remained fixed on the pages of her book, a book that she was no longer reading, out of sheer stubborn will. How was it possible for her to become so completely untethered and easily distracted when Enid Sinclair simply entered a room?

‘Steady yourself, Addams, her sickly-sweet nightwear is nothing new to you,’ Wednesday told herself a little unconvincingly.

Except the poor girl now had a better sense of what lay underneath, and despite the moonlight shadows that had danced across Enid’s skin the other night that had obscured her in parts, Wednesday had seen just enough to know that she was completely and utterly enraptured by her roommates strong and athletic frame. Wednesday had never been one to pay attention to physical beauty in people, finding that it could be a distraction to the more interesting and far more important workings of the person within. However, Enid Sinclair was a different creature altogether.

Enid was a goddess.

She had been grappling with the fact that she found Enid distractingly attractive for some time now, but she did not anticipate such a sensual and purposeful display from her friend in the woods, and knowing that Enid clearly intended her slow undressing to be for Wednesday’s eyes it had lit a raging fire within her that remained simmering deep in her core patiently waiting to be called out of its cave once again.

Wednesday told herself that pining like a schoolgirl was beneath her, and yet she had reread the same sentence five times in a row and she was still none the wiser about what it was she had just attempted to read. Without moving her eyes away from her book, she followed Enid as her friend retrieved her hairbrush before sitting down in the bean bag opposite her.

The soft, rhythmic brushing sound slowly coaxed Wednesday’s stubborn head to peak out from over the top of the yellow pages of her book and she was surprised to discover that Enid was looking at her. Yet the moment their eyes met Enid flicked her eyes away, her gaze falling on the corner of the room behind Wednesday.

‘Ugh, what did I look away for?’ Enid scolded herself.

“Pardon?” asked Wednesday, her eyebrows twitching upwards in curiosity.

“Huh?”

“Did you say something Enid?” Wednesday asked.

‘Crap, what?’

Enid’s eyes widened in alarm and her heartbeat evolved into a startled gallop.

“Er, nope, didn’t say anything,” Enid squeaked, and she winced as she had not intended her words to come out so suspiciously.

Wednesday thought back to earlier and a sudden realisation gripped her chest so intensely that her fingertips went white from gripping her book.

“Enid, do you recall part of our discussion underneath the tree?” asked Wednesday quietly as she closed her book and placed it on the coffee table.

The blonde girl frowned, wracking her brain to remember what they had discussed before her memory floated back to the moment of their touching shoulders in the moonlight.

“Yes, you were wondering about your wolf,” she replied, her voice also low in the hush of the room.

Wednesday tugged her knees tighter to her chest as she looked at Enid, and she watched as her friend’s hand, although a little shaky, continued to slowly brush her freshly dyed hair.

“When I think back to our reunion that day, I am disappointed to discover that much of it is a blur, an unusual failing in my meticulous memory recall,” explained Wednesday seriously. “Although I do distinctly remember laying eyes on you for the first time in weeks from across the forest, and the scent of your damp and earthy fur that filled my nostrils.”

Wednesday paused, noticing that Enid’s brushing had stopped, and that she now clutched the hair brush tightly to her chest as she listened intently to her friend.

“My scent?” repeated Enid in surprise.  

“I thought nothing of it at the time, I do not think I had the capacity to interrogate its meaning, but when I saw you I … I think I let out a little howl,” admitted Wednesday, her eyes flicking down to the table and away from Enid in embarrassment.

Enid gulped.

“Wednesday…”

Enid thought back to that day, to the moment, and despite how deeply her human self was buried within her werewolf form the arrival of Wednesday had been like a lightning strike that lit her up from within. Everything about it had been overwhelming. Their eyes finding each other through the trees, Wednesday’s scent wafting over to her on the breeze and the way it had mingled with the sodden earth. Now, with Wednesday’s memory raised to the forefront of her own mind she thought back to what had happened in the moment that she had turned around.

The sudden awareness of Wednesday’s presence, her scent, the pull, her voice that had been calling to her in her mind for weeks that had helped keep her sane, bridging the ever-decreasing distance until they were reunited.

Now that Enid thought about it, the echoes of a werewolf’s howl had drifted to her on the same breeze that had brought Wednesday’s scent, and the realisation made Enid shiver.

“Wednesday, your wolf,” began Enid unsteadily, her heart pounding.

Wednesday nodded.

“It helped lead me to you, Enid, I am now convinced of it,” explained Wednesday, her voice rising upwards slightly in awe at the shared realisation.

“Holy crap, Wednesday, I thought it had been in my head. I mean, I had been hearing you for weeks at that point and I just figured it was an echo in my mind. Some kind of trick that I needed to play on myself to keep me grounded. You’re saying that you actually howled?”

Wednesday’s eyes squeezed together slightly as she considered what Enid said.

Enid leaned forwards on to the table, her nervousness spilling out into her limbs as she tapped her fingertips against the soft wood.

“Yes, I do not think I was aware of it at the time. But Enid, what do you mean you could hear my voice?” asked Wednesday intrigued.

“Well, er, I’m not sure. As an alpha wolf transforming for the first time after I left you and Agnes everything kind of blurred together, I just knew I had to get away,” began Enid a little self-conscious, her eyes flicking between her hands and Wednesday’s eyes.

“The days stitched together into one seamless, never-ending existence and, shit Wednesday, it was so scary. I just kept telling myself, ‘Wednesday will find me, Wednesday will find me.’ And you did!”

Enid looked at Wednesday with such deep, endless affection and gratitude that if Wednesday had not been sitting down her knees would have buckled from underneath her.

“Enid,” her friend’s name escaping the girl’s lips as reverently as a prayer.

“It was weird, though, there would be really lucid moments where I could swear, I could hear your voice,” explained Enid slowly.

“In what way?” enquired Wednesday, fascinated by the discovery that they may be linked more directly than she previously thought.

“Gee, Wednesday, it’s hard to say exactly but you seemed close by to me, so close you could be whispering in my ear, and you were calling me by my name and telling me that I was strong. That you would find me. That I wasn’t alone. You have no idea how much it helped, even if my brain was making it up.”

Wednesday crossed her arms and holding on to one elbow loosely with one hand she held up the other to gently hold her chin in place, her eyebrows furrowing downwards into deep thought.

“Enid,” she began seriously, “I do not think that was your imagination. I think you could actually hear me.”

Enid’s eyes snapped wide in shock and confusion.

“What? No way, Wednesday, that’s not possible,” replied Enid shakily, her head tilting from side to side.

“How is it possible that I can still feel the shadow of the werewolf within me despite being human and not lycan? It’s true that there are some werewolves in my family tree but the connection is distant … tenuous … too far removed to have any practical influence on what I’m experiencing.”

Wednesday leaned forward towards Enid across the table and her friend did the same, closing the distance.

“What was it you said at school? Only I could leave psychic scars in a body swap?”

Enid frowned before her face untwisted and transformed into a look of dawning understanding, her eyes wide with shock at the implications of what Wednesday was saying.

“Wednesday, hold on, this can’t be happening,” flapped Enid as she abruptly stood up, her body a little unsteady. “Wha-what?”

The shorter girl stood up quickly, walking around the table to close the distance between them.

“Various elements have been bugging me, niggling at the back of my brain like infectious worms. Now I think we may be discovering why, Enid.”

Wednesday’s dark eyes were wide and shining and her pallid complexion was alive and bright.

“OK, but this is crazy Wednesday. When I said you had left scars I meant, I dunno … crap, I dunno what I meant by that. You really got under my skin, you know?”

Enid looked at Wednesday and was greeted with a smug expression that made her whine.

“Wednesday, please, I’m freaking out here!” exclaimed Enid annoyed.

“The psychic scars may be behind why you could hear my voice and the shadows of my wolf may explain how I was able to track you.”

Wednesday paused as she saw how Enid was looking at her.

“What is it, Enid?”

“Aww, you said ‘my wolf,’ Wednesday. You’re, like, basically a werewolf even if you can’t wolf out anymore,” teased Enid, sounding a little smug, “it’s cute.”

Wednesday rolled her eyes and walked towards the fireplace to escape the soft look that Enid was giving her.

“Enid, please, we need to focus,” scolded Wednesday.

“Um, right, focus. Totally focused,” replied Enid playfully. “So, how did you track me?”

Wednesday turned around as Enid walked towards her.

“Despite our best efforts, following clues, collecting witness statements and testimonies, and gathering data from local reports, my Uncle Fester and I hit a dead end. I will be frank, Enid, it was mortifying.”

Wednesday paused as she considered whether to share what her fears were all those weeks ago, but as she took in her friend’s soft and encouraging gaze, she decided that there was little harm in sharing at this point.

“I was concerned that the dead end that we faced would culminate in my failure to find you and it … it scared me, Enid.”

“Oh, Wednesday,” replied Enid, her voice low and hushed as she sought to soothe her friend’s misplaced worry, “it’s okay. I’m right here now, and we’re together.”

Wednesday nodded a small nod.

“Yes, we are,” she replied simply, her eyes stormy as her heart felt like it had been stabbed all over again.  

“What did you do? When you thought you’d hit a dead end, what happened next?”

Enid asked her this as she sauntered over to the bed and sat down on it. She gave it a couple of light pats in invitation for Wednesday to join her, and after a moment’s hesitation the raven-haired girl walked over to the bed.

Unlike Enid who lay on her belly with her hands propping up her head Wednesday sat crossed-legged on the bed and her back was bolt upright.

“The further away you seemed to become the more intensely I … I felt you, is the simplest way I can describe it. I admit to being consumed in a quandary, because the opposite was in fact true. How can I possibly feel you from so far away? Yet I pushed myself to find something that I might have missed. Enid, I do not know when I became conscious to it, perhaps given how quickly I forgot about it when I found you, I was never truly aware of it in the first place, but when Uncle Fester’s tracking proved fruitless, I discovered that I could track you using my wolf.”

A heavy silence washed over the bedroom as both girls took in what was being said.

“Your call to me,” began Enid, her shaky voice breaking the charged hush, “at first it was a comfort, but when it became stronger it was like, gosh, it was like a physical pull. At some point I turned around and travelled back on myself, I wanted to find you.”

Wednesday’s heart erupted with tortuous heat.

“Enid,” she said quietly.

“Earlier, it was odd, I thought I heard you say something Wednesday but you hadn’t said anything at all,” explained Enid confused. “An echo that wasn’t there.”

Wednesday remained unmoving, her eyes tortured dark pools that Enid found hypnotising in their intensity and emotion.

“I experienced something similar. I wonder…”

“Shit,” mumbled Enid, as she rolled on to her back and covered her face with her hands. “Wednesday, what the hell is going on?”

Unsure what to say, Wednesday found that no answer was forthcoming, and instead she fidgeted with her hands that lay within her lap.

“Are you upset?” Wednesday asked lowly, breaking the silence with a concerned quaver to her voice. Internally, Wednesday feared that rejection may be possible, and she found her usually steady breathing faltered in anticipation of Enid’s answer.

Enid slowly uncovered her face, her warm palms giving way to the cool kiss of the room’s atmosphere. She gazed upwards at the glittering canopy that Mrs Addams had thoughtfully designed, and beyond her field of vision was a bedroom lovingly completed with the sole aim to make her feel comfortable.

Enid could cry.

Beside her, the tightly wound and still body of her friend sat just out of view, but Enid could feel her uncharacteristically tortured energy as it rolled off Wednesday in waves. It was a realisation that hit her so firmly in the chest that she thought she would choke.

‘Oh, Wednesday,’ she thought to herself, ‘I’m nervous too.’

The young werewolf’s mind filled with a hundred reasons why this shared revelation should terrify her. The prospect of her and Wednesday being linked through both their wolves as well as Wednesday’s Raven abilities was surely a recipe for disaster. A cruel trick from the universe, rubbing salt into a wound that would forever follow them. Yet Enid realised as she lay underneath the canopy in the warmth and safety of the Addams family estate that she felt a soothing calm wash over her.

Something else stirred within her too.

Her wolf howling desperately within her in triumph and bliss, giddy and proud at the knowledge that her chosen mate was connected to her so completely.

‘Oh my god,’ thought Enid, ‘oh my god.’

Yet there was something else that made Enid’s heart race, and this was a realisation that she dared not breathe to Wednesday, at least not yet. Alphas were at greater risk of running alone through life for a number of reasons, the possibility of becoming stuck in werewolf form during their first full moon as an alpha being a very real danger that proved true in Enid’s case.

But there was another fear that had added to Enid’s immediate grief upon hearing Miss Capri’s words that day.

According to the ancient lycanthropy tomes only an omega could mate with an alpha, and like alphas they were incredibly rare.

To ensure general harmony within werewolf society the majority presented as betas upon hitting puberty and wolfing out for the first time. This meant that pack hierarchies were founded by a mixture of social status, family wealth and assets, and fighting proficiency in werewolf form. Over the centuries werewolf society had settled into a familiar rhythm where the most acceptable and expected way to live was to represent one’s pack with pride, to find a suitable mate that may assist the packs upward social mobility, and to ensure the continued survival and prosperity of the pack.

Betas mated with betas as that was how they mostly presented, and a pack leader emerged when the more dominant personality took the lead. For this reason, packs could be formed as patriarchies or matriarchies depending on who the most adept and powerful wolf was from their family line. This also made opposite sex, heterosexual couplings the most accepted and proliferous as werewolf packs demanded offspring to continue the wolf line.

While same-sex couples had been known to form their own packs it often meant they had to leave their families altogether to create a new pack of their own. A number of notable cadet family branches had been created in this way throughout history, but they often had to fight to make a place for themselves within werewolf society.

Alphas could not easily fit into the accepted structure of modern werewolf life and the majority’s ignorance about how they might fit into society caused people to look upon them with fear and distrust.

Omegas, in contrast, did not present the same physical threat to pack living but they also were a minority that was misunderstood by their fellow werewolves. Omegas were known to be highly intelligent, emotionally sensitive, and endlessly curious, and were considered to be especially family oriented even for werewolves. They were often inclined towards melancholy, and were known to brood and isolate, seeking distance from others due to their difference from the rest of werewolf society. This contrasted sharply with their inherent need to support their family and loved ones, making the transition from before they present as an omega to afterwards an extremely difficult adjustment.

Pack mates may label them as difficult, further isolating them from others.

Every werewolf grows up learning about the beta majority and living within it, and so discovering that you do not fit into this mould can be extremely distressing.

Rejection often follows.

Sadly, in the case of both alphas and omegas, this was often their own family members, friends, and packmates.

The saddest part of all listed among the werewolf histories was that some alphas were hunted down and killed by their fellow werewolves before they had a chance to meet an omega mate who, it is believed, has the best chance to release them from their permanent werewolf form.

An alphas fierce aggression often falls silent when comforted within the soft and safe embrace of their omega mate, a fact that many dismiss through lack of understanding.

There was no greater fear for a werewolf than becoming a lone wolf. This was something that Enid had felt acutely her entire life, and yet lying beside Wednesday all she felt was happiness, her wolf content.

Everything had been so emotional and there had been so much to do and to say in the wake of their reunion that Enid had been focused on recovering and getting back to ‘normal’, whatever that now meant for her, that she had not stopped to consider everything that had happened and what it could mean.

Now Enid found herself wondering, wondering if Wednesday could be … could be …

‘If I recognise Wednesday as my mate, does that mean she could be an omega?’

The very possibility set Enid’s entire body alight, her hands twitched on top of her stomach, and her legs were restless as they rustled against the soft throw underneath her body. The very possibility was unimaginable only a few short months ago, and yet Rotwood’s trick had unwittingly set into motion the means within which Wednesday’s nature could awaken from hibernation and force its way to the surface.

Enid couldn’t breathe.

Beside her, Wednesday was on tenterhooks, Enid’s silence a thousand small cuts that ate away at her typically confident resolve, her self-belief melting into self-consciousness at the thought that Enid might reject the closeness.

This revelation should be a death knell to Wednesday, a girl who sought to keep the world at arm’s length. Yet she could not fool herself any longer, the threat of Enid’s death in her vision revealing the first chink in her black armour. When she could only watch as Enid’s werewolf form retreated into the dark night Wednesday vowed to find her, to save her, and she would rip the world apart to achieve it if she had to.

No, this closeness was clearly another vulnerability that Wednesday would have to face with dignity and determination if she was to achieve her heart’s desire and be with Enid. That is not to say that she was entirely happy with this bombshell on a random weekday evening in July, but Wednesday was not so arrogant that she did not recognise that some things were out of her control.

Wednesday sighed.

Whether it was as small and seemingly harmless as the sharing of a photo album or the reality ripping discovery of a psychic and werewolf connection, Wednesday Addams would need to steel herself for the fallout all the same.

A thought crossed her mind then that lightened her dark mood. Wednesday would not be facing this alone. She could feel how the restlessness of Enid’s body gently rocked the mattress beneath her and she finally flicked her eyes over to where her friend’s outstretched body lay sprawled across the bed.

Were they not two lone wolves facing the world together?

‘That is not so scary,’ Wednesday thought to herself.

So Wednesday waited, if a little impatiently, for Enid to answer her question.

“No,” replied Enid finally. “I’m not upset.”

From her position on the bed, she looked up to Wednesday and something in the way that Enid’s gaze pierced through to her very soul had Wednesday transfixed. Finally, she released the breath that she had been holding in and her shoulders relaxed just a little. Enid’s blue eyes were the only thing that mattered.

Enid patted the empty space beside her on the bed.

“Wednesday,” whispered Enid, her voice dangerously close to a moan, “come here.”

A small part of the raven-haired girl wanted to run away, to ignore the call and leave a giant space where she once sat, leaving behind a void that would protect her carefully guarded heart from the crackling intensity of their bond that threatened to overwhelm her.

But Wednesday couldn’t do it.

To her great surprise, she found that she didn’t want to.

Enid’s wolf howled in happiness as she watched Wednesday slowly lay herself down beside her on the bed. Neither girl dared to look at each other. They did not touch each other; an unspoken line etched into the soft blanket beneath them that Wednesday was too scared to cross and that Enid respected with a reverence that Wednesday could not yet comprehend.

Wednesday had entered the summer with a mission to court Enid with the aim of asking her to be her girlfriend. Her desires remained unchanged.

If anything, this new future that had begun to present itself was the most thrilling and frightening thing Wednesday had ever experienced. She had always been happy to reside within her dark and damp cocoon, her personal development a slow and agonizing thing that confused and frustrated those around her, and this had always been something that she took stubborn pride in.

Yet Wednesday Addams was doomed to a vulnerability that only Enid Sinclair could breach.

Her parents’ words echoed in her head, and a twinge of pain caught in her chest only to be drowned out by a tsunami of unprecedented yearning. She knew then that if she looked at Enid, if she turned her head to the right and moved her eyes so that they fell into her soft blue pools Wednesday would confess her undying love to Enid on the spot.

The young Addams was concerned, already feeling overwhelmed at what they had shared this evening that the thought of dropping another bomb into Enid’s lap and having to wait to hear her answer made Wednesday feel nauseous. So, she fixed her gaze on the obnoxiously bright canopy above and refused to turn her head no matter how sweet Enid’s voice was beside her.

It was the only flimsy form of self-preservation that Wednesday had left to her in the moment.

“Are you upset, Wednesday?” asked Enid quietly.

Both girls were dying from the tension between them, and yet all they could do was keep their eyes strictly fixed to the ceiling.

“I can sense the concern in your voice, Enid,” Wednesday replied, her voice surprisingly moody as she fought to present herself with some semblance of control. “Do not fret, I am the opposite of upset.”

Enid exhaled loudly, and beside her Wednesday’s mouth formed into the hint of a smile.

“Good, that’s … that’s good,” replied Enid, her voice a little more even.

“This, this bond between us will require investigation. I will feel more settled once I have a better understanding of it,” mumbled Wednesday as much as to herself as to Enid.

“Mhm, yeah, this is all so confusing,” agreed Enid, “but I’m glad it’s with you, Wednesday. I don’t think I could handle it with anyone else.”

A rush of prideful heat washed over Wednesday’s chest as she listened to Enid’s words, and she found herself thinking ahead to her planned confession. Her mind’s eye wandered to the depths of the Addams estate, underneath the bones of the grand house, below the dungeon, and down into the catacombs where an inky black river ran its winding way beneath them.

Soon the day would come where Wednesday would utter the three words that she knew would change her life, and she knew now that the confession would be a natural development within their unexpected connection and evolving bond. Most importantly, Wednesday finally believed that when she spoke those three little words to Enid she would be met with a happy reaction.

“Our bond,” continued Enid, her voice a little croaky as a sudden sleepiness found her, “that sounds nice. Makes my wolf happy.”

Wednesday closed her eyes as Enid’s voice kissed her ears with a cherished lightness that threatened to usher her into much needed sleep.

“I think it makes my wolf happy too,” mumbled Wednesday as she crossed her arms over her chest.

Enid smiled beside her, rolling on to her side to face Wednesday but keeping her eyes closed because she knew that if she looked at her, she would lose all reason and would want to seek out the beautiful girl’s lips and claim them in a kiss.

‘Not yet,’ thought Enid, her chest painful from pining, ‘not yet.’

“Stay with me?” asked Enid, her voice low and full of longing.

“Enid?” Wednesday said the girl’s name sleepily.

“Stay with me tonight? Please.”

“As you wish, puppy.”

Both girls smiled as their bodies were overcome with a heaviness, fatigue seeping from their bones and into their muscle and veins, their eyelids closing shut. Their journey to New Jersey may have contributed to their physical tiredness but the emotional rollercoaster of their shared bond caused their minds to wander as they both fell into a deep sleep beside each other.

Quietly, through the whispers of their shared minds, each girl thought for a tantalising moment that they heard the other say ‘I love you.’

Chapter Text

Enid felt weightless, her body curled around something cool but not uncomfortable. Instinctively, she nuzzled into the inviting softness, the scent of white lilies washing over her like a soothing balm.  

Had she ever been so content?

Despite the discovery that she may be psychically linked to Wednesday, the morbid girl’s Raven abilities forever seared into Enid’s very marrow, any confusion and caution she felt regarding the realisation was no match for the overwhelming euphoria that she felt at the seemingly confirmed reality that Wednesday had a wolf residing within her and that wolf was her mate.

This was no schoolgirl crush.

Her love and adoration were not unfairly influencing her as she had fleetingly feared, seeing only the things that she wished to see. In fact, her alpha intuition had been correct. Wednesday was her pack in every sense.

This life changing prospect that teased her, just visible on the horizon of her young life, was to be the culmination of a tortuous personal journey within which understanding herself had not been easy. When she had finally begun to untangle her motivations, her insecurities, her need to belong, to be normal, to fit in with everyone else no matter how poorly it seemed to suit her, ignoring her discomfort and internal disquiet in a desperate search to be what she thought she needed to be, she realised how exhausting it had been.

Enid had pursued Ajax, a perfectly fine Gorgon boy to be sure despite his hopelessness, even though he had never shown any interest in her. It was as if she wanted to make a point. Throughout their short courtship they had remained unlabelled and when the physical proximity of school life was replaced with long distance during the summer months Enid had realised that she wasn’t the same girl who had felt the need to focus her attention on a boy who did not know a thing about her. A boy who did not think to explain that he had accidentally stoned himself, leaving Enid spiralling from the perceived rejection and wallowing in feelings of inadequacy. They never really talked, not about things that mattered, and every time they made out her claws would jump out as if her nerves were unsettled.

Then there was Bruno.

He was the pack leader of the Nevermore Furs, strong, tall, conventionally handsome, and he was popular. Enid’s newfound reality as the werewolf who had wolfed out on a blood moon brought her a sudden status that had felt tenuous and unearned, and yet she flung herself headfirst into pack life at school. She desperately wanted Wednesday to be a part of it, and when she found herself being iced out by her friend, she found the Furs a shallow and unsatisfying replacement.

Wednesday had neglected to let her in on her plan and Enid had to fill the void somehow.

Bruno, his cheating aside, was someone who fitted the idea of what Enid thought her new persona should be. This persona required a ‘fun and freedom era’ where she confidently walked the halls, and where she was a popular member of the school pack. It was a persona that would enable her to become dance team captain and show everyone that she was, in fact, a werewolf to be respected. This girl needed to date a boy to match the status that she was desperate to project out into the world. A boy that her mother could surely approve of, however, that wasn’t the real Enid either.

Indeed, how comical had it been that all her conversations with Bruno ultimately came back around to Wednesday?

Despite butting heads with Wednesday from the very beginning of their friendship, her roommate pulling her into intrigue, mystery, and danger, Enid had only ever found their relationship rejuvenating. A key aspect to her personal growth was because Wednesday had seen her for herself from the start, and the stoic, sarcastic, but passionate girl had only marvelled at what she saw when she looked at Enid.

Wednesday valued and respected Enid when she had been at her lowest and most confused and she had not judged her for it.

They were both kind of weird and intimidating in their own way. Wednesday’s was more outwardly presented but Enid could be stroppy, opinionated, and she wasn’t afraid to own her interests and hobbies. Each girl was weird in her own way, and that’s why they were so complementary to each other.  

Well, there had been some snarky comments, of course, but any sarcastic bite that Wednesday had sent Enid’s way, Enid had dished right back out to her with her perfectly painted claws on full display. Ultimately, Wednesday valued Enid for who she was and did not perceive her as someone who was lacking, and it was a relationship that she did not realise she needed until she was experiencing it.

Yet understanding that the nature of her feelings for Wednesday were not simply ones of affectionate friendship and were in fact romantic in form had only been the start.

Within her loyal, territorial, and proud alpha heart swirled her undying love for Wednesday that drowned her in a black satin embrace that was cold to the touch and completely intoxicating. The ease with which it soothed the roaring heat of her alpha form had been a point of confusion until yesterday. Yes, she was in love with Wednesday but why did Enid seem so convinced that her human friend was her mate?

After all, humans do not have mates as werewolves do.

Last night’s shared theory that Wednesday’s scars from the body swap took the form of sharp canine fangs and deadly wolf claws brought everything into sharp focus as a new perspective came into view. Suddenly, the very real prospect that Wednesday might present as an omega was the only thing that Enid could focus on.

As an alpha, once she had finally acknowledged her feelings for Wednesday, everything else had begun to click into place. Now here she was, giddy even in her fatigue induced dreams, for the girl that consumed her.

Wednesday Addams was all Enid could think about it.

Her nose gently teased the inside of Wednesday’s neck, and her right leg rested over the top of her friend’s thighs, while her right arm lay across Wednesday’s stomach and ended with her hand possessively cupping her friend’s bare hip. Enid was not consciously aware of any of this; she only felt that the contact was exactly what she needed.

Everything about the closeness felt natural and grounding and as Enid slowly emerged from the depths of a deep sleep she continued to unconsciously nuzzle into Wednesday’s soft neck, releasing a small whine from deep inside her chest that she did not realise she had been holding on to.

Her rest was blissful.

-----

Wednesday’s sleep had been heavy and tortuous, her mind whirring a smile a minute as she replayed various recent events in her mind, analysing them for clues that she might have missed. In time, however, the whirring quieted and the softness of the bed had embraced her as she stopped resisting the tug of sleep that called to her so softly.

She felt so tantalisingly close, she could almost taste it, and she knew as she crawled out of the depths of her heavy rest that the day would be a busy one that would offer little opportunity for quiet reflection. There was much to plan and later in the afternoon Pugsley would return from his sojourn to Eugene’s. Truthfully, she was loathe to reveal her plans in their entirety to him in case he found a way to prematurely reveal them to Enid but what use was a younger sibling if not to employ them in unpaid labour?

As the last wisp of her shadowy dreams faded away Wednesday became aware of a pressure across her body that was securing her in place and with it came a steady warmth that rolled over her. Through the fogginess of her sleeping mind, she found herself thinking how the heavy weight was surprisingly comforting, and although it was at no risk of burying her (unfortunately for her, she thought) it did provide a sense of being held in place that she enjoyed.

A jolt of static ran across her lower belly as a warm softness grazed across a small slither of exposed skin between her pyjamas bottoms and her shirt which had become slightly rucked up, and she felt a tightness in her core that the macabre girl did not know how to interpret.

Wednesday’s eyes shot open and she was greeted with the low, moody atmosphere of the bedroom in the morning light. The offensive bright canopy remained overhead and it was like an assault on her precisely configured senses that her sleepy eyes slowly settled into a confused glare.

‘Where am I?’ Wednesday wondered to herself. ‘Why can I smell jasmine and honeysuckle?’

She frowned slightly as her body aligned with her mind and that was when she felt it, the warm tickle of breath that kissed her cool skin in the crease of her exposed neck, sending a shiver down Wednesday’s spine. The realisation hit the guarded girl like a freight train.

‘Enid.’

Wednesday closed her eyes and inhaled deeply in a poor attempt to settle her nerves but it proved fruitless as everything suddenly came into sharp focus. Enid’s leg across her thighs, her arm on her stomach, and her hand delicately holding her bare waist.

Enid’s lips barely a whisker from her neck as her nose teasingly pressed against her skin.

‘Spirits give me strength,’ she thought desperately, ‘this is agony.’

For a girl who prided herself on forward planning and having an escape route for any scenario Wednesday realised with a growing sense of dread that she did not know what to do. Any movement beyond the smallest of adjustments would likely awaken Enid and that would be intolerable as the girl would likely splutter and flounder, her limbs flying all over the place as the blonde girl apologised profusely and looked at Wednesday with apologetic and pleading puppy dog eyes that would put Wednesday in danger of doing something rash.

Yet how could she possibly endure the torture of staying within Enid’s hot embrace? The physical contact was electrifying, dizzying, a pull to her nerves in all directions and Wednesday felt like she was drowning. Enid was intoxicating and it was terrifying. Deep within herself, locked inside a cage, a howling cry demanded that she nuzzle against Enid’s soft cheek, that she should deepen and extend the contact and pull the taller girl on top of her so that she could feel her whole weight envelop her smaller body as her lips crashed into Enid’s in a consummating kiss.

Wednesday’s mind began to go into overdrive.

Goosebumps prickled her skin and yet there was no breeze.

The tips of her ears hummed with incriminating heat.  

‘I must extricate myself from her limbs before she wakes up and sees me like this but she’s so heavy. Damn these dense werewolf bones of hers,’ grumbled Wednesday to herself.

The one saving grace was that there was no one else present to witness her embarrassing and compromised position … or so she thought.

When the first sound of tapping across the wooden floorboards reached her ears her heart stilled and an icy coldness constricted her veins as her whole world came tumbling down at the realisation at who was approaching. Wednesday wanted to shout at the uninvited visitor to stop but that would be guaranteed to wake up Enid and so there was nothing to do but begrudgingly accept her fate.

She looked around the room, considering the position of the sun that framed the far corner in a yellow glow, and surmised that it was later in the morning than she realised.

‘We overslept,’ thought Wednesday. ‘But I didn’t hear the door open? He must have gone to my room first.’

Wednesday scrunched her eyes together tightly and pressed her crossed arms firmly into her chest until it hurt and inwardly released a silent scream into the universe.

‘That nosy appendage is going to be completely unbearable after this,’ she realised with a growing sense of dread. ‘I will never live this down.’ 

With an innocent tap-tap-tap as he approached the bed Thing hopped on to the mahogany nightstand next to Wednesday’s side of the bed, his movements fast and assured as he shimmied his way up before coming to an abrupt stop upon reaching the tabletop as he took in the scene.

He was greeted with the vision of Wednesday entangled in Enid’s embrace.

The scarred hand was dumbstruck and immediately realised that he had inadvertently walked in on something private. He also knew from the animalistic snarl that was curling at Wednesday’s lips and the bottomless darkness in her eyes that he was a dead hand walking.

Thing panicked.

“Still abed? / Thought up / Sorry!”

He signed and tapped frantically at the young mistress, her small frame unmoving as she glared at him from underneath Enid’s body. He shook from fingertip to wrist stump, Wednesday’s white heat boring into his skin.

“Not. A. Word,” whispered Wednesday.

Despite her voice barely being audible he felt the genuine threat in her words and it caused a shiver to run through his palm. Although the ashen hand had to wonder how deadly she could really be underneath the weighted blanket that was Enid’s heavy limbs.

“No look / Promise!”

Thing jumped around to face the wall, offering his back to Wednesday apologetically, however, his attention was pulled back towards the bed as Enid let out a sigh as she nuzzled deeper into her friend’s neck.

“We-Wednesday,” Enid moaned under her breath.

Wednesday gulped hard, her fists tightening until her knuckles went white, and it was at that moment that she heard the first tell-tale taps of a laugh come from the nightstand. Thing could not contain himself; the situation was too funny.

‘There will be hell to pay when I’m through with him,’ Wednesday vowed, ‘but first I must escape without waking Enid. This … this feels so intimate.’

Thing watched with no small mixture of alarm and amusement as Wednesday uncrossed her arms from her chest and with great concentration and purpose, she slipped her left hand from underneath Enid until it was hanging off the side of the bed. She then daintily took Enid’s hand in her own and began to undrape it from her waist, but as Enid’s warm skin brushed across her exposed stomach Wednesday felt a crackling warmth shoot across her abdomen that caught her completely off guard and she almost dropped Enid’s hand. Cursing herself internally she eased her friend’s hand off her body and lay it on Enid’s side.

Wednesday let out a shaky exhale and beside her she heard Thing tap to her.

“Why move? / Looks comfy.”

Without moving her head, she whipped her dark eyes to his general direction before letting out an annoyed puff of air and flicking her gaze back down she looked at her own body where she now had to deal with Enid’s leg that was completely draped over her thighs.

“So heavy,” groaned Wednesday under her breath.

Within a moment Wednesday gasped as Enid nuzzled into her neck again, the girl’s nose rubbing her repeatedly in a tortuous fashion as her breath continued to kiss her skin.

‘I cannot possibly survive this,’ Wednesday thought, ‘she will be the death of me.’

Bracing herself to potentially lose her nerve Wednesday turned her head slightly to the side where she was greeted with a mass of blonde and dyed hair, and to her disappointment Enid’s face was obscured from view. Her friend’s breathing was deep and rhythmic, and Wednesday realised with a chill that the warmth extended all down her right side from where Enid’s breasts, stomach, and groin were all pressed into the curves of her body.

As Enid inhaled the pressure would slightly retract only to return with each powerful exhale and Wednesday concluded that the absence of even an inch of contact was a substantial loss.

‘What exactly am I running from?’ she asked herself, annoyed at her own state of confusion.

Peering further to the side she could make out Enid’s delicate eyelashes, her eyelids bare of makeup that allowed her naturally pale skin to be seen.

‘She’s so beautiful,’ thought Wednesday as butterflies tumbled through her stomach.

Wednesday was torn between continuing to pull away and placing Enid’s hand back where she had found it, the memory of her friend’s soft fingers gripping her bare waist still painfully fresh.

Once again, Thing began to tap beside her.

“Me / Never here,” he explained. “Wednesday stay / Enid comfy.”

Before she could offer a reply Thing jumped down and Wednesday heard him scurry out of the bedroom through the connecting door, retreating into the darkness of her own room beyond where a few moments later the distant creaking wail of her door could be heard.

‘He’s gone,’ she thought simply. ‘On pain of death if that hand breathes a word of this to anyone, he’ll have no nails to manicure.’

Wednesday let out a long exhale in relief that it was now just the two of them again.

‘I’m all tense,’ she noticed as her natural defensiveness refused to drop. ‘What is bothering me?’

What Wednesday was struggling with was how much she enjoyed the contact with Enid, a reaction that seemed utterly nonsensical to her. Yet she could not deny that her body was in a battle with her frustratingly practical mind, and the mind was determined to win.

‘I need to relax,’ she told herself, and yet her muscles refused to give an inch as they remained clenched. ‘This won’t be comfortable for Enid if I’m coiled up as tightly as a viper.’

“Mhhmm, Wednesday,” sighed Enid quietly as her nose grazed upwards, this time catching Wednesday’s earlobe.

‘Shit,’ was the only word that came to Wednesday’s mind.

Before Wednesday could remain trapped in an indecision spiral the likes of which she had never experienced, Enid’s sleeping body took matters into its own hands quite literally as her right arm swung back on top of Wednesday. When the taller girl’s hand landed on Wednesday’s bare stomach the shorter girl thought she saw stars. Enid’s fingers rubbed small circles into her cool skin before her hand travelled to her friend’s waist and with a tug that seemed almost possessive, Enid pulled Wednesday’s body closer into her own.

Wednesday gasped.

In an unusual display of delayed decision making on Wednesday’s part, Enid’s unconscious form had chosen for them both and now following the raven-haired girl’s poor attempt to extricate herself she was now even more closely entangled with Enid’s hot and strong body than she had ever been before.

‘Enid will surely wake up any moment now,’ theorised Wednesday. ‘The only way I might survive this with my dignity intact is if I pretend to sleep when she wakes up.’

Wednesday’s analytical mind told herself that this was dangerous, that this was too much for her to handle, and yet it slowly dawned on her that her body had now completely melted within Enid’s supportive touch and the lactic acid that had been building in her muscles from where she had been tying herself into knots had now dissolved completely as if it had never been there in the first place.

‘Had it even been there at all?’

The young Addams was no coward but everything was different when it came to Enid, and her typically strong walls were being pulled down brick by brick and it was as she turned to face the blonde girl fully that she recognised that fighting it would get her nowhere.

‘I love you.’

Wednesday dared not speak the words out loud yet but in a weirdly self-destructive way she hoped that Enid could hear her all the same. She wanted her friend to know how keenly she was loved and cherished. Her internal struggle was a torment and yet despite her rigid nature to never bend she discovered in the moment that she already was. Her cool exterior dissolved, baring her soft, emotional flesh underneath, and Wednesday contemplated how peaceful she felt within her friend’s embrace.

“Enid.”

The lovelorn girl whispered her name with a swell of emotion that threatened to close her throat, her face was now brushing Enid’s, and where she faced her Wednesday’s breath gently moved her friend’s hair. 

‘This is purely a friendly hug,’ Wednesday told herself.

How wonderous the ease with which Wednesday Addams could lie to herself.

‘Enid smells so … so,’ but Wednesday could not finish her thought.

There was no further decision making, no conscious thought or rigorous analysis, it was simply a quiet want, an instinctual need that called to her to deepen the contact. Any time she could gain, whether it be minutes or seconds, would surely prolong her grim life because Enid was her sun and Wednesday was Enid’s moon.

Wednesday tilted her face down, her cool cheek squishing against Enid’s hot skin, as she curled her body into her roommate’s curves. Her chin came to rest in the security of Enid’s neck, and with great care so as not to jostle her friend awake, she rolled to her right so that her body was facing Enid’s as she lay on her side. The werewolf’s arm and leg adjusted easily with the movement and remained draped across her small body as Wednesday, her breathing becoming heavy and tortured, tentatively placed her hand on to Enid’s raised hip where she let her palm rest just above Enid’s colourful pyjama bottoms.

When she felt bare skin against her fingers and palm Wednesday closed her eyes and paused her breath mid inhale before releasing it in a shaky exhale that burned her lungs in a painful ecstasy.

‘Soft.’

Vaguely, somewhere in the back of her mind, Wednesday wondered if she would need to increase her allergy dosage for the day, but it was a lazy thought that drifted to her as if on a distant breeze and she paid it little attention.

Enid was her current priority.

The more she allowed herself to let go the greedier she got, and Wednesday found it only made sense for her to place her left leg in-between Enid’s own, and her shorter leg fit perfectly. There were now multiple contact points between her and the young werewolf and Wednesday’s entire body was tingling.

A small part was because of Enid’s blue and cream pyjamas and yet Wednesday did not dare pull away. In fact, from where she now lay, she shimmied across the mattress to close the final inches of distance between them and as their chests, stomachs, and hips aligned Wednesday nuzzled further into Enid’s neck and mirrored her friend’s earlier call.

“Enid,” sighed Wednesday, her breath tickling the bottom of the young werewolf’s ear.

Deep within her chest a constricting pull threatened to give Wednesday away as her lungs hurt from where she was desperately trying not to cry. The stubborn girl scrunched up her eyes painfully hard and buried her entire face into Enid’s neck and bare collarbone as she fought with all her might to hold back a sob.

‘I’m terrified,’ admitted Wednesday, ‘I want her so badly.’

With each successive breath her entire body continued to soften, her walls demolished from the gentlest of touches and the most comforting of holds, as Wednesday happily drowned in the arms of the girl she loved. When was the last time she had allowed herself to be so completely and comprehensively held?

When she was swaddled as a babe? Or perhaps when she was scooped up as a child and carried to bed?

‘No,’ she thought, ‘this is different.’

Wednesday knew that she would never have been so bold if Enid had been awake. The very idea was too startling to even consider but who was to say that she did not accidentally roll over in the depths of her slumber? Now that she was here, in this surprisingly comfortable position, why should she not savour Enid’s grounding scent?

In a rather happy accident, she would not need to pretend to sleep after all.

She could feel herself being pulled back into a shallow sleep, the kind that fluttered across one’s mind before the final call to rise with the sun, and Wednesday felt incredibly grateful. The desperate fear of losing Enid that had gripped her black heart only a few months before was now reduced to a painful memory as nothing would tear the pair apart again if she had any say in it.

The only person who could get in Wednesday’s way was herself.

As her heart thundered in her chest and in her ears, as a thrilling heat that flickered across her entire body settled into a delicious burn, one word came to the forefront of her sleep addled mind.

‘Mine.’

----

Enid felt completely and utterly peaceful, and her body was thrumming with happy endorphins that she could not place. Who could say why she felt so good? As she gradually came out of her sleep, she felt an enjoyable coolness against her body that offered a sweet contrast to her werewolf heat and she unconsciously sought more of the sensation. Her right hand was loosely leaning against something soft and in her sleep dazed state this displeased her as she wanted to secure the contact and so she pressed her palm flat against the silk and pulled it in closer.

“Mhm,” she mumbled quietly.

At what point did Enid realise that she was not hugging her body pillow back home? Was it upon hearing the distant creaks of the house, or the rush of gurgling water in rusty pipes? Perhaps it was the scratching of the mice underneath the floorboards, or was it the unfamiliar birdsong that nagged at the waking part of her sleepy brain as if to say, ‘you’re at the Addams mansion, remember?’

Whatever it was she was far too comfortable to investigate the feeling too hard and so she nuzzled deeper into her body pillow … but it was not soft cotton that rubbed against her chin but soft hair as the gentle scent of white lilies rolled over her.  

‘H-air?’

At this stage it was closer to a thought of a thought that was not fully formed in her brain, and her body was still so comfortable that her mind took a while to compute.

‘Huh?’

It was then that she heard it. The undeniable low rattle of Wednesday breathing and the accompanying breath against her neck, her firm cheek melting into Enid sweetly, a perfect fit.

‘Huh?’

Enid’s body was happily gripped around something soft, something that was slowly moving up and down in time with Enid’s own breaths except the poor girl’s mind was now catching up, her sleep induced fog was lifting from her brain and a creeping realisation came upon her.

‘Oh my god … oh my god!’

A small hand on the bare skin of her hip where her night shirt had rolled up, a bent leg nestled in-between her own parted legs with its soft thigh a hairs breath away from her groin, soft breasts that were pressed against her own, and below them a stomach that teased a touch against hers. And throughout it all a gentle breathing that kissed her neck in an intoxicating rhythm.

She suddenly became aware of her own body, the way it lay, and the position her limbs were in. Enid’s right leg draped across Wednesday’s lower body and her right hand holding her lower back as her head rested on top of Wednesday’s raven black hair.

‘Shit, shit, shit,’ Enid screamed internally, ‘shit, shit, shiiiiiittttt.’

Enid’s eyes shot open and for one final, desperate moment, she hoped that it was all just a dream. A dream she could handle. A dream would be a lovely thing to yearn over as she crawled out of her long sleep. Her hope was instantly dashed as she peered down and saw the inky-black hair of Wednesday underneath her chin.

‘Oh, Wednesday is going to kill me!’

Completely panicked, her eyes roamed frantically below her as she took in the scene. Although the visual confirmation was not necessary as her body had not lied. Wednesday’s body was completely entangled within hers; escape was impossible without risking waking her up, and Enid felt a rising dread travel up her body from her toes to her ears.

‘Wednesday will hate this, what do I do?’

Enid leaned her head back to try and get a look at Wednesday’s face but her friend was flush to her body and she could not tell if she was awake or not. The young werewolf was at a panic induced crossroads as her wolf howled at her to pull Wednesday in even closer; to hold her and to protect her until the girl’s eyelashes fluttered open and Enid saw her sleepy brown eyes look into hers. The very possibility was surely more than Enid deserved. Yet despite her desire to keep Wednesday close the worried blonde feared that she was already pushing her luck. It may be one thing to accidentally role into each other during the throws of sleep, but Enid was now very much awake.

What would Wednesday think if she found out? When she finds out?

‘She’s so soft, I never realised,’ thought Enid as her right hand drew small, clumsy circles around Wednesday’s back.

When had she started to do that? Enid could not be sure but she found it incredibly calming. She closed her eyes and breathed in deeply, her chin resting on top of Wednesday’s head as she continued to run her fingers over her friend’s black night shirt affectionately.

‘I wonder if Wednesday would ever let me do this when she’s awake?’ wondered Enid, her heart full of hope.

The smaller girl fit so perfectly within the taller girls embrace, and Enid marvelled at how comfortable she felt as Wednesday’s body melted into her curves and where icy cool met clammy warmth the few contact points where their bare skin met was electrifying.

‘She’ll be furious with me when she wakes up, but I can’t bring myself to pull away from her.’

The pair had not hugged since Wednesday had saved Enid, and then it had been a desperate, messy, and emotionally charged meeting of limbs as Wednesday had flung herself at her friend in desperation as she had called out her name.

“Enid! Enid Sinclair!”

Back then, Enid had completely disappeared within the smaller girls reassuring arms out of sheer relief and exhaustion. But this, this was different. Perhaps, the girl began to wonder, she may not curse me when she awakens?

‘Perhaps, perhaps…’

There was only one way to find out, and Enid would just have to deal with the fallout if she had completely misjudged where the two stood with each other at this point but she knew she had to be brave.

‘To hell with it, I’m gonna do it!’ she told herself.

Her right hand that had been rubbing circles into Wednesday’s back now roamed upwards, her fingertips never breaking contact from her friend’s black silk pyjama shirt, as she travelled all the way up until she came to the back of Wednesday’s neck. Her left arm was utterly dead to the world underneath her roommate’s pillow, but her right hand now confidently held the back of Wednesday’s neck. With great care Enid dragged her thumb across the girl’s skin where it met her hairline and, with the lightest touch, she curled her head even further into the contact as she held Wednesday’s head with great care.

‘Breathe, Enid, breathe.’

Finally, she hooked her right foot around the back of Wednesday’s legs, her thigh touching her bottom, and she pulled the lower half of Wednesday’s body closer into her too until it felt like they were simply extensions of each other.

Within her, Enid’s wolf called out in adoration and euphoria that she was almost at risk of howling aloud in the silence of the bedroom, but she bit her tongue and gulped it down.

‘Maybe, maybe Wednesday wants this too?’ wondered the love sick werewolf. ‘Wouldn’t that be something?’

Her mind went back to the forest, the moonlight, the leafy canopy casting shapes against the darkness, and how Wednesday’s eyes never left Enid’s naked form. How her friend’s eyes had been filled with … with …

‘Yeah, maybe she won’t mind,’ thought Enid.

Enid closed her eyes and focused on steadying her breathing, her heart rate charging in a gallop despite her reclined position on the bed. Wednesday’s affect on her was palpable. Yet as her senses tuned into her own thundering heart, they also began to detect another racing beat, one that pounded against its rib lined cage with a powerful strength that mirrored her own.

‘Wednesday? Shit, her heart is really racing,’ realised Enid as she fought to remain composed. ‘Wait, is she … is she awake?’

The taller girl was desperate to pull her head back to try and see, to take Wednesday’s chin in her hand and lift it up so that she could view her face and know the answer. Without warning, as if she knew what Enid had wanted, Wednesday tilted her head up against her neck and her breath tickled against Enid’s pulse point.

‘Shit, anywhere but there,’ thought Enid as she fought to swallow her sigh.

Instinctively, her right leg pressed against Wednesday’s body to further the contact between them which inadvertently brought their groins together in an intimate press. Enid froze, internally cursing herself for her body’s reaction, but it was what happened next that made her eyes shoot open and her pupils to dilate.

Wednesday moaned.

Both the girls were breathing hard now and they could both feel the others body move against them.

“We-Wednesday?”

Enid’s voice was shaky and barely a whisper as she released her hand from the back of Wednesday’s neck and let it fall downwards, retracing her earlier journey to settle on the small of her friend’s back. With uncharacteristic shyness, Wednesday tilted her head up the rest of the way and Enid moved her chin down to accommodate her.

Wednesday’s dark eyes were stormy and glistening, awash with intense emotion as well as the lingering softness of sleep that kissed the corners of her eyes. Enid thought she was the most beautiful creature in the world. From Wednesday’s perspective the dazzling blue eyes of Enid Sinclair were absolutely devastating and she almost lost her nerve as she toyed with the idea of bolting from the bed and retreating to the darkness of her bedroom in sheer embarrassment. Yet her limbs did not move.

“Wednesday, I-”

Enid’s speech was stopped by the cool press of Wednesday’s index finger that was now held to her trembling lips.

“Don’t speak,” Wednesday whispered, her brown eyes pleading with her to do as she asked. “Don’t move, just … just hold me, please.”

Enid’s bottom lip wobbled ever so slightly as she swallowed hard, and in a moment a new determined purpose rippled through her, one that her wolf howled at her to complete without question.

‘Love, protect, and cherish.’

With a mixture of loving care and wolfy possession, Enid brought her right hand up to cup Wednesday’s cold cheek and she gave her friend a small nod. Happy with Enid’s answer, the raven-haired girl nuzzled back into her roommate’s neck as the pair wordlessly fell back into a light sleep as their heartbeats slowed and fell into step with each other.

The small space that Wednesday’s wolf occupied within her dark soul whined in appreciation, while Enid’s howled at the very top of its longs in giddy triumph as Enid held Wednesday impossibly close as if to dare the universe to tear them apart.

Chapter Text

“Did you two sleep well, my darlings?” asked Morticia innocently over breakfast.

Wednesday and Enid sat opposite each other as they had the night before, and it had not escaped Morticia’s attention that they could barely look at each other without blushing. Enid’s cheeks bloomed with a rosy tint, while Wednesday’s ears were a deep rouge. Her daughter’s complexion had always favoured ash and stormy skies, and so the heat of Wednesday’s ears was of great interest to her.

Unbeknownst to the Addams matriarch the two girls were currently locked in a desperate dance, circling each other wordlessly and yet both seemingly in pain at the distance, a single question burning on each of their lips that asked ‘who will talk about it first?’

Frustratingly, both were as stubborn as oxen.

When Enid had roused Wednesday again the shorter girl could barely look at her. She had held her friend’s gaze for a few moments before hurriedly making her excuses and disappearing into the gloom of her bedroom, closing the door behind her as she sought to escape Enid’s watchful puppy eyes that begged her not to leave. The loss of Wednesday was immediate and devastating, and Enid had curled into the warm spot she had left behind on the mattress where she had let out a small whine in discontent.

All Enid wanted to do was talk about it, to ask Wednesday what it meant, and how she was feeling, but she had not yet gotten the chance. Besides, what should she say? Should Wednesday be the one to break the ice? Why should Enid be left in knots while Wednesday runs away? With a sharp knock against their shared door Wednesday had announced from her side that they should descend to the dining room for breakfast, and Enid’s stomach had dutifully begun to rumble at the mention of food. However, all Enid could do was try and stifle her unhappy whines as Wednesday had barely looked at her on the walk down and now as they sat across from each other the stoic and straight-faced girl hardly looked in her direction.

It was driving Enid mad.

‘What do I do?’ Enid asked herself in exasperation. ‘How can she hold me like that, look at me with those eyes, how can she … how can she moan like that, dammit, and then just not talk to me? What is her problem? She’s so damn annoying like this, gah.’

Though all was not entirely lost.

‘She’s wearing the shirt I got her from Lupinpalooza, that’s a good sign, right?’

All Enid cold think to do while she bumbled through breakfast, waiting for the first chance she got to talk to Wednesday, was shovel down as much food as possible to help fuel her for the day ahead. She had a feeling it was going to be a long one.

For Wednesday, she felt like she was still trying to catch her breath. Whether it was at her mortification from having moaned in front of Enid or the fact that she had enjoyed the contact so much she thought she would spontaneously combust, she now was in unchartered waters. It had never crossed her mind that her body might react in the way that it did to Enid’s touch and now it was all she could think about as she tried to concentrate on her food.

In the background she was vaguely aware that her mother had asked a question but the moment had come and gone, the question unanswered, and now her parents were casually talking to each other across the table as she fought to compose herself.

‘How incredibly vexing,’ she told herself, ‘I should be above such baser urges but the girl completely unravels me.’

Her mind kept going back to the way Enid’s hands had felt on her back, her hip, her stomach, her neck, and then that moment where the deadly spark had ignited as they had pressed together so intimately that she thought she was going to die.

‘Even through clothing she has the means to dismantle me,’ realised Wednesday gravely, ‘how I am meant to navigate this?’

The warmth of her body, that clammy werewolf heat, should unsettle her and yet she had found it calming. The softness of the girl’s hair and skin, the sweetness of her scent, so incredibly cloying and sickening on anyone else was so perfect on Enid that Wednesday was struggling to come up with reasons for why she should hate it. Wednesday’s whip smart brain, her voracious appetite for reading never ending, such that she had already amassed a wealth of knowledge, should surely be able to produce something of use and yet when it came to Enid she was stumped.

What was the issue exactly? Wednesday was in love with Enid, this was nothing new, and yet the reaction of her body to Enid’s had completely blindsided her.

Once Wednesday had allowed herself to enjoy the moment, she had discovered that she did not want to leave, but she slowly began to realise as she methodically chewed on her liver and onions that her love and desire was not only beating from her Addams shaped heart. No, it also came from something more primal and it called to her now more than ever.

Somewhere dark and dank her wolf rattled around its cage, growling at the fresh memory of their extended embrace, and it demanded more. Wednesday paused, her fork hovering in front of her lips as she tried not to widen her eyes in shock at the realisation but Enid’s sharp eyes did not miss how her pupils had blown out suddenly.

‘What is going on inside her head?’ the lovesick girl wondered desperately.

Why was Wednesday so floored by this to the point that it felt like a religious revelation? And why could she not stop looking at Enid’s lips?

‘Will these grating torments never cease?’ she asked herself as she cut into the beef liver with vigour, her nerves thrumming within every sinew of her body. ‘Has Enid always smelled that good?’

Her eyebrows were contorted into a frown that Enid could see through her jet-black bangs and her forehead was creased in concentration at the sheer force she was using to cut her food.

“Wednesday?”

Enid’s voice cut through the chatter and went straight to Wednesday’s heart, but instead of steadying her nerves it made her cut even more vigorously into her food as her mind kept replaying the morning’s events.

The skin, the heat, the softness, the sparks, but most of all it was the way her core had clenched around nothing when their groins had collided and pressed together in an intimate hold. To her great shame, all Wednesday had wanted to do in the moment was buck her hips and grind against Enid to chase the feeling and while she luckily did not act on her desires that damning moan had still escaped her lips.

‘I didn’t even know my body could do that,’ thought Wednesday, ‘that I could make such a sound.’

Her mind continued to whir with such noise that she almost blanked her mother for the second time.

“My darling, the cow is already dead.”

The lovelorn girl recognised her mother’s voice but she kept cutting, and cutting, and cutting until the high-pitched squeal of cracked china pulled her out of her inward spiral as she cut clean through the plate and the placemat it sat on, her knife coming to rest in the wood underneath with a splintering thud. 

-----

Enid was in turmoil.

For the second time already in one day Wednesday had hastily retreated from the room they shared and it was not even half past ten in the morning. As soon as breakfast had concluded, and despite not saying a word to her or to her parents, Wednesday had stood up and hastily mumbled her excuses before Enid had even finished placing her cutlery down on her plate.

‘Dammit Wednesday, throw a girl a bone for once,’ she pleaded from within, and as she wandered through the hallway back up to her bedroom Enid wondered if Wednesday might hear her plea and take pity on her.

Of course, Enid was not entirely sure how their connection worked exactly, and frankly the idea of Wednesday being in her head terrified her a little. Wednesday Addams, morbid, creepy, kooky, and frustratingly serious, that Wednesday directly linked in her brain? Surely, it was a recipe for disaster. Enid had not heard her voice clearly since being released from her permanent werewolf form but there were inklings of whispers, and it made her wolf pace back and forth at the uncertainty.

How were they supposed to figure this all out if Wednesday was now avoiding her?

‘To hell with this,’ she thought in a huff, ‘I’m gonna straighten this out right freakin now.’

With renewed purpose Enid strode to Wednesday’s bedroom door and gave it three firm knocks.

“Wednesday? Please let me in, we need to talk.”

To her dismay she was met with complete silence.

“Really? Come on, Wednesday, open up!”

At this point Enid was already close to spiralling out, any pretence of patience completely shattered.

‘Of course, I had to go and fall in love with someone so exhausting,’ she thought, ‘but I’m not gonna just lie down.’

Enid did not care if Wednesday could hear her thoughts or not, she just wanted her friend to open the door. Although, Enid would have died on the spot if Wednesday actually had.

“You can’t always have your way, Wednesday, it’s not fair!” shouted Enid. “You’re such a damn brat sometimes!”

From inside the bedroom the creaking of floorboards revealed Wednesday’s imminent arrival at the door, and to Enid’s surprise it swung open violently as she was met with the shorter girl’s signature death glare.

“Brat? That’s rich, Enid, and if it’s not the pot calling the kettle black, I do not know what is,” seethed Wednesday defensively. 

“What? Be serious Wednesday. No, scratch that, cos you’re always serious, right? How about you be honest with me for once?” demanded Enid, her voice rising in emotional aggravation.

Wednesday’s glare softened ever so slightly into an unblinking stare which may have contained less burning heat but it still offered little in the way of emotional clues. The girl fought against them with everything she had but eventually she lost as her eyebrows scrunched up at the corners and her lips slightly wobbled before she was able to compose herself once again.

“When have I not been honest with you?” asked Wednesday annoyed, and the moment the question left her lips she immediately regretted it.

“Well, gee, how much time do you have? You lied about girls’ night and we almost got killed by Tyler at the abandoned Gates’ place. You lied about your vision and kept it to yourself for months, completely icing me out by the way, and I had to learn about it from freakin’ Agnes.”

“Enid, we’ve been over this, I was trying to save you!”

“I know, but you kept me in the dark Wednesday, you weren’t honest with me and I know we worked through it but it still caused such a mess. Oh, and you lied about Divina having my bikini top!”

Wednesday rolled her eyes.

“That was not a lie. I couldn’t remember if she had it or not was all. You were making so much noise I couldn’t concentrate.”

“Then use your words, Wednesday, you know the ones you love to use when you write that Viper saves Evelyn, again, which is hilarious by the way considering it’s the other way around,” declared Enid as she stomped her foot. “You’d be dead three times over if it weren’t for me.”

Wednesday’s eyes widened in shock at the call out.

“Three times over? I didn’t realise you couldn’t count, Enid.”

Enid’s mouth fell open.

“Ummm, excuse you, but I saved you from the Hyde our first year together, and then when we talked and we switched back into our own bodies that still totally counts even if it was a joint effort, and then I dug you out of that grave before you passed out and died. That’s three, Wednesday.”

The taller girl held out her right hand in front of her friend with her three middle fingers displayed as if to support her point, but Wednesday remained unmoved.

“Enid,” she began to say, her voice crackling with annoyance, “enough.”

“No, because you’re avoiding me, avoiding us, and I hate it, I can’t stand it. Crap, Wednesday, it’s not like we kissed or anything!”

The awkward silence that followed was loud and uncomfortable and Enid didn’t know where to look or what to do with her hands. Opposite her, Wednesday could feel her ears getting hot again and despite her best efforts her mind wandered back to Enid’s body holding hers on the bed and she simply wanted to curl up and die.

“Enid,” she said through gritted teeth, “please I … I don’t know … I must have rolled over in my sleep.”

Wednesday moved her eyes from Enid’s frustrated face, down to the girl’s sparkly boots, up to her multicoloured jumper, and with great uncertainty, back up to where her blue eyes awaited her.

Wednesday couldn’t breathe.

“Oh, Wednesday,” Enid whispered, breaking the second silence in so many minutes.

The young werewolf paused as she tried to judge her friend’s feelings and she could see the turmoil that Wednesday was struggling with flickering across her pale face and she wanted to ease it for her.

“I … I rolled over in my sleep, too,” Enid continued gently, as if afraid that Wednesday could bolt any minute.

Her small fists tightened as she stood still, but Wednesday finally gave Enid a little nod in acknowledgement.

“The embrace was not uncomfortable,” Wednesday admitted slowly, “I just find myself feeling, feeling slightly overwhelmed.”

Wednesday’s eyes darted around Enid’s body before settling on the lamp glowing behind her down the hallway.

Enid closed her eyes and breathed out.

“Of course, it was a bit more than a hug, I get it,” said Enid softly, her tone becoming lighter while an edge of her previous heat remained. “Maybe when you feel overwhelmed like that you can talk to me about it instead of, you know, running away from me. I get sad when you do that, Wednesday.”

The raven-haired girl looked rather sheepish as she looked back at her friend.

“Noted,” she finally replied in her characteristic monotone.

As they stood looking at each other all Enid wanted to do was to hold her again but she knew the moment wasn’t right, and yet she did not want the joy of what they shared in the morning to be lost and pushed aside simply because she wasn’t brave. She understood why Wednesday was struggling with the physical side of things as she had always been someone who asserted boundaries with the people around her. Enid found herself wondering if she shared how she felt about their embrace and was honest without scaring her away if it would help Wednesday to understand that it didn’t have to be scary, not with her.

When it came to Wednesday it was about feeling in control, and if her body reacted in ways she wasn’t expecting then she would find it difficult to navigate the fallout. Enid wanted to make sure she knew that she wasn’t alone.

“You know, I really enjoyed waking up with you like that. It felt … it felt nice to hold you,” explained Enid sincerely, her voice a little shaky. “I know how you don’t like surprises but it felt like a happy surprise. Was it, was it a happy surprise for you too, Wednesday?”

Enid’s question hung in the air for what felt like minutes as Wednesday silently twisted herself into knots opposite her. How could she possibly express the sheer dizzying bliss that she had felt? How could she convey the depth of her love and desire for her? How could she apologise for handling it all so poorly afterwards?

“Enid, I’m … this morning caught me off guard and I didn’t know what to say to you in the end. I was lost in the feeling and found normal speech and expression impossible. I was tongue tied, something that only you seem able to do to me,” admitted Wednesday, her tone serious and her voice husky as her throat threatened to constrict and trip up on the words.

Enid smiled a small smile.

“What happened to you not feeling embarrassed around me, huh?” asked Enid as she looked at Wednesday warmly, the rest of her annoyance gradually falling away to leave in its place only loving concern. She softly tapped Wednesday’s arm with a closed fist in the gentlest of bumps, testing the waters.

“I know, I realise I must have disappointed you with the quick about face.”

“For the record, you asked me to hold you at the end. I didn’t dream that, Wednesday, that really did happen … that really did happen, right?” asked Enid again, suddenly nervous.

Wednesday’s eyes softened slightly at the corners as she watched Enid’s nerves bubble to the surface.

“I did ask you that, yes,” she begrudgingly confirmed.

The shorter girl crossed her arms in front of her chest in an effort to ground herself after making such a vulnerable admission.

“You really are rather fierce when you’re mad you know,” shared Wednesday as her voice perked up and her eyes shone with the memory of their earlier exchange just minutes earlier. “I am surprised that no one saw your alpha potential earlier, you really are impressive.”

A vibrant and hot blush swept across Enid’s cheeks at the compliment and she quickly ripped her eyes away from Wednesday’s to try and calm herself down.

“Well, someone’s got to chew you out when you act like that, you know, I’m not afraid of your little moods Wednesday Addams,” Enid replied confidently.

“Yes, you have always been frustratingly strong willed when it comes to pushing back on me. While I must admit it was a trait I have always respected in you, I have found it troublesome at times. I wrongly theorised that you would halt such badgering when our friendship developed but you have actually increased your playful behaviour even more since we became best friends.”

At this, Enid raised her eyebrows at Wednesday and her nostrils flared slightly at the edges as if expecting to have to field another challenge.

“But you wouldn’t be Enid Sinclair without that side of you, and I would miss it,” explained Wednesday seriously, “no matter how much it vexes me.”

“Hmm, well Wednesday we can vex each other for our whole lives, how about that?” Enid suggested teasingly as she offered the lovesick girl a wink.

Wednesday felt like she had been stabbed.

‘Does this girl not realise what she does to me?’ pined Wednesday painfully. ‘I may not survive long enough to confess my love to her at this rate.’

Meanwhile, Enid mentally gave herself as high five.

‘I bet she thinks about that last comment for hours. Good. She’s already stressed me out this morning, let her over-analyse to her hearts content. Although perhaps the wink was too much?’

“Wednesday…”

The sound of Enid’s bright and breezy voice pulled Wednesday out of her current emotional spiral, and she found that her friend was looking at her expectantly.

“You never answered my question.”

Wednesday narrowed her eyes slightly as she reflected on their conversation, drawing a blank.

“What question?”

Enid pouted.

“Was it a happy surprise?”

Wednesday’s dark eyes lit up at the realisation and she knew with a feeling of rising dread that Enid was not going to let her wriggle out of the question a second time.

‘Truly the most vexing girl,’ she thought affectionately.

As if she had caught a whisper of a thought Enid cocked her head to the side and squinted.

‘What was that?’ the taller girl found herself wondering. ‘This psychic stuff is so stressful, maybe being an alpha isn’t so bad?’

After a moment to give it some thought, Wednesday judged that there was no reason to lie as without going into detail she should not be at any risk of revealing the depth of her feelings to Enid.

“I suppose it was agreeable to discover that you are surprisingly comfortable, yes,” acknowledged Wednesday. “Even if you are hot and clammy.”

“Considering your body feels fresh out of the morgue freezers half the time you weren’t so bad yourself,” joked Enid.

Wednesday lowered her shoulders, finally releasing the tension that had been building up in them.

“Very well, we are in agreement then,” concluded Wednesday happily, “duly noted.”

Enid gently shook her head and made a show of rolling her eyes.

“Once again, Wednesday, you really have a way with words,” Enid said sarcastically. “That’s fine, I can read between the lines.”

With a turn of her heel and a flick of her colourful hair Enid began to walk away from Wednesday’s bedroom and down the hallway before stopping to turn back to see the macabre girl watching her attentively. 

“I know you liked it.”

She then disappeared around the corner to some distant part of the house leaving Wednesday to stand in front of her bedroom door, once again utterly dumbstruck at how easily Enid could leave her a yearning mess.

‘I must initiate my plan as soon as possible,’ she thought, ‘because I don’t know how much longer I can last with Enid like this.’

Wednesday stood in her doorway for a few lingering moments, unsure what she wanted to do, but as she heard Enid’s disappearing footsteps become less audible, she shut her bedroom door firmly behind her and began the short walk to catch up with her best friend.

-----

Navigating the Addams estate was no small undertaking.

Set across multiple stories there was a bounty of wonders to be discovered from trap doors and secret passageways, rotting wood and exposed wires, rising damp and gaping holes in the floorboards, to name but a few. Adding to the dark atmosphere of the place was the resident supernatural guests that haunted the estate making it a potentially nerve-wracking experience for any uninitiated normie that may stumble into its creaking halls.

The grounds were no different.

Whether it was the dark moodiness of the family cemetery, the odious odour of the bubbling swamp, or the hidden quick sand pits that lay in wait to suck in any unlucky passerby the Addams estate was a gloriously fickle character in its own right.

For the Addams family there was nowhere else more suitable and they were incredibly proud of their demonic abode.

Enid, of course, was no normie and as an alpha werewolf she felt she should be prepared for anything that crossed her path but as Wednesday began their formal tour of her childhood home she realised that she had no idea what awaited her. Once Wednesday had caught up to her the shorter girl had suggested that they go for a walk around the house and grounds in the overcast light of day and Enid had eagerly accepted.

“Let us begin,” Wednesday had announced in her usual deadpan tone.

Enid nodded happily.

“Great!” beamed Enid in anticipation. “I can’t wait.”

Wednesday looked to her side to take in Enid’s innocent eagerness.

“You may come to regret such enthusiasm,” she stated ominously. “We will walk the grounds first.”

As they strode outside and descended the stone steps Wednesday paused on the gravel driveway and looked up at the heavens. The sky was grey and moody, dark clouds jumbled on top of each other obscuring the sun, and the air had a scent of earthy rain to it that promised a downpour.

“What a perfectly awful day,” noted Wednesday approvingly, “I can feel the air pressure squeezing my ear drums. Can you, Enid?”

“Yeah, it’s giving me a headache,” she replied grumpily.

“Exactly, I look forward to it progressing. With any luck I may get a migraine later,” said Wednesday without a hint of irony.

“Only you would hope for a migraine, Wednesday,” replied Enid simply as she was long past being surprised by her friend’s tendencies.

“They keep me sharp,” shared Wednesday.

“All I wanna do when I get one of those is curl up in bed,” and Enid’s face scrunched up at the memory of her last bad headache. The pressure had been so uncomfortable it had made her nauseous.

“For an alpha werewolf you can be incredibly sensitive, Enid, I find it endearing if a little comical.”

“Guess I can’t be too perfect, right, otherwise how can anyone else compete?”

Enid said this jokingly, her tone jovial and light as she walked beside Wednesday with her hands in her hoodie pockets but the raven-haired girl had to disagree.

‘You’re the closest there is to perfect in this world,’ Wednesday thought longingly as they sauntered across the front of the house.

The sight that greeted Enid was unexpected but when she considered everything she knew about the Addams family, she had to ask herself why she was so surprised. A rolling mist obscured the ground underfoot as the pair walked amongst the moss-covered tombstones and Wednesday watched attentively as Enid roamed in-between them all so she could read the names cut into them. Sprinkled throughout were statues of various Addams ancestors and Enid found herself wondering how long the family had been in New Jersey.

“Only the Addams family would have a cemetery right next to their house. How did I miss this yesterday?” Enid asked herself the question as much as she did Wednesday as she was usually more observant.

“Your attention was elsewhere when we arrived,” observed Wednesday without criticism, “a small oversight, if it can be called one at all.”

“There are so many,” Enid began to say as her voice trailed off as she continued to wander round the mist-kissed gravestones.

“My family is cursed with a deadly affliction such that we procreate or die,” explained Wednesday, and she said this in such a pained tone that it caught Enid’s attention, the blonde girl’s eyes sweeping upwards from the tombstone she had been reading to her friend’s face.

“Wednesday? You sound, I dunno, almost annoyed.”

“My family’s weakness is also its great strength if you believe my parents, but that does not mean I do not think many of the people in these graves were not foolish. Many wasted away scrambling after romantic pursuits that ultimately led to their premature demise. They were sloppy,” said Wednesday, her voice low and moody. “I vowed at a young age to never succumb to such a fickle demon.”

Enid crossed her arms and cocked her head.

“Ohhhhh, and what demon is that?”

“Love.”

As soon as the word left the girl’s lips, she flicked her eyes away from Enid and settled her gaze on to one of the broken statues to Enid’s right.

“Is that so,” replied Enid, her body buzzing with the knowledge that Wednesday was really rather shy around the topic. “Well, I think it’s sweet that so many took a chance on love. Even if it did come back to bite them.”

“Blind fools,” insisted Wednesday in a show of denial that Enid saw right through.

“Sure, Wednesday, you keep telling yourself that.”

They walked past the crypts and continued around the back, the dead grass a putrid black that crunched underfoot and Enid found herself wondering what on earth had happened to it to end up like that. As they made their way through the rotting garden there were numerous golf balls strewn across the grounds that piqued Enid’s interest.

“Hey, what’s with all the golf balls?” she asked.

“Father enjoys a good hit but lacks a proper driving range and so he favours practising his swing from atop the house.”

“Oh, right, I see. Going by the amount out here he must really enjoy it,” noted Enid.

“He brought down three migrating geese with one golf ball last spring. A new record,” Wednesday stated proudly.

“Ouch, poor geese,” replied Enid, her face pulling into a small pained expression for the dead foul.

“They shouldn’t have flown over our house if they did not wish to risk being brought down,” replied Wednesday critically, “their loss was our gain come dinner time.”

“How ruthless,” quipped Enid, a little sad for the geese but impressed by Mr Addams’ skill. “He must have great aim.”

“Oh, father was not aiming for them. They were just flying in the wrong place at the wrong time. Survival of the fittest in action is not always palatable but it can be delicious,” said Wednesday with a small sparkle in her eyes.

Wednesday showed Enid the bubbling swamp and the perilous quick sand pits, explaining in no uncertain terms that she should not enter them.

“To the uninitiated amateur such as yourself you would not survive a fall into either of these,” she explained honestly, “Pugsley and I know these haunts like the back of our hands. Sadly, he would always return after our sojourns out together and much to my dismay the pit spat him back out the last time I threw him into it.”

Wednesday gave the smallest shrug as her eyes assessed the state of the quick sand pits in front of them.

“Typical of my brother to taste so terrible that even the sand refuses to take him.”

Enid would have been genuinely concerned if she did not know how much Wednesday loved her brother, but she could not help making a small face as she tried to picture the scene.

“Damn, I mean, I don’t always get along with my brothers’ but I don’t think I’ve ever tried to drown them in quick sand before,” explained Enid.

“You should give it a try sometime, it’s extremely gratifying,” replied Wednesday in morbid amusement.

 “Maybe not,” replied Enid softly, “but for you guys I bet it’s, like, some kind of bonding ritual, right?”

Wednesday considered this for a moment as she had never heard it framed in that way before.

“My family have different ways of showing our respect, it’s true,” she concluded.

“And your affection, huh?” added Enid sweetly. “I know how defensive you get when someone tries to hurt your brother. Deep down, you like him.”

“I tolerate him,” corrected Wednesday through gritted teeth.

“Same thing,” Enid said with a smile.

The pair meandered past the swamp and quick sand and emerged into the family garden at the back of the mansion and Enid sensed that they must be heading for the greenhouse.

“Mother tends to her plants and treats them as her floral children, but tread carefully and keep your arms firmly at your sides. Touch nothing if you wish to keep all your fingers,” Wednesday warned.

Enid gulped.

“Oh, er, right. No touching, got it!”

‘I wouldn’t dare touch anything anyway, knowing my luck it’ll either be haunted or try to eat me!’ worried Enid.

Wednesday opened the glass door and it let out a little wail in complaint. As Enid walked into the dimly lit greenhouse, she did not know where to look. Every wall was covered floor to ceiling in climbing vines, there were rows of potted plants in various sizes, and there was an earthy smell with an acid tone at its edge that made her nose wrinkle.

Considering the estate seemed to have its own climate Enid was not sure how Mrs Addams fared with growing anything when there was no sun to be seen, but knowing the Addams family Enid wondered if Mrs Addams’ favoured the more sun shy specimens in her collection. She could not see through to the other side and so was dutifully following Wednesday’s lead through the tall greenery, mindful of what her friend had said about keeping her arms close to avoid any accidents.

Enid heard a rustling from behind and she let out an instinctive snarl as a thorny tendril emerged out of the dim gloom and wrapped around her left leg and began to squeeze. In a flash, before Enid had even finished releasing her claws, Wednesday had drawn her butterfly knife out of some obscured spot on her body and was now holding it to the head of a very animated plant.

“Enough, release my friend at once, you mulch brained degenerate!” demanded Wednesday cooly.

“What the hell,” growled Enid, as her snarl went up in pitch.

The werewolf whipped her eyes between the plant and Wednesday and a swirling pool of embarrassment constricted her chest suddenly. She had been too slow and Wednesday had stepped in to protect her, and while it made her heart beat faster at how her friend cared for her, she did not like the fact that she had been unable to beat her to the punch.

‘Some alpha I am,’ thought Enid dejectedly.

“Er, thanks Wednesday,” Enid said quietly. “Um, what is that, exactly?”

“This is Cleopatra and she has completely forgotten her manners this morning,” and she turned to face the plant directly, sternly remonstrating it as if she was scolding a naughty child. “Enid is my friend and guest and so know that if you try to eat her, I will repot you into a container so small and undignified that your growth will be stunted for the next ten years.”

Cleopatra shook in horror and slowly released Enid’s leg, but not before giving it one final squeeze in goodbye as her strong green tendril wrapped back up and disappeared behind her.

“Wait, she wasn’t actually trying to eat me, was she Wednesday?” asked Enid with rising concern in her voice that it was almost closer to a squeak.

“Cleopatra’s eyes are notoriously bigger than her stomach, and she has a habit of biting off more than she can chew. Though that has never stopped her from trying,” Wednesday turned back to face Enid as she played with her butterfly knife. “She’s a notorious ear nibbler and has a penchant for zebra burgers.”

“As long as she doesn’t eat wolf, I should be ok then,” sighed Enid in relief.

“Now Enid, don’t go giving her any ideas,” joked Wednesday darkly.

Enid’s eyes grew a little wider as she sidled away from the tall plant that was now attentively watching her retreat.

“OK, but seriously, what is she?” enquired Enid as the werewolf and the plant began to size each other up.

“She’s an African Strangler, emphasis on the strangle. Carnivorous with an endless appetite, mother grew her from a simple seed and she dotes on her.”

Enid frowned as Cleopatra raised one of its smaller tendrils and gave the girl what appeared to be a wave.

“Er, Wednesday, it’s getting a little … hot in here, dontcha think? Maybe we can go somewhere else?” suggested Enid in a not so smooth attempt to get as far away from Cleopatra as possible, her ego slightly bruised.

This was not lost on Wednesday as she watched the pairs interaction beside a tall column where poison ivy was growing upwards.

“As you wish, Enid. Come,” she instructed as she led the way through the remainder of the greenhouse feeling incredibly amused by Enid’s apparent dislike of the plant. “I shall have to ask mother to introduce you two properly another time, she’s the only one that damn plant will listen to.”

“Hey, don’t be like that, she did what you said back there, right?” pointed out Enid supportively.

“Only because she could feel the coolness of my blade against her thorny neck. She can be rather childish,” explained Wednesday unimpressed.

“Now look who’s talking,” teased Enid.

Wednesday did not reply and instead began to more aggressively flick her butterfly knife around in her hand.

“Let us follow the railway tracks. I imagine father will be in his den and he mentioned that he would like to speak to you.”

“To me?” repeated Enid confused. “Why me?”

“Let us find out,” replied Wednesday, her typical monotone now having returned.

As they followed the tracks upwards to the first floor Wednesday glanced around subtly seeking out a particular ashen appendage but to her relief Thing was nowhere to be seen.

The pair approached a distressed door with a large ‘warning!’ sign nailed into the peeling wood and as they got closer Enid thought she could hear the roar of engines. Wednesday gave the door two firm knocks before entering and as she stepped through, she stood to the side and held the door open for Enid and ushered the taller girl in with a wave of her hand.

“Father’s den is a shrine to his passion. Do not mind the smoke and coal dust as he seeks realism in even the smallest of models and miniatures. But a word of caution,” explained Wednesday as she watched Enid’s slightly confused face. “If he offers you a ride on the Flying Dutchman, politely decline.”

“Why, what’s the Flying Dutchman?” asked Enid, unsure if she was more intrigued or concerned.

“A locomotive named after the legendary ghost ship. Just as the ship was doomed to never make port, the engine never makes the station and has been known to reach speeds that will rattle the meat off even your werewolf bones. I advise caution.”

Enid nodded furiously, her blonde and dyed bangs bobbing against her face as the hair at her sides was tucked away from her ears underneath four pairs of glittering butterfly clips, two on each side of her head.

‘She’s so beautiful,’ thought Wednesday before she told herself to focus.

While Enid stayed by the door and began to sweep her eyes across the room, taking in the sheer scale of the models that Mr Addams had created, Wednesday walked to the edge of a snow scene with a towering wooden bridge and called out to her father.

“Father? Enid and I are here.”

The screech of a tin whistle filled the air and from within a to scale signal box at the back of the long room Gomez Addams emerged with a flag in his hand and a grease top hat on his head. He was wearing his waistcoat over his white cotton shirt and tie and as he caught sight of his daughter he gave her an affectionate wave.

“Why, my little chainsaw, there you are. And Enid, my favourite werewolf, come in, come in!”

Gomez made his way to the front of the room, squeezing past various mountains, valleys, snowscapes, and cities before reaching the girls with a beaming smile on his face.

“Hello Mr Addams,” greeted Enid warmly.

“I had wanted to talk to you both at breakfast but I guess you two were just too eager to get away, huh?” said Gomez with a knowing look in his eye.

Enid could only think to smile nervously, not wanting to let on why they had both barely said a word to each other at breakfast before practically running out of the dining room one after the other. Wednesday, in contrast, bristled at the observation and decided to ignore her father’s poor attempt to probe.

“What did you want to talk about, father?”

“Don’t fret, my little meat cleaver, I simply wanted to extend an invitation to dear Enid to accompany me to meet Ms Fenella and Miss Fiona at Showalter & Daughters. Enid, my cobbler can work wonders on any pair of shoes, and Wednesday tells me you have a pair that’s in need of resuscitation.”

Enid cast her eyes downwards as she recalled her embarrassment by the creek.

“Oh yeah, that, I ripped my favourite pair of sneakers to shreds, it’s not like me at all. Do you really think they can fix them, Mr Addams?” asked Enid with rising hope in her voice.

“The Showalter’s are artisans and experts in their craft. Trust me, Miss Sinclair, if they fail you, I will eat my hat!” quipped Gomez animatedly as he pointed to his head.

“That’s hardly a punishment and more so an afternoon snack,” interjected Wednesday.

Gomez raised his hands in surrender.

“Alas, my dear daughter has me there,” he admitted with a wink.

Enid smiled warily as she imagined trying to eat the hat that Mr Addams was wearing and she began to get indigestion just thinking about it.

“Wait, Wednesday, is that why you told me to bring my sneakers with me?” asked Enid, as realisation swept across her face.

“Yes, I know how much you favour that pair despite their gaudy design,” explained Wednesday simply.

Enid began to bounce up and down in excitement.

“OMG, yes please Mr Addams! If they can be saved that would be amazing!” beamed Enid in appreciation.

“Don’t thank me yet, but I’ll be visiting them in a few days and I can take you then. What do you say?”

“Count me in!” replied Enid as she did a few happy claps with her hands.

“Perfect, I shall look forward to it,” shared Gomez. “Our first adventure together shall be an enjoyable one, I think.”

Wednesday’s eyes took in the scene as her father and best friend happily exchanged small talk together amongst the soaring alpine scenery in miniature and she found herself bubbling with pride at how well Enid fit in.

‘Father already adores her, as he should,’ she thought happily.

-----

Such a list of endless sights to see in one house, Enid could not quite believe it. They had gone up to the top of the belfry where Wednesday had allowed her to ring the bell and then they had taken the rattling slide down where they emerged in the bowels of the kitchen with its cold grey flagstone floor and where red-hot embers still glowed in the fireplace. They continued onwards and Enid was abuzz with the endless wonders, even if they did come with a healthy layer of dust and decay. Wednesday proudly showed Enid around the library, the armoury, and a long gymnasium that was dedicated to fencing.

It was a sport that both Morticia and Wednesday were passionate about.

Sitting in front of a tall table that was covered in foils, épées, and sabres was the refined and elegant figure of Morticia Addams.

‘I can definitely see where Wednesday gets her beauty from,’ thought Enid, feeling a little shy, ‘Mrs Addams really is lovely. I wonder if Wednesday will ever want to wear her hair down?’

“Is today a stock count or is it time for maintenance?” enquired Wednesday as she approached the table with Enid by her side.

“Darling, and dear Enid, hello,” greeted Morticia warmly as she gave the pair a smile.

She put down the foil that she was holding and placed it gently on the cloth covered table.

“I am checking inventory. Pugsley came through here like a whirlwind before leaving for Eugene’s and despite his passionate interest in all things sharp he has a habit of not returning items to where they came from. I’ve been so busy lately that I’ve only gotten the chance to sit down in here to check until now.”

Wednesday cast her eye over the selection of weapons and her eyes narrowed as she assessed them for damage, general wear, or any other issue that might need addressing.

“As long as he keeps his hands off what’s mine,” Wednesday declared in a deadpan tone, “he’s careless when it comes to looking after his things and I do not need him extending his clumsy grip to my swords.”

Morticia looked at her daughter with an amused expression.

“You never were very good at sharing with your brother,” noted Morticia fondly. “But once he was big enough to hold the weight of an axe without assistance you soon became firm friends.”

“He took his time, as Pugsley does with everything. Although the potential for terror is doubled when there are two sets of hands, and so he is not completely useless,” Wednesday acknowledged dryly.

Morticia turned her twinkling eyes to Enid as she pushed the chair away from the table and stood up with a graceful flourish of her long sleeves, the red lining demanding Enid’s attention as she caught a glimpse of it while in motion.

“Enid, have you heard from your family since your arrival?” asked Morticia with care.

The young werewolf began to fidget with her hands and shift her weight from foot to foot, her movements making Wednesday’s stillness even more acute.

“Um, I text them to say that I arrived ok but my mom hasn’t texted back yet. Dad said ‘good’ though.”

Morticia frowned slightly as she was unable to hide her discontent at the attitude of the Sinclair’s towards their only daughter.

“And what of your brothers’, my dear? I understand you have several.”

Enid smiled a small smile as she began to absentmindedly zip and unzip her hoodie.

“Those knuckleheads? They probably haven’t even noticed I’m gone yet,” brushed off Enid as she tried to hide the pain in her voice.

Wednesday watched as Enid went to great effort to keep her face neutral but the sharp-eyed girl did not miss how her friend’s eyes had a hint of sadness at the corners even if no tears were forthcoming.

“I am sure Enid does not wish to dwell on matters when they’re still raw, mother,” joined in Wednesday after Enid had fallen into silence beside her.

Morticia nodded.

“Of course, forgive me for asking, Enid, but I do worry. A mother’s love is an all-consuming and passionate thing, and when I try to put myself in Mrs Sinclair’s shoes I find I am unable to follow her path. My little viper forever transformed my black heart upon the day of her birth,” enthused Morticia as she reached out with her right hand towards her daughter.

Wednesday did not retreat from the approaching contact, and when Morticia was positively received she continued forward and gently touched the back of her hand against her firstborn’s cool cheek.

“The idea of such a painful parting makes my charred bones rattle in unease.”

Enid watched the sweet exchange and noticed that Wednesday’s eyes had a hint of softness to them as she permitted her mother’s touch before her walls returned and she straightened her back even further in a silent signal for her mother to finish. Morticia returned her hand to her side with a slight mournful look but mainly, thought Enid, it was one of unadulterated love and pride.

“Such a saccharine display,” moaned Wednesday in a show of disinterest, making Morticia smile a knowing smile.

‘She’s such a secret sap,’ thought Enid, ‘she’s so annoying.’

With a quick glance towards Mrs Addams Enid leaned into Wednesday’s side so that she could whisper into her ear. The taller girl’s warm breath carried with it a hint of her strawberry lip balm and it kissed Wednesday’s ear so sweetly that she could not help but fantasize how the balm might taste.

“Be nice to your mother, Wednesday.”

As she pulled away, she gave her friend a commanding look that was on the verge of a pout as if to dare Wednesday to defy her will. As if on cue, Wednesday could feel her ears begin to fizzle with heat. She could not bring herself to acknowledge Enid directly but as she turned to her mother she gave her a slight nod.

“I suppose I should not begrudge a Dove her sensitivity as you cannot help yourself,” offered Wednesday as she lowered her eyes to the table to pretend that her attention had been taken by the swords.

Morticia exchanged a fond look with Enid as if silently communicating with the girl to share her thanks.

“Why Wednesday, such kind words for your mother, I may have to sit back down,” teased Morticia. “Enid, before I forget, I wanted to show you the ballroom.”

Enid blinked in a flurry at the news.

“Ballroom?” she exclaimed in surprise as she turned back to Wednesday and tugged at the girl’s sleeve. “You have an actual ballroom, are you joking?”

“I fail to see how the news warrants such energy, Enid,” replied Wednesday dryly as she allowed herself to be pulled around the corner of the table by her white sleeve underneath her Beo-wulf t-shirt. Enid was now desperate to learn more and she had a sudden need to have Wednesday closer to her.

Morticia stared for a moment at the scene and after taking time to consult her memories she could not think of another time when Wednesday had allowed herself to be pulled around by anybody in such a casually intimate way.

“Be serious, that’s so cool! OMG your house is like something out of an old movie except it’s filled with ghosts and creepy plants,” squealed Enid as she spoke at a mile a minute.

The mention of ‘creepy plants’ caught Morticia’s attention.

“Oh? Do tell, my dear.”

Before Enid could explain further Wednesday jumped in determined to make her mother bring her plant to heel.

“That thorny menace, Cleopatra, was sizing up Enid as her next snack, mother. I really must insist that you teach her better manners or else I will take matters into my own hands.”

“Oh, how lovely, you showed Enid the greenhouse?” replied Morticia breezily, not at all concerned.

“I did and while she may happily munch on any travelling salesman, nosey realtor, canvassing politician, or roaming Mormon that may risk a knock at our door, she may not, on pain of death, touch Enid again. Do I make myself clear, mother?”

Wednesday lowered her eyes and flared her nostrils ever so slightly and Morticia had to fight to contain her laughter. She had never known Wednesday to be so passionate about such a small thing as Cleopatra’s penchant for flesh but when it came to Enid Sinclair Morticia could see that the normal rules did not apply.

‘She really is in love,’ cooed Morticia internally, ‘it’s such a wonderfully painful joy to see.’

“Wednesday, your concern is overblown but I do apologise if she startled you, Enid, I shall have to make sure you two are properly introduced so that you can enjoy the toxic tranquillity of my greenhouse whenever you like.”

“Toxic tranquillity, Mrs Addams?” repeated Enid, her voice uncertain.

“Mother calls it her ‘poison paradise.’ A tad contrived for my taste but I cannot fault the accuracy,” shared Wednesday.

“Huh,” gulped Enid, “fascinating. Sounds, er, very cool, Mrs Addams.”

“Thank you, Enid.”

“If you’re sure about it I guess I could give it another go with Cleopatra,” said Enid as neutrally as she could.

She was not entirely sure about the plan but she did not want to offend Mrs Addams.

“Wonderful, whenever you next feel compelled to seek the dark ambiance of my greenhouse, please do let me know. I like to take tea in there during the afternoons and it would be nice to share a cup with you.”

“Sure thing, Mrs Addams,” agreed Enid, her tone noticeably open and bubbly at the thought of tea and cake.

As the three of them began to walk to the other side of the gymnasium to go through to the ballroom the unmistakable sound of paws padding up behind them made Enid’s ears twitch and she began to peer behind her to investigate.

“Huh? Hey Wednesday, I didn’t know your family had a do-”

Enid jumped in front of Wednesday at breakneck speed, her sharp claws shining underneath the yellow light of the multiple gas lamps along the wall.

“Shit, that’s not a dog! Wednesday stay behind me!”

“Kitty Kat, there you are my angel,” cooed Morticia in greeting.

Padding towards the group at a leisurely pace was an adult male lion, his mane was a thick black, brown, and dirty blond and his golden eyes were locked with Enid’s blue ones. As he walked up to Wednesday’s side he ignored the young werewolf’s perplexed stare and leaned into Wednesday’s body to rub his head back and forth against her legs and stomach.

“No need for your claws, Enid, he is domesticated even if he thinks himself quite the ferocious beast,” explained Wednesday with a hint of softness in her voice as she began to scratch behind his ears. “Did you miss me, beasty?”

Kitty Kat gave a small growl in answer to the young mistress’s question as he enjoyed the strong scratches that she was giving him, his tail flicking from side to side with such vigour that every second swing hit Enid firmly in the stomach with a loud thud.

“Wednesday,” began Morticia, “why do I suspect that you failed to mention we had a kitty?”

Enid’s head whipped towards Mrs Addams in disbelief.

‘Is she serious right now? That’s no house cat that’s a friggin lion!’

“Er, no, Wednesday did not tell me about … about Kitty Kat,” replied Enid, pausing over the lion’s name at the utter absurdity of her current situation.

‘Meat eating plants and now an actual lion, this is insane,’ thought Enid as adrenaline pumped through her veins.

“Kitty Kat, this is my friend Enid,” explained Wednesday with the seriousness of a professor that was about to give a lecture. “She is my best friend and my guest and while she is more of a dog person, please do not hold that against her.”

She took the lion’s large head in-between her small hands and began to rustle his mane, and the lion gave a low grunt in appreciation as if he was acknowledging the girl’s instruction.

“Be a good lion and say hello to her,” Wednesday said as she released his head.

He gave the girl one final rub with his head before he turned around and walked the small distance towards Enid.

“Er, hey kitty,” squeaked Enid in a rather shaky greeting.

“How wonderful,” beamed Morticia approvingly as Kitty Kat smelled the hand that Enid held out for him. “He so loves making new friends. The sadness in his little eyes whenever the postman runs away from him will never not pull at my blackened heartstrings.”

Enid laughed nervously.

“Haha, right, poor Kitty,” she managed to say.

The longer he sniffed her hand the more worried she became but eventually he nuzzled into her touch and mirroring his greeting to Wednesday he closed the final distance between them and pressed his body weight into Enid’s legs as he rubbed his large head up and down her body.

“Why Enid, he likes you!” stated Morticia happily.

“Why shouldn’t he, mother? Afterall, Kitty Kat has excellent taste,” said Wednesday, looking a little smug.

It was then that Enid looked up from the lion’s head where she had begun to tickle behind his ears and she locked eyes with Wednesday. The smile that overtook her face was one of grateful shock as her mind and body aligned and she realised what she was doing.

“Wednesday, Wednesday, are you seeing this? I’m petting a freakin’ lion!” she beamed in awe.

“I can see that, Enid. You two make a powerful pair,” replied Wednesday with a hint of pride.

As Wednesday and Morticia watched as Enid began to play with Kitty Kat, mother and daughter gravitated towards each other to watch Enid run around the gymnasium as the lion excitedly chased her. They both play pounced and play jumped off the walls and off the floor and a now familiar tightness gripped Wednesday’s heart as she watched them together.

Morticia glanced towards her daughter to see that she was completely entranced, her gaze never leaving her friend for a moment, and her smile grew at the corners seeing her daughter so content.

“I think Enid is enjoying the tour,” noted Morticia.

After a moment Wednesday blinked, breaking her focus away from Enid momentarily as she registered her mother’s voice beside her. The girl did not turn her head but she did flick her eyes towards her mother before they settled back to watch Enid play with Kitty Kat.

“Yes, I believe she is,” Wednesday replied, keeping her answer simple and to the point.

“Have you got much left to show her?” enquired Morticia.

“After we conclude in here it will be onwards to the ballroom, with the final point of interest being the dungeons.”

Morticia closed her eyes as she envisioned the dark and dank space beneath them where one could happily spend an hour locked in an iron maiden or tied to a wooden rack.

“How wonderful, Wednesday, you must show her our collection of antique pokers,” recommended Morticia.

“Naturally,” replied Wednesday as if there had never been anything so obvious.

Morticia leaned down slightly, and as she asked her next question, she lowered her voice.

“And what of the catacombs, my darling? The river? I take it you wish it to remain off limits for the time being?”

Wednesday’s lip twitched and she closed her eyes slightly as her attention remained fixed on Enid who was now throwing Kitty Kat a basketball for him to retrieve.

“Preparations will be underway there shortly but considering the extent of my plans I would ask that no one make any unnecessary trips that may disturb my work,” instructed Wednesday seriously, her voice low and bristling with an electric edge that betrayed her excitement.

“I see, I will advise Lurch. Doubtless he is already in your employ to help with the particulars?”

“He is.”

“Good, I shall have to remind your father that if he wants to visit the vault to do so in good time so he does not interfere. You know how excited he gets,” smiled Morticia as she thought of her beau.

“I do,” replied Wednesday cooly.

“It’s all so exciting, my darling, my heart is practically full to bursting.”

“With any luck it will,” quipped Wednesday with a little less of her usual bite.

Morticia gave her daughter a playful look, but as she looked at Wednesday she thought back to the photo album and she found herself lowering her voice again as she brought up the topic.

“Wednesday, I hope you are not too cross with me about the photographs.”

Wednesday’s back stiffened and she crossed her arms defensively across her chest as she listened to her mother talk.

“I hope I did not cause problems for you and Enid?” she asked with genuine concern although Wednesday detected from her tone and body language that she did not entirely regret her actions.

‘Mother cannot help but meddle,’ she thought.

“Enid and I talked, do not be concerned, but mother,” and Wednesday paused as she turned to look up at her mother’s loving face, “you must have known how mortified I was going to be at the betrayal.”

“Betrayal? Honestly, Wednesday, you claim your father is the dramatic one but you yourself are inclined to it.”

The raven-haired girl frowned in displeasure at the comparison.

“This is not the same. My embarrassment was assured and you ploughed ahead regardless,” furiously whispered Wednesday up at her mother’s face. “Why?”

Morticia gazed down at her daughter and watched as her lips twitched at the corners and her dark eyes grew steely, and yet she detected a softness that hinted at her vulnerability. Afterall, she was still her little girl despite Wednesday’s passionate denial to the contrary.

“My aim was not to embarrass, dearest love, it was to break the ice,” defended Morticia, refusing to give an inch. “How better for Enid to learn more about you than to see where you came from?”

Wednesday turned her head away to look at Enid and she felt butterflies flutter in her stomach at the scene that greeted her. Enid was now sat cross-legged on the floor and Kitty Kat’s head was resting in her lap as she gave him tickles and merrily cooed over him as if they were the only two creatures in the world. To Wednesday’s familiar eye she thought Kitty Kat looked like an oversized cub in Enid’s presence as her loving but dominant nature shone through that left him nothing more than a purring kitten.

‘Spirits, I love this girl so much,’ thought Wednesday adoringly as she brought her right hand to rest above her heart.

“Some forewarning would have been appreciated, mother,” Wednesday replied finally.

Morticia looked down at Wednesday’s lovesick face and as she looked over to where Enid sat with their pet lion, she felt such a rush of warmth at her daughter’s love that the corners of her eyes begin to shine with the threat of tears.

“I am sorry that my eagerness led to overstepping your boundaries, my love. I shall be more mindful in the future, although it does make me happy to hear that there may be a next time,” she observed, her voice inching upwards at the thought.

“Don’t push your luck, mother,” warned Wednesday.

“Now where is the fun in that?”

Wednesday gave her mother a final glance, her head lowering in a nod of acknowledgement before she began to walk towards Enid.

“Let us continue the tour. Perhaps you would like to join us in the ballroom before I take Enid to the dungeons?”

“I would love to, Wednesday, thank you,” replied Morticia in gratitude.

Mother and daughter slowly approached the cuddling pair and Enid looked up at them both with such a wide canine smile that Morticia was amazed at her daughter’s determination to keep her composure.

When Gomez had been courting her all those years ago the simplest of looks from her love was enough to leave Morticia distracted and giddy, and yet Wednesday valiantly kept her composure as only she could. Morticia really had to marvel at it.

‘My child is so stubborn,’ she thought lovingly.

-----

“Woah,” exclaimed Enid as her eyes settled in the darkness, “I don’t know what I expected from a dungeon but it’s certainly giving off dungeon-y vibes.”

“I do some of my best thinking in here,” shared Wednesday as she walked by Enid’s side with a flame torch.

“Is it always this dark though? Don’t get me wrong my werewolf eyes are coming in strong to support me here, but how do you get on?”

Wednesday considered the question and realised that she had not been down to the dungeon in quite some time. While she did her best work in the dark it would often take her eyes a while to adjust, a weakness of a soft human body that had always frustrated her. Yet today things seemed different. In fact, her senses seemed sharper overall and as they moved past the various shelves, racks, contraptions, and rigs, she wondered what had changed.

“Actually, I find myself surprisingly capable recently. My senses must be improving with practice,” she concluded.

“Oh, that’s neat,” replied Enid.

The wary werewolf looked around and to her great confusion she had no idea what half the things were used for and she figured that was probably for the best.

“Hey, I haven’t seen Thing yet today. Any idea where he likes to hang out around here?” asked Enid innocently.

This stopped Wednesday in her tracks. She knew very well that Thing was likely laying low after walking in on them in bed and while she told herself there really was nothing to talk about, she knew that if he so much as sniggered or twitched a single finger in her direction to gloat or tease, she would spend the rest of the day chasing him round the house with a flamethrower.

But what should she say to Enid? Should she disclose his accidental interruption, or should she leave her in ignorant bliss?

‘If it were me, I would want to know,’ thought Wednesday, ‘but I don’t know if I can survive bringing up what happened in bed twice in one day. How vexing.’

Enid could see how much Wednesday seemed to be thinking and she couldn’t understand what about her question could cause such a drawn-out response.

“Wednesday? You ok over there?” asked Enid.

“Yes, I was just deliberating whether to tell you something,” admitted Wednesday as she placed the torch in a holder on the stone wall.

“Oh, that settles it, you gotta tell me now!” said Enid as she hopped up on to a table, her legs swinging underneath it as Wednesday watched.

“I don’t think I have to do anything,” replied Wednesday as she leaned against the table opposite Enid.

This made the blonde pout.

“So, it’s like that, huh?”

Enid crossed her arms in a dramatic fashion and continued to swing her legs, a stark contrast to Wednesday’s unmoving position against the edge of the wooden table behind her back. Unable to withstand Enid’s cuteness Wednesday quickly relented.

“It … it concerns this morning,” she said as she looked away.

“Ah,” replied Enid. “What about this morning?”

“Thing walked into the bedroom and he, well, he saw us,” explained Wednesday as she brought her shy eyes back to Enid’s face.

“Wait, when? I woke up first and I didn’t see him?”

Enid tilted her head from side to side as she tried to recall if she had missed anything.

‘Shit,’ thought Wednesday, ‘I did not intend to incriminate myself like this.’

Enid could see how Wednesday looked a little shy, a little guilty, as if she was holding on to something that she desperately did not want to admit.

“Hold on, I was the first awake, right? Right?” she asked as she leaned forward, scanning her friend’s face for the first crack in her stoic exterior.

Wednesday looked away as she replied.

“I may have awoken for a short time at some point. You were asleep.”

By the time Wednesday had the courage to look back at her Enid was in the process of pushing herself off the table and the raven-haired girl realised with a growing sense of terror that she was coming straight for her.

“Wait, Enid, I can explain!”

The taller girl strode the few steps to where Wednesday stood and stopped at her friend’s feet and, keeping her face just shy of Wednesday’s own, she leaned her body in and placed her hands on either side of Wednesday’s body and as they came to rest palm up against the cold wood of the table behind the pair Wednesday thought she might faint.

“E-Enid, what are you doing?”

“I want to look you dead in the eyes when I ask you this,” whispered Enid in a low growl. “How long were you awake for this morning?”

‘I should start digging my own grave,’ groaned Wednesday internally, ‘how did I mess up so badly? I’m usually smarter than this.’

Wednesday was discovering painful lesson after painful lesson that the more she fought to control every detail the more she became undone, because Enid was not some mystery to be solved or some calculation to complete in class. Enid was a living breathing goddess with werewolf senses and a nose for gossip and intrigue, and as time went on, she was fast becoming the foremost expert in ‘Wednesday.’

The macabre girl realised that she was utterly doomed.

“Enid, I…”

“Well, tell me.”

To her great shame Wednesday had to stifle a whine as her back arched against the table and her hips pushed outwards just far enough to brush against Enid’s own. The blonde girl’s eyes widened as Wednesday closed her eyes and blurted out her apologies at lightning speed and the entire time she hoped that the ground would swallow her whole to save her from her mortification.

“I don’t know what came over me, Enid, I’m sorry. I woke up and you were still asleep and I tried to leave but you were so … you were surprisingly comfortable and I was sleepy and I may have rolled over. Thing was there for a little while but left soon after and I told him on pain of death not to say anything. Forgive me.”

Silence.

Gut wrenching silence.

Wednesday dared not open her eyes in fear of the blazing look that Enid no doubt had all over her disappointed face and she wanted to die.

“Wednesday, look at me please.”

Enid’s voice had no anger or annoyance or pain, in fact Wednesday thought she sounded … sounded …

‘What on earth is there to be smug about?’ she wondered.

When the shorter girl opened her eyes, she had to look up slightly to meet her friend’s penetrating gaze but despite feeling flustered Wednesday did not blink. She did not want to miss a single look or tell that might help her figure out what Enid was thinking.

Enid, meanwhile, was riding a wave of euphoria that made her wolf howl in pride, and she knew within her heart that the moment was getting closer within which she could claim Wednesday once and for all. If she thought Wednesday would be open to it, she would take the beautiful girl’s face in her hands and kiss her until they were both breathless messes crumpled on to the stone floor.

However, she would not risk doing that.

Wednesday’s heart was hers to woo and claim and she would not make her uncomfortable just to satisfy her desires. Enid would wait as long as Wednesday needed. In the meantime, this discovery that she had in fact been awake and had not run away, that Wednesday had actually sought to maintain the contact even when Enid was asleep made her so happy and hopeful that it was enough to sustain her for now.

“Why did you let me think that you had been asleep the whole time, hmm?”

“I must confess that I did not know what you would think if you knew.”

Enid thought back to their conversation earlier and decided not to push too much, but she still wanted to have a little fun with Wednesday all the same. Afterall, her friend did frustrate her so.

“Enid, are you mad at me?” asked Wednesday, and the young werewolf thought her friend looked like a deer that had just been shot.

“No, I’m not mad, Wednesday, and I won’t drudge everything up again when we only just talked about things earlier but, dammnit Wednesday, I’m so … I’m so…”

‘Here it comes,’ thought Wednesday, ‘the killing blow that will surely finish me off.’

“I’m so happy!”

Enid’s smile was wide and yet a little coy, her eyes shone with a heady playfulness that given their physical proximity felt like a dangerous thing to explore, and Wednesday found her eyes getting wider as she looked up at her friend in confusion.

“You’re really not mad, Enid?”

“Do you know how happy it makes me to know that you felt safe enough with me that you chose to stay?” explained Enid, the emotion building in the back of throat that it threatened to make her trip over her words.

‘This cannot be,’ thought Wednesday, ‘Enid likes it?’

“That is not the response that I was expecting,” admitted Wednesday as her eyebrows softened slightly.

“It means a lot to me, Wednesday,” Enid replied earnestly.

“It meant a lot to me too, Enid,” admitted Wednesday quietly.

Within the still solitude of the dungeon not even a mouse or ghost stirred and for an electrifying moment Wednesday considered leaning into Enid’s embrace and kissing her.

‘Not yet,’ she told herself. ‘Just a little bit longer.’

The scent of Wednesday went straight to Enid’s head and it was drawing her in ever closer, and within her chest her wolf howled at her to move, to do something, to end the intolerable distance and claim her mate with a kiss.

“Wednesday…”

Enid closed her eyes as she gently lowered her head until their foreheads touched and Wednesday shivered at the contact.

“E-Enid…”

“Can I hug you, Wednesday? Just for a little while?” Enid asked sweetly but with an intensity and slight desperation at the questions edge as if her entire existence hinged on Wednesday saying yes. “Would that be ok?”

Without thinking, Wednesday placed her arms around Enid’s back and pulled her strong body into own, a wordless approval that made Enid’s heart thunder so loudly in her chest that she was certain her friend could hear it. Enid moved her hands from the table to Wednesday’s back and slowly her right hand trailed upwards to hold her head protectively as she had when they lay in bed together. Her left hand sat in the small of the shorter girls back and Wednesday clenched her eyes tightly shut and nuzzled into Enid’s shoulder, savouring the feeling.

A few moments went by as they held each other for the second time in one day except this time there was no dancing around each other, no flimsy denial to hide their embarrassment. Instead, they both leaned into the touch and the contact and both were grateful for it. Eventually, Wednesday broke the silence with a whispered confession.

“Only Enid Sinclair could make hugging a tolerable activity.”

The comment and sentiment, which were both incredibly Wednesday, made the werewolf smile as she leaned back to look into her friend’s big brown eyes.

“Wednesday Addams, are you going all soft on me?”

“If I were, I would never admit to it.”

“Hmm, that sounds like a challenge,” replied Enid, her eyes overflowing with so much love that surely even Wednesday Addams could not miss it.

Notice it she did, from the way that Enid looked at her, to the sweetly protective and familiar way that she held her body in hers, to the way that her voice sounded as sweet as honey (if a voice could sound such a way). Yet Wednesday grasped obstinately on to her tenuous sense of control and instead of using this spark of a moment to organically develop their relationship into something more she chose not to pursue it in favour of continuing with her plan.

That did not mean she was not in pain.

“I think my poker face is better than yours, Enid.”

Wednesday remained her own jailer for another bittersweet day; she told herself that she did not mind.

With much hesitancy, Enid leaned backwards and slowly released Wednesday’s body from her own to stand in front of her and when the final touch point between their bodies was lost both girls immediately felt the loss of the distance despite still being only inches away from one another. Enid made an exaggerated show of stretching and gradually shimmied away from Wednesday so that the shorter girl could lean away from the table and just like that they were back to awkwardly dancing around each other once again.

Wednesday’s ancestors were turning in their graves.

As Enid’s focus settled back on the dungeon that she was currently stood in a shiver ran down her spine as a breeze whispered past her.

‘Where did that come from?’ she wondered.

“Hey Wednesday,” began Enid as she looked around, “any clue where that breeze is coming from? Honestly, I’m kinda getting the heebie-jeebies down here.”

Wednesday knew instantly that it was from the far corner of the dungeon. There were two ways to access the catacombs that led to the vault. One was through a secret door in the library, and the second was behind a false sarcophagus at the end of the dungeon and it was this that was likely the source of the cold chill.  

Ideally, Enid would lose interest as Wednesday did not want to risk mentioning the catacombs to her friend, and she certainly did not want Enid stumbling down there somehow, but what she had forgotten is that Enid enjoyed intrigue just as much as Wednesday did. It was just that the intrigue that usually found them was dark and twisty in nature, and Enid did not care for gross or explicitly gory things as a rule.

But a little snooping around the Addams dungeon?

How could Enid resist?

“Wait, I think it’s coming from over here!”

Using her nose, she made a beeline for the sarcophagus which was dimly lit in flickering yellow light from the torches on the wall and Wednesday followed closely behind her.

“This house is old, a breeze is to be expected,” Wednesday said as she tried to deflect. “Let us return to the surface as it will soon be time for lunch.”

“Sure, but I wanna check out the sarcophagus quickly. It looks so pretty!”

Wednesday could pull her braids out as she felt a rising tension in her shoulders as Enid came to a stop in front of the Egyptian artifact.

“Now that you’ve seen it up close let us retire to the dining room,” suggested Wednesday as she tried to hide the fact that she was now trying to wrangle Enid away.

She placed her smaller body between Enid and the sarcophagus and gestured for her to leave the way she came, but Enid was too interested in the artifact.

“Just a sec, Wednesday, I just wanna…”

As Enid stretched out her hand with the intention to touch it Wednesday acted on instinct, concerned that she would realise it was on a hinge and could be opened. The raven-haired girl whipped out her hand to intercept Enid’s own but Enid was too fast and their hands ended up clashing together against the cold face of the Egyptian death mask.

Both of their heads shot back, their chins raised into the air, their pupils dilating, and slowly they both fell backwards on to the floor, with Wednesday’s body half on top of Enid’s. Their bodies convulsed as they were pulled into a psychic vision that threatened to ruin Wednesday’s meticulously planned courting for good.

Chapter Text

Shades of soft pink, charcoal grey, and black obsidian fluttered in front of Enid’s closed eyes, and as a warm glow pulled her forward, she felt weightless. Disorientated she blinked wildly until her eyes adjusted and she was able to piece together what she was seeing. At the same time Enid became aware of the fact that her body was swaying, a gentle rocking as she moved through an unknown space.

“Huh? Where am I? What just happened?”

As she emerged into the light, she realised that she was sat in a boat and the route in front of her was dazzling with pink and black flower garlands adorning tall columns, fire torches lighting the way atop flotillas filled with more flowers, and as she passed the various floating barges she squinted to make out what was on them but to her annoyance they remained too far away. The low rumble of something loud and growing in power could be sensed in front of her but it was somewhere off in the distance and it was unclear to Enid if it was part of her imagination or if it was actually there. Floating lanterns caught her eye as they rode the gentle waves beside the boat and she leaned out to the water to touch one, curious to see if her fingers would stop on something solid.

“Feels kinda weird,” she thought aloud.

One moment she had been standing in front of the sarcophagus with Wednesday down in the dungeons, and the next thing Enid knew she was riding a boat through some sort of event but she had no clue where she was or how she ended up here.

Music echoed off the walls and was lost to the water and Enid strained her neck looking in all directions to identify where it was coming from. She should be scared, and she was certainly confused, but Enid felt surprisingly calm.

“Well, at least the boat ride is kinda fun,” she thought as she leaned back in her seat. “It’s kinda pretty how it’s all decked out. I wonder what all the fuss is for? I guess someone is having a party.”

Enid recalled Mrs Addams’ work on the school committee and how pretty the fundraising gala had been.

Ahead of her, far into the distance, a floating black dock came into view and she realised that she could make out figures standing by the water. The first thing Enid thought to do was to stand up and wave, after all, she had no idea where she was and they looked friendly enough.

“Hey, hey, over here,” she called out as she waved rapidly in their direction. “Do you guys know where I am? Helloooo, can you hear me?”

They either could not hear her or they did not wish to reply to her calls. Either way, Enid remained in the dark.

Suddenly, with a loud bang, the black river in front of her exploded with noise and colour and it was so bright that Enid could see nothing else for some seconds as she looked away, raising her hands in front of her face to protect her eyes.

“What the hell was that?”

As her eyes readjusted and her nerves settled back down, she realised that she was looking at a pair of smart black shoes. Enid knew for a fact that she had put on her white and purple converses in the morning. They were unmistakeably her roommates.

‘Wait, how did I miss her earlier?’ Enid wondered, her mind scrambling to connect the dots.

As she looked up from the floor of the boat she recognised signature black nails on delicate, pale fingers, and as she worked her eyes up her friend’s body she found Wednesday sat bolt upright beside her and she was looking ahead of them with wide eyes. Her face was stormy, and Enid knew the look well.

Wednesday was furious.

“Wednesday,” asked Enid, raising her voice above the din, “what’s going on?”

Sparkling lights filled the air and it reminded Enid of fireworks as they whipped through the cavernous space before fizzling out as they reached the surface of the water. Enid was captivated, and as she stared at the beautiful scene that earlier sense of quiet calm overtook her again.

It was almost serene despite the noise.

There also a hint of something else that shyly peeked through, a feeling of giddy elation as if she were on the cusp of some kind of emotional breakthrough that was so out of place and unusual that at first, she almost did not recognise the feeling.

Was it euphoria?

Wednesday remained unspeaking and unmoving beside her, but as another light burst above their heads it showered her friend’s face in golden light that made her dark brown eyes shimmer and shine.

‘God, she’s so beautiful,’ Enid couldn’t help but think.

“Wednesday … Wednesday.”

Enid reached out and gently held her friend’s arm, the touch rousing the girl out of her intense stare and she slowly turned to look back at Enid’s friendly eyes.

“Enid? Enid what are you doing here?” asked Wednesday in an urgent tone.

-----

Here she was again, pulled into another vision, but this time Wednesday instantly recognised the space. She was underneath the bowels of the estate riding along the black river and her planned confession was going up in literal smoke.

‘This is a disaster,’ she thought, her mind running at a mile a minute as she tried to piece together what could’ve possibly happened to cause everything to go belly up.

Within the next few hours, she knew that dozens of workers would descend below and begin rigging decorations and lighting, the boat would be given a fresh coat of paint, lanterns would be filled up with oil, and flotillas and platforms would be installed on which musicians could perform. Then there were the contributions from friends that would begin to trickle in. Wednesday had reached out to them about her plans before summer had started and despite feeling incredibly awkward about sharing something so private she knew that Enid would appreciate their friends’ support when the time came. She had not disclosed the true romantic intent behind her plan to their friends but she had told them just enough to make them useful.

Her plan was meticulous and designed to appeal to Enid’s sentimentality. Her love of rom-coms and k-pop, of sweet treats with a meaty bite to them, of her love of dressing up and colourful makeup. A party where Enid could have fun with friends and lose herself in dance without the worry of a nefarious plot hanging over her head. She loved a show, and Wednesday intended to make her the star. All of it was meant to appeal to her interests while showing how it complemented Wednesday’s own black on black aesthetic. The event was to be a celebration of their friendship and the declaration, in no uncertain terms, of Wednesday’s sincere and undying love for her.

Yet what she saw before her was a disaster.

It could only be a vision of her planned confession along the tunnel of love that was due to begin construction that very evening underneath them and yet there was a fireball above her head, decorations were exploding left and right, and the delicate pink and black garlands that were strewn throughout were now ablaze.

In other circumstances the scene would have brought her tremendous joy, but not in this case.

“No, no.”

How could this be?

What went wrong?

The confession had to be perfect, it must, for Enid deserved nothing less and yet what Wednesday saw in front of her was destruction on a scale as if a bomb had gone off. Ordinarily, Wednesday would revel in the beauty of a fiery inferno but not on the most important day of her life.

Wednesday was angry, confused, and teetering on the edge of being distraught.

Why?

Enid deserved the world and she intended to give it to her, the girl that she loved should be swept off her feet and feel so completely adored and appreciated. She shouldn’t be in danger of having her eyebrows almost singed off!

With a tug to her sleeve Wednesday became aware of a presence beside her, and as she turned her head around, she expected to see some kind of spirit that would complete the vision. Perhaps even Principal Weems who would dutifully chastise her for her folly. The last person she expected to see was Enid herself.

“Enid? Enid what are you doing here?”

“Wednesday, what’s happening?”

Wednesday was at a loss. When she had held her hand above Rotwood’s flame and Enid interrupted they were pulled into each other’s bodies. Enid was not dragged into her vision, the psychic realm remained inaccessible to her, and she had been unable to see or sense Principal Weems.

Clearly, things had developed since then.

Enid was in the vision too, but was she real?

“How do I know you’re really here?” asked Wednesday as she leaned into Enid’s space to assess her face, her eyes, her mouth, her clothes, desperately seeking any sign that she was a vision.

“Huh? What do you mean, it’s me Wednesday?” frowned Enid as she gave her friends arm a squeeze.

Wednesday was still unsure. Previously, in her vision of Enid’s death, a version of her friend had emerged from the shadows and mist and choked her. It had felt real at the time but upon reflection there had been no actual pressure against her neck, simply the expectation of pressure. Enid’s squeeze of her arm now felt very real, and to be sure the pale girl moved her left hand and rested it on top of Enid’s.

The blonde girl’s hand was warm and a little clammy and unmistakably hers.

“Enid, you’re really here?” whispered Wednesday aghast.

“Uh huh, wherever here is, that is,” she said with a confused smile.

‘Oh no,’ thought Wednesday. ‘This is worse.’

The startling news was like a stake to her thorny heart. Enid could see what Wednesday was seeing in all its fiery doom, a doom that heralded Wednesday’s failure and Enid had a front row seat to the show.

‘Life really is a curse,’ she thought.

Wednesday shook her head, remonstrating herself for her self-interest.

‘Enid is probably confused; I need to focus on her now.’

“Enid, are you alright? You can see all this?” she asked in a raised voice as she battled against the noise.

“Yeah, I can. It’s so pretty!”

‘Pretty?’

The word threw the macabre girl through a loop.

‘What a curious choice,’ Wednesday thought.

“I did not know you were a pyromaniac at heart, Enid.”

“Huh? Don’t be silly, Wednesday, who doesn’t love fireworks?” replied Enid happily.

Now Wednesday really was confused.

Around her the sound of voices began to rise and she thought they were vaguely familiar. They were calling out to them but the boat had now begun to shake and a rush of noise from an incoming wave threatened to overwhelm their hearing completely.

Enid and Wednesday looked at each other, neither one sure what to do, as the speed of the boat increased and it began to tip forward, the listing from side to side becoming more pronounced.

“How do you get out of these visions, Wednesday? I don’t suppose there’s, like, a door we can leave through?” asked Enid, as she looked around for anything that might be helpful.

“They just end,” replied Wednesday simply.

As if on cue, their bodies slumped into each other and the world blurred before going to black as the vision ended as abruptly as it had begun.

-----

Time seemed jumbled.

How long had Enid been lying on the cold stone floor?

She really couldn’t say, but thankfully her strong body had no issue absorbing the impact of the fall and as she regained consciousness Enid became aware of a cool weight on top of her.

‘Wednesday!’ Enid realised with concern.

She peered down her body to find the shorter girl curled on top of her stomach and chest and she let out a relieved exhale when she saw that she was ok. Wednesday moved her head slightly before abruptly sitting upright, leaving Enid pining for the lost contact, sad at how fleeting it had been.

Slowly, Enid sat up behind Wednesday and she rubbed her eyes as if awaking from a deep sleep. Her whole body felt heavy and her limbs felt sluggish to move. She felt utterly exhausted.

‘Man, that really took it out of me,’ she thought.

“Hey sis, hey Enid. What are you two doing on the floor?”

They both whipped their heads around in a flash to be greeted with the sight of Pugsley stood behind them and to Enid’s befuddled brain she thought he had an octopus on a leash.

“Pugsley?”

As Enid said his name, she could not hide her confusion.

“What the heck, is that an octopus?”

“Oh yeah, you two haven’t met. Enid, meet Aristotle. Aristotle, meet Enid! She’s Wednesday’s werewolf friend that I was telling you about.”

Aristotle let out a quelching gurgle seemingly in reply and Pugsley leaned down to look at him.

“I know right, my sis having friends is still kinda crazy. They’re each other’s besties too.”

Wednesday scowled at her brother.

‘Am I still in the vision?’ thought Enid, her head groggy as she looked the curious pair up and down. ‘No, that’s really an octopus on a leash,’ Enid realised.

“Um, hi, nice to meet you,” Enid replied.

Aristotle raised one of his tentacles and gave her a little wave.

“Pugsley, how long have you been loitering in the shadows?” asked Wednesday curtly as she stood up.

“Not long, I’ve only just gotten back,” he replied.

Her legs felt weak, weaker than they usually do after a psychic vision, and Wednesday realised as she squinted at her brother that her vision was slightly blurred. Enid stood to her feet too and she thought she was going to fall back down when her thighs and calves began to shake and spasm but she pushed upwards with all her strength and flicked out her hands to her sides to steady herself.

This did not go unnoticed by Wednesday who looked down at Enid’s legs and then up to her shaking hands. She closed the gap between them, although it was hardly a gap to begin with, and she reached out to her friend and gently placed her hand on top of Enid’s hoodie sleeve.

“Enid, are you alright?” she asked, concern lacing her voice.

“Yeah, fine, just a little tired after, after whatever that was. Think I need to just shake it off, I’ll be alright Wednesday,” she assured her friend before giving her a small smile.

Wednesday remained unconvinced.

“Er, are you two ok?” asked Pugsley, tilting his head.

Aristotle brought one of his other tentacles up to his head and scratched it.

“Never better,” replied Wednesday, shaking off her brother’s question as she kept her attention fixed on her friend. “Enid, I think we should retire to our rooms, you look pale.”

Enid looked down at Wednesday’s hand that lingered on her purple hoodie and when she swallowed her whole throat felt tight.

Wednesday tried to hide it but she had the slightest hint of a shake to her hand, just as Enid did.

“Forget about me, what about you? You’re shaking,” said Enid with a worried frown.

The taller girl placed her warm hand on top of Wednesday’s and rubbed her thumb over the cold girl’s knuckles.

“An affliction we appear to share currently,” observed Wednesday. “The vision was clearly a potent one, you should rest while I consult my mother.”

“Wait,” jumped in Pugsley as he walked towards them. “You had another vision? Anything good?”

Wednesday glanced towards her brother in annoyance, her tolerance for his questioning lower than usual as her head replayed the details of the vision repeatedly.

“We did,” confirmed Wednesday as she looked at Enid.

“We? Wait, Enid, did you have one too? That’s amazing!” exclaimed Pugsley, impressed.

“Er, thanks Pugs. Dunno what it means but it was pretty cool that’s for sure. Super confusing though,” explained Enid with a frown.

Wednesday’s shoulders relaxed a quarter of an inch as she allowed herself to fully exhale for the first time since regaining consciousness.

‘This bodes well,’ she thought, ‘Enid seems unclear about what the vision might mean. Perhaps I am safe for now.’

“Pugsley, be useful for once and inform mother what happened. Tell her I shall be with her shortly once I finish taking Enid upstairs to her room. Then find Lurch and ask him to bring up lunch to her bedroom.”

Wednesday began to lead Enid away but with her remaining strength the young werewolf refused to budge.

“Wait, hold on Wednesday, I’m fine really. Just a little tired. Don’t you want to talk about what we just saw? I was in your vision, isn’t that, like, crazy cool!”

Wednesday winced. Cool was not the word that she would use in this case.

‘Nightmare would be more apt,’ Wednesday thought.

“We can talk once you rest, I don’t want you fainting on me, Enid,” said Wednesday as her gaze softened, and the look did not go unnoticed by Enid who wanted to melt.

An incredibly smug smile emerged on her face as she knew that Wednesday’s tender and caring look was something reserved only for her, and it took Wednesday a moment to realise the connotations of Enid’s reaction.

She liked it.

Pugsley, meanwhile, saw the bubbling tension between the pair with their charged looks and the casual intimacy of their touches and it made him curious.

‘Huh, sis must be taking this bestie stuff really seriously. Good for her.’ 

Wednesday motioned her head towards the other side of the room and tugged at Enid’s arm. Enid found it incredibly amusing how her friend thought she could possibly move her if she chose to dig her heels in, and yet she relented.

“Oh, ok, Wednesday, I’ll come with you. But I’m honestly fine,” sighed Enid.

A part of Enid wanted to see how Wednesday would respond if she resisted a little longer. Would the girl pout? Enid would give anything for one of Wednesday’s sassy annoyed faces that her bestie swears she does not do, but that Enid had ingrained on her very soul. However, Wednesday was correct in her analysis, as the longer she stayed standing the weaker she felt and so the proposal of a lie down back in her room was sounding better by the second.

Except, neither girl would be getting there by their own steam. Pugsley walked ahead of the pair to begin his search for his mother when he heard two loud thuds behind him and his eyes grew wide at the sight of Wednesday and Enid collapsed on to the flagstones.

“Wednesday! Enid!”

They were both out cold.

-----

For the second time in one day Wednesday awoke from a groggy unconsciousness that was not of her making. No sleep had been sought, and no dreams had been had, and all she was left with as she awoke was a dry bitterness in her mouth and a pounding headache.

‘Perhaps wishes do come true,’ she thought to herself.

The feel of the familiar mattress underneath her body told her that she was in her own bed.

‘Where is Enid?’

Before she opened her eyes, she sensed another presence in the room with her and to Wednesday’s disappointment it was not Enid’s, it wasn’t even her mother’s.

“I do hope you don’t plan to sleep for the entire afternoon, Miss Addams. I did not have my sabbatical cut short just to watch you take a nap.”

Upon hearing the familiar voice with hits haughty tone and well-to-do accent that could only belong to one person Wednesday’s eyes snapped open. She rose out of bed slowly, her aching muscles screaming at her in protest, and as her eyes adjusted, she did not have to look far to see the statuesque figure of her spirit guide stood by her writing desk.

“Principal Weems, what misfortune could I possibly have brought upon myself to invoke your premature return?” inquired Wednesday dryly, her right eyebrow rising ever so slightly.

“A pleasure to see you too, Wednesday,” she replied.

Weems looked around the room, soaking up its grey walls, missing plaster, endless cobwebs, and uneven floorboards, and yet regardless of the overall gloom it seemed to still retain a sense of young girlhood to it despite Wednesday’s best efforts and she couldn’t help but smile.

“I thought I had seen most things; however, it appears that Rotwood is full of surprises even now. How I yearn to lounge in a sunlit cabana by the beach, sipping on cocktails, and being delivered bottomless brunch, and yet here I am in the depths of New Jersey in July in a bedroom unfit for a corpse. For you, I suppose, it is surely more than suitable.”

“You sensed the vision?” asked Wednesday, standing up from her bed.

“Sensed it? Smacked me round the head with a cricket bat would be more accurate. So uncivilised,” she replied, unimpressed. “The connection that you and Enid have is … well, it is the talk of the family on the other side, I’ll have you know.”

This caught Wednesday’s attention.

“How like my kin to gossip even in the afterlife.”

Wednesday kept her unblinking gaze on Principal Weems as she considered the implications before her thoughts inevitably returned to one person.

“I must check on Enid,” she said matter-of-factly.

The girl’s care and attention for her friend were not lost on Weems as she watched her young charge stride towards their shared door.

“Such concern is endearing, surely Wednesday Addams is not softening, is she?”

Weems’ off the cuff remark stopped Wednesday in her tracks as her hand reached for the doorknob of their shared door and she slowly turned her head to glare at the deceased principal.

“I preferred it when you were still on sabbatical,” Wednesday replied sharply as she glowered at her.

Without another second to waste Wednesday opened the door. Her mother stood over a slumbering Enid as she applied a cool flannel to her forehead and Wednesday’s stoic mask cracked.  

Morticia’s attention moved to her daughter and seeing her fallen face she quickly sought to reassure her.

“Do not fret, my darling, she is just resting. How are you feeling?” Morticia asked.

Wednesday’s eyes stayed locked on Enid as she came to a stop by the side of her bed and she found herself slightly irked that Enid’s hands were underneath the blanket. She flicked her eyes up to her mother on the opposite side of the bed and her frown ever so slightly eased.

“Are you sure she’s alright mother?” checked Wednesday as she ignored her mother’s question after her own wellbeing.

“Yes, she is just tired,” replied Morticia.

Mindful of her daughter’s prickliness she continued.

“Wednesday, Wednesday look at me please, my love.”

Begrudgingly, Wednesday tore her eyes away from Enid’s sleeping face and looked over to her mother.

“You worry for her, naturally, but she will be perfectly fine, Wednesday, I promise,” emphasised Morticia.

The worried girl gave her mother a small nod as a lump formed in her throat. The strength of her reaction caught Wednesday off guard as she realised that she felt guilty. Here lay her friend, fatigued and likely to be incredibly confused when she next awoke, and it was all because of a lurking consequence that Wednesday had brought upon them both.

She brought her hands to her front and held them tightly together.

“This is my fault,” said Wednesday, her voice tight and her eyes dark with emotion, “it’s my fault and I do not think it can be undone.”

Morticia’s eyes sparked with understanding but also of intrigue.

“This is not your fault,” she replied, “you must not think that way.”

“How else must I think, mother? What other conclusion can I come to?” pushed back Wednesday as her insides twisted into knots.

She found herself wanting to sit next to Enid on the bed but she felt that she did not deserve the closeness and so she remained stood by her bedside instead.

“What happened down in the dungeons?”

Morticia’s question pulled Wednesday out of her troubled mind and back into the room.

“Enid was curious about the sarcophagus,” explained Wednesday in a low tone as she looked down at her friend longingly, “and out of concern that she may discover its access to the catacombs and river below I followed her closely. We both touched the mask at the same time.”

Wednesday paused as she interrogated her own memories. What had been the tipping point, she wondered?

“It is unclear to me whether my proximity to Enid caused her to enter the vision with me, or if she was pulled into it on her own. This is not something that I was anticipating,” admitted Wednesday painfully.

Morticia nodded, her arms remaining crossed across her chest as she considered what her daughter said.

“We should wait for Enid to wake up. I think it may be best if we discuss this together,” she suggested to her daughter sweetly.

A sudden realisation made Wednesday’s eyes grow wide as she left her place by Enid’s side and strode toward her mother with dark determination.

“Enid cannot come to know what the vision means, mother, she must not.”

“Wednesday?”

Morticia’s voice was low and tinged with confusion as she allowed her daughter to pull her away from the bed by her wrist towards the fireplace. Wednesday continued in a hushed tone.

“My vision was one of fiery carnage. Decorations were ablaze while music played and sparks flew and it can only have one meaning. My confession ends in disaster!”

Suddenly her daughter’s fraught mood made more sense to Morticia.

“Calm yourself, my darling, and remember that you have a habit for misinterpretation when it comes to your visions,” said Morticia as softly as she could.

Wednesday bristled at the suggestion.

“This is no time to gloat; I must avoid this downfall at all costs.”

“Wednesday, I am not gloating. Try not to spiral and fall foul to your more Raven-like sensibilities. I am sure it is not as bad as you fear.”

Annoyed at what she saw as her mother’s dismissal of her feelings she turned away from her in frustration.

“You do not understand, mother,” said Wednesday in exasperation.

Morticia went to reach out to her daughter, and her hand hovered over her left shoulder, but as it began to descend Wednesday turned around and Morticia pulled her hand back to her side.

“I simply wish to encourage caution about jumping to conclusions, dearest, as we are all at risk of doing. To my understanding there seem to be two concerns that weigh on your mind. The first, is that Enid now appears to have visions of her own when she had none before. The second is that you think your vision means your plan will end badly. Is that correct?”

Begrudgingly, Wednesday nodded.

“Don’t forget the third, Morticia, is that young Wednesday worries that Enid will figure out what she’s planning.”

The sudden sound of Weems’s voice made Morticia almost jump out of her skin, but ever composed and poised she managed to retain her perfectly kept together presentation admirably. Wednesday, meanwhile, remained unfazed at her spirit guide’s abrupt entrance.

“I was beginning to wonder if you had immediately skulked back to the other side. What bitter disappointment for me,” Wednesday said.

“Larissa!” exclaimed Morticia, half in surprise and half in greeting.

Principal Weems leaned against the fireplace between mother and daughter and as she looked towards her old roommate she gave her a small smile.

“Hello Morticia,” she replied simply.

“Goodness, Larissa, I thought you were still on sabbatical,” said Morticia, as she looked to her daughter with a questioning face.

Wednesday said nothing as she turned to face Weems.

“Seeing as you choose to loiter are you going to provide any insight or do you intend to loom over the fireplace indefinitely?”

“Please excuse Wednesday, Larissa, this vision has unsettled her,” interrupted Morticia as she gave her daughter a reproachful look. “Now Wednesday, Larissa is our guest and she is your spirit guide no less, try to be cordial.”

“Do not worry, Morticia, I am used to Wednesday’s bite. After all this time it is simply de rigueur,” reassured Weems with a wave of her hand.

It was in that moment that Wednesday sensed a shift in the room and she whipped her head round back to the bed to see that Enid was waking up.

“Enid.”

Wednesday wasted no time and walked to be by Enid’s side as the blonde girl rubbed the sleepiness from her eyes she slowly sat upright in bed.

“Enid, my dear, you’re awake,” exclaimed Morticia with a grateful smile.

“Hmm, Wednesday?” said Enid groggily, “Wednesday, what happened? Huh, wait, how did I get up here?”

“Lurch carried you,” explained Morticia and she followed her daughter to stand by Enid’s bedside.

“Wait, did I, did I faint?” asked Enid, confused.

“We both did,” said Wednesday, her eyes dipping down in slight embarrassment. “You’re not hurt?”

Enid shook her head.

“Nope, just super tired. That vision really drained me. I didn’t think they were usually like that?” she asked as she looked at Wednesday.

“They’re not normally,” agreed Wednesday.

“Your new found connection will need time to settle. Until then I recommend that the two of you try not to strain yourselves,” encouraged Weems as she came to a standstill at the end of the bed.

Enid’s eyes grew wide as she realised who she was looking at.

“Wait, Principal Weems!”

“Ah, good, you can see me, I was hoping you would be able to. Hello again, Miss Sinclair.”

“What is going on?” Enid asked again as she moved to get out of bed.

Wednesday offered her hand to Enid and Enid took it shakily.

‘She must still be weak,’ thought Wednesday sadly, cursing herself for causing her friend so much trouble.

‘OMG, I’m holding Wednesday’s hand,’ thought Enid jubilantly, ‘I hope she can’t tell how nervous I get when she’s like this.’

“Enid,” began principal Weems, her tone serious, “can you recall if it was the mask of the sarcophagus that you touched? Or was it Wednesday’s hand?”

“Hmm, I’m pretty sure I touched the mask,” she said thoughtfully, “but our hands, um, our hands did touch.”

Enid looked at Wednesday shyly and it took all the shorter girl’s composure not to blink rapidly. To her mother’s amusement, who was stood behind her, she saw that the tips of Wednesday’s ears had begun to turn red.

“And Wednesday, you touched the mask as well?”

“Yes,” she replied simply.

“But why would I get a vision? And why the mask, is it special or something?” asked Enid.

Weems understood that Wednesday did not want Enid to catch on to her plans and although the thought of seeing her young charge struggle a little might have been amusing, she had no interest in playing around. The possibility that Enid had developed her own psychic abilities and her desire to work out exactly what was going on with the pair took precedent.

“The mask is not the point of interest in this case, Miss Sinclair, it is the how that concerns me.”

“Rotwood,” said Wednesday cuttingly, the psychic’s name scratching like sandpaper against her tongue. “She has a lot to answer for.”

“Such venom in that voice, Miss Addams, and for a fellow Raven no less,” replied Weems.

“You do not expect me to thank her, do you?” said Wednesday, and her voice was as dark as her developing mood. “All of these changes, this trickery that clings on to us still, was never part of the agreement.”

Wednesday and Enid were still holding hands and Enid hated seeing her friend become so unsettled. When Wednesday was like this it was as close to upset as she would likely openly get in a group setting, and although Enid imagined Wednesday might be more comfortable showing her emotions with her mother beside her, she did not know if that would extend to Weems.

Trying to reassure her, Enid squeezed Wednesday’s hand, a small physical intimacy which they had begun to share lately that brought them both a lot of comfort. As she felt her friend’s strong and warm fingers squeeze against her own, Wednesday let her shoulders untense. Wednesday looked at Enid expecting a soft expression but what Enid gave her was one of knowing expectation. A look that said, ‘don’t be so hard on them.’

Even without a word, Enid always found a way to breach Wednesday’s walls.

“I agree that this development is unexpected and I would be keen to have a word with Rotwood myself if I could, if only to give her a piece of my own mind.”

Wednesday looked at her, surprised to hear in Weems’s admission that she shared her annoyance with their unusual circumstances.

“Remind me, what were the terms that Rotwood shared?” asked Morticia, as she looked between her daughter and Weems.

“Wednesday?”

Enid’s voice had a calming effect on Wednesday and when combined with Enid’s thumb that was now gently rubbing the back of her hand Wednesday found herself untensing the final knot in her muscles that had been stubbornly holding on.

“Should my gaze be broken, a deadly trick I will play. That was her warning, and the trick that followed proved to be almost deadly,” recalled Wednesday darkly.

“But we figured it out in time,” jumped in Enid. “We walked in each other’s shoes literally and saw things from the other’s point of view. We came out of it stronger, right Wednesday?”

Enid looked at her with such wide, grateful puppy eyes that Wednesday struggled to form a coherent thought.

“Yes,” Wednesday said finally, her breath a little shaky.

Morticia and Larissa shared a look.

“This does not explain why Enid has developed her own second sight. Has anything else happened since then that might be pertinent to this mystery?”

Weems asked her question as she looked directly at Wednesday and the girl could feel her spirit guides gaze burrow deeply into her very soul.

‘Does she know?’ wondered Wednesday. ‘How could she?’

Beside her, Enid squirmed a little at the implication, and her thoughts wandered to Wednesday.

‘Is this because of me?’ Enid worried. ‘Is Wednesday’s wolf the reason?’

Neither girl was sure whether to disclose the part that was left unsaid, but they both knew that Morticia and Larissa were not fools. If they did not share it today, they may figure it out on their own tomorrow.

As she waited, Weems’s eyes narrowed and Morticia watched Wednesday and Enid for any sign that might help her. To her frustration, she remained unsure what exactly was going on between them.

Why was Wednesday not forthcoming? Why did the idea of sharing this change that she was going through fill her with unease? Or was it defensive jealousy? It was not the idea of others knowing that was the problem, it was that fact that it felt like such a private and intimate matter, one that was for her and Enid to explore with each other and she did not know if she wanted others to be included in it just yet. They would doubtless have their opinions and Wednesday did not care to hear them.

Of course, Thing may have an inkling given how closely he had observed them over the last few months, but he wasn’t exactly here to blab right now which made Wednesday feel slightly better.

Then there was Uncle Fester, he was no fool, and he worked with Wednesday all those weeks to track Enid down. Had he begun to suspect that something had changed within Wednesday? Perhaps he had, but he was travelling the countryside right now.

Enid, meanwhile, was beginning to feel angsty. Had Wednesday mentioned that she had transformed during their body swap?

‘Is this my fault?’

Relationships between werewolf mates were passionate and frankly overwhelming at times, especially during courtship. Enid could sense that Wednesday liked her back, she knew it in her gut, and it made her so happy. The reason she was holding back from pursuing things with Wednesday was because she was desperate not to mess things up, to push before Wednesday was ready and scare her friend off. Enid would rather die than get it wrong, and yet inside her, her wolf was becoming increasingly restless.

She could see that Wednesday wanted her back and so from her wolf’s point of view, what was the hold up? As an alpha she should be moving heaven and earth to claim her omega, and yet her wolf was left to pace around in disappointment.

Their growing closeness since her return from the wilderness had sparked changes in them both, and Enid began to wonder if her second sight and Wednesday’s wolf were more closely tied than she first realised. Both her and Wednesday and been so focused on their individual changes that they had not really stopped to wonder how they worked together, if they did at all. Did their bond demand this change? Did it encourage it? Inspire it? Did their bond make this connection possible?

Before they swapped bodies Wednesday’s wolf was lying dormant inside her and it would have remained undisturbed if she had not wolfed out at Willow Hill when she intervened to protect Enid. But unlike Wednesday who had some werewolf ancestry, Enid was sure there were no psychics in her bloodline and so it must come from Wednesday herself.

Enid was so confused.

As she looked into Wednesday’s eyes she counted down from ten and told herself that she needed to calm down.

Wednesday held her gaze with Enid’s whose eyes were now bright and wide, and without speaking Enid asked if she was alright. In reply, Wednesday began rubbing her own thumb against Enid’s hand which made the blonde girl smile in relief.

‘Our secret?’ asked Enid.

‘For now,’ agreed Wednesday.

What good could it possibly do to complicate matters further by sharing that Wednesday had a wolf rattling around inside her and that it was awakened the day they swapped bodies? Wednesday knew that it would likely help Weems and her mother, if anything it would give them more ground to build a theory on, and yet the girl would not budge … for now.

“Wednesday.”

Morticia’s voice broke the silence.

“Did you hear Larissa’s question, my love?”

“Yes mother,” Wednesday replied, turning her body to face principal Weems. “Nothing comes to mind.”

Morticia nodded.

“What about you, Enid dear?”

“Um, no, same as Wednesday. I don’t think there’s anything,” shared Enid as she tried to stop her voice from shaking.

She hated keeping secrets but she wanted to figure that part out with Wednesday first before it was opened up for scrutiny. Afterall, the potential for change in the future was an unknown quantity that currently hung over them.

What other changes might Wednesday go through?

What might Enid experience going forward?

Everything felt up in the air except the love that bound them together. A love that burned ever brighter day by day and yet they both continued to stubbornly tip toe around it.

“Very well,” sighed Weems, “but if either of you recall anything, anything at all, you let me know.”

“Yes,” agreed Morticia, “we are in unchartered waters here. Even the smallest detail could offer great insight.”

She looked at the pair, she saw how tired they both looked and yet she also the saw comfort they gained from each other as Wednesday and Enid held hands, and it made Morticia so proud to see how far her daughter had come.

“Larissa.”

Morticia left her daughter’s side and made her way towards the waiting Weems.

“Yes Morticia?”

“The girls’ remain tired, perhaps we can continue this later?”

Weems frowned, as she was keen to keep the conversation going, but as she looked over at the two teenagers’ she recognised that perhaps now was not the time.

“Very well, later it shall be.”

“Wonderful,” beamed Morticia.

Enid leaned in closer to Wednesday so that she could whisper to her.

“You ok?” she asked as she began to rub her thumb over Wednesday’s cool hand again.

“Yes, I’m fine, Enid, don’t worry,” replied Wednesday.

“Sure?”

Wednesday half closed her eyes as a slight frown formed underneath her bangs.

“Enid.”

“Ok, ok, I’m just checking,” Enid said with a pout.

She glanced behind Wednesday to look at Mrs Addams and principal Weems as they talked together.

“Life is kinda crazy, huh? I mean, who knew what we were in for when Weems paired us up two years ago?”

This made Wednesday’s expression soften.

“Enid, are you getting sentimental?” asked Wednesday, clearly amused.

“Hey, don’t act like you aren’t happy Weems made you my roommate. I know I’m glad that she did,” shared Enid.

Wednesday tried not to react but she could not stop her eyes from softening slightly.

“I suppose you have been agreeable on the whole,” she replied, feigning casualness.

“Wow, such praise, I hope it doesn’t go to my head,” Enid said playfully as her eyes ended up on their joined hands.

“You don’t mind?” checked Enid as she glanced downwards.

Wednesday followed Enid’s gaze to their entangled hands and she was struck by how good it looked, the way that Enid’s larger hand enveloped and held hers made her feel tingly.  

“Not at all,” Wednesday replied.