Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“No. Effing. Way. Wednesday did you see this?!” Enid scrambled off her bed as she squeaked out the end of her question.

“Enid, you will have to be more specific when I’m–” Wednesday was interrupted as the words were shoved out of her from behind. Her roommate all but crashed into the back of her chair as her arms encircled her in a single motion, and she was accosted by an all-too-bright phone screen held inches from her face. She felt Enid’s bouncy curls brush her left cheek and allowed a frown to consume her otherwise stoic features. Before she could verbally react, Enid eagerly elaborated.

“It’s a contest, and we’re going to win!” Wednesday scanned the offending device in front of her as Enid continued. “Okay, so it’s a social media challenge where you have to post different pics each week–don’t worry, I’ll obvi be in charge of that–and everyone votes on their favs, to decide the winners; guess who is putting this one on and what the winner gets!” Dark eyes momentarily  lit up having already gathered the answers, though the frown quickly returned.

“Enid, this is a couples contest for Valentine's Day.” She shifted her glare towards the blonde who looked back hopefully.

“When has a little detail like that ever stopped you?!” Enid stood up, animated as she continued, “this a contest– you’re totally competitive– to win a murder mystery dinner– is there a style of dinner you could love more? – where you’ll get to meet Stephanie Rey. Your literal favorite living author. And I love her too!” she squeaked and bounced along with the last point, then added, “there could not possibly be a more perfect adventure for us and this one finally doesn’t have the threat of bodily harm.”

“But we are not a couple,” Wednesday flatly replied, remaining unmoved. Enid sighed, then squatted down in front of her friend.

“We can pretend,” she sang with an upswing in her tone. “C’mon, you can’t tell me this wouldn’t be the coolest thing to win and that it’s not practically made for us!” Enid tilted her head and continued, “honestly, it’s not like we’d have to change all that much. Half our friends already think we’re dating anyways–”

“What–”

“And if we just told everyone we were, they would all totes be on board. Trust me they stan.”

“They what?” Wednesday was just as confused with the slang as the topic, but Enid stood up and continued as if she was keeping up.

“This would actually be a perfect way to come out as a couple. I could say that we’ve been keeping it under wraps since we all know how you are,” Wednesday stood up and followed her roommate as she began to wander during the explanation of what was unfurling as some sort of teen romance masterplan. “But since we wouldn’t be able to participate in this contest without everyone finding out,” she abruptly turned around, causing the follower to stop short, “ BAM! Here we are, world!” Enid beamed. 

Wednesday stared directly into Enid’s wide eyes with worry laced vaguely through her expression. She paused for what would generally be accepted as an uncomfortable length of time, before she finally took a breath and responded. “We’ll only have to post weekly pictures? But of what, romantic things?”

“Mmmm, unknown. The caption slash theme for each pic won’t go out until the contest starts, and one at a time, but it’s gonna be PG and most of them I bet will be more creative or murdery than anything else! What’s the worst they could ask for? Holding hands? You can handle that!”

“And what if the prompt is a kiss?”

“Okay maybe that would be the worst, but we can use some smoke and mirrors! Wednesday pleeaaasseee… ” was begged with clasped hands.

Wednesday paused again and glanced around the room while Enid shifted and prepared to argue more. “And we don’t have to act any different in our daily routines, or in front of our peers?” 

“Honestly, like I said, a lot of them kinda think we’re already–”

“ENID!” Their door swung open and slammed against the wall, Yoko not slowing one step. “Did you see insta?!”

“YES!” Enid matched Yoko’s frantic strides almost right through her small roomie to meet in the middle of the floor.

“This bitch doesn’t even do book signings, I can’t believe she’s doing this for fans!” 

“I know!”

“Me and Divina are totally doing this–” she paused sheepishly and looked over her glasses, “I promise if we win I’ll get you an autograph babes… sorry they decided to do this around love day and make it a couples thing. I would say maybe give things another shot with Beanie Boy but I doubt you could win the contest with him anyways,” Yoko laughed out the last few words as Enid squinted at her.

“First of all, ouch. Second of all…” Enid trailed off slightly as she turned to look back at her dark friend, who had crossed her arms and managed to look even less amused than she typically already appeared.

This was a make or break moment, and both girls knew it as Enid turned away from Yoko completely and started walking slowly towards her roommate, not breaking eye contact as she pleaded with them every deliberate step. 

Five.

Four. 

She mouthed ‘ please’ to Wednesday as her eyes set to strive for a Puss-in-Boots level of begging, now only a few steps away.

Three.

Wednesday looked from Yoko’s increasingly suspicious expression to Enid’s.

Two.

She dropped her hands, sighed, and blinked, and Enid started to smile.

One.

Wednesday held Enid’s eyes a beat longer as she set her jaw, as if to convey that the conversation wasn’t over, before turning to Yoko as she simultaneously opened her hand against Enid’s, allowing her to thread her fingers through her own. Her stomach swayed.

“Enid and I will be competing together. We’ve been in a discreet romantic relationship for some time at my behest. My girlfriend has successfully convinced me that this contest is worth going public for.” Wednesday said almost through her teeth as she tampered down an eye roll as best she could. 

Yoko’s mouth fell open. “No way.”

Wednesday huffed through her nose but Enid was clearly giddy. “ Yes way so you better watch your back starting Friday ‘cause you know who the power couple is in this game,” Enid said with an arrogant air. Wednesday’s eyes slid to the side as she felt Enid lean into her slightly as she spoke. She found herself regarding the girl with a bit of pride for her cutthroat approach she seemed to take more often now. Ever since their first Poe Cup, Wednesday saw herself rubbing off on her, and never forgot her “WWWD” comment, but what was even more appealing was how evident it was to Wednesday that none of this was from her. It was all Enid. Wednesday seemed to be merely coaxing out what was already there in the wolf.

Yoko scoffed. “I… can’t even argue with that.” She still looked stunned.

“Good choice. I’ve already been interrupted long enough from my writing,” Wednesday said and let go of Enid’s hand, “Yoko, it was unpleasant as usual, I trust you can find your way back to the door you unceremoniously barged through in your intrusion.” 

Yoko turned her look to Enid as Wednesday sat, adjusting her sleeves. She raised one eye-brow at her friend, who bit her lower lip and skipped over. “I’ll catch you up on all the deets tomorrow, promise.”

Yoko looked back over at Wednesday once more before crossing the threshold back into the hallway, and said as she began to smile, “I mean not that I didn’t see it coming, but I’m still... Girl the two of you take ‘opposites attract’ to a whole ‘nother level.”

“I know. People are gonna eat it up on insta!” Yoko immediately rolled her eyes at that and left.

Enid shut the door softly, beaming smile still laid across her face. She skipped over to her bed and sat down with a bounce, staring at her roommate, who was clacking away. 

“Wednesdaaaayyy…” the blonde whispered loudly. There was no response, but the smile didn’t leave her face. “Or should I say… Baabbbee? ” At that, the typing stopped abruptly and Wednesday stiffened.

“I am neither a child nor a talking pig so if you attempt to get my attention with such a foolish and infantile– not to mention trite and hackneyed pet name– again, I will sew your mouth shut in your sleep.”

“Okay, I appreciate the offer of un conscious torture, but let’s maybe practice less violent threats if we’re going to pass as a couple?” Wednesday turned around in her chair to face Enid but said nothing. “Actually that’s why I wanted your attention! I really think we should go over a few things before tomorrow. I don’t know how many people Yoko’s gonna blab to, so we probably need to come up with all the good stuff before Friday when they post the first prompt.”

“Good stuff?”

“Ya! Like, how long we’ve actually been a couple, how did it happen, who caved first,” Enid said with a wink.

“Obviously you.”

“Hey,” Enid frowned, “I know there’s a romantic in there somewhere,” Wednesday quirked an eyebrow at this, “a dark, twisted romantic, maybe… but you’re also the type to go for what she wants, are you not?” Enid enunciated the ‘t’ pointedly as Wednesday hesitated. 

“While you’re not wrong, I don’t see myself realistically ever putting a romantic pursuit in the category of things I want. So far my only brief stint was essentially forced upon me and I stupidly conceded.”

“You totally liked him–”

“You made the first move, Enid.” 

Wednesday knew her friend took the hint, and saw her eyelashes flutter as she moved on quickly. “You’re right. I’ve totally had a crush on you since breaking up with Ajax.” Wednesday’s face shifted slightly again, enough for Enid to notice her questioning look. She tried to quickly stutter out her amendment to how in-real-life that sounded. “Uh, that’s- that’s what we’ll tell everyone, I mean. Like in our story. Of course.” Enid’s eyes were wide as Wednesday slowly nodded for her to go on. “Ya, like, we’ve always been besties, but, there was just, something more for me,” Enid continued as she got up from her bed and started walking around the room again. “A–and, I didn’t really kno– uh, recognize it, at first. But then, one day towards the end of junior year, when I told Yoko we had made plans for me to visit you over summer break, she said something that kinda made me, question, what I felt…” Wednesday sat still in her chair but her eyes tracked Enid as she wandered with no distinct pattern. She watched her face closely. She seemed to vacillate between an enthusiastic delivery, and a softer recounting.

“Which was?” Wednesday surprised Enid with her question.

“Oh! Ya. Um, well at first she made some comment about ‘finally meeting the inlaws,’ but I still didn’t think much of it since that’s not really out of the norm for her. But then,” Enid inhaled deeply and then went on, “then she said, ‘ah she’s here,’ and I was like, ‘what?’ and she told me she can always tell when you’re walking to the table at lunch, because, she said, no matter where you are in the quad–”

“It’s a pentagon,” Wednesday said quietly through her teeth.

“-- she can tell by looking at me, like, she said it wasn’t just my face but– nevermind, anyways. She said you do it too.”

“What?” Wednesday was getting tired of saying that word tonight.

With a little more confidence, Enid answered, “Yep. She said in the few times she’s been around you when I’m not there, as soon as I walk up, she said your face softens. ” Enid smiled as she exhaled the last word, as if she had just stepped onto a plush rug. The affronted girl immediately frowned, as if to harden the features she was just accused of allowing to do anything but. She waited barely a beat before replying flatly.

“She is clearly making false claims as evidence to her baseless theories that we’ve already been an item. Independent of that, I approve of your use of actual events that involve others to create our backstory. Much more believable.” 

“Right!” Enid continued, becoming animated once more, “so ya like that got me thinking and paying attention to things I hadn’t been. And then, when we were together over the summer for that week and a half, and I wolfed out…” Enid had a knowing smile as she faced her friend more boldly from the spot across the room where she had finally stopped her trek. Wednesday’s face began to etch into a grimace.

“Is that really necessary Enid?”

“You said yourself using truth in our story was more believable.” Enid could see Wednesday’s jaw clench slightly. “I’ll just say, that morning, I finally made a move.” Enid shrugged happily knowing Wednesday knew exactly what she was referring to, as Wednesday held her glare.

“Fine. Is there anything else, or may I get back to my writing?”

“One more thing: once we’re not ‘hiding’ anymore”-- Enid made air quotes then went on– “it would make sense if things change slightly, right? Like, not a lot, no one is going to expect you to be PDA princess, obvs. But, like, how would you be if you were dating someone openly, Wedns?” Enid squinted, “I honestly don’t think I know what that would even look like.” 

Wednesday glanced down and thought for a moment. She had no idea. These were uncharted waters that she never even thought she’d need to navigate. She was repulsed by her parents and would never deign to participate in such exhibitions. But, she had felt sparks, and had almost gotten herself involved with someone, long ago. What would that have looked like? She pushed the thought aside as she considered the other party. But she was no longer so determined to live her life as an island. She didn’t so much loathe to admit anymore that she had friends, and despite the misadventures that should have led to mountains of trust issues, she had still come to accept them, and even rely on them at times. And then there was Enid. Enid, who had saved her life, who had broken through her walls first, and farthest, seemingly without breaking a sweat. Who had become a literal partner in crime, together taking out a monster, a murderer(several), a stalker, and a crazed principal– last year was quite a time. And now, senior year, there was no one she trusted more. And if she thought about the solitary life she had envisioned so clearly before, could she really still desire it, if it meant Enid wasn’t there? The thought was startling. It all seemed to come crashing down on her in that moment how much her perspective had changed over her time at Nevermore. Her family was important to her, she did have friends she cared about, and Enid was her best friend. Was it really so far a reach to say that she may have been wrong, at least about falling in love? She certainly couldn’t see herself as a housewife, and a family beyond what she had still didn’t seem appealing, but maybe she could concede to one wrong claim. 

And then, what would that look like?

Dark eyes shot back up to meet their lighter counterparts as she replied, “You bring up a good point. We’ll burn that bridge when we get to it.” And then she turned around and resumed her original rhythm on the keys. Enid stood blinking for a moment, then nodded and went on her way to get ready for bed. 

Once under her covers, ready to fall asleep to the music of her roommate’s unintentionally soothing instrument, she heard the brief pause, and then,

“Enid, who is Stan?”

Chapter Text

Before heading out, with her hand on the door, Wednesday did one more scan of the dark room, lit only by the blue light of dawn beginning to seep across the space. Enid’s shoes were neatly by the front, instead of scattered as usual, with one inevitably hiding under her bed, which had been the case the night before. Her phone was plugged in on her desk and she had made sure the volume was turned up. 

Wednesday was almost always up and ready before her roommate anyways, but on the few days she had some reason to rise at an ungodly hour first, Wednesday would be unfailingly awoken to Enid tripping over something, or cursing herself not-so-quietly for not being able to find something. Most often her shoes. So, she had gotten into the habit of helping Enid in these ways, in order to avoid the ramifications she faced otherwise– for her own sanity and suitable living routine.

Enid was typically responsible and timely on her own, and had even been fairly well-organized throughout their time at Nevermore. However, eventually Wednesday had noticed a decline in said organizational skills, and an increase in tendency to sleep through her alarm–or forget to plug in the damned device altogether the night before and have no alarm. There were two factors that led to this. 

One was largely due to her increase in academic work when she started applying to schools, on top of her already overloaded schedule that she refused to adjust, or stop complaining about. This is what everyone else saw. The other lesser known reason, was the wolf.

Enid hadn’t told her parents initially about finally wolfing out; as she had explained to Wednesday, it was a lot of build up and a lot of pressure. She somehow hid it from them the whole time she was home for the long break after the Crackstone incident, but it came out on a phone call after she had returned the next semester. To her relief, her mother was thrilled, and finally started treating her like a daughter again. While she has unfortunately since been hounding her about going to school on the west coast, and finding a “mate” (whatever that meant), her family life had improved tenfold, and Enid had unwound somewhat. This led to the slight decrease in being as neat and tidy. But Wednesday, for as sedulous and meticulous as she was, saw it as a positive, as her friend seemed to be extricated from a life of feeling bound and weighted under expectations never met.  She also found that, despite her still being a bit disappointingly squeamish about things no apex predator should be bothered by, her confidence had grown as well. Not only had she wolfed out, but was a Blood Moon Wolf, which came with some fun bonuses. 

Wednesday had not heard of this before, but after some research, was pleased to share with Enid how she found her "even more valuable now"– they had a fight over Wednesday’s word choice. 

Wednesday was made aware early on of exactly what Enid had gone through the first night she wolfed out, and would forever hold onto the knowledge that her friend was running through the woods alone to find her, blind to what was happening but knowing fully that she could be running straight towards a Hyde, and to her knowledge, with no ability to become a wolf. This meant everything to Wednesday, and she would have seen Enid as the same bold, loyal, patient, smart, bouncy, nauseatingly colorful and cringe-worthy best friend until the end of time all the same if she had never wolfed out(and somehow still survived the night). But– the Blood Moon Wolf thing was an asset. Enid was bigger and stronger in her wolf form than most, and because the first change had happened under an eclipse where the light was not as powerful, it meant that her body was especially receptive to moonlight, and she was able to shift without the need of a full moon. Apparently this happens so rarely that many wolves aren’t even aware of her capabilities. More commonly, wolves that are biologically ready for their first shift will skip a blood moon, because the moonlight is just not strong enough for a young, new wolf. Wednesday had swelled with pride upon reading this. 

Enid’s mother had swiftly hired her a specialist to work with, since she now had to deal with the possibility of shifting more often, which could get out of her conscious control if she wasn’t given the knowledge on how to embrace the ability and self-regulate. Wednesday had all but begged to come along into the woods as ‘research,’ but Enid refused. Wednesday had eventually gone anyways, secretly; respecting boundaries was always Enid’s stronger suit, of the two of them. 

Enid eventually found out, and they fought about this, too.

She had only needed to see the specialist for a few months, but they always had to work during the night, so she had lost a lot of sleep during that time. So began her occasional slips into mild disarray. And Wednesday observed her Blood Moon Werewolf roommate with a veneration she wouldn’t be forthcoming to admit, and therefore proceeded with her subtle rituals. And it was never spoken of between the two.

The door clicked softly shut as Wednesday made her way to her math teacher’s classroom. She had made a habit of stopping there most mornings, regardless of if she had his class that day. She would tell anyone, if asked, that it was because of his espresso machine that he allowed her to use. That indeed was a large part of the truth, as this new addition to her mornings was a luxury that rivaled even the most deliciously acidic poison. But she was in a more elevated place in her life now, at eighteen, where she was willing to admit when she was actually fond of another being. Mr. Buio was one of them.

“Miss Addams, greetings.”

“Mr. Buio. Plan to make anyone cry with numbers today?” Wednesday asked as she began to make her drink.

“Oh it’s never a plan, Miss Addams, it comes as naturally as frostbite to exposed skin in the cold.” 

Wednesday had listened to Mr. Buio speak in many different settings in the last year, and his dialogue wasn’t typically so macabre, but he seemed to adjust his way of communicating to fit the student. It never seemed forced or affected, and Wednesday appreciated it. He was,  however, a very straightforward and often harsh teacher, which Wednesday loved. He also happened to be a seer, like herself, and had slipped very furtively into a mentor role for her. 

“My Uncle Fester almost lost his tongue to frostbite once. He said if it weren’t for the realization that he’d never taste his favorite species of larva again, he would have gone through with it,” Wednesday said as she sipped from the black mug.

As understanding as the teacher was, he was still just a bit jarred at times by Wednesday’s anecdotes. He was never surprised anymore, but grimaced slightly, nonetheless. “Well Wednesday, while it’s always a true displeasure to see you, I actually have a faculty meeting to attend this morning. Finish your coffee, you can see yourself out.” He picked up his suitcase and as he headed toward the door and passed Wednesday in close proximity, he nodded his goodbye and set a hand only briefly on her shoulder, but it was just enough. 

Wednesday’s eyes widened and her head flew back.

Mr. Buio’s face was lit up in a dark room, tight in concentration, sitting at his desk. The screen showed an airline booking page as an arrow hit the “purchase” button.

“Vincent, this is inappropriate, it is not your place to get involved.”

“If you would listen to me, you would be on this plane with me. I don’t know what it is about this school that won’t take a seer’s visions seriously after countless examples supporting why you should!”

“Because it’s not the whole story and you don’t know what you saw!”

“I do know what I saw!”

“Mister Buio, I and the rest of the faculty are beginning to grow uncertain of your state of sanity.”

A monotone voice sounded loudly for “all passengers to proceed to gate 23A flight to Los Angeles now boarding.” Mr. Buio stood at a tall counter smiling at a woman, asking if he could be upgraded to Business class.

Mr. Buio hunched over, breathing heavily. Soaked from head to toe, short hair dripping, intense eyes looking down. He shakily used the back of his wrist to wipe the dark wetness from his face. His hands were red.

Wednesday breathed in as her head repositioned upright.

“Wow, didn’t spill a drop, I’m impressed,” he said, having turned to face her. “What did you see?” He didn’t always ask, and Wednesday knew he preferred to let her choose to share. But she had never had a vision involving him before, and he was one of the few people that knew her visions always included, and often revolved around, who or what she touched. 

She looked down at the liquid still in the mug and back at him. “It's half empty anyways, hardly impressive.” She grabbed her bag, set down the mug, and walked briskly towards the door as she said over her shoulder, “you don’t get the upgrade, bring a neck pillow,” and was gone.

.

The bell rang right as Enid skipped into her classroom to find Yoko waiting at their shared table with an expectant glance over her glasses. As she sat, the vampire scooted closer and said, “spill.” 

The blonde’s pink lip gloss framed the expressive movements of her mouth as she spoke. “I definitely wanted to tell you, but you know how Wednesday is. And it’s not like all that much has ‘happened’ anyways, if you know what I m–”

“Alright class I need books open to page 372…” the teacher said loudly and continued with instructions. 

Enid brought her voice down to a whisper and said, “We’ve just been taking it really slow.”

“For how long?” Yoko whispered back as she flipped through her book.

“Umm…” Enid uncomfortably tucked her hair behind her ear, knowing their story was a good one but meant that they had been carrying on a secret relationship for close to five months. She made a split second decision to adjust the story just a bit, Wednesday would catch on. “Technically sort of last summer?”

“ ENID WHAT?” Yoke whisper-yelled.

“But officially only since her birthday in October!”

“What does ‘officially’ mean in this case?”

“Just like, nothing really happened between then? Wednesday took a long time to… thaw. It’s still kind of a work in progress, to be honest..”

Yoko hummed and looked back down at her book, “I can believe that.” Enid wrote down a few notes that appeared relevant when she felt Yoko’s focus come back to her. “You have to tell me what she’s like to date. Is she all super weirdly devoted? She seems like she would be with you. Or is she totally ambivalent and just lets you kiss her cheek and catch dinners for the two of you on full moons?”

“Yoko.” Enid rolled her eyes at her. “Offensive.” Yoko just laughed at her and waited for an answer. “She’s… sweet, believe it or not. I’m still figuring it out though.” Enid tried to toe the line between being as truthful as she could, and convincing one of her closest friends that their relationship was legit.  “She hasn’t done anything dramatic yet but I think she’s still warming up to the idea of us as a couple. She’s actually so cute though, every morning before she leaves, she does these adorable little things. Like if I left my bag or my shoes out, she makes sure everything is by the door for me. Or if I forget to plug my phone in, or set the alarm, she takes care of it before she goes. And on Mondays and Fridays when we have first period together, she always waits for me so we can walk to class together.” Enid had a dreamy look on her face as she finished, and Yoko snickered at her.

“I knew you were into each other but you have it bad.”

.

Wednesday carried her lunch out towards the pentagon-shaped space where most of the student body had gathered. Her eyes landed on a table with a familiar blonde with her back to her, just sitting down across from Yoko, Ajax, and Xavier. While she occasionally joined them, she spent most of her lunches elsewhere– either in Mr. Buio’s room, the library, her dorm, or with Eugene in the hives. Though, Eugene had actually added two members to the Hummers, and finally found himself a werewolf girlfriend who wasn’t afraid of bees(and actually liked him), so he wasn’t as readily available as the days when the club was made up of just two.

She supposed though that today was a day, if any, to make an appearance, as there was no way that word hadn’t gotten around. Between Enid’s lasting love of gossip, and Yoko’s devoted support of her friend’s passions, it was inevitable. So she gathered herself and walked towards her “girlfriend.”

“There she is, just the gothic heartthrob we were looking for,” Yoko greeted her with a smug look. Enid turned around then and smiled with all her teeth. Wednesday stopped just behind her and placed her hand on her shoulder, and Enid faced her friends again with her own hand on top of Wednesday’s; rainbow nails atop black. 

“Yoko, just the photosensitive parasite I was hoping to avoid.” Yoko’s face dropped immediately and Enid looked up at her with pursed lips.

“Enid was just about to tell us how this happened, join us,” Xavier chimed in to break the tension.

“Yes, please Wednesday, sit down,” Yoko added dryly.

Wednesday slipped in next to Enid, removing her hand and setting down her things. Enid cleared her throat and began. “Well, over summer I visited Wednesday a few weeks before school started, and, the trip happened to fall on a full moon. So Wednesday’s basically been on her knees to be there for a wolf out,” she said as Wednesday stayed facing forward, though her eyes frowned slightly as they slid towards the speaker. “So finally, I told her she could.” Wednesday thought back to that night as Enid spoke. 

Technically she had already seen the girl transform, but from afar, through some trees where she wouldn’t be discovered. Witnessing it up close was a whole different story. She was magnificent. The process looked incredibly painful, and she could hear bones breaking and skin tearing, and Enid’s breath heaving that turned to deep, gravely growls. She watched as her face elongated and her teeth turned to large, razor-sharp weapons shining in the moonlight. She was in awe. It was horrifying, and beautiful, and intimate. Enid shook off the large black cloak Wednesday had given her to wear so that she could be covered until fully transformed, without ruining any(more) clothes. Then she howled, and Wednesday was enthralled.

“So the monster thing really does it for you huh?” Xavier grossly interjected. The others laughed a bit but Enid pinned him with a sharp look and may have let out a small warning growl just then. 

“As I was saying,” Enid said through tight lips as she looked back towards Yoko. “Wednesday may have let me, while still a wolf, fall asleep on her bed–”

“On the foot of the bed,” Wednesday interrupted.

“On the foot of the bed, yes.” Enid smiled. “But that’s not where I woke up.” Wednesday stayed still, having known this was the plan, but she hated that it was true, and that their friends had to hear it. “We totally woke up spooning– wrapped in separate blankets! But spooning nonetheless!” Enid looked far too proud. “I woke up to big, gorgeous brown eyes watching me sleep.” Enid looked at Wednesday and batted her eyelashes. “And, I couldn’t help myself. I made a move.”

“That’s my girl,” Yoko added as she held her hand up for a matched high five.

“Yep. We kissed. And my favorite little murder princess didn’t try to kill me!”

“If this story doesn’t find its ending soon that will change,” Wednesday ensured softly but sternly.

Enid giggled, loving watching Wednesday squirm. She hadn’t actually “made a move,” but the story was true up to that point. Wednesday had just rolled out of bed and let Enid tease her about the spooning relentlessly the rest of the visit. Enid hadn’t brought it up again since leaving, until now.

“But I thought you said it wasn’t official until her birthday…” Yoko questioned. Wednesday’s head snapped to face Enid and the two made eye contact. 

Without leaving Wednesday’s eyes right away, Enid replied, “Uh, yes! Ya, um, so, Wednesday, kinda, um… Well, she kissed me back in the moment, but when it ended…” Enid was clearly struggling and Wednesday chimed in.

“I told her I wasn’t prepared to pursue anything beyond the bounds of our current friendship. We had an amicable conversation and decided we would remain friends for the time being.” Enid let out a subtle sigh of relief as her hand found her friend’s underneath the table, and squeezed. Wednesday looked to Enid to continue, cold fingers holding onto warm. 

“It worked for a while,” Enid turned back to her friends and seemed to regain her pace. “And I was starting to think I would just have to be ok with a friendship, even though that was the best kiss I’d ever had.” She sighed dramatically with her whole body then turned to Ajax and added, “Sorry Ajax.”

He just laughed and said, “no worries, girls are way better kissers for sure.” Enid smiled warmly at him.

“Then on the night of my birthday I thanked Enid for her gift but told her there was something else I wanted.” Enid turned to the girl next to her with confusion written plainly across her face. She wasn’t expecting Wednesday to speak again. “I told her that I had had enough time to think it through and that we would make an ideal coupling. She is the only person I could ever imagine tolerating enough to live with, I trust her, arguably more than my own family, she foolishly puts up with my toxic behaviors, and she is a perfect liaison between myself and this idiotic world full of morons I’m forced to have to interact with to accomplish things.” 

Enid was smiling as they stared at each other, clearly satisfied, yet Xavier just had to speak up. “That sounds like a business proposition. How is that different from telling someone you wanna… open a restaurant together, or something? Is that really all you said and Enid agreed to date you?”

“He kinda has a point Enid,” Yoko added.

Enid looked around then back at Wednesday nervous and wide-eyed. “Um, no, that’s not all you said, right Wedns?” She turned her body to face her more and took both of her hands now. Wednesday shifted slightly to mirror her.

“No.” There was a long pause but Wednesday continued. “I also told Enid that I couldn’t forget our kiss and how her lips made loud my quiet heart, enkindling something inside of me that I could not tamp out, despite my greatest attempts. I could no longer look at her the same way and now all I could see was a devastatingly ravishing monster who I wanted nothing more than to die at the hands of, ripped apart piece by piece both in metaphor and literal bloodshed.” Everyone’s face had an essence of shock, but lost most visible emotion, and also color. Except for Enid, who looked lovesick. “And I told her,” she added more softly, “that I had never intended to entangle myself in a romance at all, and didn’t know what it would mean for me or what it would look like, for us. But if she would be willing, and patient, I would like to find out, with no one else but her.”

“Holy shit,” Yoko said as everyone else stood motionless, mouths open. 

“Hah,” Enid let out, before she blinked profusely and looked around shyly at all her friends. 

“If I can,” Wednesday began as she started to stand up, keeping hold of her “girfriend’s” hands. “Enid, I must step away. Forgive me. I’ll see you later?” Wednesday asked as she let go of one hand and lifted the other to her lips, pressing them gently against her knuckles before she released her. 

“Uh huh,” Enid nodded, staring up at Wednesday, still clearly in shock.

Wednesday nodded back, grabbed her things while looking over the group, then silently turned away and walked off.

“Okay what - the - f–”

“Dude what was that?” Ajax interrupted Yoko, leaning over the table towards Enid. 

“Uh-hum, I uh, I actually don’t know. I mean, she totally said that to me. On her birthday.” Enid nodded but wasn’t sure what to say next. “I guess I never expected her to say it all in public though?”

“That girl never ceases to amaze,” Xavier added, shaking his head. 

“Forreal though,” Enid agreed, despite being generally annoyed by his commentary.

“I need to text Div like, asap. She’s not–oh my gosh, Enid! They posted the first pic prompt for the contest!”

Chapter Text

Enid stared at the door. Or, rather, her eyes were on the door, but she was staring into nothingness. She had been standing, still and straight as– well, as her roommate on any given day. She would occasionally remind herself that she should open the door and go in, but she’d glance down at the knob, take a deep breath, and suddenly start replaying the speech in her mind. 

That speech. 

That was, terrifyingly, the most romantic thing that has ever even been said in her general vicinity, let alone to her. She had no idea Wednesday had the ability to say things so deeply romantic without bursting into flame. It had not left her all day; her afternoon classes, dance, the brief meeting with Yearbook team, and the time it took for her to send a text to her “Active Wolves’ Outcast Outreach" Club group chat to cancel today’s meet; it clung. She just couldn’t focus any longer. Plus, she had been dying to tell Wednesday about the first prompt. 

But here she was, about ten steps from her fake new girlfriend, separated only by an old slab of wood, and somehow indefinitely immobile. As the lunchtime performance played in her head throughout the day, she had begun to question this whole plan. Could she keep this up? Would it get weird, with Wednesday or with her friends? And she already did feel a little weird– how is it possible for two best friends who have lived together cumulatively for years to actually surprise each other, still? When did Wednesday become such a good actor?! Enid had been in the drama club all four years at Nevermore, and she had never delivered a monologue like that. It was so believable, and sounded so sincere. She wondered if she needed to now think back and question everything her roommate had ever said to her, knowing she was capable of such deception. She’s seen her be manipulative; this was another level. But she stopped herself at the edge of that cliff. The relationship she and Wednesday had was more real and sincere than anything else in her life. Even if the newfound Emmy nominee had used this secret power against her once or twice in the past, their relationship as a whole wasn’t built on anything unsound. She could trust Wednesday with her life. She could trust her with her secrets, trust her for real answers, trust her to show up…  

After the Carrie-esque Rave’N, Enid couldn’t get Wednesday to go to a dance again for an entire year. Granted, she didn’t push her, since she knew the morose girl truly had no interest, plus she had her boyfriend. But when she and Ajax broke up just before the Rave’N last year, Wednesday was there. She was there in a new dress, with a small packet of tissues, and a weapon. A compact mirror, to be exact. Unfortunately Wednesday was suspended for a week after Ajax ended up in the hospital that night. He was found stoned with his finger broken off and wedged into his mouth. They were able to reattach it, and luckily his parents knew a good dentist to fix the chipped teeth. The only reason Wednesday wasn’t expelled was because they couldn’t prove it was her. The current principal didn’t technically have grounds to even punish her with the suspension, but the two seemed to have some strange understanding and when she received the suspension, Wednesday didn’t confess, but also didn’t complain. Neither did her parents.

Thanks to Ajax’s abnormally laid-back nature, and Enid’s melodramatic insistence that he wasn’t deserving of any further punishment from Wednesday, the two of them had been able to resume coexisting comfortably since the start of their senior year. 

Enid kept getting lost in memories like this. And they were countless. It felt more like a lifetime together after everything they had been through, rather than just some years of highschool. And of all the near-death experiences, the arguments, the reconciliations, and the adventures, Wednesday had never quite pulled the rug out from under her like she managed to that day. So she continued to stare at the door. “Just go in, and act normal like you have every single other day, Enid,” she mumbled aloud to herself. She hesitated one more minute, then reached for the knob again, took a deep breath in– THUNK.

Wednesday looked down at a shuffling blonde werewolf on the floor. “Enid.”

The blonde hair flipped as Enid’s face came into view; she sat up in one quick motion as she replied, “Wednesday!” She stood just as quickly and smoothed out her skirt, then cleared her throat. “How did you know I was here?”

Wednesday blinked. “Enid. There are windows bordering our door,” she said, unamused and arms crossed. “I saw you walk up almost ten minutes ago… but figured I should intervene when I heard you talking to yourself. Are you alright?” Enid’s face was hot. Wednesday was aware of her awkward presence outside their door this entire time. She quickly collected herself though, and exclaimed a confident ‘yes!’ as she brushed past Wednesday into their room. Wednesday picked up the bag Enid had left on the ground outside their door and brought it over to Enid’s side, as the blonde started talking.

“I was just texting Yoko, and got carried away!” Enid sat down on her bed and let out a huff, trying to roll back into herself from the distracted, tense state she had been in. She turned to Wednesday and changed her pitch, adding, “they posted the first prompt! Are you ready for this, girlfriend ?!”

Wednesday set the bag at the foot of Enid’s bed and, emotionless as usual, clasped her hands in front of her and said, “as a prisoner on death row.”

“Great!” Enid replied energetically. She patted the spot next to her on the bed as she pulled her phone out and started scrolling. Wednesday sighed and sat down beside her roommate. “Okay here’s what it says: ‘We want unique couples. There’s nothing about S.R.’s novels that say run-of-the-mill, and you shouldn’t either. We want characters at our dinner,’” Enid paused to give Wednesday a smiling eyebrow raise, then continued, “‘Show us, in one photo, what makes you a unique pair.’ Uh, piece of frickin’ cake, right?!” She tossed the phone behind her on the bed and looked to Wednesday. 

Dark eyes seemed to see something straight in front of them, but not in this room. Wednesday turned her head to look at Enid, and let her gaze trail down, all the way to her shoes, and back up to her eyes. Enid let her smile fall slightly, and her eyelashes fluttered before they met with Wednesday’s again. Before she could question it, Wednesday shifted her focus to the window.

“Tomorrow morning. Before school. The lighting should be soft enough it won’t be overly backlit,” Wednesday said as she got up and walked back to her own side. Enid knew how her best friend worked; despite being wholly confident in her own abilities to come up with excellent content, Wednesday was an artist–with a cello, with words, probably with a knife– and whatever she was thinking would be brilliant. If anything, between their given talents, they were going to collaborate on this perfectly. She felt more at ease with this to focus on. So if Wednesday said ‘tomorrow morning,’ tomorrow morning it would be!

.

Wednesday stood ominously over Enid’s limp body. She breathed quietly and waited, knowing her friend would feel her presence soon and awaken. She hardly had to worry about making noise most mornings, as Enid–sleep deprived as she usually was–didn't wake easily. Yet somehow, if Wednesday did nothing but linger by her bed and stare at her, it never took much longer than a minute for her to find consciousness again. And disappointingly, Enid always awoke with a smile seeing her friend’s face. It used to disgust Wednesday. Now she’s come to accept it. But, there was a small window of time during sophomore year when Enid was a bit jumpier and still just coming into her wolf, and Wednesday was able to startle her out of her sleep. She tried to replicate it in so many ways and nothing seemed to work, but she will never forget how wondrous it was. The first time was the best. 

Enid was asleep on her side, in her room in San Francisco. Wednesday had arrived earlier that day and Enid had been on edge, unsure if she would wolf out that night. She told Wednesday she had already wolfed out once since being home when it wasn’t a full moon, and at the time, she had no idea why. So, as it got closer to the December full moon, she was more anxious each night. Wednesday had also made the mistake of telling Enid about her stalker, and Enid swore she was losing fur. 

Wednesday had gotten up that first night of her visit, having had enough of Enid’s sleep-growling and pawing at her sheets. She stood up from her sleeping bag next to Enid’s bed, and reached out to place a hand on Enid’s shoulder to shake the girl gently, but had only gotten as far as fingertips to her bare back and saying the ‘E’ of her name when Enid spun, leapt, and roared all at once with the speed of a young cheetah. Wednesday doesn’t even remember having time to feel fear, it happened so quickly. Her very slow heart rate had risen significantly though, by the time her brain could actually process what was going on. She lay flat on her back on the orange and purple shag rug of Enid’s bedroom floor, pinned under a small blonde who looked and smelled familiar, but was entirely un familiar in manner and weight atop her. Her claws were out and splayed on either side of her shoulders, one having pierced Wednesday right above the clavicle. But she didn’t notice. Or mind? She wasn’t sure in the moment. Enid’s eyes seemed harsh and lacking color, almost silvery, and so fierce. Her canines had elongated slightly and one had scraped her lower lip just enough to create a droplet of blood that began to form. It looked like black ink in the moonlight that leaked through her translucent blue drapes. She was breathing violently, still part growl, part breath, as reality took its time filtering back into her consciousness. 

“Hello Enid,” Wednesday said, wide eyed. A smile hinted throughout her whole face that she could feel but couldn’t hide. How threatening and marvelous her friend looked. She saw the anger leave the werewolf’s features as her intense eyes finally relaxed and started to wander, inspecting the pinned girl below her. The pale-silver eyes lingered on the lower half of her face, darting from cheek to cheek and Wednesday knew what she was looking at. She saw Enid’s eyes dilate slightly and the blue seeped back into them, and blinked. Wednesday put further effort into calming her reactive heart and respiratory rates, and relaxed her features.

Enid finally spoke in an almost-whisper and asked, “Wednesday, what the hell are you doing?”

“You were dreaming, loudly.”

Enid didn’t wait for her to say more as she nearly screamed, “OH MY GOD!” and yanked her left hand away from the smaller girl’s shoulder, her claw visibly bloody from where it had been. She gasped and began to ask if Wednesday was ok, stuttering out what was a bunch of nonsense to Wednesday, and then hit the floor to her right. Evidently Enid could still only handle blood while in wolf form, passing out otherwise. 

Wednesday had been too preoccupied that week between the stalker and researching Enid’s wolf situation to attempt to recreate the glorious attack, though she did manage one almost as good twice in their dorm last year. They were nearly as glorious. She loved seeing her friend so vicious and powerful. Alas, after enough failed attempts, she knew that unless Enid sensed actual danger, it was not likely to work, and she had given up expecting to ever startle Enid out of her sleep and into a violent state again.

So, here she stood, waiting for the fluttering of her werewolf roommate’s blonde lashes to begin, and the disappointment of deep blue irises finding their way to hers. 

And so they did. 

Arms stretched out with a girly squeak as Enid smiled and spoke; “Mornin’ Wedns. To what do I owe the creepin’?”

There was a part of Wednesday that still felt let down at how comfortable her roommate was at seeing her normally alarming presence looming close by in the dark room. She felt slightly heated. “Get up. We have a contest to win,” Wednesday said flatly as she pivoted and walked back to her side. Enid smiled even brighter and leapt out of bed. “I laid out the appropriate outfit for our photo, it’s on your desk,” Wednesday said as she sat at her own, and picked up her pen. “I’ve already moved your chair to where I think should allow for the best angle; Thing will take the photo for us. He has your phone.” Wednesday had already begun writing down all the details of the photo she wanted to make sure to include; the camera position, the outfits, what was visible in the room on each side, and options for how they should stand. She listened to Enid shuffle around behind her and added a few notes, mostly to keep herself busy while she waited.

Enid looked at the clothes folded on her desk. On top was one of her long-time favorite striped tops and underneath were powder blue leggings that complemented. She glanced over at Wednesday who wore a black and white striped, loose, long-sleeved shirt that somehow looked so uniquely Wednesday but also very trendy. It reminded her of their first night in the dorm together. Enid had noted the matching look and contrasting themes even then. And really, not much had changed in their room or styles. Naturally, Enid considered herself to keep up with the times and fads, but she still loved color, and being loud– in her decor, in her clothes, in her makeup. She did change her hair a bit as the color was now more towards the tips, it was a little longer than Sophomore year, and she had started to wear it up in different ways sometimes, since she added swept bangs when she broke up with Ajax(they persisted, though she’s had mixed feelings about them the whole time). Wednesday of course hadn’t changed a single thing, other than an occasional new clothing item added to her wardrobe, never even a single thread of Roy, G, or Biv.  

“Add whatever accessories you like. I needed the visual balance of the stripes.” Enid giggled softly at how much initiative Wednesday had taken regarding the fashion aspect of this. She dressed quickly and then went for makeup and hair, but when she tried to go around to her dresser, tripped over her dance bag left out from yesterday. Since when did Wednesday stop picking up my things in the morning? Is she mad at me? Oh no, does she actually hate this idea after all?! As if reading her mind, Wednesday’s voice cut through Enid’s inner panic. 

“They’ll be visible in the shot, leave them there.” Enid turned to see Wednesday sitting in her chair facing her now, looking at the bag and the other items she just noticed were littering her space. “It will contrast better with the cleanliness and simplicity of my side.”

“But, I’m not that messy,” she said as she looked around her. “You threw stuffed animals all over my floor.” Enid frowned back at her friend. “Wouldn’t it have been enough that your side is very minimalist while mine is more… creative genius?”

Wednesday stared at her for a beat, then said, “Do you want to win this contest, Enid?”

Enid immediately gave, and smirked and nodded and stepped over the bag carefully to reach her destination of drawers. She knew it wasn’t worth arguing, and she admittedly did have the messier side of the room between the two of them. She’s certainly not against amping things up for dramatic flair.

 Between the hair, makeup, and agonizing over accessorizing, Enid had told Wednesday, “just a few more minutes,” every few minutes for almost twenty-five. Luckily Wednesday had planned for this, and despite the fact that it should have taken the werewolf half the time, they were right on schedule when Enid finally said, “done!”

Wednesday took Enid’s hand and led her to the center of their room. Thing was already on the chair, positioning the camera. “I wrote down some options for positions,” Wednesday said as she handed Enid the paper. The blonde looked down and scanned what Wednesday had written, not letting go of the cold hand in hers.

“So basically, the pic is us just, standing in front of the window?” 

“Yes. Everyone’ll be trying too hard to make themselves stand out. Outcasts will be relying on whatever abilities they possess, normies will be jumping through hoops with inane filters. All we need to do is stand next to each other to be considered a unique couple. You don’t need to be wolfed out and I don’t need to be…” 

“Extra creepy?”

“I was going to say ‘mid-vision,’ but thank you.” Wednesday looked almost pleased for a moment then went on. “Stephanie Rey loves simplicity. Her stories are so full of necessary details and twists that she finds every opportunity to simplify scenes and important moments. The photo is simple, but the window and the room still give us the lines, depth, space, and colors that make good photography. This is all we need.”

Even with Enid expecting this level of cunning from Wednesday, she was still impressed. She let out a smile and bounced a bit in place, but turned quickly towards Thing when she heard a camera click. He gave his version of a shrug, then waved for them to get into place for more. 

Wednesday guided them through the few she had deemed most appropriate: They stood on their own sides, facing the camera, holding hands; they turned to face each other, holding both hands; they faced each other with Wednesday kissing Enid’s knuckles; and they sat on the floor side by side; once facing forward, and once looking at each other. 

Enid paused after that and went to look through what they had. “Defs not into the sitting ones.” Wednesday stayed in her original position, waiting. “Wednesday we could try having you smile in one, couldn’t we?” 

“No,” she replied quickly. “It adds to the contrast.”

“It’s also completely authentic,” Enid said softly to Thing, who gave her an enthusiastic thumbs up. Enid then began to turn back to Wednesday to propose a few more poses, but Thing stopped her and she turned her attention back to him. “You want me to what?” 

Wednesday crossed her arms and frowned, knowing Thing was purposely as far left on the chair as he could be so that Enid blocked her view from whatever he was saying. The blonde looked back over her shoulder at Wednesday for a second before facing Thing once more. “But I don’t want to actually do that! What if she–” Wednesday heard Enid whisper and then stop short. She heard a sigh and then, “fine, you’re right, it’ll probably work.” She sounded resigned, which intrigued her. Wednesday knew they were scheming, but kept her guard at medium height where it always was, just amused with what Thing and Enid could possibly think they’re going to accomplish.

Enid turned around and began walking back while her eyes moved from place to place in the room, occasionally meeting her roommate’s for a second. She cleared her throat and opened her mouth for a beat before she finally began to speak. “Soo, Wednesday, I was thinking maybe during lunch, umm,” she paused and looked to Thing, who seemed to nudge her on. Wednesday watched the exchange and raised an eyebrow. “Umm, Thing tells me there are fresh…” Enid took a deep breath before continuing, “fresh cadaver limbs in the science lab, for a project they start tomorrow. Would you–” Enid cleared her throat once more. “Would you want to go in there at lunch and check them out?” Enid finally made it back to Wednesday and held eye contact with her as she held out her hands. Miraculously, Wednesday took them and a very faint, closed-mouth, dimpled smile began to form, eyes barely wider. Enid saw this and immediately beamed. She was emboldened, and went on. “Or, maybe…” she said slowly and looked coyly from Thing to her friend, clearly going off book. Her fingers curled very subtly with a mind of their own so that the tips dragged down lightly a quarter inch against Wednesday’s skin. She raised a flirtatious eyebrow and added, “we could steal them and leave them in the boys’ dorms tonight!” And neither Thing nor Enid saw it coming, but Wednesday’s smile, while still closed, was now clear as day and almost vivid. 

Enid bit the lower half of her own unfettered smile and couldn’t help but stare a little too long at the shape of Wednesday’s. In her head, she pictured them breaking into the deserted classroom, and getting to witness the elation of Wednesday’s whole being as they stuffed cases full of corpse. It barely made sense in her head but it wasn’t a realistic plan either– she had no idea how they might actually go about executing her suggestion, but she was suddenly more open to figuring it out. Thing had said he’d help her come up with a way to get out of it, and it was just for the reaction for the picture, but, she thought, maybe this wouldn’t be so bad? If she was being honest with herself, they both knew Enid had started to like getting into trouble with Wednesday– sometimes. Plus, there was a new thrill in being the one to instigate the antics, this being her first time doing so. She was also pretty sure Wednesday noticed that too. 

What Wednesday seemed to be noticing is precisely what knocked Enid back into the present, as she saw her smile had receded. She finally looked up to find eyes not looking back at her own, but cast slightly down. Is Wednesday closer than she was a second ago? Enid thought she felt a faint sensation on her face she hadn’t until just now, like air, like… Wednesday’s breath. Enid swallowed and had no idea why suddenly everything went from light to heavy, like the room had gotten darker though it hadn’t, and there was something weighted wrapped around her from the neck down, pushing inward. 

Both girls jumped when Enid’s phone clanged its way off the chair across the floor. Thing stood like a statuette, but Wednesday didn’t hesitate after the initial jump and directed herself towards the closet to change into her uniform. Enid watched her retreat before walking slowly to her phone on the floor. She looked down to scroll through the pictures, seeing that she had completely blocked out the sound of the camera going off at some point, because she had no idea Thing was taking some of these. The last ones were cute, and might be winners, but she’d definitely have to get Wednesday’s approval before posting a picture of her with a smile. She scrolled through the original group, and actually thought the very first one side by side was a winner. No one could argue they were unique, that’s for sure. But then she scrolled to the first shot Thing snuck, with Enid clearly giddy and Wednesday watching her patiently. It wasn’t a contender for the contest, since Enid was still holding onto the paper and the framing wasn’t quite as good as the others, but this might have been Enid’s favorite, the longer she looked at it. It was the only truly candid photo, and she looked adorable. She zoomed in to look at her makeup, then slid the picture over to look at Wednesday– she shook her head and squeezed her eyes a couple of times, knowing she couldn’t have seen what she thought she saw. When she refocused though, it was undeniable: Wednesday’s smile had appeared twice that morning, and the first hadn’t required promises of dismembered body parts. Enid’s not sure how she missed it, it was so hauntingly beautiful. Enid was relatively confident in her own appearance, but she had always been a little jealous of how flawless and effortless her roommate’s gothic beauty was. She felt the weight around her again, until Wednesday came out and quickly gathered her things. Enid realized she had better change as well(since being late after having gotten up even earlier than usual would be tragic), but before Wednesday opened the door she called her name.

Wednesday turned to acknowledge her. “See you at the science lab at lunch?” Enid asked invitingly.

And for the third time that day, Wednesday’s face let escape the small, indisputable, suggestion of a smile. She exited without a word or even a nod, but Enid could hear her resounding ‘yes’ reverberating around the room. And never in her life did she think she would be this excited for handling severed limbs at lunch.

Chapter Text

Wednesday sat in class frustrated and failing to pay attention when her phone vibrated in her coat pocket. She set up notifications so that everyone was silent except for Pugsley, Eugene, and Enid. They were all explicitly told not to use the phone to contact her unless it was of paramount importance. And they all understood that, except for Enid.

Enid: Pick ur fav!

Wednesday scrolled back and forth between the three photos Enid sent. She replied, ‘Door number two,’ and received a row of emojis that Enid knew irritated Wednesday, but continued to use them with her over the years, anyways. Wednesday put away the device.

With her final semester of high school underway, and some classes–like this one–that were full of both teachers and students with steadily declining motivation, she devoted pointedly less effort to her classes. She was still inclined to maintain a routine, including devoting time to homework and classwork, but at this point the required effort was low. She was easily skating to the finish line. And today was yet another one of those days where there were simply more pressing matters. 

While the contest was playing a part in misdirecting her energy, her latest vision was consuming. Over the years, she had come to learn that her visions never meant nothing . They were not random, they were not inconsequential, and they were never wrong. What they were, without fail– as if by some cruel and useless cosmic joke– was incomplete and misleading. It was as if her visions were designed to be as enigmatic as possible, while still steadfastly accurate. It was often infuriating. She had gotten better at managing them, knowing this, but it was a skill that would continue to take years to hone, and Wednesday was not a patient person.

She was especially frustrated since she didn’t have time to stop by Mr. Buio’s room before her first pointless class, due to the morning’s prolonged activities. This meant no following up on the start of this new mystery, and no espresso. 

Wednesday had memorized the periodic table by age seven and built her first explosive by eight. It would have taken an exceptional teacher and special assignments at minimum to keep her attention in her Advanced Chemistry and Relevance to Outcasts class. As it turns out, the teacher was insufferably dull. Her only reprieve from the hour was the occasional material related to outcasts she wasn’t familiar with. Just as she had decided to get up and go stick her own finger in the pencil sharpener in order to end the mental suffering she had endured for an entire forty-seven minutes, the teacher shifted into one of these topics. Wednesday’s focus came back online when she heard him saying something about how different chemicals and gasses react to a body stoned by a gorgon. She actually took a few notes before the bell finally rang and she packed in a hurry. There was a fifteen minute break that she decided to use to walk by the science lab and scope out the area before lunch. 

“Miss Addams, I had expected you this morning, glad to see you’re still upright and breathing.”

“Yes, unfortunately I’m still an active member of the living,” she replied to Mr. Buio who had shown up in the hallway right at the lab door. 

“Isn’t your next class the other direction?”

“Since when is it customary for teachers to track all of their students’ full schedules?” Wednesday retorted, as she took a hesitant step slightly backwards. Mr. Buio noticed.

“It’s not. Nor is it for students to help themselves to their teacher’s espresso machine most mornings.”

“Touche.”

“You’re concerned about the vision.”

Wednesday paused and had the slightest inclination to purse her lips at his accusation. “‘Concerned’ is a bit extreme. But you of all people might understand my desire to avoid another.” She looked as if she might say more but eventually only glanced away and exhaled.

“Indeed. And I know you don’t like to be pushed. And you know my door’s always open, Wednesday.” Wednesday flinched almost undetectably at hearing the man use her first name in that tone. “And if there’s something I need to be warned of, I would expect your candidness. No need to be reticent, if I’m in some sort of danger.”

“No need to be redundant,” Wednesday replied curtly. 

Mr. Buio simply laughed once through his nose and walked off. Wednesday stood still as her eyes followed him away, head turning slightly only as he moved out of sight. Once he’d rounded a corner her focus shifted back to the lab door. The light was off inside and as she placed her hand on the doorknob, she confirmed it was locked. She bent down to take a close look at the keyhole, and let her face almost smirk; this would be too easy. She looked left then right, then cupped a hand to get a better view through the door’s window. Because of the angle of the door, she couldn’t see the cold box where the appendages were currently waiting, but this also meant that once they were inside, no one would see them from the hall, either. She was actually looking forward to lunch and was still surprised Enid had suggested the activity. She was hesitant to admit even to herself, but it was thrilling to think that her werewolf fake-girlfriend had proposed an undertaking that was both forbidden and morbid. She looked at the clock on the wall and noted she still had seven minutes. She turned and walked briskly down the hall in the direction of her room- better use this time to get the smelling salts, just in case.

.

By the time lunch rolled around, Enid’s stomach was a wreck. Not only had she edited and posted their picture and was nervously awaiting the reception, but she also couldn’t stop thinking about how she had made the most ridiculous lunch plans with Wednesday. She must have blacked out and wolfed out without knowing it this morning– there’s no way, she concluded, that she would have suggested something so disgusting while in human form. However, her spaghetti-storm of a stomach suggested that she was also a bit excited, and anxious. It surprised her, but there was indeed a part of her that looked forward to a breaking-and-entering date with her long-time bestie and short-time pretend paramour. All of the feelings were essentially one large mess of emotions within her digestive system. 

As she packed up, Thing appeared inconspicuously by the door motioning a ‘ come on, this way,’ at her. Enid nodded and followed him to the lab. The hallway was quiet and empty when they arrived. Enid stopped in front of it and looked around, then turned back to find Wednesday inches in front of her, miming for her to stay quiet with her finger in front of her mouth. Enid gasped, then whispered angrily, “Wednesday! Jeez.”

Wednesday opened the door– she had clearly already picked the lock. She pulled Enid in and to the side quickly, pushing her back against the wall next to the closing door. Wednesday’s eyes were watching the hallway through the glass, but her body was lightly pressed against Enid to hold her still, right hand cupped over her mouth. As soon as Enid saw a shadow pass by along the floor, she noticed Wednesday’s eyes come back to hers. While the werewolf had painstakingly wormed her way into Wednesday’s personal bubble over the years, and they had shared almost countless hugs(she was still counting, and they were at thirteen), they were rarely in a position even remotely so intimate as this, face to face and close enough to…

Wednesday backed away swiftly and walked over to the nearest corner of the room. Enid stayed put trying to bring her heart rate back down, and looked at Thing, who seemed to be staring back at her, equally as unsure of the situation. Enid shook her head at him as if saying to not think too hard about it, since that would make two of them, and walked over toward Wednesday, who had already opened a large container. A set of keys that had been sitting on top of it slid off, and Thing scuttled back to retrieve them.

“Enid, grab the black trash bag on the desk to your right,” Wednesday instructed. Enid went to follow orders when the smell hit her.

“Ugh, Wednesday that smells so gross!”

“It’s the formaldehyde. Probably far preferable to how you would feel about the decomposition at this point, if it wasn’t present. Hold your breath.”

Enid whined and pulled her jacket across her nose to try and filter the air as she handed Wednesday the bag.

“It appears to be all white males, right hands. How telling.”

Did Wednesday just make a dirty joke?

“Enid, look at this,” Wednesday said excitedly as she held up one of the hands.

Oh no, this was a terrible idea. Enid why were you delulu this morning?! You. Cannot. Handle. This.

“There was clearly jewelry forcefully removed due to swelling at the proximal interphalangeal joi- Enid?” The girl could feel her face had gone pale, and watched as Wednesday seemed to turn in slow motion to get Thing’s attention. The girl bent down in front of her, and she heard keys jingle as Wednesday stood back up– but she quickly went rigid and her head flung back, eyes wide at the ceiling. 

Shit. A vision now of all the times this could happen?! Enid placed a supportive hand on her back, squeezed her eyes shut and waited. It was only seconds before her head snapped forward again, hair mussed in her face. “Hey,” she said with a soft tone, “are you okay?”

Wednesday looked at the concerned face, then around the room, then answered, “I have to go.” 

“But-” Enid started, but they were both stopped by the sound of the door opening. Standing there looking confused more than surprised was their principal, Mr. Neyef. 

“Ladies.” The stout man wiggled his grey mustache disapprovingly as he took in the scene in front of him; two students who shouldn’t have been in a locked classroom, both looking half dead, and on the ground, a black trash bag, a set of keys, and two severed hands.

“M-Mister Neyef we were ju–”

“Save it, Miss Sinclair, I don’t even want to hear the excuses you’re about to proffer. You look like you need to visit the infirmary before someone has to carry you there. Miss Addams, if you would escort your friend?” The two girls stood still, Enid wondering if it was going to be that easy to just walk away from this or if it was some sort of trick. “I’ll clean this up, but I’ll expect to not need to a second time before the end of term, is that understood?” 

Both nodded and finally started in motion. Enid walked more slowly and looked back just before exiting, and caught their principal sighing as she placed both appendages back into the cold box. One of them was Thing.

.

“Enid!” She heard her name called out to her in the quad and saw an overly excited Yoko waving her over. “Your pic is blowing up ! Have you checked?!” Enid had momentarily forgotten about the contest altogether. She had shared the picture approximately ninety seconds after Wednesday had chosen which one, and then hadn’t had her phone out again since. She reached Yoko and leaned in to see the ‘likes’ that had stacked up. 

“ Two hundred and thirty eight thousand?!” Enid yelled. “It’s only been a few hours!”

“I know, bitch, you two are dominating like, unfairly.” 

“Oh my gosh!” Enid pulled out her phone to look for herself, asking as she went to open the app, “how are you and Divs doing?” 

Yoko and Divina shared a glance and Yoko answered, “it’s still only the first full day…”

Enid scrolled to theirs and saw it only had about twelve thousand ‘likes,’ which was still a decent amount in such a short time, but not in the top ten. The picture was of the two together at the lake; Divina half in the water with her scales showing, and Yoko sitting on the dock with her, fangs showing in a sly smile. It was gothic and intriguing, and looked a bit like a portrait you’d see hanging in an old Victorian manor. Enid was actually impressed by it and surprised it hadn’t gotten more traction. “We posted it yesterday, pretty much right after class.” Thankfully Ajax, who had been sitting there with Xavier, Eugene, and his girlfriend Fen the whole time, spoke up next.

“Bee-boy is actually killin’ it pretty hard too.” Enid scrolled and ‘aww-ed’ as soon as she found it.  Eugene had grown at least a foot over the last year and even filled out a bit; he was not a small guy– but here he was in the arms of his much smaller girlfriend, being carried in a bridal hold in front of the Hummer’s shed(Fen’s claws on full display), the two of them smiling lovingly at each other and framed by a heart-shaped swarm of bees in the foreground. It honestly couldn’t have been any cuter, and the ‘likes’ reflected that at just over two hundred thousand. 

“Thanks, but we also posted it yesterday afternoon. Enid and Wednesday are going off this morning.”

“I don’t know, there’s a normie couple that posted this morning too, about the same time, and they’re pushing three hundred K.” 

“Way to be supportive, Xav,” Yoko replied dryly as she looked at Enid. The blonde held in a grin and looked at a dejected Xavier as he started to defend himself.

“I’m just pointing out what’s there, I didn’t make them up… This is a stupid contest anyways.” Xavier picked up his things and stalked off.

“He’s just bitter he’s still single and can’t be in it,” Yoko said. Ajax said a quick goodbye and followed his friend.

“Has he ever not been bitter about something?” Fen asked, and a few of them laughed.

“I think it’s gotten worse since Bianca graduated, at least when she was here she was either pining after him, dating him, or giving him some kind of negative attention,” Yoko went on. Enid scrolled through a few more pictures—some totally forgettable, some impressive–but eventually found the one he was referring to. A man and a woman, who looked like they might be in their early twenties, sitting on the edge of a house-boat, with the most beautiful background of icy blue water, mountains, and what appeared to be actual dolphins swimming right by their dangling feet. They were kissing, but clearly smiling. She heard Yoko add on, “I honestly think he’s kinda still hung up on Wednesday,” and looked up at her friend. “What? You can’t tell me you disagree. I think the day you two came out I saw his already deflated ego just crumble into a fine dust and float away.” Fen laughed loudly at that. “He knows he can’t compete with a best friend-turned-girlfriend, hottie blonde werewolf,” Yoko said as she winked. “And now he’s gotta watch the whole world ship you on Instagram? Poor guy is not living his best life right now. Where is your Darling of Darkness anyways?”

“Actually I have no clue,” Enid said as she frowned and looked back at Yoko. “She had a vision and then we got interrupted by Mr. Neyef, luckily he just let us go but we were, um-” She stopped herself knowing she couldn’t give away what they had almost done, but then noticed the looks on everyone’s faces and immediately realized she should not have ended her sentence that way. 

“He interrupted you from what, Enid, you dirty dog?” Fen teased.

“Ya, what were you having for lunch today, hmm?” Yoko added. Enid clearly started to blush and laughed nervously. 

“It wasn’t– No, we weren’t, that–” Enid stuttered then shut her mouth tight as the rest of the table giggled.

“You haven’t been holding out on me now have you?”

“No, Yoko! There’s nothing to–”

“Enid,” Wednesday interrupted from behind her. Everyone at the table had somehow missed her approach and was surprised to see her standing right behind the blonde. 

“Wednesday! You’re back. Where did you go?” Wednesday swung one leg over the bench Enid was sitting on and sat to face her. She didn’t answer, but pulled out a lighter and took Enid’s hand. “Wednesday what are you doing?” 

“Testing something.” And right as Wednesday said that a flame appeared under Enid’s hand.

“Ow Wednesday what the fuck?!” Enid yelled as she yanked her hand away. “Does your test involve setting me on fire?!”

“No. Or at least it shouldn’t. Can I try again?”

“What? Wednesday what the hell is wrong with you?! NO!” Enid held onto her burnt hand tightly, leaning away from Wednesday slightly. 

“May I see it?” 

Enid frowned and hesitated. Eventually she let go of herself and very slowly held her hand out to the offender. “You promise you’re not going to burn me again?” she asked as Wednesday gently took her hand.

“Yes, I promise.” She inspected the hand very gingerly and hummed as she stared at the red spot. “You’ll be fine. It’s only a first degree burn,” Wednesday said coldly as she let go of Enid’s hand. 

Enid frowned, and replied softly as she stared at her hand, “I guess that’s one way to treat your girlfriend when she’s hurt…”

Wednesday reacted visibly, sitting up straighter and looking slightly offended. She clearly processed for a moment before quietly huffing, then said, “Enid, my beautiful wolf,” and at that Enid’s eyes shot up, looking at her through her eyelashes. “I’ve made the mistake of assuming that due to your nature, you’d both experience less pain, as well as heal more rapidly…” Enid’s eyelashes batted at the attention, and Wednesday went on: “My apologies. We have enough time left before class for me to treat and dress it,” Wednesday stood up and offered an upturned palm to Enid. “Come up to the room with me.” 

“Ya Enid, go up to your room, finish what you started earlier,” Yoko teased.

“What did you start earlier?” Wednesday asked.

“Nothing!” Enid said quickly and pulled Wednesday away from the table. 

.

As they headed up the stairs together, Enid spoke up. “You changed your tune pretty quickly back there.”

“You made very clear you didn’t approve of my first response. If I’m going to charade as someone’s girlfriend in the name of a contest, I’m at least going to appear proficient at it.”

“You’re being more than proficient at it Wednesday,” Enid assured her as she smiled. Wednesday only glanced at Enid, but didn’t reply. They walked up a few more steps in silence before Enid added, “I like it when you call me beautiful.” 

Wednesday didn’t say anything again for another set of steps, but finally replied, “you are objectively attractive. Though that’s not something I would value as much if it weren’t for the sake of putting on a show.”

Enid’s eyes went wide, then fluttered. “Oh. Um… What would you value? Like, if this was forreals?”

“Your power, your loyalty, your perseverance, your individuality, and your impressive physical strength.”

Enid gasped. “Wednesday!” she sang to her friend as they arrived at their door.

“That was hypothetical, Enid,” Wednesday said as she opened and walked through the door quickly. Enid smiled.

“Okay Wedns.” Enid skipped over to Wednesday’s bed and sat down. Her friend brought over her first aid bag, sat down next to her, and set everything out neatly. Enid tracked the movement with her eyes, occasionally glancing up at Wednesday’s face to see how serious and concentrated she was. Eventually she took Enid’s hand again in hers, but hesitated and looked at Enid.

“This may sting,” she said, but then applied the ointment without waiting for a reply. Enid took a fast breath and held it as Wednesday finished and moved on to the small bandage. When she was finished, she rubbed her thumb slowly back and forth, twice, along Enid’s hand. Enid wanted to speak, to say anything in that moment, but she had no idea what–it seemed to be a theme. She just stared. Wednesday was still looking at her handiwork, so Enid ran her eyes over her fake girlfriend’s face; her long, dark eyelashes, freckles laid out across pale skin, soft, incredibly full lips– Enid suddenly felt guilty for admiring her roommate’s lips and looked up to see that Wednesday’s eyes were looking into hers. Shitshitshit. Did she just catch me staring at her lips? Didn’t this already happen this morning? What is even going on right now?

Wednesday cleared her throat and let go of Enid’s hand, turning to pack up her bag. Enid scooted herself back an inch.

“Um, thanks.”

“It was nothing,” Wednesday said before turning away. She put the first aid bag back in her closet, and came out pulling on a jacket. “I’m heading to class, and I’ll be at the library after.”

Enid only took a second to make the decision to stay. “I think I’m just gonna skip. I only have one more class today anyways and I have a lot of things to catch up on.”

“Very well. I’ll see you later.”

Wednesday made it to the door before Enid called out, “Oh! Wednesday! Wait!” 

She turned and lifted an eyebrow in reply. 

“We’re totally winning, by the way,” she said as she grinned. Wednesday looked at her with confusion. “The contest! Our picture. We’re top three even though we were the last to post. People - love- us,” Enid said with a huge, satisfied smile. Wednesday nodded, nearly expressionless, then left. Enid saw the extremely subtle look on her face before leaving though, and Wednesday was definitely proud.

.

Wednesday decided that it wouldn’t be worth wasting another class not being able to focus, so she ended up going straight to the library. She needed answers.

She tried to find most of the books she had taken out last year that had information on Blood Moon wolves– which wasn’t many– in hopes that she had missed some important information. Today’s vision was more haunting than the last…

Large, scaled, monstrous claws came into focus, though these were at least ten times the size of Enid’s. Everything around her was burning, and it was hard to see. But then she saw Enid, in wolf form, eyes glowing and reflecting the bright yellow light of the flames. She was crouched and ready to attack, growling up at the threat. She was already almost black from the smoke, and then without warning, she was buried in a rushing wave of fire. But just as soon as it began, the flames were gone and there was the wolf, looking just as alive and vicious as ever. She shook off the loose flickering embers, and pounced.

It was an especially short vision, but she had felt like she was watching it in slow motion. Seeing her friend in that moment, where it looked like she was surely being burned alive, caused her throat to restrict so quickly, she was surprised she didn’t come out of the vision choking for air. But then seeing her still alive and unscathed was like sending blood through her emptied veins again. 

It had to have been a dragon, Wednesday decided. She had no idea a creature like that existed, and couldn’t fathom how one could, without the world knowing about it, in this day and age. She just couldn’t find any other explanation for what she saw. She would be looking that up next. But first, she had to know if Enid could truly survive that kind of heat, or if there was something she needed to know first to make this work. So far her one and only test did not give her much hope. Once again she had a vision that she knew was accurate, but barely helpful. It was just enough to drive her crazy.

.

Enid was still lying on Wednesday’s bed after she had left, staring at their picture– the one they chose was of them facing each other, almost silhouettes in the window but lit just enough to see their faces in clear detail. While it wasn’t one of the ones Wednesday was smiling for, there was a fondness in her eyes. Enid wondered if it was visible to everyone else the way it was visible to her. It was hard to tell, since she knew Wednesday so well. There were definitely things about the dark girl that Enid knew or could pick up on that no one else could. But sometimes others could see things too, like what Yoko noticed. Enid felt her chest warm at the thought, and she figured she wasn’t the only one. The ‘likes’ had climbed to three hundred twenty three thousand in the last hour.

Thing came over with her bag of polish in tow, the clinking of the bottles catching her attention. Enid sat up and looked at him. “Thing how did you get out?!” 

Thing signed.

“‘Old trick’?”

He gave a thumbs up. Enid shook her head.

“Okay! Come’ere,” she said as she walked over to her desk. “Mani time it is!”

After she had taken off her old polish and pulled out their new colors, Thing signed again.

“No I am not being extra quiet, I’m just… tired.” Enid knew it wasn’t convincing and she wasn’t fooling the hand in the least. 

He signed at her again. 

“What do you mean ‘what happened this morning?’ You were there.” 

Thing replied more vigorously.

“Okay okay! You're right! I’m not trying to play dumb with you and I know our relationship is better than that! I’m sorry Thing… honestly you’re the only one I can actually talk to about this, since you’re the only one that knows the relationship’s not real…”

Thing jumped in to sign again.

“Yes I’m sure it’s not! Wednesday and I are not a thing! … sorry, you know what I mean.” Enid sighed. “Okay so ya, stuff has been weird. We keep having these moments, right?”

Thing confirmed.

“Ugh right?! I don’t know what to do with them though! Like, obviously Wednesday’s totally dedicated because we know she’s competitive, but, the stuff when we’re alone?”

Thing signed.

“Ya, I’ve never seen her like this either,” Enid agreed as she bit her lip.

Thing waited a few minutes before he signed again.

“How am I feeling about it? I don’t know, confused?”

Thing signed.

“Confused like… I don’t know. I feel like… like I like the attention, but I’m not supposed to?” Thing waited this time for Enid to start again. Enid kept her eyes down this time as she spoke, more subdued and shy. “Are you asking if I… actually like Wednesday, like that ?”

Chapter Text

Yoko: girl since when are you conscious enough to text bef 7am

The sun wasn’t even up and Enid sat tapping away on her phone, already at her desk before Wednesday woke up that Friday morning. 

Enid: Just updates! Been nusy

Enid: busy

In reality, Enid had found herself more restless the last couple of days. The full moon was next Thursday and Friday, and she knew she wasn’t going to get much sleep. Not only would she be wolfing out, but half the campus would be partying from Thursday to Saturday, since it was a Wolf Moon. There wasn’t actually anything different about this full moon and Enid wasn’t even sure what the origin was, but somehow it had become a faculty-recognized school holiday, and an acceptable excuse to get crazy. 

Enid: we still on for sat morning??

Yoko: ya wknd of chill starts at 9

Enid: yay! good I need to wond down. 

Enid: wind

Enid: wanna get so mixh sleep before nxt wknd

Enid: so MUCH

On top of it all, Saturday was their senior trip to Piccadilly Pier; the biggest ocean-side theme park on the East coast. All the Furs were talking about it, including Enid, in all of her socials. She swiped back and forth on her phone as she texted her friend, actively posting or commenting in several places simultaneously. Though her vlog wasn’t updated as frequently these days, she still held tight to her crown as Nevermore’s Gossip Queen. She was also glad to sink herself a little deeper into the current events of the school for the last couple of days, rather than ruminate over other topics she wasn’t quite ready to address. 

Yoko: ya i think u need it… 

Enid: frfr

Enid: K so yoga, run, lunch, NAP, movie night? sleeeeep in sunday?

Yoko: yep then coffee date, B said she might meet us!

Enid: is Fen stll coming?

Yoko: ya u invited her

Enid: i know. but likke. fur has no chill.

Enid added several emojis: A wide-eyed face, a rocket ship, and a sleepy face.

At one point she thought she had heard some shuffling and assumed her roommate was getting up, but after that moment heard nothing but silence behind her. However, not even ten minutes later and with no warning whatsoever, she heard “are you going to finish getting ready, Enid?” 

Enid-of-two-years-ago would have screamed, thrown her phone across her desk and fallen out of her chair at this surprise. Enid-of-today merely let her finger slip as she typed, but didn’t even look up. 

“Yes! Just a sec.”

Wednesday audibly sighed and walked back to her side, and sat at her desk with her book. Enid soon jumped into action and began regurgitating gossip to Wednesday as she got ready. She shared everything she had collected in the past week– some of which she had just posted, and some she decided to keep to herself(Wednesday didn’t count).

She figured, actually, that Wednesday likely wasn’t listening to half of it anyways, but that was never an issue for either of them. Wednesday let her talk, and Enid was able to share whatever it was she just couldn’t hold back, without the worry of it leaving their room. If Wednesday was listening, she was a steel trap. Either way, it seemed to work for the two of them. And somehow if there was information Enid actually needed her to retain, Wednesday had. Enid figured it was just part of living with a friend for so many years; they would just grow to read each other like that. Enid and Wednesday had. 

“Ready?!” Enid bounced into her roommate’s view.

“Grab an extra jacket.”

Enid frowned and asked, “are you sure? It was pretty warm yesterday.”

“Am I ever unsure, Enid?” 

Enid only smiled at that, and turned around to pick up her dark, heather grey zip-up hoodie with neon pink accents that Wednesday had bought her last year. Wednesday had said it was her way of slowly bleeding the color out of her wardrobe. Enid knew that what it actually was, was compromise, and she had worn it for a week straight when she had first received it.

Enid skipped back over and watched Wednesday eye the jacket for a moment before she gathered her things to walk towards the door. She held it open for Enid to walk through and they headed for the stairs. 

“So, I know you’ve heard everyone talking, and are aware that the big Wolf Moon party is next weekend…” Enid waited for a response from Wednesday– actually she expected an instant refusal. When she didn’t hear one, she continued on. “People will kind of be expecting us to go together, as a couple?” 

Wednesday looked as if she was actually considering this as they began down the stairs. “That sounds like a reasonable assumption.”

Enid became visibly excited as she jumped down several stairs next to her friend. “Does that mean you’ll go?! Ohmygosh.”

“I’ll think about it,” was all Wednesday said.

“ Eeeee !” Enid let out. “No freakin’ way! This is going to be– so fun!”

“Enid–”

“Wednesday Addams at a Nevermore party! You have literally not been to one single party the entire time you’ve been here.”

“That’s not–”

“And don’t say that the one last year counted when you only came to kidnap Lucas.”

Wednesday continued down the stairs.

“No, this is going to be great. We can show up together, check out the vibe… Oh! We can coordinate outfits! Don’t worry, you’ll obviously still be in your signature colors… Oh and there’s always games there, maybe you can kick someone’s butt in something not violent!” Enid finished with a smile.

They reached the bottom of the stairs and Wednesday stopped and turned to face Enid, serious as she always was. “I haven’t made any promises.”

“I know! Fully understood.” But Enid was still barely holding in the practically electric energy she had bound within her. Wednesday sighed.

“I’m going to Mr. Buio’s room for my quad. I’ll see you in first.”

“Kay, bye babe.” Wednesday had started walking away but at the sound of this, whipped around to glare at Enid, who winked at her and skipped away.

.

Wednesday still hadn’t found anything on Blood Moon wolves and fire, and very little information on dragons. They had been deemed extinct in most publications, or just lacking concrete information in others. After two days of researching in both the school library and the Nightshades library, she finally caved and went to ask Mr. Buio that morning. While sipping her quad, she brought up the topic of visions.

“I had another. You weren’t in it this time.”

“Oh? What a relief,” Mr. Buio said with a calm smile.

“And at least as far as I can tell, you’re not the one in danger.” Wednesday knew how cryptic that sounded, but if there was no threat to him, she didn’t see how she owed him any more detail. It’s not like her visions offered her any better, really. And she had already told him to get a neck pillow.

“Ah, well I suppose that’s reassuring as well,” he said over his own cup. “So what did you want to talk about then, Miss Addams?”

Wednesday knew he was waiting to hear the real reason she was there. “I saw a werewolf withstand fire. A lot of it. They came out unscathed , or at least it appeared so. I’ve never heard of this and can’t find anything in any books about it.”

Mr. Buio looked genuinely intrigued, then asked, “do you know anything else about this particular werewolf? Or even where the fire was coming from?”

“No,” Wednesday sighed, once again annoyed with what little her visions gave her. In addition, she still didn’t have any control over when they happened. She needed more help and decided to add, “well, actually, this particular werewolf…” she paused, not sure if Mr. Buio knew that Enid was a Blood Moon wolf, and she preferred not to divulge that information, or admit the vision was of her. Weighing her options though, she decided to risk it; “...is a Blood Moon wolf. Does that make any difference, that you know of?”

Mr. Buio hummed and walked slowly around his desk to think. “I’ll admit I don’t know if I have much more knowledge on wolves than is available in our libraries, but I do know Blood Moon wolves are rare enough that they can sometimes have powers or abilities not necessarily documented. Or, maybe at some point you will come up with a concoction that is fire-retardant to coat the fur with! I wouldn’t put that past you, Miss Addams.”

Wednesday wasn’t satisfied with the lack of solid information and didn’t need the ego boost, so she changed the topic. “What about dragons?”

Mr. Buio laughed without hesitation. “Dragons? What about them? I’m not a history teacher.”

Wednesday frowned and set down her empty cup to walk towards the teacher, who’s look slowly grew more serious. “For someone who still has to defend the validity of their visions to their peers and colleagues and question why they continue to be discounted and underplayed, it is surprisingly impudent of you to respond this way to one of my own.” Mr. Buio stood more stiffly and took a deep breath before replying.

“If you found my reaction dismissive–”

“‘Dismissive’ would have been a step up from your reaction, you clearly saw what I presented as laughable.”

“I’m sorry I laughed, Miss Addams, but your visions are never laughable, I assure you I don’t believe that.”

“Then believe me when I say that what I saw–if not a dragon– was a fire-breathing, black-scaled, house-sized monster, and it was not wherever it was to read me a bedtime story.”

Wednesday turned and exited the room without expecting a response. 

.

Enid sat finishing up her final post from the morning. The seat next to her belonged to Wednesday, as this was their only class together, and she was expecting her any minute. When the chair shifted slightly next to her, she knew before looking it up that it wasn’t her roommate.

“Hey,” the deep voice said as Enid looked up from her TikTok.

“Oh, hey Danny, what’s up?” Enid closed her phone and gave the other werewolf her attention. He was also a senior and they had had several classes together over the years. At one point, after her breakup with Ajax, she had a bit of a crush on him and flirted pretty shamelessly for about a week before she found out he was seeing someone. In her defense, the relationship was new and not everyone knew about it when she first started laying on the hair-twirling. He and the siren didn’t last long though, and as far as she knew he was single again.

“Just came to say hi, and see how things were going.”

Enid gave him a very unmistakable look of, ‘ seriously?’ and he laughed before responding.

“Okay, obviously not… just that. I uh, I came to see if it was true, about you and Wednesday Addams.” Enid adjusted her look to one of more surprise, at that. She knew people were still talking about them, but she hadn’t been asked point-blank about it from anyone outside of her circle, up until now. Before Enid could reply, Danny went on, “I actually was kinda hoping it wasn’t true…”

“Why?” Enid asked, almost offended.

“Ha um, because, I was thinking I should have asked you out?” Enid’s surprise escalated to shock at this admission, which again gave him more time to continue before her reply. “I obviously shouldn’t have waited, if you guys really are dating now, but like, I guess I was intimidated? You’re just kinda, any wolf’s dream girl. And I kept telling myself I was going to wait and ask you to the Tell-Talentine’s dance, but I think that was just me trying to put it off. So…” he looked intensely into her eyes, and Enid could feel her heart racing. “Is it really too late?” 

Enid was getting a bit tired of being caught off-guard enough to be left speechless this week. She opened her mouth to speak but stuttered a bit and suddenly felt cold, like something was wrong– something had changed in the room and it felt off.

“I mean, you guys don’t even really seem like a couple,” he went on. “And you seem more like the kind of girl that likes attention, flowers, being shown off... Affection,” he said as he gently took just her fingertips in his. “Am I wrong?” Danny was smiling at her now and Enid blushed, knowing what he was doing, and worried that it was working. Danny was a catch, and Enid’s mother would have been thrilled if she were to date a prospective mate like him. It had been at the forefront of her mind for a short time, but she hadn’t thought of him much at all after that one week. But now, sitting here, no one could argue that he hadn’t gotten even more attractive.

“No, you’re not wrong, bu–” 

THUNK. “That’s my seat.” A black bag dropped heavily in front of Danny onto the desk, and both of them looked up to see Wednesday. At first glance, the same stoic stare rested on her face. However neither of them missed that, this time, it was laced with a subtle intensity, and it whispered ‘ violence.’ 

Enid’s face felt hot. Wednesday didn’t move, just glared at the large wolf in her spot. 

Danny got up slowly and stood straight, looking down at Wednesday from a solid foot above. Enid couldn’t see his face but watched as the two just stared at each other for an uncomfortable three and a half seconds before someone finally spoke again. “Sorry,” is all Danny said, then slowly turned around and walked back to his own seat, not failing to make eye contact with Enid once more as he passed her. Enid looked back to Wednesday who held her position briefly, focus shifting from Danny to Enid, before sitting down. Enid felt guilty and wasn’t sure why, since this relationship wasn’t one she could cheat on, considering it wasn’t actually real. She wasn’t going to go out with Danny and blow their cover, but she wondered why she would feel so bad just talking to him. And why Wednesday looked so tense. 

Well, she’s acting, of course . They were in public, after all, and someone had just been pretty clearly hitting on her.

“Was he bothering you?” Wednesday asked, eyes still on her book.

“Oh. No.” Enid hesitated then shared with Wednesday, “he um, he didn’t believe we were actually dating.” Enid noticed Wednesday’s eyes freeze on the page.

“Why wouldn’t he?”

“Well, we don’t really act like a normal couple–”

“You said how we acted was fine and that people already thought we were romantically involved,” Wednesday interrupted as her gaze darted to Enid.

“Well, ya, and most people do, but some people still notice that we aren’t that affectionate and that might be normal for you but it’s not really for me.” Wednesday pulled her head back slightly and paused.

“Well did you correct him?”

“Ya, kind of.”

“Kind of?” Wednesday turned to look at Enid again. 

“Ya, no, I mean I tried to tell him it was real, but he kinda just kept talking–”

“So you didn’t confirm that our relationship was not just a rumor?”

“Well–”

“How do you expect to win a competition based on the existence of our relationship if you’re not committed to making it believable?”

“I am!” Right then the teacher started speaking. Enid growled quietly and got her own things out. “I’m not the one making this less believable,” she whispered forcefully. Wednesday looked away. Enid sighed, and asked more softly, “can we talk about this later?” Wednesday looked up at their teacher and didn’t acknowledge her, and it felt like someone had stepped on her chest.

Chapter Text

Wednesday spent the rest of her day ignoring everyone. She went straight to her dorm after her last class, used the two hours she knew that Enid would be at dance to write, and then headed directly to the school library from there. She would normally go to the Nightshades library, since fewer students had access to it, but today she was especially disinclined to run into any of its members, and chose to risk the general public instead. 

After twenty minutes of staring at old cracked spines that lead her nowhere, she noticed someone was hunched over one of the tables towards the back. It was Xavier, drawing. So much for avoiding the Nightshades. She quietly crept towards him with a curiosity coated in regret. 

But, as she got closer she was able to see over his shoulder what he was sketching; the regret faded immediately. 

“When did you start seeing that?”

“ Shit. What the?” Xavier turned around in his seat after jumping at the sound of her voice. “Wednesday you know you can approach people from the front when you wanna talk to them, right?”

“Yes but then you’d see me coming. Why would I choose to start out with a disadvantage?” Xavier rolled his eyes but Wednesday asked again, “When did you start seeing that?” He then looked back at his notebook and dusted off part of the page as he sighed.

“Don’t tell me this has to do with you, too.” 

Wednesday walked around to the other side of the table and sat down across from him, but didn’t say anything. Xavier scooted his chair in a bit.

"Is it just me or do we seem to have some weird connection with our visions, a lot?” As soon as he said it, he could tell Wednesday was not entertaining the theory.

“Are you going to answer my question or do I have to ask it a third time before you can manage any remotely related response?”

“Jeez, take it easy. I’m trying to make a point here.” Xavier looked down at the drawing and slowly turned it around to face Wednesday. He inched it towards her a bit before taking his hand back and folding them together. “I’ve only seen it once. When did you first see it?”

Wednesday stared at the rectangle in front of her. Now that she had a better view, she could see what he created more clearly, and it was more than she had seen in her own visions. There were jagged spikes all along its spine, wings folded up but clearly large enough they could wrap around its entire body, a mouth full of deadly sharp teeth, and…

“Why doesn’t it have eyes?”

“Look who’s avoiding questions now,” Xavier responded smugly. Wednesday looked up at him and again didn’t say anything. “I don’t know,” he conceded. He reached out and spun the picture back around and pulled it back. “I guess it’s blind… instead of eyes, there’s just emptiness. I’m not sure if it’s literal or figurative.” Wednesday looked at the two dark holes where eyes should have been. It began to move slightly; wings twitched and head lowered as smoke blew out of its small nostrils. 

“They’re not supposed to exist anymore, according to any records I can find.”

“Is that why you’re here?”

“Yes,” Wednesday finally answered. 

“Nothing to do with trouble in paradise?” 

Wednesday frowned and tensed. “What are you talking about?”

“Word gets around. Enid isn’t one to hide her feelings, as I’m sure you know.”

“What did she say?”

“I didn’t talk to her, Ajax had a class with her and said she was really down and thinks you two fought, and something about Danny Neurian.”  Wednesday clearly bristled at the name, and her lower lip tightened. “Look, if there’s something you wanna talk about, you kn–”

“You would not be on my short list of people I’d ever take relationship advice from. Or the long one.”

“Why, because I’ve had one failed relationship?” Xavier was visibly offended.

“No, because you’re a self-centered boy who’s motivations always reflect that, and thinks boundaries don’t apply to him.”

Xavier scoffed and said, “As opposed to a self-centered girl who's even worse? C’mon Wednesday since when have you paid any attention to boundaries or been motivated to do anything if it wasn’t self-serving?” Wednesday held their eye contact intensely but didn’t respond before Xavier continued. “Honestly, I’m surprised Enid would ever date you, she knows you well enough to know you’ll use her too to get what you want.”

“I would never do that to Enid.” Wednesday stood up and leaned toward him with her palms flat on the table.

“But haven’t you?” 

Wednesday knew he was right, that she had, in the past. But it hardly felt fair to compare the Wednesday she was that first semester at Nevermore to the person she was now.

She was and always has been fundamentally herself– there would always be a singular, distinct Wednesday Addams. But, she had evolved. There was a Wednesday before Pugsley, who was her parents’ whole world; there was a Wednesday that giggled and played with her brother in their torture chamber; there was a Wednesday who once wept, until the day she said goodbye to Nero, and refused to shed a single tear again for over a decade; and then there was a Wednesday that wanted nothing less than to partition herself completely from her own mother, bitter and rebellious with the eventually embarrassing weight of teenage angst. But this Wednesday had moved past that phase. She was still Wednesday Addams: cold and dark, witty and sarcastic, spooky and inquisitive, independent, morbid, quiet, and dangerous and many other things that made her, her. But she had realized over the years that there was nothing keeping her from being herself and also embracing the Addams’ values of family and loyalty, or being willing to share herself with others. At least selectively. And while she still preferred her solitude more often than not, wasn’t about to go out of her way for anyone on any given day, and essentially loathed the human race and all of its collective decisions, she was no longer in the habit of manipulatively steamrolling over anyone in her path to reach her destination– especially not Enid. 

But, because Xavier unfortunately had a point, if only semantically, she stood up, turned, and walked briskly out of the library, faintly hearing her name called twice, in a penitent tone. Good.  

.

Wednesday had climbed some precarious old ladders in one of the mostly abandoned spaces above the library and made her way to the rooftop there. The shortcut she chose was not the fastest or the most obvious way to the roof, but it kept her mind busy until she got there and came with the perk of avoiding meeting anyone on the way up. Enid would have a fit if she knew.

She surveyed the area once over, spent some time watching a few interactions between students by the lake, then eventually sat down against a wall away from the edges, where she couldn’t be seen. She pulled out her book and began to read, but was frustrated when her mind kept wandering off the pages. 

The thought that Enid would suddenly regret their arrangement once propositioned with a new opportunity nagged at Wednesday. She assumed Enid would still recognize that she was the best possible partner to win the contest with, but wondered if she now wished for freedom in order to pursue an actual relationship. Wednesday’s gut sank. If so, too bad. She committed to this. It’s not my job to cater to her romantic whims. She turned and sat again, opened her book, and made another attempt at attuning to its contents. 

It failed again. 

After about an hour of the same circular process, Thing found her and cautiously wandered over to where she was standing close to the ledge, watching as the sun dipped towards the horizon. 

“I don’t need your unsolicited wisdom right now,” she said plainly to the open air as he was still slightly behind her. He didn’t bother trying to respond since she didn’t turn to look at him. 

The two of them stood silently until there was only pastel remnants left in the sky, reminiscent of a certain werewolf. Wednesday finally sighed and said, “fine,” and the two left the fire to die out in the distance as they headed back to the dorm.

Once there, Wednesday was determined to not involve herself in any further conversations, with anyone, and rushed in accordingly.

“Hey, Wedns,” Enid said as she popped up from her bed. Wednesday considered not answering but quickly decided against it, as ignoring her roommate had yielded poor results in the past. 

“Hello,” she answered as she gathered her night clothes.

“Can we talk?”

Wednesday dropped her arms and stopped what she was doing. As much as it pained her, and clearly so, she turned around to face her friend. “Enid, I have had enough excruciating interpersonal interactions today. Please let me just end this suffering today.”

Enid was clearly not happy with this answer, as she frowned and got up and walked towards Wednesday. “I don’t know where you’ve been since school but you’ve kinda had plenty of time to cool off,” she said with a light push from across the room. “You know I always try to respect your boundaries, Wednesday, but I can’t always be the one getting pushed over. I’ve left you alone all day, now talk to me. Something is up and I think it’s about Danny but I don’t really get why.”

Enid was barely able to finish the werewolf’s name before she noticed the change in Wednesday’s face. “It’s not about Danny, it’s about you convincing me to do this stupid contest and parade ourselves around in front of our friends and peers as if we’re a couple, and telling me that we don’t have to do anything different but all the concessions and compromises that have to be made are on me and the second some charming adolescent boy comes along suddenly you get to jeopardize everything and then I get blamed for not being believable enough!” 

Enid had watched in awe as Wednesday raised her voice as she went on, and took a breath before responding. “I didn’t jeopardize anything, it’s not my fault if someone comes onto me–”

“You couldn’t even tell him we were real!”

“Well we’re not!”

Wednesday held an icy eye contact with Enid, then began moving towards her, very slowly, one step at a time.

“No, we’re not,” Wednesday said as she crossed her arms. “And I’d have never agreed to be in an actual romantic relationship with you anyways. ”

“Ya well neither would I,” Enid snapped back, as she began to meet Wednesday slowly in the middle of the room. 

Five.

“Like anyone would wanna date someone who can’t even move past hand-holding.”

Four.

“As opposed to someone who can’t convey a single emotion without constant intrusive contact and cartoon character-like expressions?”

Three.

“Better than someone who has no expressions at all.”

Two.

“Or someone who couldn't make a single decision if their life depended on it?”

One. 

“At least I make the decision not to sleep with knives on me at all times!”

The two girls were only inches apart, and Wednesday replied, “technically your hands are weapons you sleep with,” Enid rolled her eyes at this. “But that wouldn’t be on my list of what makes you undateable.”

“Fine, Wednesday, if I’m so horrible to be around, I’ll just stay with Yoko this weekend.”

“Fine,” Wednesday said through her teeth, though neither of them had moved when she continued, “and what about the contest?”

Enid stood firmly and replied, “I guess it’ll give us time to think about if we wanna still do it,” Enid lifted her chin and, despite the attempted facade, looked uncertain then. “The next prompt is announced Tuesday.”

“Fine.” 

That night, both continued to pretend they were content, committed until they slipped from consciousness. Neither slept well.

.

As planned, Enid spent the entire weekend with activities meant to help her wind down, but instead of being in her own bed at night, she stayed with Yoko. She didn’t see Wednesday once, which she told her friends she was relieved of, but she had a feeling they didn’t believe her. And they were right not to.

They prodded at least once in every activity, whether it was gingerly inquiring about the relationship in general or blatantly asking about what happened Friday, but Enid wouldn't budge. 

It was Sunday night and she knew Yoko could tell she was putting off packing and going back to her dorm. Fen had left and the older werewolf was now on her phone, doomscrolling for the third time in the last hour.

“Alright bitch we let you deflect all weekend. What happened with you and the wicked witch? I know something’s still up."

Enid dropped her phone into her lap and threw her head back. “Ugh, don’t call her that.”

“Fine, your significantly-weird-other. Is it still the Danny thing or is there more? Just spill the tea already.”

Enid brought her knees up and buried her face in them, giving a muffled moan before she replied. “Yes. We got in a fight after school Friday. I don’t even know Yoko! It’s really stupid and I think it’s my fault.”

“So like, he hit on you and you didn’t shut him down right away, is that what the problem is?”

Enid sighed deeply and looked up. “There’s more to the fight, but ya, basically.”

Yoko frowned at her. “Sooo... you like Danny, or what?”

“No! I mean, ya but, not really- I used to! But like… I don’t know I kinda waited half of highschool for him to be into me, it was just, really validating, ya know? And he was way too charming.”

“Fair, but like, what’s the hang up? Like do you actually wanna be with him, or Wednesday?"

“Well, I don't wanna break up with Wednesday, I don’t know, I just…” Enid took a long pause, unsure of how to put into words her concerns– of course there was the matter of making sure she didn’t accidentally reveal the truth about her current relationship not actually existing, but she wasn't sure if that was even relative as to why everything hurt so much this weekend. Yoko stayed silent, patiently waiting for her friend to work out what she was holding back. "...are me and Wednesday even a good idea? Like what if Danny is just..." Enid mumbled as she hugged her knees again, "what if he makes more sense for me?” Her eyes flicked back to Yoko’s and she went on. “I just, like it’s Wednesday , it’s not a secret why we’re probably a disaster waiting to happen.”

“But you haven’t,” Yoko laughed out at her.

“What do you mean? We’ve barely been dating a few months, it’s not that long.”

“No, but it’s been years of you guys living together, that’s more than most couples can get through– hell you couldn’t even survive school breaks and had to visit each other. It was gross.”

“But we weren’t dating then, it’s different.”

“What’s so different? Sex?”

“Yoko!”

“What?! It’s true! Don’t be a baby about it. We’re all adults. You guys have pretty much lived like a couple in every other way so please tell me what’s the big deal besides that. Have you done it by the way?”

“Yoko No! God, SO far from it! We haven’t even made out yet. But also, ya that’s actually kinda a thing.. Like is Wednesday ever gonna want to? ‘Cause I do… One day! Not now! ...like in general.”

“Didn’t you and Ajax?”

“No, you know what we did. I tell you everything."

“Just checking... Eens, just talk to her? This is so nineties romcom miscommunication lead-up.”

“It’s not just that though. Like my mom, she’d lose it if she thought I was serious about considering Wednesday as a potential mate. On the other hand, she would be over the moon about Danny. And he’s cute. And he’s nice. He’s just… a good fit.”

“Okay, you're saying all this but you're giving Eeyore vibes right now.” Enid glanced up through her eyelashes at Yoko, but didn’t move otherwise. “Look,” Yoko started as she got up and moved to sit down next to Enid. “You can do what you want. I’m here for you. But, as weird as it sounds, if I were to bet on a couple, I’d put all my money on the Wenid ship making it to shore.” 

Enid fell open laughing. “‘Wenid’? Really?”

“‘Enesday?” Enid just laughed harder and threw her arms around Yoko. “Alright pack up your shit and get back to your room already.”

Enid stepped slowly through the doorway as she peeked into her room, but found it empty. She stepped in and let out a long sigh as she fell back against the closing door. She stared up at the ceiling until she heard several insistent taps, and looked over to see a hand there on her desk, somehow looking very supportive and ready to listen. Enid’s eyes started to well up as she walked over, but she kept herself together as she offered a ‘hey’ and sat down on her bed looking at him. He signed gently.

“Honestly? I don’t even know. I just talked to Yoko about it but she thinks the relationship’s real. Actually I was kinda dying to talk to you since you’re the only one who even knows the truth…” Her throat tightened a bit towards the end of her sentence and one tear escaped down her cheek. She wiped it away quickly and tried to take a deep breath to avoid breaking down. “Yoko obviously think’s Wednesday is actually mad about Danny hitting on me, I think she’s just mad I’m gonna blow our cover but she seems so upset and I didn’t– I– I guess I talked to him more than I should have?”

Thing signed.

“Danny Neurian,” Enid sniffed and answered somewhat contritely.

Thing signed a bit faster.

“Yes, the Fur that I had a crush on last year. The timing sucks, right?”

Thing signed.

Enid saw what he said, but didn’t answer right away. She looked away, and when her eyes landed on Wednesday’s bed, she felt guilty all over again. “I don’t know,” she finally answered. “Yoko asked me the same thing. Maybe. He’s way better for me than Wednesday would be… The weirdest part is I feel like I’m making these arguments for who I should be with but I’m not even really with Wednesday.”

Thing signed.

“You think she’s mad at me ‘cause she’s actually jealous ? ” Enid laughed then went on, “there has been literally no indication of that.”

Thing signed.

“I know Wednesday is different, but um, ya I do think she would get that upset over a contest, you know she totally hates losing.”

Thing signed, putting aggressive emphasis on his ending position; a finger pointing directly at Enid. 

She softened, and replied, “I know she doesn’t want to lose me, but I just… really think she cares more about the contest right now.”

Thing signed.

“Ugghh Thing,” Enid groaned at him, then got up to walk to her dresser. “No, I told you, I don’t have feelings for Wednesday like that. This isn’t real!” She dug through her drawers to pull out a change of clothes. “She is my best friend, that’s the way it’s always been, and nothing’s changed just because we decided to date– fake date! Ugh.” She threw her clothes onto her bed, and then herself, face-first. Thing crawled over and placed part of himself gently over Enid’s left hand. She turned her head and looked at him through her blue-tipped hair.

Thing signed.

“‘Then why do I feel so bad about what happened?’ I don’t know… I–” Enid thought she could answer him, but nothing that made any sense came to mind. She whispered, "because it feels real.” 

Both just stared at each other in silence before Enid added firmly, "but it's not."

Thing swayed as if he was shaking his head at her. Enid only let out a ‘mmph’ and shoved her face back down into the bed.

.

Throughout Ophelia Hall, one could hear a wide array of musical genres sounding from a black cello, for almost all of Saturday. Wednesday had tried playing out whatever feelings had been plaguing her since Friday morning, and all she was left with by sunset on Saturday was a miniscule improvement on her mood, and that was mostly because she’d received two noise complaints and was glad to have ruined someone’s weekend. Sunday she cleaned all of her knives, reorganized and updated labels on all of her toxins and poisons, and haphazardly completed all of her homework. By Sunday night she considered a trip to the library for more research and recalled her conversation with Xavier, which instead sparked a new idea.

In an attempt to prove to herself she had indeed evolved, she decided to try and go to a friend in this time of inconvenience. She hadn’t seen Eugene much in the last week anyways, so she walked to his dorm. 

“Wednesday. Uuuh, hey! Wh-what are you doing here?” 

“Eugene. Hello.” Wednesday paused and they stood in a momentary silence that was awkward for one of them. “We haven’t spent any… quality time with one another, as of late. I thought I would stop by to remedy that. May I come in?” 

“Uh, I don’t um, you’re technically not supposed to be here, y’know, since it’s the boys’ dorm… I don’t even bring Fen here really.”

“I’ve already bypassed the points at which I would’ve been caught. We aren’t doing anything unsavory and I won’t be staying long. Now do you want to take advantage of this fleeting moment where I’m willing to reach out to a friend, or not?”

Eugene, wide-eyed, stumbled backwards and motioned her in. Wednesday watched him as she entered, then looked around and eventually stood still next to his desk and looked back at him, clearly waiting for him to talk first. 

Eugene sat down on his bed and stuttered, “oh uh, so, what brings you here? Everything okay?”

“Why wouldn’t everything be okay?” Wednesday raised one eyebrow. “Have you heard something?”

“N-no. I mean, well… kind of. That’s, I–”

“What did you hear?”

Eugene looked very obviously unsure, but spoke anyway. “Uh, Fen told me you and Enid were fighting–”

“We are not ‘fighting.’”

“Okay,” Eugene held his hands up defensively. “That’s what I heard from Fen. She just said Enid was upset and was looking forward to their girls' weekend, but that she wouldn’t talk about it the whole time.”

Wednesday didn’t move for a long moment before shifting her position slightly then replying, “we may have had a small dispute…” Wednesday looked to the side, “Mainly that I showed my displeasure towards her choices Friday morning, clearly enough.”

“What choices?”

Again Wednesday waited before replying, this time looking down at her feet. “A large, bumbling, worthless excuse for a male werewolf was making his intentions known with Enid when I walked into class,” she looked up at him then, “he was sitting in my seat,” she spat. 

“Oh.” Eugene looked scared now. “Danny Neurian?”

Wednesday didn’t answer verbally, but her nostrils flared and her gaze seemed to become more threatening somehow. 

“O-kayy… So, you weren’t a fan of that, clearly.”

“Why in the name of all that is unholy would I be a fan of that?” Wednesday asked through her teeth.

“Well, ya, gotcha. Um, so why are you mad at Enid though, for what some douche-dog did?”

Wednesday looked away again. “She said that he questioned the validity of our relationship and she…” There was one more long pause. “She didn’t rectify his incorrect assumption.”

“Oh.” Eugene slumped slightly. “Wednesday I’m sorry. That’s actually– I’m sorta surprised Enid did that. Not cool.” Wednesday didn’t respond. She was unsure of how to proceed with the conversation– she felt sick at the sound of pity and sympathy. But she knew there was more to the curdling in her gut than that. “Well, have you guys talked? I mean that sounds like a really valid reason to be fighting–”

“We aren’t fighting. But we haven’t talked. Our relationship is… unique. And on one hand, I can’t fault her. I know that a ‘Fur’ would be more suited to her, as would someone more affectionate. Her and I have made surprisingly compatible friends over the years, but a romantic relationship is different. There aren’t many that can match well with an Addams.”

Eugene laughed and said, “and you don’t think of all people that Enid isn’t one of them? Wednesday, if she didn’t want to be with you, she wouldn’t have chosen you. And from what I can see, she’s been choosing you for years already.”

Wednesday looked intrigued. “Go on.”

“Wednesday, for how smart you are, you miss a lot. Like, ya Enid’s affectionate with everyone, but it’s different with you. That night with Crackstone, she wolfed out for you, and then hugged you like it was her last chance to ever hug again. I don’t think she looked at Ajax the rest of that night– actually I never saw her even look at Ajax ever, the way she looks at you.” Wednesday stared at the boy without blinking. “Have you read what she writes about you on her socials? I know none of it is outright romantic but if you read between the lines? She makes you sound like a god among men. I think she’d turn down Taylor Swift tickets if you asked her to.”

While Wednesday wasn’t entirely sure what the last part meant, she understood through context what Eugene was implying. She knew he was mistaken, and he was only picking up on Enid’s platonic fondness for her, as extreme as it might seem. But for some reason, as he spoke, her tension calmed. 

“Do you want to make this relationship work?”

The question hit her like a shovel, initially, as if there was a question to actually consider. But of course in ‘reality’ –or at least the fake one she was in with Enid– the answer she was supposed to give Eugene was an obvious one. Of course she wanted to stay with her fake girlfriend.

“Of course. So how can I make more clear that we’re in a relationship, to everyone else… and Enid?”

“Well, you shouldn’t do anything you’re not comfortable with, or feel like you’re changing yourself for anyone, but, if there’s any way you think you could show Enid that she means more to you than just a friend, I think she would love that both alone and in public.”

“That’s all very sweet Eugene but I’m asking for specific advice on how to make sure the entire school– especially other potential suitors– are very aware that Enid Sinclair is off the market. What language and symbolic gestures do simple-minded teenagers understand these days when it comes to staking claim on a significant other?” Wednesday had taken a few steps toward the boy as she spoke and was practically looming over him now.

“Oh um, okay, well… holding hands is a pretty simple one. Walking her to class, um, maybe giving her gifts in public? Or uh, if she wears your jacket? Any kind of PDA–I think those are all pretty classic things that couples do that shout a pretty loud ‘stay back’ that everyone gets.”

“Perfect. Thank you,” Wednesday said as she started walking towards the door.

“W-Wednesday?”

She turned around to face him with her hand on the knob.

“Just, ask her what she wants? I’m sure she’ll tell you, and no one is going to give you a better answer about being Enid’s ideal girlfriend than her,” he shrugged as he said. 

“Thank you, Eugene. Your insight has been surprisingly enlightening.”

Eugene frowned but said, “thanks,” and Wednesday left.

As she walked quickly down the hall, she glanced into one of the last dorms on the right with the door wide open, and stopped in her tracks. She could see a desk chair with a jacket hanging off the back. It was a small grey hoodie with neon pink accents. 

“Wednesday Addams,” a deep voice said as a figure appeared in her line of sight.

“Danny,” Wednesday replied flatly.

“Any particular reason you’re sneaking into the boys’ dorm? Enid okay with this?”

“What Enid is okay with is of zero concern to you.” At this, Wednesday turned to face the boy completely and took a slow but deliberate step towards him. “ My girlfriend’s needs are inexhaustibly attended to by me.” At this, the wolf laughed. 

“You? Look Wednesday I don’t want any beef with you but the idea of you giving Enid everything she needs is kind of a joke. You two are a match made in hell.”

“Perfect, we’ll burn together for all of eternity, just as I’ve always dreamed,” Wednesday replied, and watched the smile fall from Danny’s face. “And the only joke here is you, thinking you could possibly even threaten to sever the bond Enid and I have. We have both nearly died for each other and maintained a friendship over years of trialed adolescence. Would you like to tell me what history you and Enid have that forms the basis of a relationship even half as secure?”

Danny stood with his mouth open and didn’t say a word.

Wednesday took one more step towards him and glanced toward the hoodie hanging behind him, then she looked rigidly into his eyes. She spoke once more before she turned to walk away: "If you truly think you have a shot with her, and aren’t afraid of what I might do if you make another move, be my guest .”

Chapter Text

An alarm blared into the morning and Enid rolled over groggily to grope for her phone, but she was pulled from her own waking fog when she felt an envelope covering the source of disruption. She frowned as she picked up the thin white offender and shut off her alarm. It had her name on the front. The font was elegant script, near perfect but clearly hand-written. Wednesday .

Enid sat up and looked over to find her roommate’s empty bed made, and sadness hit her. The room was never warmer when Wednesday was there–Enid still had questions about an Addams’ natural body temperature– but there was a different type of cold that filled the space when she was gone. 

She must still be mad. It was Monday; one of the days Wednesday would wait for her and they would walk to class together, even before the fake relationship. The envelope could be a good sign, or paperwork to change rooms.

She gently opened it and pulled out a single white paper, also handwritten in beautiful black script, the ink somehow darker and more velvety than she’d ever seen.

Enid,

The words on this page are meant to be received as both a formal apology, and a personal and sincere one. They are intended to mend the damage done by the words carelessly and childishly thrown at you. Please consider these to be the ones worth accepting.

We both know choosing to befriend me is a daring feat; one that you’ve gallantly taken on, and managed, somehow all these years. To then choose to entwine yourself in even a fabrication of romance with me is nothing short of valorous. If it were anyone else I would also label it stupidity, but I know you too well and that is not the case. 

And you are – in no uncertain terms – desirable as a partner. I mean this in every sense, wholeheartedly, so much so that I am putting it in writing (If you ever share this, I cannot promise the consequences will be favorable. However, it is here for you to refer back to, should you ever have thoughts of doubt). What I said the other day was simply untrue, and I’m sorry. 

It should be clear how wrong I was, simply in the fact that you are currently so sought-after that I am in a position to defend what is meant to be “mine” in our charade. You are desirable to gorgons, desirable to other wolves, desirable to every flavor of rancid underclassmen– and you would even be desirable to an Addams. A fierce beast able to commit atrocious acts of violence, or heinous murder without an ounce of exertion… but I digress. 

My point is, I apologize. And if you’ll accept it, then it would be my miserable honor to continue through this contest with you.

Yours,

W.A.

Enid exhaled a breath she’d been holding since the first line, with a soft whine. She couldn’t help the smile that spread as she bit her bottom lip, and just as she was about to reread the letter, the door opened abruptly.

“Enid. Good you’re awake. They announced the winners of the first round. Eugene and Fen won. We came in a very, unacceptably close second.” Enid gasped as Wednesday had continued walking towards her as she spoke, where she set a cup down on her desk. “Eugene may be our close acquaintance–”

“ Friend, Wednesday, we’ve practiced this.”

“Yes. Fine. He may be a friend, but I don’t intend to lose to him again.” She held her fist out next to the cup and opened her fingers where several packets of sugar and three creamers fell out. “I’ve started to re-read slash skim through some of Stephanie Rey’s more compelling works, in the case that it may help us in the next round they announce tomorrow. You may want to do the same. I expect to win next time.”

“What’s…” Enid looked at the cup then back at the girl. Wednesday dropped her hand to her side and lifted an eyebrow slightly at Enid, as if waiting for a reply. Enid threw off her covers and leapt onto Wednesday in (almost) one, un-fluid motion. It happened quickly enough that Wednesday wasn’t afforded much time to react, but Enid felt a small pair of arms catch her, tightly.

“Mmmffmfrrr.” 

“I didn’t catch that,” Wednesday replied, without letting go. 

Enid lifted her chin so that her mouth was free from her shoulder. “I’m sorry, Wednesday. I’m really, really sorry,” she said as she squeezed a little tighter. “And,” Enid added as she loosened her grip– only allowing enough distance so that they were face to face, but still in each other’s arms.  She looked into her friend’s eyes and whispered, “thank you. For the letter.” Enid’s eyelashes fluttered as she watched Wednesday’s stay perfectly still. The stoic girl then blinked once as she cleared her throat and stepped back, moving out of Enid’s space.

“Don’t mention it. Ever.” Enid smiled in response and nodded. “Anyways, it’s a contest, we should be focused on winning–which we can– not getting distracted by irrelevant squabbles.” Enid felt an innominate pang at that. Wednesday turned and walked to her desk where she sat and started on her typewriter. Luckily Enid’s mind liked to work at a typical TikTok scrolling pace and she had moved on before anything had the chance to sink in.

“Wait! Wednesday! How did you know about the post?!” Enid gasped. “Do you have an Insta ?!”

“No.” 

“Then how did you–”

“I have my ways. You should get ready, we don’t want to be late.” Enid decided to let this one go. For now. 

The walk to class was mostly unremarkable, though Enid felt as though Wednesday was just a hair closer than usual. It wasn’t until they arrived that Enid really noticed the change, starting with Wednesday getting her chair for her. Then, when Danny walked in and passed their desk, Enid felt the icy energy between Wednesday and the large wolf. He pointedly did not make eye contact with Enid, she noticed. 

Then, the teacher started lecturing, and a charcoal-sleeved arm traveled up and behind her, and landed comfortably around her shoulders, where it had never been. 

Enid’s eyes were wide and her heart rate picked up; they were in the front row so though everyone could see the events unfolding, her expressions were not in view, thankfully. She reminded herself to at least seem natural, since this shouldn’t have been a big deal for a couple, but it was nearly overwhelming to have her mostly touch-averse best friend suddenly initiating tactile displays of affection– and not only that, but public ones. She glanced at her faux-girlfriend and noted her dark eyes looking subtly towards the rear of the room, then shifted to meet Enid’s. It hit her then; she was doing this for Danny. Enid breathed out and smiled.

“You’re cruel and adorable,” she whispered in her friend’s ear. They looked at each other again and Enid giggled quietly before she looked back up towards the teacher to feign attentiveness. Realistically, her focus would be nowhere in that class that day outside of her immediate bubble. The teacher stopped for morning announcements that existed faintly in the background, but Enid didn’t hear a word. Right as they had started, she leaned in slightly towards Wednesday, and reached across herself to gently hold the other girl’s fingertips that hung past her shoulder. If Wednesday wanted Danny to see them act like a couple, she could play along. 

So she started to play– with Wednesday’s hands– to see if she’d get a response. To her surprise, she did. Cold, delicate fingertips toyed with her own, and Enid felt a rush. Her heart rate jumped yet again and her ears felt hot. Then, she felt a shift and a breath against them, and a whisper.

“I’m nothing if not dedicated, my wolf .”

Oh no. A charge shot down her spine and a very faint whimper escaped her. Now everything felt hot and Enid suddenly felt like prey.. Keep it together, you’re a couple, this is normal. Act. Normal. But it was so far from their normal.

Enid forced a smile and looked over at her friend once more, where she met the same dark eyes as before, but they were already on her this time, and they were different. They were sinister, and teasing. What the frick is even happening right now? Enid looked away and cleared her throat to avoid choking, shifted in her seat slightly without moving away from Wednesday at all, and put both of her hands on her desk as she looked back up front again. With Wednesday’s hand now free, she felt the same small fingers graze her arm just once, but in a very deliberate caress. Really?

It took Enid more than half the class to feel under control again, but thankfully she did, and eventually allowed herself to enjoy this side of Wednesday she’d never seen. At one point the arm finally withdrew from around her shoulders, but a hand soon found its way next to Enid’s on the desk, where pinkies brushed. At this, Enid blushed and smiled at her right away, warming up to the attention. She noticed Wednesday look back once more in Danny’s direction and held back a laugh. 

By the time the teacher dismissed them, Enid had a permanent rosy dust on her now sore cheeks. Flustered as she was, she dropped a pen as she was packing up, and ducked down to grab it. When she stood up, Wednesday had moved directly in front of her. Once again, a hand reached up to do something it never had; with the softest touch, her hair was moved out of her face and tucked behind her ear.

"Don't cover those," she said in far too soft a tone for Wednesday Addams. Enid was at a loss again to control both her heart rate and the look of adoration spread across her face. Wednesday started to turn, but paused to hold out her hand. Enid didn’t hesitate at the opportunity, and quickly laced her fingers through Wednesday’s, like they had done it a thousand times. As they walked out of class, Enid happily let her friend lead the way, as she stared down at the alternating black and rainbow.

.

Wednesday had dropped Enid off at her next class, reminding her about the assembly they’d be seeing each other at again halfway through this period. She then allowed the werewolf to hug her goodbye and rushed off towards her next class. As she neared it, however, she glanced around and ducked away back to her dorm. 

After having come to somewhat of a dead-end in her dragon research, she decided to delve deeper into what might have kept Enid safe in that fire. Her own initial tests suggested Enid was about as fire-safe as a pile of matches. She pivoted then to studying different chemicals–mainly liquids–that were fire-resistant, and still couldn’t get any helpful answers. Anything that might be potentially strong enough to do what she saw in her vision was highly toxic to humans and animals, of which her friend was both. But, this was in the current world of normies. So it was time to look somewhere with different types of answers.

She had certainly gotten better at reaching out for help in general, and moved into a much warmer place with her parents overall. Even still, it pained her to ask for help in cases she believed she should be able to manage on her own. In this case though, there didn’t seem anywhere left to turn without being terribly inefficient. If she was meant to discover something to protect and save Enid from whatever future danger she faced, she needed to do it before it was too late. 

“Wednesday, my beautiful wicked fiend, to what do I owe this terrible surprise?”

Wednesday looked into the crystal ball at her ever-doting mother, who hadn’t changed in the slightest over the years. 

“Hello, Mother. I’m calling to ask a very specific question.”

Morticia lifted her chin as a devious smile began to grow. “I see. And does it have anything to do with romance, my little black cobra?”

“What? No. Why would you assume that?”

“Oh, no reason. What was your question then dear?”

Wednesday’s frown was apparent and she let her mother bask in her threatening gaze before answering. “What magic do you know of, that might make someone fire-resistant? Either a liquid, or dust, to coat them, or a spell perhaps?”

Morticia paused, taking serious thought in her answer this time. “I can’t say that I know myself offhand, unfortunately…” Wednesday deflated slightly, but Morticia went on. “But Grandmama certainly might.”

Wednesday sighed. She loved her grandmother, but knew she could occasionally cause more damage than her help was worth.

“Yes, she’d be positively distraught to hear you’re in need of her! It’s been years now, hasn’t it? I think the last time she even visited was to do some healing on you after that exciting night here at Nevermore your first year, isn’t that right?”

“Yes–” 

“Yes I believe she’d just returned from a trip collecting Everest victims. She’s always been so active in keeping the environment clean. And we’re never short on decor.”

“When will I be able to speak to her, Mother?”

“Oh! I’ll see if I can reach her as soon as we finish here, my dear. But Wednesday,” and Wednesday knew immediately the topic of conversation was shifting into something uncomfortable, judging by the knowing pleasure written on her mother’s face. “You know your father and I don’t mind you experimenting with different poisons while you’re away, especially now that you’re older, but do be cautious…”

“What exactly are you referring to Mother?” Wednesday asked stiffly.

“Oh, nothing. But I’m always here, darling, if you have any questions…” And that in tone was enough for Wednesday to be more than finished with the conversation.

“I have an assembly to get to, please get me in touch with Grandmama at your most expedient inconvenience,” she said sternly as she stood up and began to reach toward the globe.

“Have fun at the party with Enid, dear.” 

Wednesday shut off their call, but not before she knew Morticia had seen the stunned look on her face. Being caught off-guard and vulnerable was awful enough. But despite their improved relationship– when it was her mother, there was no keeping the ire from boiling over.

Wednesday grabbed her things and slammed the door behind her.

.

Luck was apparently on Enid’s side that morning, if seating arrangements were any part of the equation. It was an assembly for seniors only, and they had attempted to get the entire class in reverse alphabetical order before entering the theater. Yoko had then ended up sitting directly in front of Enid, and there was time to talk before all the seats were taken.

“Hey!” Enid said with an almost invasive effervescence as she sprung herself into her seat.

Yoko stared at her over her glasses and slowly sat down. “Someone’s extra today. And that’s for someone who lives extra already.”

“I like Mondays,” she said through a grin.

“Uh huh. If I didn’t know better I’d say someone did some good ‘making up’ last night.”

“Yoko!” Enid swatted at her friend and tried to look serious, but she couldn’t wrestle the smile away. “It wasn’t like that. But we did make up. And oh - my - god, I can’t even. I can’t tell you all the details– NOT because of that, it’s all PG– but because you know how Wednesday is… but ohemgee seriously? The amount of swoon-inducing romance that has laid dormant in Wednesday Addams is coming out in full. Force. And I am the chosen one and I am so here for it!” Enid finished her sentence with a squeak. 

“Damn, Enid, let’s go. So what about Danny-the-wolfmanny?”

“I dunno,” Enid said as she shrugged coyly. “I guess we can see what his next move is, meanwhile Wednesday is playing dirty and being touchy-feely with me during class where he can see!” The end of her sentence became a whisper-yell. 

“No.”

“ Yes!”

“Wednesday Addams and PDA? This I’ve gotta see.”

Enid sat back in her chair and gave her friend a smug smile. “I have a feeling you will.”

Yoko looked her friend up and down, then just past her towards the back of the room. Enid turned to follow her gaze and found a very disgruntled goth sitting down in one of the very last chairs in the back. She turned back to her vampire friend who had pushed her glasses back up. “I have a feeling I will too,” she said as she hung her elbow over her chair. “Interesting, E, that you’re a giddy little puppy now that Addams is all over you, yet when Danny hit on you, despite saying you were into it, and ‘weren’t sure what you wanted,’ you crumbled like a sad stale cookie.” 

The lights dimmed and they heard Mr. Neyef start to speak. “Let’s just say I’m happy to have my best friend back,” Enid whispered. At that, the vampire smirked and turned around to face the stage.

.

Wednesday only half-listened to the principal’s speech about their senior trip that morning. He droned on about things she deemed essentially useless while she stared at the back of a blonde head. She would have planned to avoid the hellish excuse for a school field trip and the assembly altogether if not for Enid. She was only there because she told her she would sit next to her, without having known about their pointless attempt at order through arbitrary alphabetical arrangement, and Enid had convinced her to buy tickets to Piccadilly Pier even before the contest and the fake relationship. 

Enid was sitting more toward the stage, near the center, while Wednesday was in the back corner. Despite their distance, Wednesday had a clear view of her very distinguishable friend. She could generally pick her out of a crowd anyways, but today she stood out as especially vibrant. Maybe it had to do with the fact that she was looking back at her every few minutes, and the extra movement caught her eye.

“...And there will be one other school sharing the park with us for their senior day as well, but after three pm no outside tickets will be sold and the park will be closed to the general public.”

Wednesday heard some complaints in the audience about it being a normie school, but tuned out again as her mind drifted back to her mother’s closing comments. She had obviously had a vision and instead of sharing what it was, made some obnoxiously cryptic comments, surely to toy with her.

While staring in Enid’s direction, she very seriously considered sneaking out of the theater to go back to their room in case Grandmama reached out, or at least to get some more reading done; anything would be a better use of her time than this. Something was compelling her to stay, however, and she wasn’t quite sure what. She glanced over to where she had found Danny seated earlier, though he wouldn’t be posing any threat at this point, at least in the assembly. Wednesday’s eyes flicked back to Enid, who met her stare and grinned bigger before swinging her head back to the front for the twelfth time. Wednesday felt odd. Something must not be right. At first she assumed the slight exhilaration she noted feeling earlier that morning was due to the thrill of agitating Danny and seeing the look on his face while her and Enid were putting on their show. But the feeling didn’t leave her. Even here, now, in the darkened back of the room, she felt uneasy every time blue eyes showed themselves again. She took this as an omen, and decided to stay vigilant until they were released to lunch. 

Her phone vibrated in her pocket. 

Enid: You look extra creepy in the shadows. 

Wednesday sighed through her nose at the excessive use of emojis, but felt the corner of her mouth creep up.

Wednesday: Thank you.

Enid: lol. ur so predictable. hey last class was funnnn

Wednesday: Enid I fear you may quite literally be slowly putting me to death with your complete lack of respect for the English language. And it is not the kind of slow death I would enjoy.

Enid turned around and made eye contact with Wednesday and stuck her tongue out at her. Wednesday responded by miming tying a noose around her neck, and snapped her head to the side but never changed her stare. Enid shook her head and turned back around. 

Wednesday: With that said, I’m glad you also enjoyed the psychological demolition of a classmate’s self-esteem.

Enid: So what’s next for how we’re gonna torture Danny??

Wednesday: While “gonna” is not a word, that was an improvement. I worry for our yearbook.

Wednesday: As for what’s next, if you think I’m so predictable, don’t you already know?

For the first time, Wednesday actually stared at her phone long enough to see three little dots bounce while she awaited a reply. It took longer than she wanted.

Enid: Maybe i just wanna hear you say it

Wednesday straightened and felt a thump in her upper body. Mainly through her chest, which she seldom felt any sort of intensity originate. There were no emojis with this text, which somehow made the small assembly of letters on the screen heavier. She blinked, twice. She wondered then why one text from Enid suddenly seemed to have an effect, when she had never allowed one to before. Clearly she was in an unsettled state, today.

Wednesday: It’s text, Enid, you won’t hear anything.

Enid: well then i look forward to SEEING it 

This text included a winking face.

Wednesday put her phone away and the lights came on as if on cue. The hoards of seniors heading for the door was more than Wednesday wanted to deal with, so instead of waiting for Enid, she walked briskly into the head of the crowd and made her way with them into the hall, where she was abruptly reminded why she tends to avoid crowds in the first place. 

Screams could be heard intermittently in the distance, and rumbling.

A black-gloved hand rolled a screwdriver slowly through its fingers, then placed it alongside others in its own pocket in a small, mahogany leather pouch. The gloved hands rolled it up and a light flicked off.

The same screw jiggled against a thick black and blue board and came loose, and a strong wind carried it away.

A severed foot, sliced clean from the ankle down, fell into a pond where three black and white ducks flew away from the splash.

Then she saw their faces: Eugene and Fen, both screaming. The wind was whipping Fen’s hair around, and Eugene wasn't wearing his glasses as he looked at her in horror.

“Wednesday?” She heard a deep voice say her name as she snapped her head back up. Xavier had caught her. Just then her name came again in a much more pleasant tone. Enid. 

“Wednesday! Oh my god are you okay?!” Enid had finally pushed the last few students out of her way and reached out to firmly pull her from Xavier’s hold. 

“She’s okay, I caught her,” Xavier inserted. Enid didn’t seem at all comforted by the information as she responded with an exasperated sigh and thanked him as she led Wednesday out of the crowd. Xavier followed.

“What did you see?” he asked. 

Wednesday noted Enid’s face showing a mix of concern and irritation, so she looked over to Xavier. “I happen to recall explaining to you more than once that I don’t need or appreciate your attempted heroism.” The boy scoffed and rolled his eyes. “And if I ever desire your consult on a vision, I know where to find you. Otherwise, it’s not, and will never be, any of your business.” 

“Whatever.” He then turned and walked down the hall with an inelastic step.

Enid watched him go but quickly shifted her attention back to her friend with her signature grin. 

“That was hot,” she told her proudly. 

Wednesday frowned but decided not to acknowledge the comment. “It was Fen and Eugene.”

Enid’s face darkened in a snap. “In your vision? Are they okay?!” She was still holding Wednesday's forearms and squeezed them as she spoke.

“It wasn’t lethal, but I think Fen was hurt, badly. I don’t know where, or when, and I’m not even sure how… I need to find them, now.” Wednesday pulled out of Enid’s hold and rushed away down the hall with her friend close on her heels.

As soon as they had the couple in view at one of their typical lunch tables, Enid stopped Wednesday. “Do you think what you saw was something that’s going to happen here?”

Wednesday looked from Enid to their friends, who had gathered a small crowd of other students, curiously. She surveyed the whole area and concluded that at least the weather didn’t match her vision, without even a light breeze, let alone strong winds. There was no screaming. It seemed the two were not in immediate danger, for today. “No,” she said as she looked back to Enid. “This doesn’t appear to be the right setting. They weren’t in their uniforms, come to think of it.” Enid let out a breath of relief. 

“Okay, then do you think we can maybe wait to warn them?” Wednesday looked at her curiously. “Look at them, this is the most attention Eugene has had since Crackstone. Let them have the win.”

Wednesday watched and now understood the commotion. She looked at Enid and nodded. As long as they were in those uniforms, technically they weren’t in danger. “This isn’t my scene anyways. I’ll see you later tonight.” Wednesday went to walk off but was caught by the wrist. She turned to face her friend. Enid’s eyes were pleading, for something. 

“Um, Danny’s over there, behind you,” she said as she lowered her chin and her eyelashes fluttered. 

Wednesday understood and stepped closer. They held eye contact for a moment when Wednesday slowly leaned in. She noticed Enid’s lips part slightly as she turned her head and shifted, and placed her own lips softly on her friend’s pink cheek. She retreated even more slowly than she had gone in, until the same clear eyes came into view again. She said nothing else, turned and walked away.

.

“So did you and Wednesday get a message from Stephanie Rey’s editor, or was that just for the winners ?” Fen asked with a mocking tone.

“Seriously? Lemme see!” Fen handed her phone over to Enid, who read through the message on the screen:

‘Congratulations, couple, you’re our first winners and now holding the lead for our contest. While there will be three finalist couples eligible to win and attend our mystery dinner, we will be keeping track of all of our weekly winners. Each winning couple will also receive a special gift. Keep an eye out for it in the mail. 

You are eligible to win one of our bonus prizes each week, so keep up the creative work. 

Best of Luck,

Regina & Staff'

It was sent from Stephanie Rey’s official Instagram. Enid handed the phone back to a very smug younger wolf. “No, we didn’t get anything this time, but I’m sure I’ll be reading my own DM next week. Wednesday and I were just warming up,” Enid said as cooly as she could, inspecting her nails. The cocky werewolf went on talking about their plans for future rounds, despite having no idea what they’d be asked to do next, and what the prize might be. Enid tried to listen, but tuned out again as her mind drifted back to Wednesday’s goodbye just moments ago. It was only a kiss on the cheek; normally no big deal between girlfriends, or even friends. So why did it feel monumental for the two of them? Why did she feel so jittery?

More than anything, she couldn’t help but notice that when Wednesday walked away, she never looked for Danny. It was strange, when she had seen the girl watching for his reactions throughout class that morning. That was why she was doing it. So why didn't she look this time?

Enid was grateful either way, because Danny wasn’t there.

Knocking her out of her daze, her phone vibrated in her pocket. She pulled it out and looked down at the screen to see, in large, white letters: ‘Esther Sinclair.’

Chapter Text

Double doors swung open in tandem and banged back in harmony with porcelain shattering.

“Wednesday Addams you have got to be kidding me,” a silhouette stated loudly as she walked in.

“Mr. Neyef, it’s about the safety of students, I need to talk with you.” The principal sighed heavily and turned around to see the girl now standing at his desk. He looked unimpressed and held a dripping tea bag.

“Of course you do, Miss Addams. And you can tell me about Mister Ottinger and Miss Wilkes while you help me clean up this mess you caused,” he said as he bent down and began pulling cleaning supplies out of a small cabinet. “Was it really paramount that you saved the three extra seconds it would have taken to knock?”

“How did you know it was about Eugene and Fen?”

He held out a hand broom and dustpan before he answered. “Well, first of all, when have you ever cared about the general safety of ‘students?’ You’re a classic antihero, Miss Addams.” They both knelt down and started cleaning up the spilled tea and shattered pieces of teacup.  “But I know you’re protective of friends. Leading to the second point: I was at the very assembly you were just at– in case you hadn’t noticed me up on stage– and passed you in the hall on the way out as you were speaking to your roommate. You were not being inconspicuous.” 

“Well then you know they’re in danger. My visions have never been wrong.”

“No, but you’ve misinterpreted them, have you not?” Wednesday looked at him but didn’t answer. “Why don’t you tell me exactly what you saw, and we’ll go from there.”

She turned to empty the dustpan into the trash next to his desk, took a small breath, and recounted her vision to him in as much detail as she could.

“That sounds like a staged accident… could you tell who’s foot it was, or if it was real?”

Wednesday frowned slightly. “No, I suppose I couldn’t, but it seemed to be Fen’s. It looked like girls' footwear.”

“Could they have been screaming about seeing someone else lose their foot?”

“Possibly, but I fail to see the relevance in that question. Wouldn’t you be similarly concerned about any severed foot around your students, regardless of its origin?”

“Yes, but we really don’t know much about the context here, if that’s all you saw. Were they inside, or outside?”

“Outside.There was wind.” The principal only hummed. “Mr. Neyef, I realize I’m missing details but I thought we had gotten past the point of doubting everything that I say.”

“Wednesday I am just trying to help you. As much as you’ve grown you are still impulsive when it comes to your visions and want to act often before thinking– and I know you are more than capable of brilliant thinking when you take a moment.”

“But Mr. Neyef–”

“A better question might be for me to ask you: what would you suggest I do with the information you’ve given me? Lock up your friends? Put steel boots around Miss Wilkes’ feet? It’s not that I don’t believe you, but we need more information before there’s any action we can take.”

“So your solution then is to do nothing ?”

The principal sighed and tilted his head. “After everything that’s happened in the last two years, Nevermore has already upped security and safety protocol beyond anything we’ve seen historically. I’m not going to ignore what you’ve told me today, but let me think about what can be done, realistically. You can help by sharing with me if you have any more visions and are able to glean any more helpful  information on the matter. Alright?”

Wednesday’s dark stare offered more of an answer than she felt inclined to give, but before she made her hurried exit, she muttered, “don’t count on it, my visions are apparently about as helpful as the principals at this school.” 

.

Blue eyes fluttered open to see the entirety of the infamous Ophelia Hall window, illuminating the space with moonlight, intermingled with the faint aftermath of a sunset. As beautiful and familiar as the sight was, something about the angle wasn’t right, and Enid also questioned what day and time it was as she squeezed her damp lids together and blinked them open again. 

“Enid.”

The blonde gasped and sat up as the world rocked slowly back into place. She looked to her left to see her roommate, standing in the center of their room with a distinct lack of understanding across her face. As reality re-entered Enid’s consciousness in pieces, she gathered that she was not in her own bed, but had apparently, at some point fallen asleep in Wednesday’s. Luckily in her shock she had grabbed and held tightly to the sheets tangled around her body– because she had no clothes on. Oh my god I’m in Wednesday’s bed. Naked.

“Why are you in my bed, naked?” 

Enid did not have an answer.

She swung her hand to cover her face and moaned in embarrassment as she pleaded with her own clouded mind to come up with words–any words– that would make sense in this moment. 

“Did you wolf out?”

Oh my god I wolfed out.

Enid’s eyes popped open just above her hand and she looked again at her bewildered friend. “Yes! Oh my gosh Wednesday I’m so sorry, this is so embarrassing…” And suddenly it all came flooding back to her as she looked around. The room was in shambles. Her desk was knocked on its side, and everything that normally covered it now instead covered various parts of the floor, which was also freshly littered with claw marks. A rug was ripped in half, stuffed animals tossed all over… and one dresser drawer was not only pulled out and emptied, but looked very much chewed up. 

The phone call from my mom . Enid sighed and dropped her head. She had gotten through the rest of classes, but after picking up a test from last week with a large, red ‘D’ on its front, she suffered through a yearbook meeting and then had come promptly back to the room and lost it. And the moon was out early that evening. She rubbed her eyes and found black splotches across her fingertips when she pulled them away, and remembered crying herself to sleep after shifting back. She tried to wipe them clean and thanked her past self for buying Wednesday a new bed set last year that came with black pillowcases. 

“It’s fine… Did something, trigger this?” Wednesday stayed in her place, and Enid could tell she wasn’t sure what to do. 

“Ya. Um, my mom called.”

Enid sheepishly glanced up at her friend to see the information hit her; it transformed her facial expression from confusion and uncertainty to what appeared to be unwavering certainty. Of a planned attack.

Enid watched as her arms crossed and the whole of her seemed to harden like a fortress, yet somehow still invite her friend to continue speaking. “My brothers showed her my insta. Let’s just say she’s not gonna be voting for our pics.”

“And I was counting on her full and unequivocal support,” she replied dryly. 

Enid half smiled, but it faded quickly as she looked down at herself. “Mmm, maybe I should get dressed before we finish this conversation… and get out of your bed,” she added with a grimace. Wednesday glanced down quickly towards the hand holding up her bedsheets, and the bare shoulders, and if Enid wasn’t already nervous enough in such a vulnerable position, she could have sworn she saw her friend’s face actually gain the faintest bit of color. Oh my god she’s so grossed out. How could I let this happen?! As quickly as she could manage, she pushed herself out of her friend’s bed, taking the sheets with her, and hobbled awkwardly to her own side of the room, careful not to trip over the debris and obstacles strewn in her path. As she tried to gather what clean clothes were easily within reach, she heard the clink of the door through the window behind her, knowing Wednesday stepped out so she could change.

When she finally stepped out into the cool air of the balcony, the icy breeze felt like a refreshing salve on her ego. “So, ya, umm…” Enid ran her fingers through her hair anxiously as she approached the other girl and leaned on the balustrade beside her. “That was definitely the most embarrassing moment of my life.” She kept her eyes decidedly forward over the trees as she spoke with a tightness in her voice. 

“I’m confident I could list several instances where you’ve humiliated yourself to a higher degree.”

Enid’s eyes went wide as she scoffed in shock and offense, but when she looked at her friend she saw a slight uptick in her right cheek, and her eyes were softer. “Wednesday!” Enid chided playfully as she pushed her shoulder gently. Wednesday’s face didn’t change as she absorbed the nudge and settled her elbows back on the stone. 

Enid sighed before she spoke again. “My mom told me I have to break up with you… or she’s not paying for me to go to school.” Wednesday’s brows furrowed, dramatically so for the stoic girl. “I know, and I’m low key freaking the eff out because you know she’s serious!” She began pacing as she spoke. “I can’t pay for school myself, I didn’t even apply for that many scholarships– and I didn’t think it mattered! She has covered every single one of my stupid fur-brained brothers’ tuitions without batting an eye. Ugh I was sure now that I’d wolfed out and things were better that I wouldn’t have to worry about this stuff, even if I didn’t go to school on the west coast, but nooo , now she’s just figured out how to use it to keep me on a short freaking leash.”

“A leash as a murder weapon for a werewolf would be extremely ironically gratifying.”

Enid didn’t acknowledge the comment and continued. “She said she’s buying flights for me to come home in a couple weeks and meet with ‘ appropriate suitors,’ AKA male wolves from wealthy families with good reps.” Enid let out a frustrated long growl as she threw her head back, then returned to her place next to Wednesday. “I really thought this would get easier, but of course Evil Esther strikes again!” she added sarcastically. 

They were both silent for some time until Enid spoke again, this time in a somber tone. “Maybe we should stop.” More silence. “I mean right? Like am I about to fight my mom over a fake relationship just for some contest we might not win?” 

Wednesday’s head turned abruptly to Enid. “‘Might not win?’”

“Well, we didn’t win the first round.”

“That was a battle, not the war,” Wednesday said curtly. “Besides, if it were my mother, it wouldn’t be about the contest. It’s the principle. Who is she to tell you who you can’t engage with and then threaten you financially? This is your life, Enid, and she’s playing it strategically.”

Enid’s sad eyes searched the intense ones across from her. “Okay, then WWWD?” 

“Make her regret it.”

Enid tilted her head and tried not to smile. “Okay, I’m not sure what you mean, so I’m TBD on that until I get the deets. But for now…” Enid turned to look through the window. “I might need to call FEMA for that room.”

“I’m disappointed to have missed it. The damage you did in there must have been quite the  rage-induced presentation. I bet it was riveting.”

Enid laughed. “You are still weird as shit, but at least you’re better at cheering me up.” She placed her hand on top of Wednesday’s, already feeling natural with the shift in their boundaries in the last day. Wednesday, however, stiffened at the touch, and she did not appear pleased. Enid felt a pang of shame as the hand under hers stayed still instead of returning the affection as it had earlier that day. She slowly slid it back and whispered a weak apology. 

“It’s my writing time.” 

Enid was left on the cold balcony alone. 

.

Pat-pat, pat pat patpatpatpat pat…

Wednesday was awoken to the sound of feet she knew belonged to Enid. She opened one eye in time to see the werewolf leap onto her bed.

“ ‘How do you read Stephanie Rey?’ ” Enid didn’t look up from her phone and spoke almost as if she was auditioning for an infomercial. “ ‘It’s 2024 and there are now a multitude of ways your media can be consumed. So show us! We want to see. How, where, when, and with whom?’ Okay, step back, we have got this!” The bed bounced under the werewolf’s enthusiasm, while Wednesday remained unmoved. 

“Does this mean you’ve decided to continue the facade of our courtship despite your mother’s demands?”

“Okay. So.” Enid shifted next to Wednesday’s covered legs. “I made my account private, then texted my mom saying I looked forward to the dates she arranged,” Enid opened her mouth with  a disgusted look and made a gagging gesture. “And we can discuss how to Addams-ify that trip later– then I blocked all my brothers on insta and texted them to let them all know that if they didn’t keep they’re cold, wet, stupid brown noses out of my business, I’d be using them to practice our long lost childhood Tong Long skills, while in my wolf form.” Enid finished the last half of her sentence sweetly and smiling, though it was still the most eerily threatening part of the statement.

“Good.” Wednesday swiftly sat up and got out of bed. “It’s not over though. We will revisit this. Separately, I need to find Eugene and talk to him before first period. You’re welcome to join.”

Enid jumped up and joined in the process of getting ready, and both girls walked out the door together. It had snowed a small amount last night, and was still cold and cloudy enough that there were some remnants left around the school. Between Enid’s higher-than average body temperature as a werewolf, and Wednesday’s preference for the cold, neither needed especially large jackets for the short walks between classes, as long as there was no windchill. There was no wind that day, which both comforted and irritated her. On one hand, with all the wind present in her vision, the stillness of the air put her at ease. On the other hand, Enid was still missing her hoodie.

Wednesday pushed that thought out of her mind as they made their way to the hives, and Wednesday was correct in her assumption that Eugene was there, along with Fen and their other Hummers member, Dulo. Wednesday was not the exceptionally large cyclops boy’s biggest fan. He barely fit into the shed, was the absolute epitome of a bull in a china shop, and somehow always managed to outdo himself with dumb questions. Enid came to his defense regularly, explaining that he was a good friend with a big heart, and tried to keep Wednesday in check to go easy on him. She did lessen her efforts after a while though, once she realized that Dulo rarely even understood the insults anyways. Wednesday would almost call it comical that he and Eugene–such a well-studied and intelligent being– would become friends and spend so much time together. But she wouldn’t, because it had yet to make her laugh.

Eugene greeted them and Fen squeaked an excited good morning, as if she hadn’t seen them both just yesterday. Eugene offered them tea, which Enid gladly accepted, as her and Fen began prattling about the newest contest prompt.

“Eugene, I need to inform you of a vision I had,” Wednesday finally got out.

“Uh-oh,” he said and looked over to Enid to gauge the severity, which didn’t settle him. This stopped Fen’s chattering as well. “With me?”

“Yes, and I’m afraid it’s indeed of an ‘uh-oh’ caliber, in line with a typical vision. But no one dies, if that helps. At least not that I saw.”

“Wednesday, please say more about this like, right now so we know what’s going on!” Fen had wrapped herself around her boyfriend tightly. 

“Oh actually it’s you who’s likely in the most danger.”

“ WHAT?!”

“Wednesday ohmygosh. Fen! Don’t freak out. Wednesday had a vision of something happening and you and Eugene were screaming, but she doesn’t know if it was you and it’s not that bad!” Enid interjected, trying to calm the younger wolf.

“I’m pretty sure it was her.”

“Wednesday!”

“Why does she think it’s me?!” Fen started to yell to no one in particular, getting increasingly riled up.

“You don’t know, and you’re just freaking her out!” Enid yelled at Wednesday.

“I’m telling her the truth.”

“CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT WEDNESDAY SAW IN THIS FREAKING VISION?!” Fen’s claws had come out and her heavy breathing had started to incorporate a slight growling action. 

“Okay–” Enid started as she walked to the younger wolf and placed her hands softly over her wrists. “Fen you need to take several seats, and listen to Wednesday. Breathe. Wednesday will carefully explain what she saw.” End had turned her head to her friend as she said her name, and enunciated her words clearly, paired with an intense stare. 

Everyone paused then before Wednesday answered. “It seems as though there will be some sort of set up, and I saw a severed foot, from the ankle down, in a woman’s shoe, ” she added as she looked at Enid. “--Fall into a body of water. I then saw you and Eugene screaming. He did look down in the direction of your feet, though if it keeps you from hysterics, I technically cannot confirm it was yours.”

Fen immediately began crying and buried her face into Eugene’s sweatshirt. Enid sighed and said quietly, “Wednesday c’mon.”

“What? They asked what my vision was, so I told them.”

“Hey what’s ‘severed’ mean?” Dulo asked calmly as his one eye blinked. Wednesday was immediately exasperated.

“It means cut off,” Enid answered.

“Cut off of what?” Enid squinted at the tall boy but said nothing.

“Do you know when or where this happened, Wednesday?” Eugene asked with a wavering tone.

“No. As usual, there was very little useful information in this vision. I’m hoping I’ll have another as it gets closer. I went to Principal Neyef and he was of zero help. It seems he doesn’t want to do anything about the fact that there’s going to be an accident among his students that results in the loss of an appendage.”

Fen had started to calm herself, and through sniffles, added, “kinda sus. Do you think he has something to do with it?”

“Not likely. I didn’t quite understand his lack of motivation to act either, but he’s a gnome. There’s no record of even an ounce of evil or corruption in any family lines throughout history. They are repugnantly good,” Wednesday sneered. 

“Wow, I didn’t even know what kind of Outcast he was. Actually I kinda figured he was a normie,” Fen said.

“Enid and I procured the information as a team effort last year, since neither the board nor staff are ever very forthcoming with information that should be public knowledge.”

“Yep, sure did,” Enid said proudly. “Half the school still thinks he’s a normie too, but I was like, ‘nah, no way they’d replace Weems with some NPC,’ so Wednesday did her thing and I did my thing, and we dug up all the dirt on this guy. His whole family are literally saints.”

“ Not literally, but figuratively, yes. It’s likely why they hired him. The school is actually slightly safer with him here. There aren’t many in the country, but there are a few and they are generally very sought-after. Addamses tend to try and keep them off of our property, since they seem to almost repel the unsavory. My Aunt Ophelia brought one to a reunion once. Some of the family had to leave saying the smell was too much to stand, and several got sick on the spot. It essentially ruined the weekend, which left mixed reviews. A few cousins thanked her.”

For a moment everyone looked as confused as Dulo normally was. 

“Him being around makes it easier to spot those with nefarious tendencies or bad intentions. They don’t like being near him, and it will often show in some sort of discomfort. I don’t know how far the reach is, but that’s one of the reasons he walks around the school so often.” Her audience nodded along, though she assumed Dulo was just following suit. “Anyways it’s no matter. If he’s not going to help, we’re just going to have to try and stop it ourselves.”

“But Wednesday, have you ever been able to change something you saw in a vision?”

Wednesday tried not to hesitate but wasn’t sure what to say, when the answer, everyone knew, was no. 

She stood up and looked at Eugene and Fen. “Stay vigilant.” 

Enid followed her out of the shed. 

.

Wednesday was silent for the walk back into the school, and Enid didn’t disturb it. Instead, as they approached the first building, she reached out and took her fake girlfriend’s hand in hers. Wednesday only looked back at her as she continued their walk, but didn’t refuse the gesture. Once they arrived at Enid’s class, they simply exchanged a soft squeeze between the held hands before letting them slip apart, and nothing else was said as Enid watched the dark girl walk briskly away down the hall. 

Classes passed in a haze as Enid focused on the possibilities for their second post. She spent as much time scrolling through Instagram posts for research as she could get away with, especially the posts from all of her top competitors. She went to each of them individually to research what kind of quality they generally put out, creativity, and likelihood of their next photo being a contender. She even caught one couple’s newest picture for the contest–the first of the day. It was the normie couple. The quality of the photo looked just about professional other than the fact that it was clearly a selfie. It was visually stunning, taken out in an incredible picturesque nature setting once again. This time, they were hiking up a steep trail, bright white headphones in their ears matching the patches of snow glowing alongside their rocky path. On one side was the edge of a forest, freckled with green leaves that looked neon against the dark backdrop of the woods. On the other side was a cliff overlooking a shockingly blue waterfall. To top things off, they had taken the photo right as not one, but two bald eagles flew right in front of the fall. 

Already over three-hundred likes.

She grumbled and clicked on the contest hashtag once more to see three others appear. Two were also going for the audio-book approach, headphones front and center in the focus of the photo, but offered nothing outstanding. The other was an outcast couple she hadn’t seen before, lying on the ceiling side by side, each with one of Stephanie Rey’s novels in paperback. 

She wondered what her other friends in the contest would decide on. It was a harder prompt and would take some serious creativity to stand out. At least those who came out with an early lead last week had the benefit of a small fan. Wednesday and Enid’s first photo had actually gotten a huge hit of likes just today after the second prompt was shared, as it seemed the contest itself was gaining more traction–not that it mattered now. It was still anyone’s game.

Eventually Enid was sternly instructed to put her phone away, and she spent the rest of the time before lunch splitting her attention between the actual lesson and brainstorming for the post. Just before class ended, inspiration hit her, and she had it.

.

Wednesday still felt a level of unsettledness that irked her. It was frustrating since she admittedly enjoyed the feeling, generally, but what was not appreciated this time was the mystery of its origin and her lack of control over it. It was also too consuming, and negatively affecting her productivity. 

She berated herself for letting her mind wander yet again as she stared at a single sentence on the very neglected and ink-starved page waiting in her typewriter. The sun was setting far too slowly, and all her brain cared to keep coming back to was not chapter four of her third novel– the most slow-going one she had written so far– but the dark woods where she would be meeting Enid soon. 

Earlier during lunch, Enid had found Wednesday before she had even gotten ten steps from her classroom. Wednesday assumed she’d want to try and take the picture for the contest during the break, but Enid excitedly told her they would be doing it later. She told her exactly where to meet her, that she would bring everything they would need, and instructed her to dress comfy. Knowing Enid was just as competitive as she, and understood the advantage of posting as soon as possible, she questioned why she would want to wait. 

“ Because we’ll need the moon.” 

Wednesday replayed the words in her head and saw the silver glow in Enid’s eyes as they widened, and one eyebrow lifted playfully as the words left her lips. Her smile was bright then, before she turned and buoyantly disappeared in the crowd. 

Mercifully, the clock on her desk finally made a faint but heavy clink as the new hour fell into place. Wednesday didn’t hesitate to push hastily out of her chair and head for the door, straight to her wolf.

Chapter Text

Enid paced back and forth between the trees and the water’s edge as the sky darkened, stopping every ten steps to double-check that everything was set up perfectly. Thing lit the last candle and gave the werewolf a thumbs up. 

“Thanks, Thing. I hope the candles aren’t too much,” she said as she stopped to survey all the flickering that surrounded her. 

Thing signed.

“No, good call, it would be way too dark for the picture without them and the flash would totally ruin the vibe.” She put her hands on her hips and pulled her lips to the side in thought. “So you don’t think I’m missing anything?”

Thing signed.

“You’re right, it’s Wednesday, she won’t care.” Enid’s hands became more animated then as she spoke. “It’s dark, cold, kinda creepy, she’ll have her favorite books, and her monster bestie! Who are we kidding? She is going to - love- this!” Enid took a deep breath, and then slowly crinkled her brow again. She looked back at Thing and asked, “then why am I so nervous?”

Before the hand could answer, Enid saw her roommate step out of the shadows and into the candlelight. “Wednesday!” She immediately bounced on the spot and sprung over to her friend. “Whatdoyou think?!”

“What is this?” Wednesday asked with no expression.

“Wellll, it’s how we read! Or, as far as anyone on Insta is concerned, it is.” Enid winked. Wednesday took a couple of steps towards the blankets on the ground, and Enid stayed in step with her as she explained. “Obviously we’re not doing audio books, and setting-wise we can’t be in the same room again–duh. And so far nobody has posted a pic reading to each other, even though it’s a couples contest, I mean come on. Then, I figure why wait to bring out the big guns? I knew you wouldn’t mind letting the wolf out to play a little early.” Enid added the last bit flirtatiously as she held her hands behind her back. “Oh and this isn't for the picture, but I brought snacks! ” She gestured to a small pink canvas bag hiding in the shadow of the large tree they stood next to. 

“Enid, won’t people question how we were able to take this picture, if you’re wolfed-out before the full moon?”

“Highly likely, yes! But if we tell them we already had this picture from before, even better for our appearance as a couple, right? No one knows we’re here tonight,” she said melodically. “Who says it’s not a pic I made Thing take last month, when you snuck me out of the lupine cages for a creative date night?” 

Thing waved affirmingly.

“Sneaking you out is something I would do, but if I were to plan a date with you while you were a wolf, there is no world in which I would neglect the use of your teeth, size, and strength in an activity.”

“Okay I’m not going to go into how that would sound if you said it around literally anyone else right now, but luckily I know what you mean and yes, facts, but we could have easily gone all ‘Bad Moon’ pre-reading sesh. I wouldn’t have approved photo evidence of that anyways,” she said with mild disgust. Wednesday seemed to contemplate this as she scanned the setting again. 

“Your logic seems sound enough to at least satisfy the simple minds of our ‘peers.’”

Enid smiled proudly, but once she saw Wednesday’s expectant look, as if to say, ‘well what now?’ her mind immediately reacted in panic by listing all the ways in which she should have second-guessed herself before putting this plan into action. But she shook her head quickly and stuttered out, “uh, oh–okay, should I um,” she pointed behind herself into the now completely dark woods. Wednesday nodded. “Ya! Okay, I’ll go change and then, wolf out!”

“You can do that here… the wolfing out part, I mean,” Wednesday said, then added sedately, “...if you feel comfortable.”

Enid stared at her shyly for a moment before nodding and offering an ‘mhm’ as she turned around and walked further into the trees where she couldn’t be seen. She knew Wednesday liked watching her wolf out, and had the same cloak with her that she had been gifted, essentially for that very purpose. She wasn’t sure then why she felt more self-conscious this time. 

Her hands shook slightly as she changed, and once wrapped up in nothing but the flowing black fabric, she steadied herself and walked back into the open space. Her eyes connected with her friend’s for a second, but then she turned to take a few steps closer to the water’s edge, where the moonlight should have made it past the treeline. Instead, there was almost nothing but thick, silent darkness laid over the lake. It was overcast that day and the clouds didn’t relent into the night. Enid had expected the weather, and closed her eyes as she thought back to similar times with her Blood Moon mentor. Despite the fact that Enid could feel the emptiness that the night held when her source of power was hidden, he told her to trust that the lunar rays were there, even if she couldn’t see them. He reassured there would always be enough of the moonlight’s energy to seep through the moist barrier of clouds for a Blood Moon wolf to pick up. And she did. 

Enid felt a dull, hot ache spread from her forehead across her face, and then pain shot down her spine and caused her to jolt as if shoved. She felt a cold sweat on her neck and nausea rolled through her gut. This was not quite how her transformation usually started, but she remembered it now– he called it ‘fog pains.’ After the initial few moments, though, it was werewolf-ing as usual. She hunched over as her bones began to pop and crack, fingers and facial features lengthened, hair sprung from everywhere and muscles tore and reconnected. Her focus blurred as her ragged breaths started to rumble, and as her body grew and changed, the itching and aching turned quickly to a feeling of immense relief. And with a sudden contraction and then release of her rib cage, the cloak slipped off, she inhaled deeply, and she let out a singing howl. 

The wolf looked over her shoulder at the slightly altered scene in front of her. Everything was how she had left it, but there were fewer colors, and the shadows weren’t as dark. The smells, on the other hand, had intensified, and she zeroed in on the exceptionally small-looking human staring back at her reverently. She smelled like home. Not her childhood home in San Francisco, and not her dorm room at school. Everytime Enid wolfed out, Wednesday’s scent was the most entrancing sensation she had ever known, and it was reminiscent of being warm, inside, and safe. 

She trotted over with as much of a smile as could be expressed in this form, and stopped in front of the girl. Enid loved the look of awe always left on Wednesday’s face after she shifted. She didn’t ever try to hide it, at least not when Enid was like this. Something about the exposed beast, she figured, let Wednesday be more exposed herself.

It took a moment before Wednesday apparently remembered she had to be the one to talk. She cleared her throat and spoke. “So, I’m supposed to read to you now?”

Enid nodded and her large tail swung from side to side. She walked over to the blanket and sat on the far edge as Wednesday followed and sat down against the tree, and Enid watched her run her finger slowly down the stack of books she’d brought. 

“Do you have a preference?” Wednesday asked as she turned to look up at the wolf. Enid tried to express her indifference by padding gently forward and lying right next to the girl, chin on the ground and puppy-dog eyes working to convey nothing but attentiveness.

“Decisive as ever, I see.” Enid growled, and Wednesday almost smiled. “Fine. How about Molly’s Game, have you read that yet?”

Enid’s tail hit the ground happily this time and she shook her head ‘no.’ 

“Good, it’s one of my favorites. A young savant writer develops a surreptitious relationship with her English teacher, who denies his manipulation and complicity when confronted. Eventually she orchestrates a nonviolent act of revenge, but shortly after, he’s mysteriously and brutally murdered.” Wednesday shifted and stretched her legs out in front of her as she opened the book and went on. “The imagery and symbolism is very intentional and subtle, in a way that makes it hard to tell reality from Molly’s fantasies being played out in her mind.” Wednesday turns a few pages. “But my favorite thing about this novel is how not a single character is innocent or benign. There’s essentially no protagonist.” Enid huffed, thinking what a perfect book it was for Wednesday. 

As a mellifluous voice began the story, Enid was surprised that such a normally-monotone girl could intonate so wonderfully. It was captivating. She breathed in deeply and could practically taste all of the flavors of her Korean barbeque-themed candle collection surrounding them, mixed with the damp soil, Thing’s new lotion, and the snacks sitting a few feet away. She could hear the water lapping timidly behind them, leaves ticking against each other above, and the hand moving nearby. But more than anything else, Wednesday overwhelmed her senses. 

The wolf felt emboldened by the comfortable proximity they shared, and lifted her large head over to rest on her friend’s lap. Wednesday gave her a skeptical look then turned to Thing, who had started to take pictures from different angles. Enid was sure a death threat was coming, warning Thing against ever sharing evidence of such a tender display. But instead, Enid watched her bring her focus back to the book in her hands and continued reading, something about ‘longing.’ 

“... books make longing seem romantic, but it’s awful. It’s greedy ...” Enid closed her eyes as she listened, letting the voice carry her. 

After a few pages, she felt an unexpected caress; a small hand glided from her brow over her left ear, with black nails combing through thick fur. She tilted her head into the touch, the smallest degree she could, as it repeated. She soaked in the attention long enough to lose track of time as the candles sank, but would occasionally lift her eyelids to catch Wednesday’s abnormally warm gaze leave the page to meet her own. Sometime around the third chapter, the  voice stopped and she felt just the tip of a finger trace from forehead to ear, then cheek to jowl, then again an inch lower, along lines left years ago–faint but ever-present in the mirror whether Enid wanted the reminder or not. She had learned to live with them long ago, but still some days they incited salient feelings she couldn’t ignore. Some days it was pride, and some days shame. Some days fear. 

When Wednesday touched them, elation.

.

Eighty-six.

That was the disgracefully miniscule number she had awoken to the next morning on their post. 

How could this be possible? This picture is amazing! She wasn’t sure how she could have been so wrong in her choosing. She wondered if it was the edit, or the filter, or maybe that many people disliked werewolves– maybe a hate group was sabotaging them now that they knew she was one. That had to be it.

Wednesday. She felt sick at the thought of how disappointed she would be in her. She didn’t even ask for her approval this time when she chose which shot to use. She looked at the other posts and their likes; all in the five and six-figure range. She was so confused. She dragged herself out of bed and eventually made her way to class, three minutes late, but couldn’t bring herself to care. By the time she felt Wednesday sit down next to her at lunch, she also felt the first tear escape its hold.

Wednesday noticed immediately. “Enid what’s wrong, what happened?” Enid started to cry and turned into her fake girlfriend, shoving her face against her shoulder and grabbing onto her arm. 

I ruined everything?! Our entire made-up relationship is totally pointless now?! You’re never going to want to speak to me again?! We’re going to be the laughing stock of the entire school and my life is officially OVER?! She felt Wednesday shift back slightly but didn’t pull away. 

“Enid just give me names–”

“ No , John Wick, nobody hurt your puppy. It’s your post. It isn’t doing so hot,” she heard Yoko say. 

She felt Wednesday’s breath on her head and knew she was looking at her. “Enid. Is this just about the picture?”

Enid whined and nodded her head without releasing her hold.

“Enid.”

“Wednesday I’m sorry!” She finally pulled back and looked at her unfazed friend. “I don’t get it, it should have totally made the top three again, but instead it’s the least popular post that’s ever. Existed!”

“Enid, you only posted it last night.”

“No Wednesday you don’t understand.” Enid sniffed and shook her head. “This is monumentally bad. We’re not just in last place, we’re sunk to the depths of the Mariana trench. It’s like we’ve been canceled!” 

“Bro. You weren’t canceled, maybe something’s just up with the algorithm.” Yoko’s attempt at reassuring her was appreciated but otherwise useless. 

Her eyes and hands both dropped into her lap. “I screwed it up. This whole thing was a stupid idea to begin with. I shouldn’t have dragged you into this Wedns.”

“Babe don’t beat yourself up, it’s just a contest, and Wednesday’s your girlfriend, it’s not like she’s out anything,” Divina said to the werewolf.

Enid kept her chin down but her eyes shot up to meet Wednesday’s. They both knew the reality, and what she was really apologizing for. Despite that, Wednesday nodded, as if to agree with what Divina had said. Enid’s eyes prickled at the notion and she looked down again. She shook her head and said, “I’m sorry, I can’t.” She swiveled, rose, and ran for the solace of her dorm. 

.

Wednesday didn’t know what to do as she watched the two small droplets fall into Enid’s hands as she sat helplessly beside her. She watched her leave and stood and called out to her, but didn’t follow. Instead she looked back at the other two girls, expecting them to have an answer.

“She’ll be okay. Just give her some time. Maybe talk to her later and throw in a little of that weird Addams charm you keep locked away from the rest of the world.” Wednesday rolled her eyes and made the decision to excuse herself. She was about to walk away when she heard, “It is weird though. It’s a really good picture. I’m kinda confused too.” 

Wednesday frowned and looked at Divina. “Let me see it.”

Divina picked up her phone, pulled up the post, and handed it over to Wednesday. It was an exceptional picture, for being taken on a cell phone. The lighting was what any photographer would kill for, and whatever adjustments Enid had made to the shadows and color afterwards seemed to have been the perfect choices. It was almost like you could see the candles flickering around them. The blanket partially bunched up next to them added texture. And in the background you could see the faintest view of the water; the clouds had parted just enough at times throughout the night to allow a glimmer to reflect on the ripples that danced in the distance.

And then there were the subjects. Wednesday sat poised with her back against the wide trunk, clearly mid-speech, holding a book in one hand, petting a massive wolf with the other. Even from the distance the photo was taken at, Enid’s silver-cerulean eyes were prominent, clearly captivated by the orator above her. It all came together to form an immaculately captured moment. Enid and Divina were right.

Something didn’t add up. Someone must trying to ruin their chances. She set the phone back down in front of the siren and left without another word.

.

Wednesday’s day only continued to get worse.

First, she couldn’t find Enid at lunch.

Then, she tried to find her phone, but Thing must have taken it. She could not find Thing before classes started again. 

Halfway through her last class she was called into the principal’s office. Mr. Neyef wanted to address the vision again, and brought Mr. Buio into the meeting. While the other psychic was much more staunchly supportive than their last interaction, the entire thing felt like an abhorrent, circular waste of time. No new information had been gained and there was still nothing that could actively be done to prevent an event they didn’t fully understand. 

Upon exiting the office, Xavier found her in the hallway and tried to find out what went on in the meeting. As usual, the broody artist would not take no for an answer, and Wednesday simply stopped replying to him at all as he followed her across the school.

Then she was stopped by Fen who asked her if she and Enid had broken up, because she had seen her earlier crying and hugging Danny. Of course Xavier made a snide comment, and Wednesday had surpassed the last straw twenty minutes prior to that moment. She pulled back her fist, and sent it colliding with the center of Xavier’s face.

She went to her dorm next, but upon walking in, saw the now-infamous hoodie of her nightmares, once again hanging on the back of a desk chair. While it was in its rightful place, all Wednesday could do was question how it got there. She wondered if Enid had been with him again, and in her mind watched her sneaking into the boy’s dorm, sitting in that stupid desk chair, with Danny’s hairy, encroaching hands on her girlfriend.

Fake girlfriend.

But then she wondered if he had been here instead this time, to return the jacket, and pictured a new scene unfold in front of her: the unwashed ogre of a wolf making tawdry jokes as Enid laughed politely, both sitting on her bed… 

“Hey,” Enid said meekly as she walked out of the closet.

“Hey,” Wednesday replied from the doorway.

“H-how were classes?”

“The same sorry examples of our failed education system as they’ve always been.”

“Oh.” Wednesday still hadn’t moved. “Well…” Enid squeezed her own hands together, elbows pressed against her ribs. “Since I.. ya know… you probably wanna um, ‘break up,’ right? I mean, no point in playing the part anymore.” Wednesday just stared at her. “Wednesday, I know you think I–”

“What? - Actually wanted to take this contest seriously with me? Were committed?”

“Wednesday,” Enid said quietly as her voice cracked.

Before Wednesday had the chance to continue, a siren from down the first floor interrupted to tell Wednesday that Mr. Buio was outside waiting to escort her to Mr. Neyef’s office. Again. Wednesday saw the confusion on Enid’s face but didn’t say anything more as she stormed out of the room.

“How’s your hand, Miss Addams?” 

Wednesday approached the desk and stopped to regard the man sitting behind it, rubbing his forehead methodically. “The insistent ache is a comforting reminder of the lesson I just taught.” The principal didn’t look up, but sighed and rubbed more deeply. “It’s not broken. Icing and elevation should suffice as treatment.”

“Wednesday, you cannot go around punching other students.”

“I can’t? I believe I just did.” 

The man finally raised his gaze just enough to see her as he spoke this time. “You know there are consequences in order, Miss Addams.”

“Oh no. What ever will I do?” she asked with no emotion.

“Wednesday. You are an adult and would be tried and convicted like one if Mister Thorpe would have chosen to press charges.”

“And he didn’t? Surprising, it would’ve made us even.”

The principal looked as though he couldn’t take any more. “You will not be attending the senior field trip this weekend with your classmates. If you assault one more living being on this campus for anything but an unquestionable act of self-defense, I will encourage them to involve law-enforcement, do you understand?”

“You were speaking in complete sentences and with acceptable American English pronunciation; it was all fully comprehensible.”

“For the love of god Wednesday, please go see the nurse and stay out of my sight.” 

.

Enid fell to her knees crying as soon as the door shut behind her roommate. She wasn’t sure if Wednesday had ever sounded so disappointed in her. 

Thing tapped the ground in front of her, and when she took her face out of her hands, he signed. 

Enid laughed through her tears. “I know Wednesday can be a selfish jerk… but I really messed this up.” Enid started to cry again but tried to watch Thing reply.

Thing signed.

“Yes it is my fault. The post is doing horrible and– maybe it was something I said in my vlog last week? I don’t know it doesn’t matter,” she sniffled, “did you hear her? She’s so mad at me for messing this up. I can’t do anything right.”

Enid cried again, but Thing got her attention and signed.

She shook her head, sniffled and hiccupped. 

“I know she’s not my mother…”

Thing signed.

Enid took a deep breath and steadied herself. “Ya,” she agreed. “I should go talk to her.” Enid sat up fully and took more centering breaths, then stood and attempted to fix her makeup before she left to find her girlfriend.

Fake girlfriend.

.

Wednesday exited the infirmary in a hurry and promptly collided with a blonde werewolf. 

“ Oof– oh Wednesday.” Both girls recollected their balance and Wednesday took a step back.

“Enid. What are you doing here?”

“I came looking for you,” the blonde said with a bit more clarity in her voice than in their dorm. Wednesday could see she had tried to use makeup to cover it up, but there was no hiding how puffy the girl’s eyes were from crying, and it was fresh. Wednesday frowned. “I just, I really think we should talk.”

“If you’re in such a hurry to end it, let me help you– we’re done, you’re off the hook. Happy?”

“Well, no, I mean if that’s what you want, I just figured–wait what happened to your hand?” Enid noticed Wednesday holding a small ice pack over a lightly wrapped right hand.

“It was a casualty in a very important rectification.” 

Enid blinked several times. 

“An idiot’s face got in its way.”

“Wha- did you hit someone?!”

“Enid, you want it to be over, it’s over, I know you want a non-fictional relationship with Danny–”

“ What ?”

“--and you can have it. Just tell everyone that you couldn’t handle me anymore.”

“Wednesday that’s not true–”

“None of this is true, Enid!”

“Ya but we agreed to do this a certain way–”

“And that didn’t include getting involved with other people behind my back!”

“Wednesday I didn’t–”

“Don’t lie to me Enid!”

“I’m not lying!”

“Then why was your jacket in his room?!” 

Enid’s eyes were wide now and her mouth hung open. “What are you talking about? Why were you in his roo-”

“I saw it, I know you were there Enid, and Fen saw you hugging him today–”

“Wednesday that was jus–”

“I wouldn’t have cared anyways this is fake, but you went behind my back– ”

“I didn’t go behind your back! Why do you keep saying that?! Wednesday why don’t you trust me?!”

Wednesday finally paused, breathing heavily through her nose with her lips tight.

Enid spoke again, her voice low and shaking. “What have I ever done to make you not believe me when I tell you something?”

Again, the shorter girl said nothing. Enid shook her head.

“I don’t deserve this.” She walked away first. Wednesday left in the opposite direction only a beat after. 

Somehow Wednesday’s feet carried her directly to the Hummers shed. As she approached it, she tried to send out the most murderous energy she possibly could, hoping just her incoming presence would scare away anyone within a hundred-foot radius. Or send the bees into a violent frenzy, which would also make her feel better. 

But as she opened the door, she realized that today’s luck hadn’t yet run out. If she had to share space with anyone else on this broken blowtorch of an afternoon, she might have been able to stand Eugene. But instead, smiling right at her with cheeks pushed up around a singular, gigantic brown eye plastered on a skull completely void of functioning brain cells, was none other than Dulo Patricks. 

“Hey Wednesday!” 

Wednesday sighed, but resigned herself to staying, as she was tired of running. “Hello, Dulo.”

“Were you looking for Eugene?”

“No, I was hoping the shed would be empty, actually.”

“Oh, no Eugene keeps a lot of stuff in here, all the time. It’s never empty.”

Wednesday closed her eyes. “Yes, of course. What was I thinking.”

“That you hoped the shed might be empty. Or at least that’s what you said out loud.”

Wednesday laid her forehead on her hands on the table in front of her. 

“Hey are you and Enid still doin’ the contest? Everyone’s talkin’ about it.”

“No, not anymore.” Wednesday couldn’t bear to say out loud that they had broken up, despite it being fake anyways. 

“Oh okay, that’s why you didn’t post a picture today. That’s too bad, you guys were my favorite.”

Wednesday stood up and looked intently at the cyclops. “We did post a picture. Enid said it wasn’t very popular, but she did submit one.”

“Nah, I’m pretty sure I looked through every one. Just a few minutes ago. You guys weren’t there.”

Wednesday moved across the shed to his side and said, “show me.” Dulo obliged and took out his phone, and showed Wednesday the hashtag with all the photos included. “This doesn’t make sense, Yoko and Divina saw it– I saw it from Divina’s phone. Where is it?”

Dulo took his phone back and typed Enid’s name in the search bar. “Oh, I don’t follow her and her account is private, that’s why.”

Chapter Text

Wednesday stared at the door. She had run almost the entire way from the shed to her dorm, but now that she had made it, she was frozen. The realization of what had happened to their post had hit Wednesday like lightning, spurring her to get to Enid as fast as her body would permit. As she ran, though, more thoughts rolled in like thunder. 

Would she care? Was it too late? Would she listen?

Would she even be there?

The last question laid heavy on the brakes at the base of the stairs. The number of times Wednesday had come back to an Enid-less dorm over the years at Nevermore was not large, but it was more than she was proud of. Having had such an immediate distaste for the experience the first time, she had actually put in a decent amount of effort over the years towards avoiding it. But once again she found herself with the possibility pungent on her tongue. She frowned and pushed herself up the stairs and back into a faster stride, until she got to the door. 

Now here she was, about ten steps from her fake (ex?) girlfriend, separated only by an old slab of wood, and somehow embarrassingly immoble. How badly she wanted to avoid seeing that room void of the werewolf almost had her turning and sprinting to– anywhere else. Anywhere else that didn’t lead to a door separating her from a room where Enid should be, but was not. 

But she was Wednesday Addams, and she wouldn’t be scared away by ridiculous emotion-based fears. She took a deep breath in and resolutely pushed open the door. She peered around it, and without conscious control, let out a significant sigh of relief. Her shoulders fell an inch and she blinked once. 

Enid, holding a large stuffed unicorn tightly, rolled halfway over to see her walk in, and by some grace that Wednesday had certainly never earned, the look on her face was void of anger. The blonde didn’t speak, however, and once Wednesday realized she likely wasn’t going to first, she closed the door behind her and very gradually lessened the distance between them.

There had indeed been times in Wednesday’s life, before now, when she didn’t know exactly what to say. It didn’t happen often, but the instances existed. This was not only one of those times, but unique in that she felt profoundly lost for words. Or at least, where to start. 

“I thought you’d be gone,” came out, and seemed as good a place as any, as she paused in the middle of the room. 

Enid rolled the rest of the way over and sat up, still holding the soft shield. “I don’t wanna run away from us anymore. You hurt me Wednesday, but…” She sighed and slowly released the unicorn into the crook of one arm. “I wanna skip the part where I have to sleep in a strange bed and be without my bestie for way too long.” She took a piece of paper from behind her. “Thing also handed me this…” Wednesday’s eyes caught her handwriting on what was clearly the letter she had written Enid only two days before, though it seemed like weeks had passed since. “You called me ‘valorous’ for pretending to be in a relationship with you, and today was a good reminder of why,” she said as she let out a half-laugh. “So, figure I can’t start tucking my tail between my legs now.”

Wednesday did indeed admire the bold choice to stay. It only suited that she offer the same. “I… have something important to tell you,” she said and waited for Enid’s reaction. The blonde only raised her eyebrows in question, so Wednesday finally moved again towards the bed. “When I push people away, and it works, I’m normally relieved. Pleased. Proud.” Enid scooted once over, and Wednesday gingerly took the invitation and sat as she continued. “Once they’re out of my space, I don’t care how it made them feel. I don’t miss them, and I don’t want them to miss me.” She took a breath. “You’re different.” She was quiet and watched the blue eyes searching hers through light lashes.

“I kinda knew that Wedns… but I love that you’re telling me,” Enid whispered sweetly. 

“I also trust you, Enid. More than anyone, in fact. And you are right that I don’t have any reason not to, but that doesn’t mean my trust runs freely all of the time. It doesn’t come naturally to me…” Enid nodded. “...And that’s never been a problem, until you.”

“Wednesday, I wasn’t ever with Danny. He picked up my jacket from class last Friday, I must have left it on my chair, and he just finally returned it to me today. He caught me at lunch when I was already crying and he was asking if I was okay– he didn’t try anything,” Enid emphasized. “He was just being supportive, swear.” Wednesday didn’t like the idea of his hands on her for a ‘supportive’ hug any more than she liked seeing it in her momentary nightmare-fantasies from earlier that day. But she tried not to let it show on her face, and instead focus on the part where those scenarios had in fact, thankfully, not been realities.

Enid laughed. “You really hate him, huh?” It had showed on her face. “Why don’t you like him anyways, he’s never done an–”

“Since when do I need a reason to not like someone?” Enid made a ‘fair point’ face. “Speaking of people I can’t stand, there’s something else I really need to tell you… Which–beyond my comprehension– Dulo helped bring to light.”

“Wednesday be nice.”

“Enid he is as dumb as a concussed koala. But aside from this, he noticed something about your Instagram…” Enid frowned. “He said he didn’t see our submission today, and discovered it’s because he does not ‘follow’ you, and your account is–”

“OHMYGOD my account is set to private !” Enid threw her hands to her face and let out a high-pitched noise that made Wednesday wince. “Wednesday I am SUCH an idiot! Oh my god I can’t believe I didn’t think about this when I switched it for my mom! Ugh how is she somehow the source of all things awful in my life?!”

“Is it fixable?”

“My mom? Well I’ve been trying for years but nothing’s worked yet, but if you mean my insta, yes, obviously I can just take it off private, but then she could potentially see it again through someone she knows. Ugh, I’ll just make a new one and won’t use my name. My mom would never know where to look and I’ll block my brothers again…”

“That seems simple enough.”

“Ya but then I’m losing all the followers I already have who would see it right away, it’ll basically only be seen through hashtags now, so we kinda take a hit that way. And we’re a day later than everyone else at this point!”

“Do it.” Enid froze and looked at Wednesday. “Do it, Enid. We’re not done with this contest yet.”

Enid’s confusion broke into a smile. “You still want to do this with me even after I did something that dumb and might have ruined our shot?”

“Yes.” Wednesday replied almost before Enid had finished speaking. 

“Okay,” she agreed with a soft smile. “But… maybe I should let you know, I think there’s kind of actually a reason this happened,” she added shyly. Wednesday only quirked an eyebrow, and Enid sighed. “Okay so, it’s not out of the ordinary for younger wolves to get kinda fur-brained leading up to a full moon. It can happen at any age if you’re like, stressed or not healthy or some shit. We can just get either really forgetful, or totally air-headed… Apparently, it’s extreme for Blood Moon wolves. I–”

“This actually explains a lot.”

“Ya–wait what do you mean?”

“Nothing, go on.”

Enid side-eyed her roommate but continued. “I guess the fact that we can wolf out with basically any moonlight at all makes us more sensitive to everything … My mentor said until you get really in touch with your wolf side, and in control of wolfing out, it can be kinda unpredictable.” Enid’s eyes started to fill with tears rapidly.“My mom brings it up all the time, and every time I do something she doesn’t like she blames it on this , like she’s trying to gaslight me into believing I’m not even in my right mind… and basically saying I’m a helpless idiot because of my freaking biology.” One tear ran down a red cheek. “I’m just so tired of feeling stupid, and like everything I do is wrong.”

“You’re not stupid, Enid. True idiocy sickens me and I find it intolerable, but this sounds like it’s only an adjustment period, and honestly a small price to pay considering you’re a rare and extraordinary apex predator.” Enid sniffed and Wednesday stared at the window for a moment before adding, “I can help.”

“Wha– help?”

“Yes. I’m already used to having to manage you. Now that I know about this condition, I can keep an eye out for signs and be of assistance. Reminders, studying.”

“You’re willing to do that? For me?” Enid looked smitten.

“It safeguards our success in this contest… and lessens the probability of you wolfing out in our room again.”

Enid smirked, and added, “ya but, mostly you’re doing it because we’re friends, right?”

What wanted to come out of Wednesday’s mouth was, ‘ I want your mother to eat her words and feel so incompetent as a parent that she digs her own grave and chokes on the dirt in the process.’

But that wouldn’t help Enid in the moment, and she knew better now that helping her should come first. The spite and vengeance later. 

“If you’ll forgive me, yes,” is what came out instead.

Enid smiled and sniffed and wiped her sleeve across her face. “Of course I do.” Then she picked up the letter again and said, “you know you signed this ‘yours,’ so are you still mine?”

“Always,” Wednesday somehow answered without hesitating. Enid in turn didn’t hesitate in throwing her arms around the small girl, gripping her tightly with no trepidation as the unicorn fell to the floor. Wednesday reciprocated the hug easily, and scooted forward into the embrace. After a few seconds though, it started to feel like too much…too soft, and too comfortable. Wednesday breathed in and pulled away, fighting herself to not move too fast and upset Enid again in the process, and tried to find something relevant to say to fill the silence.

“I did already warn Danny once to stay away from you.”

“You did?! When?”

“It’s not relevant. But whether he was just being ‘ supportive’ earlier or not, he deliberately crossed a very clear line.”

“Mmm, debatable, but–”

“It isn’t. However… If you are interested in pursuing something with him when we finish this contest,” Wednesday said as she looked off to the side, avoiding eye contact. “I can rescind my threats.”.

Enid looked her up and down before responding. “Actually, it’s kinda hot that you did that.” Wednesday couldn’t hide the stunned expression that actually exposed itself on her face. Enid, on the other hand, glanced down at Wednesday’s bruising right hand with a playful look. “Ya, I mean, if anybody wants me, they have to get through Wednesday Addams first, right?”

Wednesday sat up straighter. “Yes. They do.” Enid giggled. 

.

Thursday was a modified schedule, with only two classes to endure before students were free for the long weekend. Many of the lowerclassmen took advantage and went home for the break, leaving the school less crowded as soon as lunchtime came. But in the interim between classes the quad was packed, and brimming with an anticipatory energy that Enid loved.

“I knew it. I knew this pic was a winner!” Divina said proudly as she stared at the post, now in the lead with ‘likes’ already in the four-hundred thousands. “This is blowing everyone so out of the water, even after how much later you guys posted. This is insanity. ”

Enid’s smile spoke as loudly as the rest of the voices outside that morning. 

“I can’t believe you made a whole new insta for this, and I am never going to get over the new username. ‘ Wenclair’ ? Enid. Be for real.” Yoko looked at her friend over her glasses.

“Babe, stop, I like it!” Divina said.

“You like it?! It’s so cringe.”

“It is not cringe!” Enid whined.

“I’m on team Wenclair, I think it’s a cool ship name,” Ajax said with a supportive smile.

“You would, you’re still a simp for Enid,” Xavier chimed in, standing stiffly with a swollen, bandaged nose. It was now mostly a deep purple, with various other shades blotching his eyes and cheeks. 

“Bro at least we dated. You’re still a simp for a girl who’s had you arrested and tried to knock you out.”

A mocking ‘ooooohhh’ mixed with laughter went around the circle of friends, and a couple of bystanders who had listened in. Xavier rolled his eyes and walked off. Enid was not pleased that his always-unrequited feelings for Wednesday continued to come up. She glared at Ajax.

“I know, I know… but try to give the dude a break, he’s been having a lot of headaches lately. They’re totally random so he can’t figure out why, but we think they have to do with his visions.”

“I’m pretty sure Xavier’s always been tactless and tantrum-prone, regardless of headaches. What did I miss?” Wednesday asked as she joined the group. 

“Oh we were just talking about how our post is destroying the competition!” Enid squeaked equally to her girlfriend and anyone else within earshot. Just then Eugene and Fen walked up. 

“Ya ya, we know. You don’t have to go all main-character on us.”

“Oh, hey Fen,” Enid sang. “Is someone bitter that the bees lost their buzz this week?” Enid didn’t fail to catch the impressed and pleased look on her fake girlfriend’s face as she observed the interaction. 

Fen huffed. “Please. Enjoy it while it lasts. It’s still only Thursday. I’m sure we’ll be getting this week’s prize just like we got last week’s!” Fen lifted her arm to show off the thin rose-gold bracelet, three charms dangling off the ring. “Eugene got a clip for his glasses! It’s like they knew what we’d love! They must have done some good insta-stalking.” Eugene was wearing his own small charm clipped to the left side of his glasses. It was a knife stabbed through a single rose petal, with a vine of thorns spiraling loosely around it. It matched one of Fen’s; it was the symbol on all the books of Stephanie Rey’s most recent– and most successful– trilogy. Fen had one to symbolize each book, which were essentially the same but with different colored handles that matched the respective covers. “It even has a spring that lets it expand so I can leave it on while I wolf out!” She squeaked. Enid was visibly jealous and she knew it. There were only a few good jewelry companies that had started making pieces that could be worn through a wolf out, and actually survive as promised. And they were all very expensive. 

She was about to feign a supportive congratulations, but as everyone was admiring the adornment, a hand snaked between her arm and abdomen and slid carefully around her waist to rest just above her right hip. She turned to see Wednesday’s face suddenly closer, still watching the others. Somehow jealousy had left the building in a hurry, and giddiness had taken its place. She settled some of her weight towards her petite friend, catching Yoko’s eyes who gave her a surprised and questioning look. Enid only smiled again. 

“Hey Enid,” Eugene started as he looked up at her from his phone. “When did you…” his question trailed off as his eyes widened looking between the two girls. Enid held her breath, assuming he was going to ask about the timing of the picture, and had her story ready. 

“Eugene.” Wednesday looked unamused as he stared awkwardly.

“Huh?”

“Were you planning on finishing that sentence or did you expect Enid’s werewolf powers to include mind-reading?”

“Uh…”

“So! Fen what time are you heading to the lupin cages? Wanna walk over together?” Enid felt a squeeze against her side and then a rub, slowly back and forth twice. Yoko and Divina both caught the motion and their faces made clear the pure shock and confusion they felt.

Fen’s face had also scrunched up as she stared at the foreign display in front of them, and stuttered a bit herself as she replied. “Oh uh, ya, yes! Ya let’s meet in front of your dorm, I think they want everyone checked in by five, so, ten ‘til?”

“Ya!” Enid replied enthusiastically as her roommate started to shift. Wednesday removed herself from around Enid’s waist to lift her hand and tuck her hair behind her ear again. This time wasn’t quite as shocking, and Enid relished the soft touch.

“What time will you be released? I’ll be waiting at the gates for you,” Wednesday said as her hand dropped down to tangle fingers into Enid’s. 

Enid had to collect herself a bit to answer, but managed. “I’m not sure when they’ll let everyone out, it’s one of those complicated nights where it’s gonna be all overcast and foggy so not everyone will wolf-out at the same time… it’s gonna be such a vibe-killer for the parties this weekend.”

“Ugh, real. I don’t know why they don’t just let us wolf out outside. It’s not like werewolves have been the cause of any of Nevermore’s many catastrophes,” Fen added. 

“Probably because they keep the dogs in their crates.”

“ Wednesday!” Enid slapped the girl’s arm, who was clearly holding back a smile. She then tightened her grip on Enid’s hand and pulled, forcing Enid closer to her. Enid’s face warmed and she smiled shyly. She saw dark eyes slide over, and followed the gaze to see Danny, who looked away quickly. He was just visible through the crowd of students, on the other side of the fountain. 

Wednesday was moving.

“Wednesday?”

“Where’s she going?” Ajax asked as they all watched her move smoothly between bodies on an otherwise direct path. Enid jumped to follow, knowing what was about to happen.

“Please tell me you have a medically-diagnosed defect in understanding warnings. For your own safety,” she heard Wednesday say as she caught up. 

The taller werewolf rolled his eyes and sighed as he turned from his friends to face her. Enid heard two of them–a husky boy and lanky girl standing on the other side of a table– growl softly and felt the hairs on her neck raise. She stood behind Wednesday and sneered at them but tried to refrain from returning anything vocally aggressive. 

“What, ‘cause I gave Enid her sweater back? Give me a break.”

“Do not touch my girlfriend again, or I will declaw you with a rusty scalpel. Is that clear enough for you?”

“Wednesday?” Enid sang as she grabbed the small girl’s arm, but those dark eyes never left Danny. She whispered through gritted teeth, “ is this really your smartest move? ”

“Actually, I recall your ‘warning’ was more along the lines of, ‘if you think she’s interested, be my guest.’” Enid’s head whipped between the two, while another entertained ‘ooh’ echoed around them.

Wednesday looked unaffected as she said, “you forgot w–”

“What? The part where you said, ‘if I’m not afraid of what you’ll do?’ Ya, I remember.” He stepped closer. “I’m not.”

Wednesday went to meet him but was held tightly by Enid. She looked up at him without lifting her chin. “That’ll be your first mistake.”

.

Yoko: Girlfriend-Wednesday at break today was SENDING me

Yoko: she went FERAL.

Enid: uuhhhhh not me having to keep my gf on a short leash but secretly drooling over how territorial she is… 

There were several emojis that followed: one drooling, one heart-eyes, a dog on a leash, and a wolf.

Yoko: gross. 

Yoko: why DID she get heated all of a sudden?

Enid: ya here’s basically how our conversion went yesterday: 

W: hi i might have said something to Danny last wk about staying away from you

Me: oh rly?

W: ya sry i can stop if you want

Me: actually i think thats kinda hot.

W: say less.

Yoko: LOL NO STOP

Enid: I’m being so fr.

Yoko: ur girl understood the assignment lol

Enid: she’s always been a good student

Yoko: you gonna give her extra credit for today?

Enid: omg yoko.

Yoko: how’s that goin btw? You guys even make out yet?

Enid: no… 

Enid: maybe W is ace?

Yoko: look i wouldn’t judge if she was but no. first of all you said you guys have kissed. second, if you could see the way she looks at you… she wants it. trust. 

Enid felt warmer. Obviously Yoko was misinformed, and Wednesday wasn’t actually into her. She was just a good actor. The thought of her being asexual shouldn’t bother her, so she wasn’t really sure why it was. It’s not like she was planning on doing anything with Wednesday. But she didn’t stop her mind from venturing, and found herself wondering what it would be like to kiss her best friend. Enid’s pulse started to race and she felt warmer still. 

Enid: ok anyways

Enid: u gonna help set up tonight after class? i’m gonna bring over the tables. 

Yoko: obv. 

Yoko: bringing the Som!

Yoko sent the last message with winking and devil emojis, and Enid sent a few back with glasses clinking. She looked up from her phone to see the clock inching its way to the hour and end of class. The teacher had essentially given up teaching with how many agitated wolves she had in attendence, and had simply turned the lights off to lower the energy, and let everyone get a head start on weekend homework. Very few teachers had assigned any, so the class was getting louder as the minutes ticked by. 

A small cheer went up as they finally reached the end of their academic day, and Enid jumped up to leave with the herd. 

.

Wednesday exhaled as the vibrato from her wrist slowed to a stop, and the last notes faded from her black cello. She stared at the window. It had been dark for hours, and she had only left enough lights on in the room to allow her to see the sheet music. She checked the clock behind her and learned she had twelve more minutes. She knew they wouldn’t let any of the werewolves out before nine, but she didn’t want to risk missing Enid’s exit, so she opted for arriving at that time, and would wait. Enid had said that based on the moon’s rise and position that night, they may still have wolves until after midnight, but they usually start letting them go in shifts once enough have changed back. So she used up a little over a minute putting everything away before she sat staring out into the darkness once more.

Wednesday had checked the contents of Enid’s bag before she left in all of her chaotic haste, and made sure to both add the few things she’d left out– water, hair brush, socks– and note the outfit she packed. Enid had forgotten about the matching outfit idea she had so excitedly brought up the week before, but Wednesday hadn’t. She dressed to complement her fake girlfriend; Enid had picked out a large lavender turtleneck, light pink leggings with white flowers, and cream tall boots, so Wednesday put on a charcoal turtleneck(a bit more fitted than Enid’s, but not dissimilar otherwise), black leggings, and black tall boots with thick soles. Her hair was the same, but she had added some extra eyeliner, mascara, and eye shadow, just to play the part a bit more. 

The room was silent as she once again waited for the painfully slow clock to give her permission to leave. And finally, she once again jumped into motion as soon as it did. 

She could hear the music from the party that had started just down the path from the lupin cages, and she was sure it was already starting to make her ears bleed. She brought earplugs with her, but reluctantly forced herself to hold off until she was there, as she didn’t want to dampen her senses so early in the evening if she could help it. 

The cages sat in a clearing surrounded by tall steel fencing, ‘high voltage’ signs placed intermittently along the main posts. The clearing was large enough that it would normally let in plenty of direct moonlight, but the clouds that night kept the visibility low. Wednesday stopped at the treeline leading up to the front of the perimeter, and saw a teacher and security guard talking at the front under a single light, and could only hear the wolves; some grumbling quietly, an occasional howl, and then a handful of voices coming from those in their human form. Wednesday knew the cage Enid liked to stay in and slipped through the woods in that direction. When she made it there, she could see the dark form of a large, furry beast lying down, breathing slowly. Wednesday approached as cautiously as she could as she stepped out of the trees, so as not to attract any attention. Just as she had almost reached the fence where she was able to see Enid’s form more clearly in the darkness, the mass catapulted itself towards her with a hostile growl and slammed into the bars of the cage behind the outer fence. Wednesday inhaled sharply as it happened and took an instinctual step back, but it hit her just as quickly that the wolf was staring at her with a look that was only menacing in the most playful way. If she had the capability in this form, Enid would have been laughing at her and she knew it. 

“Very funny you overgrown forest poodle.” Enid’s tail was thunking against the solid wall next to her. “You smelled me coming, didn’t you?” Enid bowed playfully but then sat back and howled, long and enthusiastically. Wednesday wasn’t truly mad to begin with, but now even the resentment of being tricked was gone as she listened to the pure, powerful tone in the beast’s call. 

.

When Enid had learned that Blood Moon wolves were especially sensitive to moonlight, she had originally thought that she would end up wolfed out all the time. Thankfully, her mentor explained that this would not be the case. All werewolves eventually honed the skill of controlling their wolfing out, within limitations. They only had to wolf out at some point during a full moon, as if to get it out of their system, though they could only hold off for so long once the full moon had risen. On the other hand, the longer they spent in their wolf form, the better they would feel. Either way, they could eventually learn to control it enough so that they could shift almost on their own terms. Blood Moon wolves were no different in this sense. It still applied that the more time they spent as a wolf, the better and more in control they would feel in between, and since they had the sensitivity to wolf out almost any day of the month, it was beneficial for them to wolf out more often. But, because they were forced to practice this control more frequently, they also typically became much more skilled in their ability to shift in and out fluidly. 

Enid had stayed wolfed out the other night for the photos with Wednesday for a few hours, intentionally. And none of the other wolves knew, but that night in the cages she was simply waiting until Fen and a few of the other popular Furs were back in their human form, so she could leave to the party with them.

The time came, and Enid, Fen, one other junior, and two other seniors were brought to the front gates to be released. The security guard checked them all out at one minute after twelve. Enid looked up from the time on her phone to see her fake girlfriend standing in front of her, surprisingly close for not having heard a thing. She held out a bag for Enid.

“Hey Wedns! What’s this?!” Wednesday didn’t say anything so Enid opened up the bag. She squealed and bounced in place before she took out a large container of deer jerky and a family-sized bag of skittles, both of which she shared with the other starving werewolves. After filling her mouth with both, she looked over at Wednesday, who looked disgusted, and jumped into her, enveloping her in a very unsteady hug. “Thank youuuu!! You’re the best!”

“Okay you two, either get a room or save it for later, let’s get to the party,” one of the seniors yelled at the couple. The other girls laughed and whooped and started making their way towards the sound of booming speakers. Enid grabbed the bags and Wednesday’s hand and pulled them along.

It only took a few minutes before they saw the firelight through the trees and could hear all the voices more clearly. When they stepped over the small ridge to finally see the party in all its glory, Enid squeaked again. “This is going to be THE best weekend everr!” Wednesday only sighed, but the werewolf wasn’t fazed. “I know what you’re thinking, but we didn’t want to bother with decorations since the theme is kinda just ‘wolf moon,’” Enid said to her roommate.

“How did you know? Now I can sleep tonight,” she replied dryly as she put in her earplugs.

The Fangs and the yearbook club had teamed up to put everything in place. They had dug and leveled out space for a dance floor, set up a DJ booth, and the surrounding area had various bonfires, logs for sitting, and tables for beerpong, games, and food. 

They began their descent down the path, and the first to run up to them was Yoko, naturally. 

“ENID! You BITCH , where have you been?!” The vampire threw her arms around the blond as Enid laughed and returned the embrace. “Oh, here! Have the rest of mine, I’ll get a new one.” She handed her a plastic neon vial half full with a dark greenish liquid. 

“What is that?” Wednesday asked.

“Oh c’mon Wednesday, it’s Somni… Enid she knows what Somni is right?” Fen interjected. 

“It’s a toxin. Why are you drinking it?” Wednesday stared at the vial skeptically.

“Wednesday it’s ok, some of the Fangs get it from family in New York, they mix it with a few things that dilute the potency, it’s pretty much a replacement for alcohol, for Outcasts, since booze doesn’t really work on us.” Enid laced their fingers together.

“You’ve partaken in this before?”

“Well, ya, I’ve had it at parties before.”

“...What are the effects it has on an Outcast?”

Fen chimed in again, holding out her hand as she listed on her fingers, “lowered inhibitions, increased sense of smell, decreased hearing, and usually it boosts the pleasure-centers of your brain, so touch will feel better,” she winked at Enid then continued, “and pain tolerance will go up. Also if you have enough, coordination starts to go a bit, and once that happens, you might start losing memories too, but that depends on the person.”

“It’s fun juice for freaks, baby,” Yoko said as she returned and handed out vials. Wednesday refused the one offered to her, and Enid noticed the disapproval as she accepted hers. 

“Wednesday it’s fine, of all people I wouldn’t think you’d have such a problem with a little poison,” Enid said as she squeezed the other girl’s fingers in hers. “Don’t you add arsenic to your coffee sometimes?”

“Only at home. For flavor. Why was I never aware you’ve done this before?”

“I always stayed at Yoko’s those nights. Since your hearing gets worse I didn’t wanna be loud and not know it and wake you up.” 

“Alright mister and misses boring, this is a party! Stop being eighty years old and let’s gooo!” Fen yelled and skipped further into the crowd. 

Just then a new song started and the girls screamed, boys yelled, and almost all the Furs howled. “ YES ! I love this song!” Enid called out as she dragged Wednesday in the same direction. She and Yoko, in unison, sang, “she’s a alpha, but not around your boy!” and then broke out laughing. Before they got too far into the crowd, though, Wednesday put on the brakes. “Wednesday come dance with me! Pleeeasse!” Enid begged. 

“Dancing to this song right now would almost surely cause a brain aneurysm. As much as I’ve always wanted to experience a temporary coma, now would be inconvenient timing,” she answered as best she could over the music. 

Enid pouted at her but conceded and said it was okay, and after quickly consulting Yoko, pointed in the direction of another group offset nearby, where a poker game had started. Wednesday turned to leave but caught herself. She quickly picked the hand back up that she had just let go of, and kissed it intently. Enid bit her lip in a smile and watched her fake girlfriend walk away. 

Enid quickly lost track of time after that. She stayed out dancing while Yoko kept bringing everyone freshly filled vials, and after the eighth song she wasn’t sure how much time had gone by, or how much of the liquid she had consumed, so she opted to take a break and find Wednesday. 

Her ears were buzzing, but she could smell Wednesday almost as well as when she was wolfed out, and she was definitely still at the poker table. As she approached, she could also smell the wolves surrounding her, and something wasn’t right. She slipped through a few onlookers just in time to see the husky boy from earlier throw his chair off into the woods as he yelled at her roommate. “You’re a cheater and you shouldn’t even be here!”

“It’s offensive you think that I’d need to cheat to beat any of you,” Wednesday said without moving from her seat. The boy growled back at her at the same time the lanky girl chimed in.

“You and your little bitch girlfriend need to learn your place.” 

Hearing this, Wednesday rose forcefully and said, “refer to her that way again and I will remove your teeth and use them to poke holes in his organs.” The two werewolves began to move towards Wednesday but were interrupted. 

WHACK !

Everyone turned to see Enid across the table, who had slammed her hands down against it, shaking all of the cards and chips out of place. “I know you weren’t about to touch my girlfriend,” Enid growled out. 

“Maybe if you had dated a wolf instead of a freak you wouldn’t have to worry about her,” the boy said as he reached out to grab Wednesday. Enid saw red and flipped the table just as Wednesday had redirected his attack– she bent him forward and was about to knee him in the face, but the table slammed against his head instead and Wednesday just barely dodged getting hit herself. The girl, on the other hand, jumped over it and went for Enid. A crowd had formed and the yelling and howling had a new tone. Enid threw the girl off of her, sending her through two other students. She quickly sprung back up, however, and stalked back toward the blonde, claws out. From the corner of her eye, Enid saw Wednesday approaching the other girl, and then saw the girl’s head turn towards Wednesday. 

The last thing Enid remembered after that moment was lamenting her ruined outfit, as her body ripped through the clothing like tissue paper.

Chapter Text

Splinters flew through the air and Wednesday felt a few sharp taps across her body and looked down to find a finger-sized piece of wood protruding from her thigh, just above her knee. But her attention was quickly redirected back to the roaring, furious monster preparing to pounce in front of her. 

This was beautiful.

Everyone around them had scattered when Enid had started to wolf out, then screamed and yelled at each other to move or do something as the giant now-wolf swung her claws through two chairs. Then when the lanky werewolf girl ran, Enid sprung into chase. Wednesday watched in awe at the power of the beast careening forward past her.

This could be carnage.

She knew she should do something to stop it, but a significant part of her most decidedly did not want to. Luckily(for everyone else), one brave vampire dove in front of the wolf in her first few strides, and caused her to stumble. The massive hairy body rolled across the ground but quickly recovered with her focus switched to the boy, growling at him and the obstruction he’d created. 

This was what nightmares were made of.

…And she didn’t want to wake up.

But, an aggressive snarl from Enid brought Wednesday out of her trance. She knew what was coming next and ran towards the wolf’s newest target. Enid hadn’t seemed to notice and started picking up speed at the frozen vampire, and was about to beat Wednesday there. Luckily(for the boy), he also snapped back into consciousness just in time to move, and missed the brunt of the blow, and Enid’s teeth. Enid turned quickly to follow his movement but instead caught sight of her original prey, who had wolfed out and stood upright; a dark, slight wolf lit up on one side by the light of the nearest fire. 

Wednesday knelt momentarily by the vampire who seemed more frustrated than truly traumatized, as the undead often were with otherwise-startling injuries, knowing they’d be an inconvenience rather than anything life-threatening. For obvious reasons. She stood and watched Enid once again go in for an attack, and saw it in slow motion as she moved through the smoke of the fire. She swore the growling and the heavy footsteps of paws in the dirt were creating a thundering sonata, a devastating refrain in a minor key.

“Wednesday! Are you okay?” Yoko ran over with Divina close behind and she was again shaken out of her daze. “What the hell is going on?! What is she doing?”

“She ju–” Wednesday was interrupted with a loud and crumbling crash. They all looked over to see her rolling through the fire. “ No ,” Wednesday said in fear. This was not the same scene, but still too reminiscent of her terrifying vision– but Enid didn’t even pause. She got up and shook off the embers and leapt onto the other werewolf who cried in pain. All three girls ran towards the violent frenzy. 

She had missed how the other werewolf had managed to send Enid through the bonfire when she did, but that would be her only lucky move that night. Enid outweighed and out-skilled her, and even if she had been half the size, the other girl still wouldn’t have stood a chance that night against Enid’s blind fury. 

The Blood Moon wolf sank her long canines into the smaller wolf and threw her, hard, against a tree. She pounced yet again and got one more blood-drawing swipe in before a voice sang out in an eerily pleasant tone: “ENID SINCLAIR, you will stop. Fighting. Now.” And Enid stopped. “Both of you will stop what you’re doing immediately,” it spoke fluidly again, and was obeyed. Enid turned to look at the source of the voice, but noticed Wednesday instead. Her ears went back and she whined as she trotted over to the small girl and began to crouch down in the last few steps, until she was lying at her feet. Silvery eyes looked at her, but there was something different about them. They were wider than normal for her wolf form, and the pupils more constricted than she’d ever seen. 

Wednesday knelt onto one knee and placed both hands softly over the bloodied muzzle. “Sei gloriosa, mia lupa,” she whispered. The wolf closed her eyes.

.

Enid sat up and gasped. “Oh my god what happened?”

She looked to her left to see the peaceful, familiar sight of her roommate on her typewriter, the single desk lamp on in the otherwise dark room. 

“You wolfed out at the party,” Wednesday answered without slowing her typing. “Divina siren-songed you into stopping. You were mauling that other Fur, who’s name is Sarah, by the way.”

“ Mauling?! Ohmygod Wednesday?! ”

“Don’t worry. She’ll be fine, unfortunately. You did an admirable job but we stepped in quickly and your kind heal impressively fast.”

“Why was I mauling someone in the first place?! What time is it?!”

“Three twenty-four AM.

“Wednesday can you stop typing for a minute and please explain to me what happened and how I got back here?!”

Wednesday took another few seconds, but did as requested and turned around to face Enid across the room. “What else would you like me to fill in?”

“Well– Wha– What happened to everyone?! Why do I not remember anything?!”

“While I’m not sure how much of the Somnium you consumed, I’m more inclined to believe you blacked out in a fit of rage. It was admirable. I’ve never seen you wolf out like that.” Enid felt several different types of uncomfortable, none of which could she confidently name. She whimpered before Wednesday went on. “Actually it was… mesmerizing.” More unidentifiable emotions flooded her chest, and Enid pulled herself in closer. Wednesday blinked and continued. “You shifted back and Fen helped carry you here, then helped you clean up and change. I was inspired to write, so I have been for about an hour. The party is still going.” Wednesday turned around and resumed her tapping. 

“Shit. I’m going to be in so much trouble for wolfing out outside the cages.”

“Not likely. Divina also siren-songed everyone into deleting whatever they had taken on their phones in the twenty minutes surrounding the incident, and agreeing to not talk about it. I’m not sure her wording was precise enough to be one-hundred percent effective, but I’m not concerned. A loud breakup started right after you shifted back. The mindless stock of this generation are so brainwashed by inane and trivial media that they can be immediately distracted by a vapid soap opera interaction. Their standards for entertainment are forever baffling.”

“Oh.” Enid was quiet for a moment. “Did you… save what was left of my clothes?”

“They’re in a pile by your dresser.” 

Enid whimpered again as she saw them there, then looked back to Wednesday’s outfit. She had completely forgotten to coordinate, but it looked as though they had anyway. “Wedns– did you dress to match me?” she said quietly as she brightened. 

“You should go back to sleep.”

Enid smiled as she slid back down under her covers. Still facing the girl, she asked, “Wednesday?”

“Hmm.”

“Are you okay?”

“Perfectly miserable, actually. That party ended up being something I would gladly do again, surprisingly,” she answered along with the tapping.

Enid laughed softly. “Even if I don’t wolf out this time?”

After a pause, she answered, “obviously far less enticing… but if you’re asking if I’ll be attending night two, the answer is yes.”

“Good! But, actually what I meant earlier was… I wolfed out because that kid was going after you, right? Did he hurt you at all?”

“Not even close. For a werewolf he had incredibly slow reflexes, I could have danced pentagrams around him.” Enid sighed again in relief. “After that, everyone was basically just trying to steer clear of the big bad wolf.” Wednesday paused when she said that to smirk at Enid over her shoulder. Enid smiled back at her, then closed her eyes and listened to the tapping once again. “You did smash a few chairs and sent a large splinter into what’s likely my vastus lateralis muscle, but the pain was pleasant.”

“WHAT?!”

.

Wednesday awoke to a sore leg and perfect weather outside. The clouds refused to let much sunlight through, instead dampening the world with a steady drizzle. It was an ideal start to the day. 

She hurried to get downstairs to the breakfast they were putting out. Most Furs would be asleep until noon, but the Fangs’ schedule wouldn’t be out of the ordinary, considering they didn’t sleep much to begin with. The school set out the food at six a.m. knowing this, but would replenish it until twelve-thirty. Wednesday arrived just as they opened the doors. She certainly wasn’t alone, but most of the vampires floating around the tables had come straight from the party, and weren’t interested in talking to anyone either.

She gathered as much of the steak, eggs, bacon, ham, and sausage as she could, along with a small container of muffins she put in her bag, and a cup of coffee with another separate container of sweeteners and creamers–there was no way she was going to attempt concocting the atrocity that was Enid’s coffee.

She snuck back into the room to set it all on Enid’s desk along with a note:

‘I hear when you feed your pets well, they’re easier to train.

Yours,

W.A.’

She made her way to the hive first– she was sharing care of the bees with Dulo while Eugene was away. His moms had surprised him with an undergrad entomology study hike organized through Cornell University, one of his top contending schools. Wednesday was relieved he’d be gone over the weekend, at least knowing he was safe for the time; he had been with Fen in the vision, and she had stayed at Nevermore. 

Today the goal would be to learn something, anything really, that might lead her to understanding her recent visions. Were they related? Would she be able to do anything about them this time? 

“Hey Wednesday!” Dulo welcomed her warmly as usual.

Wednesday said his name in greeting and went directly to her suit.

“I already did all the stuff for today, so, you don’t have’ta put that on if you don’t wanna.”

Wednesday stopped and scanned the room. “You were here early.”

“Ya! How did you know?!”

“Lucky guess.” Wednesday walked slowly around the room and checked the charts to make sure he had done everything correctly, when Thing crawled out of her bag and climbed up onto her shoulder. Everything seemed in order. As dumb as Dulo was, once he had a pattern and clear instructions memorized, he could at least be counted on to repeat it correctly. “What are you still doing here?”

“Oh, feeding my pet rock,” Dulo said proudly.

“You have a pet rock?” Wednesday thought to herself that she really shouldn’t be surprised by this information.

“Ya! His name is Jim, like my uncle, because he looks like’im.”

Wednesday didn’t move. “Dulo, rocks don’t eat. What are you ‘feeding’ him?”

“Ya they do, how would they stay alive?” he asked, looking over his shoulder at her incredulously. “He likes bugs, but only live ones. If I try to feed him ones that’r already dead, then they’re still here when I come back. The live ones are always gone! He loves ‘em.”

Thing got her attention and reminded her that Enid would want her to be nice, so she tightened her lips and refused to let herself speak.

“Oh look! Xavier painted me a picture of Jim!” Dulo pointed to a painting on the wall, sure enough, of a rock. 

“Uncanny,” Wednesday said flatly.

“Can he what? Oh! Do you want him to paint a picture for you?! I bet he will. I think he likes you. He’s got a picture of you in his art house, next to the dragons and the buildings.”

“The dragons?” Wednesday asked, now much more interested. 

“Ya but not alive ones, just pictures. But they’re not dead either though, they…”

Wednesday was out the door before he finished speaking. 

Of course once at the shed, there was no sign of Xavier and it had been locked up. Wednesday, not being the defeatist type, let herself in anyways. She may have evolved over the years and was less likely to disregard government or state laws, but breaking and entering–when the consequences were low, especially into a space kept by someone she respected very little–had not been moved from her ‘totally acceptable actions’ list. 

Other than the general rotation of his works, depending on the current muse, the space had changed very little over the years. With Thing back up on her shoulder, she browsed the various canvases on their easels, watercolors on the walls, and sketches left out on the desk. Finally towards the back she saw what Dulo had been talking about. It wasn’t the same painting of her playing her cello from years ago, as she had hoped. There were two more now; one just as large, and one slightly smaller, about the size of a traditional guillotine blade. 

The latter depicted her sitting in an old armchair, viewed at a slight angle, her face not visible. She was reading, under a single standing lamp, framed by a black background. The other was more startling. This time it was only the back of her, standing, but the background was anything but dark. She was in a large room, engulfed in fire. All that could really be seen besides the reds and oranges and yellows, and pictures burning on the walls, was the balcony above; three large, amorphous sculptures overseeing the hellish landscape… but almost hidden in the midst of the fire were black, jagged points; the tips of folded wings. And then lower and deeper– eyes. For the first time, Wednesday could see the eyes of the creature that had been blindly haunting her. Fire reflected in the glassy, obsidian slits that stared at her with malicious intent. 

She looked to her left to find the aforementioned building. It looked like it might be an upscale apartment complex, or a hotel, but there was nothing recognizable, or even very unique about it. And it was nothing she had seen in any of her visions yet, so she wasn’t sure if it was even worth taking note of. Thing tapped her on the shoulder and signed.

Wednesday sighed. “Fine, hand it to me.”

Thing didn’t move.

Wednesday rolled her eyes. “ Please.”

Thing crawled into her bag and retrieved her phone. She opened the camera and took a picture of each painting, then noticed a text from Enid. 

Enid: Very funny. But if you keep feeding me like this you can call me your pet any time you want

It was accompanied by several winking emojis. 

Thing signed.

Wednesday frowned. “Yes it looks like flirting, but we’re pretending to date, it’s not like that would be unexpected or out of place.”

Thing turned left and right as if looking around the room, then signed.

“No, no one’s here to see the text, but knowing Enid she’ll probably show it to three people before noon,” Wednesday said casually before pushing the phone back into her bag herself. She ignored the flustered feeling she had from the conversation and left the shed.

.

Enid stared at her phone as she walked a few paces behind the other Furs. Wednesday hadn’t been at the gates when she was let out of the cages this time, and she hadn’t answered her text inquiring about the absence. But, they did get out much earlier tonight, and she was hoping that was the reason. 

They were only another minute’s walk from the party and Enid was anxious. She had spent the first half of the day asleep, briefly interrupted by Wednesday’s surprise gift(the heavenly smell had woken her up), which she had inhaled and then promptly returned to unconsciousness. The second half of the day she tried to stay in bed for, but tossed and turned for several hours instead, worrying about whether or not she’d get called up to the principal for her wolf out, and what all the students would be saying about her after the aggressive outburst. 

She had shifted back into human form quietly that night and spent extra time making sure her outfit, hair, and makeup were immaculate– or as close to it as she could achieve in a dark cage in the woods with only her cell phone flashlight. A shimmery chrome eye-shadow with an off-the-shoulder baby blue top had helped, but was certainly not a cure for her warring insecurities. Fen had tried to reassure her, but Enid never knew if what the always-over-the-top wolf was saying was based in reality or just in her own fuchsia hopes for the world, so it didn’t do much to settle her. Fortunately, her arrival and everything thereafter did.

“Your elixir, my Queen of the Furs,” Yoko said as she greeted her, vial in hand, much more calmly than the night before. Enid took it and glanced at Fen, who smiled knowingly as they walked further into the growing crowd. The energy was palpable and the stares were evident. It happened gradually at first, but like a snowball on a steep slope, it accelerated. Every interaction had her insecurities falling away rapidly. Many students who hadn’t given her a second look over the years said hello to her by name, and the faces she passed showed no signs of the disdain, disgust, or intentional disregard she had anticipated. The worst of the reactions she encountered was fear, but it was laced with a respect she had only ever seen given to others. 

Throughout the next hour, she sank into the new environment, becoming more and more comfortable with the attention. She fielded questions about wolfing out, about her size, and if anyone had gotten her in trouble. She was able to explain everything away without mentioning her being a Blood Moon wolf, and was able to still leave everyone in a state of awe without straying from what was still technically the truth. 

And she felt amazing.

Between the attention(or adoration), the Somni, and the music, a thrum rolled through her nervous system. The only thing that could make the night better was Wednesday. 

Wednesday. She hadn’t checked her phone in at least half an hour. She pulled it out quickly to see a text from her fake girlfriend, twenty minutes earlier: “Took a trip to Jericho. Library. Be there soon.” Enid sighed in relief and looked up to see the very face she’d been missing. Standing just out of the shadows near the entrance to the clearing, surrounded by an eerie mist. “Wednesday!” Enid ran to meet her, and threw her arms around her excitedly.

“An assuagement, as always, that you still know my name.”

Enid giggled as she released her. “I missed you! What took you so long? More mystery solving?” she asked with an intrigued smile. 

“Possibly. Still nothing definitive, unfortunately.” They began to walk back down together.

“You looked like, super spooky standing up here in the fog.” 

Wednesday gave her a sideways glance. “Flirting again?”

Enid grinned wider and threaded her arm through Wednesday’s. “Well you are my girlfriend.”

“So I’m told. What are the other perks?”

Is Wednesday flirting back with me right now?! What the flip. “Huh,” she said as she squeezed Wednesday’s elbow. “...What do you want them to be?”

The two girls continued to walk in stride when their eyes caught. Enid felt a strange, exciting jolt from that moment, but Wednesday disconnected and spoke again, flat as ever. “Is tonight going more smoothly for you than last night?”

Enid decided to let her evade the question, and answered happily. “Low bar, but yes! ” She pulled her aside, away from the hoards that had started dancing around them. “Everyone is obsessing over my wolf out yesterday! This is seriously the best night ever! It’s like the happy part of every Anne Hathaway rom-com!” 

“Talk about a low bar.”

Enid looked down and finally took in the girl’s outfit. She had never seen it before: black and grey striped leggings, and a thin, loose long-sleeve top with mesh over the chest actually low enough to show the smallest hint of cleavage. All black, of course. “Wait is this a new shirt? Did you go shopping?! ” Before Wednesday could respond, a taller brunette with her arm in a sling entered their space. 

“Hey, Enid…” The joy dropped from Enid’s face and both girls stared at her silently. “I’m– I wanted to apologize, for last night.” 

Realization swept over them at the same moment. “Oh my gosh Sarah,” Enid said quietly.

“Ya… Sorry for what I said about…” She looked at Wednesday and stuttered. “Uh, I mean just… sorry for what I said, and everything. Look to be totally honest, I’ve been talking to Danny for like, ever, and I just… I knew he wasn’t into me but it killed me to see him going for you and I just couldn’t deal. Okay?”

Enid’s awkward pause had both of the other girls staring at her for a response. She looked back and forth between them before finally speaking. “Oh. Ya,” then finally breathed out and smiled. “Don’t worry about it, we’ve all been there.” She stood up straighter then and made sure it was clear to the other werewolf that, yes, they were fine, but she was not to think that behavior would be met with as much understanding if repeated. Her eyes slid towards Wednesday to see if she picked up on it too. She did. 

Sarah walked away and after just a moment, Enid cracked. “You told me she was fine !” She whisper-yelled at Wednesday.

Wednesday, with overly-expressive(for her) confusion on her face, looked at Enid as if she hadn’t finished her thought. “...yes?”

“Her arm is in a sling and her neck still has scabs all over it! She looks like she just barely survived as the stunt person for Deadpool!”

Wednesday just stared at her, arms crossed. “Enid you threw her against a tree from a hold between your teeth.”

Enid’s eyes went wide, but Ajax jumped in then. “Ya that was sick. If that girl hadn’ta wolfed out she would’ve been toast. Good thing I never made you that mad.”

Yoko and Divina walked up as he spoke. “It was high-key badass, Enid,” the vampire said. Divina agreed. Enid teetered on the edge of embarrassment and pride, but when she looked back at her roommate, it didn’t take more than a few seconds for Enid to shift gears back into the blissful state Wednesday had found her in. The smaller girl’s face said it all; she was proud of Enid. Within minutes she found herself on the dancefloor again, and was even able to drag her fake girlfriend out with her this time. 

However begrudgingly for Wednesday, they danced for several songs, and Enid was floating. It didn’t hurt that Yoko kept the Somni in easy supply. The nice thing about being a werewolf at a party was the fast metabolism, and for werewolves, Somni was typically a perfect toxin to use recreationally, as it almost never allowed for a dangerous over-indulgence. It wasn’t the case for all outcasts, but for the lycan, reaching any sort of disorientation would cause extreme thirst and disinterest in anything other than water, until they had reached a healthy state again. For Enid, everything in her system felt perfect tonight. 

Wednesday bowed out from dancing after the third song. Enid followed her and said she was forbidden from poker, but allowed her to play darts with a few Fangs; she gave each of them a very communicative look before she walked away. Another ninety minutes went by for Enid in a blur of dancing, getting invited to a beer pong game with new friends(and winning), and cheering Wednesday on in her fourth consecutive darts win. After that, she had wandered over to the snacks table and lost track of her fake girlfriend again, but figured she’d find her after a plate of prosciutto. 

“I’m sorry I missed the show last night.” 

Enid turned around to find the source of the voice was none other than Danny. She swallowed a large mouthful before answering. “Oh, it was nothing– I mean, not nothing , but it wasn’t like, fomo-worthy. Just your every-day teen wolf out at a party! No big.” Enid smiled angelically.

Danny laughed and took a sip of his drink. “That’s not what I heard.”

Enid swung sheepishly. “What did you hear?”

“Oh, just that you were the most badass wolf Nevermore has ever seen, and wolfed out so quick that no one stood a chance. One kid told me it was the GOAT of all wolf-outs.” Enid let out a modest laugh. “Seriously, I heard you almost killed Sarah and like twenty other students were mortally wounded.” Both of them laughed then.

“Where were you anyways?” Enid asked.

“Oh, I always have trouble wofling out when it's cloudy. They wouldn’t let me go last night. By the time they finally did I guess you were already gone. Honestly I’ve… never really had great control of my wolf side. It’s been a rough few years… I worked extra hard to make it happen tonight though so I wouldn’t miss you again.”

“Playing the sympathy card. Original.” Wednesday walked right up next to Enid. “Are you really that desperate?”

Danny set his drink down at the table next to them. “Can’t let your girlfriend talk to anyone without getting involved? Are you really that insecure?”

“Okay, Wednesday, I think one night of werewolf drama is enough for me, can we reel it in a little tonight?” Enid asked as she placed her hands on the girl’s shoulders.

“Don’t worry Enid,” Wednesday said without taking her eyes off of the tall werewolf boy. “I only came over to wish Danny an enjoyable rest of his night at the party.” Wednesday moved closer to him, and picked a piece of lint off of his sleeve. “It won’t last much longer.”

Enid could tell Danny didn’t want to, but he let out a soft, repressed growl. 

“Alright kids!” Fen jumped right up into the middle of them. “As much fun as this clearly is, we’re gonna do-si- don’t on a throw-down part deux and take the party over here! ” she said as she pulled Enid and Wednesday by the arms. The younger wolf led them over to where a group had formed a circle. 

Yoko walked around and shoved Somni into everyone’s hands. “Alright, beasties, we’re playing Never Have I Ever. You can down it or sip it, but either way if you’ve done it, drink it!”

Enid saw Danny wander over to join, though he wisely chose a spot farther down. She relaxed a bit and turned to her roommate. “Have you played this before?”

Wednesday stared back at her friend. “Enid. I want you to consider the odds that you don’t already know the answer to that question.”

“Right. Okay so you’ll hold up your hand, and we’ll each go around saying something we haven’t done. If you also haven’t done it, nothing happens. But if you have done it, you’ll put a finger down and drink. First one with all their fingers down loses.”

“What happens then?”

“Usually, you have to take a dare.”

“And if I win?”

“Mmm, there isn’t really a winner for this one, you just try not to lose.”

“Why would I play a game I can’t win?”

“Just, try it once with me? ‘Cause you’re my awesome, ooky, demented and devoted girlfriend?”

Wednesday stared through lowered eyelids as Enid batted hers, and said, “payback, Enid.”

“Alright shut up I’m starting!” Yoko yelled. “Never have I ever–” and she turned sharply to face Wednesday. “–Had a black school uniform.” 

Everyone laughed quietly and Wednesday frowned. Enid looked at her apologetically, then at the vial. “Oh, Wedns you don’t have to feel pressured, if you don’t wanna drink you do– oh– kayyy…” She watched Wednesday tilt her head back and down all of the dark green contents in one swig. 

“This should muffle that wretched music, correct?” she asked Enid.

“Um, yes?”

“Good.”

Enid was wary to think Wednesday was actually caving into social pressure, and also didn’t know if the Somni was going to have a stronger effect on her. But it took only a moment of analysis (with her already-compromised ability to rationalize) to decide that this, too, was an excellent occurrence of a near-perfect night. Since when did Wednesday ever do anything she didn’t truly want to, anyways?

“Never have I ever dated a werewolf,” Divina said impishly.

Grumbling rolled around the circle and half the participants took sips, including Wednesday, after Yoko handed her a refill. 

“Never have I ever saved the school,” Fen said next.

Wednesday rolled her eyes and downed the rest of the second vial. Oh no. Enid realized far too late what they were doing, and they wouldn’t get to her turn in time to make any difference. Danny was next.

“Never have I ever been expelled.” Wednesday held out her hand as Yoko came running back with a replacement. “Hey does that count for more than one for her?” Danny added with half a smile.

Wednesday downed her third. “Please, don’t start trying to butter me up now.”

Danny’s smile dropped abruptly and his hand went to his stomach. Enid looked more closely to see beads of sweat appear out of nowhere on his forehead, and the color was draining from his face. Another werewolf asked if he was okay, but the answer came in the form of him making a very urgent exit. 

“Wednesdayyyy.. What did you do to Danny?”

“Relax. He’ll be fine.”

“‘ Fine?!’ Fine like car-wreck Sarah fine ?!”

“Never have I ever had someone falsely arrested.” 

Wednesday looked up to see that Xavier had sprung into the ongoing scene, seemingly out of thin air. He held up his vial in a cheersing motion with a look of overly manufactured innocence. 

Yoko walked over to hand her another and Enid blocked her. “I think that’s probably enough.”

Wednesday raised an eyebrow and asked, “you’re going to let them rig the game against me but then prohibit me from playing along?”

Enid met her stare. “Wednesday you’ve never taken this before, do you even know what it does to you?”

“Enid I’m an Addams,” is all she said, then stepped around the werewolf to take the vial. 

Enid watched her toss the empty plastic to the side, and in that single moment, saw it hit her all at once. Her shoulders lowered along with her eyelids, and she blinked. Enid lifted her gaze to search the brown, hazy eyes, and had the very sudden feeling that Wednesday could read every tab open in her mind. She looked away and stuttered out, “okay, fine, game over. Let’s go do something else now?”

“Nuh-uh!” Yoko yelled. “I believe everyone else here still has fingers up– she lost! She’s gotta take a dare!” 

“Yes, Enid, you explained the rules of your pointless and vapid adolescent validation game very clearly, now I have to take whatever stupid challenge your friends come up with.”

“Wednesday, our friends,” Enid said.

“Not right now,” Wednesday murmured. 

“Kiss her.” Enid’s eyes were once again as wide and round as the full moon hiding like a coward behind the clouds. Wednesday hadn’t reacted, or moved. 

“Unless you’re too chicken to kiss your own girlfriend in public,” the vampire added. 

“She could take the ‘chicken dare’ and go jump in the lake instead,” Divina offered with a teasing smile. 

The fake couples’ eyes met, and Enid laughed nervously. “Ya, Wedns, let’s just do that. You don’t have to–” Enid was interrupted by strong, small hands grabbing her by the shirt and pulling her in, in a swift jerk.

Wednesday leaned in and whispered, "pretend like this isn't our first time, okay?” 

Enid nodded and tried to smile as a hand came up against her cheek, but it was hard with the words tickling her ears in a way that didn't make her smile so much as shiver. Words spoken by those lips, with each letter enunciated so delicately and clearly the way only Wednesday ever did. Those lips, that came into view as they moved from her ear. They parted softly, the smallest amount. Enid felt their noses brush and her heart rate spiked. She found herself scared, and hopeful, as breath trickled out between those lips onto her own.

Cheering had already erupted like surround-sound though nothing had happened… until it did. 

For Enid, all the air had disappeared- it was emptied from her lungs, and it was no longer breath landing on her lips, but something plush and velvety, and calculating. Her head spun, and a hum vibrated between them.

She had never kissed this slowly before, and it was torturous, and wonderful– how very Wednesday.

Chapter Text

An Addams is built with different anatomy from that of a regular human. Not many Outcasts are aware, but every Addams knows. They may not look much different on the outside, or have the physical ability to change shape(to their own dismay), but their very cells are structured differently. This is why an Addams will rarely get sick, as it’s difficult for them to contract most illnesses and diseases that plague the human race. Their resting heart rates are extremely low, and their body temperatures as well–Wednesday’s especially so. They are all born with two exceptionally large and powerful livers, hence the resistance to most poisons. Of course those Addams facts are only part of the equation, as not everything with an Outcast can be explained away by science. But they are certainly built differently. 

Somnium was designed for outcasts, so Wednesday did feel it, though only minimally. After all five rounds were consumed, the music had faded by a few decibels and wasn't quite so obnoxious, the slight soreness in her leg had nearly vanished, and she felt her inhibitions dip, admittedly. Still, her faculties were very much about her and her coordination didn't feel diminished…but kissing Enid felt good. 

It must be the Somnium . 

It must be the Somnium that made the background noise disappear completely once they made contact. All she could hear was Enid’s breath, and the faint sound of pleading that had escaped her throat once(though she hoped to hear it again, and wasn’t sure why). 

It must be the Somnium that affected her balance, causing her body to lean into her roommate, who’s hold had manifested around her, hands pressing into her lower back for support– yes, support, not because they wanted her closer. 

It must be the Somnium that heightened her smell and taste– like Fen said– and spurred her to inhale deeply the scent that was so Enid, and open her lips just a little bit more, to see if she could taste the werewolf’s. 

They broke apart for the most brief second, but they came back together with a little more pressure and she heard Enid’s voice again; a slightly longer, soft, wanting whimper. Good. Wednesday leaned in more and felt the other body meet hers and then wondered if someone had moved one of the fire pits closer to them somehow. 

The kiss had intensified but was still slow moving and restrained, if only barely, when Wednesday started to pull away and felt lips follow hers for several inches before gently disconnecting. She opened her eyes slowly to see Enid’s mouth come into focus, next to alluring scars under her thumb, then glanced up at the same time eyelids fluttered to allow a shared gaze. It wasn’t one Wednesday had ever seen from her friend, and she could hear the beating of her heart in her ears.

Wednesday hadn’t seen very many movies growing up, but a few had been forced upon her throughout her life. Once, on a Friday at school in first grade, the teacher put on Bambi. Wednesday had high hopes when his mother was killed in the first ten minutes, but she found the story declined steadily from there. The last scene she remembered before sneaking away was of springtime and the male animals seemingly discovering their sexuality, but it was depicted in the most nauseatingly saccharine and wholesome way–it was at that moment she decided she could endure no more and crawled out a window.

But looking up into Enid’s eyes took her back. Her blue eyes glowed under heavy, shimmering lids and dark, batting lashes, extremely reminiscent of coy cartoon characters illustrated with a seductive stare, and just as it had been cause for her stomach to lurch at the time, it made her feel sick all over again. This time there was a distinct novelty in her nausea.

“Woh.” She heard Enid whisper. Wednesday’s eyes dropped down, and she wasn’t sure why she felt a powerful, curious need to lean back in.

“Alright I take it back! Get a room!” Yoko’s voice carried over to the couple and Wednesday was finally aware of the position she was still in. She tried to restrain a conspicuous reaction, and slowly moved her hand away from Enid’s face. Her fake girlfriend cleared her throat and released her hold and took a small step back, as Wednesday also let go of the baby blue fabric she was gripping. The crowds of students were going wild over the display, and Enid’s cheeks were visibly reddening, even in the low light. But she looked at Wednesday and smiled bashfully, and nothing else really felt relevant. 

After that, the couple received a great deal of attention, and one of them was thriving off of it. 

Wednesday didn’t mind that Enid had grown increasingly clingy as the night went on, but she made a point to escape her hold as often as she could, so that she could step away for a moment of solitude, or at least a less-crowded activity. This went on for almost two hours. A few times she slipped out into the woods and just stood in the darkness. She kept an eye on Enid but made sure to stay hidden. She would come back after ten minutes or so, knowing she had no choice once the werewolf started searching for her and was always led in the correct direction through scent. Twice she found Yoko alone and talked with her, and once was able to sneak into a smaller poker game when Enid wasn’t looking. But every time, almost like clockwork, she would eventually be sought out. The last time that night, just before three am, Yoko walked over with the blonde. 

“Dear god, did you put something in her drink tonight, Addams? She’s always been a simp for you but she’s not usually this desperate. ‘ Where’s Wednesdaayy? Where’s my giirrllffiiieendd?’” Yoko mocked in a grating pitch. 

“Shutup.” Enid stumbled into Wednesday's arms and hummed happily. “Stupid vampire,” she mumbled into the smaller girl’s shoulder. 

Wednesday held onto her and replied to Yoko. “I don’t know what a ‘simp’ is but I assure you the only drink I’ve tampered with tonight is Danny’s.”

Enid gasped and pulled back. “ Wednesday ! I knew you did something to him!”

“I never said I didn’t.”

Enid was still holding onto her and asked, “he’s gonna be okay though, right?”

“Of course. Just a light lesson in the repercussions of disregarding an Addams’ warnings. He’ll feel nothing by morning.”

Everyone was quiet before Yoko added, “... by ‘feel nothing’ you don’t mean ‘dead,’ right?” Enid looked at her intently as if she had the same question.

“Not this time, no.”

Enid went from mad to giddy again at break-neck speed. She giggled and said, “don’t tell anyone, but I’m sup’s into it.” Wednesday gave her fake girlfriend a one-sided start of a smile.

“Gross,” Yoko said. “Look, I’m done puppy-sitting for the night, she’s your problem now.” Wednesday only stared at the vampire as she walked off, while her roommate stood unsteadily in her arms, not acknowledging the departure of her other friend.

Enid held up her hand to reveal she had been holding two full vials. “I got these for you,” she whispered playfully. 

Wednesday exhaled through her nose and took them from her as she smiled wider. The small girl shot each one of them swiftly then told Enid, “c’mon. Let’s get back to the dorm. The only amount of poison that could possibly temper the torment that is this party would be lethal, and I’d hate to leave with unfinished business.”

“Oooh, would you haunt me though?” Enid asked as Wednesday pulled her by the wrist to their exit.

“For all of eternity.”

.

The walk back to the dorm consisted of Wednesday essentially dragging Enid most of the way as the werewolf clung to her arm tightly. She told Wednesday about every interaction she had had that night, and by the time they reached the stairs, wasn’t sure if she had told a couple of the stories twice. She didn’t care. She stopped talking in the hallway and stared at her roommate as they walked. Her skin looked so soft. There was zero heat coming from her body but Enid still felt warm for being pressed against her. Her eyes were like wet glass; windows on a dark building in a storm, lit from inside. 

Once at the door Enid pulled the keys from her bag before Wednesday could get to them and fumbled her way to unlocking the door, after two and a half minutes of trying. Once the door was open, she felt the floor slam into her knees first, and then her palms. In that moment, at the curious realization that she had fallen, somehow painlessly, something else happened that was far more shocking. Though her hearing was muted, she did not miss the sound that echoed behind her. It was the distinct scraping of air against the back of Wednesday's throat, escaping through her nose. Enid froze. 

“Wait,” Enid said as she gathered herself up off the ground. She grabbed her roommate by the arms and with wide eyes asked, “did you just laugh?!” 

“No.”

“OMG YES YOU DID!” Enid said, bold and jovial as ever. 

“You’re hearing things.”

“Oh I don’t think so, if anything I should be hearing less right now!” Enid started taking small steps towards Wednesday, who tried to back away with each one. “I heard Wednesday Addams laugh!” Enid pulled down on one of Wednesday’s arms as she almost tripped again.

“You did not,” Wednesday defended as she avoided eye contact, a dimple showing on her right cheek at Enid’s clumsiness.

“Stop it! You’re trying not to smile even right now!” Enid said through her own laugh, still inching them both along.

“Enid.” Wednesday lifted an eyebrow as she finally looked at the werewolf and straightened her face as much as she could.

Enid was grinning mischievously as she shoved Wednesday against the wall and said, “ Wednesday.”

Wednesday straightened against it, and Enid continued to move forward, until their bodies were nearly touching. She stood still and the muscles in her face relaxed until the smile faded. Her eyes traced every soft curve of Wednesday’s expressionless face, but lingered lower. “You’re a really good kisser,” she whispered without looking up.

“I’m good at everything.” Enid met her eyes then. Her voice sounded assured, but her face told another story. It wouldn’t have given her away to the general public, or even those Wednesday would admit to calling friends– no, she would have appeared as stoic and unmoved as ever to anyone else. But Enid knew her better. There was movement in muscles that were normally steady as concrete. Her eyes were open wider now than when she was truly apathetic, if only the slightest bit. And there was no way to describe this, Enid thought, but the air around them smelled different. It was a flavor of Wednesday she hadn’t tasted before. 

And then she blinked, and Enid’s heart beat simultaneously.

She lowered her gaze once more and decided she couldn’t hold back. She thought about what had happened several hours earlier, and she wanted to do that again. She’d been wanting to do it again all night. Any insecurities that might have prohibited her body from leaning in to kiss her roommate a second time had been long-silenced and overpowered by a very insistent need. 

But, instead of finally stealing the kiss she’d been so covetous for, it was given to her generously. Enid’s already lidded eyes watched it happen, then slowly slid shut as she exhaled through her nose, and let her hands slide to Wednesday’s waist. The amount of gentle force that sent Wednesday’s lips into Enid’s was just the right amount to elicit a third contented hum from the werewolf’s throat, and send a very pleasurable shockwave from the point of contact through her entire body. 

Despite it being only their second kiss, their lips moved as if they knew exactly where to go, and Enid couldn’t believe how good Wednesday’s felt against hers. She turned her head slightly, holding back but wanting to feel every angle she could. She felt Wednesday’s hands wrap themselves faintly on Enid’s arms.

Is this really happening right now?! Enid lifted her eyelids only enough to see Wednesday’s mouth at first, then to her eyes, which she found closed. She quickly took in the view of long, sweeping lashes over delicate freckles scattered across a soft, elegant face that she knew so well but felt so suddenly unaccustomed to. In the same vein, her movements were tender in a way that felt foreign, yet nothing about this felt un -Wednesday. She let her eyes shut again as the world faded out–  she was unsure if the ground was still even underneath her feet. All she felt anchored to were lips, hands, and the breath on her face. And the breath started to sound heavier. 

Enid let her body weight shift forward so that they were almost relying on the wall to stay upright. The feeling of her body against Wednesdays lit up several thousand nerves that she wasn’t aware even existed. But all of those nerves were put on the backburner very quickly when she felt Wednesday’s tongue on her bottom lip. 

At that moment, she was sure that her brain had turned to a warm liquid that ran down the back of her neck and shoulders. She tentatively opened her mouth in response and was met with far more enthusiasm than she could have predicted– even if there had been billboards and signs, Enid wouldn't have believed them. Their tongues met this time and Enid whined into her friend’s mouth. 

Enid couldn’t control her heart rate or her breathing, and everything in her dark, blurry world started to intensify. Somehow their movements were still more andante than rushed, just barely contained, but the pace was starting to quicken and their disjointed breaths began to echo against the leering walls. She ran one hand further around Wednesday's back and tightened her grip–Wednesday liked this. She felt the small rib cage press into hers, and intrepid little hands pull her in closer. How does this feel so good?! She didn’t have many thoughts in her head, but that one kept popping up. And that Wednesday kissed like she spoke. All parts of her mouth moved exactly as much as they needed to, delicately and intentionally, in order to produce the impeccable and immaculate creations they orchestrated, be it words, or this.

Heavy breaths became more audible as Enid found herself being guided backwards. It all felt like a set of smooth, connected movements, as if in a dream, as she found herself sitting on Wednesday’s bed, the smaller girl standing over her with fingers in her hair. Enid’s grip tightened through her arms and Wednesday was pulled into her lap, straddling her, but the kissing never paused. 

Enid slid her hands down onto petite hips as she heard her name. “Hhmm?” she let out, visionless, with her nose still pressed against Wednesday’s. She lifted her chin to attempt another kiss but felt her name breathlessly against her lips again. This time she opened her eyes half way to watch the movements of Wednesday’s mouth, disappointingly no longer against her own. 

“We should stop,” the mouth said.

Enid took a minute to comprehend what that meant. Neither moved but they were not still, as their chests moved out of sync with each other. She blinked several times before looking up into apprehensive brown eyes. 

“Oh. Ya, of course,” she breathed out. Her hands fell onto the bed beside her as she tried to gain control of her lungs again. Wednesday hesitated, but then swiftly moved off of her friend to stand at attention in front of her. Neither said a word for an uncomfortable moment. 

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be,” Wednesdays almost interrupted. “There’s nothing to apologize for.”

Enid looked up at the girl who appeared even more rigid and uncomfortable than usual, except now she was doubting her ability to read her friend or the situation at hand.

“We should go to bed.” Wednesday stared for another few uneasy breaths, then walked into her closet. Enid eventually got up and stared at her side of the room. She had no idea how she would sleep tonight after what happened, but she desperately needed to change. 

.

Enid: Where r u? The bus leaves in 15! 

Wednesday was surprised to hear from Enid, assuming she’d be sleeping until the afternoon again. She had completely forgotten about the senior field trip until she saw the text. 

Wednesday: Not going. Neyef.

Enid: WTF

Enid’s name appeared in large letters across the screen and she sighed. 

“What?” she answered. She quickly had to pull the phone away a few inches when Enid’s voice assaulted her ears with a barrage of questions.

“It’s for punching Xavier. It’s fine, I didn’t want to go anyways.” This response clearly didn’t satisfy Enid in the least, and instead caused another onslaught of high pitched exclamations.

“I think you forget that one of my defining characteristics is the unprecedented ability to spoil the fun.” Wednesday heard a huff and then a pause before Enid spoke again.

“What do you mean?” she asked, noting the distinct change in Enid’s tone.

“No,” Wednesday answered as casually and convincingly as she could. “I don’t see why any of the events of last night would cause an increase in the levels of ‘weird’ we already embrace.” She heard a muffled laugh and a more relieved-sounding reply. 

“Yes. And Enid, as much as I support your competitive nature, if you play any games that win you large plushies, I will not allow them in our room. You have already surpassed a reasonable capacity.”

Wednesday felt the words of Enid’s reply burn in her chest. “If anyone tries to use such a performative display of a mating ritual to win your favor, after it’s now been made more than clear who you are involved with, I will take the prize, rip out its eyes, send an arrow through its center, and then tie whatever species of polyester and fluff it is up by its neck and display it in the Ophelia Hall foyer for everyone to see.”

Wednesday could hear the smile through the phone as she said goodbye. She hung up and looked down at Thing. “What.”

Thing didn’t sign.

“ What? If you’re going to stare at me like that then say something.”

Thing signed.

“I know you can’t stare, don’t deflect.”

Thing signed. 

“What do you mean ‘what happened last night?’” Wednesday asked but turned away to sit straighter as she looked down the road for the shuttle into Jericho.

Thing signed, and Wednesday glanced over with only her eyes.

“Of course I remember, Somnium barely has any formidable effect on me.”

Thing didn’t sign.

“ What? Nothing happened. Enid and I were perpetuating our ruse.”

Thing signed.

“Yes in our room– no–” Wednesday paused and exhaled forcefully through her nose. “That was just… Enid was intoxicated, and you know how she can be.”

Thing signed.

Wednesday frowned. “With the increase in dopamine production that Somnium creates, I won’t say it wasn’t pleasant at the time, but that’s neither here nor there.”

Thing signed.

“Oh look the shuttle is here.” Wednesday rose and paused only for the doors to open for her, then stepped in briskly without a single glance back at her companion. 

.

Enid spent the afternoon bouncing between friends and keeping busy. She tried not to wait in any of the longer lines and opted for more games and snacks, with the goal of staving off the intrusive thoughts of Wednesday. 

But everything ended up being Wednesday…

Yoko saw a fun house and grabbed Enid by the wrist to drag her to it– just like Wednesday had the night before. 

A man in front of a spear-throwing booth yelled out, “we offer couples counseling! if you're ever losing an argument we can help you get your point across!” and she laughed, and knew Wednesday would have been amused.

They had to shut down the bumper cars because a boy had run in while they were running. He walked away with only a few bruises, and she knew Wednesday would have been disappointed. 

Enid bought cotton candy that was blue, purple, and pink, and knew Wednesday would have hated it– so much color and sweetness. But then she felt the sugar melt in her mouth, and that also made her think of Wednesday. 

Wednesday’s tongue had been where that sugar was, and she couldn’t even tell Yoko about how she couldn’t get it out of her mind. Because she couldn’t tell her the truth… and if she was being honest with herself, she couldn’t discern what the truth even was anymore.

.

After two fruitless hours, Wednesday decided that she had exhausted her resources at the Jericho library. She walked down the street and eventually found herself in front of Uriah’s Heap. With no other leads for the afternoon, she went inside to browse. She had done so a handful of times over the years since starting at Nevermore, and had even made some purchases. Her favorite was a two-for-one deal on old porcelain dolls that had clearly seen better days. Really she was drawn to them because they looked like they had been pulled straight from the set of a horror movie. She placed them in different areas on Enid’s side of the room, moving them at random over a two week period before Enid actually caught on. The nightmares the werewolf had been subject to were yet another point of contention between the two of them, but Wednesday had considered it one hundred percent worth it to see the color drain from her friend's face when she’d first started noticing them.

As dark brown eyes trailed across the shelves of uncategorized items collecting dust as if some had been untouched for centuries, she paused to see a lone framed painting– it was an ink and watercolor dragon with seven heads, and underneath, Greek writing that she couldn’t understand. She bent down to pick it up for a closer look, but fell to her knees as her head snapped back.

An old black Cadillac pulled away from a family waving it goodbye, as a cloud of dust from the dirt road dissipated around them. The man, tall and gaunt in tattered overalls, with harsh features accentuated by his stern expression, squatted down next to a young girl and grabbed her arms firmly. “You embarrassed us, Helen. That man was here to help you and you acted like a fool!” He shook her as he yelled and she squeezed her eyes shut.

The forlorn mother placed her hand on the man’s shoulder and tried to separate them as the little girl screamed and pulled away. “I don’t want his help! I don’t want any of this! I want to be normal!” 

She began to cry as the man stood. “You could have had that luxury if Tyson was still here with us,” he said as his voice cracked. “But he’s not, and do you know why?! Because of all those normal people out there! They’re the reason your brother is dead!” 

“No!” She yelled back with balled fists.

“Don’t be stupid Helen! You must accept the truth and accept your destiny! This must be carried on! Synechisei tin klironomia me kathe meso!”

The little girl ran inside, her stained and tattered dress swaying with her short strided steps. The holey screen door slammed shut behind her.

Wednesday’s head snapped back into place as she looked again at the frame she was holding. “ Synechisei tin klironomia me kathe meso ,” she whispered. She shot up and surveyed the room to see its owner absent from sight. She tucked the frame into her coat pocket and left. 

.

Wednesday opted to walk back to Nevermore to avoid any more interactions, after the overwhelmingly social weekend she had endured. But of course, it didn’t last long before Enid called again. This time her words were clear and calm, at least. 

“Enid?”

“Hey Wedns! Whatcha doin’?” 

“Walking back to the school from Jericho. I found so–” Wednesday stopped talking, and stopped moving. 

“Wednesday?” 

Her eyes widened as she listened to what came through the other end of the phone when Enid wasn’t speaking. It wasn’t the first time she had heard it: a mix of intermittent screams and rumbling. 

Rollercoasters.

Chapter Text

“Enid, I’m on my way.” 

“What? Really?! ” 

Wednesday’s mind whirled before she could reply– she knew those sounds and had to get to that park–Eugene and Fen were in danger. She considered turning back in the direction of town, but stopped again. This was a senior outing. She relaxed her breath. But, had Mr. Neyef said something at the assembly about the park being open to the public as well?

 “Wednesday, what’s going on? Are you coming?”

It didn’t matter; Eugene was gone for the weekend, she remembered– the reason she had let herself set aside the vision for the weekend in the first place.

“I– no.”

“Oh.” Wednesday heard the hope deflate from Enid’s voice.

“I thought I needed to but…” The sounds were too familiar. “Enid, is Eugene there?”

“No,” Wednesday loosened her grip on the phone. “But Fen just texted that they’re on their way! The last day of his hikey-thing got canceled due to freezing rain or something. He just picked her up from Nevermo–” Wednesday hung up the phone and ran.

.

Enid was ecstatic. Wednesday had texted her that she was coming, and she promptly put her phone in her pocket and bounded around every part of the park with whoever could(or would willingly) keep up with her, excitedly anticipating the arrival of her girlfriend– fake girlfriend? A slight worry tapped at her consciousness, wondering what Eugene had to do with anything. Actually it surprised her that Wednesday decided to show up at all, but that didn’t stop the jittery anticipation of knowing she would be there soon. 

She had pictured it all week: walking around the park holding hands, trying to get Wednesday to eat a funnel cake, screaming on rides while Wednesday would sit silently… but she’d totally smile if they were scary enough. And everyone hated waiting in all the lines, but Enid couldn’t wait to be in one with Wednesday. They had the kind of friendship that made standing in line together sound like a perk. And, maybe Wednesday would stand right behind her, with her front pressed to Enid’s back, maybe even with an arm or two around her with her small dimpled chin rested on her shoulder. It would definitely sell the ‘couple’ look, so why not? Maybe she’d kiss her again. Enid’s heart fluttered at the thought. 

The wait started to feel excessively long, so she finally checked her phone for the first time since Wednesday hung up on her. She had two missed calls and two texts from the girl. Uh oh. 

Wednesday : Tell Eugene and Fen to stay put until I get there.

Wednesday: Enid?

The last text had been sent twenty-eight minutes ago. Enid looked up to see if the couple might be anywhere nearby. The park was big enough, though, that there was no way to see the whole place from any one spot. She asked around to the few classmates within reach, but it yielded nothing; no one had seen them recently. They should have arrived twenty minutes ago based on what Fen had said, so they may have headed straight for a ride. She inhaled and tried to find a scent as she started down the main path near the entrance when she was caught instead by a smell she recognized immediately. Wednesday. 

Enid’s first reaction was excitement, but she reminded herself there was clearly something wrong– though in typical Wednesday fashion, no helpful details had been divulged. She spotted her roommate already walking towards her, and ran to meet her.

“Hey! I just saw your texts, I’m trying to find them but I guess no one’s seen them.”

Wednesday looked around the park and Enid saw her eyes widen and knew she’d found something. “There,” she said as she pointed to a black, red, and orange roller coaster, its tracks peaking like the outline of a mountain against the afternoon sky. They both took off running towards it, dodging bodies along the way. 

The front of the ride came into view and they slowed, unable to see an entrance. The sign hung ambiguously on a solid orange wall with crowds of people passing in all directions. Enid caught wind of Fen and looked up. She took a few steps back to see passengers loading and unloading from the cars of the coaster a level above them. “Wednesday there they are!” Enid pointed; they were just able to see Eugene taking his glasses off and placing them into a black cubby. Both yelled as loud as they could, but it only resulted in stares from everyone at ground level. 

They quickly switched gears back to find a way up when they heard loud snapping. Thing was standing by an archway far over to their left, bouncing and pointing. Both girls sprinted through and made their way up a dark staircase. Half way up they found the start of the line, obstructing the entire stairwell. Wednesday was prepared to weave her tiny frame through, but Enid growled loudly and yelled for everyone to move, which was thankfully even more effective than she had expected it to be, and they continued on at almost the same pace. As they reached the top and looked over the snaking hoards of people, they heard a loud click and hiss, and the ride began to move along the tracks away from them. 

Both girls were yelling once again, this time at the attendants to stop the ride as they shoved and climbed their way through, but it was too late. They could feel the tracks thundering through the concrete underneath them. With waiting passengers trapped within the weaving rails, the same tactic from the staircase wouldn’t work, but Wednesday eventually found her way to the front. 

“There has to be a button you can press in an emergency!” she yelled at one of the attendants standing behind a control panel, with Enid two rows behind.

“It doesn’t work that way– he– miss! ” Before Enid could catch up, the small girl had made her way behind the bars surrounding the panel just as security came running in through the exit. Enid didn’t know what to do, but when she looked from the guards back to her friend, she could only see Wednesday’s braids, and the woman with her hands up, looking terrified. As she pushed her way through four more oblivious teenage boys, she saw the glint of sharp metal. Unfortunately the guards had seen it too, and picked up speed.

“ Don’t touch her!” Enid yelled aggressively as she saw hands reach out towards her friend. 

A shrill, blood-curdling scream interrupted everyone’s actions. It resonated from above them, from the same mountainous peak that led them there. More screams then erupted like a wave of aftershocks through the line and the crowds below as blood rained down on the lower tracks within their view. 

.

Wednesday sat stock-still in the center of the principal’s office on Monday morning. Mr Neyef, with the same unamused presence as always, sat with his hands clasped, directly in front of her. Mr. Buio was stationed to her right, and the room felt as though it had been stuffed with silence. 

Wednesday sliced through it intrepidly. “Was this meeting arranged on my behalf for a formal ‘I told you so,’ or did you call me here to apologize? I can assure you I have no interest in either one.”

The principal sighed and closed his eyes but Mr. Buio stepped in before he could speak. “Miss Addams, there was nothing we could have done. You know by now exactly what visions are, and what they are not. They are glimpses into an inalterable future.”

“Then why do we have them?” Wednesday stood up. Mr. Buio took a breath to reply but she continued. “What were we supposed to do, nothing? If I had known sooner it was the floorboard of the ride that came loose at eighty miles per hour, would you just have let them get on the ride because we can’t change anything?” 

Mr. Neyef joined in with an even tone. “You knew where the foot was in the water, Wednesday. There’s no way anyone else would have found it in time. Because you did so quickly, they were able to reattach it and with her werewolf healing, she should be walking on it again by next week.”

“He’s right. Our visions do have purpose, however difficult it may be to see when there’s so much darkness involved.”

Wednesday’s face was uncharacteristically angry. “Darkness I can handle. Darkness makes sense. This is senseless. To say that I’ll stand idly by while a friend is unnecessarily mutilated and traumatized, knowing she was targeted , is not something I am willing to settle for. What about the person that did this?” She turned to question the principal.

“That’s part of the reason you’re here today,” Mr. Neyef replied. “The police so far have said this looks… mostly like an accident, something gone wrong with routine maintenance. They’re interviewing the park technicians.”

“You can’t tell me you honestly believe that.”

Mr. Neyef inhaled slowly. “No, not truly. Again, which is why you’re here. And so you know, we’re going to petition to have security footage sent to us here at the school; I’m bringing in a team of Outcast investigators who know better what to look for than Normie law enforcement.”

“If you can call them that,” Wednesday interjected.

“I assumed you would be pleased to hear of this decision.”

Wednesday’s unwavering stare went straight through the principal. “Overjoyed.”

“Miss Addams, have you had any other visions?” Mr. Buio asked.

“Why, so you can write them off too and then bring them up after the fact?”

“This will yield more results if we work as a team , Miss Addams.” Mr. Buio stood up to match the girl’s posture, but towered above her in height. “I have apologized once but I am willing to do it again: I’m sorry for dismissing your questions in my classroom when I should have taken you seriously. I’m sure Mr. Neyef is remorseful for his previous approaches too.” The shorter man stayed seated in front of his watching audience, and blinked lazily in response. 

“Here.” Mr. Buio held out a black leather notebook. Its spine was completely smooth and unblemished, pages untouched.

“What is this?” Wednesday asked, limiting her movement to her eyes.

“It’s for your visions. Write them down, it’ll help you organize your thoughts and remember details.” Wednesday hesitated, but slowly reached out one hand to accept the gift. “You can come back to us as you fill it and either pick and choose what you share or simply let us read it, whatever you feel more comfortable with. I promise we’ll take whatever is written in it seriously and use it as best we can to keep everyone safe, and get to the bottom of what’s going on here.”

Wednesday’s eyes shifted to meet Mr. Neyef’s, who acknowledged her and nodded to affirm the teacher’s claims. She stared down the tall man once more, then headed towards the door without another word. No one stopped her as she walked out. 

.

Enid stared vacantly at her phone. 

She knew the entire staff would have heard about the details of the weekend, and therefore would not be expecting much from her in class. They don’t even know the half of it. What they did know, was that not only was she a friend of the victim, but also of the weapon-wielding, tiny terrorist that momentarily held an innocent staff member at knife-point. At their senior trip. That she had been banned from. This of course led to them spending the rest of their Saturday between the park, hospital, and police station. She thought it seemed fair to give her a break, but honestly, she really should be used to this by now.

She and Wednesday had walked to class that morning through the unexpected snowfall in silence. Just when Enid had worked up enough determination to confront Wednesday about their newest awkward exchange less than an hour before that, her friend was whisked away– before their teacher had even arrived, Mr. Buio showed up to escort her to the principal’s office. 

So she stared. With all the reenactments of the past two days bouncing around in her mind, she had neither the will nor the focus to address the countless notifications blemishing her home screen. Normally she loved the fast-paced, horror/drama/comedy that was life at Nevermore, but the extreme ups and downs of the last seven days were next-level. She hadn’t actually ridden any of the rollercoasters at Piccadilly Pier on Saturday, but it felt like she had been on an emotional one for an entire week. Her mother, the Insta-debacle, the unplanned public wolf out, the roommate-kissing(the confusion after the roommate-kissing), and the disgusting visual that no one asked for, of a bloody limb minus its foot, attached to her hysterical friend. 

And then, as if some sort of taunting cherry on top of her Sunday, Wednesday became the world’s best girlfriend–she needed to tell someone about this soon– and sent her through a corkscrew-loop combo at top speed. And no one had checked her lap bar.

She slipped her phone away and opted for trying to pay attention in class, but spent more time losing focus into a black construction-paper period up on the wall, closing some sentence about fear and doubt. And each time her eyes lingered on it long enough, it was slowly surrounded by a rich, wet-earth brown, gazing back at her with recognition, with longing…

“Enid!” Yoko’s voice brought her back into the world of the living where she found herself already walking into the quad during break. She stopped at the edge of the hallway where the vampire was waiting. “What’s up? You look like, extra ‘lost puppy’ today.”

“Umm…” Enid trailed off as she caught sight of her roommate from across the lawn, eyes locking with the werewolf as students drifted, silent and listless between them. Wednesday stood ominously and unmoving. Like the moon that looked so deceptively close, when in reality, it was unreachable. 

“Earth to Enid… did you forget your lines?” Yoko waved a hand across the werewolf’s face and her eyelashes fluttered in response. 

“Sorry! Ya, I mean no. Hi. What?”

Yoko laughed then asked, “are you okay?”

“Ya, I’m fine, why?” Enid adjusted her bag over her shoulders and tried to pretend she had been fully attentive all along.

“Umm, aside from your obvious weirdness? You also haven’t answered my texts or DM’s or said anything about how you and Wednesday won the contest this week?!”

Enid’s attention finally snapped back–for real– to her friend and she beamed. “OMG really?!” She jumped and squeaked as she grabbed the phone offered to her with the page pulled up. “ Yesss, I knew it!”

“It was the pretty clear winner.”

 Enid’s now buoyant movements were barely contained as she scrolled. “How did you guys do?”

Yoko rolled her eyes. “We didn’t even break top twenty this time. I don’t think we’re serious contenders. Stephanie may have a huge Outcast fanbase but it’s like ninety-five percent normies getting the most attention. Other than you guys and Eugene and Fen– oh god, two werewolf couples… I guess Team Jacob wins.”

“Ha- Ha.” Enid smirked but then tilted her head and said, “hey, don’t give up yet though! You guys still totally have a shot.”

“Ugh whatev, I don’t want your pity. The real question here is how did you not already know? Even Dulo heard. I didn’t even know bro could read.”

She sighed into her reply. “I’ve just been ignoring my phone since yesterday. I feel like this whole week is just me being every character in Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory every day.”

“If only it had been a blood river. What I would pay to get stuck in that…”

“EW Yoko stop! ” Enid shivered and pulled out her phone and opened Instagram. “Oh hey I got a message from the editor! Oh my gosh look… ‘Congratulations on your win!’ –Eeeeee! – ‘You’ve hit record numbers so far!’” She paused to share a shocked look with her friend. “‘ While there will be three finalist couples eligible to win and attend our mystery dinner, we will be keeping track of all of our weekly winners. Please keep an eye out in the mail for your prize! Best of luck, Regina and staff.’ Oh my gosh this is so cool! Oh there’s more! ‘PS, because you are the most successful couple yet, here’s a bonus for you: next week’s prompt.’ OMG Yoko!”

“Oh my god Enid you have to tell me what it is!”

“Okay okay! Listen! ‘Use this to plan your pic, but don’t share it on socials and don’t post early. Any early posts or leaks online will result in disqualification of any and all parties involved.’ Okay so it specifies online, right? Not that I can’t tell you verbally…”

“Totes.”

Enid winked and went on. “Prompt: We’ve still got several weeks to go before Valentine’s Day, and we want to know our couples will last. Can we be sure you’ll make it? How do you two know?  Do your best to show us. There’s nothing in the rules against an eloquent caption to share your story, but remember this is a photo contest… best of luck to all.’”

The two girls lifted their eyes from the phone in unison and looked at each other, void of the excitement that was there only seconds prior. This was a hard one to begin with, but for a couple who wasn’t even really together, to try and demonstrate why they believed they would last? How about knowing how they’d even start?

Enid had surprised herself then. Did I really just ask myself how I would start dating Wednesday? A hoard of emotions rolled through her then– ‘panic’ an overpowering one.

“Yoko, I don’t think Wednesday and I can do this one,” she said softly. 

“What? Why?” 

No, don’t go there Enid. Don’t say it. She looked across the quad to the space where Wednesday had lingered, to find it empty. Her chest ached.

“Enid?”

Don’t say it. 

Enid blinked her focus back to her friend’s wondering eyes.

Don’t say it. 

Don’t.

“Yoko I need to tell you something.”

Chapter Text

“I’m in love with Wednesday Addams.”

Enid’s hands flew to her mouth. Another wave of innumerable emotions flooded her system, but it felt like letting go of a hundred-pound suitcase she’d had in a death grip before finally reaching home. 

And then what a strange mix of exhilaration, relief, and terror.

 “Eeeeyeah?” Yoko sat on her bed and waited while the blonde’s wide eyes squeezed shut as she started muttering ‘ohmygod ohmygod ohmygod’ into her hands. “Enid there are more googly eyes between the two of you in a single day than the entire craft section at Micheal’s can hold. We all know.” Enid only whined. “Have you guys not said it and you’re like, worried about how to tell her or something?”

“NO!! NOO! I can’t tell her!” Enid moved herself swiftly away from the door where she had stopped when they entered Yoko’s room, to pace in front of her friend.

“Uuhh, why not?”

Enid realized in that moment that she hadn’t entirely thought through how to confess to her weeks-long deception. She took a deep breath, and began to speak without a plan. “Okay I honestly never meant for any of this to turn into what it did on so many levels and I– it wasn’t supposed to be– this whole thing I just– I…” She took a deep breath. “I may have fabricated a few things about Wednesday and I’s relationship… mainly the part about it… existing?” She stopped pacing and glanced sideways wearily.

“What.” Yoko’s reaction was subtle and cloaked, reminiscent of her fake girlfriend. 

She turned to face the vampire as her hands orchestrated her words, but kept the fast pace of her speech. “I’m so, so sorry Yoko! It was–ugh– it was just for the contest! Almost everything I said was true though! We just– just the part about kissing and confessing feelings to each other never actually happened, we just took a backstory that kind of already existed and spiced it up so it sounded like we had… ya know–”

“Become a couple?”

“Yes! And I never wanted to lie to anyone but we figured it would be no big deal because everyone already thought we were dating anyways and honestly we wouldn’t even have to change anything–”

“Enid take a breath.”

“-- about our relationship or make up anything past the one get-together story but then you made us kiss and then we kissed again in our dorm–”

“Heyo, what?”

“And then I just started feeling all these things that I thought would just go away but they have NOT and then yesterday happened and–”

“Wait what happened yesterday?”

“Now I can’t get any of this out of my head and honestly Yoko I think I’ve been a goner for even longer than I realize–”

“Yes.”

“And now ohmygoshYokoholy shit I’m IN LOVE with Wednesday. ADDAMS !”

“Girl breathe. ” Enid had thrown her face into Yoko’s comforter and responded with a vocalization that was somewhere between a growl and a scream. “Okay, unhinged much?” Enid lifted her head to reveal her red face and glossy eyes to the vampire, who looked down at her. She arched one eyebrow and said, “first of all, get a grip. Here.” Yoko shoved a large black bat plushie into her arms. Enid hugged tightly, and Yoko sighed again and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Of all the unholy… So let me get this straight… even though no one in this room is.”

“Yoko please!” Enid buried her face into the bat and heard Yoko laugh. “Not. Helping,” came out muffled from the black fluff. 

“Okay, you faked all of this? Really?” 

Enid whimpered as she made eye contact again and then dipped her chin in a slow nod. Yoko shook her head, but eventually moved her legs back as if to invite Enid to sit next to her. 

She pulled herself up onto the bed, cradling the bat. “Yoko what do I do ?!”

“Look. Somehow it surprises me literally zero percent that you did something this stupid and are now somehow just coming to terms with the fact that you are the world’s most hopeless lesbian or– bi werewolf. Whatever. Like… you thought you were gonna get through pretending to date your hot best-friend-roommate who you’ve already trauma-bonded with on several occasions, without falling for her?” Enid made a small noise as if to protest, but it was weak and died quickly. “I want to say that I’m surprised that you could pull off the lying and Wednesday could pull off the acting, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t that hard ‘cause all this was actually so fucking real for both of you that it took no effort. Like, the biggest lie here is the one you two have been telling yourselves that this was fake.” She paused but then added, “I am however feeling personally victimized for not being involved in this.” Enid offered puppy-dog eyes, but said nothing. “In conclusion, am I shocked? No. Pissed? Little bit. But we’ll discuss the parameters of your atonement later. Back to your oblivious-gay crisis. What happened yesterday?”

Enid scooted in and took another deep breath. “Okay so Saturday night after we finally got done talking to the police I just crashed out, but Sunday morning she caught me up on her latest vision which came from some old antique art she found with Greek writing on it but it’s really old and worn away and written in some font or something Google can’t read so we can’t translate it.”

In the brief pause, Yoko interjected, “I know some Greek.”

“ What?!”

“I’m a vampire. We’re expected to know at least a few modern and ancient languages. If you don’t know at least four by the time you’re two-hundred it’s considered lazy. Anyways I was really into Hercules as a kid, so.”

“The Disney movie?”

“Ya. I think it was mostly that I had a crush on Meg.”

Enid laughed. “Okay, then you’re definitely helping us with this later. Anyways, so then we went to visit Fen, came back to the dorm, and after her writing time I like, kinda had a meltdown over everything? And– Yoko ohmygosh it was the sweetest thing. She held out her arms for a HUG!”

“Awkward.”

“No! It was the cutest, she’s never done that! Obviously I like, tackled her. Then, you’ll never guess– oh my gosh and you can’t ever tell ANYONE that I told you this! Promise?”

“Sure.”

“She asked me if I wanted her to read to me !” Enid bit her lip and waited for a reaction.

“Stop. I will perish. Wednesday Addams offered you a bedtime story? Was it a coroner’s report?”

“The Red Kilometer, one of Stephanie’s, obvi. Okay but here’s where it gets bad, and I think where I finally lost it.”

“You think this is where you lost it?”

“I grabbed some of my pillows and we started out kinda sitting up, but I got tired and eventually we both kinda scooted down, and then… she lifted. Her arm. Yoko. We’ve cuddled on accident before, never on purpose!”

Yoko closed her eyes. “I think the accident is me listening to this.”

“And if I didn’t die completely by that point, next she gets up to turn off the lights and stuff, and I woke up and went to leave and she– deadass– says, ‘stay.’”

“Is this finally gonna get spicy? Because it’s about time and I’m here for it.” 

“Sorryyyyy – all sugar no spice. But she got back into bed and let me fall asleep with my head on her shoulder” –she squeeked– “and I woke up this morning to the sound of her typewriter and rolled over to a warm. Chocolate. Muffin! ” Enid said through a wide smile. 

“Okay so what? You’re in love with her now… And you think she doesn’t feel the same?” 

“Obviously not but there’s more.”

“Oh dear gods in hell.”

“I was barely awake and when I thanked her I accidentally called her ‘baby .” Enid’s eyes were wide and still. Yoko paused only a moment taking in the new information, then laughed loudly.

“It’s not funny! You should have seen her face! I didn’t think Wednesday was even capable of looking that freaked out!” She buried herself into the bat once more.

Yoko subdued herself gradually before replying. “Look we already know that girl isn’t gonna like pet names no matter how down bad she is. But she is. You just need to talk to her.”

“I can’t! There’s no way this could work out, she couldn’t–”

“You don’t know that unless you talk to her.”

“But what if it freaks her out even more?!”

“And what if it doesn’t? Talk to her.”

“Yoko I wouldn’t even know how to–”

“Talk to her? Just make words. With your mouth. Kinda do it every day.”

“No, Yoko, this could go so wrong, I can’t just–”

“Talk to her? Sure can.”

“Stop! I seriously don’t know what to do right now.”

“I have an idea.”

“Yok–”

“TALK. TO. HER.”

“ FINE!”

There was a brief silence between the two girls, until the vampire took a sudden breath and asked, “wait what happened after the party Saturday?”

Enid smirked at her friend and said, “okay that story is spicy…”

Moments later, Yoko’s voice could be heard across the entirety of Ophelia Hall, and in nearby parts of the school.

“ AND YOU THINK SHE’S NOT INTO YOU?!”

. 

Wednesday stared at the snow left lining the circular window frame from the morning flurries as she sat at her desk. She hadn’t gone back to classes after the meeting, but instead checked out a book on Greek mythology and came back to the dorm with the intent of using it to translate the script that plagued her. She quickly regretted this strategy, finding it pointless with the lack of actual Greek being used. Her eyes wandered. It wasn’t long before they reached the half-eaten muffin left on her nightstand. She stared at it for several moments, remembering exactly when Enid stopped eating it. The werewolf had rolled over, reached out, and taken three large, uninhibited bites before swallowing and saying, ‘ mmmm this is so sweet of you, thanks baby,’ and then choked. Wednesday had already scolded her once for the attempted use of childish terms of endearment, and now she was coughing up chocolate chip crumbs on her comforter. She had stopped typing to watch her roommate in slight disgust for both slights, making sure she was able to regain proper use of her trachea. Enid was quiet the rest of the morning, and Wednesday wasn’t sure if it was due to damaged soft tissue, or ego. Regardless, she had enjoyed the rare silence.

She came back to the present and took the time to clean up the remnants, then decided she had neglected her cello for longer than usual, and pulled it out onto the balcony. She had obtained new sheet music for several songs she wanted to go over; a few she hadn’t played in many years, and a few she didn’t know at all. It ended up taking more of her afternoon than she had anticipated and school was almost out, in which case her alone time would soon be disrupted. She still had chores at the hives, which she opted to get to next to avoid the crowds along the way. 

Leaving when she did, she was able to arrive without hindrance. She checked the food stores for the hives they had moved inside, and cleared the snow off of the insulated hives outside, finishing just before students started milling about the grounds. She looked up at the picture of Dulo’s pet rock and remembered that she still hadn’t asked Xavier about his newest artwork, so her next stop was his studio. 

As she neared the small structure, she heard two voices coming through the two open windows, then rounded the corner to see the main door wide open as well. As she peered in, she saw Dulo beside Xavier, who sat in front of a finished painting of Yoko, Divina, Kent, and Lucas, standing at the edge of the lake. Every detail was incredibly accurate. Xavier had a few different styles he liked to work in, but over the last year, his realist work had become so life-like–even without him animating it off of its surface– that it was almost scary.

“Oh hey Wednesday!”

“Dulo. Xavier.” Wednesday nodded as she walked in. 

“Figured you’d come by here at some point. Y’know, after Fen,” Xavier said.

“Even a broken clock and Dulo are right twice a day.” Dulo smiled. “I’m sure between the two of you the IQ in this room is high enough that I don’t need to worry about suffocating on stupidity. Is that why all the windows are open?”

“Are you really gonna come in here and insult both of us and then ask me for help? ‘Cause I know that’s why you’re here.” Xavier got up and pulled a canvas out of a drawer and began to set it up on an empty easel. Then he nodded towards the open windows and said, “I did a lot of oils today, then washed my brushes in turpentine. Wouldn’t wanna kill those few precious brain cells.”

“Sounds like you can dish it out but can’t take it.”

“What are you talking about? We haven’t talked since–”

“The party. Where you demonstrated that you’re clearly still bitter about our past grievances while simultaneously being the nail in my ‘Never Have I Ever’ coffin. I’m honestly a bit impressed with the double-barreled pettiness you managed to put into a single sentence.”

Xavier rolled his eyes as he took out a pencil and began to sketch. “Please, I’m sure you were destroyed having to kiss your girlfriend. Cry me a river.”

Dulo looked at both of them with a frown over his eye. “Is that where rivers come from?”

Wednesday crossed her arms and replied to Xavier. “Only if we can use it as a moat around your mountain of entitled resentment.”

Xavier slammed his pencil down onto the easel’s ledge and sighed curtly. “Wednesday. What do you want?”

“Your art.”

“I don’t do commissions.”

“You know what I mean.”

Xavier sighed again and got up to walk over towards a table by the window, where Wednesday followed. She looked down to see three sketches, all similar to the painting she had snuck in and found previously. They offered little more detail, unfortunately.

“When these images come to you, are you there? Do you feel anything?” she asked as a page was picked up by the breeze and skittered to the floor. 

Xavier bent down to retrieve it as he replied, “sometimes. I can always feel the heat, from the flames. But otherwise it feels like the… dragon, I’m guessing.. Is in the distance.” All three of the papers fluttered a few inches over this time before both of them reached out to catch them. Before Wednesday could reply, an extremely low, base-deep “ aaaarroooooooooooo” filled the room and was held for several seconds before it repeated. Wednesday turned to see Dulo blowing into some sort of very small instrument covered by his hands. Then a clatter stole her attention back towards the window as two fist-sized rocks rolled in and onto the table, holding the drawings in place. 

“Dude what the hell was that?” Xavier asked the large Cyclops.

“A vrakos-klisi,” Wednesday said, as she walked over to him, now able to see the piece. “They’re incredibly rare. My Uncle Fester stole one from the International Music Museum of Relics and Literature. Normies never did figure out what they did, they’re too hard to play correctly. But of course anyone well-versed in ancient Outcast instruments will have heard of them.”

“... Did your weirdly deep kazoo just bring two paperweights into the shed?”

“Ya! It calls rocks. Rocks are friends.”

“Their vibrations work on most types of stone, and how you play it can have an effect on which types respond, and what direction they go.” Wednesday looked back at the now-still papers. “You must be very practiced at this, Dulo.”

The Cyclops shrugged. “I just like rocks.”

Wednesday blinked. “May I?” She held out her hand and the instrument was placed carefully in her upturned palm. It was made of a deep cherry oak, oval-shaped, and carved intricately into the surface appeared the face of a friendly demon. 

“Sick,” she heard Xavier whisper from behind her. 

“Oh no it’s not sick, it’s supposed to sound like that,” Dulo reassured him. Wednesday passed the piece to the artist and returned to the table. 

“Xavier, is there any other artwork you’ve come up with since we last spoke? Anything else related?” 

“Just those,” he replied, still preoccupied with the instrument. She stared down at the sketches, frustrated. He was withholding the paintings she’d found when she snuck in, but why? And now here she was with no new information, meaning she was no further along and she’d need to continue checking in with him; he was still actively having dreams that could eventually prove useful, if he decided to share… But she’d have no such luck this time. Pinned down under the stone was just another wall of fire, and an eyeless, evil creature staring out from between the flames.

.

“I think the first word is ‘continue,’ but I’m really not sure. Also ‘me’ means ‘with’ or ‘by’...”

“I thought you said she understood Greek,” Wednesday said to Enid with an impatient tone.

“Look I just don’t know what ‘klironomia’ is. The rest of it… synechisei tin klironomia me kathe meso…” Yoko held the frame and ran her fingers over the well-worn inscription.

“Yes. That’s it, that’s what they were saying in my vision.”

“It means ‘continue something, by any means. I’m pretty sure. Look you said you couldn’t use Google translate because of the script right? I can pretty much read it though, so I can just type it out for you.”

“That works!” Enid said as she pulled out her phone. “I already got a Greek keyboard from last time! Here!” She handed it to the vampire, and the other two waited. 

“There.” Wednesday immediately moved to the vampire’s shoulder and looked at the small screen. “συνεχίσει την κληρονομιά με κάθε μέσο. ‘Continue the legacy by any means.’” 

.

Click-clacking filled the room for thirty minutes after Yoko’s departure, before Enid’s voice broke through the static noise. 

“Hey, Wedns?”

“Yes,” Wednesday answered as more of a statement, confirming she was physically present.

“I was… I kinda wanted to talk to you about something,” she said quietly.

“I’m listening.”

“Um, I just wanted to let you know… that I was sorry about this morning. Um, I know that was weird and I–”

“It’s fine, Enid,” Wednesday answered again without breaking pace with her fingers.

“Oh. Okay well, that’s good… I just, I think I was worried, like, after the other night…”

An empty pause filled the room, though Wednesday continued to type. “What are you referring to?”

“The um,” Enid cleared her throat. “Uh, Saturday, after the party, once we got back…” Enid’s voice became quieter again as her sentence trailed.

“It is not uncommon for two girls under the influence to measure the depths of their sexuality within the safe confines of a friendship.”

“Oh. Uh, okay. Ya… What exactly does that mean?”

Wednesday stilled her hands only briefly. “If you’re worried about this affecting our friendship, you can relax. There’s no need to assign meaning where there isn’t any. We’re both simply playing a part, and everything is still going according to our plan for the contest. Speaking of which, the next prompt will be out tomorrow.”

Wednesday resumed typing, but heard nothing but keys after that for over a minute.

“Actually–” Wednesday thought she heard Enid’s voice crack before the girl cleared her throat. “Actually we already got it.” At that, she stopped her typing and turned around to look at her roommate, who gave her a closed, half-smile that seemed more forced than usual. The werewolf cleared her throat again, sniffed, and walked over towards her. “We got a message from the head editor, since we won.” Enid handed Wednesday the phone with the message pulled up, and she quickly read through the pink speech bubbles.

“This is excellent.”

“Well, is it? Wednesday, how are we gonna come up with a good picture to convince the world we’re gonna last when our relationship technically never even started?”

Wednesday frowned. “Our friendship will last, won’t it?”

Enid mirrored her expression. “Well, I hope so, but that’s not the same thing anyways. We’re not trying to prove we’ll be besties forever, this is us as a couple.” Wednesday sat staring at the phone again, taking in Enid’s words. Perhaps she had a point. “I mean, if you think of anything, let me know, but I think it’s gonna need to be romantically convincing, too.”

Wednesday stopped scanning the paragraph when a new notification appeared at the top of the screen. It was Enid’s mother. 

Esther: Enid honey I’m sorry I was so harsh in our conversation last…

Wednesday bristled and handed the phone back to her roommate. 

“Oh. Great,” Enid mumbled as she opened the text and began to read. She breathed out heavily and Wednesday deduced it was not in relief. “She said she’s not making me fly back home but she found a guy out here who she’s going to arrange a meeting with this weekend, and I have to go. She said she’d call me about it tomorrow.” Enid rolled her eyes as she finished the explanation. “Any brilliant ideas on how to get out of this?”

“Ask me tomorrow when we know what she’s planning.”

.

Three days had passed, and Enid felt like her world had become unusually, and strikingly stagnant. Esther, true to her word, called Tuesday afternoon. Enid was instructed to be in Jericho by noon on Saturday where a car would pick her up and take her to Boston, and her “date” would be waiting for her at some fancy restaurant in the city. She was nice enough to book her a hotel room for the night and set up the train ride home Sunday, but she was dreading the entire thing and Wednesday hadn’t come back with any escape plan. 

On top of that, no one had come up with anything, period. The head start on the prompt meant nothing– all of the other top contestants had posted by now. She didn’t feel pressured by the quality, luckily; none of the pictures were anything extraordinary, at least without their captions. Some had come up with several paragraphs of poetic tales of their eternal love and companionship, but Wednesday assured her this was not a writing contest, and the right photo would speak for itself and reach more of the audience. All well and good, but not comforting enough for Enid when this ‘right picture’ was yet to manifest itself onto her account. 

By Thursday night, she was crying to Yoko for the second time that week.

“If we don’t do something for this picture tomorrow then we won’t even have a chance to again until SUNDAY! And if we wait that long we’re doomed Yoko! Between this and my mother’s pending arranged-marriage I might as well take a silver bullet to the heart– my life is OVER!”

“Ya, so suicide might be a little extreme, just a thought. But I can’t help you with this one, even me and Div were stumped, we gave up. Plus, I could never even begin to understand the relationship you and goth-Pippi Longstocking share enough to offer insight, especially now.” Enid growled and threw herself back onto the bed next to her friend. “Have you talked to her yet?”

“I tried! She said something about ‘exploring our sexuality within our friendship’ being normal for intoxicated girls our age or something, and then said not to ‘assign meaning’ where there was none.”

“Uh, actual WTF moment. What does that even mean ?!”

“I don’t KNOW!”

“Okay okay. Here’s what we're gonna do. Little miss Lucifer is clearly in denial, big time. Fine. Maybe she’s just not ready to face this head-on.”

“Ya with Wednesday I think she’d prefer to do things heads off. ”

“You two officially spend too much time together. Anyways, the feelings are there. Trust.”

“How can you be suuuree?”

“I’m sure. But in the meantime… You are her girlfriend, for all intents and purposes, right?”

“Well, basically–”

“So just keep acting like it. Aaannd, what happens in the first few months of dating?”

“... Yoko I’m not gonna sleep with her–”

“No! Not– I meant the honeymoon phase . It’s new, lean in and have fun, know what I mean?”

“Like, be more flirty?”

“Yes! Just treat it like you’re actually dating. Might as well. Maybe you’ll start thawing out her frozen soul a little at a time.”

“Maybe…”

“Honestly what do you have to lose? Real, you’ll have gotten to play Taylor and Travis and blame it all on the contest and completely avoid the breakup-song drama after. Just do it.”

Enid searched her friend’s eyes and exhaled. What other choice did she really have?

.

Wednesday heard Enid’s squeal from across the crowd before she even spotted her sitting at the table during break. Her and a few of their friends were huddled around a small package that came into view as she approached.

“No. Way. Wednesday is going to freak. How did they know?!” she heard Enid say, while others agreed.

“Know what?” she asked. 

“Wedns! Look!” Enid held out her hand, eyes darting from her roommate’s face to the object and back.

Wednesday nearly gasped as she saw the knife in Enid’s hands. “A Taipan.” She took it the rest of the way out of its black velvet casing, and inspected the flawless weapon. Taipan was an Outcast-owned company that currently produced the world’s highest-quality knives. This was their newest out-the-front double-action switchblade; smooth, rounded edges to the handle to avoid catching on fabrics when being taken out or put away, easily concealed, and the blade was made of the finest, sharpest steel available on the market. There were few places she’d rather obtain a knife from. “Where did this come from?”

“It’s one of our prizes for winning last week!” Enid practically squeaked again, bouncing as she spoke. 

“What did you get?”

“Oh, this super bougie lip oil. All the best influencers talk about this stuff but it’s normally like, hundreds of dollars.” Enid presented the small metallic box, and Wednesday looked up to see a smile that, while genuine, was much smaller than the one she had when giving Wednesday her gift. 

She glanced around the circle, and saw Fen was there sitting down across from Enid, Eugene’s arm protectively around her. “Oh! Fen’s back! Only has to have a boot on for support, they think for another couple days. Gotta love werewolf healing right?!”

“Depends on the werewolf.”

“My most enthusiastic ‘welcome back’ so far, as expected, Addams,” Fen teased. 

“Hey where’s your guys’ post? I didn’t see it and it’s already Friday. You didn’t drop out did you?” Eugene asked.

“No,” Wednesday answered sharply. “We’ve had scheduling conflicts. It’ll make sense when you see it.” 

Enid’s eyes snapped to her fake-girlfriend’s. After holding the silent eye contact for an almost-strange length of time, the werewolf smiled and spoke. “Ya,” she said as she took a side-step into Wednesday’s space and laced their fingers together. “We’ve both just been too busy to um, get exactly what we want. Right Wedns?” She then turned to her and reached up to straighten the black school tie. Wednesday fought to play along and held still, but gave Enid a confused glance. 

“Yes. Busy.” She then felt Enid gently nuzzle against her cheek and ear before setting her chin down on her shoulder, one short giggle punctuating the motions. 

Enid whispered quietly enough that even the werewolves in the vicinity wouldn’t be able to make out every word. “Do you actually have a plan though?” Whatever Enid was wearing that day was more understated than usual, but she could smell it now. It wasn’t nearly as sweet and obnoxious as her regular perfume lines, but the scent along with the new affection was creating an even stronger wave of nausea than the last time Enid made her sick, and her face actually felt room temperature, which seemed scorching against the crisp air.

Wednesday pulled her away from the group into one of the hallways. “Yes.”

“Oh!” Enid smiled and bounced again.

“There’s a… backdrop, at my house. It took some extra threats, but I was able to pull the right strings and expedite the process. It was ready late yesterday afternoon. Technically, the picture would suffice without us even in it, with what I’ve arranged. But I thought it would be worth the risk of waiting longer, and showing it to you in person. You can decide then if you want it to include us as well.”

Enid’s eyes widened as she spoke, and her smile grew. “Wednesday! What is it?!”

“Patience is a virtue,” she said with a lifted eyebrow.

“Since when are you virtuous?”

“I’m not the one who has to wait.” Her mouth curved up slightly then, and she saw Enid’s eyes sparkle in the white light of the overcast day. To her dismay, the joy dropped from her face in an instant.

“Wait, when are we gonna go to your house?! I have to leave tomorrow to Boston for my stupid date, remember?!”

Wednesday bristled. “Don’t go.”

“Is that your brilliant solution?! I have to.”

“Dealing with your mother’s atrocious parenting skills shouldn’t require brilliance.” Wednesday huffed and squeezed the hands that had been holding hers as they spoke. “We’ll have to go after. It’s good enough, we can still make top three.”

“Posting Sunday? ”

“Do you trust me?”

Enid paused, but Wednesday knew by the look on her face that it was not out of hesitance, only disappointment. “Of course.”

“Then we’ll do it Sunday. Change your train home to the station by my house. I’ll be waiting.”

Enid offered a soft smile and nodded. Her eyes then shifted towards their friends, who happened to be not-so-subtly watching the two. Wednesday saw the blonde look back at her. “They’re watching,” she said with a coy tone. Her eyelashes fluttered as her focus darted up and down Wednesday’s face. She swallowed, and let her own eyes do the same. But as Enid got closer, her lips ran an unexpected course towards Wednesday’s other cheek. She felt the slightly puckered smile press gently into the already-heated skin. Instead of pulling away, Enid dipped her chin so that her forehead and nose made contact with the shorter girl. Rainbow-tipped fingers curled tighter around black, and led them behind her back before letting go, placing Wednesday into a hug. Wednesday felt those same hands reach up and delicately run down her braids. “Thank you,” was whispered against her neck and Wednesday felt the completely foreign sensation of chills. Even though they had recently crossed the threshold of shared saliva, the position they were in somehow felt like the most intimate they had been. Wednesday wasn’t sure what to do or what she even wanted to do, but her body decided on its own to try and incrementally eliminate whatever space was still existing between the two of them. 

Her arms tightened. Her poise shifted inward.

Enid buried her face further. Irritation arose from her chest as every student walking by now seemed far too close. Not too close to her. They were much too close to Enid. 

.

The remainder of Friday came and went with Enid’s increased affection bordering on too much to handle. Wednesday found her lack of discomfort to be worrisome; it was all a bit paradoxical. 

The werewolf begged for hints every few hours up until it was time to leave for Jericho, but Wednesday refused to give her any information about what awaited them Sunday. Enid finally gave up and snuck in a third peck on the cheek before Wednesday could refuse, then skipped down the hallway to leave a reluctantly flustered fake-girlfriend alone in their dorm. She sat down to type, and lasted all of eighteen minutes before she stopped to glance at Enid’s empty side of the room. She got up to see what remained of the girl, who was traveling further away than she’d been from her since the start of the semester. 

She had cleaned up her entire side of the room after packing, leaving a made bed, neatly arranged stuffed animals, and an orderly desk. On the desk, though, she left the empty box that the lip oil came in. Wednesday reached out to pick it up, and the room went white.

“Thank you Miss Sinclair, your room is ready, it’s room number 4241. Please dial zero for the front desk if you need anything,” a tall, uniformed-woman said as she slid Enid’s ID and a plastic keycard across the marble back to the werewolf.

“Thanks!”

Enid stood in front of a full-length mirror and smoothed out her silver dress as she sighed. She looked to the right towards a dresser, makeup bag emptied near the edge. She picked up the gifted lip oil and spread it evenly across her lips before she closed the tube, tossed it back onto the dresser, and turned to walk away. 

Familiar gloved hands untwisted a dropper from a small glass bottle with no label, and squeezed out several drops of rust-colored liquid onto the top of a steak, sitting under a heat lamp on a stainless steel shelf. 

A young, clean-shaven and elegant man in a collared shirt and loose tie sat at a table set for two. The lighting in the room was dim, but a single candle revealed the details of the set up; a clean white table cloth under matte-black plates, sleek silverware, and burgundy cloth napkins. Across from him, a blonde werewolf nervously batting her eyelashes. A server arrived with their meals. Enid had ordered a steak.

An anguished scream filled a dark alleyway, and a trash can flew through the air and smashed against a building wall. The lighting in the space was dim, but a single street light revealed the scene; a small, feminine figure thrashing through stacks of empty boxes and wooden pallets. More screams echoed. The silhouette of claws appeared, raised above her head, then they swung and crashed across the side of a metal dumpster as sparks flew. Enid fell to her knees on the wet concrete, heaving and shaking.

Wednesday’s head snapped back up with a startled inhale.

Enid was next.

Chapter Text

“MRRRNNGGHHHRRRRRMMMMM.”

“Yes, ninety-three South in eight miles.” 

Wednesday reluctantly scrolled through her phone, not bothering to meet the corpse-like eyes in the rearview mirror as she replied. She knew she had no other choice but to subject herself to the uninspired modern device if she wanted to get to Enid as quickly as possible; her friend hadn’t left any information on where she’d be, and no one knew, other than Esther. 

So, Wednesday went straight from vision to crystal ball and called in a ride of her own. She still had to wait close to two hours, as there was no one any closer to Nevermore that day, but she was on the road and set to arrive on the outskirts of the city approximately thirty-five minutes into Enid’s dinner. She could only hope that they would start with hors d'oeuvres.

In the time she had to spend waiting to be picked up, Wednesday had considered sneaking into the administrator’s office–as she’d easily accomplished in the past– to find Esther’s contact information, but decided it would be wasted effort with no guarantee of success. Esther, having coordinated this date almost entirely because of Wednesday and her daughter’s relationship with her, was not the most likely source to be forthcoming with helpful information, even if she did try to explain that her daughter was in danger. Wednesday was also not ready to take Esther off of the prime-suspects list. She had considered the likelihood of her being behind all of this, and realistically it was small; what would she gain in poisoning her own daughter, and on a date with another wolf, no less? She was appalling as a parent but her abuse was strictly emotional. And, why would she have targeted Fen first? She planned to have a conversation with Enid regarding any possible werewolf-world drama she might not be currently privy to, but so far nothing really added up. Even still, she knew better than to write off anyone without significant evidence of their innocence, and she wasn’t necessarily in a hurry to defend Esther’s honor.

With the only clues Wednesday had for the location of the restaurant being taken from her vision, she knew the table settings and the waiter’s uniform- nothing distinct. Wonderful. It was hardly anything to go off of and she still wasn’t accustomed to using her phone for research, but at least she had over three hours of travel before they reached the city where she’d need to commit to more detailed directions. It seemed like plenty of time, but her first quick search shared that there were currently over four thousand restaurants in Boston, and almost six hundred hotels. She was going to have to be resourceful. 

.

Enid extended and retracted her claws, making sure the silver-sand nail polish was dry. Her eyes ticked over to her phone, which she still hadn’t taken off of airplane mode since the drive. She had lost service early on, but not before two texts managed to assault her. She didn’t bother opening them then, and didn’t have any desire to see them now. “ Did the driver find you? What are you wearing? Please take this seriously, Enid. It’s for your future.” Blah blah BLAH. She saw the first few words. She could fill in the rest. 

It felt weird not having access to her texts and socials for almost an entire day, but she supposed this was as good a time as any to give herself a phone detox. What did she need it for anyways? Her mom would be the only one blowing it up; Yoko and Divina were having their own date night back in Jericho, and Wednesday said, in so many words, that she’d be busy mystery-solving, or something. 

Ugh, Wednesday.

If she hadn’t fallen hopelessly in love with her best friend, would this date be less miserable? Would she actually be chatting with her mom about what outfit she chose and how she did her makeup? Things had started to get better between them since wolfing out… at least it was nice while it lasted. So many years she spent dreaming of being normal and having her family help her find a mate, and now here she was, and it all felt wrong. 

And what if she had never tried to win this contest, and gone out with Danny instead? 

…But was there really any world in which she didn’t fall for Wednesday? Now that she felt it, she couldn’t imagine anything else. Couldn’t imagine a better partner, teammate. How could someone like Danny ever come close to everything that Wednesday was? How could anyone? How could she not have seen it all along?

And now she couldn’t imagine wanting to kiss anyone else so bad. What she wouldn’t give to kiss her again right–

“Alright, I’ve gotta stop obsessing over Wednesday, this is getting creepy. … Though I bet she’d like that– NO! Enid, no. Stop.” She took a deep breath. “Just gotta get through this night and I’ll see her tomorrow. Tonight will be fine. It’ll be fun! Just a couple hours with a fellow werewolf, then a night in a king-sized bed all to myself.”

Enid stepped over to the full-length mirror and adjusted her earrings, and smoothed out her silver dress as she sighed. She looked over to her right and picked up her new lip oil. As she ran it across her lips, she tasted it. For how expensive it was, it certainly didn’t taste much different from anything else she had worn. It did look good on her though. 

She twisted the cap back on and tossed it back onto the dresser, and as she turned to leave, she couldn’t help but wonder what Wednesday might think of the taste. 

.

“It’s Aalek, with two A’s.”

“Nice to meet you. Enid. One E,” she replied as they shook hands. The tall werewolf laughed and turned to follow the hostess to their table. He pulled out the seat for her before he sat down himself. 

“Wow, a gentleman. I didn’t know they made werewolves in that variety.”

“It’s a very rare strain, to be sure.”

This made Enid smile. Aalek was clearly practiced in first-impressions. He was well-groomed and well-spoken, and was a perfect example of the difference between the highschool boys she was typically surrounded by, and young men who had left that stage far behind. Her mother had mentioned he was twenty, just finishing his second year of college, and would be starting at Yale in the fall. He had just broken up with his highschool sweetheart a few months ago and Esther said the fact that she nailed down this date was fate.

Enid examined him silently in the candlelight as their conversation ambled along. Admittedly, he was a catch. Certainly on paper, and so far also visually. He was, what she thought was her type, up until recently; a lean, traditionally handsome, clean-shaven man with an unassuming smile and soft brown eyes. He was smart, accomplished, and part of a wealthy werewolf family. Younger-her would have killed for a potential mate like this not so long ago. But it was only a matter of seconds before older, self-proclaimed wiser-her was making a strong argument for another suiter. 

Wednesday was the opposite of tall, but she’d beat him in a fight one-handed and blindfolded(at least in his human form, possibly wolfed-out too, with both hands and her vision). Wednesday was younger, but had more composure than any wolf could ever demonstrate. Wednesday didn’t have a high school diploma yet, but she could probably score higher than him on any test he’s ever had to take. Wednesday’s eyes were more beguiling. Wednesday’s presence was more powerful. Wednesday’s wit was sharper. Hell, even Wednesday’s pockets were deeper. The last point bore no weight with Enid, but it was just another way in which Wednesday out-everything’d him. 

“I like your dress. I gotta say I’m surprised though, you’re not exactly what your mom described.” 

Enid blinked and refocused on her actual date. “What? What do you mean?”

“My mom had her on speaker when she called, she said she wanted to make sure I had ‘fair warning’ before tonight. Mentioned that you were very colorful, both figuratively and literally, but especially literally.” He laughed into the end of his sentence and opened his menu.

Enid didn’t know how to feel. She thought toning it down was a choice her mother would have been proud of, but it turns out she was being preemptively punished anyways. She couldn’t even be given the chance to do the right thing, because she had been doing the wrong thing for so long?

“Hey, I didn’t mean that as a dig. Your mom… I mean, respectfully, she seems a little… overbearing.” Enid looked up at him with an appreciative smile. “You really do look nice.”

“Thank you…” Enid slowly pulled the burgundy napkin from the table onto her lap. “Honestly color is way more my thing. I was just trying to be…”

“What your mom wants you to be?”

Wow.

“Yes.”

“I get it. I don’t even know if I really wanna be a lawyer.”

“ Really ? That’s like, a lot of school and a lot of hard work for something you’re not sure of.”

“Yes, but my parents are sure of it.” He shrugged. Enid’s heart sank. “It’s not so bad, I don’t hate it, and once I graduate and get hired I can work for a few years and earn enough for some financial fortitude, then do what I want, ya know?”

“But that’s like, almost all of your twenties.”

“Ya. But you understand. What’s the alternative? Getting to be the family disappointment and maybe even kicked out of the pack? No thanks.”

Enid glanced down at her menu, but nothing looked appetizing. 

“It’s why you’re on this date right now, right?”

Enid’s eyes lifted again to see a waiting stare. Where’s the lie? “Um, ya.”

“Don’t let it get to you. We can still have a good time. Your mom already covered the bill. I say we order the most expensive thing on the menu,” Aalek offered with a confident smirk.

Enid wanted to appreciate his efforts, but the fact that her mother covered the dinner– as if she had to bribe this guy and his family to take her daughter out– left her with a spiraling nausea. 

Aalek ordered the filet mignon for both of them, and somehow got away with having them bring a bottle of very expensive red wine. Enid let him pour her a glass but didn’t plan on touching it. While they waited for the main course, Enid tried to think of things to say, but found herself struggling to fully engage. 

“So, are you into any sports? Hockey maybe?”

Why aren’t I ever good enough for her?

“Nah, sometimes I watch basketball with my dad.”

“Oh. How about movies?”

She thinks going out with me needs an incentive, as if being with me isn’t one?!

“I don’t really watch a lot of movies. An occasional docu-series here and there. I mostly stick to reading.”

“Oh what are you reading?!”

“Nietzche, currently. Also try to keep up on the political climate.”

Aalek swirled his wine in its glass and took a very slow sip. He set his glass back down and smoothed out his grey tie that hung informally from under his collar. The conversation lulled here until the waiter appeared in all of his majestic, capeless heroism and announced their food had arrived. Aalek cut into his steak with neither urgency nor hesitation, and exposed only mild enthusiasm over the first square of pink meat.

I wonder if he’s enjoying all of his incentives.

“Perfectly cooked.” He looked up at Enid as he chewed. “You should enjoy your spoils.”

‘Spoils.’ Does he even want to be here with me? 

…Does Wednesday think this too? Is the contest the only incentive she’d ever see when it comes to being with me?

Enid’s throat tightened. Aalek swallowed.

There was nothing about the events of the night that called for disappointment. Not only was she finally eating out somewhere other than the three decent options in Jericho, but it was an upscale restaurant, and no bill to pay. Her date had been polite, and kind, and she felt no pressure from him to steer their night in any one direction. But somehow her mother, from over three thousand miles away, had ruined everything. 

Aalek’s tepid tone trailed on as Enid fought to stay present, but his content was dull and she was hurt; all she could do was stare at her steak and spiral further, for longer than she realized. She didn’t hear the waiter until his second attempt at communication. 

“Oh, sorry, yes please, a box is fine.” They cleared the table, and Aalek once again sipped his wine like it was molasses. She watched his facial expression and saw the moment it shifted from lifeless to apparent turmoil. 

“What is…”

“ENID!” Enid heard her name from the front of the restaurant and turned to see her surprisingly frantic fake girlfriend. 

“Wednesday?” She felt her heart rate pick up and the intense desire to move directly into her arms rise up like a wave. All of the hope in her body claimed that this was it– Wednesday had realized her feelings and come to break up the date. It wasn’t just about the contest, and her feelings were real. 

“Enid, don’t eat the steak. Am I too late?” Wednesday said as she reached the table, breathing heavier than usual even for an exerted Wednesday. 

“The steak?”

“Miss, you can’t be in here, you must have a reservation– I’m sorry ma’am, sir, do you know her?” The hostess had come rushing after the girl who paid her no mind.

“Ya–” Enid tried to answer but Wednesday interrupted.

“Yes, I had a vision, right after you left. Have you eaten it? I have a case of antitoxins I can try…” Wednesday pragmatically searched Enid for signs of physical illness. 

Or she had realized nothing. 

“You’re here because you had a vision?”

Wednesday leaned in and spoke softly. “Yes, I believe you’re the next target and they planned to poison you tonight, di–”

“I didn’t eat it Wednesday.”

Wednesday stood up straighter. “Oh. Okay.” 

“I’m going to the lady’s room,” Enid began as she stood up. “Aalek, Wednesday. Wednesday, Aalek.” 

Enid’s fast stride carried her away from the table just fast enough to keep her tears to herself.

.

The hostess left and Wednesday sat down in Enid’s seat. No one spoke a word for several minutes, and Wednesday could tell that she was far more comfortable with this situation than her counterpart.

“Look I don’t know who you are or what’s going on, but I don’t think she’s coming back.”

Wednesday gave away her confusion. “Why not?”

“She was already pretty upset before you showed up, I think mentioning her mom got to her. I get the feeling they don’t have the best relationship? Also, the restrooms are over there.” The direction he pointed was not the direction Enid had gone.

Wednesday didn’t waste time and stood up to leave. “Uh can you–” he got her attention before she walked away and Wednesday paused. “Can you tell her, thanks? And good luck… I had a nice time and I really hope she’s okay.” Wednesday nodded and turned to leave again before he caught her once more. “Oh, and, I would totally go out with her again if she’s interested in a second date, if you could give her my numb–”

“No.” Wednesday had already started walking as she replied. 

It didn’t take her long to find the back exit just past the kitchen. She saw the door at the end of a long hallway and thought to herself as she walked, how strange the situation was. Her visions were never wrong, but Enid didn’t eat the steak, and didn’t look ill or affected…

She opened the door to catch Enid in the final stages of said vision– just in time to see sparks fly from the side of the dumpster. Enid let out a scream and then a frustrated almost-roar before knocking over an old discarded fridge that toppled like tin under Enid’s intense strength. 

Wednesday understood now what was going on. Someone had poisoned that steak, but Enid wasn’t poisoned. She was upset. Witnessing her friend in such visceral distress wasn’t at the top of Wednesday’s to-do list, but seeing her in that powerful state of chaos and destruction was as captivating as ever. And the dichotomy of her in such an elegant(and colorless) outfit while feral and animalistic in the dark created its own unfamiliar level of appeal to the scene before her. She saw the werewolf fall to the ground on her hands and knees, just like in her vision, and another realization hit her: Enid was about to wolf out.

Her growls became deeper and a few snaps could be heard in her back. “No no nooooo,” she cried. Wednesday heard this and ran to her. Wolfing out in the middle of the city would not be good, especially if Enid was already overly emotional. As much as she adored her friend’s wolf state, she had to stop it. 

“Enid,” she said firmly as she knelt down in front of her. “Enid look at me.” 

“Wednesday? Aaahh!” She did not look up and her fingers started to grow and pop. “Wednesday I can’t…” she said between heavy breaths.

“I know, look at me, you can do this.”

“No, ah! ” Enid shook her head and cried again. Her fingers shrunk back down but her back cracked again. She was fighting it, but she wasn’t winning the battle yet.

“Yes, you can. Look at me!” Wednesday’s hands were on her shoulders gently trying to pull her up, and Enid shivered and whimpered. After a few seconds though, she growled as she looked up at her friend. Her fangs were visible and her eyes were such a cold silver they were almost unrecognizable. Wednesday wanted a framed picture above her bed. “Enid, slow your breathing, you–” She looked up to see shadows and heard voices and laughter. If they were caught and Enid became defensive it could send her over the edge, and this was not Nevermore, these would be normie casualties. 

Enid dropped her head and growled again, claws dragging against the asphalt. “Enid,” Wednesday regained her attention by putting her hands on her face and pulling her gaze into hers once more. The werewolf squeezed her eyes tightly and Wednesday saw her lengthened face crackle and shift closer to its normal shape as she cried, but her teeth were still too long and one ear was noticeably large and pointed. The small crowd was getting closer and she knew she had to do something fast. She pulled Enid’s face to hers and kissed her. 

Enid gasped against her lips, then exhaled heavily. Their lips parted and reconnected for a breath, and the werewolf’s body softened as she lifted herself up on her knees to match Wednesday, and moved her own hands to the girl’s waist. Wednesday ran her thumbs slowly across cool cheeks, and felt Enid shake as her body began to settle back into its human form completely. One final growl rumbled between their lips, and Wednesday felt its effects run down her spine. She breathed deeply through her nose and pushed forward, spurred by the menacing vocals. The kiss intensified and fingers tangled in blonde hair. Wednesday opened her mouth around the glossy lips and Enid whined this time and pulled the smaller girl forward into her, claws still protruding and catching on black fabric. 

“What the… Hey!”

The girls pulled apart, startled by a man’s voice, and both turned to see him in the doorway. “You left your…” It was the waiter, who was taking in the destruction of the back alley, holding a to-go bag. “What the hell happened out here?” he asked. 

Wednesday calmly rose and walked to him, took the bag as he stood in silent bewilderment, and said, “Enid, run.”

They both took off while the waiter yelled after them, but didn’t bother making chase.  

.

Both girls caught their breath two blocks later and finally acknowledged the situation with laughter– Enid laughed, Wednesday allowed a closed-mouth smile. 

“Well that whole night was at least fifty shades of weird.”

They walked along the busy sidewalk, shoulders brushing. 

“I tried to reach you. Why was your phone off?”

“Oh shit.” Enid reached into her own bag for her phone and tapped along the screen. “I put it on airplane mode forever ago! I figured you’d be busy and I didn’t wanna hear from my mom anymore.” Wednesday’s eyes scaled her skeptically, but she walked on in silence. “Ugh, there.” Enid slid her phone into a pocket and looked over at her friend. “So um, the kiss was, a choice.”

“Something had to be done. You needed a distraction.”

“Ya I mean it was an, interesting strategy… How’d you know it would work?” Enid’s eyes darted around.

“I didn’t. But there were people coming that would’ve made a scene if they had caught us in the position we were in. Or were about to be in. Luckily it’s twenty-twenty-four, so two girls kissing in an alleyway is the least shocking thing they’ve seen in this city I’m sure. The other alternatives were either letting you wolf out or stabbing you. Neither of those would have yielded an ideal chain of events for the night.”

Enid looked at her lips. Was that really it? And she felt nothing? “Ya. Highkey appreciate the no-stabbing decision.” Wednesday only nodded, not a speck of emotion to be seen. Damnit.  “Soooo… what do we do now?”

Wednesday stopped and looked around. “It seems to have been a trying night for you. Your date clearly had nothing to offer, you were the target of a violent crime, and you were almost overtaken by another emotionally-induced wolf out. What would you like to do?”

Enid smiled. It didn’t matter what anyone else had experienced, Wednesday didn’t usually bother to consider their perspective. It was easy–if you knew her– to see the way Wednesday cared about and fiercely protected those that she loved, but she still didn’t process the world in a way that she’d actively put herself in another’s shoes. The closest she came to practicing such a skill was when she’d consider a murderer’s point of view, either during writing, or one of her many mystery-solving ventures. Of course that came more naturally to her than the perspective of someone like Enid. So to have her consider Enid’s night tonight, was a rare effort of essentially abstract thinking for Wednesday. 

So maybe she didn’t feel the same way, but at least she cared. Maybe Enid would learn to accept that as enough.

She took in a deep breath. “Actually? I’m starving. Can we just get some pizza?”

.

With Enid’s phone back in business, they quickly found Regina’s Pizza less than a mile away. Twenty minutes later, Wednesday sipped on water while Enid started on her third slice. 

“So why did you grab my leftovers if you said it’s poisoned?” she asked with a mouth full of cheese as she nodded towards the white baggy on the table with them.

“I’ll have the contents analyzed to find out what was put on the steak meant to harm you. We have a small lab at my house.”

“Of course you do.”

“Speaking of which, I have a driver, you won’t need the train tomorrow. We can even head down to my house tonight instead of waiting.”

Enid stopped chewing. “Well, we could, but my mom got me this hotel room– so bouge– and it’s all going on her card. I say we crash there and rock-star it up! … minus the drugs. Just like, movies and room service!”

“I suppose. If I can pick the movies.”

Enid took another bite of her pizza and raised an eyebrow, then sighed. “I guess… but only since you rushed to my rescue tonight– Oh my gosh Wednesday how did you find me?! I never told you where the date was!”

“I was able to access your mother’s most recent bank statements. It listed both the restaurant and hotel. I was worried it wouldn’t work since hotel charges don’t always show up until after your stay, and I assumed, actually, the restaurant wouldn’t run anything until after this evening, but I’m glad I tried; your mother must have had to leave some sort of pre-payment for your meal to ensure legitimacy, I suppose.”

Enid’s eyes were wide as she listened. “Wednesday how did you get access to my mother’s bank accounts?!”

“It’s a bit of a complicated process, I had help from my Uncle Fester. She’s impressively frugal, I’ll give her that.”

“I call it a selfish tightwad bitch, but tomayto-tomahto,” she said as she went back to eating.

“And how did you manage to keep your phone off? Were you having some sort of stroke?”

“Ha-ha, I can function without it ya know. Plus, if I’d have checked it and you woulda just told me not to eat the steak, you wouldn’t be here tonight!” Enid sang and smiled.

“Touche. And it’s good I’m here?”

Enid pushed her lips together in a tight smile. “Of course. There isn’t anyone I’d rather be here with.” Enid batted her eyes as she spoke, then looked down at her next bite. 

Wednesday sat silently watching her tear at her crust, then replied. 

“Ditto.”

.

DING!

The elevator doors rolled open and Wednesday walked out and to the right without hesitation. Enid frowned and followed her. When she made it to the door first, Enid caught up and asked, “how did you know what room I was in?”

“Vision.”

“Ah,” Enid said as she hovered her key-card above the handle to elicit a green light and a click. “I’m not even sure why I still ask.”

“One of the few mysteries I can’t seem to solve.” 

Enid laughed as they walked in. “Oh and my mother in all of her top-tier parenting glory got me a hotel room– on the night of my date– with a king- sized bed. How gross is that? Like she thinks I’m gonna take him back here on night one? I’m not sure what’s worse; her thinking I’m gonna lose my virginity to the first guy she sets me up with, on a first freaking date, or her thinking I’m not a virgin… It's way too much to unpack. Literally gives me all the ick.”

Wednesday took off her shoes and jacket and picked up the room service menu. Without looking up from it, she asked Enid, “and you’re… still a virgin?” Enid stopped all movement and turned to look at her friend, who met her eyes and quickly continued. “Not that it matters. Virginity is a male-centric social construct based in archaic belief systems about a woman’s body and worth, not to mention it being riddled with anatomical inaccuracy and delusional double standards between genders…” Wednesday looked back down at the menu, then said more quietly, “I just thought you and Ajax had…”

“Oh. No.” Wednesday’s eyes flicked back and forth and refocused on the menu. “We um… Ha, I mean I would have told you… But, no. We never went all the way. I haven’t…”

Wednesday just nodded and picked up the phone. Enid turned to change into her night clothes and heard a mumbled order of onion rings, a charcuterie board, an icecream sundae, and if she heard correctly, a threat that if popcorn wasn’t brought up with the order, despite it not being on the menu, there would be ‘consequences’ for everyone involved. 

The cart arrived only eighteen minutes later, which was exceptionally fast for hotel room-service on a Saturday night, but Enid assumed it was the result of her friend’s expertise in sounding one hundred percent serious when scaring the hell out of anyone who heard her speak. And while Enid had to endure one of Wednesday’s classic horrors, she was allowed to pick the second movie and chose Pitch Perfect. Wednesday didn’t complain much–and actually appreciated the main character’s cynicism, despite her horrible taste in music– and made the justification that they both suffered equally that night, which is always ideal. Enid found it cute and let her have that, but knew she was coming out ahead since there was no part of their time in the hotel room in which she was suffering. Everything felt perfect. 

Wednesday got up to brush her teeth, and before Enid followed, she checked her phone. 

Yoko : so whens the wedding?

Enid sighed.

Enid : v funny. He was SO BORING. 

Enid : ok tbf tho he was actually handsome. And he was rly nice, I almost feel bad.

Yoko : Key word: almost

Enid : Ya. But rly if it wasn’t for Wedns I might have actually liked this date? Which is super weird cuz my mom set it up. ew.

Enid : Oh btw fun fact she’s here.

Yoko : WAT

Yoko : NO

Enid : YES

Enid : So no big but I guess someone tried to poison my food, so she came to rescue me. 

Several emojis littered the end of her text, including a white horse, a knight, and a princess. 

Yoko : A. you guys are ridic B. WTF SOMEONE TRIED TO POISON YOU?

Enid : We’ll talk tmr night when we’re back and Nvrmr. But Yoko, we’re staying in the hotel together tonight… and she asked me earlier if Ajax and I had ever done it…

What Yoko sent next was a slew of suggestive texts, emojis, and gifs that made Enid blush. 

Enid : NOTHING IS HAPPENING TONIGHT!

Enid : Shes made it pretty clear that she cares about me and keeping me alive, but doesn’t want me like that…

Yoko : …

Yoko : Did she SAY that to you?

Enid : No, but. Like its Wednesdayy.

Yoko’s next set of texts were more emojis and memes, all suggesting she was dead and Enid was killing her.

.

Wednesday had laid down in her usual sleeping position, but Enid had somehow convinced her to rotate onto her side so that they were facing each other. 

“I really am glad you came. This night would have been a disaster on so many levels if it wasn’t for you,” Enid whispered. Her fingers unfurled and inched towards Wednesday, blatant with trepidation. Wednesday pointedly did not meet her half way– but she did move her left hand in the direction of Enid’s roving one. Wednesday watched as they made contact, and her fingers opened slightly to make space for Enid’s. “I think we just shouldn’t be apart anymore.” Enid yawned and closed her eyes and then her fingers around Wednesday’s. “Everything’s just better when we’re together anyways.”

Wednesday made a point of keeping her breathing steady, however much it tried to disobey her. She watched as Enid lost all tension in her face and shoulders and drifted off into what must have been an immediately deep and peaceful sleep. “ Yes, ” she whispered back. 

Wednesday was failing. It didn’t matter how much of her life she had spent creating an emotional fortress both in and around her; it was breaking down. She wanted to be an island, but after years of Enid in her waters, she couldn’t keep her offshore anymore. 

She wanted to breathe in Enid’s scent, despite its disgusting flowery tones. She wanted to mute the rest of the world and only hear Enid’s voice, despite its sickeningly jovial dynamics. She wanted to hold Enid’s hand, despite how much she bounced and swung their limbs between them like a damned fish on a line. 

And she wanted to taste Enid again. And again, and again. 

And it was not the Somnium.

Chapter Text

Enid woke to the sound of melodious trills and pleasant warbling, and frowned before even opening her eyes– Wednesday had already shot and taxidermied the few birds that dared sing outside their window that semester, so what was going on now? As she started to move, she felt damp blades of grass scrape against her fur and knew she wasn’t in her bed– but it caused her no alarm. She rolled and stretched and ‘mmmfed’ as she opened her eyes to a meadow bathed in scattered rays of afternoon sun. It felt far more like spring than any part of winter they had been experiencing lately. The air was a comfortable cool that only a recent rain could cause, and the scent of it was wet bark and Wednesday. She looked around but didn’t see the girl anywhere– instead she noticed the patchy sky; one especially dark cloud on top of a rainbow, stark against it but blended at the edges. She’d seen a post-storm sky before, but there was an unfamiliar beauty in this one that she couldn’t place.

She rose and sauntered forward on all fours, taking in her surroundings. She felt no urgency, nor direction, but also no apprehension. She surveyed the picturesque place and felt as if this was precisely where she was meant to be– until she saw an opening in the trees she was drawn to. It was surrounded by a wall of flowers, intertwined with one another as they swayed back and forth on the breeze. Enid felt warm, and safe as she walked towards it. She sighed deeply, taking in the sweet pollen in the air, and passed into the shaded wood. 

And then there was water. She could smell, then hear, then see a stream ahead and suddenly she was at its edge. Her wolf-fingers began to slide in the softened, moist ground. She stopped there to push in and feel the texture. She had never been anywhere so peaceful, nor where she could feel everything so acutely.

Almost in a trance, she hadn’t noticed a snake appeared until it had wrapped itself around her leg. It was black, quiet. In any normal circumstance this would have terrified her, but the cold, smooth skin sliding along her coat enlivened her from within and she felt no fear. By the time it reached her hand, it had become a dark flower, resting open in her palm. It smelled like ink and cyanide. 

A stronger breeze blew through, and she felt it push against her. She took a deep breath and as she exhaled, shivered. 

“Enid.”

She inhaled sharply as the real world came into focus. “Wednesday?”

Her roommate’s achromatic face hung impassively over her against a vast hotel ceiling as Enid lay plastered against the sheets. She was taking shallow breaths trying frantically to recollect herself and whatever knowledge her brain was withholding regarding exactly where and when she was in existence. Wednesday’s same lifeless and wordless stare wasn’t helping at all. 

The hotel. It’s morning. That was a dream. The date last ni– THE CONTEST.

“What time is it?! We need to leave right?! Oh my g–”

“Calm down. It’s five forty-seven. A car will be waiting outside in thirteen minutes. If you hurry we can get on the road and be at my house before ten. We can take the picture and have it posted before most of our peers and social media sheep have even gained consciousness on a Sunday.” Wednesday, dressed and put together, turned and walked across the room and Enid lost focus of where when she realized how behind schedule she was. 

“Thirteen…” She started to shuffle clumsily out of the sterile white sheets. “Why didn’t you wake me up sooner?! I can’t get ready in thirteen freaking minutes Wednesday!”

“I’ve been trying. For half an hour. You kept replying as if you’d heard me and then failed to move. Other than to roll over and snore once. You’re worse than the ogre my father had as a guard and had to fire after he slept through a six-point-seven earthquake.”

Enid’s wide eyes shot all of the embarrassment and frustration frothing inside of her directly at Wednesday before she mumbled something unintelligible and pushed herself out of bed to start dressing and packing.

“You should be thankful I didn’t get a bucket of ice twenty minutes ago to remedy this situation,” Wednesday said to the back of Enid’s head. The werewolf held back a growl and kept herself from turning around. “Besides, you don’t need any time to get ready, just pack. We have an almost-four hour car ride for you to do… whatever you need. And if there’s anything left by the time we get there, you can use my room.”

Enid slowed her movements and stopped shoving clothes into her bag as violently. She wasn’t expecting anything Wednesday had to say at that point to be soothing, but she was surprised to feel her shoulders drop and tension leave with a heavy exhale, at that. “Okay…” She was right, all she had to do was get her things together and get out the door. She peeked over her shoulder to see Wednesday doing the same, and the eye contact made her stomach flutter. She turned and took herself with her clothes and toothbrush to the bathroom and shut the door. 

Fourteen minutes later, both girls were rushing out the automatic doors of their hotel to find an old black pontiac(in perfect condition) waiting for them. Enid frowned. “Wait, that’s not Lurch.”

“No, this is Retch. Lurch was at home with the family yesterday, he wouldn’t have been able to pick me up in time to make it to you last night. Retch was closer.”

“MMmmrrrrmgghmmm.”

“Good morning Retch.” Wednesday left her bags in front of him and opened the back door for Enid. 

The blonde followed suit, but of course more cheerfully added, “Good morning, Retch, nice to meet you!”

“Mnnm.”

Enid stood politely with her hands in front of her. “Enid in case you haven’t gathered from our interactions the last ten seconds, he’s even less of a conversationalist than Lurch. If you’re waiting for him to ask about your night’s rest or hopes and dreams, we’ll never leave. Please get in the car.” 

Pink sneakers skipped to the open door and bounced inside.

As they pulled away from the curb, Enid pushed herself back into the plush seats to watch the dimly-lit city go by. By the time they were on the highway, there was more color in the sky, but the sun still wouldn’t rise completely for another half hour, at least. She looked down at her phone and opened Instagram, only to grumble when she saw the top post. The normie couple was out in first by a mile. Their picture was a proposal . Enid turned the screen towards Wednesday, who only moved her eyes to view the display.

“How cliche.”

“Ew I know, it’s so extra it’s cringey. I mean who gets engaged for a contest?! Is romance dead- dead? So ‘pick-me.’ It’s like red-flag city.”

“Your incredible knack for modern slang continues to leave me both disturbed and slightly confused, but I’m pretty sure we’re on the same page that it’s tasteless.” 

Enid nodded and giggled at the very Wednesday reply. She watched her friend, who had been settled back slightly into her seat as well, but whatever she lacked in perfect verticality, she made up for in unwavering straightness from head to tailbone. Her hands were laid across each other in her lap, and she stared out her own window at the world passing by, probably enjoying the last of the dreariness of dawn.

Enid still had a strange feeling left in her gut when she looked at Wednesday. She wasn’t actually in her dream, but apparently sharing a bed with her had filled all of her senses with the girl and it had very easily transferred over into her weirdly-creative subconscious. She tried to shake off what lingered by switching focus- she looked back at the picture. It didn’t matter what they thought, the post was popular. Popular enough to be winning. The picture really wasn’t anything mind-blowing itself– just them in a cave with some glow worms, which Enid found gross– it was a combination of the concept, and the novel-length caption. It was basically the dialogue of his proposal, her ‘yes,’ and some stupid sappy soliloquy from her about her broken childhood and finding her knight-in-shining- boring -normie-armor.

And here they were, still hours away from even taking their own picture… and Enid still had no idea what was even going on. Wednesday said to ‘trust her,’ but even if they had posted on time, how could she possibly beat this? Short of a wedding photo, which she couldn’t imagine Wednesday setting up… OMG would she? She found herself nervous at the possibility, knowing it wasn’t a very Wednesday move, but also knowing her friend was a maniacal competitor. Despite how well she knew her, she was never entirely sure of those bounds. 

She kicked off her shoes and brought her feet up onto the seat and was quickly pulled back into the view of Wednesday watching the blurred scenery. She had enough clarity now to admit to herself that the idea of participating in an Addams wedding was an appealing one, whether fake or real, despite the adult in her knowing it was far too soon, and ridiculous all things considered. The teenage girl in her, however, would have argued that picturing and planning out the entire occasion from dress to guest-list would be an exceptionally good use of the hours-long car ride. The thought of Wednesday in a black wedding gown, dark veil over her face as she walked down the aisle… No, Enid, this is not what we’re doing right now. She took a deep breath and looked away from the object of her daydreams. It still perplexed her that she had spent all these years simply ‘admiring’ Wednesday’s beauty, when in reality it was now painfully clear how much of it was attraction rather than admiration. Maybe both. Either way, she was not about to spend another minute in the fantasy land of non-existent nuptials, when not only was it unlikely that this was actually Wednesday’s plan for their picture, but there was no real romance to begin with! Instead of overthinking anything further, she decided to do what her best friend asked and simply trust her. She laid down with the top of her head just barely brushing Wednesday’s thigh, and curled up to let the car lull her back to sleep.  

.

The journey was enjoyably uneventful up until the last thirty minutes. Wednesday was gifted a slumbering wolf for two of the almost-four hours, while the third was mostly blonde hair crawling back and forth across the floor of the car between makeup bags and whatever it was she was using to touch up the curls in her hair. She was miserably content with the staleness of it all, and filled the time reading, and even writing in the journal Mr. Buio had given her. They were in the final stretch of their destination when Enid’s fingers started tapping their way into the otherwise perfectly dull atmosphere, as if foreshadowing what was to come. 

“Oh my gosh no! How could I forget?! Wednesday the Tell-Talentine’s dance is in less than two weeks! I didn’t even get our tickets yet!”

“What a shame,” Wednesday replied without looking up from her journal. Enid huffed.

“Wednesday we’re like one of Nevermore’s hottest couples now, we can’t not go to this dance.” Wednesday looked up to see Enid’s head tilted as if to convey the seriousness of the situation, waiting for a more satisfying response. She blinked slowly.

“So buy the tickets.”

Enid squealed loudly enough that they both swung back and forth from the car jolting momentarily to the right then correcting itself. “Okay but one of us has to ask the other– in a cute way!” 

“Please no.”

Enid’s expression flipped to ‘sad puppy’ in a breath. “Wednesday come on! We have to!”

“We have to do nothing, actually. Even the requirements of staying alive are optional, they just have consequences. Ones I’m beginning to think don’t sound all that bad.”

“You’re beginning to?” Enid asked with a lifted eyebrow. 

Oh, she really does know me too well. 

“Wednesday, we’re doing this. I don’t put my foot down very often–”

“Because it’s perpetually stuck in your mouth.”

“--but this is happening. And I’ll try to make it as painless for you as possible. Would you hate it less if I asked you? Or if you asked me?”

Wednesday actually thought for a moment before speaking again. “As much trust as I have in you principally, I don’t know that I can trust you to contain yourself enough to not make a huge, unecessary spectacle of this. If I ask you in some way that is considered extravagant or clever, and allow you to post pictures of it, can I at least do it privately?”

“ YES! ”

“Then I’ll ask you.” Enid squeaked again, though there was no reaction from the driver this time. The Addams learn to adjust quickly.

Wednesday knew instinctively when they were about half-hour from the house, but it wasn’t until they started on the long driveway up the hill when they heard the familiar screams in the distance that she felt at home again. She noticed Enid smiling when a particularly shrill screech was heard above the crunching of the gravel under the tires. Wednesday remembered how much they had scared her at first. But surprisingly, after only the first horrifying twenty-four hours of the Addams family mansion experience, Enid had settled in just fine. In fact, by the time her second visit had come to an end, she told Wednesday that she felt more like she was leaving home than going back to it. 

Enid flung the door open just as the car slowed down, and jumped out before Retch had pressed fully on the brakes. Wednesday tried to call out, but the werewolf knew where she was going and wasn’t about to be stopped. 

Lurch opened the door just as Enid reached the top of the steps. “Hey Lurch!” she yelled upwards as she slipped past him into the house. Wednesday stood next to the car waiting for her to return, and it took even less time than she expected before her entire family was emerging in front of her. They were all sporting smiles as wide as her disgustingly enthusiastic friend. Pugsley ran over first and engulfed her before she could even refuse– while eternally her ‘little’ brother, he had surpassed her in height several times over and she disappeared in his hugs now. 

“Hey sis, I didn’t think I’d get to see you before graduation, this is awesome.”

Wednesday gave an indignant moan since she wasn’t able to speak shoved up against his chest. As he let go, she saw she was about to be assaulted by both her parents, but was saved from their physical affections with Enid’s tactful strategy of holding onto both of them as they walked over. 

“Ah my little stormcloud and her ray of sunburn-inducing sunshine! The perfect pair to grace us on this awful day!” Her father loved Enid. Actually the whole family did, despite them not knowing at all what to do with her at first. Her parents were almost as put off as their daughter by the intensely colorful wardrobe she brought with her on her first visit, as well as her overwhelming positive energy. But it took far less time for them to adjust than it had for Wednesday. It was likely a mix of her parents’ more welcoming personalities along with Enid’s experience at that point with the darkest of the Addams spawn.

“Mother. Father. Enid and I have business to attend to, as you’re already aware of. We’ll come back for unpleasantries and a late breakfast, when we’re finished. Enid?” Wednesday held out her arm as her fake girlfriend smiled at Morticia and Gomez, and she slipped away onto Wednesday’s elbow. 

“We’ll have the table set and ready in half an hour, darlings! Have a miserable time!” they heard Morticia call.

“Do they know?” Enid asked just as they were out of earshot.

“About our relationship? Yes. They know it’s a facade. I had to explain everything to my mother in order for her to help me pull off this setup. It was torture. But they were thrilled by the devious subterfuge and more than willing to help.”

Wednesday’s walk carried them smoothly over the dirt and dead grass around the side of the house. She heard Enid laugh softly as she started to scan the premises for any signs of the surprise. She looked to the left across the back patio, the perpetually dying lawn, Morticia’s greenhouse farther down, and the large pond that their two-hundred-eighty-three year old alligator, Mike, lived in. But of course she saw nothing. Wednesday led her along towards the back acreage where the family graveyard, the thorn bush-covered hills, and the comforting, haunted woods lay ahead. The woods were always bordered with a murky mist, no matter the weather or time of day, and Wednesday loved it. Hopefully that would show up in the picture. 

“Wednesday how far do we have to walk? The suspense is literally killing me. ”

“No, Enid, unfortunately it is not.” Enid rolled her eyes before Wednesday spoke again. “That normie couple…” She started, partially as a question.

“..Yeeaah?”

“If– hypothetically– we were to devote ourselves to this contest in such a way…  who’s name would we take?”

“Oh yours, definitely,” Enid replied before the question had even fully processed in her mind. Wednesday saw her mind catch up after her mouth had taken charge, and frown in confusion. “Wednesday you’re not having us get fake-married are you?! Because I think that’s taking things a little too far, even for me!”

Wednesday slid her unamused eyes over to her friend. “Enid, please. We’re not setting up an entire social event just for one photo.”

“Okay… well you’re not gonna propose too then are you?”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Wednesday said in very clear offense. “Every picture we’ve posted has been completely original. There’s no way in any circle of hell I’d repeat what’s already been done. By unimaginative normies, nonetheless. On top of that, proposals can be called off.”

Enid blinked and horror spread across her face. “Well is this some kind of blood ritual then? Because I know I’ve gotten better with the gorey stuff but I’m still totally not down for that.”

Wednesday exhaled. “No, Enid.”

“O kayy then why did you ask about our last names if we were hypothetically married?!”

“It’s something serious couples would know about each other, is it not?” 

Enid gasped and sucked her teeth. “Wedns! Are we a serious couple now?!” Enid whined excitedly at her. 

“It’s the most believable progression at this point. Everyone at Nevermore knows I’d rather bludgeon myself to death than participate in most of the physical exchanges or social activities that I somehow keep doing with you. And we’re not traditional by any means, so the last name choice isn’t an obvious one.”

Enid smiled. “Totes.” She looked at her stoic fake-girlfriend’s face for several paces before adding, “ya, definitely yours. Enid Add–”

They both stopped.

“--dams… Oh,” she breathed out softly.

Wednesday could almost be sure she felt her pulse thrum through the arm hooked in her own. She knew she would get a significant reaction from her, but she wasn’t sure if it would be high-pitched and buoyant, or if this would be the thing that finally scared her off.

“My name,” she finally whispered.

“Yes, and mine.”

The two girls stood directly in front of two twin gravestones, marked Wednesday Addams, and Enid Addams.

Chapter Text

Glossy finish over elegant engraving captivated Enid. Her eyes bounced back and forth between the twin markers, perfectly matched. The only difference was the color; Wednesday’s was a matte charcoal, and Enid’s was marbled grey and white, but not a single blemish or speck of dust could be found across its vertical face. For something as solid and crude as stone, it was a wonder they could be so hauntingly ethereal.

And etched flawlessly into the center of her own, the most enthralling element of all; Enid had never seen her name written with ‘Addams’ attached to it. The mere shape of the letters seemed to create a visual balance akin to that of a classical work of art. Wednesday surely must have resurrected and commissioned Michelangelo for these– which, Enid thought, would be neither out of her wheelhouse nor out of pocket for her.

The sound of it was perfect too. Enid Addams was on replay internally. She could hear it in strangers’ voices– cashiers or telemarketers addressing her, ‘ Mrs. Addams,’ and she felt light-headed. 

“Don’t worry, I can have them destroyed after the contest, it–”

“What?! No! Wednesday! Why would you destroy them? They’re so beautiful,” Enid said as she moved closer to touch the smooth surface of her stone.

Wednesday’s eyes shifted from Enid to the stones and back twice. “I… hadn’t seen them in person yet myself, until today. I am impressed with the craftsmanship…” She stepped closer and almost stuttered, “but, we’re not… I–it says Enid… Addams .”

“Well, ya but…” Can we just make it true? “M-maybe we can just like, adjust the last name? Or…”

“Enid, it is literally written in stone. There will be no ‘adjusting’ of anything written on these surfaces.”

And I wouldn’t want to! My god if anyone ever lays so much as a hand on these things… Enid took a breath and played with her hair. “I mean I don’t care if people think I’m an Addams, I’m dead anyways right?!” She looked to Wednesday, who only stared. “… we both know how attached I am to ‘Sinclair’…” Blue eyes moved back to her name and her heart seemed to want to punch her in the stomach. Is this less weird than a fake wedding, or worse?

Thing jumped up onto Enid’s stone and motioned taking a picture.

“Oh! Right, thanks Thing.” She took a deeper, centering breath then twisted to face Wednesday. “Okay soo, actually, just the gravestones are like, the perfect picture. We don’t even need to be in this Wednesday,” Enid said, trying to act like seeing these stones hadn’t turned her inside out.

“I thought of that. But…” Wednesday took another step to stand across from Enid, next to her own stone. “The more I thought about it, the more I decided I do want us in it. For very specific reasons.”

Enid’s face seemed to gain more color as she took a tentative step closer. “What’s that?”

Wednesday matched her movement with one small step, then reached out her hand. “These.”

Icy fingertips met Enid’s warm left cheek. She shivered for the second time that day.

“They represent our past and what we’ve been through and carry with us.” Her eyes slid to the side. “The gravestones are an eternal future.” Ah, shit. Then they flicked up to meet Enid’s. She could feel herself wobble on her feet, unsteady and no longer schooling her face to appear unaffected. Wednesday appeared oblivious anyways.

“Promises can be broken, rings can be removed,” Wednesday went on as Enid watched her hand leave her face and settle onto her own stone. “Divorce is just papers and signatures. Planning to be together in death is the ultimate commitment.” She thought about pointing out that divorce is actually a very lengthy and complicated process, but decided it wasn’t really relevant, nor would she be especially articulate in the moment. What was more amusing was that Wednesday probably had no idea; if she had to guess, divorce was basically unheard of in her family. Enid would bet that for an Addams, you’re either in love forever, or an ‘accident’ would befall the less cunning spouse. “Of course technically a couple could still ‘end things’ before ending up in the earth together as well, but it’s much more of a bold statement than something as trivial as a marriage certificate Puglsey could just as well eat as a snack. At least in my family.”

“Fair points…” 

“I saw the other posts. It was just as I suspected. Everyone was afraid of letting the picture speak for itself and attached prolix and palaverous paragraphs underneath them. Poorly. This picture will say everything about us a couple–”

“No caption needed.” Enid smiled.

“Precisely.”

.

It took some discussion to agree on angles and perspective, but only ten minutes later, Enid had finished her edits and hit ‘post’ before their walk back to the house. 

“Do you wanna see it?!” Wednesday could hear the excitement in the tightness in Enid’s throat as she asked.

“I’m sure it was a masterclass in the use of social media. I’ll trust your judgment,” she responded without looking away from the path in front of them, where they were just arriving into the backyard. They made their way into the house through the patio towards the small dining room where the scent of breakfast foods hit them– a mix of traditional, and Addams variety. 

Her family had always loved white toast(Uncle Fester’s burnt black), for reasons even Wednesday was unsure of, as well as anything cooked from a pig. For weekend breakfasts, they often had bacon and braised fungi– usually Jack-O-Lantern and Ivory Funnel mushrooms– on a bed of black pond scum. The first time Enid ate with them, Wednesday wouldn’t allow her any of the mushrooms, as some are known to cause neurological issues in both humans and canines. She clarified that if she were going to harm Enid, she wouldn’t want to take away any of her cognitive abilities, as there were enough incapable and incompetent beings already cluttering the planet. She’d instead focus on unadulterated physical pain or psychological suffering, which Enid showed no surprise for. So, that first meal she made her a stinging nettle-and-roach sandwich. On white bread, of course. Enid, while largely carnivorous anyways, stuck mostly to the pork products. But, by the end of the fourth meal with the family, she had grown bold and uncautious and accidentally served herself some of the Jack-O-Lanterns. She raved about the taste, and to everyone’s surprise, didn’t come down with any symptoms. After that, however, Wednesday insisted on curating all of their meals when Enid was visiting, as there were some Addams recipes that offered a potential threat to anyone outside of their family, and also quite a few that would render the werewolf unconscious solely based on their visual presentation, with Enid still prone to fainting spells.

“Mmmmm, ugh it smells so good. Is it weird that I’ve missed your family’s cooking even though I’m still kinda worried I’ll either be poisoned or at best deeply disturbed by it?”

“Weird for whom? That’s relatively normal in my family. Some enjoy the poisonings of course, but some are still delightedly wary. You seem to experience a different level of dread than we do, but then everything you experience tends to be more dramatic,” Wednesday explained, feigning irritation. 

“Ah! Did you just call me a drama queen?!” Enid stopped just before they reached the dining room.

“If the plastic crown fits.”

“ Puh-lastic?!” Enid’s mouth hung open. Wednesday could tell her friend was both amused and slightly offended.

“Oh I’m sorry, does the Queen of Drama prefer something more extravagant for her station? Recycled aluminum, perhaps?” Wednesday crossed her arms as she faced her affronted friend.

“ Oh. Okay first of all, Wednesday Addams, if you don’t know better by now than to call me a cheap drama queen, you better watch your back!” Wednesday smirked. “Second, if I’m the Queen of Drama you’re the King of Sarcasm, and just like there’s nothing going on your head that’s not as black as your little heart, there’s nothing going on these locks that isn’t as bright and sparkly as mine, got it?” 

Wednesday only looked at her through lowered lids. “Noted. Your highness?” she offered with her hand held out towards the doorway. Enid pushed her lips together in a curbed, tight smile, then skipped through, over to her seat. 

Typically Gomez sat at the head of the table, Morticia to his left, and Wednesday to his right, with Pugsley next to Morticia. When Uncle Fester was there, he would take Wednesday’s seat next to Gomez and she would move over one spot. This ended up being the case for Enid’s visits, too. Pugsley and Morticia were already sitting, and Gomez walked in right as Wednesday pulled out her own chair. 

“Ah my little tormenta and her trueno, you made haste! I thought we were going to have to come out and drag the two lovebirds back from their dreadful stroll.”

“Now dear, you know they’re just pretending to be an item,” Morticia said as her eyes roamed from Gomez towards Wednesday.

“And it wasn’t a stroll , we had a specific task to accomplish. And don’t compare us to any such birds, unless you want me to set my genetically modified termites to your bedroom today as a parting gift.”

“Ah, how I’ve missed your biting threats,” Gomez said with his hand pressed against his chest.

“I’m sure, Pugsley never could grasp the skill,” she said with disdain towards the boy. 

“Maybe I know actions speak louder than words, sis. ”

“In that case it must be quieter than the dead around here.”

“Alright, children,” Morticia interrupted with a soft smile. 

“Oh Tish, I’ve missed their loving banter too, let them go on a little longer!”

“Mon cheri, we’ll miss out on the burning sting of our food if we wait any longer, it’s probably already cooled too much to cause blisters.” Morticia’s hand swept gracefully across her husband’s face as her gentle tone soothed his enthusiasm. “Besides, I want to hear how our girls have been doing with their contest.” Her head slowly rotated to face across the table. 

Wednesday looked from her mother to Enid, who’s eyes had been in her own lap until that moment. She saw her slide her phone away and send a widened glance between the two Addams women. “Oh, we’re killing it. Today’s post was FIRE. Ohmygosh if we’d’ve posted it at the same time everyone else did? Pretty sure they all would have abandoned ship in like, seconds.”

“It sounds like you showed quite a bit of mercy to your competitors by waiting this long. Wednesday, I’m disappointed.” Morticia looked at Wednesday but appeared anything but disappointed, in actuality. Wednesday on the other hand, didn’t look amused at all.

“Oh no, don’t worry,” Enid interjected. “She still lives and breathes ‘no mercy.’” She smiled at her friend. “She would’ve gotten us here at least a few days earlier if it wasn’t for the stupid plans my mom set me up with.”

“Oh is that what we’re calling him now? ‘Plans?’ I was going to start calling him–”

“Wednesday, ha, I really don’t wanna get into that right now, ‘kay?” Wednesday saw the pleading look in her eyes and, as usual, she was compelled to resist her instincts and not use this to her advantage, but instead fold immediately and deflect to take the pressure away from her friend.

She looked back at her mother. “Yes, the mercy was an accidental and unfortunate byproduct of initially un planned events. We are otherwise being entirely merciless in our attempts.”

Enid grinned and bounced in her seat, then placed her hand on Wednesday’s thigh as she spoke just as fervidly. “This is seriously gonna be the post to end all posts. I mean our others were good too– we won the second round and were a close second in the first round…” As Enid spoke, Wednesday realized she had been holding her breath. She wasn’t sure if Enid’s hand on her thigh was a normal thing at this point, or if she was supposed to find it strange. The lines were beginning to blur and she had no point of reference even for real relationships, let alone a faux one.

Enid went on, catching her family up on the contest as well as the events at the theme park, while Wednesday sat in attendance, taking very deliberate breaths. “Oh and then apparently someone tried to freaking POISON me the other night!”

“That reminds me, Pugsley.” He hummed at Wednesday in question. “After breakfast, I need you to take a sample down to the lab and analyze it as soon as you have time.”

“Okay, but um, Enid, what?” he asked.

“It. Was a. Di sas ter. I was so emotional I almost wolfed out in the alley behind the restaurant! By the dumpster no less. Not my best look! Ugh can you imagine if I had and normie’s had caught me?”

“They almost did,” Wednesday added quickly.

“Truth. But Wednesday came and saved the day.” Enid smiled directly at her. 

“What’d she do to stop you from wolfing out?” Pugsley asked.

Wednesday turned her head sharply to Enid, who looked far too obviously horrified by the question. Enid opened her mouth and started to jerk her hand away, but was stopped. Wednesday had caught the colorful nails only a few inches into their attempted escape, where they remained hidden from the other three sets of eyes. She didn’t know exactly why, be it to reassure Enid or for her own sake, but she pulled down slowly to right the undesired displacement, simultaneously turning to a curious audience. “I distracted her, by… singing.” Wednesday rarely experienced anything even close to self-loathing or humiliation, but in that moment she was emphatically questioning her own sanity.

“YES!” Enid confirmed all too quickly. “Wednesday’s voice was the hero pulling me from the burning building!” Enid ‘hehe’d’ proudly, and gave Wednesday’s leg a squeeze as she beamed at her delighted onlookers. 

“No way. What did she sing?” 

Pugsley damnit.

“Oh that’s the best part,” Enid said through squinted eyes, almost hidden by the size of her smile.

“Enid, don’t,” Wednesday whispered through her teeth. She could feel regret creeping into her throat from teasing Enid earlier. 

“She knows what gets to me every time…”

“ Enid.”

“Party in–” Enid’s mouth was muffled by the same small hand that had caught her own, as she mumbled the rest of a title Wednesday knew would be one of any hundred cotton-candy pop songs the blonde could easily pull from thin air, no doubt one she had been subject to hearing and might even know the words to. But it would be of the utmost horrendous torture to have anyone even think she had ever let the lyrics slip out of her own mouth, let alone have her brother ask for a repeat performance, which she knew would be the natural progression. Enid was enjoying mixing truths with falsities far too much now.

“Surely you can’t remember what song it was with all the stress you were under?” Wednesday asked very pointedly.

Enid held her gaze in silence, cheeks pressed up below her eyes to give away the contained pleasure. Then Wednesday jolted as her arm swung forward away from Enid– once again the werewolf’s tactical warfare was far superior to her original expectations; she had stuck her tongue out in order to free her mouth, and it worked perfectly. Wednesday wiped her hand off on her own pant leg(making sure not to disturb the one still on her thigh).

Enid giggled. “Mmm you’re probably right. I guess you're off the hook, this time,” Enid used her left hand to serve herself a second helping of thick bacon, sausage, and rattlesnake.

“Oh darling, Grandmama’s package arrived for you yesterday, I left it by the front door, do remember it when you two head off. We’d all be terribly amused if you were to forget it and come all the way back, but I know you have a lot on your plates right now.”

Wednesday watched as Enid started refilling her plate for her, knowing she’d want only more toast and pondscum. “Thank you Mother, I was hoping it would arrive in time. I’ll be sure to send her my gratitude and ill wishes.”

“She has been feeling deliciously under the weather this week,” Morticia replied. “Says that she may have finally contracted bronchitis! She said she’s loving the phlegm.”

“Oh yes, I heard her over the crystal ball the other night talking with your mother, her cough, Tish, wasn’t it fantastic? So… stridulous! A lullaby if I ever heard one!”

Wednesday scoffed. “She knows better than any of us that an Addams isn’t going to contract anything that would lead to any sort of chronic bronchitis. An acute irritation of the bronchial tubes causing mild inflammation, maybe. She’s probably just been falling asleep in the attic again and inhaling more dust than her ancient lungs can keep up with.” She began taking small bites of her food, but was struggling to focus as the top of her thigh was still secretly being kept warm by her neighbor. The conversation continued on but Wednesday lost track completely as fingers began to curl in place, resulting in fingernails grazing against the thin fabric of her pants. Wednesday cleared her throat and paused, unsure of whether or not to stop the strange development unraveling below the visual surface. 

“Darling, you’re looking… healthy. Is everything alright?”

Wednesday glared nervously at her mother. “The temperature in this house is abhorrently high. It’s as if this family has forgotten how to enjoy a good winter frost. I don’t know why the windows all have to be closed when it’s perfectly inclement outside,” she replied with a gruff tone. 

“You’re so right dear. Lurch?” 

Wednesday felt the insidious fingers spread back out and with them, the promise of a suspecting gaze to her left. Sure enough, she felt the disquisitive blue eyes on her for a moment. She refused to look, but felt them leave. 

Conversation continued as Enid effortlessly entertained every member of her family with an entirely expected eloquence. Wednesday was grateful now as always, for the girl’s ability to distract them all so she could eat in peace… up until the moment she choked on her food when she felt the villainous hand roam boldly to inner-thigh territory. 

“Asphyxiation works much better with more solid foods, viborita, do you want me to get you some of the pickled cow eyes?” Gomez asked as she was coughing into her napkin.

She glanced up to see her mother staring quietly with a raised eyebrow. The hand had stopped momentarily, but she did not trust its current stationary state to last long. 

“Ya Wedns, do you need something? Anything I can do for you?”

And there it went.

Wednesday tensed and cleared her throat emphatically, and finally turned to look at her roommate. “No,” she pushed out, her attempt at a steady voice failing, “I’m perfectly fine, Enid. ” Colorful fingernails crawled upward against much more sensitive skin, while Enid smirked. Wednesday held her breath as well as a reproving eye contact, as best she could. The bout against her own body was becoming more arduous, as every normally-apathetic nerve in her body was lit up.

“Kay,” Enid chirped as she turned back to her plate. 

Wednesday didn’t move for a moment, waiting to see everyone go back to their meals. As soon as Pugsley asked their parents a question, she leaned into Enid. “ What exactly do you think you’re doing?” she whispered viciously.

“Woh, easy there Cuella, who's the drama queen now?" Wednesday nearly snarled. "Didn’t know I’d ruffle those little raven feathers so much with just a little touch,” she whispered back.

“My feathers are not–” Wednesday breathed out heavily through her nose before turning to take another nonchalant bite.

Enid finally broke contact with Wednesday, bringing her right hand to the surface for the first time in what felt like hours. “I seem to recall someone grabbing my hand to put it back on your leg,” she said quietly as she switched her fork to her right hand. She was right and Wednesday didn’t have a strong retort, but at least her heart rate could return to normal. She kept her chin down and head forward, but slid her eyes to her left. She saw Enid scrape a massive bite of mixed meats off of her fork and sit up straight to chew. She hummed happily as she shared a smile with Morticia, who then, unfortunately met Wednesday’s eyes. They looked far, far too aware.

“What.” Wednesday stated, rather than asked, with an especially annunciated ‘T.’

She stood alone at the car with her father, waiting while Enid took her time with goodbyes. She had rushed back in claiming to need to use the bathroom, but Wednesday knew that she’d accomplish that task quickly, and then spend another ten minutes talking to her mother and Puglsey, both of whom she not so subtly adored.

Her father smiled down at her so warmly she responded with a sneer. “My little night terror… this play you’re putting on with your lobita?”

“What about it?”

“Does she know it’s supposed to be a ruse?”

“Of course, this whole thing was her idea.”

“Ah.” Gomez paused and rocked on his feet.  “And do you?”

Wednesday frowned.

“Wednesday, we know Enid isn’t left handed.” Wednesday looked away and blinked several times before recomposing herself. She took a breath, but he continued. “There’s no need to explain, viborita, we know you don’t like to talk about it, but your mother and I couldn’t be more proud! We always knew you had exceptional taste, but Enid…” He shook his head and laughed. “Oh Wednesday a werewolf, magnificent! Dios mio there couldn’t be a more disastrous pairing for an Addams, truly perfect, an arcoiris letal for my veneno negro.”

Wednesday stared at the open doorway into her home, where her mother spoke to her pretend girlfriend– who apparently her parents now believed to be her actual girlfriend– while her father next to her just made known that they had both noticed said girlfriend’s dominant hand had disappeared during breakfast without explanation. And she thought she had been so sly. What a fool. She closed her eyes.

“Maybe my affections for Enid are… different, from what I’ve experienced before.” She opened them as she spoke and turned to gauge his reaction. “Don’t look so amused, it’s repulsive on you.”

“Ah, gracias Wednesday.” 

She sighed.

“So why are you fighting it?”

“Because Enid is my best friend, this isn’t supposed to happen,” she replied quietly and frowned. “And admitting I have… those sorts of feelings for another– it’s… it’s soft. Romance is something Enid would do, not me.”

“Oh, Wednesday, on the contrary, it is exactly who you are, to be in love.” She looked up at him then curiously. “You are passionate, and intense, and being in love is one of the most dangerous things you can do.”

Her lids dropped halfway though she made no effort to respond. 

“You don’t believe me! Oh, no, Wednesday, of all that you could do in this lifetime, there is nothing more powerful or more daring than to fall in love.” Wednesday rotated towards him, prepared to hear a melodramatic lecture the likes of a pop ballad, knowing how he could wax lyrical about her mother, but stayed quiet and attentive as he began. “I know how few things scare you. You’re an Addams, practically immune to most torture methods, pain tolerance that is other-worldly, and death is but another phase of your existence, so of course, what could my morbid and brazen little one possibly fear?” He was right so far at least. “So let’s say, someone’s finally got you. You’ve been weakened with poison, and you’re being held by a thin rope at the peak of the tallest mountain, tied up and looking down to a rocky death, the steep face littered with barbed wire and broken glass for a terrific trip down to your untimely death.” 

“Yes? Who’s holding me? I’ll be sure to take them with me.”

“Of course, and I’m sure you’d relish the thrill of a slow but exciting death.”

“I could think of more exciting options, but go on.”

“Now picture it’s not you, but Enid.”

Wednesday’s eyes widened, framed by lowering brows. “Why?”

Gomez laughed. “It doesn’t have the same thrill, does it?”

“Enid wouldn’t experience it the way you or I would, she can’t handle those types of things.”

“But she’s a werewolf, don’t you think she’d have a better chance of surviving?”

“Possibly, but she would never recover psychologically. What is your point?”

He laughed again. “Wednesday, mi tormenta, what do you feel right now?”

“Anger. Why would you even bring this up?”

“To prove a point. It’s only a discussion, yet the mere suggestion of someone putting your beloved in harm’s way has lit your dark heart on fire.” Wednesday was no longer listening just to appease her father. “You’ll never have more to lose than when you’ve given that heart to another.”

“So you’re saying it’s a weakness?”

“Yes!”

What?

“But also an extraordinary strength! Wednesday, when it was you in the story the first time, how hard did you say you would fight for your life?”

She stared at him. Technically, not at all. “I said I would be sure to bring this person down with me.”

“Yes, vengeance is strong in you. But then what would you do to save Enid’s?”

He was right. If the world was symbolically held at gunpoint in front of her, she may or may not have the motivation to step in. She could just as well watch it all burn, and if need be, go down with it. 

“Hey! Ready to go?” The eye-sore of an outfit Enid had on stood stark against a dark, dull mansion, and the colorful werewolf jogged lightly down the steps towards them.

If someone threatened Enid, she’d burn the world down herself to stop it.

Chapter Text

The sunny drive home started tranquilly enough as Enid sat on the far side of the car, trying to hide that she’d been crying; goodbyes were always hard for the emotional wolf. By the time she pulled out her phone to distract herself and opened Instagram to check their photo, it had been approximately one hour and fifty-one minutes from the time she posted it. It had close to three hundred comments, and over seventy-five thousand likes. Enid screamed.

Wednesday blinked and looked at her friend in wonder. 

“WEDNESDDAAYYY!!!” Enid laughed herself off the seat and onto her back on the spacious floor of the car, feet kicked up and paddling. Wednesday simply looked around the car, making brief eye contact with Retch through the rearview mirror, and Thing(sort of), and then back at her friend. Enid then launched herself into the space next to the smaller girl, nearly dropping her phone in the process, but it miraculously ended up right in front of Wednesday’s nose. As the picture came into view, Enid watched her tilt her head to study it.

First to catch the eye were the gravestones. They looked stunning in the center; glistening greyscale subjects against a glaringly blue sky full of life, still close and clear enough that the writing and names were visible without the need to zoom in. What framed the stones above was shaded and not entirely in focus, but discernible once addressed: two mouths, lips not touching–but their want to, apparent– and a single smile, distorting the rosy scars that were being fondly caressed by a pale right hand. 

“It turned out well.” She looked at Enid.

“Wednesday! Did you look at the likes and comments?! We’re catching UP and it’s only been like an hour! This is Un. Real! ” She giggled again as she began to text Yoko, who had already been messaging incessantly since the picture was posted. Enid had attempted quelling her friend initially by explaining this was just something Wednesday would do, not an obvious grand gesture to profess her undying devotion. Yoko could not be convinced, however, and she had given up the argument before breakfast.

Enid: OMG u were right!!! I can’t even get thru all the comments!! I can’t belieeve thiss!

Yoko: YAASS. E I was not exaggerating. This is not a drill. prepare to viralize.

Enid: ….. viralize? 

Enid: lol

Yoko: I said what I said.

Yoko: When r u back?

Enid: we just got on the road, its like 5hrs

Yoko: ooohh plenty of time to

“Sooo, Wednesday, what’re you gonna kill time with on this drive?” Enid dropped her phone before she finished reading Yoko’s last text. Wednesday had brought herself to the floor of the car, Grandmama’s box opened in her lap. She was holding a very small glass bottle, and Enid could see the frustration on her face. 

“I certainly wish killing was a solution right now. What am I supposed to do with this miniscule portion? Protect a snail?”

“What is it?”

Stormy eyes looked up at her, and searched her own, as if looking for the answer there. After a moment they dropped back down to the bottle. “Not what I needed it to be.”

Enid scooted off her seat to join Wednesday and noticed a small folded piece of off-white cardstock. “Hey look, did you see this?” She unfolded it and handed it to her friend. Wednesday reached out for it, and her head snapped back. 

Enid’s hands flew to steady her friend and she whined through an ‘ oh crap.’ She waited patiently, until her friend finally came fully upright again.

“Hey, you alright?” she asked, hands still in place. She’d been through this enough times that it seemed silly to ask, yet again, if she was alright– she always was– but she never knew what else to do. Wednesday blinked.

“I would say that was one of my more tame, less violent visions… but it was certainly just as upsetting in its own way.”

“Oh.” Enid eyed her up and down, waiting for more information.

“I spoke with Grandmama– it seemed as though it was in the present. She was of absolutely zero help. I’m not sure what the point of that even was.” Wednesday looked down at the note in her hands and Enid followed. Written in very ornate script was, ‘you have everything you need.’ She saw Wednesday roll her eyes. 

“Okay well, just hold onto it? Maybe you’ll have a follow-up vision, y’know? Didn’t you have that sorta thing with Goody? She was like, all cryptic and sus but eventually you figured out what she meant?” She took Wednesday’s arm to help her back up into the seat.

“Yes, and it was a colossal waste of time, and Grandmama seems to be even less inspired to offer any simple advice or help, so I won’t be putting any of our proverbial eggs in a basket involving future visions with her.”

Enid’s phone dinged once, then twice, and Wednesday gave her a questioning look. She shook her head and said, “it’s just Yoko being gross, I need a break.” But her phone went off twice more and after a short growl, she finally picked it up. “Shoot. My mom.” Enid whimpered. Her mother was apparently just getting the news of last night, and couldn’t call yet but also could not wait to let her daughter know how disappointed she was not only to hear there was no second date scheduled, but also that some ‘tiny grim reaper girl’ interrupted their dinner. Enid tossed the phone for the second time that drive and threw her face into her hands. 

“You should really use that thing less,” she heard her friend say. 

“Ugh I know,” she moaned to her palms.

“Enid, is there any reason your mother would have wanted to poison you last night?”

Enid flipped her head back up to look at Wednesday. “Wh– No! Why would you even ask that? I mean I know we kinda hate her but if she wanted to actually kill me she’s had way too many opportunities, and they all would have been way easier than this.”

“We don’t actually know what the poison was yet. Pugsley will contact me with the results, but it may not have been deadly.”

Enid scrunched her face and sat back. “Ya, I guess, but what kind of poison then?”

“We’ll know when we get the lab results… a truth serum? Something to get information out of you?”

“What could she possibly need to know? And why would my mom go out of her way to do anything like that to me while I’m out on a date she set up on the opposite coast? Like that’s so much work, unless Aalek was in on it–”

“Yes, that would have to be the case, but that also seems unlikely. He was too casual when you didn’t eat the steak and left, so getting information out of you doesn’t fit. And for anything else, you would think he’d be more concerned about making certain you planned to eat your leftovers. He was more interested in getting your number.”

“What?” Enid’s expression lightened. “You didn’t tell me he asked for my number. Did you give it to him?” she asked with a smile.

“No.”

“Oh? Why not?”

“You didn’t exactly display signs of an enchanting evening together when I arrived.”

“Nooo, but, you had to know my mom would’ve expected us to exchange them…plus if you suspected him like you’re saying, it would only make sense to be in contact, wouldn’t it? Friends close, enemies closer?” Enid asked in a teasing tone. 

Wednesday looked out the window. “He got close enough. If I want him I can find him.”

Yoko would take off running with this one… maybe she’s not wrong… Enid’s eyes trailed over her friend’s face while she wasn’t looking; eyes that glistened but didn’t move at all, her cheeks looked so soft and cool, and her lips… maybe I should–

BRRRRT-BRRRT

This time it was Wednesday’s phone, which left both of them confused. It would be odd to hear from her parents this soon after leaving. Thing hopped over from the front seat and opened Wednesday’s bag to pull out the device. Wednesday reached down for it. “Pugsley. That was quick.” She unlocked the screen and tapped a couple of times before reading silently, then frowning. 

“The poison?”

“No. Well, yes, but it wasn’t.” Wednesday looked at Enid. “It was tangerine juice.” 

Enid sat motionless for a minute, not in outright shock, rather just confusion. “I’m allergic. Not, deathly, or anything. But, depending on how much, it could’ve been pretty bad.”

“Any allergic reaction from ingestion can cause enough swelling to block airways, therefore threatening your life,” Wednesday said with a tense irritation.

“Well, ya, I guess with most allergic reactions. This one has always been weird for me though. It actually got a little worse as I got older, but my werewolf healing also finally kicked in, so I’m not entirely sure how it would affect me now. When I was little it didn’t actually cause any swelling. The first time I had it, it gave me the worst sore throat of my life. The doctor said they hadn’t seen a reaction like it before either, that it just, burned away some of the skin on my tongue and roof of my mouth. I wasn’t healing super quick at that age yet or he probably wouldn’t have even seen it by the time we got to him. Now I might be fine or it might just burn my freaking tongue off, I don’t know! Either way, whoever did this knew they had a shot of leaving me in a crap-ton of pain and potentially like, internally disfigured.”

“Who else would know about this, other than family?”

Enid threw her hands up. “I never talk about it. Tangerine juice isn’t really that hard to avoid!”

“So maybe it was your mother.”

Enid huffed in frustration. “Ya but why would she wanna do this to me?! Aalek’s not a doctor, if she’d wanted him to play hero he couldn’t save me or some shit like that… and he didn’t seem to have any weird tongueless girl fetish! Why would she ruin a date she set up?! It doesn’t make any sense!” The distress grew in her voice as she spoke.

Wednesday put a hand on top of hers. “I don’t know. But I do know that when I saw the pois– juice, being put onto the steak, it was by the same gloved hands that tampered with the roller coaster Fen was on. It seems they’re targeting werewolves. Maybe this is something bigger she’s involved in, and you’re just a pawn.”

“Well I don’t wanna be a freaking PAWN! Wednesday what the eff?!” 

“We’ll figure it out. Can I see the texts she sent you?”

Enid whined and moved to retrieve the phone and unlock it before handing it to Wednesday. She watched her scroll through– carefully, so as not to allow her eyes to wander to any other text threads– and took the phone back when she was done. 

“Nothing obviously suspicious. Let me know when she contacts you next.”

Enid sighed and agreed as she set her phone down. She noticed, though, Wednesday’s eyes linger on the homescreen before she closed it. 

“Was that me?”

Enid turned it back on and answered, “oh, well, us technically, but ya.” She moved it back into Wednesday’s view so she could see the lockscreen, which was now their most recent contest photo, and then slid it open to the homescreen, which was one of the pictures Thing had taken during their first photoshoot in their room. Enid had zoomed in enough so that not all of her own face was in it, but all of Wednesday’s was. Smiling. 

“This is on your phone, all the time?”

“Ya! I change them both probably every few weeks. I used to have pictures of Ajax and I, so I figure if we’re dating now– you know like, for the contest… then I’d obvi have pics of you and me, so…” She watched Wednesday stare, and suddenly felt self-conscious. Oh no, this was too much. I shouldn’t have–

“I should do it as well then,” she said as she looked back at Enid.

Oh.

“Oh, ya, totes! Do you want me to help you?” Wednesday just handed Enid her phone. Enid smiled. “Okay, which pictures would you like to showcase our eternal love with?” she asked in a dramatic deep voice punctuated with a giggle. 

“The first one should match.”

“Matching lockscreen, got it,” Enid said as she worked. “Let me guess, you want your homescreen to be me wolfed-out,” she half-asked with a glance at her friend.

“No. That’s much more riveting in person.”

Enid finished and handed the phone back to Wednesday, and asked, “okay, which one then?”

Wednesday scrolled through her camera roll, tapped on a picture Enid didn’t recognize right away, and zoomed in slightly before handing it back to her.

“When did you take this?”

“I didn’t. Thing did. He took quite a few photos that night, almost all of which I deleted. I meant to send this to you, I thought you might like it since you have an obsession with pictures of your own face. And the lighting is good.”

Enid pulled her lips back at the second-to-last part of Wednesday’s remark, then looked back down at the phone. Wednesday had not sent her this picture. It was taken in the Addams’s backyard, probably only ten minutes before she wolfed out. The moon was so bright that night, you could see everything almost plain as day, though it was still undoubtedly night. Enid was wrapped in her favorite cloak, and it had draped dramatically around her, like black water falling from her shoulders. It was a strange moment and she had no idea Thing had been there with Wednesday’s phone. She wasn’t smiling, but she remembered distinctly that she wasn’t scared; that was the first night wolfing out that she hadn’t been. The look on her face was serene. And the moonlight washed out nearly all the color– no wonder Wednesday liked this. 

“You don’t… um, you don’t want one of us together?”

“Should I?”

“No, you don’t ha–”

“Then no.”

Enid, wide-eyed and silent, finished her task and handed the phone back to Wednesday, who put it directly back in her bag. She then took out her black notebook, pulled up her knees, and left the realm of the moving car to write. 

Enid knew her friend was now essentially unavailable, probably for the next hour at least. That was so not fair. How am I supposed to not read into this?! Was that really just for the contest? But… No one ever sees Wednesday’s phone… especially not her home screen… She still feared what it would mean to be wrong about this. It seemed much better to wonder than to find out she had no chance. 

Enid sighed and moved to the opposite side of the car in the seats facing Wednesday, rested her head against the cool glass, and closed her eyes. 

Two hours went by of a listless half-sleep that Enid fell in and out of. About half way through the drive they stopped for gas and bathroom breaks, and Enid picked out six different snacks to “share” for the rest of the drive. She knew in reality Wednesday would turn them all down, and only finally succumb to one item of junk food in order to avoid disappointing Enid entirely. 

But as they pulled back out onto the highway, before she opened her first bag of Taki’s, she heard Wednesday’s voice. “Enid, I’ve been meaning to ask you…”

“Ya?” she asked as she pulled apart the plastic.

“What do you want? In a relationship?”

Enid dropped the half-opened bag. “Wh – What do you mean? Like, just in general?”

“Yes. Eugene said I should ask you. So I’m asking.”

Enid pouted her bottom lip. This is so sweet! Not only was Wednesday asking Enid what she wanted, but she was taking advice from her friends… this almost never happened. 

“So what do you want? What would make you… What would please you?” Wednesday was obviously struggling with her wording.

You oh my god you. You would make me happy!

“I dunno…” Enid said softly. She waited another minute before finally coming up with an acceptable answer. “I guess, I want someone who’s on a team with me, part of my pack… and who I trust and feel safe with.”

“We have that.”

“Ya! Definitely… um–”

“But what about romantically?”

You it’s definitely fucking you ohmygodEnid just TELL HER holy–

“So like… I guess I like physical affection… n–not that I need a ton of it! Just… some, is important.” Her eyelashes fluttered. “I like being able to talk, and cuddle,” she said as she picked at her sleeve. “And maybe give each other little gifts, go on cute dates…” Wednesday listened intently and nodded. “I guess I like compliments from friends too but with my m– person, I think I like hearing what they like about me?... mutual flattery, I guess.” Enid’s eyes checked in with Wednesday’s, but darted away again each time. “I think that’s most of it.” Wednesday simply added a ‘ hmm’ in confirmation, and then stared out the window again. Enid wasn’t sure what to feel.

Another hour went by–now more agonizing than before with what Wednesday had been pulling– before she checked Instagram again. Everything had more than doubled, and they had broken into the top six after being up less than half a day. She took a screenshot and sent it to Yoko with several skull emojis, and one black heart.

She went back to the post and scrolled through the comments. 

“Wedns the amount of fire emojis in the comment section of our post is lowkey insane! I’m honestly surprised my phone hasn’t burst into flames at this point.”

“If only it would,” Wednesday said without looking away from the passing scenery.

Enid huffed a laugh and bounced herself over next to Wednesday at a slight angle until their knees touched. “Look.” Enid began to read out the comments, and Wednesday’s attention gradually turned to the device she read off of. “ ‘This is unfair, I actually really liked the other contestants, but how do you beat this?!’ ‘STOP. OMG JUST STOP.’ ‘TBH If I had seen even half this much devotion from my parents, I might be able to have a single functional relationship in my adult life. Oh well, there’s always living vicariously.’ ‘Dead. But not the kind of dead where I can rest peacefully for all of eternity next to my soulmate like these two JFC.' ‘My standards for love just skyrocketed, someone help, I will now never be satisfied.’ 'Bruh.' ‘These two just broke romance for literally everyone else. I lowkey hope you find out you're related.' – Okay EW . … oh you'll like this one: 'Aww you guys are so cute! Gonna go take a bath with my toaster now!' " Enid looked to her right excitedly.

“I do appreciate the dramatically defeatist attitude some of them take,” was all Wednesday said before looking back out the window, but Enid needed only to study her face for a second to see which muscles tightened, and she knew Wednesday was trying to conceal her pride. Enid tried to hold back her own smile, but not very hard.

“The gravestones were honestly the perfect touch for this prompt, you’re a genius Wednesday.”

She turned to face her then. “Thank you. But it wasn’t just me. We’d never have gotten such a good photo without your expertise or editing. We make a good team. And…”

Enid waited while Wednesday seemed to be formulating her words carefully. “... and I’m impressed with your general ability to manipulate. Both people in close proximity, as well as the masses.” Enid smiled wider. “When we first met, I didn’t believe you possessed this skill, actually. Over the years it’s become apparent that you utilize it only when you find it necessary, and despite using it sparingly, you’ve honed it. Sometimes I wonder if you’re even fully aware of what you’re doing.”

Enid raised her scrunched eyebrows and tilted her head. “I’m not sure if that was meant as a compliment, but I’m going to take it as one.”

“It was… speaking of skills, compliments is not one of mine.”

Enid laughed. “It’s okay, I’m glad you’re practicing on me.” Something about the words that left her mouth caused a nervous rush through her chest. Her smile fell but she held eye-contact with her friend. She saw Wednesday’s brow twitch, and eyes search her own. 

“Um, so, I don’t know what the last prompt is gonna be, but you know everyone’s going to be expecting a lot from us now… We’re not just the ‘it’ couple at Nevermore anymore.”

“My cousin and his wife would be offended by this turn of phrase.”

“What?”

“Nothing. What are you suggesting?”

“Well I’m just saying, we’re totes in our celebrity era right now, and we have to uphold this!” Enthusiasm seeped through her voice, but she reined it in as she continued. “We just, maybe we need to up the couple-y stuff a bit? Nothing crazy, but, we did just post a picture of our gravestones together, so the world isn’t gonna expect to see puppy love anymore.”

“Yes, expectations will have no doubt… risen.”

“Exactly! … but at the same time–”

Just then music started playing. Enid looked to the front of the car where she could see Thing turning up the volume. He stopped so that the song was clear, but they wouldn’t have to raise their voices to continue the conversation. He quickly spun around and made as if he was looking casually out the windshield. Enid looked at Wednesday who was frowning.

“Don’t like smooth-oldies-rock?”

“I’m not sure if that’s the correct categorization. It’s Wicked Game, by Chris Isaak. And there’s nothing wrong with the song. It was quite popular in the early nineties and it certainly doesn’t inspire my eardrums to rupture as soon as I hear it.”

Enid squinted. “I’m pretty sure that means you kind of like it but I can never really tell.” 

“It’s–” Wednesday was interrupted by the start of the vocals. Her eyes held Enid’s without any further words. Enid had no idea what was going through the small, stoic girl’s mind, but she waited silently hoping she could figure it out. After fifteen seconds she opened her mouth to speak, but more words stopped her as well, and she listened closely to what they were saying. Her heart started beating heavily in her chest. Another eight seconds went by as the lyrics spoke to them both in that otherwise quiet car, and all she could do was swallow. 

Did he say ‘ don’t wanna fall in love,’ or does he? Talk about applicable…  In total, she waited a full thirty-two seconds before the lyrics were to poignant and the silence between them was too much. “S–sorry about…” Enid very gingerly placed her hand on Wednesday’s knee. “...earlier. I was gonna say, anything we do for the contest shouldn’t be at the expense of your comfort. I– you know I never want to cross any boundaries of yours, I jus–” 

“I know.” Wednesday interrupted quietly as her eyes followed Enid’s movements, then met her own gaze. “You’ve always been keenly aware of where my lines are–despite how many times they’ve moved, and how different they are from yours– and conscientious to not cross them. Which is far more than I can say for myself. To be honest, it’s willful ignorance. You’re a better friend than I’ll ever strive to be.” Enid let out a small laugh. “Earlier was… fair game,” she continued. “Payback is a bitch, and I earned a visit.” Enid let out another giggle through a closed-mouth and saw a faint dimple appear on Wednesay’s cheek. It was almost as pretty as her name written in stone. 

Enid lifted a hand to Wednesday’s face, and paused, half expecting the girl to shy away, but only her ghost of a smile faded– there was no attempt to decrease proximity. So she proceeded to reach up, her hand almost acting before her mind had cleared the request, and her body now an inch closer as she tucked a few stray strands of glossy black hair back behind Wednesday’s ear. Her chest tightened and her anxiety-ridden heart stubbornly thrummed, but she swallowed and left her hand on Wednesday’s shoulder. The music played in the background and dark eyes shared no secrets.

Only questions. “What are you doing?” Enid heard, in a voice more raspy than the one that had just been speaking.

She offered an almost imperceptible one-shoulder shrug as she batted her eyelashes again. “Practice?”

“Practice, what?”

“Umm,” Enid glanced down at her fake-girlfriend’s lips. “Practice acting like a couple? Y’know, doing, couple-y things?”

The moment Enid saw those beautiful deep eyes tick downwards, her chest pounded. She swallowed thickly again. 

“Do you w– we could… practice.” Enid left whatever else she might have tried to say, or ask, hanging in the air, but thanked every star hanging above, below, and surrounding the moon, because Wednesday actually nodded. 

Enid vaguely registered the sound of a curtain being drawn, knowing it was separating them from the driver’s seats, and then also mentally thanked Thing. Neither girl looked away, however. 

Enid, despite seeing all the lights in front of her turn green, was still second-guessing everything that was transpiring. But she just couldn’t bear to let fear hold her back anymore today. Today, she had had enough. She closed the space between them and in one unhurried motion, gently lifted her chin to reach Wednesday’s lips. 

And their lips met. The contact lasted only a second, but Enid could feel the deliberateness of it, and relief started to wash over her. With parted lips this time, she reached back up, and once again, softly, a kiss was shared. This time Enid exhaled, closed her eyes completely, and let out the smallest vocal accompaniment to a longer-held kiss. Wednesday’s hands left her lap, and found Enid’s arms, and coincidentally, all hell broke loose inside of the werewolf. Wednesday wanted her enough to take hold and bring her closer? Game over. 

Enid took one quick breath away from her friend’s lips and then dove back in, her own hands swinging up quickly to land on the car and window behind Wednesday, body suddenly pressed forward leaving no space between them. 

The kiss went from curious and tender to needy and aggressive in less than a second. And Wednesday kept up. 

Enid felt those same hands now grasping at her own clothing, pulling her close though there was nowhere left to go. The two of them were shoved into the corner of the car, already breathing heavily and moving frantically. That position didn’t last long, however, as Wednesday leveraged herself just enough to push them both away from the window towards the middle, then in another breath led Enid to lay with her back down on the seat. 

Enid wrapped her hands around the smaller girl now on top of her and tried to breathe as functionally as she could, but she was panicking, in the best way. Wednesday slowed the kiss down only slightly, in order to deepen it, and Enid could do nothing about the moan she let out or the embarrassment that followed directly in its path. On the bright side, Wednesday seemed to appreciate the sound, as she took in a sharp breath through her nose and arched her back so that Enid felt more of her front pressed against her own. Enid tried harder to hold back any vocals this time in reaction, though the tiniest hint of audible desperation still slipped out. 

This went on for a completely indeterminable amount of time before teeth grabbed hold of her lower lip and pulled. Yet another embarrassing vocal escaped her now open mouth, but before she could try and do anything about it, Wednesday’s tongue was in the way. And then it was Wednesday’s turn to hum into her mouth, with an almost frustrated ring to it, and Enid was sure that something inside of her died– but also in the best way. She wasn’t sure where Wednesday wanted this all to go now that it had started, but she was one thousand percent positive she would follow her to the depths of hell and back, if that’s where she led them. 

Wednesday tried to slow it down again, with a few slightly longer pauses between kisses to catch their breaths, but Enid chased after her lips and nothing was easing up. 

After a few minutes of keeping a steady pace, however, Enid had just enough clarity of mind to notice her own hands had started to wander of their own accord. Her right hand, specifically, was running back and forth along the hem of Wednesday’s shirt, which had ridden up considerably with all the movement. She felt the cold, soft skin under her fingertips and there was certainly no stopping them from searching for more. She not-so-tentatively let that right hand slide upwards underneath the striped fabric, then back down half way, and back up again to graze Wednesday’s bra, where it stayed. It was lacey, and tight. Her hand slid back into motion, open wide and feeling the body beneath it that she’d wanted to feel so badly for so long without even having realized, until now. She felt Wednesday’s rib cage and brought her hand down and around to feel the equally icy skin of her side, also reaching the edge of her bra from this angle. She was surprised Wednesday hadn’t so much as flinched at how much skin-to-skin contact was happening, though maybe, she thought, when you were sharing that much saliva, things started to change. Enid let her other hand slide downward and run along her lower back and top of her pelvis, while the right traveled back up Wednesday’s small curves, this time wandering even more towards her front. Enid had no idea when her hands had become so damn bold, but she was thankful yet again. 

Then Wednesday shifted. Enid had been waiting for her to move away, but she was not expecting this; Wednesday did move her body up, shifting half her weight slightly off of Enid’s, but she wasn’t trying to distance herself from her at all, as the kiss stayed as insistent as ever. No, she was trying to give her more room . Enid wasn’t sure how much a werewolf heart could take in one day, but if she was going to die, this would be as good a way as any. Her fingers glided even more slowly along the underwire of her fake girlfriend’s lacey bra as her heart sped up. She lingered there as she tried to take deeper breaths between kisses. Wednesday seemed to want to help, letting her lips rest against Enid’s for seconds at a time, and scooting herself slightly forward for an easier angle, but Enid just found this more exciting and only unraveled further. She could feel her mouth water in the moments between kisses, where those soft lips lingered so lightly against her own. 

Enid was getting hot. She felt the damp suggestion of sweat surfacing on the back of her neck, and her forehead, and Wednesday’s cool skin felt all the more inviting. Enid let go of another prim, bound piece of herself and let her hand slip upwards. Now instead of the hard, cold skin across her ribs, she felt incredibly soft flesh below intricate lace that filled her hand completely. She felt Wednesday take in more air against her lips and her body lifted just half an inch more without her lips giving even a millimeter of space. Enid felt hotter. 

The kissing slowed the most it had so far since this all started, as Enid felt her thumb brush back and forth across the very supple lace, where she had expected padding like her own, but felt only a paper-thin layer of fabric separating her own skin from Wednesday’s. The writhing body shifted above her and her kiss intensified as Enid gently gripped. 

…What do I even do now? Enid began to panic on yet another level. She decidedly did not want this to end–ever– but she also wasn’t sure where to go next. The other one? Enid thought about it, but it would be too hard to reach with either hand the way that Wednesday’s weight was distributed. The deliberation started to take her out of the moment, and she tensed up, realizing her hand had been awkwardly doing nothing for– she had no sense of time, so who knew?

Enid be cool! No one likes an awkward little furball! What would Wednesday do? Well, Wednesday was technically doing what Wednesday would do, and this did not help her. She was surrounded by boys growing up, so then wondered what her brothers might do, before her next thought was ‘ EW, I do not need to wonder what my brothers would be doing at a time like this– so cringe!’ She reasoned next, though, that her brothers would never in a million years land anyone as incredible and hot– or scary– as Wednesday. 

Enid felt a rush of pride at the thought and was newly emboldened knowing she had a one-up– no, ten up on what her brothers could pull off in comparison to what she was laying underneath right now. She took a deep breath through her nose mid-kiss, breathing in the scent that was her best friend, and tightened her left arm around her waist. This worked. Wednesday once again arched herself further into the werewolf, and Enid instinctively seemed to find answers for ‘where next?’ That courageous and downright heroic right hand of hers slid itself down a few inches before sliding right back up, slowly, towards the same place had been, with the minor adjustment of a nimble push of her fingers to skin, making their way under the fabric that acted as the third symbolic wall Enid had hurdled over today. 

She wasn’t sure if Wednesday’s response was from physical pleasure or approval of her bravery(maybe both), but the little sound that escaped her vocal chords and the way her body rolled against hers seemed to relay some sort of metaphorical applause. 

Enid then made one last borderline-brash decision, and released her claws. She had held her fingers strategically so that they came out without catching on her bra, and rested lightly against her chest. Wednesday gasped and pulled back, just enough to look Enid straight in the eyes. Enid didn’t think she could see straight, but as soon as her own were met, she felt struck. Wednesday’s eyes had never looked so dark. And roiled with desire. Desire for her . 

Just when Enid was about to dive head first into whatever else was next, both of their bodies went flying to the floor of the car. The girls both grunted and Enid pulled her hand back without thought, driving a subtle hiss from Wednesday. 

“Oh no, shit Wednesday!”

They both sat up and brought their attention to the blood seeping through the white stripes of her shirt. Wednesday looked unfazed– entertained, if anything– while Enid became suddenly pale. 

“It’s fine. There’s a first aid kit right…” Wednesday had started to lift her shirt where the scratches could be seen as she spoke, but that was as much as Enid heard before she lost consciousness.

.

It only took Wednesday five minutes to clean and dress the shallow cuts Enid’s claws had drawn across her chest and side, and she admired them the whole time. If she was going to lose part of her afternoon to base and brainless hormonal urges that she’d almost escaped her teen years without succumbing to, she could at least walk away with consensual mild-to-moderate injuries to speak of. Her parents would be proud. 

She looked down and appraised the stains down her left side. 

Thing tapped to get her attention, then signed.

“No it shouldn’t be hard to get out, but this is exactly why I prefer to wear all black. No need to worry about blood stains.”

Thing signed, but Wednesday interrupted before he finished.

“We’re not talking about this right now. And I know what you were doing with the music. Just know that if you continue to try and play cupid I’ll be the one aiming a bow and arrow at you, and I wont. Miss. Understood?”

Thing gave her a thumbs-up, but Wednesday could tell by the way he drummed his fingers so casually afterwards that her threats fell on deaf digits.

It was only another few minutes to Nevermore, and Enid finally came-to before they reached the first gates. 

“Welcome back,” Wednesday stated dryly, as Thing waved. 

“Heeyy…” Enid slowly sat up and looked around. She placed her hand on her forehead and said, “I just had the craziest–” but stopped with her mouth open when she saw the blood on Wednesday’s shirt. 

“Yes, it really happened.”

Chapter Text

“Yes, it really happened.”

Enid stuttered out a few wordless sounds, but Wednesday mercifully continued. 

“Retch had to avoid a collision at an intersection riddled with imbicilic drivers. He hit the brakes and knocked us both onto the floor, where, in case you don’t remember, your lecherous hand was jostled out of place and upon seeing the blood you caused, you passed out. We’re almost back at the school now.”

Enid whined into her hands. “I’m sorry–”

“Stop.”

Enid lifted her head up, worried look directed at Wednesday.

“Women apologize so much you’d think they were the ones responsible for the last two patriarchal millennia of oppression, genocide, and destruction. What do you have to be sorry for? ”

“Well first of all for maiming you!”

“‘ Maiming.’ Please. It’s only a flesh wound. Nothing I mind, truly.” Wednesday shifted and felt the fresh sting under the gauze and tape, and held back a smile. 

“Okaay, should’a figured that… but also, before that… I just, I know I get carried away. I’m so extra about like, everything and I–”

“Enid. Of the very few things we have in common, our tendency to become obsessive, hyper-focused, and competitive are among them. They may often present in different ways, but, this is likely a large part of why we work.” A smile very gradually grew on Enid’s still-strained face, and her body began to relax. “Don’t ever apologize for releasing any part of yourself. Not the monster, not even the gossip queen… and certainly not the ruthless competitor.”

“Okay, thank you, but that wasn’t all about compet–”

“MRRRGHHNNNNNMMMM.”

“We’re here,” Wednesday said as she gathered her belongings from the floor. She was more than ready to be outside of the tight container that was their transportation, so much so that she pretended not to hear Enid calling for her to wait, and stepped out of the vehicle. They’d be headed for the same room soon enough, and the outside air for at least the next few minutes certainly wouldn’t hurt her muddled state of mind before any more conversation was had. 

She stood next to Retch as he unloaded their luggage, when Enid finally emerged from the cab. She saw her friend reach up and stretch before turning around to duck back into the car and grab her own bags she had left scattered. Once everything was gathered and Enid began her parting pleasantries to Retch, Wednesday went to double check that they hadn’t left anything behind, and of course she found Enid’s phone on the seat. As she leaned over to pick it up, she stared at the picture on the front. It really was quite a shot, worthy of hanging over the mantle of a stunning abandoned home; she could picture it– covered in dust and cobwebs, untouched for years, but haunted eternally by those who lived and loved there. And in this sentimental moment of weakness, she couldn’t fight the urge to see the other background picture Enid had of her, again. She slid her finger over and typed in the code–Enid probably didn’t know she knew it, but what she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her– and saw her own face. She looked awful, and not in a good way. Of course Enid would like a picture of me looking this foul. Just as she was about to lock it and take it with her, a text popped up. And then another, and then another, all from Yoko, who seemed to have forgotten how to use a keyboard. She opened the message thread and scrolled up, now through six messages from Yoko, to see what Enid’s last text to her said that inspired this lapse in fine motor skills.

Enid: is under the shirt action considered second base, or first? asking for a friend.

Enid: also is over the bra vs uder considered two dif bases, or the same one?

Wednesday’s heart sped up for all of two beats as she looked to the next text below; a few wide-eyed emojis and a mass of jumbled letters, numbers, and symbols followed. Then she was redirected back to the bottom of the thread when the seventh text came in.

Yoko: ENID U CANNOTT POSSIBLYY TELL ME THAT U GUYS STLL THNK THIS IS ALL FAKE BRUH IAM GOING TO STAB MSELF W A STAKE THEN COME BACK 2 LIFE SO I CAN KMS AGAIN NDD THEN IF U 2 ARENT TOGETHER I’M GOIGN TO MURDR YOU BOTH SO HARD I CAN’T EVENN NADOIELAKSDKGADNG;DNKNVKEAIO3

Wednesday wasn’t sure what kind of code Enid and Yoko shared, but it wasn’t a very good one as she was confident she could decipher at least eighty-five percent of it, and the other fifteen couldn’t possibly represent any sort of pattern. And while she wasn’t sure exactly what Enid was asking her friend about, she was clearly sharing details of what had transpired between the two of them, and it appeared from Yoko’s reaction that Enid had also previously told her the ‘truth’ about their relationship– and just like her parents, she wasn’t buying it. 

DING!

Yoko: E please. for the sake of my sanity and the preservation of my undead soul and all that is good and right in this world just TELL HER HOW YOU FEE–

“Wedns?” 

THUNK – “Mm,” Wednesday grunted as she brought her hand to her head where she had just slammed it into the top of the door frame, having been startled by Enid’s voice. 

“Oooh, are you okay?!”

“Unfortunately yes. Another traumatic brain injury would have been welcome.” She stood straighter and faced her roommate. “But that was the least of the damage you’ve caused my body today.”

Enid whined. “Wednesday do we have to keep bringing it up?!”

Wednesday frowned softly at her friend. “Because the very vivid bloodstain across the front of me is subtle enough to be overlooked?”

“Hey there you guys are– ooohhkay,” Yoko said as she and Divina approached and saw Wednesday’s shirt. Enid turned around to face her friends– Yoko with her glasses held up, squinting; looking perplexed, but somehow not surprised. “Should I ask?”

“ No, ” was said in unison by both girls.

Divina partially held in a laugh, and Yoko dropped her sunglasses back down over her eyes and lifted her hands for two ‘thumbs-up.’ An awkward pause then hung between the four Outcasts, Enid shockingly mute. 

“I came to hear about the weekend,” Yoko finally started as she crossed her arms judgmentally. “You ladies wanna catch me up on your most recent near-death experience..es?” She paused and once again lifted her glasses so her eyes bouncing between them could be seen. “...etcetera?”

“Here,” Wednesday handed Enid her phone as she passed her, picked up her bags, and began walking into the school to their dorm. Behind her she could hear Enid invite the other two upstairs, followed by mumbled dialogue for a moment, and a very loudly-whispered ‘ shit!’ before the footsteps of a Fang, Fur, and Scale pattered to catch up to her. 

“So Addams,” the vampire’s voice drew out next to her. “I heard you guys had a good trip… Enid said you used your time wisely on the way home–”

“ Yoko, ” Wednesday heard Enid say through her teeth.

“Did some writing and really, got on top of things?” The vampire’s smile was audible. 

“Babe,” Divina’s voice chimed in.

“Yes,” Wednesday said simply as she started up the stairs.

“And that you guys got in some quality time too… were able to touch on some new topics? Really get beneath the surface?”

Wednesday stopped on one of the steps to turn and look down at a smug vampire and a wide-eyed werewolf. “If you’re trying to come up with clever euphemisms for the intimate interactions Enid and I shared on the drive here–”

“Oh my god,” Enid whispered as she closed her eyes.

“–they are mediocre at best. But yes, we were able to ‘use our time wisely,’” she went on as she turned and continued climbing to the top floor. “And that included logging several visions I had. One of which consisted of a familiar vampire in a kitchen.”

“What? I only drink blood, what would I be doing in a kitchen?”

“Oh you weren’t there to eat,” she said as she reached the top and began down the hall. “You were laid face-down across several burners with your hands tied together and pressed into a blender.”

“What.”

“She didn’t have that vision,” Enid said to her friend. “She’s lying.”

“Am I?” Wednesday looked back and asked before unlocking and pushing their door open, stepping through at an angle. There was a loud, sharp click and thunk as an imposingly large ax came swinging down from above, the handle hitting the top of the door frame to be stopped hard, dead-center.

“Yes! She is Yoko,” Enid said as she walked sideways past the ax. “She didn’t have a vision of you at all, I was with her the whole time and she only had one, and that was not it.”

“WHAT IN THE FRESH HELL IS THIS?!” Yoko yelled as she grabbed Divina’s arm. 

“Oh, she always puts this up now when we leave for more than a day,” Enid said lightly as she strolled to her bed to drop her bags. “Just your standard medieval security! …Come in!”

“Dear god,” Divina whispered as her and Yoko inched their way into the room, staring at the razor-sharp edge.

“Okay, so what’s all this about you getting poisoned?” Yoko asked, trying to look away from the deadly weapon that was, moments ago, flying directly towards her face without warning. 

“Oh ya so we found out it wasn’t an actual poison at all, it was– get this– tangerine juice,” Enid answered as she sat at her desk facing her friends.

“Juice? Was this some kind of joke?” Divina asked.

“Wait aren’t you allergic to that?”

Wednesday turned quickly from unpacking. She looked to the vampire and then Enid. “She knows?”

“Oh yaa,” Enid blinked and tilted her head. “I forgot I told you.”

“Who else have you told?” Wednesday asked Yoko accusingly. 

The vampire held her hands up in defense. “No one! That literally never comes up. I don’t even know why I know. She probably used it in Two Truths and a Lie or something.”

Wednesday looked to her roommate for clarification.

“It’s just a stupid game, no one else knows and Yoko doesn’t have anything to do with this,” Enid assured her.

“If you forgot you told her, who else have you forgotten about telling?”

“Most likely no one, Wedns! Look, it’s freaky but it’s not like anyone’s dying. At least it’s not another Crackstone, Hyde, killing-spree sitch.”

“Not as long as they’re staying away from your doorway,” Yoko added.

Wednesday frowned. She hadn’t thought about it, but Enid had a point that was possibly crucial to figuring this out. Neither of the attacks had been lethal. Why?

Wednesday walked briskly down the halls towards the principal’s office. Considering it was Sunday evening, the likelihood of finding Neyef, or Buio(who she’d rather see), was meager, but she had nothing to lose. She had planned on finding Buio first thing in the morning before class anyways, but this was also a good excuse to get out of the room as Enid regaled her friends with the details of their misadventures over the weekend, which she had been present for and had no desire to be subjected to again via story-time. Of course that wasn’t the only factor.

She looked around to make sure there was no one in earshot, as if someone might hear her thoughts. There weren’t any Outcasts that had this ability, that she knew of, but she wasn’t about to take any chances. 

She wished she hadn’t seen the texts, but there was no rewinding, and no more pretending. 

When she reached the principal’s office she was hopeful she’d find anyone behind the double doors to derail the train of thought that had started to gain momentum down a perilous slope, but they were locked. Wednesday sighed and sat down on a small, mostly decorative seat against the wall next to them. It was stiff and uncomfortable, and she felt instantly soothed. The fears swirling in her head were obstinate to remain chaotic, but she attempted to sort through them regardless. 

She hated admitting to herself that she felt any form of fear at all, but here they were, in all shapes and sizes: the now long-stayed fear of having these feelings at all, which felt even more like pure cowardice after the conversation with her father; the fear that the text she saw might be misinterpreted; the fear that the text may have meant, ‘ tell her how you feel– that this was a terrible idea and how uncomfortable you are, tell her you have been trying not to hurt her, but you feel repulsed, trapped…’; o r the worst fear of all: that the text meant exactly what it sounded like. 

The fear that Enid had the same feelings for her, and wanted more than friendship, and more than a fake relationship, was one she did not know what to do with.

Who was Wednesday if not alone? Who was Wednesday if she was expected to navigate through the black emptiness of this lifetime with someone permanently in tow? Who was Wednesday if her weakness was another? 

“ Aaghhh,” she growled as she stood up and tried to rid her mind of its frustrating new curiosities. She paced back and forth once, then walked to the railing and leaned over the edge. Two Gorgons walked by below, one snake peeking out to look up at her and hiss before hiding itself again. They disappeared and she fought to change the subject in her mind. Confronting these neglected feelings even so briefly had already drained her to the point that she wondered how Enid could keep herself upright with how emotional she was on a daily basis. Enid. How different they were. And how ironic it was that Enid could help her figure this out, she was sure, if she wasn’t the last person on Earth she wanted to speak to about it all right now.

But she drove thoughts of her roommate aside again, searching the small tiles on the floor below for any sort of reprieve. She closed her eyes and recounted her vision from earlier that day.

Cackling could be heard behind an old oak door. The door creaked open slightly, and Grandmama came into view, standing over a cauldron, the absolute epitome of an old witch stereotype. Wednesday rolled her eyes at the banality of it as the old woman took a deep breath of the steam flowing up in swirls.

“Are you sure there’s nothing more we can do for her?” Her mother’s voice was in the room, but there were no other bodies. 

“You know she wouldn’t let us if there was!” the old witch answered. Wednesday looked around and finally found her mother’s face in a crystal ball on a low shelf.

“She may listen to you though Mama,” she saw her say.

“Aaah, where’d be the fun in that?! She’s hardly a child anymore, anyhow, she’s got to figure it out herself. There are dark trials ahead, but she’s strong. Don’t let it ruin your wonderful nightmares, dear.”

“Yes of course, until next time.” Morticia blew a kiss through the crystal ball before her face vanished. 

“Ah Wednesday, so nice of you to join me.” Wednesday froze in the doorway. This must be a vision like the ones she had with Goody, but–

“Grandmama are you okay? How can you see me right now?”

“Don’t worry, I’m not dead yet! Just another day in the life of an elder Addams!” This explained nothing at all to Wednesday, but she figured it would be fruitless to try and get any more clarification than that, and walked in. “Did you get m’gift?”

“Yes, and it’s smaller than a grenade, how is that supposed to help me cover an entire werewolf?” 

Laughter filled the room. “Oh, darlin’ it’s not,” is all she said before stirring again. 

Wednesday looked around the room, hoping there was a witness to confirm the madness in front of her. There was not. “Grandmama I asked for your help, why did you send me something I can’t use?”

“Oh I didn’t say you can’t use it!” She said as she placed her pointer finger on the tip of her nose.

Wednesday pursed her lips. “You don’t seem to understand–”

“Oh I understand, Wednesday, but you don’t yet.” The younger Addams blinked and waited. “You have all you need, deary! Trust yourself. And your wolf,” she added with a wink. “Oh but also watch out for her, not everything is as it seems.”

“That’s the understatement of the century.”

“Alright now out with you! I’ve got things to do and your little girlfriend’ll be worried if ya don’t come-to soon! Out!” She tapped Wednesday on the nose then pushed her back out through the doorway into the dark hall and slammed it shut.

Wednesday glanced around the empty entry-way, feeling as frustrated as the first time she experienced the pointless vision. Her phone vibrated.

“Why did I not leave this in the room?” she whispered to herself as she pulled it out of her bag. It was Enid. 

Enid: Check this out omg

Below was a screenshot of a message to Enid’s Instagram. It was Stephanie’s manager again. 

‘Congratulations, couple, that was an impressive comeback! We love a dark horse. 

There is still one prompt left before our official winners are chosen. As a warning to our potential winning couples: The timing and location will be revealed soon, and some of our winners may need to travel by plane. We will cover the cost of flights and any other transportation needs, as well as accommodation for two nights. The event will be held Valentine's Day weekend, so please begin to prepare accordingly and make arrangements to be gone, should you be chosen. 

Lastly, Stephanie insisted I include the next prompt as a head start. We are eager to see what you and our other top couples come up with next.

Best of Luck,

Regina & Staff

Final Prompt

This is it contestants, your last chance! And what could inspire you more than a page out of a Stephanie Rey novel?

Please choose your favorite scene, from your favorite work, to reenact in a photo. No video, no explanation, one picture. You may include the title of the work in your caption. Good Luck!’

Of all the photos they’ve had to create so far, Wednesday was most excited about this one. The blood-soaked images that ran through her head enlivened her to a straighter posture. She wondered what she’d be able to create without making Enid too nauseated. 

She stood up and headed to the library. She had a complete collection of Stephanie Rey’s works– all short stories, novels, and even copies of interviews and two short poems– but she knew the school had all of her most popular books, and she wasn’t ready to head back to the dorm just yet. 

But half way there, her phone vibrated again.

Enid: hey I’m crashing with Yoko and Divina tonight. Don’t worry, not mad. I’ll see you in class tomorrow, left something for you..

Wednesday noted the almost-completely correct use of spelling, grammar, and punctuation, and hummed. She slid her phone back in her bag and turned at the next hall– if her dorm would be empty after all, no use in risking running into any more insufferable individuals.

When she arrived, it was indeed as deserted as the rest of the school; it appeared that Thing had even joined them. She took the time to take down the ax from earlier, then gathered the books she knew would have contenders for the best scene to use. She ended up with two piles stacked neatly on her desk, and planned to make a list of options to run by Enid tomorrow. But half way through pulling out her chair to sit, she frowned as she saw writing on the page sitting in her typewriter, and slowed her movement. She was certain she’d left a fresh, blank page waiting for her.

I know I said I’d let you ask,

But sorry- couldn’t wait!

There’s a really special dance soon,

And I want you to be my date!

So leave your answer here,

And say that you’ll be mine <3

Maybe for forever?

Or at least for the Tell-Talentine’s…

After reading the words a fifth time, Wednesday felt her own nausea increase until it was gurgling in her throat. She frowned and pulled over the first book, deciding she would address Enid’s little poem later. Today had been enough. 

But as the words on the table of contents blended together, and concentration was a mist evading her every move, she sighed and looked up at the waiting page. She lifted her hands and gently tapped; once with her right pointer finger, followed by her left middle and ring fingers in succession. 

Who was Wednesday if not courageous?

Chapter Text

Baby pink sneakers tapped softly across tile floor, the occasional squeak escaping them, echoing in the empty halls. Enid kept herself from running, though her gait was anything but leisurely. The amount of time between now and finding Wednesday was already too much. 

At the base of the stairs she glanced at her phone again, still open to the picture she received late last night from her roommate. Her heart accelerated, propelling her body up the steps. 

‘Yes .’ 

One little word typed out, Enid believing it held more meaning than anything her eyes had ever encountered in print in her entire life. She had posted it to their couple account almost immediately, after screaming loud enough to have their dorm-mom come running frantically, wielding a baseball bat. Wednesday had already told her to buy the tickets– as close to agreeing to going as she was going to get, she thought– but there was something different about her playing along with Enid’s creative invitation, and actually physically typing an unavoidably affirmative yes.

As she began her ascent, she pictured the very near future in her mind: the door would swing open to a musical crescendo, her pastel locks parting from her face with a gust of mysterious air, left dancing behind her shoulders. And there would be Wednesday, motionless in the center of their room, backlit by the emblematic round window allowing through it the first rays of morning sun. More vertical and still than a human body should be capable of, like always, she would be waiting– but it would be different. Instead of their over-practiced apathy, her eyes would be a shocking shade of wanting. Enid would walk right up to her, letting out her every truth like a song straight off The Tortured Poet’s Department album, as her steps brought them closer; ‘ I love you, I think I’ve loved you all along’ – no, too dramatic Enid– ‘yesterday had nothing to do with the contest, it was all real and I think it was for you too’ – no, I shouldn’t presume. Or should I? – ‘I know what you are Wednesday Addams’ – no, comes off as creepy – ‘

But mid-thought Enid reached their door and before allowing her body to hesitate, she found herself entering and speaking simultaneously; “Wednesday we really need to t–” Enid blinked when the vision she had of that moment died on the set of reality. There was no music, no manufactured wind for her hair, and there was no Wednesday. 

Of course she had known this was an entirely possible outcome, but she still felt the air leave her lungs in a painful exit. She was sure she’d be able to catch her before leaving for classes, hoping she would have waited. Why didn’t she wait? 

Before spiraling again into all the possible explanations(Yoko and Divina had a very long talk with her the night before about all the reasons she really needed to stop doing this), she looked down at her phone for the thirtieth time since waking, hoping it would numb the sting.

It did, especially seeing how it had already raked in the 'likes' and comments of support. More than a few of them pointed out how– despite understanding the trending tradition– it was essentially ridiculous to have needed to ask or to think the answer could have been any different. They were “just too perfect of a couple.”

Enid’s heart ached as it reminded her of something similar Yoko and Divina had said the night before. Her two friends had been there as Enid wrote the poem– first on a piece of paper so that she wouldn’t mess up on the typewriter (considering she had no idea how to even replace the paper), urging her to hurry up and pack. They both had no doubt what the answer would be regardless of the quality of her poem, despite Enid trying to explain just how often Wednesday complained about her spelling and grammar. Enid had then heard the quiet discussion behind her; “at this point Wednesday would say yes if she forgot how to spell her own name.”

“Wednesday’s, or Enid’s?”

“Either.”

There was snickering, and then, “let’s be for real, she doesn’t even need words. Girl could finger-paint an invitation. Wednesday would decipher it and accept!”

“I can hear you y’know?!” Enid growled and scribbled. 

But by the time they were crawling into bed later that night, and Enid’s phone unexpectedly vibrated, all of the stress and effort had been far beyond worth it as every nerve in her body lit up. There on her phone, Wednesday’s typewriter was still holding onto her eight-line masterpiece, but with the addition of the tiniest, most endorphin-inducing collection of ink, stamped just underneath it. Enter the scream. 

Yoko and Divina had tried their best to extend their understanding and support for another ten minutes as their love-stricken friend went on her fourth tangent of the night, about all of the things this could mean. But their patience was already worn thin.

Earlier that night, Enid had no reservations about kissing-and-telling as she filled them in on her risque afternoon road trip: rant one. Once the poem was finished and they finally left the dorm, a second verbal dam broke about what the inevitable reaction would be. Then, once settled in the room, after it seemed Enid had at last been convinced that there was no way all of the signs could be pointing anywhere but in her favor, she went off the rails once more. This third rant was compiled of Enid recalling several pieces of ‘evidence’ from their first year at Nevermore supporting why this wouldn’t work. Somehow, the Fang and the Scale got their friend to bed, and quiet; whether or not she slept was on her.

Despite this, she felt as if she had the energy of an overly-caffeinated werewolf the day of a full moon. In reality, it was only a waning crescent and she had not one ounce of substance fueling her adrenaline-ridden body. 

So she shot off into the hall once more, this time sprinting to the place she knew Wednesday would be… speaking of substances.

.

“Ah, Miss Addams, an especially early visit this time. Couldn’t wait to start the day with some faculty disruption?”

“Mr. Buio, always trying to boost my mood with your ingratiating words.” Wednesday set her bag down at the desk nearest her teacher’s espresso machine, and readied her cup. The teacher was sitting at his own desk shuffling through a stack of graded tests he had walked in with. He had just turned on the lights as she arrived. As she observed him, however, she could see more tension lining his figure than was typical, and his eyes failed to focus on anything. She turned back to the machine and once it had finished, grabbed her drink and walked to his desk. The rangy teacher pointedly did not look up at her. 

“Here.” The heavy slap of her black notebook on the wooden surface finally extracted his attention. “There are quite a few entries. I think it’s about time I asked for help making sense of some of them.” Her hand remained on the leather cover as she waited for his acknowledgement. There was a cold silence before he lifted his gaze, and Wednesday– without breaking eye contact– pushed it forward an inch, towards the waiting reader. Once her hand retreated, Mr. Buio picked up the notebook and flipped through. 

Wednesday studied the muscles in his face. Micro movements revealed reactions he was clearly working to keep hidden.

“You had the vision didn’t you?” Wednesday stated more than asked.

The teacher tensed up once again. “You had a vision of me having a vision? That’s a new one.”

“No, I saw you talking about it– aggressively arguing, rather– with Mr. Neyef. And getting on a plane.”

“Mm, the neck pillow…” Mr. Buio whispered to himself.

“Yes. Why LA?”

He looked back up at her again. “I don’t actually know yet.” He sighed as his eyes returned to the pages in front of him. “But I can tell you that I’d heed your grandmother’s warnings… about Enid,” he finished as he once again met her eyes.

Wednesday frowned. “She said to trust Enid.”

“You wrote here that she also said to watch out for her and that not everything is what it seems.”

“Yes, so enlighten me – which advice am I meant to heed, if the two contradict each other?”

“I would just… keep your eyes peeled.” He closed the book and slid it back towards her. “Keep writing down each vision, and you’ll eventually have more answers.”

“What did you see?”

“What do you mean?”

“What did you see that had to do with Enid?” Mr. Buio leaned back in his chair but didn’t answer. “I don’t know what your vision was, only that it inspired you to fight with the principal and fly all the way to Los Angeles to commit acts of violence. So what was in your vision that you feel the need to warn me against the one person I trust the most?”

“The vision was incomplete Wednesday. Neither of us have been given the whole story yet, so our hands remain tied.”

“Are you also blindfolded and gagged? Your hands weren’t tied when you bought the flights, so tell me why you did.”

"I haven't bought the flights yet."

“Well you will, and frankly it’s not pertinent if you have yet or not. You’re not telling me everything you know.”

Mr. Buio didn’t speak, or move for several moments. 

Wednesday tightened her lips and took a forceful breath through her nose. “Mr Buio you–”

“Hey,” was heard from the doorway, tentatively cheerful. Both heads turned to see an anxious-looking blonde werewolf with her hands behind her back. 

“Miss Sinclair. Impeccable timing, I extend my gratitude.”

“And I’ll not be extending this conversation any further.”

Before he could speak, Wednesday turned sharply and moved to pick up her bag and without pause, towards the door and past Enid. “C’mon,” she said to her friend as she exited. Enid’s worried wide eyes darted back and forth between Wednesday and the tall teacher before she waved quickly with a polite ‘bye’ as she followed her friend out. 

“Sooo, what was that about?” Enid asked as she caught up to her friend. 

“Nothing.”

“Sounded kinda heated for nothing.” 

Wednesday– without slowing her pace or even turning towards her friend–picked up the blonde’s hand and placed it against her forehead. “I’m certain my temperature has not changed whatsoever,” she said dryly as she let go.

Enid rolled her eyes as she pulled her hand away. “Well should I be weirded out that it sounded like you were talking to one of our teachers about being blindfolded and gagged?”

Wednesday kept her pace. “No.”

“O-kaay. Well,” she said as she stopped Wednesday by the arm. “Can we… can we talk?” Enid’s voice cracked slightly and she cleared her throat as they stood in the hallway half way to their first class.

Wednesday glanced to the side and swallowed before facing the piercing, hopeful eyes in front of her. It was frustrating how suddenly unsettled she could become when it came to navigating the developments of her not-so-fake relationship with her best friend. 

“Of course. I–”

“If it isn’t the couple of the year!” A few whistles and cheers followed, as Yoko, Divina, and Fen approached. 

“You bitches came in third-freaking-place and you only posted YESTERDAY!” Fen’s intention might have been to address the couple, though she was clearly informing the entirety of the student body with her volume and intensity. 

“Unreal,” Divina added.

“Okay we need to go over what you’re wearing to the dance,” Fen said at a more appropriate level, as she led Enid away by the arm. Her fake girlfriend glanced over her shoulder with an apologetic shrug. Wednesday only watched the girls giggling and heading towards class as she, gratefully, was left standing in the hall. 

Despite sitting next to each other in that first class, spending each break together, and passing each other several times between classes, every opportunity to have a conversation would start and end the same as the first; something or someone would interrupt, and the two would have to feign normalcy. Wednesday had even tried pulling Enid aside, twice, only to be thwarted on both occasions before they could get in a single, unguarded word.

The final instance was Enid’s mother calling, which occurred just after they had finally met back in their dorm. Wednesday had just changed out of her fencing attire and sat down at her desk when Enid walked through the door with the last of the sunset, after at least two club meetings that Wednesday couldn’t keep track of. Just as she dropped her bag on the floor and parted her lips to speak, her phone inserted its own maddening voice instead. And of course, at the insistence of Esther Sinclair. 

Enid had let herself out onto the balcony and no less than forty-two minutes passed before the call ended. Wednesday had only a slight inclination to avoid eavesdropping, though it was easily overpowered by the need to know what was transpiring in the otherwise quiet night air. Much of it was silence, though, and Wednesday ground her teeth at the notion that Enid was being such a patient listener considering the speaker on the other end. She in turn was then inspired to begin creating a list of ways she could– the way she would describe it to Enid would be: ‘altering Esther’s life for the betterment of others.’ Her list was quite comprehensive within only a few minutes, before she tuned back in to Enid’s wavering voice outside.

What she heard of her roommate’s words in the earlier part of the call included many ‘I-know-mom’s’ and other mumbled concedings in a low tone. After thirty minutes of this, however, the pitch changed– first to a questioning one; ‘ but why would you…’ ‘but what about…’ But then it modulated again, along with Enid’s posture, and volume. All three seemed to raise incrementally, until eventually, her words were an obsidian blade through a trachea, ending any prospect of a defiant reply with force and fluidity.

“Because I didn’t like him!”

Silence.

“But that’s not the point!”

Silence again.

“You know what? Yes. I am. Okay?” And then, “because she makes me HAPPY!”

A long pause once more.

“No! I’m a Blood Moon Wolf now mom. And I’m an adult,” Wednesday heard. “If you’re not going to help me through college and support the person I am along the way, then I’ll figure it out myself! I’m not rolling over for you and the plans you have for me anymore! If you want to be in my life, you’re going to be in MY life! The way I choose to live it! End of story.”

Wednesday eventually reminded herself to breathe. This was an Enid she had only caught glimpses of along the way– more over the last year, but still infrequent enough that this caught her by surprise. If only she had sprinkled a death threat or two in there, it would have been simply poetic. 

The clink of the window-door opening a few minutes later had Wednesday turning to meet Enid’s eyes. She stood tall, but there was something in them that was pleading. The werewolf’s face was already weary when she had first walked into the room that night, but now she looked drawn and exhausted. Wednesday rose from her desk and walked to her friend. The eyes that spoke softly at first now filled with tears and begged blaringly. Wednesday’s stride lengthened to reach her more quickly, and she opened her arms just in time to catch the girl as the first sob overtook her. 

Nothing was said– no soothing words or comforting coos, because of course Wednesday had absolutely no frame of reference for these things, nor desire to offer any such absurdities– not even praise for the valiant stance she took against her tyrannical mother. But Wednesday held on, with every bit of tenderness her body could muster. She placed her right hand gently around the back of Enid’s head, and stroked with a trepidation she rarely felt. Then she turned her own face slightly inwards, and closed her eyes. 

“Hey” –sniff– “Wedns?” Enid's shaky voice asked some time later. Wednesday blinked and realized that she had lost track of how long they had been standing there– a strange feeling for someone who typically had an eerily strong hold on the passage of time no matter what she was doing. They pulled apart gingerly and Wednesday looked to her friend awaiting instruction. “We can save the talk for later… but you know what we should do?”

Wednesday searched Enid’s reddened, wet face and found the beginnings of a smile begin to form. “What?”

“We should get that head start on our last prompt,” she said as the smile widened.

Wednesday’s own smile began to sneak out to match. “You’re absolutely right," she said as she hastily moved away from Enid. "I’ll get my notes."

“Notes?”

Chapter Text

“No.”

“Wednesday, A Bad Girl’s Guide to Misanthropy slaps. ”

“The weakest form of weaponless strike.”

“Ugh I know you’re like, lowkey holding a grudge against her for putting out a clean-teen series with less… guts, and.. brutal, murdery.. ich…  but if anything it was a good marketing strategy on her part, which you should appreciate! It's like a gateway drug into her adult stuff! And it totes has dark themes, and it's so good!” Enid whined.

By ten pm they had gone through the possibilities of no less than eleven Stephanie Rey novels, created an idea/plan board, stopped to get food at Enid’s insistence, and narrowed it down to their top four choices.

“Aside from the fact that there’s not a satisfactory scene from that series that would translate well enough into a single photo, it is also not her most widely-known or relatable series–”

“Relatable for who, Wednesday?!” Enid growled. “No one other than you, relates to these books, they’re entertaaained by them!”

“Fine. But statistically speaking, a much wider audience has been entertained by her other works. If we’re talking about strategy, it would not be in our best interest to choose this, of our options,” Wednesday replied in a smooth tone. 

Enid scrunched her chin and pushed out her lower lip. “Ya okay. I guess…”

Wednesday walked to the board and removed the ‘ABGGTM’ card from it, and sat back down.

“Okay so that means what we have left iisss…” she sang as she adjusted the remaining notecards. “A Killing Behind Alleyway One Nine, where we’d do the ‘buried alive’ scene– ugh, okay that is the– all time– most romantic thing I have ever read in my entire LIFE !” Enid sighed dramatically. 

“It is one of her more creative scenes, to be sure. The suspense is well done, and the outcome…” Her eyes shifted to the side. “The way the protagonist expresses their affection is delightfully macabre.” Enid tightened her cheeks holding back a laugh at how Wednesday gave away her secrets; she’d never admit to enjoying the romance in the plot– not directly, at least. “Though I’m not sure if we have time to fill all those baskets and do that scene justice.”

“Good point… Orr… The Deaths at the Disco?”

“One of my favorites. The greenhouse scene wouldn’t be difficult to execute,” she said as she picked up the book and opened to chapter thirty-three. "It is impeccably written and would be a great representation of her work.”

“Yes! That scene is iconic! A little on the intense side, but I would look super cute, obvs, in a teddy bear onesie,” she said very seriously.

Wednesday offered a half-lidded blink, and, “no comment.”

Enid smiled. “And lastly we have the Ghoulface series… which if we pick this one I think we should go with that scene from book five, when they’re in the theater. Isn’t there a part where they’re all bloody and… make out?”

“You’re thinking of book six, with the shrine room. And they didn’t get bloody until after that.”

“Oh. I was just thinking I mean.. You know since we’ve already kissed and it’s not a big deal anymore like, we haven’t done it in any of our pics and it could be a good um, strategy ! Speaking of which… To um, have something romantic and scary, right?”

Wednesday looked over their board and back at Enid. “Yes, that’s, possible. We can discuss all the angles.”

“Yaa of course, no.” Enid cleared her throat and looked around the room, then back at the board. 

“I do like the idea of the theater scene. It’s a long one, I believe she took two chapters just for that. Which means there are plenty of different options within that setting once the fighting starts.”

Ya but no one makes out after the fighting starts, Enid thought. “Okay great! Ghoulface six, theater slash shrine room it is!”

“You don’t seem happy,” Wednesday half-questioned as she tilted her head.

“No no, it’s a good idea. I’m on board. And I trust you.” Enid moved to sit down on her bed. “There’s just… a lot of blood, and stabbing…” Enid said as she unconsciously gripped her comforter and clenched her jaw. She attempted to switch into upbeat-Enid when she turned to Wednesday, clasped her hands and asked, “what are you thinking?” 

Wednesday moved from her chair and sat down next to her. “We won’t be reenacting the entire two chapters. We only have to make it look like there were multiple attacks.” Enid looked at her friend; she wasn’t comforted so much by whatever point Wednesday thought she was making, but she was comforted by the fact that Wednesday was trying, period. “We can break into the school theater tomorrow night. I’ll use the afternoon to gather the necessary costumes, props, etcetera.” Wednesday began to pick up speed in her speech. “I can have my mother send most of what we’ll need from home, it’d probably arrive no later than mid-afternoon. I already have plenty of venison blood in my closet here so we–”

“Wednesday oh my god if you for one second try and get real blood anywhere near me for this I swear to god–”

“Fine. I’ll go pick up fake blood as well,” Wednesday said, visibly dismayed. 

“Eeehh why don’t you let me go do it? That way I can contribute and know for a fact that I’m not being doused in a dead animal’s guts!” Enid said with a forced cheerfulness. 

“Do you think I’d lie to you?”

Enid looked directly at Wednesday then replied, “about this? Yes, I think you might.” 

.

The next day meandered along with little interaction between Enid and Wednesday, which left a building anxiety inside of the werewolf. They still had not addressed the very sexually-tense elephant in the room, or the are-we-actually-in-love hippopotamus by its side. And there had been zero opportunities to do anything about that on a busy Tuesday. 

All throughout the day, the entire student body was talking about the last prompt, now that it had been officially released. At this point, almost all of Nevermore was invested in the two couples representing not only Outcasts, but their school, who looked to be serious contenders for the top spots. Whether Stephanie Rey fans or not, everyone had Instagram, and everyone had started following the posts. The head editor, Regina, had also started sharing hints about the winners’ dinner with cryptic posts that circulated all over the school that week. Some teachers had become so irritated that they made a ‘No Stephanie-Rey-Contest Talk During Class’ rule. Conversely, some teachers had joined in.

Enid skipped up to her circle of friends during their first break, just as Eugene and Fen sat down next to Xavier and Ajax, Yoko and Divina standing adjacent. “Hey! You guys know what you’re doing yet?”

“We’re still brainstorming, but we’re thinking– wait where’s your girl?”

“I’m not positive, but I’m pretty sure she ditched classes to get everything ready for tonight,” Enid said excitedly, showing all her teeth.

“You guys already have it planned?!”

“Sure do. But don’t ask what! Def top secret,” Enid said with a wink.

“Sounds hot, I’m into it,” Fen said as she smiled and squinted back at the other wolf. “Very scandy, but you’re still goin’ down. We’re thinking A Bad Girl’s Guide, maybe the scene where they’re almost caught by you-know-who in the house! My bedroom at home would be perf, and my place is only forty-five away, we could totes do it after school.”

“Ohmygosh that’s one of my favorite parts!” Enid whined back. “The way Penny and Riley connect in that chapter is SO… ugh it just feeds us. I’m so weak for Penriley.”

“Me too girl, me too.”

“Ya but Wednesday vetoed Bad Girl’s Guide. It was a hard no,” she added with a pout.

“Damn and I thought Wednesday was the one who was whipped,” Yoko said quietly. 

Enid tilted her head towards Yoko. “You know I never make Wednesday do anything she really isn’t into. I already pushed a little harder than normal for this dance that she somehow agreed to.”

“That’s if we even get to go!” Fen cried, her change in tune nearly giving Enid whiplash.

“What?”

“Ya we were just talking about that,” Yoko said as she reached her arm around her girlfriend.  “They said it was gonna be Valentine’s Day weekend for the dinner, right? It’s probably gonna be Saturday night… same night as the dance.” 

Enid’s heart sank. “No,” she whispered.

“I know, I full on bawled when I realized. I can’t believe they’re gonna be on the same day. So. Unfair, ” Fen said, loudly enough again to reach a very large audience. “I still think we should ask Neyef if he’ll move it,” she added as she turned to Eugene.

“Babe, I really don’t think they’re going to move an entire school dance for a few students. Especially this close to it,” he said as his thumb caressed her hand in support.

“But we’re not just students we’re famous now!” Fen threw her head into the crook of her boyfriend’s neck and let out a moaning whine.

“She’ll be fine,” Eugene mostly mouthed to the rest of the group. 

“Did I hear my name? Is Miss Wilkes alright?” Mr. Neyef had silently appeared and stood between the vampire and upright wolf. 

Fen’s head spun around. “Mr. Neyef PLEASE change the date of the dance! Please!” 

Mr. Neyef’s wiry eyebrows bunched in. “What is wrong with the current date in place, Miss Wilkes?”

“Nothing, Principal Neyef, it’s totally fine. We’re in the lead for the contest and–” 

Eugene was interrupted by Enid very emphatically clearing her throat and whispering “ one, of the lead couples” before looking away. 

Eugene adjusted his glasses and went on; “... sharing the lead with a few other couples… and the night of the winner’s murder mystery dinner is probably going to be the same night as the Tell-Talentines dance. We don’t even know for sure yet and we still don’t even know if we’re going to win, so you really don’t need to do anything.”

“God can we please talk about anything else for a change?! It’s like no one at this school has a life. Not everything revolves around this stupid contest that won’t even matter in like two weeks.” Xavier grunted in pain and put his hand to his head. “All this BS is giving me a headache,” he said with his eyes closed, before he stood and rushed away.

“Yikes. What’s his deal?” Yoko looked at Ajax.

The Gorgon shrugged. “He’s just salty about the contest I guess. Still not sure about the headaches though… but I do think they got worse after Wednesday socked him.”

“Damn Enid your girlfriend messed up that poor kid’s head in more ways than one,” Yoko said with a laugh.

“Do you all just forget that I’m here?” the principal questioned. No one replied, and he sighed. “Try not to bring up students’ assault records around me, as a rule of thumb, please? Mr. Petropolus, if your friend’s headaches persist, take him to the infirmary, and inform me. Miss Wilkes, while this sounds like a tragic turn of events for your truly tumultuous life, I don’t believe there’s anything I can do for you, but I do wish you all luck in this contest,” he said as he looked at each student. “Miss Sinclair, where is your roommate? I actually came to see if I could speak to her along with you two,” he said then looking back at Eugene and Fen.

“Oh, what for?”

“We received the video surveillance of Piccadilly. We’re still working on going through it all, as we’re checking everything that was recorded, from several different cameras, of the entire week leading up to the incident. So far there’s nothing out of the ordinary, unfortunately, but we’d like to set up a meeting with the four of you present, later this week.”

“I can let her know, what day?”

“We’ll probably be ready Thursday. I can schedule it during your last period, will that work for you?” he asked the other two.

They nodded. “I’ll… let Wednesday know.”

“My thanks, Miss Sinclair.” The principal walked off as silently as he had appeared. 

“I do not want to go to that. Y’all can have fun, but count me out!” Fen said, waving her arms.

“It’s okay, I’ll go, you don’t have to worry about it,” Eugene assured her. Fen gave a grateful whine and threw her arms around his neck and leaned in for a kiss.

“Are we the only not-gross couple in this group now?” Yoko asked Divina.

“Wednesday and I are not gross!”

“Okay, Second Base,” Yoko shot back as Divina laughed. “And I don’t think anyone else here is writing poetry for their SO, so I bet it’s not long before you and your eerie little muse start making out in public too.”

Enid felt a rush of mixed feelings– she was embarrassed and defensive, but the idea of making out with Wednesday anywhere at that moment sounded great; like she would give a damn who was watching. 

The blonde werewolf held her chin up, turned, and walked away without putting up a fight.

At seven fifty-eight she tiptoed towards the back door of the school theater and reached out for the door handle, but paused as she felt the presence of someone behind her. But just as soon as her senses detected something, relief washed over her and she exhaled.

“You’re early.”

Enid twirled around. “Yep! Didn’t wanna be late to our last pic date,” Enid said as she swung back and forth playfully.

“Your poetic prowess knows no bounds.” Wednesday stepped around her fluidly and held open the door. Enid bounced lightly past her, but stiffened before her body covered much ground. Her smile fell into a grimace in the dark, echoing space. 

The door slamming shut behind them jolted Enid’s body another foot forward. “Wednesday?” she called meekly.

There was no answer, but a second later the lights switched on to reveal the scene her roommate had already begun to cultivate in the normally clean, welcoming space. She had done a decent job of making the place look neglected, with raggedy curtains and tarp hanging along the walls. Also stacked around them was a mix of old relics and creepy horror movie paraphernalia, and a few boxes and chairs stacked around them. An old projector screen hung down on the back wall of the stage, several holes through it, making it look tattered, and in a semicircle just in front of it were mannequins, all in different terrifying attire, just like the ones described in the novels. 

“This is so. Creepy.”

“I know,” Wednesday said from behind her, not hiding a small smile. Enid whimpered and wandered further, taking in all the impressive details, but feeling more and more uneasy as she did. 

“I don’t know why I keep agreeing to this stuff,” she said in an anxious, warbling voice as she set down her bag and two jugs of fake blood she had picked up in Jericho earlier. She knew Wednesday would want a lot, but was now wondering if she should have bought three.

“Actually I wondered the same thing,” she replied as she crept slowly up to Enid. “It’s not as if you aren’t capable of standing up for yourself.” Wednesday stood directly in front of her now, almost no expression on her face, save for the slightest hint of a smile. Enid could feel her heart rate pick up. She understood the subtle look. Omg she’s proud of me . Distracted by the girl’s lips and the almost undetectable lift in her cheek, she made sure to check in with her dark eyes, and caught her delicate freckles on the way each time, but couldn’t manage to manufacture even the start of a sentence.

Wednesday bent down slightly and then back up, though Enid was too engrossed in her friend’s features to consider why. “Close your eyes,” she instructed. Enid’s eyes fluttered shut as she obeyed without question. Her lips parted slightly, though she immediately regretted the motion.

“EW Wednesday what ?!” Enid bent forward and spit to try to rid her mouth of the sudden sour taste that had accosted her as she felt her face sprayed with thick droplets of liquid. Once she opened her eyes, she realized Wednesday had started the ‘makeup’ process right away, splattering the fake blood on her face first, of all places. She sighed. “Damnit Wedns, couldn’t you have warned me first?”

“Where would the fun have been in that?”

Enid’s low-lidded look of un amusement felt like sufficient reply. Making a snap judgment, however, she decided to act; she reached down and took the open jug from Wednesday and ran down the middle aisle, with Wednesday chasing after. 

“Wh–Enid, what are you doing? I need to be in charge of this!” Enid disappeared around a corner. “There’s a strategic way to–” Wednesday had thought she’d been hot on her fake girlfriend’s heels as she turned the corner, but apparently not enough. A wave of dark red crashed across her face, followed by the sound of Enid’s laughter. Wednesday pursed her lips slightly as she wiped off and opened her eyes. 

Enid started to collect herself as she saw the bloody vision in front of her. “Wow,” she breathed out as she laughed once more nervously, “I honestly don’t know whether to find this funny or like, crazy disturbing.” She saw Wednesday’s lips start to turn up slightly, offering a disproportionately unsettling smile compared to the one she had only just witnessed. Enid stood up a little straighter. “Okay not gonna lie, you actually look like high -key psychotic right now and I’m really not sure what to do about it.” She took a slow step back, and Wednesday matched her movement.

Enid gasped and jerked her arm quickly to avoid Wednesday's attempt at stealing back the jug, but the sudden action caused her to slip. Wednesday caught herself from falling completely, both hands on the ground to stabilize herself, but seeing her flail for even half a second had Enid almost bent over herself, with laughter. Wednesday was more tactful in her movement this time to avoid slipping, and reached again, and again, until a giggling Enid had backed herself against a wall. Wednesday grabbed onto the jug with both hands but didn’t pull away as Enid expected she would. Instead, she leaned in and readjusted her hold so that her hands were resting over Enid’s, and slid them across her skin slowly. Enid’s smile disappeared, and once again she had lost focus of the majority of her surroundings. One hand was soft, the other slick. Wednesday leaned in and tightened her hold. Enid swallowed. 

Neither moved as their breathing fell in sync, and Wednesday’s hands slowly started moving again. 

But they moved this time to the plastic where they yanked away abruptly. 

“C’mon. We have a winning photo to take.” Wednesday turned and walked back towards the stage. 

Enid threw her head back against the wall. “It’s a good thing you got me a gravestone Wednesday!  …because you are definitely going to be the death of me,” Enid said mostly to herself as she pushed off and headed after her blood-soaked friend.

.

Wednesday had already cleaned off some of the blood, and was arguing with Thing over what angles would be best when Enid returned to the stage. “Well can you just start there then and if it doesn’t turn out to your standards, you can try the other side?”

Thing agreed and scampered off with the phone.

“So did we ever actually decide what part of the scene we’re using? There are a lot of characters we could be… and a lot of stabbing,” Enid said with a worried frown. 

“An inordinate amount of stabbing, really. It was quite a drawn-out climax.”

“And normally that would sound appealing,” Enid said facing the other way.

“What?”

“Nothing!” She turned back to Wednesday. “So which one of us gets to do the stabbing? I’m assuming you, but also I could see you wanting to look more mangled in this, so…”

“Actually, I thought we might put a twist on it,” Wednesday said as she grabbed a white mask and placed it over Enid’s head. She adjusted it so that it was pushed up to her forehead, not covering her face.

“What do you mean?”

“I will look more mangled, but let me get these prosthetics on first, I’ll explain later. This will take about fifteen to twenty minutes.”

Enid sat on one of the chairs and pulled out her phone, but was startled by something large and black blocking her view. 

“What is this?” she asked, as she took the object to inspect.

“A gift. I saw it when I was picking up everything else. I know you like soft, stupid-looking toys,” Wednesday answered with some disdain. “This is probably the only type I could bring myself to handle. So I purchased it.”

She watched Enid turn the fluffy little spider plushy over and around in her hands. Big, sky-blue eyes looked up at her with adoration that made her nauseated. She sneered.

“Wednesday he’s SO CUTE! ” Enid stood up so quickly that Wednesday moved back a step out of old habit. Enid’s voice was tight with excitement as she went on. “You got me a stuffed animal spider ohmygosh! This is…” She squeezed the spider to her chest and bounced on her toes. “I have to think of a name for him!”

Wednesday turned herself slightly away as she watched the girl sit back down and pet the small gift. Once the intense and vibrant energy wasn’t coming at her quite as strong, she sat back down herself, relieved Enid wasn’t disappointed she chose a spider. She breathed out, and got to work on making herself appear mutilated. Once each piece had been added to the correct spot, Enid reluctantly helped her add the makeup so that everything would blend seamlessly. 

As it all dried, she got up and walked behind a large curtain, flipped five different switches, and drastically changed the mood in the space; all the lights went off except for a few on the walls and floor, leaving only a dim illumination of their surroundings.To finish, Wednesday walked to the other side of the theater and flipped on the projector, lighting up the tattered sheet as a backdrop on the stage.

“How do you even know what all these switches do in here?!”

“Some of it I learned from my Uncle Fester. I also have always made a point to be aware of and understand the consequences and results of everything I touch, especially switches and buttons,” Wednesday answered with a lingering stare.

“W– wait are you–”

“Finishing touches,” Wednesday interrupted as she walked back toward Enid. She picked up the second jug of blood that she had already used up half of, then stopped in front of the blonde. She took a syringe and, very delicately, added a few more thick drops of blood to drip down Enid’s face. Wednesday’s free hand lifted to Enid’s chin and pressed her thumb into Enid’s bottom lip and ran it sideways. 

“Ready?” she asked her friend. The blonde nodded sharply several times.

Wednesday turned to climb up onto the stage, then held her hand out to help Enid do the same, and led her to the center.

“What position, um,” Enid cleared her throat. “ Ehem, uh, should I–”

“Kiss me.”

Wednesday saw the shock on Enid’s face. “What?”

“The twist. It’s our own romance. It’s like you said, none of our watchers have–”

“Followers, Wednesday.”

“Right. None of our followers have seen this yet. It’s a smart move.” Wednesday hoped her voice sounded more steady than it felt. “It’s clear enough what the scene is, so it will be recognizable, but this is a couple’s contest and this is how we have yet to escalate.”

Wednesday could almost hear Enid’s overthinking, trying to read between the lines she was giving her. There was plenty to read between them, but none of it did Wednesday know how to say out loud yet.

“Enid.” The concern in her light eyes was apparent. She spoke again, more softly: “just kiss me.”

Enid needed no further instruction and leaned in. Wednesday would have preferred the venison blood mingling in their mouths to the plastic-y, offensive flavor that she had unfortunately agreed to. The thought left her mind within seconds though as she felt Enid’s lips reposition and move themselves around her own, and the tip of her tongue slide across her bottom lip briefly. She lifted her hands to grip the black fabric cloaking her girlfriend, and pulled their bodies closer. Once Enid’s arms made their way around Wednesday, they both opened their mouths wider in tandem, and heavy breaths began echoing around them. 

Enid gripped tighter but pulled back abruptly. “Wednesday?” 

Wednesday did not have time for questions. She reached up and met Enid where she had moved to. Their kiss resumed, though Wednesday did at least acknowledge her with a short ‘hmm?’

Enid almost seemed to give up on the thought, but found an opening to speak again. “Is this still practice?”

Wednesday paused and looked slowly from Enid’s lips to her eyes as she tried to control her shallow breaths. Was she still going to pretend this was for show? 

After everything they had been through in the last week, was there really any purpose in continuing to dance around in denial? Or even entertain the possibility that they both didn’t want this? 

Surely she would rather succumb to the treacherous pull of jumping headfirst into the unknown– into the pitch-black abyss that was admitting to real, romantic love, for her best friend.

Before ardently diving back into their kiss, she answered in a breath:

“No.”

Chapter Text

“Principal Neyef we–”

A hand went up to stop the servile words from slipping through Enid’s mouth. The principal’s other hand pinched into his eyelids, and he breathed deeply before speaking. “If my memory serves me correctly,” he said before revealing his tired eyes, “I cleaned up one mess of yours already, and warned you to not require me to do so again before the term was up. Not only could you not accomplish this, but you seemed to have failed to make it even three weeks. ” His frustration was apparent, though he miraculously kept a relatively even tone throughout. 

“Had we been left alone, it would have been cleaned up. In fact I can assure you that you never would have known we were there.”

“I’m sure we all would have preferred that Miss Addams but unfortunately for everyone here, the reality is that you were caught. And do you think no one would have noticed the holes in our projector screen?”

“It was time for an update, that thing was older than my family’s favorite foyer sarcophagus, which we’ve refurbished several times in the last decade. Plus, isn’t it a bit hyperbolic to say we were ‘caught’? We weren’t out past curfew and the theater club has had late practice plenty of times before, I don’t see the problem.”

“Oh but I think you do see the problem with breaking in to a locked building without permission, and not short of ransacking the place for all we can see, and filling it with unauthorized equipment and paraphernalia! Actions have consequences, Miss Addams, an–”

“Principal Neyef if I could…” Enid interrupted, this time her voice both more assertive and sweet. He turned his attention to her as she cleared her throat and continued. “I know you’re just, totes doing your job, but I think we can probably all agree that both of you have good points.” The principal only frowned as Enid stood up, all eyes on her as her hands disappeared behind her back, and she slowly circled her own chair, heading towards Wednesday’s. “Now, Wednesday’s not wrong, I’ve definitely had later rehearsals, and curfew was still over half-hour away.” She paused to place her bloodstained hand on an equally bloody black and white shoulder, and Wednesday looked up at her, just as skeptical as the principal. But she received no acknowledgement, and Enid’s hand swung back behind her again as she resumed her stroll around the room. “You also have, fairly pointed out that the building was locked, which is something Wednesday and I are both fully aware of the meaning of.”

Eyes continued to follow her silently.

“You have to admit though, this is probably the most tame thing you’ve caught Wednesday in the act for–”

“That’s a very low bar, Miss Sinclair,” he replied flatly.

“So true,” she conceded. Wednesday nearly put the effort into rolling her eyes. “But what’s also true is the fact that you’re a very understanding guy, and one who I’m sure would never set a bad example or demonstrate hypocrisy in front of his students.” Wednesday eyes widened, as she noticed the werewolf had begun to sing her words and enunciate delicately. She looked to the principal’s– his poker face held, but Wednesday could see the minute change in which muscles engaged. Her head turned back to Enid swiftly with a look of wonder, waiting for what card she had to play next, while her meandering pace around the room held steady. 

“The dance room, like all the school’s student facilities, is supposed to be locked and closed after curfew hours, even to staff, as per the new rules put in place after the Thornhill-Crackstone fiasco… of course you know this.” Neyef’s face had relaxed, but his body had not. He ran his lips back and forth over each other. Wednesday vaguely recalled one of Enid’s morning gossip rants about this– he was using the dance room late at night to… what was it? A surprise for his wife?

 “I mean,” Enid laughed quickly, “who am I going to go to, to tell on you? You’re the principal!” Wednesday was equally curious. Would she threaten him with going to the school board? This didn’t seem like a strong move. The principal did appear to be anxious, however. 

“But with all that hard work, just, so much effort…months now, was it?” Enid stopped in the center of the room and held a gabbro stare with the man. “It would be such a shame for your wife to find out, wouldn’t it?” The principal visibly clenched his teeth. “Ruin the surprise?”

“Is this blackmail, Miss Sinclair? I never would have presumed you the type,” he said as his eyes shifted to Wednesday. 

“Oh I’m not! It’s not blackmail, silly! It’s just– what was it you said? ‘Actions have consequences?’ I’m just… making you aware of the potential consequences, should you choose to act… on what you found this evening. I mean really, there was no harm done, right?” Enid batted her eyelashes dramatically. 

Wednesday felt heat travel through her face, chest, and limbs. It was blackmail, and Enid was doing it very, very well. She could barely contain the urge to leap from her chair onto the blonde, conniving , irresistible werewolf in front of her and continue what they had started in the theater.

“You wouldn’t,” he said.

“Hmm… maybe you’re right,” she answered, looking thoughtfully up and away, swinging back and forth over her toes. “Call my bluff.” Her eyes met his again.

The two stared for a drawn out moment while Wednesday’s heart pounded; not that she cared about the outcome, but for how enthralled she was at the skillful, spiteful way Enid was playing her hand. 

“As two Nevermore heroes, we’re really not asking much, if you think about it.” Enid smiled sweetly.

“Fine. No one will speak a word of this night.” The smile grew and Enid looked over her shoulder at Wednesday, who met the gorgeous blue eyes with adoration. “Our meeting to view the video footage will be moved to the weekend, though, and I don't care if you two have plans. Eight AM Saturday. Now get out of my office and go directly to your dorms.” The girls grabbed their things and didn’t hesitate to head straight for the door.

Just as they were exiting, the principal’s voice rang out once more; “And ladies.” They both stopped and turned to see him standing, fingertips pressed into his desk. “This will not work a second time.” 

Both nodded and left without another word.

.

The careful footsteps of a seer and a werewolf were the only sounds to be heard through the halls, along the steps, and across the courtyard of Nevermore until they had reached the second staircase to their dorm. “How did you know that would work?” Wednesday finally asked. 

“Oh, ya I had no clue if it would.”

“You looked quite confident.”

“Ha, nope! Just, pulling on all those acting skills I’ve been honing in drama… or, ya know, all the years with my family and overbearing mother. Take your pick.”

They walked into their dorm and Wednesday took everything they had been carrying and brought it all over to her closet, before walking back out to Enid, who had face-planted onto her bed.

“I honestly didn’t know you had it in you, but then to have found a way to blackmail a gnome– that’s a feat I didn’t know could be accomplished, in truth.” Wednesday crossed her arms.

“Ugh and I felt so nauseous as soon as I started all that.”

“It’s because of the ill-intent with a gnome.”

“I know, I remembered what you said and I just kept telling myself that,” she said half into her comforter. “Figured it’d stop as soon as he let us go… it did, but I felt so bad too! He’s just taking dance lessons to surprise her for their fiftieth anniversary! It’s so sweet and romantic! Ughh I can’t believe I used that against him! Who does that?! Who even stays married that long?!” Enid buried her face into the nearest pillow. 

“You didn’t actually do anything to ruin their surprise, you only used his emotional weakness as a tool. It’s his own fault it worked.” Enid lifted her head to grimace at the flakey fake blood that had rubbed off onto her pillow. She threw it to the floor and sat up next to Wednesday, who had placed herself silently on the bed. “A threat is the softest weapon you can use, but you wielded it marvelously,” Wednesday reassured her. “And besides, plenty of people stay in marriages that long. Often when they shouldn’t.”

Enid laughed and looked at Wednesday and the night came flooding back to her. 

‘ Is this still practice?’ she had asked. Her pulse pounded a solo rhythm as her lungs were frozen inside her. Enid searched the other girl’s eyes for an answer while she waited to hear it spoken. They looked into hers with a surrender apparent in them that she had never seen– and fear, but it was a fear encased in lust and born in the vulnerability that Wednesday had only ever kept captive from the world, unwaveringly for who knows how many years. 

‘No,’ she had finally said. It was a match dropped onto a pool of gasoline inside the wolf’s body, and she was able to breathe out a desperate ‘good’ before her mouth was met. 

The entire scene that followed was hazy, but little moments filled Enid’s memory; the two falling to the ground somehow, the mask being shoved off of her head, the small body underneath hers for the first time, their panting breaths echoing in the theater. 

Enid felt bold enough in the moment to try something new, and let her mouth wander away from Wednesday’s, hesitantly kissing her jaw, then near her ear, then venturing to her neck. Wednesday didn’t stop her. She intensified her movements and let her tongue take a larger role against the cool skin along her throat. She had listened closely to the breathing next to her ear, and heard a pleasurable desperation grow, and she was sure she’d never been more turned on in her life. 

Or she hadn’t, until she felt her canines graze Wednesday’s collar bone and heard the girl’s voice escape with her breath, an almost-whine, and her pulse skyrocketed. She proceeded to leave marks.

She remembered eliciting a few more sounds that she never thought she’d hear leave Wednesday’s lips, but she wanted them on a playlist. She then spent an indeterminable amount of time switching back and forth between the exploration of uncharted skin, and the lips she had been growing so fond of. Black nails gripped and clawed at different parts of her back and neck, occasionally running through her hair, and eventually finding their own way underneath fabric to mark up her sensitive human skin. Buttons were released to expose a charcoal bra where Enid found herself nuzzling against it, Wednesday’s breaths getting louder again, competing with the sound of her own heartbeat. 

Just as the moment started to feel like it was slipping away out of their control– in a way Enid was completely okay with– Thing knocked over a chair to get their attention. Both girls had looked up to see the hand giving warning, but it was only enough time to start moving out of the compromising position they’d been in– horizontal on the stage floor. Both Principal Neyef and a new student teacher walked into the visual of what was so obviously two teens in an intense makeout session, and the moment was gone faster than her mother could criticize her wardrobe.

“Enid?” Wednesday asked, as Enid’s gaze had clearly taken her somewhere else entirely.

“Is this really real now?” she asked without thinking. Wednesday stiffened. “I mean..” Enid shifted her weight closer as inoffensively as she could. “I mean you said ‘no,’ right? Like… you wanna be for real?” She got quieter. “Girlfriends? Not fake… not… just, friends?”

Wednesday’s eyes passed back and forth between each of Enid’s. “I–” Enid watched the girl stand up in one motion, facing her as if she’d just arrived to deliver a message from Lucifer himself, because of course Wednesday would take that seriously. 

She lowered her chin but held eye contact. “That was my earlier implication… yes.” Enid’s heart fluttered at the sight of her best friend trying so hard to keep the same level of cool that she typically exuded at every turn, no matter the level of danger or chaos.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Wednesday frowned at Enid, who blinked several times and cleared her throat. 

“Like uh, like what?” Oh my god I probably had the most idiotic swoon face just now.

Wednesday stared before responding. “Nothing. Enid, I…” She trailed off once again, then sighed through her nose. “I– I have never had a friendship like we’ve had. And–”

“Ohmygosh same. So for real– Oh, sorry, keep going.”

“The significance is not something I can lightly put into words. And I normally pride myself on the ability to do so.”

“You are the best at words,” Enid said softly as she inched forwards on the bed.

“That isn’t grammatically… nevermind.” She sighed again, more deeply this time, and looked at the ground. “I don’t want to jeopardize this relationship based on hormonally-driven, whimsical emotions that are neither explainable nor quantifiable–”

“Wednesday,” Enid interrupted as she moved herself to the edge of the bed, and let her legs slip down on either side of the girl. A smile spread across her face as she picked up small, pale hands. “My feelings for you are beyond measure too,” she said with a wink. 

“That’s not what I m–”

“I know,” she said as she then brought the hands up, placing them on each of her shoulders. Her own hands moved to lightly grip Wednesday’s clothes. “I know you’re scared of messing with our friendship. But this isn’t just hormones, not to me… though, thanks for admitting you’re totally hot for me,” Enid said with a teasing grin. 

Wednesday’s half-lidded eyes rolled to the side. “As if it wasn’t obvious by my recent barbaric behaviors,” she muttered. 

Enid giggled. “Um, I think we’re both kinda guilty-as-charged on that one, huh?”

Eyes shifted back to meet hers. “My preferred verdict. What’s the sentencing?”

Enid smiled even brighter. “Right now it’s lookin’ like six months hard time, maybe some parole with good behavior?” 

“Never.” 

More giggles. “Wedns… I’m worried too, to be honest… but do you really think what you feel for me is just… chemical?”

Wednesday looked at her in thought. “I’m not sure I can say confidently what it is I’m feeling, as I’ve never experienced it before… but no. I don’t think it’s that simple.”

“Okay, well then I seriously can’t imagine not giving this a try. Pretending to be your girlfriend the past few weeks has been like, the best thing I’ve ever done. But also the hardest, thinking you didn’t feel the same. You’re my favorite person. Like, ever. Do you know that?”

“You have questionable taste.”

“C’mon, I know you think you’re the goat.”

Wednesday frowned. “When have I ever expressed viewing myself as any sort of bovid–”

“The greatest of all time? It’s an acronym.”

“Mm. Well while that’s a tad extreme, to your point, I do think highly of myself; I didn’t mean to be self-deprecating. Rather, considering your personality, interests, and life goals, it’s practically nonsensical to choose me as a favorite companion. Especially as more than friends.”

“False. I can think of at least a million reasons how that’s totally not true… And anyways too friggin’ bad, ‘cause I do! And I know I’m at least one of your favorite people too!”

“I’ll neither confirm nor deny.”

Enid smiled once again. “No need! I’m already aware… We shouldn’t work, but we do!”

Enid gripped and pulled the smaller body closer to hers so that Wednesday had to brace herself on her shoulders. Enid’s head tilted up, her chin brushing the dark, stained fabric of Wednesday’s shirt. “Um, and PS? Kissing you is also now one of my all-time favorite hobbies, in all of existence.”

It took Wednesday a moment to reply. “I too, have enjoyed this new activity much more than I would have anticipated,” she said softly. 

A smile turned into a soft kiss without warning, but Wednesday pushed herself back up before it became anything more. “We should say goodnight now,” she started in the same gentle volume, preceding a whine from the blonde. “I suspect it’s only going to be easier for us to get carried away in our physical encounters, which I’m not opposed to in and of itself. But I also think… we might… we shouldn’t…”

“Wedns, it’s okay, I love a good slow burn,” Enid said through her smile. Her arms wrapped a bit further as she continued. “I know a lot of this relationship stuff is new to you, and being new at things is also new to you,” she said as she let her fingers inch back and forth. “But you’re killing it so far, swear. And if anything new and challenging comes up… I can be your teacher,” Enid winked again and squeezed as she saw Wednesday’s pupils dilate. 

She cleared her throat before replying. “While I see you as more of a partner in this, I suppose I’ll have to accept that from you at times. But don’t get cocky.” Enid only giggled once more.

The two extracted themselves from each other and separately prepared for, and got into their own beds.

“Enid?”

“Hmm?”

“You are not what I would have ever expected to want as a friend, let alone a romantic partner. In fact, in most ways you are essentially the exact opposite.”

“...uh, thanks? Umm–”

“I have never been more pleased to be so wrong.”

“Wednesday, don’t toy with me like that! If you keep it up I might need to extend your sentence.”

“Good. I’d prefer twenty-five to life.”

.

The three days that followed had Wednesday in a constant state of illness. It was one thing to reap the perks of pretending to date Enid while denying her actual feelings and insisting when they surfaced it meant nothing. It was entirely something else to have come clean– the thought disgusting in itself– and to be so torn open and vulnerable and in a relationship with , someone so… bubblegum. 

She meant what she said to Enid that night. It was a rather nightmarish situation that she never in a million deaths would have had on her bingo card; falling in love with a blonde, bouncy, rainbow-loving, stuffed-unicorn collecting, club-joining, extroverted girl. Falling in love with a werewolf she would have believed, had she heard about this from another dead relative in a vision. But the rest of it? Insufferable. 

It certainly wasn’t the type of torture she ever willingly chose to subject herself to before… but reluctantly, she was reveling in it. And it made her sick.

Her and Enid couldn’t keep their eyes off of each other, and the same started happening with their hands. It was absolutely nauseating. Wednesday even felt herself moved to smile a handful of times that week. She curtailed the urge, of course, but the mere fact that her cheek muscles felt as much action as they did was more than concerning. But it kept going. If Enid was in the vicinity, why would she want to look anywhere else? She was attractive, and she was her girlfriend. And if she was close enough to touch, why not touch? Enid liked it, and sometimes it even made other people uncomfortable, which was a fun bonus. 

By the end of the day on Wednesday, she had hurried out of her last class to find Enid, only to make it all the way to her classroom to find her still packing her things, and remained unseen to overhear a conversation with Yoko.

“Nothing’s going on, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I’m calling so much BS right now. You guys totally boned, it’s been written all over your stupid smitten-kitten faces all day today!”

“No! I promise! We didn’t! … we almost kinda did but not reall–”

“I knew it! Tell me everything right. NOW.”

“It’s not like I wasn’t going to! Okay so when we were in the theater last night– which we got caught BTW–”

“What?!”

“I know, I’ll tell you about it later. Anyways, we set up for our pic and it was Wednesday’s idea to kiss for it, first of all.”

“Uh, ya, saw your post, so hot. And okay I’m a little surprised she suggested it, but also not because…” Yoko just looked at Enid.

“I know , but you’re gonna like this story, trust.”

“I’m so here right now.”

“Ya, so obvs I was like, ‘okay!’ and it was so. Good. Like up to that point probably the best kiss we’ve had, and they’ve all been earth-shattering.”

Wednesday, from where she hid around the corner, stood up an inch straighter.

“Oooh, yes chef. Go on.”

“But okay so it was too good, right? Like I couldn’t take it anymore and I stopped and kinda asked her if it was… still ‘practice,’ for us.” Wednesday could hear the slight embarrassment in her tone, a rare occurrence for Enid.

“Of course that’s how you called her out. Mid-kiss. Of literally all the times your mouth is not otherwise occupied.”

“Okay shut up I get it. Doesn’t matter anyways, ‘cause she said no!”

“Ah! FINALLY! You bitches have been shortening my eternal life!”

Enid laughed, and added, “we basically ended up on the floor making out for like, an hour? And I’ll just say… someone had to wear one of their high-collared shirts on purpose today… and fix the buttons I broke on yesterday’s…”

“Dang, slay Enid.”

Footsteps begin to move towards the door.

“Oh and then when Neyef had us in his office getting ready to talk punishment, I totally blackmailed him into letting us off with nothing this time.”

The vampire stopped. “Okay who are you and where did all this rizz suddenly spring from?”

Wednesday stepped around the corner just then and blue eyes found her instantly. 

.

By Friday, it seemed that the entire student body had seen, discussed, and analyzed all the top posts of the final round. Eugene and Fen were in third, with their photo arguably the most accurate to the pages of the book it was taken from, and they had gotten Fen’s cousin, who was a very successful professional photographer, to help them with the set up and the use of his camera. The normie couple were currently in fourth, and had strangely posted days late, which was unlike them. They were sure to move up, as they had chosen the ballroom scene from A Killing Behind Alleyway One-Nine. It was well-done, and what was generally deemed the most dramatic scene that had ever been written by Stephanie Rey. Enid had finished that chapter and cried for days. She claimed to still not be over it, and had she not finished that book to reach a happy ending, would likely have never recovered. 

Another normie couple had pushed their way into the second place spot, though no one knew how since they didn’t have the following that the other three couples had developed by that point. They had chosen the iconic first chapter scene of her Ghoulface series, with a pretty girl holding a phone with a white mask visible through the window behind her. The look of terror on the girl’s face was so sincere, even Wednesday commended the execution.

Wednesday and Enid held a solid first place.

While all of this discussion was between the regular inhabitants of their lunch table, at this point there were always onlookers close by as well. In the last week they had become accustomed to more notoriety within Nevermore– and now TikTok and Instagram– than they had experienced in the aftermath of Crackstone. Wednesday had pointed out the difference, and that it was shameful what their generation glorified, but clarified that she was not at all surprised, and hated the attention equally either way. 

She was also still comfortably and un comfortably distracted by the newfound romance she had allowed in her life, and nothing about it had diminished, or become any less thrilling, as the week went on. They kept things almost as mild in their dorm room as they did in public, but every encounter was passionate and effortless between them, and Wednesday wasn't sure how long she could keep their strict bedtime, or continue to avoid a steep progression of their intimacies. And the impulsion lingered almost constantly throughout the day. Talk about an annoying distraction.

As Enid picked rich-red grapes from their stems and popped them into her mouth, Wednesday ignored the lunchtime conversation and watched as the soft spheres went from fingertip to lip. 

“There’s a mutation in green grapes that inhibits the production of anthocyanin, the antioxidant in red grapes that aids in the reduction of inflammation in the body when ingested.”

Enid turned happily to her girlfriend, while everyone else looked over with confusion. “Oh, so I chose well?” she asked as she held a grape to Wednesday’s lips. 

“Yes,” she answered before parting her lips, allowing Enid to gently place the fruit against them. Wednesday closed her mouth around it and did not miss the opportunity to include just the very tip of Enid’s finger for a split second. Enid bit her lips and blushed, but never looked away. Wednesday chewed twice and swallowed.

“What is happening ri–”

“They also symbolize many things in mythology, literature, and art. Generally all positive,” she continued as Enid fed herself again, and their friends stared, some with open mouths. “Often life and health, divinity, hospitality, celebration and indulgence.” Enid hummed her interest and placed another grape in front of the speaker’s lips as she spoke again. “Most notably, pleasure and lust.” She took the grape in the same fashion, but this time taking more of Enid’s finger in her mouth, and pulling away slowly.

“Holy sh–”

“Ew, Enid. Guys.”

“Ya actually get a room.”

Enid heard her friends’ voices in the background, but didn’t look away from the dark eyes that pinned her in her place. 

“Watch it burn out before graduation.” 

But this comment stole their focus.

“Excuse me?” Everyone at the table looked to Xavier as Wednesday’s gaze turned to glare.

He scoffed. “Please. You guys have almost nothing in common, you’re just trauma-bonded and codependent. Didn’t you poison some kid just for hitting on Enid? That’s not healthy, that’s psycho. What happened to trusting your partner?”

Wednesday’s eyebrows raised slightly. “Of all people, you are going to try and lecture me about trust in one’s partner? I’m sure Bianca would have plenty to say about that if she were here.”

“Look, you don’t get to stand there and judge my past relationships that have nothing to do–”

“But you can stand there and judge my present one?”

“Well when we all have to sit here and suffer– I was never out here shoving my relationship in everyone’s face!”

Wednesday swiftly stood and swung her leg over her seat and walked up to the taller boy, bodies moving out of her way. Enid tried to reach out to grab her but missed. “Just because you so desperately wanted to play the hero and ‘get the girl’ but failed miserably at all of your attempts, doesn’t mean I need to accommodate your jealousy and insecurity.”

“Oh you think I’m jealous? We all know how this is going to end Wednesday, you’re a walking disaster for relationships. This is probably gonna go just like it did with Tyler.” Wednesday’s eyes went wide. “Didn’t he also grow ten feet and sprout claws and teeth or some shit? Not like you diversified much,” he said as he motioned towards Enid, whose face contorted with shock and anger. A few unapproving voices sounded through the crowd that was watching.

“Xavier. Literally everyone is tired of your crybaby cavilling about the oh-so-unfair world around you that hasn’t given you everything you desire with zero effort on your part, but I can no longer indulge the infantile behavior I naively thought would pass. You have become repugnant, even to me, and I am void of any desire to tolerate someone so derisory as you,” she said as she looked him up and down. A few students “ooh’ed” and whispered. “Do not speak to me again unless you want an upgrade from a broken nose.” Xavier sneered but didn’t reply. “And if you ever compare my girlfriend to that sad excuse of a monster again, to me or anyone else, punching and poison will seem like child’s play.”

“Miss Addams.” A deep voice called out across the yard, loud enough for everyone to hear, but stoic and cool. All heads turned in the same direction to see Mr. Buio standing in the stone hallway, clean and crisp-looking in his standard dark charcoal suit. He didn’t move but his eyes invited Wednesday over. She looked at Enid, who watched Xavier storm away and then nodded at her girlfriend. 

Wednesday didn’t look at the teacher, but walked past him towards his classroom, and he turned to follow wordlessly. 

Once they arrived, he left the door open, though it was quiet, as lunch wouldn’t end for another ten minutes. 

“Am I in trouble, despite having done nothing again?”

“Again?” Mr. Buio must not have been informed about the previous night, which she might have guessed considering Mr. Neyef did agree to say that it never happened. Wednesday didn’t reply however, and began making herself a quad. “Well, no, you’re not in trouble. You indeed had not done anything worth punishment, yet, that I’m aware of. But I saw it coming and thought I’d spare you and all of the staff the headache. I know Mr. Thorpe’s father is a bit uninvolved, but he still has enough money and power that trying to hide a second assault against his son might not have worked this time, nor gone so well for Nevermore.” Wednesday wasn’t sure who he was actually trying to protect, but couldn’t deny it was probably a smart move all around. 

“I won’t thank you, but I can appreciate your motives,” she told him as she readied her cup.

“You’re welcome,” he replied. 

She offered a side-eye glance before she took her mug and sat at a student’s desk near his, where he stood leaned against it. “We never did finish our conversation regarding your latest vision… or it was the latest at the time.” The teacher looked uncomfortable now as she spoke. “This would be an opportune time to do so.” 

“On the contrary, it’s almost the end of lunch, you’ll have to get to class soon.”

“Mrs. Niemand doesn’t take attendance and doesn’t care who shows up. And you don’t have a class next period. Why are you avoiding this? You’re visibly more rigid than usual. It’s a good look on you but it’s giving you away.”

“Thank you for the compliment. Though I really think there’s nothing left to discuss beyond what I’ve already shared.”

“I would disagree. I’ve been given contradictory information and you’re holding back what may help me navigate–”

“It won’t, I assure you. I’ve warned you as far as I can, just keep your eyes peeled and… be careful, even with those you think you trust.”

“Enid.”

The teacher sighed. “Yes, Enid.”

“ What did you see?!”

“Miss Addams I don’t know that it’s going to be beneficial for me to tell you exact–”

“But it’s beneficial for you to tell me I need to watch out for my most trusted ally? It was beneficial that I let you read through my visions and the one thing you have to say–”

“She tried to kill you with her bare hands, Miss Addams!”

Chapter Text

Wednesday never could understand the idea behind ‘senioritis;’ the very construction of the word itself was nonsensical. Whoever coined the term must have been lacking in linguistics, with the chosen suffix suggesting there was some sort of inflammation of the senior… (she really didn’t want to think too deeply into the possible implications there). And logically, time continued at the same rate towards the completion of high school as it always had, and the end date had essentially been laid out for years prior. It was all as predictable as an organism’s general rate of decay. What could possibly inspire such drastic changes of behavior in the final year? 

She couldn’t say for certain what the answer was for the hoards of aimless and soulless pests that roamed Nevermore, but she certainly had more worthwhile things to focus on now than worrying about assignments that counted for nothing, and grades that wouldn’t actually matter in any future endeavor. She had never cared, per se, about her performance in academia, on the one hand, as the education establishment was a broken system that no one was stepping up to fix, and her record was certainly far from squeaky clean. But on the other hand, completing simple assignments and collecting and memorizing information came naturally and was an easy way to hold leverage over most adults. So she had always excelled, without discomfort, until now.

Whether it counted as a form of senioritis or not, she suddenly felt the weight of the weeks until May stacked upon her as she sat in her last class that Friday, staring at the clock. The silence between each tick threatening to suffocate her.

There was just too much else that deserved her focus. Not only had she found herself in an emotional entanglement she never predicted would be on her plate– in her lifetime –but the contest she was involved in had also, somehow, become much more than just a game. To top it all off, the one teacher she had felt safe confiding in was rocking the proverbial boat between them in more ways than one, and his vision of her and her new paramour was unsettling, to say the least. Was he actually seeing a true attempt made on her life, at the hands of the person she trusted the most? Or was he somehow simply stumbling upon a glimpse of the future where Wednesday teaches Enid some of the traditional Addams pastimes? Or worse, something more personal…

Enid had interrupted her musings with a text just after lunch; one with enough typos for Wednesday to know she wasn’t paying attention before sending– something she had otherwise become much more diligent about– and was likely on the frantic end of the emotional scale. 

Enid: Ok were gonan shelf that Xav tantrum for latr - the Tyler comment deifnitely has bme feeling some type of way - but like, wtf is this?!  

The text included a link to an article about the normie couple who held a top spot in the contest. The woman’s headphones had malfunctioned, and she was left with permanent hearing loss. The company who manufactured them was said to be refuting the blame, as they’ve never had any record of even mild technical failures such as hers. Enid followed up immediately saying exactly what Wednesday was thinking– there’s no way it was the company’s fault, and this wasn’t an accident. Strangely, nothing in the online article touched on the possibility of foul play, but it would have to be only a matter of time before someone theorized the likelihood.

Wednesday put away her phone and tried to listen to the adult at the front of the room that had somehow gained authority in the subject on the board, for no discernible reason. By the time the students were let out, Wednesday wasted none of it and headed straight back to her dorm.

.

“Is someone trying to kill all of us?!” Enid yelled at her roommate-turned-girlfriend as she entered.

“If they are, they’re terrible at it.”

“What do you mean they’re terrible at it?! Just because no one’s died?!”

“Exactly.”

“Wednesday I’m the only one that’s walked away unscathed so far! Fen lost her freaking foot and this poor normie is deaf now !!” 

“Yes but clearly they’re not attempting actual murder. ”

“I don’t care! I don’t wanna be the target of… whatever it is they’re trying to do!” Enid had been pacing, but then approached Wednesday frenetically as she spoke. She grabbed Wednesday’s arms when she reached her. “If we win this next round are they going to come after me again?” she asked at a lower volume. “Are they going to try and come after you ?!”

“Enid.” Wednesday mirrored her hold. “I won’t let anything happen to you. And I welcome them turning their hunt towards me.”

“Of course you do,” Enid said as she dropped her own hands in resignation. “But I don’t welcome that!” she added, searching the unwavering brown eyes.

“This is probably just the sloppy work of some jealous, desperate adolescent fanatic of Rey’s who didn’t make the top five from the start and is trying to get away with sabotaging everyone else’s success.”

Enid pouted. “Do you really think that’s all it is?”

Wednesday raised a hand to brush a strand of hair away from Enid’s eyes. “Most likely. Have you asked Yoko where she’s been during the incidents?”

Enid gasped and slapped Wednesday’s arm, who responded with a simple lift of the corner of her lips. “Wednesday! That’s not funny.”

“No? I found some humor in it. And what if I’m right?”

“Stooop!” Enid went to shove the girl in front of her, but was instead grabbed and pulled closer. Without thought, her arms slid up around Wednesday’s neck and shoulders, and her eyes dipped down towards full, almost-half-smiling lips. She felt Wednesday’s confidence leveling the room, and the steady breaths against her face had her slowing her own. “Don’t be mean to my friends,” she whispered as her tension dissipated. 

“If you’re friends with everyone, who does that leave for me to be mean to?”

“Hmmm..” Enid considered as their noses brushed, and her body leaned in closer. Of course Wednesday Addams couldn’t live a life with no one to torment. She felt arms wrap around her waist and smiled. “Well I’m not friends with everyone, ” she added as she tilted her head a millimeter.

“No?”

Enid shook her head subtly, and she felt the warmth between them radiate. “I’m not friends with you anymore,” she whispered against Wednesday’s lips through a growing smile. 

Wednesday only hummed and pushed forward, pressing an impatient kiss against it. But to Enid’s dismay, they were immediately interrupted by the one trait Wednesday still truly had no control over; a vision.

She held on tight as her girlfriend’s head snapped backwards. “ Damnit ,” she whispered. 

But thankfully it didn’t take long for her to come out of it, with Enid bracing the two of them and just narrowly avoiding being head-butted as Wednesday righted herself. She blinked as their eyes met, and Enid watched worry spread across her face, and then anger.

“Woh woh, hey, where are you going?” she asked as she held their embrace, not allowing Wednesday to turn towards the door. 

“Buio. He hurt you.” She tried to pull free again, but Enid held on.

“Hurt me? Wha– why?”

“I don’t know, unhand me.” Wednesday struggled, still to no avail and soon settled, but remained stiff.

“Wednesday what did you see?”

She clenched her jaw before finally answering. “I saw what he saw, apparently.”

“... which was?”

Enid watched Wednesday contemplate her replies, but was let down when she only forcefully pulled away again. This time Enid let go.

“Wednesday, stop.” Wednesday did hesitate at their door, but didn’t turn back around to face her. “ Please don’t go do anything that’s gonna get you in trouble. We’re already on thin ice with Neyef.” Wednesday began to turn the knob. “You always say your visions never change anyways, what are you even gonna do?!” 

Wednesday paused again. “I don’t know,” was all she said before she left and closed the door softly behind her. 

.

The walk to the principal’s office the next morning was tense. Wednesday had come back late, after Enid had spent hours waiting up for her in the dark room, pretending that sleep had found her– for Wednesday’s sake or her own, she wasn’t sure. She woke to an alarm she hadn’t set, with a headache and eyes that felt dry and scratchy, her blanket tangled around her body more than usual. They hadn’t spoken at all since the exchange after Wednesday’s vision, though Enid rose to find her side of the room slightly neater than she had left it, and her phone plugged in, with the seven-twenty alarm blaring for her. She wasn’t happy that Wednesday had deserted her, in the middle of a conversation and kiss–both of which were left unfinished– especially after she had expressed how worried she was… but the little efforts that morning softened the blow.

Thing also filled her in on some of the missing pieces, signing quickly when Wednesday had slipped out to the restroom.

Apparently she had initially set out for Buio’s classroom yesterday, but instead ended up walking by the lake for quite some time. Enid sighed in relief. From there, she’d headed back towards the dorms, but stopped at the dance room to watch Mr. Neyef’s lesson. Thing signed especially clearly that Enid did not hear that last part from him. When she asked him if he knew anything about her vision, he slowly twisted left to right. 

A “ready?” from Wednesday and Enid’s nod in return was their only interaction until they reached the principal’s doors. Wednesday opened one for her, and they made their way to their usual seats. The principal and two unfamiliar men greeted them, the latter introducing themselves as Detective Kane and Officer Norris.

Detective Kane coughed into a handkerchief, and said, “Neyef, if you’ll excuse me, I have another appointment to get to.”

“It’s just eight now, already?”

“Unfortunately yes,” he coughed again, and beads of sweat glistened across his hairline. “I brought Officer Norris along with me for this reason. He knows what I know and he can take notes on whatever you and the kids discuss.”

“You look pale man, do you want a water or tea before you go?” Neyef asked.

“No. I’ll be off. It’s always good seeing you, you’re looking well.”

“I wish I could say the same, Chuck… but it’s likewise good to see you as always.”

The detective grunted, nodded towards the girls, and exited the room. 

“What was that about?” Wednesday asked.

“He was supposed to stay and go over the tapes with us. No matter, I’m sure if he says Morris here is–”

“Norris, sir,” the younger man corrected.

“Yes, Norris. I’m sure if he says this fellow can help us out, then we’ve got all we need.” He cleared his throat. “Would you ladies like some tea?”

Enid started to accept the offer, but Wednesday spoke up. “Does he normally look as if he’s knocking on death’s door when he’s at work?” Wednesday asked, looking at Norris as well as Neyef. 

“At least he knocks, Miss Addams." Mr. Neyef didn’t wait for a response, and started the first tape. 

“I’m sorry to inform you all,” the officer said, “but our team really wasn’t able to find anything more in the tapes than the other precincts did.” Wednesday and Enid exchanged looks. “You’re still welcome to go through them all you want over the weekend, but they’ve been triple checked. Instead, because they can’t find anything– no evidence of tampering before the ride, they’re investigating the possibility of the ride being tampered with… during.”

“During ? ” Wednesday asked.

“Surveillance doesn’t cover the entire ride– all the tracks. Mostly just the line and loading area… we wouldn’t necessarily see if, during the ride, someone were to lean down and damage the cart and safety mechanisms in place. It would be incredibly difficult, but not impossible. And…” The officer paused and looked across his audience. “We’ve determined that the way the ride came apart, it’s estimated that it was most likely done… almost immediately before the incident.”

“Great, so it was the person that sat in the seat the ride before them, that’s an easy lead,” Wednesday stated.

“I thought they cleared this part of the investigation and didn’t find anything,” Neyef added.

“Not entirely. We’ve checked the last three loads of riders that sat in that same seat before the victim, just to be safe. All have been cleared.”

Everyone shared looks of confusion. “So what is the active investigation then, if you’ve cleared all the suspects?”

“We haven’t yet cleared all of the suspects.”

“What do you–” Enid started to ask.

“Eugene,” Wednesday interrupted quietly.

“Youu, can’t be serious,” the werewolf added. “He would NEVER! ” A hand came across hers on the arm of her chair, keeping her from standing up. 

“How do you suppose he would have accomplished this during the ride without the person next to him noticing?” Wednesday asked.

“A lot of people close their eyes on big coasters like that, if he knew what he was doing and did it quickly…”

“That’s insane! Why would Eugene do something like that? And what about all the other incidents with the contestants of this contest?! Eugene has been here this whole time!” Enid exclaimed. 

“What kind of evidence will you need to clear him?” Wednesday asked. 

“We’ll need to question the young man, and they’ve been working on getting the warrant to search his dorm today. There should be another officer arriving shortly with it. I ask that you ladies don’t send him any sort of warning.”

“There’s no need. Eugene has nothing to hide, he’s as disgustingly innocent as they come.”

“Well then that should make everyone’s job easier then, eh?” The officer stood and picked up his hat. 

“You’re wasting your time and leaving the actual culprit at large to strike again,” Wednesday said, clearly trying to stay composed in the face of incompetence.

“We have to eliminate all possibilities at hand, Miss.”

“We understand, Officer,” the principal said.

“ We do not understand–”

“Wednesday,” he interrupted firmly.

“No, for once I’m with Wednesday Principal Neyef, you know Eugene,” Enid cut in. “And you know she’s right, they’re wasting their time on him and if this psycho is gonna hit the next winner it could be me and Wednesday again!” Enid felt fingers thread through her own, and took one steadying breath.

“Miss Sinclair, the three of us may feel certain that Eugene is not apart of this, but the investigators with the Outcast team don’t know him from Adam and have no reason to simply take our word for it, that is not how legal investigations work.” Enid felt the sting of his condescending words and knew Wednesday was offended on her behalf when her hand was given an unconscious squeeze. “Now unless you have useful information to share with the officer, I’d prefer the feedback from the two of you be kept at a minimum,” he finished, almost through his teeth.

Officer Norris cleared his throat. “I was instructed to leave the tapes, they’ll be picked up first thing Monday and are not to leave this office. If you have no further questions for me, I’ll be seeing myself out as well.”

“Same ‘meeting’ you have to rush off to, Officer?” Wednesday questioned.

“I– I don’t know where Detective Kane went, in all honesty, Miss, I don’t usually work closely with him. I can stay if you like, but I’ve always got paperwork piled on my desk because of normies who can’t do their jobs.”

“At least we know you’re telling the truth about something.”

“Thank you, Officer Norris,” Mr. Neyef interjected. “We won’t be needing your services any longer today and we are incredibly grateful for the privilege of having the tapes over the weekend.”

“Sure. If you find anything, call us right away.”

“Of course.”

Once it was only the three of them, Wednesday stood up and filled the silence immediately. “Is none of this suspicious to you Principal Neyef?”

“Given the circumstances, you’re going to need to be more specific, Miss Addams.”

“All of it. But especially how sick the detective was.” Wednesday let go of Enid’s hand and walked to the principal’s desk. “You’re a gnome, how could you not pick up on that?”

“Surprising as it may be for you to hear, people do come down with illnesses that are unrelated to me.”

“But–”

“And Detective Kane is a friend of mine, I’ve known him for years. He’d know better than to have something to hide and come around my office. He’s a good man, who happened to catch a bug.”

“A bug?”

“Let it go, Miss Addams.”

Wednesday’s nostrils flared, but her lips stayed tightly together. 

“What are those?” Enid asked, pointing to a stack of folders and papers on the principal’s desk. 

“The files of the six riders who took up the seats Eugene and Fen had, in the three rides before them. I was told over the phone how they’d all been checked and cleared, but I figured you’d want to see them, Miss Addams.”

Wednesday silently slid over and turned the stack of papers towards herself, and thumbed through the pages. 

“Listen, ladies. I have a full weekend and cannot be here to chaperone the two of you as you sift through these tapes. I’m choosing to leave the office to you while I’m away– but be warned; everything in this room is locked, and there is a camera right there,” Neyef said slowly as he pointed to the upper right corner of the room. “It does not record sound, but I can monitor it visually from my phone, twenty-four-seven. My assistant will be in the building, and back to lock the doors each evening until I’m back Monday morning. No one else is invited into this office, you will touch nothing that’s not directly related to this case, and I do not want to check my camera and see any sort of sordid reenactment of whatever was going on in the theatre the other night. Understood?”

Enid felt her face heat up at the last comment, but tried not to let it show, and nodded her head with a very soft “yessir.” Wednesday nodded as well, though looking completely unfazed.

The principal left the room, and it was only the two of them. Enid was sure her own heartbeat could be heard bouncing off the walls, as the only other sounds were Wednesday’s delicate fingers leafing through the paperwork, and the sticky seat cushions shifting as Enid sat back down. 

This was too much, and she contemplated leaving and heading right back to her bed. Or Yoko’s room. As if navigating a new relationship with her best friend– who happened to be the weirdest, most emotionally complicated person she had ever met– wasn’t enough, she also wasn’t sure if they were in an argument at the moment, or how to even broach the topic, and now she might be the target of a second brutal attack, all because one of her good friends(and one of her girlfriend’s closest friends) was being targeted for all this crap! And–

“Ajax?”

And now her ex boyfriend?!

Enid was next to Wednesday at the desk in less than a second. Wednesday was indeed holding a folder opened to a page with his name and photo on it. 

“ He was one of the last riders in those seats before Eugene and Fen?” Wednesday asked as she turned to face Enid.

“No,” she answered.

“No?”

“No, he couldn’t have. Gorgons don’t ride rollercoasters. I mean, almost never. The risk of losing their head covering is way too high, most of them would never even consider it, and I think a lot of parks don’t even allow them on.”

Wednesday moved to the tapes and started playing and fastforwarding through several until she found a Gorgon at the front of the line, and made eye contact with Enid.

“That’s so weird. He’s even told me he’d never…” The two of them watched as he boarded, and the ride started to move. Wednesday pressed the remote again to skip through until they were able to see the same car return, and watched the same body exit the ride. 

“His face is never seen on camera,” Wednesday pointed out. “Can you tell if it’s him?”

Enid had her replay the video, then held her breath as she looked at Wednesday. Something about the way he moved didn’t look like the boy she dated for a year. The clothes were right, his height and build looked the same… but something was off. “I know how to find out.” 

Enid took out her phone and sent two texts, then put it back in her pocket. “He’s for sure not gonna be awake for another like, two hours, but I’ll meet up with him when he sees the texts.”

Wednesday looked at her as if she’d suddenly had rainbows shoot out of her ears. “Why don’t you call him?”

“He’s sleeping. Who calls someone– Wednesday!” Wednesday had taken the phone and, catching Enid off guard that she even knew what button to hit so quickly, dialed Ajax. She tried to take back the phone but Wednesday spun and ducked at her attempts. Again taken by surprise that Wednesday knew how, Enid heard ringing and realized she had put the call on speaker. 

“Hello?” a groggy voice asked.

“Ajax, what rides did you go on during the senior field trip?”

“.... huh?”

“Ajax, it’s Wednesday and Enid, sorry to wake you,” Enid said aloud.

“Oh hey guys. What’s up?”

Wednesday sighed. “What rides did you go on, during the senior field trip?” Wednesday asked at a slower pace.

There was silence.

“Ajax?” Enid asked.

“Huh?” 

Wednesday’s wide-eyed, questioning glare towards Enid demanded help.

“Did you hear Wednesday’s question?”

More silence. 

“Ajax?”

“Hmm.”

“ He’s just falling back to sleep, ” Enid whispered. 

“AJAX!!” Wednesday yelled into the phone.

“Woh! What the heck? I’m right here.”

“What rides did you ride at Picadilly Pier?!”

“Oh, ummm… I dunno… did I go to that?”

“Ajax,” Enid sighed, right as the phone ended up in her hands again. 

Wednesday was storming towards the doors as she grumbled, “I don’t know how you managed over eleven months with this moronic waste of meat.” The door swung open and Enid ran to follow, hearing, “I should have parted my hair with a chainsaw today.”

Chapter Text

The sparkle in Enid’s eyes was one of the first things Wednesday hated about her. 

The buoyancy in her movement, the exuberance in her voice, and the purity in the energy she radiated from the moment they met, all combined were even more excruciating to experience than the oppressively chromatic defacement of the space that was to be her new room. Even as the shock wore off, and she began to adjust to the joyous puppy of a person that was Enid Sinclair, she still felt constantly suffocated by her perfume, and her personality. Though, somehow instead of pure hatred, it was irritation… and then it didn’t take long before it turned into tolerance, and then gradually, a near-conditional acceptance. Thoughts of, ‘ if only it was all just a little less sweet. She would be much more bearable.’ But the sweetness remained. Her distaste for it didn’t.

Wednesday never did grow to like the colors, the perfumes, or the stuffed animals. She still abhorred the music. But when it came to Enid–and only Enid–she was like one of Pavlov’s dogs, subconsciously and instantly enraptured at the mere suggestion of her oh-so-blonde counterpart. Suddenly anything ‘Enid’-- especially the happy version– incited in her feelings of pleasure, rather than disgust. It was furtive and frustrating. But eventually, any time the girl’s resplendent aura penetrated the space she was in, it made her begrudgingly glad. She couldn’t help but want to see Enid in all of her splendor, thriving in the way that she did. 

Which is why a pair of pale blue, dispirited eyes were ruining her Monday morning. 

She didn’t enjoy seeing Enid cry, but she would have far preferred it to this. For the most part, crying was mostly an annoyance. Enid was adept at expressing emotions, and typically let them flow freely, and as grating as the extensive range of them could be, it was just another part of Enid. But despondent did not suit her, at all. 

She observed her girlfriend from across the room as the woeful werewolf stared at her phone, likely looking over the comments section of the latest updates; the official post went up ten minutes prior, and she had seen it, and its subsequent direct message they received, at Thing’s insistence. 

‘Congratulations, couple! It looks like the public has spoken! YOU belong at Stephanie Rey’s Murder Mystery dinner this Valentine’s Day Weekend. It’s sure to be a night you’ll never forget!

I’m confident you’ve both seen the official post listing your names along with the three other couple finalists who will be joining you. Everyone will receive an email with their boarding passes, having everyone arrive in Los Angeles Saturday by afternoon. A limo will be waiting at the airport upon your arrival. The flights, accommodations, and all meals will be paid for. You will receive a second email with a list of items we suggest you pack, your itinerary, and the forecasted weather for the area during your visit. If you have questions, you can reply to the second email.

One more thing, couples…

To showcase your winning prowess, we request you all share your best Valentine’s Day photo on Wednesday, the 14th. Don’t worry, you’ve already secured your spot… BUT! There may be an extra incentive for the couple with the most popular Valentine’s photo, upon your arrival on Saturday afternoon.

We look forward to meeting you all, and, as always, best of luck!

Regina & Staff’

Enid should have been a beach ball of beautiful chaotic happiness. Instead, she sat against her headboard, a small screen reflecting the only luminance to be found across lifeless cheeks and strained brow.

“We should leave for class soon,” she said from her distant position.

“Not going,” Enid answered without looking up.

Wednesday frowned. “Why not? I thought you’d be excited to parade around our win. Gloat in front of the other Furs?”

“Gloat about how I won a trip to a potential death trap?” she asked, then more quietly added, “and I don’t feel like faking it with you today.”

Wednesday’s chest tightened. “Faking?” 

Enid looked up this time. “Wednesday, you left me with Ajax after interrogating him and then spent pretty much the entire weekend avoiding me, you barely answered my texts and I know you were being vague on purpose. You’re like the most specific person ever. You haven’t told me about your vision, or what’s going on, and I told you on Friday I was scared, and you left me then too!”

Wednesday brought herself closer. “I spent most of the time in Neyef’s office looking through the videos, I didn’t think you wanted to be there. Otherwise I was chasing down an avoidant detective who was conveniently away from his office most of the times I called–” She stopped, seeing Enid roll her eyes and exhale, still unsure of what words would reassure her. “I wasn’t trying to hide anything from you. I was trying to get answers first, and…” She didn’t mean for weakness to paint itself so clearly across her words.

“That’s BS Wednesday and you know it.” Enid set her phone down and moved to the edge of her bed. “You could have brought me with you. But no, you wouldn’t even tell me where you were! Why haven’t you talked to me? About anything? I mean I thought we were a team. Something’s not right and you’re not telling me. I just don’t even know why, like…” 

Wednesday had stopped only feet away. She couldn’t speak. She wanted to tell her that there just hadn’t been a good time to talk about everything. But she’d be lying. 

While Wednesday had been busy scouring the tapes and questioning students, and arguing with the detective who refused to listen to her, there had been opportunities to talk to Enid. The truth was, she hadn’t wanted to. She would tell herself that she didn’t know what to say, which was partially true, but deep down, she didn’t want to think about what the vision could mean. She didn’t want to sift through all the possible explanations for why she saw so much of Enid’s blood…

She looked up to see the same sad eyes start to turn red, and the potential for tears now was not in fact better. 

“I really thought you weren’t as selfish as you used to be, y’know?” Enid said as her voice wobbled. She stood up. “But obviously you still don’t think of anyone else’s feelings but your own!”

“That’s not true. Not for you.”

“Then why did you leave me alone when I was scared?! Why didn’t you think of me ONCE the past two days?!”

“I did,” was all Wednesday could reply.

“Then what?! Is it me? Did you change your mind that quick?” A tear had escaped each eye.

“Change my mind?”

“About us .”

“No…”

“You know it never really bothered me before, how different we are?” Enid crossed her arms. “We’ve always just worked anyways, and… when I’m with you, and your family, I somehow still feel like I fit.”

Wednesday felt her heart wrench itself inside of her chest. “You do,” she said carefully.

“DO I?!” The pitch in her voice rose. “Where did I fit in the last two days Wednesday? All this, a-and that comment from Xavier–”

“Do not ever consider anything that comes out of that miscreant’s worthless mouth as useful information.”

“I know that but still– you never really talked about Tyler and… and now that we just started actually dating and then you disappear?! It’s like you don’t… you don’t want me involved? It’s weird Wednesday! Are you like, regretting making this real?”

“NO.” 

An insistent knock on the door caught the attention of both girls. Their eyes connected once more before Wednesday turned away to answer, hearing Enid sniff and shuffle behind her. She twisted the doorknob and–

“Girl I KNEW it!! I could have called it from photo numero uno,” Yoko said as she brushed past Wednesday towards Enid’s bed. “Enid always gets the big W, right Wednesday?” The vampire lifted her glasses and wiggled her eyebrows, but Wednesday only sneered. 

“Heyy… honestly Yoko I’m like, so mid about this actually.”

“I’m sorry what?” Yoko looked back and forth between Wednesday and Enid. “Did you guys get in a fight or something? Dude just.. Whatever it is, just go back to pretending, you cannot pass this trip up.”

“We didn’t break up Yoko.” Enid’s eyes darted to Wednesday’s, and the look of uncertainty and words still left unsaid sent a sharp arrow through her.

“Okay cool so…? You’re not seriously pulling a Fen and getting upset about missing the Tell-Talentine’s, right? Because you’re going to be in L freaking A rubbing elbows with the greatest author of our lifetimes?!”

“No, it’s not about the dance…” Wednesday’s eyes were still on her, and saw the frown that passed between words. Enid wouldn’t have traded the win and the trip for any school dance under normal circumstances, but the circumstances had strayed from her original expectations, and she had been sentimental about all of their ‘lasts’ this year; this dance would be one of them. Wednesday could tell this was just another blow for the werewolf.

“I have to get to class. I’ll get your assignments, Enid.” Wednesday walked out without waiting for an acknowledgment. 

.

Wednesday found herself in front of a closed door, peeking through a window to a dark room and a dormant espresso machine. She ground her teeth.

“Miss Addams, you don’t have Mr. Buio’s class this morning, unless I’m mistaken?”

“What is it with staff here knowing all of their students’ schedules?” Wednesday muttered. 

“Did you ever stop to think that maybe it was just you, whose schedule we all feel the need to memorize?”  the principal asked as he stepped in front of her to tape something to the door’s window.

ALL PERIODS WITH BUIO REPORT TO ROOM 301 - MILLER

“Where is Mr. Buio?”

Principal Neyef took too long to answer. “He had to take a very last minute trip. Family emergency,” he said with tension in his face. 

“You’re a terrible liar.”

The principal finally looked her in the eye. “Yes well no one in my family really possesses this skill, kind of comes with the territory.” He smiled.

Wednesday didn’t know what to do with the immediate admission, and said nothing as he walked away. Instead she looked back at the crisp, white paper in front of her. She knew where he was. 

She knew now, too, that she should have sought him out over the weekend, instead of waiting. It would have been more productive than hounding the suspiciously unhelpful detective or following dead-end leads, like the gorgon who couldn’t remember what he had for lunch any given day, let alone what he did on the school trip weeks ago. She couldn’t even get anything useful from Eugene; he said that the two men who came to search his dorm seemed more like drones sent to complete an assignment, rather than anyone in the know, and they’d received no follow-up.

Wednesday felt like a rat in a maze hitting dead-ends as she turned away yet again from one of the few places she could typically find solace. She strode down the now-bustling halls quickly to her first class, and despite her stubborn attempts to avoid thinking of the vision at all, she decided to finally put its haunting contents to paper. She pulled out her notebook and, with the few moments she had before the start of class, as students filled the room around her, she recounted the scenes.

A large, old fashioned black phone was clicked into place on its dock on a glass-covered, light oak side table, colorful fingernails lifting away from it. “Let’s go!” she heard.

A door opened and a dimly-lit room came into view, the scent of tea tree, eucalyptus, and lavender accosting her senses. Several mahogany lounge chairs with folded towels were spaced out across the pristine floors, a shallow, circular pool cut into the ground was slightly off center in the space, empty of bodies. 

A different door, smaller than the first, had swung open to a separate room, but quickly shut and locked in front of her.

Darkness. Wednesday couldn’t breathe.

A flash of light revealed the ceiling of the original room, but it was blurry and moving. Suddenly a face appeared, also misshapen and unclear. Blonde hair. Blue, pink. Familiar red coat. Wednesday tried to sit up but was being held down. Underwater. By Enid. She tried to yell her name but the hands on her chest would not relent, and the smile that split across the face that hung over her was foreign. 

Suddenly she was unweighted. Enid’s face disappeared. 

She took a breath, upright again. She looked to her right, where Mr. Buio came into view. Once again she watched the familiar scene of him, wiping the wetness from his face as he leaned over, breathless, hands a deep red. This time she saw them dripping down to the floor below him, where he knelt in a puddle of thick crimson liquid.

.

Enid had skipped classes, but decided to go to Yearbook, dance, and her study group that afternoon, the last of which was dedicated that day to anything but its originally intended purpose. 

“Y’all why did we even bring our books today?”

“No clue- so can we go over what you’re going to wear to this dinner? Do you think there’ll be paparazzi?!” Yoko asked Enid as the bag of kettle corn was passed around.

“Enid you missed Fen today, I swear her soul was accelerated to another planet it had exited her body so rapidly. She’s losing her shit over the drama with Eugene being framed and them possibly not being able to go this weekend,” a girl from her Human Studies class said.

“I’m sure it’ll be fine. Wednesday said they don’t have anything on him.”

“Girl what is going on with you? First you’re low-key Eeyore-nid this morning, won’t tell me what’s up with you and bae, and now you’re not even answering my questions about CLOTHES. Are you okay? Is it Kennel Cough?” Yoko asked. 

The other girls laughed as Enid tilted her head and glared at her. “So FUNNY. I’m fine, I just… is there seriously no one else here that’s mega creeped by everything that’s going on with this contest? Like how each week the winner gets sent a prize, along with a side of permanent-bodily-damage fries?!” They all stopped chewing and looked around. “And Yoko who says ‘ bae’ anymore?!”

“Okay, fair. Look some of my friends still use slang from the eighteenth century, it’s harder to keep track of everything than you think.” 

Another vampire in the group whispered, “ word.” 

“And also… yeeaahh, it’s definitely super sus, but, I mean, it’s kinda on-brand for you and Wednesday?”

“Real, that girl attracts all things sus and spooky. You had to know you were marrying into this,” someone else added.

“Okay but at this point I’m pretty sure anyone who thinks they can mess with you or her must be insane,” Yoko continued. “...let alone someone who thinks they could take on both of you. I say if you guys stick together, you’ll be fine. The normie cops and the Outcast cops are on this one. I bet it’s just some jealous, unhinged super-fan.”

“That’s exactly what Wednesday said!” Enid perked up as she replied.

“See? Great minds. I’m sure you’ll be fine and this is gonna be the trip of a lifetime.”

A couple other voices agreed. “I guess. But it’s not just that,” Enid said and pouted her lip. “Wednesday’s been keeping visions from me too. She’s been acting weird. What if she realized she doesn’t like dating me?”

Several voices huffed and groaned. “Enid.” Yoko put her hand on her friend’s. “That girl is OBSESSSED WITH YOU. There is literally no way that is even in the warehouse of possibilities to explain her recent weirdness.” Enid looked away. “Hey. Seriously. I can’t tell you what’s swirling around in that freaky little head of hers–frankly, don’t wanna know– but it sure as shit isn’t anything to do with not wanting to be with you… In fact, if I remember correctly, it was not you , but at the hands of a certain goth girl that I can mention gravestones, grapes, and groping, to defend my point– and you’re SO welcome for that killer alliteration,” Yoko said smugly, accompanied by giggles and a couple of suggestive whoops and whistles.

Enid started to smile shyly. “Okay! Okay. Got it, loud and clear! I’ll talk to her… when she’s ready.”

“Great so about that fit. We gotta get you ready for Satur- slay – shopping spree tomorrow with Divs?”

“YES!”

.

By the time she got back that night, Enid had started to feel more herself. She walked across a dark room and smiled when she saw a small stack of papers waiting for her on her desk; notes and assignments from the classes she missed that day, perfectly aligned and angled to match the outline of the white surface they sat on. Wednesday was already asleep –but probably not actually– and she was glad for it. Because despite the uplifting time with friends, she was embarrassed. In truth, it had been an insidious insecurity that seeped in somewhere along the way even before the two had admitted their feelings to each other: what if they shouldn’t work but they did… until they didn’t ? What if Wednesday got caught up and obsessive like she gets, but then soon realized she could never be with someone as bright and social and… Enid, as her? Yoko had made good arguments, but what if she was wrong? Of all the battles she had fought against self-doubt, she had never faced one based in a romantic relationship. Then again, she couldn’t recall a relationship that meant as much as this one did.

To make things worse, she had blamed Wednesday, when the more serious threat to their cooperative harmony was wrapped up in her iridescent little bubble of insecurity. 

Wednesday probably didn’t even understand what ‘self-conscious’ meant. She certainly wasn’t the type to condone any form of weakness, so how was she going to look at her now if she knew this was the real source of their argument this morning? 

Enid wasn’t brazen or audacious like Wednesday, and despite the Blood Moon factor, she wasn’t a born leader like some wolves were; she could lead if it was needed, but preferred to be part of a team. But over time, and in large part thanks to Wednesday, she had at least discovered what she was; she was strong. She was capable. She was a lover and a fighter– and she was no longer afraid to fight. She was brave, and she was bold. And despite her fears getting the best of her today, she knew that she was enough. And she could only hope that Wednesday still felt the same.

.

Tuesday came and went with both girls orbiting each other, keeping just busy enough to avoid the inevitable confrontation. None of their friends– or anyone else at the school that had now taken an interest in their lives– asked questions, too distracted with the results of the contest to notice the two hadn’t been seen within twenty feet of each other all day. It was just as likely Wednesday was nowhere to be found as it was for her to be glued to Enid’s side between classes or on breaks, on any given day, so nothing appeared out of the ordinary.

Wednesday watched Enid however, at various points of the day, from afar. She still couldn’t seem to will herself to broach the topic of her visions with Enid, let alone sink into their possible meanings. She could see her putting on a show, acting proud and excited about the results; her fake smiles almost as bright as the real ones.

But in the darkness of their room that night, Wednesday heard the tears. 

She rolled onto her side and held her breath, not sure what to do. If Enid wanted to talk, she would have. Or if she were really upset, she’d have left. 

Sniff.

She had no business being in a relationship with any being possessing a normal range of emotions, when she hardly had a grasp of them herself. What was she even thinking?

Silence.

Maybe she misheard, and Enid was just dreaming again.

Sniff sniff.

There was no ignoring it now. And Wednesday had no idea what a girlfriend was supposed to do in this situation, but she was confident that allowing Enid to cry herself to sleep was not it.

“Enid.” She sat up.

Sniff. “Ya?”

Wednesday’s chest hurt again. She had no plan but threw her covers to the side and walked to Enid’s bed, and did not hesitate to crawl onto it. 

Sniff. “What are you doing?” she asked in a meek voice as shifted up.

“I’m sorry.” Wednesday opened her mouth as if she had more to say, but nothing came, and she sat looking at Enid, pleading with her eyes for direction.

Enid sighed. “It’s okay… I didn’t wanna push talking before we were both ready, but…”

Wednesday could see her lips pull downwards and her neck tense.

“It’s just– tomorrow’s Valentine’s Day, and–” her crying hiccups began to interrupt her speech. “I know you don’t– I mean I’m sure you totally hate it anyways and you probably forgot it was even–”

“I didn’t forget.” Wednesday’s hand was on top of Enid’s. Worried blue eyes finally searched her own.

“You didn’t?” she asked.

“No.”

Enid’s eyes fell to their hands, and she slowly laced her fingers through Wednesday’s. Sniff. “Well I know you don’t care about it, but I care, and, Wednesday it really matters to m–” Enid was cut off this time from a more forceful source; Wednesday’s lips on hers. 

She pulled back just enough to whisper against Enid’s lips: “I know,” and then kissed her again, more deeply this time. Enid whined, breathy and sad, and relieved. 

Wednesday leaned forward and Enid gave to the movement, leaning back and slightly reclined  against the mountain of pillows stacked behind her. She wanted to explain more, to tell her that she had planned something for the two of them, knowing how much it would mean to Enid. She wanted to reassure her that she was aware of how much she cared about the arbitrary date that was more like imitation crab– artificially pink, tasteless, and cheap yet overpriced– than an actual holiday worth celebrating. 

But she was too quickly caught up in the way they were both rapidly unraveling against each other, and Enid didn’t seem to need any more convincing, either. 

Wednesday had missed kissing Enid. So wrapped up in everything that had been going on the past few days, she hadn’t realized just how much. But now as their tongues met again and her body pressed down against Enid's, her heart began to race at higher speeds. She couldn’t stop herself. To magnify the intensity that already existed in the moment, the two had also never continued anything intimate past bedtime; they had never been in the dark, in a bed, in pajamas, and Wednesday could feel so much more through the two thin layers of fabric between them now. It was a lot to handle from the solitude of only thirty seconds ago. But now, Enid’s breath rushed out heavy against her, and she felt the werewolf’s strong arms wrap around her, pulling her closer as claws began to poke through her shirt, and one leg slid up and pressed against her hip.

She wasn’t sure what came over her then, but somewhere, in some unintelligible part of her brain, she was instructed to move her hand down onto that leg, and then do what Enid had so generously done to her, and began trailing her lips, and tongue, along her girlfriend’s jaw and neck. She was compelled then to slow down, but took it as a good sign when Enid’s breathing did not. 

She pulled skin into her mouth and grazed it with her teeth before letting go and inspecting it. When she saw faint dark patches appear, she bit her lip and felt her mouth water. She went back for more promptly. 

After several minutes of exploring what was sure to be a new fixation, Wednesday was knocked out of her near-stupor just to be pushed into another, as she felt the length of Enid’s body roll up against hers, in reaction to an especially torturous touch. Her nose dragged along from under her jaw to her cheek as another breathy whine escaped next to her ear, and Wednesday realized she had spent too much time away from the soft expressive lips that she had already been deprived of. But just as she returned–

“ Wednesday, ” Enid somehow got out breathlessly between kisses. Wednesday did not reply. “I’m– mmm… I’m sorry.”

“What?” Wednesday finally stopped to ask.

They were both breathing hard as Enid replied, “Um, I’m sorry, for um,” she swallowed and tried to catch her breath. “I just got really insecure and I don’t… I don’t even know why ! It’s like, a week and a half still ‘til the next full moon so I literally have no idea why I’m–” 

She was interrupted once again with a kiss, but this time it was softer, and brief. “Enid, don’t apologize,” Wednesday told her, and she felt the body beneath her soften. She silently studied all of Enid’s features, and saw a sickening wave of adoration come crashing out through glistening blue eyes. “I should have been there for you. And I should have talked to you.” 

Enid nodded. “I just worry sometimes too like… how you’ll see me? I’m not fearless, like you.”

“And you think that’ll make me care for you less?”

She nodded again.

“Enid. When you came after me in the woods that night knowing what danger was out there, I know you were scared.” Enid scrunched her eyes closed and whimpered, but Wednesday’s hand guided her chin back up and their eyes met again. “ That is what made what you did mean everything to me.” Wednesday’s voice wavered so slightly it would have been easy to miss, but she knew Enid wouldn’t. “No monster, no unknown danger, and no fear could stop you from reaching me.” Wednesday felt her eyes start to burn but quickly took a deep breath and collected herself. Enid, on the other hand, let several tears trail down the sides of her face. Wednesday’s thumbs gently wiped them away, sliding more slowly along her scars. "You overcome fear. You are an incredible, unstoppable force. And how I see you? You are something to behold."

More tears were met by more gentle swipes.

“And I would never let anything happen to you.”

Enid breathed deeply before speaking again. “I know that, but I’m not saying I wanted you here to protect me. It was more about my feelings, and you being there for… comfort…” Her chin had tucked down, and her eyes blinked nervously up through soft lashes. “You know I don’t like being alone.”

“I understand.” Wednesday hesitated and looked to the side. “...now.” 

Enid smiled and Wednesday could feel the breath of her faint laugh across her face. 

“I’m still not good at this. But I am trying. For you.”

Enid guided a few stray hairs behind Wednesday’s ear. “I know,” she whispered. 

“Plus it was hard for me to figure out how to articulate that my vision included both you trying to kill me and Mr. Buio saving me, I think, but with your blood all over his hands.”

“ WHAT!?!?”

Chapter Text

It took some time to calm Enid down.

But, after two episodes of mild hyperventilating, a long overdue explanation from Wednesday, and some new ground rules about visions and sharing between the two, she was able to reach a state of relative calm again, eventually. It was comically helpful how endearing it was to watch her girlfriend stumble her way through an actual effort to comfort her, with her ever-developing reassurance skills. Still well below average, but miles from where they had been.

It did make much more sense now why Wednesday had been so distant, at least. She wasn’t sure she would have been able to find the words to explain that kind of vision if it had been her… though she did wish Wednesday had chosen literally any other moment, rather than the one she killed so mercilessly, to do it.

Enid eventually permitted Wednesday to part from her and return to her own bed, so they could try and sleep. But each time she began to drift off, her thoughts would wander towards the heated moment they had just shared in her bed. Either that, or catastrophic scenarios of Wednesday dying in front of her; both revving her heart rate right back up just before she could reach unconsciousness… the former doing a surprisingly better job, if only slightly. 

How was she so good at this stuff?! She had technically gone further with Ajax, but the intimacy they had just shared somehow felt monumentally more intense. And she had been so turned on, it was hard to subdue the intrusive thoughts that kept popping up, mostly instructing her to walk across the room and finish what they had started. Why did I have to open my stupid mouth anyways? Wednesday may have killed the moment, but Enid knew she had handed her the knife. 

She wasn’t sure when she finally drifted off, but when she woke up, it was to a heavy BANG.

“Wednesday?” she asked quickly as she sat up, and looked around.

Scattered papers covered the floor. Her eyes widened at the sight of Wednesday’s chair on its side as a breeze caused the papers to flutter and dance timidly around it. “ Wednesday?!” It was too quiet and her pulse quickened. She slipped her legs from under the covers and cautiously rose, her eyes adjusting and noticing drops of blood stained across the pages, and Wednesday’s pen rolling towards her feet. Her breathing picked up. “ Wednesday!” she cried, becoming more frantic. The room was empty and all she could hear was her own labored breaths. She turned to see the window had been left open– but why? She looked down again and saw one paper with writing on it. She picked it up.

Enid, my beloved,

My deranged desires for you have been latent for so long, now brought to the surface only to be derailed by cruel fate. A fire extinguished too soon. I fear that despite my confessions, there is still more that is left unknown in this mystery, and more dangers than I can protect us from. 

What we will be up against is far bigger than w

The letter scribbled off there, and Enid heard something soft and initially indiscernible in front of her. A voice. She felt chills scatter down her spine like the papers splayed out in front of her. The volume increased gradually as Enid dared to lift her eyes, and recognized the sound of laughter, but the kind that could only be described as sinister. 

It was her . Claws out. Hands covered in blood.

Fear rushed over her in a waterfall and filled her lungs. She watched her own body– how was this possible?-- shake in its laughter, then make eye contact with her. She spoke. 

“What? Wednesday’s visions always come true,” she said slowly. “You know that. Why do you think she kept it from you? Probably knew you couldn’t handle the truth anyways.”

She glanced down at the other Enid’s feet and saw a body. 

Wednesday’s silent, blood-soaked and mangled corpse. She screamed.

“You should have left her alone.”

It was a different voice this time. It was familiar.

Principal Weems.

“ What did you DO?!?!” she shrieked. Enid felt like her legs could do little more than wobble beneath her, but she put all of the energy she could into lunging at the woman. She felt as though she was moving through quicksand, it was so slow; enough time for her to smell the sour scent of fear and jealousy. But just as she lifted her right arm to deliver a deadly swipe, she crashed into something solid.

A broken mirror stood rocking in front of her, jagged pieces spread out around her. She looked up to see a large triangle still held in place. As the reflection came into focus, she could see a window, but it wasn’t theirs. It was gigantic and square, forest green curtains hung the length of it, half drawn. Then she saw her own face; her nose was bloody. So were her hands. 

“ No. No this can’t be real,” Enid whispered, shaking. “ I wouldn’t do this, it wasn’t me.”

“Enid,” she heard faintly.

Shards of glass surrounded her but the body had disappeared.

“It wasn’t me,” she said louder. 

“Enid.”

Enid gasped and reached out, claws extended, but felt her wrists snatched at a matching speed. Only for a split second did her muscles contract to fight, before almost immediately going lax instead, as if it knew before her conscious mind found awareness; no mirror, no blood. Dark eyes glistened from above, and a faint smile could be found growing beneath them. Enid sank into the pillow behind her and exhaled.

“I haven’t startled you like that in quite some time,” Wednesday said with a raised eyebrow as she marveled at the talons inches from her face.

Shink. They disappeared along with the smile.

Enid breathed out a second time, heavier. “It was a nightmare,” she whispered, and twisted her wrists free from the small hands to swiftly encase Wednesday in her arms. Wednesday allowed herself to be pulled down against her girlfriend for a moment, before partially freeing herself and facing Enid.

“How fortunate for you. I’m sorry to have disturbed it.” 

“I’m not!” She let her go. “Wednesday that was the worst nightmare I have ever. Had ! I thought you were dead!” she said as her voice cracked, and both sat up.

“Well I’ve made the conscious decision to try and extend my time here amongst the living as long as you’re around. I can assure you I don’t intend to fail so early on.”

“That is… really morbidly romantic.”

“It is Valentine’s Day.”

“Aww,” Enid pouted her lip and looked at Wednesday sideways. “I’m literally dying over you bringing that up right now as if you have ever cared about this holiday… but speaking of dying, I have to tell you about this dream asap.” She sighed and squeezed her eyes shut as she added, “but then I like, never wanna talk about it again.”

Wednesday nodded for her to go on.

“Okay so I woke up and there were papers everywhere a-and then you wrote me a note which was kinda hot actually? And romantic, but then there was blood everywhere and then I heard laughing– like cackling! A-and at first it was Weems, but me– like she shape-shifted into me and I saw your … your body there, at her–my? Her feet? I don’t know, but then it turned into a mirror and it was ME me! Wednesday it was so freaky and now seeing you like that is gonna be living rent free in my head and I do not remember signing up anywhere for having a slasher movie as my mental background!”

“You are dating an Addams.”

Enid threw her face into her hands and umphed.

“Do you typically charge for short-term real estate in your mind?”

Enid lifted her head and tried to hide the smile from Wednesday. She held her typical straight face, but Enid knew she was teasing her. “You ju– WAIT. Wednesday is there more you haven’t told me?!” The words scribbled onto the page she picked up in her dream had crept to the forefront of her mind suddenly.

Wednesday frowned. “No, why?”

“You wrote me a note, and it said there was ‘more to the mystery’ or something. What else are you still holding back?!”

“Nothing.”

“Then why did dream-you tell me that there was?!”

“Because ‘dream-me’ is a figment of your imagination. It is not based in reality, nor very creative at that… Of course there’s more, it wouldn’t be much of a mystery if we already had all of the answers. Either way, you can’t blame me or take seriously whatever it is your subconscious just made up in your mind.”

“Says the girl who sees things that are basically dreams that ALWAYS come true!”

“My visions are not dreams. And you do not have psychic abilities, last I checked.”

“Well, maybe you’re rubbing off on me.”

“Extremely unlikely. We know Weems has nothing to do with any of this, your mind just went to the only shape-shifter you’ve interacted with because it wants to make sense of the information you’ve been given. Some of which I just gave to you last night that I’d been withholding, hence you worrying that there’s more I have to share.” Enid whimpered. “There is nothing more,” Wednesday reassured her. 

“Fine…” she conceded softly. She sighed and let herself fall forward to rest her head against Wednesday’s collar bone. She was intending on proximity for comfort, but it brought her right back to the memory of the closeness from last night, and her face heated up. Luckily Wednesday interrupted her impending spiral. 

“Would you like to discuss our final photo?”

Enid’s head snapped up. “Really? You have an idea?”

“I was thinking of taking the traditional depictions of Cupid and his use of bow and arrow, and aiming one at you. It’s both violent and a strong representation of trust between us. Thoughts?”

Enid gasped. “OMG I LOVE it! That is perfect for us!” she squeaked. “Oh! I have another good idea!” Enid held up her finger to request a pause as she picked up her phone and started typing.

"I also have to request that you to take everything you'll need with you for the day and not come back here until seven PM. Dressed for the evening."

Enid dropped her phone and stared at Wednesday with wide eyes. "You planned something for tonight? For Valentine's Day? For us?"

"For you. The fourteenth of any month holds no significance for me."

"But, we'll be together?"

"Yes, Enid, that is what I meant."

"Okay," she said in a hopeful pitch. "Oh! Can we do the pic during second period? I already have like a hundred and fifteen percent in that class so I’m good skipping it.”

“We have time before classes, why would you want to wait?” Wednesday asked.

Enid smiled. “Do you trust me?”

.

Wednesday stood out like a frostbitten thumb in a blanket of white in the field where they had agreed to meet. Enid had insisted where they went be secluded, and Wednesday was still unsure exactly why. She secretly hoped Enid was planning to attempt murder as a fun surprise, though this looked nothing like her vision.

She wasn’t far from where their reading session picture had been taken, but it looked like a world away in the overcast light of day, and the snow cover that laid out around her, dampening the few sounds that kept a frozen silence at bay.

That is, until Enid came clambering through the trees with three different duffle bags, revealing the soaked leaves under the snow with her bustling steps. She dropped her bags into the powder with a heavy huff.

“Why didn’t you put your things in your locker for the day?” 

“Um, I did, couldn’t fit it all!” she sang in a somewhat snide tone, but then added, “plus I needed this!” She unzipped the small orange duffle with a bright smile and began to pull out black fabric. 

“Your shifting cloak?” Wednesday asked with a furrowed brow.

Enid bunched it up and skipped over with the black bundle. She bounced to a stop right in front of her girlfriend and pecked her cheek. “Okay, I’m not a hundred percent sure this is actually going to work, but I wanted to try.”

Wednesday’s face scrunched in deeper as she watched Enid skip away again, back towards the edge of the woods where she had come from. She disappeared behind a tree, but her voice was easily heard. “The moon didn’t rise until like nine-fifteen today, which is why I wanted to do this now and um… I’ve never actually tried to shift during the daytime, but my coach had said I should be able to, eventually.” Enid came around and stood in front of the tree wrapped in her cloak. “Oh, my GOD it is so friggin’ cold!” she said with a chatter of her teeth. “Ooh-kay… I can do this,” she heard her whisper next. Then Enid turned about twenty-two degrees to her right, where she said she would be facing a very faint crescent moon, somewhere behind the clouds. 

“You’re going to try to wolf out in the middle of the morning?”

“Yep!” Enid replied, shivering and visibly grinding her teeth. 

“I didn’t know that was possible.”

“It’s not, totally uncommon with Blood Moons, I guess, just takes a lotta practice. And… the fog pains are gonna be a bitch, but… Happy Valentine’s Day, Wedns …”

She watched her girlfriend tense, heard an uncomfortable grunt, then saw her take a deep, shaky breath. The shivering turned to quaking, with sporadic jerks, until she fell to her knees.

And then it was happening. 

Wednesday took one step towards her, but Thing squeezed her shoulder. She watched as Enid cried out and writhed on all fours, but she didn’t ask for help; she lifted her now-glowing eyes to the sky between jolts and kept her body facing the hidden light that miraculously found its way to her as if she was the beacon it was drawn to. Wednesday stared in awe, like she always did, but was more amazed as the creature that emerged seemed to be fighting its way out, brutally against all of its species’ own rules. It sounded excruciating this time, and took far longer, but the petite human body began to transform into the monstrous, magnificent predator that always lingered somewhere just below the surface. Finally the cloak slid off with a full body shake and she blinked and growled, deeply. Wednesday trembled. 

.

“Sick.”

“Enid this pic is badass.”

Enid smiled proudly at the reflection of herself in Yoko’s glasses, then over at Ajax, acknowledging their compliments.

“Real, the world is tha- riving off of this right now, it’s like an actual work of art. I’m a little jelly TBH.” 

“What do you mean, yours and Eugene’s is so cute!” Enid held up her phone displaying him and Fen in old hard hats, holding hands and sharing a chaste peck in front of the entrance to the old copper mine just outside of Jericho, and a single bee in the foreground on the left. 

“He thought it was clever, I thought it was kinda cheesy. I still think we should have put it in the caption in case people don’t get it.”

“I mean, I think most people will. Kent is still over there looking confused but that’s kind of his general state,” Yoko said.

“True,” Fen replied. “At least he knows there’s something to get, Dulo just figured we brought the bee for a field trip. To a mine. For our Valentine’s picture.”

“That sweet, orange cat of a boy.”

“Okay forget about that, can we talk about how we’re leaving SATURDAY MORNING for the dinner?! Oh my goood !” Fen squealed. “I’ve never been to LA. Enid did you guys get your email with the tickets?!”

“Yes! And I’m trying to not focus on all the super terrifying stuff going on around this contest, and just be happy we won a spot!”

“Yaaa, Enid’s gotta point. How come you’re so chill about it Fen? Didn’t you totally lose your foot?” Ajax asked.  

“Yes, but thanks to Enid’s creepy psycho girlfriend we found it!” Fen kicked her completely healed foot up behind her.

“I think you mean ‘psychic,’” Enid said squinting at her.

“Probably both. Anyways it was just an accident, it’s not like that was the first ride at a theme park to break, people get killed on those things sometimes, I consider myself lucky! On the other hand I am still lowkey bummed about missing the dance. BUT my amazing boyfriend said he’d make it up to me, he’s planning something special for Friday,” Fen said with a sway as her fingers twirled her hair. “This is going to be the best. Weekend. Ever.”

“Okay I’m too bitter to continue this conversation. Back to your pic Enid. Why’d you go with the weird filter?” Yoko asked.

“Oh um, no reason… just, trying to be different, I guess.” Enid shrugged and looked back at her own phone. Yoko knew she was a Blood Moon wolf, but no one else currently within earshot did; they all still assumed she was just another average, ‘full moon only’-abiding werewolf. Plus, Enid knew Yoko would freak if she found out she was able to shift during the day, and now was not the time to share, and voluntarily induce the dramatics.

“It’s giving like, Warhol vibes, or something,” Yoko added. “It almost looks like it’s daytime and you guys are glowing. Trippy.”

Enid froze.

“Agreed, Enid this is fire. And it does look like it was taken during the day. What filter was it?” Fen asked. “You could totally trick someone into thinking you could wolf out in the daytime! How cool would that be?!”

“Uhh, I can’t remember, but um, I mean it’s obviously taken at night,” Enid said without making eye-contact with anyone.

“Well, ya, but don’t you think the shadows kinda make it look like it could be?” Enid held her breath. “Either way it’s awesome. If this were part of the contest you’d totally win again.”

Enid smiled and finally looked up, catching the photo on Yoko’s screen next to her. Thing had taken it –somehow– while balancing between Wednesday’s shoulder and forearm, so that the side of her face could be seen with her gently-closed fingers curled against it, following the nocked and drawn arrow, pointing straight at a rainbow-clawed werewolf standing across from her. 

Enid had caught her hesitating though, and could tell that she wasn’t aiming directly at her in reality. She had asked about it afterwards, on their walk back.

Wednesday didn’t answer right away, but eventually told her, “I am never careless with a weapon and always hit my mark, precisely when and where I mean to… I still felt it was negligent to aim where I could kill you.”

“Isn’t that like, not a very Addams thing to worry about?”

“You are not an Addams.”

Enid gasped. “Excuse me?! I have a headstone that would beg to differ,” she sang with pointed sass.

“First of all, that hasn’t happened yet, and sec–” Wednesday faltered and Enid caught her eyes as they darted between contact with her own and the path in front of them. She cleared her throat. “Secondly, you are a different– you’re…” 

Enid couldn’t even try to follow along with Wednesday's now stuttering attempt at a sentence. She had clearly caught herself in the same snag that grabbed Enid. Did she just say yet?! Her heart catapulted into action so frenetically that she was worried Wednesday would hear it, and slowed her steps just slightly enough to create an extra inch between them.

“The breakdown of an Addams’s violent tendencies towards each other is complicated. It’s not something I expect anyone to understand but you– you don’t need to worry about–” 

Enid watched Wednesday’s eyes, and could see them searching for the words that would convey whatever it was she hoped to, though Enid presumed that neither of them were sure what that was now.

“You– umph” Wednesday was engulfed in a bright magenta jacket. “What is this for?”

“Do I really need a reason to hug my girlfriend Wednesday?!” she said behind her ear.

Enid felt the exhale leave beneath her, and small arms wrap around her torso. She squeezed harder.

“I lost count.”

“Of what?”

Enid released her half way. “How many times I’ve gotten to hug you.”

Wednesday’s eyes bore into her own silently. Enid’s strayed to dark lips. Wednesday noticed.

“Were you also counting those?” 

Enid smiled. “No, it’s a lot harder to count when some last a lot longer than others,” she said as she bit her lower lip. “And it gets a little harder to focus.”

Wednesday leaned in, kissed her once softly, and whispered, “as much as I admire you in your wolf form, I think I have a slight preference for when I can kiss you.”

Enid stopped herself from leaning in again and let a mischievous smile sneak up. “Oh but I can kiss you when I’m a wolf… like this! ” Enid moved so quickly there was no hope for Wednesday to both comprehend and react; she swiped her tongue right up the side of her face like a dog, and turned and ran. In her defense, Wednesday did try to catch her before she ran off, and grabbed a handful of snow instead to throw at her when she failed. 

She wiped the saliva from her cheek and sneered as she took off. “Enid! I take back everything I just said! You will pay dearly for this!”

Just as Enid was lost in her thoughts of the morning, a message popped up on her screen.

‘Is this Wednesday Addams?’

It was through Instagram, from a “John Doe.” Enid immediately went to their profile. It was private, with no photos, and no followers. She would normally delete a message coming from a profile like that right away, but how many people would be looking for Wednesday by name on this account, without trying to sell something? Great, just what we need, another stalker… 

Another message appeared.

‘I have some information I think she’ll want.’

Oh what the hell. Now what? She assumed Wednesday was off somewhere prepping for whatever she had going on for them that night, since she hadn’t shown up at their break, so she screenshotted the messages and sent it to her.

Wednesday : Ask them what makes them think so.

Enid did as instructed, and received a quick reply.

‘It has to do with the accidents. All of them. I can’t say anymore here. If you want more info, call this number: 413-555-8391 The offer won’t be available after today.’

She sent another screenshot to Wednesday, who saw it and didn’t reply.

Enid sighed. “Is this ever gonna stop?”

Yoko looked at her, confused. “What? The contest is pretty much over…”

“No, not that. I mean, always getting wrapped up in potentially life-threatening situations and mysteries that for some reason Wednesday Addams has to solve rather than the authorities trained and paid to do so?” She looked at her friend. “Is this just like, my life now?”

Every one of her friends chimed in at once with some form of “yes, definitely.” 

Yoko looked at her over her glasses. “Babe, if you had any other expectations, it’s your own damn fault. This has been going on since she got to this school two years ago. She’s an Addams… and according to photo number threeee…” Yoko quickly maneuvered her thumb across her phone, then held it up for Enid. “You are too!”

Enid swatted the phone down and grabbed her friend’s hand, leading her away to a vacant hallway. “You know that was just for the contest… but funny you mention it because it also came up this morning and Wednesday actually said ‘that hasn’t happened YET!!!’”

“Happy for you, but not surprised.”

“Ugh Yoko I don’t even know what to think though! We haven’t said ‘I love you’ yet… One minute she’s almost back to her old standoff-ish self, the next she’s on top of me in bed.”

“ENID WHAT.”

“Okay I forgot to tell you about last night,” she said, speaking with her hands all the while. “Wednesday has never kissed my neck before– honestly no one has ever kissed my neck like that before. But then last night? It was so hot Yoko.” Enid sighed.

“Oh get it Addams. Keep going, I have been waiting for this level up. Spill it. Did you guys…” 

“No! It stopped there. After like, two minutes. We both sort of mutually ruined the moment, looking back on it now.”

“Enid. WHY?”

“I don’t knoow! You don’t you think it’s still too soon?”

“Too soon? Bitch you two have basically been married already for like ten years.”

“Yoko…”

“No, take it from a vampire, for real? It is not too soon. And honestly I think I owe Divina money again.”

“Can you please stop making bets involving my love life?”

“Can you please be more interesting?”

Enid pursed her lips then pulled her collar to the side to reveal the edges of two very dark and colorful hickies.

“Oh slaaayyyy. Atta girl.”

Enid cleared her throat and readjusted to hide them again. “It was… intense,” she said with bound excitement.

“Sooo… does that mean, tonight?”

Enid’s grimace-smile showed her uncertainty. “Maybe? I still don’t know what she’s planning, or what she’s okay with!”

“Sadism, going by the current state of your neck.”

“I’m serious Yoko! This is Wednesday we’re talking about. On one hand I feel like I should just let her make the first move so I’m not pushing her into anything, but on the other hand, what if she wants me to get the ball rolling because I’m the more experienced, touchy one?”

“You could ask her?”

Enid groaned.

“Seriously, man up– or, wolf up, whatever, and just do it. Just… Bestie, you two have been way too thirsty for each other for way too long. Like, parched. It is causing me anguish. No one has to do anything they really don’t want to… But please, please hydrate.”

.

The phone only rang once, and Wednesday didn’t wait for a greeting once she heard it pick up. “Who is this?”

“That’s not information we need to share on this line, is this Wednesday?” It was a man’s voice.

“Is that information we need to share on this line? I assumed this was a burner.”

“It is, but that doesn’t mean I can be certain it’s safe. Look, I think you were right to question things that the– that others have been ignoring. I found a link between the incidents. I don’t want to say any more here, but can y’meet somewhere in Jericho? I’ll explain everything then.”

Wednesday racked her brain to identify the voice. She was sure she had heard it before, but couldn’t place where. 

“Why are you sharing whatever information you have with me? Why not the police, or Principal Neyef?”

There was an uncertain pause before the answer. “Let’s just say I’m not in a position to risk my career blowing this whistle, but it needs to be done. You’re on the right track already, and you seem like the type to make sure the truth gets out and the message gets across, at any cost.” 

Wednesday wasn’t sure how to respond, and something about the words he chose made her uneasy, but she wasn’t sure why.

“Take a walk through the park near Town Hall in one hour. I’ll find you.”

Just before the line cut off, she heard a voice in the background: “ Hey, Mike.”

Chapter Text

Officer Michael Norris was not hard to find. 

Wednesday had left Nevermore immediately after the phone call and arrived at the town library within twenty minutes. She followed her initial suspicion and confirmed in less time than it took her to get there that the ‘Mike’ on the phone was none other than the Outcast officer who had been there to help deliver the security tapes from Piccadilly Pier. No one had said his first name during that visit, but after hearing it on the phone, she had plenty of pieces to complete the puzzle. He could use some guidance on how to be more inconspicuous. 

“Hey, Mike.”

The very average looking young man twisted around at the sound of his name, said slowly and deliberately. It was the same clean-shaven, round face, looking just as generally concerned as the day he left the principal’s office. The concern deepened though when he realized the petite, monochromatic source of the greeting. 

“You can’t be here right now,” he said as he brushed past her and out the door of the Weathervane. Wednesday followed close behind.

“Why not? Our meeting was scheduled for only fifteen minutes from now, were you planning to ambush me and my presence botched the execution?”

He didn’t look back at her as he walked briskly down the icy sidewalk. “ No, I am trying to help you. You were supposed to wait in the park. How did you know it was me?”

“Your talent for being anonymous is that of a tortoise trying to fly. Catching you stopping for coffee on my way to our meeting was pure luck.”

“Hardly.” 

“... Although the caffeine and sugar addiction that plagues both Outcasts and normies alike would put the odds heavily in my favor.”

He stopped abruptly and scanned the area then looked down at Wednesday. “Look, this isn’t a game, and it’s not safe. Just because they haven’t killed anyone doesn’t mean they won’t. Do you understand?”

“Who is ‘ they’ ?” Wednesday asked in a tone that was both somber and impatient.

Mike exhaled and looked around again. “We need to leave.” A parked car up ahead of them beeped. Keys jingled in his hand. “Get in.”

Mike walked ahead while Wednesday stood still. He seemed nervous but genuine, but could he actually be trusted?

He stopped at his open driver’s side door. “I can’t wait. If you want answers, get in now.”

Wednesday wanted answers. Her feet began to crunch their way towards the car as the officer got inside and shut his door. Just then, her phone went off– it was ringing. She stopped in her tracks still several cars down to address the insistent vibration. Once she finally pulled the device from her deep jacket pocket, she only saw Enid’s face for a split second before she was thrown backwards against the freezing wet pavement to the chorus of a surrounding BOOM along with many pats, ticks, and thwaps. 

A sharp pain stung the back of her head, but it was soothed by the distant sound of screams. She opened her eyes. The car that once sat only meters in front of her had blown apart–what was left now up in flames–and she’d been thrown backwards from the force. And possibly a rogue bumper.

Her ears were ringing slightly as she tried to stand up, and she started to notice several other points of interest along her body that may need eventual medical attention. She’d been thrown at least fifteen feet and skidded along the icy concrete into a snowbank. She was also now certain she had hit her head on something– probably the ground– and she’d need to take a closer look at her left arm and hip, at some point. 

It didn’t seem like she’d lost consciousness, at least, as the flames and black smoke looked fresh from the explosion, and people were still frantic. She heard sirens start up and looked around quickly for her phone. She was momentarily distracted when she heard a thwump to her left and saw what appeared to be part of the major pectoral muscle and a bit of burnt clavicle. Slightly sunken into the snow just a bit farther was a small bloody sphere; likely Mike’s eyeball by the little color that could be seen of the iris. She took a step towards them to get a closer look, but the sirens were getting louder, so she turned away and refocused on finding her phone. Just as she was about to give up, figuring it could have ended up anywhere, even likely buried in the snow, she heard a ding. She looked to her left and once again saw Enid’s face, as a text from her lit up the now-cracked screen. She snatched it up and ran towards the shuttle around the corner, and made it just in time to jump on and catch the line back to Nevermore. 

.

“I am not nervous,” Wednesday corrected Thing.

Thing signed.

“Of course I wasn’t nervous for my date with Tyler. And I’m not nervous now, either,” she said, arms crossed as she walked back and forth by the door. 

Thing signed.

“I’m not pacing.” Her feet came tightly together. She pressed in her lower lip. “Fine.” She turned and sat rigidly on her bed. 

In true Addams fashion, she had made it back for her original plans on time, despite being derailed by an explosion, multiple wounds, a head injury, and being witness to what was almost certainly first degree murder. If it weren’t for Valentine’s Day with Enid, she would have stayed to obtain more information, even at the risk of being caught skipping class and leaving campus without a pass. Or, being taken in for questioning and ending up as a suspect, or with a target on her back, if there wasn’t one already. Though even more importantly, if it weren’t for Enid, she’d be dead.

She had read the text on the ride back to Nevermore.

Enid : Heyy, you don’t have to call back… it’s been a sups weird day. I think it was the nightmare and wolfing out today EXHAUSTED me. I just had this weird feeling where I really wanted to hear your voice. Proabbly just my anxiety from the dream right?! Just txt me when you see this? Excited for later!

A few hundred heart emojis, by the looks of it, littered the rest of the space from the text. Wednesday tried to respond in kind with a single black heart, but the damage to her phone seemed to restrict some of the sensors.

Thing hopped up next to her, and signed.

“No, not just because of our friendship. That, too… but it’s more. My entire life, I’ve found a miserable solace in knowing I have virtually nothing to lose.” She looked at him. “Family doesn’t count. Only Death could rip any of your cold, needy hands away from me and even then I’d be haunted until I met you on the other side.”

Thing nodded.

“Enid isn’t a guarantee. A million things could pluck her from my life at any moment, and easily more than half would be my own doing. I like my life and the way I am… and… I like it even more when she’s in it.”

Thing didn’t sign.

“But that doesn’t mean she always will. And she’s the first person I’ve ever met that’s made me believe I have something I couldn’t bear to lose.”

Knock knock

.

Enid cupped her hand over her mouth and pushed out two short breaths. Minty enough? Wait does Wednesday like mint? Shoot why don’t I know this?! She looked at her watch and saw seven-fifteen on its face. She took a deep breath and curled her fingers into her palm, lifted her fist, and exhaled as her knuckles rapped twice against the heavy wood.

The door only opened about a foot, but it was enough to see Wednesday’s face, still and wide-eyed. 

“Hi,” Enid said with a soft smile.

Wednesday didn’t move, or speak. Enid twisted her hands together and blinked nervously when she saw Wednesday’s eyes finally break from their statue-stillness, and wander over her face, then down her body. It gave her chills.

“You… like the outfit?”

Still nothing.

“It’s uh, just a look, for tonight! Not a permanent change, so don’t get too excited!” Enid bounced as she spoke. “But I thought you’d like it, and it was kinda fun changing things up! And having Yoko help me get ready. Definitely borrowed a few things from her.”

She had stripped the color from her person almost completely from head to toe, replacing it all with Wednesday’s preferred palette, though snuck in a few subtle accents; her nails were black at first glance, but had a red sheen in the light, and her lipstick was a shade called, ‘pinot-noir-you ready for this?’

“Wednesday?” Her equally colorless counterpart still wasn’t responsive. “Is everything okay? How’s your head?” She was starting to worry.

“Enid, hello.”

Oh thank goodness. “Hey,” she said with a smile. 

.  

Her entire body tensed as the knock rang through the room. She smoothed out her loose-fitted, victorian-inspired dress that Enid had already approved of during a forced shopping excursion several months ago, and walked towards the door. 

She grabbed the blindfold she had ready and carefully opened it only a crack so that Enid couldn’t see in…but Wednesday could see out, and she decided in that moment that not putting the blindfold over her own eyes was her biggest, and last mistake, when it came to her feelings for Enid. 

Enid stood at the door, with eyes that had never looked more accostingly blue than they did then, because for the first time, they weren’t surrounded by color. They shone like the blue in the hottest flames. Wednesday wanted to burn to ash in them. 

“Hi,” she heard coming from somewhere very close. It was probably Enid. 

Enid.

Enid was standing in front of her with pale blonde hair falling over her shoulders and across her eyes in the same gentle curls as always, but lacking any of the pinks, blues, or purples it normally carried. Every strand was uniformly light. Everything she wore was black . 

The heeled boots had small, delicate buckles going all the way up the front of her leg, to right below her knees, where her skirt ended just above them. The blouse portion was tied up on one side with a large velvet bow, the skin exposed completely across her shoulders and neck otherwise. Every nail was black. Her eyes were lined in black, with a shimmering charcoal shadow and two onyx gems on each side. Only her lips boasted some added color, but with an understated, deep burgundy that made her teeth glisten white beneath them. 

What hit Wednesday like a vengeful boulder was not seeing Enid clad completely in her favorite color for the first time– though that was obviously a factor. More than anything, it was an immediate realization that Enid would be everything she ever wanted, no matter what visually offensive or incredibly striking clothes or accessories would adorn her body. She looked incredible, but none of it mattered. From the very first second the girl had skipped towards her in all her repulsive rainbow glory, to now, covered in nothing but perfectly picturesque blacks and greys…

she had always been her perfect match. 

She stood breathless and taken by the realization as Enid’s lips moved but she did not register the words. She may have heard her name, but who could be sure? How was one meant to function normally when their world had been shaken like a snowglobe in the hands of an overzealous child? Enid was clearly the child in this metaphor, and Wednesday the sad, swirling contents not able to discern which way was up and if she’d ever find solid ground again. 

She blinked, and nothing changed; the view in front of her was devastating. And she would never, ever come back from this. The peril was intoxicating. 

She should have put on the blindfold, but it was too late. Her eyes had been open, and she was, without any doubt, deeply and despairing and miserably in love. 

The burning blue eyes on a black and white canvas seared painfully into her chest, and pleaded for an answer. 

“Enid, hello,” she finally breathed out. 

A smile broke apart the worried face in front of her and Wednesday’s chest wrenched again. “Hey.”

Wednesday cleared her throat. “You’ll have to put this on before entering,” she said weakly as she lifted the black piece of fabric.

“Oh, okay.” Enid slowly turned around so she could easily tie it over her eyes. What a shame to cover the only source of color Wednesday had ever felt the desire to stare at. 

.

Enid felt Wednesday’s shaky breath dance along the back of her neck and hoped it wasn’t too obvious when goosebumps spread across every inch of her skin. She felt the small hands gently turn her around, then take her own to lead her into their dorm. She was carefully guided through their back window and felt the cold air against her. The ground felt different somehow.

She was sat in a chair and heard a deep voice whisper and ask Wednesday if she was okay. She couldn’t hear Wednesday’s response, but there was some shuffling and clicking, and then…

Music. And it wasn’t just Wednesday’s cello– how the hell did she get a piano on this porch?! Wait is there also a harp? Enid didn’t spend long trying to figure it out. Instead, the notes that rang through the air pulled at her very soul. She listened and couldn’t help but smile at being serenaded by her own personal orchestra, and her own girlfriend playing the most elegantly haunting parts. She listened to it build, and fall, and soften, and feel the yearning, and the longing. Enid sniffed quietly and hoped whatever fabric the blindfold was made of wouldn’t show the wet spots she could feel on her cheeks now, where her tears had been caught. 

She could hear muted discussion between three voices, and some shuffling and tapping all around her. She felt Wednesday coming nearer, and then could smell her hair, then feel her breath before she spoke softly next to her ear. 

“Just a moment, mi espina.”

“Did you just call me your spine?”

Wednesday had walked further away but she heard her scoff. “My thorn . My favorite part of a flower.”

“Oh,” she replied with a spreading smile. Only a minute later she felt the damp blindfold leaving her face, and fluttered her eyes open. She gasped as she looked around.The floor was covered in black rose petals, with a few pink and red intermingled. A small iron table she had never seen before sat in the middle of the space, the flickering flame of a tall black candlestick lighting its surface.

Wednesday reappeared in front of her suddenly, holding a pocket mirror and a tissue. “I don’t mind it but I know you’re particular about your appearance, and I don’t believe this was your desired aesthetic.”

Enid frowned and opened the mirror. “Oh, wow.” She sniffed and took the items. “Yep, definitely not in my plans to look like a sparkly raccoon!” 

Wednesday tilted her head. “Raccoons love shiny objects, you probably have more in common than you think.”

Enid dropped her hands and glared at Wednesday. “I’m gonna choose to take that as a compliment where you’re calling me cute fluffy and curious.” She handed her back the mirror and crumpled tissue. “Wait who else was here?”

“Eugene and Divina.”

“Oh. How did they– Eugene plays piano?”

“Since he was four. In my opinion he lacks the grace and feel that those pieces require, and I told him as much, but his clinical technique is superb. We collaborated on what he labeled our ‘Moonlight Medley.’ It was Moonlight Sonata and Claire de Lune. I hope it sufficed.”

“Sufficed? Wednesday, I just got a private serenade under the stars, this is so beyond sufficient.”

She wanted to know more. How long had she been planning this? Had she asked her friends nicely or were threats involved? And where did the other instruments go? But Enid saw glistening brown eyes disappear behind dark lashes, only to reappear somehow more softly, and all she really wanted to do was kiss her. Is it too early in the night to start making out now? Yoko would probably say no. Maybe I should start listening to her–

“I got you a flower.”

Enid looked down to Wednesday’s hands. “Wednesday… it’s not a flower if it doesn’t have any petals. It’s just a stem.” At least she tries.

“Depending on how you’re looking at it.”

Enid took the gift between her fingers, wondering how she could possibly see it as anything other than a future stick. But Wednesday took her hand, readjusted the direction she was facing, and held it up above her eye level. She stood pressed against the right side of her back so that their line of sight was the same. “There.”

Enid laughed. The moon was perfectly lined up above the three small leaves that hung atop the thin green stem, making it look like the crescent grew directly out of it. A literal moon flower.

She felt Wednesday’s hand sliding down her arm and looked to her right, where she found her favorite dark eyes already there waiting. “Wedns…” she whispered. Now, definitely now. She leaned in closer but Wednesday turned and walked to the table. Damnit. 

.

“Wednesday are you okay?” Eugene said under his breath.

Wednesday glared at him and put a finger over her mouth. She nodded towards his piano, and again at Divina, and sat down at her cello. 

Thing signed.

Eugene stared at him as he moved, but just shook his head in confusion and mouthed a ‘sorry.’

The arrangement went well enough, despite her left arm aching as she played, and Enid seemed appropriately moved. She still didn’t understand how it was possible to be so emotional all the time and have any energy left to exist, let alone bounce both literally and figuratively through her day, but here was Enid. Maybe it was a werewolf thing.

Once everything was cleared out, the candle was lit, and the blindfold was off(and makeup fixed), Wednesday gave Enid her flower and then went to set up their meal. She chose a seafood stew made from a family recipe, knowing it was one Enid liked and would be simple to serve, eat, and clean up. 

In truth, Wednesday thought the whole set up was foolish and uninspired. At least she had personalized the moon theme, but music and a candlelit dinner were unoriginal, and dull. But Enid would love it. And she had decided that for their first Valentine’s Day as an actual couple, Wednesday should simply do something that would be nice for Enid. She already had the tendency and habit of being more self-serving, so it was the perfect opportunity to take a page from one of those stupid romantic comedies that Enid loved so much, and focus only on her. And she didn’t think that aspect of it would be difficult.

She was not wrong.

Wednesday had watched Enid light up with the realization of what the ‘stem’ actually was, and couldn’t tear her eyes away. Tell her you love her. Wednesday was shocked at her own thoughts, and tried to shake them off immediately. She then almost ran into her cello that she had already moved completely out of the way, and then almost dropped the stew, twice. Thankfully none of it ended up on the ground or all over the table in the end, but it was a much harder task to accomplish than it should have been. She was grateful to finally sit and watch Enid’s appetite take over, when she realized she should probably inform her of what happened earlier that day.

“Enid… I hate to disrupt our evening with the type of conversation you tend to find off-putting, but I think after our talk the other night, I should probably fill you in before too much time has passed.”

“Oh no, don’t tell me there’s more after what happened today?” Enid set down her spoon and placed both hands on the table. “I don’t know if I can take any more Wednesday, I mean I appreciate you telling me but…honestly I don’t know how you even exist with how often this kind of stuff comes up with you. It must be an Addams thing.”

“You know about today?”

“Well, I know about what you told me…”

“When?”

“When you called? On the way back from Jericho?”

“I called you? What did I say?”

“Wednesday are you serious?! I knew you should have gone to the infirmary for your head! Ugh you told me you went to go see Stalker two-point-oh, and the car blew up in front of you and you saw his… ew I don’t wanna repeat it Wednesday do you seriously not remember this? I think you have a concussion.”

“Huh, it appears I do. Indulge me. What did I see?”

Enid closed her eyes and sighed. “Welp, I guess it’s Valentine’s Day for you, too! … you told me you saw his eyeball, and his like, pectoral, somethingorother, and then you asked me to remind you to start carrying air-tight baggies for stuff like this… eeuh, I am not here to be a murder podcast, can we please stop talking about this now?”

“Yes, that was helpful. Thank you.” Wednesday paused to watch Enid pick her spoon back up and stir her stew, visibly still disturbed by the topic, but a sight nonetheless. Tell her you love her. She was less surprised that she was suffering from partial memory loss after slamming her head into the ground, and more surprised that Enid was able, and even reluctantly willing, to recount the conversation they had. “I’ll have to have Grandmama send something for this. I’ve had several concussions and normally I don’t end up with symptoms, but it seems this is one of the few…” 

“Of course you’ve had a bunch of concussions…”

.

Enid couldn’t finish what was left in her bowl after the accident came up again, but luckily she had gotten through most of it beforehand. 

“Your gift won’t arrive until Friday. It’s coming from out of the country, and unfortunately it took longer to have made than I anticipated. I apologize.”

“You got me a gift, too?”

“Of course, isn’t that expected?”

“No! None of this was! I thought this, was the gift!” Enid gestured to the space around them and the table they sat at. 

“This is nothing. My parents’ idea of a grand gesture might involve permanent alteration of a body part. Or the illegal demolition of historically oppressive landmarks. Or–”

“No that’s okay, I get it.” Her hands went up. “I’m afraid this might get worse and I think I’m okay not knowing anymore than that. I get the gist.” Enid loved how passionate and intense Gomez and Morticia could get with each other, and it was hilarious how much it bothered Wednesday. But after spending a summer and two holidays with their family, Enid knew how far they could take it, and sometimes it was flat out terrifying.

Wednesday placed her napkin on the table and rose from her seat without a word. A hand was held out in front of Enid in gentle invitation. She took it and was led inside.

The rose petals weren’t as many, but they were scattered inside their room as well. Wednesday had also draped huge black curtains around their space, and rearranged Enid’s twinkle lights so that one single string ran the entire perimeter behind the curtains, creating a backlit glow as their only source of light. While it wasn’t bright, it was a little easier to see than in the candlelight, and Enid noticed something in Wednesday’s hair.

“What’s this?” she asked as she reached out and touched her left braid. Then she gasped, again. “You put a ribbon in your hair? And it’s not black?!” Enid squealed. “Where am I, what is even happening right now?”

“It’s a single strand of dark red. It’s certainly not the dramatic change you went for, but I also thought you might like the small gesture.”

‘ Small gesture?’ This is ADORABLE ….Now? Can we kiss now?

“Thing?” Wednesday said without looking away from Enid.

He heard his cue, and music began to play again, but this time a familiar old song on Wednesday’s gramophone. Wednesday held out her left hand but inhaled sharply as it lifted. 

“Your arm too?” Enid asked with a pained expression.

“I’ll be fine.” She sighed. “I wanted to dance with you, since we’ll be gone for the school’s.”

Enid whined in an ‘awe’ tone. “...Here, can I?...” With a nod from Wednesday she gingerly lifted her left arm and placed her hand on her shoulder, and Wednesday followed by putting her right hand up as well, while Enid placed her own hands around her girlfriend’s waist. 

Her heart rate picked up as she began to sway and looked into Wednesday’s eyes. God I love you, if we don’t kiss now…

“Enid, there’s, something I wanted to tell you.”

“Wednesday I swear to god if this is more scary shit I will wolf out right now and go feral in this room.”

“No, it’s not that… but can you do that anyways?”

.

Wednesday hurt more now after sitting for the duration of their dinner, but tried to hide the growing ache and avoid limping. It wasn’t entirely unpleasant, but it was distracting. Maybe that was a good thing, though. 

Tell her you love her.

Wednesday knew Enid would want to hear it. She would probably return the sentiment. But what then? What would it mean?

She allowed Enid to help her lift her arm onto her shoulders, and felt her weight shift slowly in time with the music. 

“Enid, there’s something I wanted to tell you.” 

Now, she was nervous. But why? 

Her father was right. Of every dangerous encounter she had faced thus far– and there had been many – none seemed to compare to the abyss she was staring into. Or was she already falling down it? It was hard to say. But maybe it was a good abyss.

“Wednesday I swear to god if this is more scary shit I will wolf out right now and go feral in this room.”

Is this teasing? “No, it’s not that… but can you do that anyways?” 

Enid rolled her eyes at her. Wednesday stilled. She extracted herself from Enid’s embrace, carefully, and turned to walk towards the gramophone. She stopped the music, and turned to face the werewolf, who stood alone in the center of the dimly-lit room, hands gently clasped in front of her.

Say it.

.

Enid wasn’t sure if she was breathing. She stared at her girlfriend across the room, and saw her slowly begin to take steps back to her. Their eyes searched each other’s.

Definitely just walk up and kiss her.

“I…”

Enid lifted her eyebrows, waiting to hear more. This better not be more bad news. Is she breaking up with me? …No, not after all this… is she proposing?! No, too soon. 

God just come closer so we can kiss.

.

Wednesday moved forward, one trepid, measured step at a time. 

Five.

I love you.

Four.

Just say it.

Three. 

“I…” her mouth stayed open but the next word wouldn’t form.

Two.

Enid closed the distance before anything else could be said, and pressed her lips against Wednesday’s. Both inhaled each other and fell into a deep, languid kiss.

Wednesday pulled away slowly. “You’re the moon,” she whispered. 

“Huh?” Enid lifted her eyelids just enough to see Wednesday’s mouth move.

“You’re the moon. For me.”

.

Enid’s heart cracked. But it wasn’t breaking. It felt more like the shell of something holding in all of the warmth that then oozed out into her veins, melting away every molecule of worry or sadness that had been plaguing her system. Wherever they would go next– LA for a murder mystery dinner probably with real murders, or Antarctica to find an extinct yetti who would probably try to kill them, or deep sea diving where they’d probably run out of oxygen five billion miles away from any kind of help… If Wednesday was there, it would be worth it. 

.

Wednesday went on. “You reflect the sun in pure white light, and how bright you are often hurts my eyes.”

“Hey–” Wednesday’s lips brushed Enid’s to stop her protest.

“But like the moon, you are somehow able to shine so brightly, and still allow the world its darkness. You allow me my darkness, exactly how I am and have always been.”

Wednesday had wondered, when this all started, what it would look like for her to be in love. To fall into a life lived not solo, but intertwined in another’s. Now ensared in Enid’s devotion, she knew for certain that everything that came after this point would be brush strokes that painted her answer.

“And like the moon, if you disappeared from my life, the world…” Wednesday breathed in and out against Enid’s lips before she spoke again. “The world would no longer turn.”

.

“I took care of him, my love. Nothing to worry about.”

“ And the girl?”

“She has nothing. They didn’t get the chance to talk. She should get the message now, anyways.”

“ She isn’t the type to ‘get the message’ and stop . ”

“Do you want her dead too?”

“ No. She’s a finalist, it’ll look bad if she doesn’t make it. Once she’s here, I can keep my eye on her. Just make sure nothing happens in the next few days, and I’ll take it from there.”

"Of course. Happy Valentine's Day, darling."