Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Hello. My name is Iñigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die…”

All eyes turned to the figure standing in the middle of the room.

“You are such a dork, Tanaka” Divina said from her sitting spot.

Curled up on a massive blanket spread across the floor, with cushions arranged as makeshift seats, Divina grabbed a handful of popcorn and tossed a few kernels at Yoko, who was standing dramatically, umbrella in hand like a pretend rapier.

Enid had her arms wrapped around Wednesday’s waist, the Addams girl seated with her back resting against her girlfriend’s chest.

“Release me at once, Enid” Wednesday said “a challenge has been issued. This is my chance to free your friend from this leech”

Yoko shivered lightly, letting the umbrella clatter to the floor.

“I’m your friend too, you know?” Divina said, giggling in Wednesday’s direction

“ That’s what you’re taking from this? Not the fact that shortstake is about to murder me?” Yoko cried.

Divina shrugged, munching on more popcorn as she patted the spot beside her.

“C’mon, Yoko” Enid chimed in, nuzzling Wednesday’s neck and tightening her embrace “let’s just continue the movie before I cannot longer hold Wednesday”

It was Friday afternoon when the girls had agreed to a movie night / double date (Wednesday, refusing to call it anything of the sorts and simply agreeing to please Enid) to unwind after the classes were over.

“Fineeee…. whatevs” Yoko huffed, flopping down next to Divina and letting her head fall into her girlfriend’s lap “I can’t believe it’s Friday night, and we’re staying in like old people”

“ You were the one that suggested the movie!” Enid yelped, still refusing to loosen her grip on Wednesday.

“Well… yeah, but… I am old!” Yoko whined “I didn’t think everyone would agree . You young folks are supposed to argue and come up with something wild. I was counting on peer pressure”

“I can barely tolerate you by association, leech” Wednesday said, deadpan “the idea of surrounding myself with more parasites is unthinkable”

“What about Divina?” Yoko argued.

“She is acceptable” Wednesday replied, returning her attention to the screen.

“Did you call me parasite?” Divina narrowed her eyes at Yoko, who only raised her hands in surrender.

“Ugh, puppy. I can’t believe you mated this…” Yoko attempted to keep complaining, but was suddenly cut off.

Enid, still wrapped around Wednesday like a weighted blanket, had her head tucked against her girlfriend’s shoulder. Her lips curled back, fangs on display, as the rumble built in her chest.

“ Unbelievable …” Yoko muttered, rolling her eyes “fine, fine . Forget I said anything. Wednesday is amazing. Perfect. A joy to be around!”

“ Cara mia …” Wednesday purred, turning Enid’s face gently toward her. Unblinking Yellow eyes met hers instead of the usual bright blue.

“Seriously, baby, do you have a wish to make me a widow this early?” Divina asked, covering Yoko’s mouth with both hands.

Enid was trembling now, her chest still vibrating with the growl.

“As magnificent as it would be to witness you eliminate this particular pest, imagine how difficult it would be to remove the stench of our floor” Wednesday added, caressing Enid’s cheek “you don’t really want to hurt your friend, do you, mon loup ?”

Enid blinked rapidly, clearing the fog in her brain.

“Sorry…” she said with a sheepish smile toward Yoko.

“Oh no, do not apologize, sweetie” Divina answered “she had it coming. Thank you for not killing my girlfriend, Wednesday. I still have one or two uses for her”

Wednesday simply nodded, gave one quick peck to her girlfriend’s lips, and then turned back to the movie, her hands still held at her waist by Enid’s.

“It’s the full moon coming” Enid murmured, trying to calm her outburst by basking in her girlfriend’s scent “and also, well, yeah… my wolf’s very protective of Wednesday”

“No kidding…” Yoko said, now lazily playing with Divina’s fingers.

“How come your wolf didn’t kill Isabella, by the way?” Divina asked.

“Yeah, I’m wondering the same, pup. I mean, one thing is you being friendly and all, but isn’t your wolf going crazy every time she tries to get into Wednesday’s proverbial pants?” Yoko added.

“Charming… ” Enid answered, unamused “I guess it kinda recognizes her as an ally, or at least not a real threat”

“No one is a threat to you, mi sol ” Wednesday said, bringing their joined hands up and kissing Enid’s knuckles.

“Ugh. Let’s go, Div. I’m gonna get cavities if I keep seeing this” Yoko said, getting to her feet and offering her hand to Divina “I’ll see you tomorrow, kiddos. Don’t forget that we are actually going out tomorrow!”

“Have a goodnight, you both” Divina smiled, walking toward the door where Yoko was already holding it open.

“Use protect…” Yoko started to say, only to dodge a dagger that landed in the wall right where her head had been a second before. She finally walked out, closing the door behind her.

“Where did you have that one, Wedns?! I searched you before they came in!” Enid laughed, falling back and dragging her girlfriend with her.

“An Addams always finds a way to carry a dagger” Wednesday replied, adjusting herself beside Enid “I’m afraid I’ll need my parents to bring a second kit next week if I want to be properly prepared for the upcoming threat”

“You are not going to be stabbing normies, babe” Enid said, letting her nose nuzzle the crown of her girlfriend’s head and closing her eyes while taking a deep breath “you smell fantastic ”

“A subtle change of topic, I see” Wednesday hummed low and pleased, as her fingers found Enid’s again and laced them together. 

Their joined hands rested lightly at the curve of Enid’s waist, fingers just brushing the skin where her shirt had ridden up. The touch drew a quiet hitch in Enid’s breath.

Cold fingers slowly untangled from a burning hand and slipped tentatively along the hem of the pajama pants.

“You are very warm” Wednesday noted, voice laced with both amusement and intrigue.

Enid didn’t answer right away, eyes still closed and trying not to shiver.

“I’m… I am a werewolf. We run hot” she finally whispered, landing a soft kiss to Wednesday’s forehead.

“Is that so?” Wednesday asked, fingers venturing beneath the hem of Enid’s shirt, trailing lightly along her ribs until her left palm settled there, perfectly still.

“Wedns- Wednesday…” Enid’s voice caught, barely more than a breath.

“Yes, my sun?” Wednesday teased, tone softer than she intended.

“…” Enid didn’t answer. She couldn’t. Her wolf kept her quiet, gloating at Wednesday’s attention and warning her not to make sudden movements that might spook the girl.

Wednesday tilted her head up to kiss the side of her jaw, hand still unmoving.

“Your heartbeat is elevated. Is it also a werewolf thing?” she asked, without any attempt to hide the awe in her tone.

“Why are you torturing me, babe?” Enid whimpered.

Another kiss, this time on her chin, then the corner of her mouth. 

Enid shifted slightly, pulling Wednesday properly into her arms, and Wednesday moved without resistance, slotting her knee between Enid’s and resting her weight against her.

“ Perché è delizioso vederti arrossire, amore mio ” Wednesday’s words ghosts against Enid’s lips, taunting her.

Enid’s fingers found their way to Wednesday’s hips, curling into the fabric of the pants, tense with restraint.

Wednesday’s right hand wandered as well, sliding beneath Enid’s shirt, her touch exploratory and curious, almost reverent as she mapped the warm skin she found there.

“Wedns… please” Enid muttered, her eyes now open, flushed and shining.

Something hungry settled low in Wednesday’s belly at the sight.

“ Te ves devastadora mi vida ” Wednesday said against Enid’s lips, before finally sealing their mouths together.

This kiss was nothing like the ones before.

There was no shyness. 

No delicate, searching touches.

A desperate moan broke from Enid, muffled by the kiss, and her hands, still gripping Wednesday’s hips, tightened with a sudden roughness.

Wednesday froze for a heartbeat, startled.

Enid took the chance to flip them, rolling them over with ease. Her left arm braced her weight above Wednesday, while her right hand slid boldly up along her waist.

They kissed again, slower this time, but no less intense.

Enid’s hand moved with a mind of its own beneath Wednesday’s shirt. It roamed freely, until it stopped abruptly at the edge of a bra.

It was Wednesday’s breath this time the one that hitched. Her chest rose sharply as Enid’s hand was almost buzzing by holding still. 

“Is… is this okay?” Enid asked, leaning back only a breath, her eyes locked not on Wednesday’s eyes, but on her lips.

“You would stop immediately if I said it wasn’t, right?” Wednesday asked, her voice husky. Then she cleared her throat.

Enid instantly withdrew her hand from under Wednesday’s shirt, her gaze darting up.

“Of cour…”

Wednesday didn’t let her finish. She cupped Enid’s face with both hands and kissed her deeply, thoroughly. The way her Addams blood demanded.

Enid’s wolf howled inside her when she felt the bold press of Wednesday’s tongue sliding into the kiss.

Without breaking it, Wednesday reached for Enid’s right hand and guided it back beneath her shirt, this time to rest fully over her bra, her palm flush against the swell of her breast.

A jolt of electricity shot through Enid, but she didn’t falter. She kept kissing Wednesday while her hand now settled, getting used to the sensation of feeling that part of her girlfriend’s anatomy.

“Are… are you sure” Enid whispered between kisses, her voice breathless but worried.

“Just keep kissing me” Wednesday replied without missing a beat, her legs wrapping tighter around Enid’s hips, drawing her closer.

The night was cold outside, but neither of them noticed. Time fell away as their mouths and hands explored each other slowly. Never rushed, but overflowing with passion.

Eventually, Enid broke the kiss, resting her forehead against Wednesday’s. Her breath came shallow and uneven.

“God, I love you” she murmured

“I know” Wednesday answered softly, brushing her thumb against Enid’s cheekbone “you would kill for me”

“I totally would” Enid answered eagerly with a breathless smile, diving back into another kiss.

Wednesday smiled into it.

“I would spare lives for you, Enid” she said, tucking a loose strand of Enid’s hair gently behind her ear.

Enid beamed. She began pressing kisses along Wednesday’s cheeks, jaw, and neck, nuzzling and nibbling with affection.

Her nose brushed the hollow of Wednesday’s throat, grounding her in the scent of rain-dampened earth.

She kissed every inch of exposed skin she could reach, until her wolf halted her at the hollow of Wednesday’s collarbone.

“I’ll mark you here” she whispered “my wolf wants to claim you as mine for the rest of our lives”

She kissed the spot where her fangs ached to bite, then pulled away, forcing herself to stop.

“Teaser…” Wednesday replied with a smirk “take me to bed?”

In one smooth motion, Enid stood and effortlessly scooped Wednesday up, carrying them both to the raven’s bed.

The pale moon witnessed how gently Wednesday held Enid against her chest, whispering love words until they both fell asleep.

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After a lazy morning spent in a haze of quiet touches and sleepy glances (interrupted only by a quick trip out of the room in search of food) Enid had somehow managed to finish all her assignments by the afternoon, helped along by Wednesday’s newly invented ‘homework reward system’ (aka 5-min kissing session, aka 15-min kissing session since apparently their timer was broken).

Now, the two of them stood at the gates of Nevermore, waiting for the rest of their peers.

“ They’re our friends, Willa! ” Enid had insisted earlier, and Wednesday grudgingly hadn't argued. Not much, at least.

“Ladies, you both look lovely” Eugene said as he arrived first, bundled in a heavy black wool jacket and a black, gray and white striped scarf.

The 3:00 p.m. sun was finally showing itself through dark clouds, bright but still no match for the sharp cold of late January.

Despite secretly enjoying the occasional touch of frostbite, Wednesday had dressed accordingly (again, by Enid stern glance and crossed arms) in a simple but elegant dark coat, Valhalla gray pants, a deep purple scarf, and the now signature black beanie, matching Enid’s pink one. One glove was pink. One was black. Because, of course, Enid would get her way.

“Eugene” Wednesday greeted with a small nod, her approval evident in the slight uptick of her brow.

“You look very handsome yourself, Eugene!” Enid chimed in, turning to beam at him.

“Th-thanks…” he mumbled, cheeks flushing as he fussed with invisible wrinkles on his jacket.

Though his kind nature still shone through in his gentle smile, the extra inches he'd grown over winter break gave him a new, quietly confident aura.

“Daaamn, I feel extremely underdressed” Yoko said as she arrived hand-in-hand with Divina, Kent trailing behind “is Addams sponsoring everyone’s wardrobe now?”

“Well, I did get this jacket from her as a Christmas gift” Eugene replied “but my moms got me the pants and the scarf”

“And it looks really good on you” Enid said, stepping in front of him to adjust his slightly askew scarf.

“Awww… you’ve got two moms back home and two Nevermore moms” Yoko teased with a grin.

“Stop bothering the kid” Divina said, letting go of Yoko’s hand just long enough to playfully smack the back of her head “Enid, sweetie, you look amazing too”

Enid gave Divina a bashful smile at the compliment, then twirled lightly on the spot, letting the movement show off the full outfit she’d somehow managed to make both soft and impossibly chic.

Her winter coat was a pale rose wool blend, tailored, belted at the waist with a subtle heart-shaped silver clasp that looked suspiciously antique. The lining, black silk with a delicate spiderweb pattern, peeked out whenever she moved, an unmistakable Addams touch. Underneath, she wore cream cashmere knitwear and black fitted pants tucked into sleek rose-gold boots that sparkled faintly in the sun. Her gloves same as Wednesday’s, one black leather, the other blush pink wool.

“Gifts from Willa” Enid said with a little shrug, cheeks pink from more than just the weather “she insisted I needed functional winter wear”

“Functional? That’s the word you are going for? I think she might have been using your Netflix account to watch ‘ Emily in Paris ’ or something, pup” Yoko muttered, clearly impressed “I take it back. You’re not Eugene’s mom, Addams. You’re Enid’s sugar mommy”

“She’s just… very committed to my warmth and happiness, okay?” Enid gasped, mock-offended.

Wednesday, standing beside Enid with the faintest smirk, didn’t bother denying it.

“Hey, sorry I’m late!” Ajax called out, jogging clumsily toward them and nearly tripping over the backpack in his hand.

“Dude…” Kent said, barely catching him in time.

“Thanks bro…” Ajax answered, recovering his usual effortless cool and adjusting his beanie down, the snakes in his head barely hissing, probably not very fond of the cold “are we all here?”

With a sudden gust of wind, Isabella appeared half a second later, casually leaning on Eugene’s shoulder. A burgundy coat swung behind her, black velvet gloves framing her fingers, and her hair pinned in a perfectly messy half-bun.

“You weren’t going to leave without me, right?” she said, raising a brow with mischief “hello, you…”

“Eu- Eugene…” he stammered, suddenly stiff at the unexpected contact and the first actual words exchanged between them.

“Gesundheit” Isabella replied after a beat, grinning “so it will be couple skating for what I see. Are you gonna be my partner, Eugene?”

Eugene blinked. Then blinked again. He tugged his scarf a little tighter and looked determinedly at the ground.

Wednesday directed a confused look at Enid, who only shrugged and muttered an “ I’ll tell you later ”

“Alright! My sugarpie is starving, and we’re wasting precious time” Yoko declared, marching to the front of the group and dragging Divina with her “let’s gooo!”

The rest of the group followed, making their way down the road from Nevermore to Jericho.

Last night’s frost still clung to the path, glistening under the afternoon sun, which chose to decorate rather than melt it despite the late hour. 

With puffing foggy breath into the crisp winter air, they walked chattering among each other, boots crunching snow with each step.

Enid’s gloved hand was tucked securely into the back pocket of Wednesday’s pants, her cheeks pink but her grin completely unapologetic. She walked with a bounce in her step, already itching to get on the ice.

“Calm down, puppy, you’re gonna give yourself a heart attack” Yoko called over her shoulder. “Addams, control your woman, for god’s sake”

“ La mia signora è una tempesta incontrollabile ” Wednesday replied, her tone reverent as she gazed at Enid with adoration.

“ No, tú eres la tormenta, mi sexy cazadora ” Enid said with proudly butchered Spanish.

“ Cara mia …” Wednesday stopped abruptly, turning to pull Enid in and kiss her fiercely.

“Boooo! Nooo! There are kids here!” Yoko shrieked, crouching to pack a snowball and launch it at them.

The snowball burst harmlessly against Enid’s back, but it didn’t break their embrace.

Yoko groaned in defeat while Divina giggled beside her, amused, and the rest of the group kept walking ahead unfazed.

Ajax and Kent suddenly burst past them, chasing each other in a mix of sprint and zigzagged game of tag.

“Bro! Noooo…” Kent shrieked as Ajax finally caught up and shoved a handful of snow down the back of the siren boy jacket.

“All fair and square in war, bro” Ajax said solemnly.

With no warning, Kent tackled him into a nearby snow bank, both of them vanishing in a flurry of flailing limbs, flying snow, and muffled curses.

“Idiots” Divina muttered fondly as her brother and Ajax kept yelling at each other behind them “hey lovebirds! We need to actually reach the ice rink today! Enid, didn’t you say you were going to bring your own stick and puck to show off your hockey skills to Wednesday, so she could be amazed and propose?”

That finally broke the couple’s intense embrace.

“D-Divina!” Enid yelped, flushing with embarrassment “that’s not what I said!”

Wednesday, perfectly composed despite the impromptu make out session, gave Enid a sidelong glance and the subtlest smirk.

“Are we having a hockey competition?” Isabella chimed in, her competitiveness peeked.

“We are not turning this into a blood sport” Enid cut in quickly.

“Afraid to break a nail, sunshine? I can team up with Wednesday if you are too afraid to deliver” Isabella teased.

“You mean my werewolf claws?” Enid shot back with a warning growl, pulling Wednesday possessively closer by the waist.

“Your claws are magnificent, mi sol ” Wednesday said softly, clearly aroused by the sudden display of dominance.

“DO NOT START MAKING OUT AGAIN!” Yoko shouted, exasperated.

Divina simply adjusted the blue scarf wrapped snugly around her neck, then laced her fingers with Yoko’s once more and resumed their unhurried pace.

Two snow-covered figures finally stumbled back onto the road, still pushing each other and bickering as they tried to catch up, but the group ignored them completely. Divina was already humming something soft under her breath, spinning Yoko now and then, like they were already dancing on the ice.

All the way in the back, Eugene was doing his best not to slip on the frozen marbles. He kept adjusting his glasses, which had started to fog up again.

Isabella, who had decided to save her teasing for the ice, walked beside him, matching his slow pace. Her usual stiletto boots had been swapped for sleek, fur-lined lace-ups that matched her burgundy coat perfectly.

“So, what’s your deal, darling?” she asked, voice light and curious.

“Wha-what?” he stammered.

“Well, I know Wednesday holds you in high esteem, which says a lot about you… and nothing at all” she added with a smirk, clearly intrigued.

“Umm… bee-lieve me, you are not the only one being surprised” he said, still focused on keeping his balance.

Isabella snorted unceremoniously, earning a few curious glances from the group ahead.

“You’re funny” she said, this time with a genuine smile “have you skated much?”

“Um. I mean, technically? Once. It was a school trip. I hit the wall. A lot” he admitted, embarrassed.

“No backsies for the hockey competition” Yoko called over her shoulder, not even bothering to look back.

“Don’t worry, partner” Isabella told him with a wink “hitting the walls builds character. I’ll keep you upright. Probably” and looped her arm through his, letting it hang there casually.

“Thanks?” Eugene blinked, going crimson. Then he muttered under his breath “ bee still my heart”

With two vampires, one werewolf, and one Addams in the group, only Divina, Ajax, and Kent didn’t hear it. The rest absolutely did, and all gave him a look while pretending otherwise. Isabella smiled, clearly amused.

They finally reached the Jericho rink just as music started to filter out from the speakers. 

Wednesday immediately recognized it as one of the most cheerful and poppy songs Enid insisted on calling a masterpiece , and played on repeat in their room.

“ And she laughs at all my jokes, and she says I’m so American ” Enid sang, starting to bounce along to the beat, pulling Wednesday with her “ oh, god it’s just not fair of her to make me feel this much ”

Wednesday squeezed her hand and allowed herself to be dragged toward the bench area, resigned but visibly softening.

“I’d go anywhere she goes, and she says I’m so American” Enid kept going, dancing happily without letting go of Wednesday’s hand “oh God, I’m gonna marry her if she keeps all this up”

Wednesday didn’t fight the smile tugging at her lips as she looked at her girlfriend, utterly endeared.

“I suppose I won’t be allowed to request they change the music now” she said, dry as ever but without real bite.

“Nuh-uh!” Enid wriggled her nose, leaning up to press a kiss to her girlfriend’s lips.

“I swear…” Yoko muttered, watching them with amused disbelief “move along, Romeo!” 

“Come on, sugar mommy ” Enid said, grinning to Wednesday, as she ignored Yoko’s commentary “let’s lace up”

“Yes, mon loup ” Wednesday replied, following without resistance.

“And now I’m just a fly on the wall, apparently” Yoko deadpanned “if you two start making out on the benches, that’s it. I’m leaving!”

“No you’re not” Divina said sweetly, already tugging Yoko down beside her to put on their skates “you promised to waltz with me”

“Damn it, woman!” Yoko groaned “why can’t you let me win one ?!”

They were still seated when Wednesday and Enid passed in front of them on their way to the ice.

“Try not to die, Eugene” Wednesday said, giving a solemn nod toward him as he stood at the rink’s entrance.

He gulped but bravely stepped onto the ice, already trembling.

“I got you, honey” Isabella said, appearing next to him and offering her hand with a half smile.

“… okay” he breathed, taking it.

Behind them, Ajax tried to slide across the rink entrance without skates and immediately face planted.

Yoko groaned as Kent followed suit without hesitation, and inevitably went down just as hard, checking the ice’s temperature. With his face.

“You need to put your skates on first, you morons!” Divina scolded them both, walking by with Yoko’s hand in hers.

The vampire skated slow loops around Divina, making sure her coat was flaring behind her like a cape.

“You are showing off” Divina said, amused.

“Of course I am” Yoko smirked “my girlfriend is watching”

“Dork” Divina replied, smiling, and held out her hand.

Yoko took it instantly, pulling her close.

“I believe I promised a waltz” she said seductively.

“Lead me, owner of my blood” Divina answered with heart eyes.

“I love you more that your blood” Yoko added, earnest.

“Sweet-talker…” Divina murmured, but leaned in to give her a quick kiss before they continued their half-dance across the ice.

“Move out or lose it, leech” Wednesday interrupted, gliding past them with effortless grace.

“Come on, Yokopuff! Show me what you’ve got!” Enid called, skating backwards right after Wednesday, her grin wide.

“These kids ” Yoko muttered annoyed “You’re going to hurt someone!”

Ajax wobbled in a wide circle, arms pinwheeling as he barely made it over to them.

“Dude! I think I got it! I’m like… like a swan or something!” he said, struggling to stay upright and using Yoko and Divina as support.

Kent crashed into the barrier beside them with a solid thunk .

“And my brother is like a pigeon” Divina winced, skating over to help him up.

“I’m good!” Kent groaned from the floor, grinning dopily as he raised his face “not bleeding, see?”

“Seriously, DivDiv” Yoko said as her girlfriend bent down to assist him “are you sure there wasn’t some brain damage from lack of oxygen when he was born?”

“I’m sure” she sighed “can’t say the same after how often he’s hit his face, though”

“Hey, dude!” Ajax shouted, excited now that he’d stood upright for more than ten seconds “look at me! I could totally race the zamboni now!”

Divina barely had time to step aside before Ajax lost balance again, crashing straight into the barely-standing Kent. Both collapsed back onto the ice, still laughing.

On the other side of the rink, Enid finally managed to catch her girlfriend in an embrace.

“Oh my god! I love this song” she yelped, grinning wildly.

“You’ve said that about the last three songs, Sinclair” Wednesday pointed out.

“What can I say? Sabrina Carpenter speaks to my soul” Enid quipped, catching her hand and spinning her in a smooth arc.

Wednesday allowed it, even leaned into it, and their spin settled into a synchronized rhythm that left a few normie teens gawking at them from the sidelines.

“ So sue me, for looking too pretty tonight ” Enid sang along, not missing a step as she fast-skated with Wednesday in tow “ wearing your favorite color under the lights …”

Wednesday smirked, pulling her in for a deep kiss mid-motion.

“I will never understand your fascination with these ear-bleeding sounds” she said against her lips.

“Just roll with it, babe” Enid replied, breathless and beaming as she tugged her girlfriend into another round across the rink.

They zipped past Eugene in a blur. He was stiff as a statue near the wall, knees locked, arms flailing every time he tried to move.

“Okay. Okay. I can… oh no. Nope. Nope!” he muttered to himself in rising panic.

Isabella skated circles around him like a cat toying with a shiny new ribbon. Finally, she stopped and held out her hands.

“You’re overthinking it. Loosen your knees. You’re not a chair” she told him gently.

Eugene blinked, uncertain.

“Here” she said, stepping behind him and pulling him gently forward, her hands steady at his waist.

Her vampire strength kept him from stumbling, but made him freeze all the same, eyes wide.

“There you go!” Isabella praised after a few steady slides, pointedly ignoring the frantic heartbeat of the bee-boy thumping against her hands.

Eugene beamed like she'd handed him a medal.

Then immediately slipped and took her down with him.

“You’re still not that bad” Isabella muttered from the ice, hair in her eyes and blinking in confusion at how she’d let herself get distracted enough to fall.

“Maybe you should head to the kids’ area, Isa!” Enid called out as she slowed to a stop beside them “they might lend you a walker!”

Isabella just rolled her eyes and stand up, pulling Eugene up with her.

“Let’s go again” she said, taking position in front of him this time and dragging him gently forward.

After a few more wobbly laps and tips, Eugene finally managed to go solo at a moderate speed.

“Wednesday!” he called across the rink, proud and breathless “I got it!”

His grin lasted a whole half second, right before Kent and Ajax crashed into him from the side, sending all three tumbling down in a tangle of limbs.

“That had to hurt” Yoko said, skating over as the rest of the group joined her, slowly dragging the groaning pile off the ice.

Once everyone had recovered enough to walk, it was unanimously decided that they’d had enough skating for one day and voted for food instead.

“But first!” Enid declared, gathering them next to the entrance of the rink “group photo!”

“I’m not sure, Enid… our faces…” Ajax started, wincing.

Kent, Eugene, and Ajax all had a few noticeable purple bruises, growing darker by the minute.

“You’ll be fine. Gather up!” Enid replied with a bright smile.

“But…” Kent tried.

Already standing beside her girlfriend, Wednesday gave him an unblinking stare. No words needed.

“Geez…” Yoko shrugged, walking over to take her place next to the group. She wrapped her arms around Divina from behind “the puppy’s got a guard dog”

That was enough to silence any further complaints as Enid adjusted her phone, holding it steady and double-checking that everyone fit in the frame. 

Wednesday leaned her head against Enid’s shoulder for exactly half a second as the timer on the phone counted down.

The flash went off.

Eugene was caught looking at Isabella, who was kneeling in front of him, flashing the camera her best grin and a wink. Ajax and Kent pulled off matching finger guns. Yoko hugged Divina from behind while flipping the bird, and Divina was mid-laugh. Enid was beaming so wide her eyes looked shut, and Wednesday… barely, barely smirked.

The photo was immediately posted on Instagram and set as the profile picture for their group chat. If it also ended up as the lock screen on every phone in the group, no one said a word.

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“Wait a minute…” Yoko said, cutting through the overlapping conversations and pointing an accusatory finger at Enid “you do no t speak Italian” 

The blonde girl froze mid-sip of her giant hot chocolate mug. Everyone around just turned to stare at her. Well, everyone but Wednesday, who remained composed, taking slow sips of her espresso.

“I do not” Enid replied after licking whipped cream off her lips “what about it?”

“What do you mean with ‘ what about it ’? Don’t act so nonchalant with me young lady” Yoko admonished her “I know you don’t speak Spanish either, so how come you understood Wednesday earlier?”

Realization dawned on the rest.

“I’m from California, Yoko” Enid said, rolling her eyes “Spanish is more common than everyone thinks”

“Are you sassing me again , young lady?” Yoko pressed on, in a parental tone “that does not explain the Italian”

Enid went crimson.

“Well…” she glanced at Wednesday, nervously “would you believe me if I said my wolf was translating for me?”

“What?!” Yoko practically yelped, making everyone at the Weathervane look over.

“Shush, love…” Divina gently covered her girlfriend’s mouth, then turned to Enid “you’re gonna have to give us way more than that, sweetie”

Isabella snickered from her seat.

“I knew I was smelling something different” she said.

“I don’t smell anything” Ajax added, frowning and sniffing at the air.

“I can only smell you , bro” Kent said, miming a whiff at the gorgon’s clothes “dude, stop with the Axe Chocolate. No one uses that anymore!”

“ Dudes …” Yoko said mocking their tone “shut up! And you … spill”

“Well…” Enid fiddled with her fingers and her mug, clearly stalling.

“It’s the UST ! C’mon, Tanaka, use your senses!” Isabella broke into laughter.

Yoko paused for a moment, her gaze darting from Enid to Wednesday, back and forth.

“Oh my God ! It’s true !” she practically jumped out of her seat, until Divina reeled her back in by the coat “you doooog! ”

“Wait, what’s going on?” Eugene asked, thoroughly confused “what’s UTS ?”

Wednesday looked just as baffled.

“ Unresolved …” Isabella began, grinning with mischief.

“ Sexual …” Yoko chimed in, equally delighted, while Enid squirmed in her seat.

“ Tension ” they said in unison.

“How did I not notice your puppy hormones going wild?” Yoko said, mock-shocked “you horn dog! ”

“It’s nothing like that!” Enid whisper-yelled at the two vampires across from her, unsure who she wanted to strangle more.

“Yes, it is” Isabella said smugly “your little wolf is doing the hard job of ‘adapting’ to your mate, so you can score ASAP”

Enid let out a pitiful whine and visibly shrank in her seat.

“And this is recent…” Yoko continued pondering out loud “OMG! Did you do the dirty last night? Right after we left your room? Oh, no… Not in front of Iñigo Montoya!”

“What we do… or do not do… at our room, is none of your business, Tanaka” Wednesday sent a death glare at Yoko “but I warned you before not to distress ma meilleure moitié ” 

The walk back to Nevermore was lively.

Up ahead, Kent and Ajax were laughing, shoving each other, pain from the multiple falls at the ice long forgotten.

Behind them, Divina and Eugene chatted animatedly. Isabella trudged beside them, carrying a completely knocked-out vampire over her shoulder.

At the back of the group, Wednesday and Enid walked slowly, fingers intertwined.

“It seems it’s going to rain again” Wednesday said, glancing up at the moonlit sky where clouds were already gathering.

“I think I’m learning to love the rain” Enid replied, cheeks pink “it is your favorite weather after all… and it means we get to cuddle in bed. And… other things”

“That would be agreeable, mi sol ” Wednesday nodded.

They kept walking, hand in hand, as the first raindrops began to fall.

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The rain had stopped sometime in the early Sunday morning, leaving the Nevermore grounds glistening with the previous snow now a thin crust of ice on the surface.

Inside the cafeteria, there was a cozy hum instead of the usual buzz, with most students still sleeping, or at least refusing to leave their warm, comfortable beds.

Only a few clinks of cutlery could be heard above the whirr of the coffee machines and the occasional groan from a hungover outcast regretting their Saturday night choices.

Enid sat next to Wednesday, her hair still a little damp and curling at the ends from her shower. She was humming happily, working her way through a plate stacked with pancakes, while Wednesday calmly took small bites of her burnt toast, eyes fixed on a small book.

Across from them, Eugene was poking at his food with the anxious focus of someone deep in thought.

“She complimented my jacket” he mumbled “and laughed at my bee-jokes”

Wednesday didn’t look up.

“It is a nice jacket” she said after another bite “but it hardly qualifies as a declaration of affection, Eugene”

“It was the tone” he insisted.

“She also called it ‘surprisingly decent for a bee boy’, but laughed when you got smashed by Ajax and Kent” Enid added gently, stifling a smile “those are too many mixed signals right there”

Eugene groaned and dropped his head onto the table.

“I’m telling you” he said, voice muffled by the wood “she likes me”

Divina, seated a little off to the side, didn’t even glance up from her phone. 

“She might. You know, those bee-jokes are not that funny” with a sigh she finally looked at him “to be honest, you’ve got more chances than anyone else here. No offense, but since you’re basically Wednesday’s little brother, she might settle for you since she can’t have her”

Enid nearly choked on her pancake. She swallowed hastily and glanced at Wednesday, who, to her credit, didn’t even flinch.

“Divina!” she hissed, cheeks blooming pink “you can’t just say things like that!”

“I just did” Divina shrugged, eyes back on her phone.

Wednesday turned a page in her book, unbothered. 

“I don’t see how my unavailability improves Eugene’s odds” she said, taking a sip of her coffee.

“Eugene…” Enid tried to find the words.

“So… she liked Wednesday, but because Wednesday is with Enid, Isabella would settle with me because I’m an Addams by association?” Eugene asked quietly, lifting his head from the table.

Divina twisted in her seat, suddenly more aware of her words.

“Look…” she started gently.

“That’s awesome!” Eugene yelped with enthusiasm “Wednesday is the coolest person I know. If Isabella thinks I’m anywhere near her level of awesomeness, that’s a big win for me!”

“Don’t be moronic, Eugene” Wednesday told him, finally lifting her gaze from her book “you are your own person, and anyone would be lucky to be with the real you, not a copy or who they think you might be”

“You think so?” Eugene replied, hope sparking in his eyes.

“I know so” Wednesday added, with not a shred of doubt in her voice, before returning to her reading.

“You are a cutie” Enid whispered, pressing a kiss to Wednesday’s cheek.

“That’s a horrible thing to say, Sinclair” Wednesday replied dryly.

“Hive five!” Eugene lifted his palm.

Wednesday continued reading but also raised her hand to smack against Eugene’s. Hive code, after all.

“Okay, okay. If we’re matchmaking Eugene, what’s the plan? I vote for a classic ‘secret admirer’ note on her locker and an invitation to the Valentine’s dance” Enid said, pancakes suddenly forgotten, clearly excited at the prospect of her own scheming.

“Absolutely not” Wednesday deadpanned.

“Right. You hate romance” Divina said, elbowing her gently.

“I dislike sloppy romance. There’s a difference” Wednesday gave her a sidelong glance.

“I’ll have you know that Wednesday is the most romantic person in the world” Enid added, gazing lovingly at her girlfriend.

“She is a professional” Eugene agreed.

“You are all delusional” Divina snorted “there is no one more romantic than Yoko”

“Ro-roman… rom–romance…” 

A stammering, groaning voice echoed from the bench beside Divina.

“So the leech is alive” Wednesday said flatly.

Next to Divina, Yoko was slumped over with her sunglasses on, hoodie pulled up, and a half-drunk pouch of blood dangling from one hand. She hadn’t moved in the twenty minutes the group had been there.

“How sure are you that she is alive?” Enid asked, shoving a mouthful of pancakes into her mouth.

“Maybe a 95% coma?” Divina replied without pause, gently patting her girlfriend’s head before returning to scroll through her phone.

“If we’re lucky, it’ll be permanent” Wednesday retorted.

“Rude…” Yoko croaked weakly, still not moving.

“Okay, but seriously. What do I do if I do like Isabella?” Eugene looked back at Enid and Wednesday “if I write down a note…would anyone be willing to check it for cringe?”

“No” Wednesday said.

“Yes” Enid said at the same time.

“You’re all loud” Yoko mumbled, then slowly lifted her upper body previously slumped over the table, only to flop back down onto Divina’s shoulder with a dramatic sigh.

“What would you write on a note?” Divina asked, not reacting to her girlfriend’s groans.

“What about keeping it simple and asking her on a date, instead of to the upcoming dance?” Enid tilted her head thoughtfully.

“Maybe” Eugene muttered, sheepish “or… something better. Like… like a scavenger hunt. If she liked Wednesday, she must be into that kind of thing, right?”

“Bold…” Divina blinked.

“If you’re going to do it, do it well. Isabella is many things, but forgiving of poor execution is not one of them” Wednesday said firmly “let’s discuss it tomorrow while attending to the bees after class”

“Why am I always being ignored?” Yoko groaned again.

“Shhh. Let the syrup heal you…” Enid reached over and gently placed a piece of pancake in the vampire’s mouth.

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“I can’t believe we have classes again tomorrow” Enid whined from Wednesday’s bed (her own had gone unused all week) “I haven’t even recovered from last week”

Sunday night had settled over Nevermore like most winter nights. Quiet, early, and cold after a very short day.

In their shared dorm, the lights were dimmed to a soft glow. Enid sat cross-legged against the headboard, already in her pajamas, munching cookies from a box while updating her blog with the laptop balanced on her legs.

Wednesday sat at her desk, now home to the terrarium she’d moved from Enid’s side, after Enid insisted Ms. Weems must’ve felt lonely with the other half of the room so empty.

She cut small apple squares and placed them into a turned-over coffee cup, serving as a plate.

“Dinner time” she said solemnly to the ever-attentive lizard inside.

The small blue-tailed lizard flicked out its tongue in what Wednesday interpreted as a ‘thank you’, accepting the offering without reluctance. After a few seconds, all the fruit had disappeared, and lizard-Weems climbed back onto what seemed to be her favorite rock to curl up, now observing the blonde girl on the bed.

“I wonder how much she can actually understand” Enid said, putting her laptop aside. She scooted closer to the desk and flopped down, resting her face in her hands “do you think she’s bored?”

“Just four more nights,” Wednesday sighed, trying to suppress her frustration. “The full moon is almost here, and my parents will arrive on Tuesday”

She stood up and walked to pull her own pajamas from her closet and stopped at the bathroom’s door.

“Maybe you should read her your blog to keep her entertained” she suggested, looking at her with fondness, before turning and walking inside.

“OMG, Willa! That’s an excellent idea!” Enid perked up, grabbing her laptop again to share the post she was editing.

Kicking her feet lightly, she laid back on her stomach, laptop open in front of her. 

Her attention drifted from the terrarium beside the bed and the screen in front of her toward the cracked-open bathroom door, where the faint sound of running water trickled out.

“R-right…” she gulped, trying to refocus, definitely not thinking about her very likely, most definitely undressed girlfriend on the other side of the very unclosed door “I still can’t believe how much happened this week. You would not believe it, Principal Weems”

The lizard inside the glass cage did not react, but at least she looked like she was paying attention.

“It started with us practically camping outside Professor Corven’s office all weekend” she continued “like we were waiting for Blackpink concert tickets!”

From inside the bathroom, water sloshed. 

Wednesday reminded herself to add the annoying band to her very tidy mental list of things that made her lover happy.

“Then… Oh my god … Wednesday chasing Yoko through the school…” Enid giggled “how the heck did you manage to match her speed! She is a freaking vampire!”

“That disrespectful parasite…” Wednesday mumbled, before raising her voice above the falling water “I’m an Addams”

“You cannot use that as an explanation for everything!” Enid laughed, turning to look directly at lizard-Weems added “and all because Yoko called Wednesday cute”

“I have disposed of other pests for way less” Wednesday deadpanned from behind the door.

“But you are the cutest, το φεγγάρι μου !” Enid teased.

There was silence for a beat, the spray of the water filling it, until Enid continued, deciding there would be no response to that at the time.

“Then Tuesday was kinda wild. We had that super intense debate in Outcast History class, and everyone was on edge afterward” she munched on a cookie “and out of all the things that could’ve happened, standing up to that jerk Thomas was the reason you got dragged to Principal Hollis’ office”

“I’m surprised that’s the pack you wanted to join so badly before” Wednesday said quietly after shutting the water off “your wolf is far superior to that whiny bully.”

“How can you keep claiming you're not cute when you say stuff like that, Willa! You even put apple bits on a coffee cup lid for Ms. Weems. That’s A-level adorable, babe” Enid teased “oh! Then fencing!” she clapped excitedly, making lizard-Weems jump in her terrarium “The hardest training session since now I’m official part of the team after crushing Wednesday one-on-one last week!”

“Right. Crushed…” Wednesday confirmed from within the steam, choosing to ignore the rest.

“Whatever… I won ” Enid insisted, then turned back to the terrarium “and we finally discovered the spell your mom used to protect Ms. Weems all those years ago. Oh, and that Kent and Ajax are definitely using the Nightshades’ library as a hidden spot to get high”

Wednesday didn’t respond, but Enid could hear soft footsteps moving inside the bathroom. She had to shake inappropriate thoughts from her mind.

“I almost forgot to add this part” Enid said, grabbing her laptop again to type “Wednesday morning cuddles before class, while it's raining, with Wednesday? Ten out of ten, would recommend”

“I’m not sure if I should feel offended by how casually you’re offering me up to others” Wednesday retorted, the sound of fabric suggesting she was getting dressed.

The typing stopped abruptly.

“Of course not! You are mine! ” Enid growled “your parents totally implied we’re practically married. Gomez even called me ‘ me ha ’? Whatever that is”

“ Mija ” Wednesday corrected “and I’m glad you reconsidered. I am yours as you are mine, and you would never be able to walk away from me”

“As if! ” Enid scoffed, now rolling onto her back and speaking to the ceiling “you think that sounds like a threat? I’m a werewolf, remember! I’d break your legs and hunt you down if you ever tried to be apart”

The door creaked fully open. Enid turned her head to look.

Wednesday stood beside the bed in her pajamas, hair loose and damp down her back, towel in one hand. With one smooth flick of her wrist, she draped it carefully over the terrarium.

“Apologies, Principal Weems” she said dryly “no matter how much my parents might have numbed you with their inability to keep their hands to themselves in public back when you were classmates, you’ve suffered enough indignity already”

Then she turned to Enid, hunger in her eyes.

“Teaser…” she murmured, and leaned down to kiss the blonde girl deeply, stopping her storytelling session for the rest of the night.

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The shrill crow of a distant raven announcing the upcoming sunrise broke the silence at Ophelia Hall.

Monday’s sun crept through the giant window of their room, casting soft light over a tangle of limbs half-hidden beneath the bedcovers. The cold morning air seeped in just as Enid twisted in her sleep, curling tighter into the crook of Wednesday’s shoulder and managing to drag the quilt with her, uncovering half of her own body.

Wednesday’s eyes opened, but she didn’t move. She merely glanced sideways at the warm body tangled with hers.

“Enid…” she said, watching her girlfriend shudder from the cold a second time.

Enid stirred, blinking groggily at her. Her short blonde-silver hair stuck out in every direction.

Wednesday’s gaze softened instantly.

Enid rolled over, reclaiming her share of the blanket and pulling Wednesday’s arm around her, deciding she liked being the little spoon.

The light was too much. She flopped her free arm over her face and groaned.

“Time?” she mumbled.

“6:43” Wednesday replied without hesitation.

“Ugh. No” Enid blindly reached under her pillow for her phone, squinting at the screen “how do you do that without looking? It is 6:43”

“I’m an…”

“Don’t say that it’s because you are an Addams” Enid interrupted, burying her head in the pillow again “it’s criminal that we have to wake up this early on a Monday after sleeping so little”

“Your suggestion will be notated” Wednesday said, hugging her a little tighter before slipping out from under the covers. She began undressing to change into her uniform “I will refrain from keeping you awake like last night”

Enid’s eyes flew open wide.

“Nooooo! That’s our… couples’ time” she protested, sitting up and pouting.

There was the barest twitch of a smile on Wednesday’s lips as she let the silk top of her pajamas slide off her shoulders.

Enid’s mouth went dry, but she wasted no time scooting off the bed to stand behind her girlfriend.

“Are you trying to seduce me, luna mia ” she asked, wrapping her arms gently around Wednesday’s waist and depositing a trail of kisses on her neck and shoulders with only the spot covered by the strap of her bra left unkissed. She finally rested her chin on her shoulder “because I’m all for it”

“We are already behind” Wednesday said, turning face to face, still within Enid’s embrace.

“Five minutes?” Enid asked, nibbling gently at her girlfriend’s lips.

Wednesday tilted her head.

“You have 290 seconds left” she dared.

Enid took immediate action and pushed the raven girl against the closet doors, going crazy at the sensation of velvet skin under her hands as they roamed freely over the body in her arms.

A series of notifications beeped from the bed from Enid’s phone, interrupting the five minutes (twelve minutes by then).

“We need to get ready, Sinclair” Wednesday breathed through her nose before recapturing Enid’s lips with passion.

They managed to separate long enough to get dressed after another ten minutes, where they almost made it back to bed.

As Wednesday finished adjusting the tie of her uniform, she caught sight of Enid tapping rapidly on her phone.

“What gossip could possibly have happened so early in the morning?” Wednesday asked, narrowing her eyes.

Enid typed a couple more messages before lifting her phone to snap a picture of her girlfriend and typing a bit more.

“It’s the Addams group chat” she grinned.

Wednesday’s right eye twitched.

“Your mom says good morning, btw” Enid added, setting the phone aside to tie the laces of her newly gifted Guess combat boots “Pugsley is super sad he’s not coming tomorrow to see you”

“His weakness is a shame to the Addams name” she said with no real bite. Pulling her own phone from the pocket of her jacket, she added “I will burn that chat to the ground. I curse the day Xavier gifted me this unnecessary piece of technology and Pugsley annoyed my parents until they all got one for themselves”

“You can act all tough if you want” Enid said, tackling her back onto the bed “but thanks to that ‘unnecessary piece of technology’, we got to talk every day during the break. I would’ve gone crazy without seeing your face daily!”

Wednesday’s arms automatically came up to accept the embrace.

“At least stop sending pictures of me to the group” she warned “my family already knows too much about my life without needing constant updates”

“Too late” Enid grinned wickedly “it’s a crime not to share your beautiful person. Your mom already replied with twelve heart emojis, and Gomez sent one skull and a diamond ring. I think he just proposed on your behalf”

“He would not dare to take that away from me” Wednesday blanched.

“Or maybe I’ll take it from you and propose first” Enid teased, stuffing her phone into her pocket and bouncing to her feet. She tugged Wednesday up into a sitting position, then leaned in to steal a quick kiss “pancakes?”

“Ask me for a castle, and I’ll have it built by yesterday” Wednesday replied, bringing Enid’s knuckles to her lips.

Enid beamed, cheeks flushed.

“You are truly my cutie patootie” she said, leaning in for one more kiss.

“Stop ruining it” Wednesday scowled.

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“Nu-uh, babe” Enid said, bumping their shoulders playfully “you’ve already sulked all morning. Time to get out of your head. I’m starving!”

After a very contemplative morning of classes for Wednesday and blurred for Enid, who had dedicated every available minute to watching her girlfriend, the bell finally rang for lunch.

“I do not sulk, Enid” Wednesday replied, unamused “I was merely preparing myself for…”

As they crossed the quad with their food trays, they were met with a flurry of teachers and student committee members rushing around, hanging banners from stone walls and pillars in a frenzy.

“…that” Wednesday finished, her voice dripping with disdain “I can barely tolerate the empty-headed students already enrolled here. The thought of enduring even more imbeciles exhausts me”

With a sigh, she turned to continue their walk toward the bee shack.

“Aww, my poor baby” Enid teased, grinning “I know you’re worried, overanalyzing why Principal Hollis is doing this whole thing. But hey, look at it this way. You’ll have an even bigger sample to crush under your… our superior skills”

Wednesday opened her mouth to retort, but faltered barely, at Enid’s final words. She gave her a side glance, catching the mischievous grin on her girlfriend’s face.

“Your hunger and competitiveness amaze me, mi sol ” she said with a proud look “very well. Now let us just hope my parents won’t be a nuisance when they arrive tomorrow, and everything else should go fine”

As they neared the bee shack, a faint scent of smoke drifted past them.

Inside, they found Eugene sitting cross-legged in front of one of the hives, fiddling with an electric heater that stubbornly refused to stay on.

“Hi, Eugene” Enid chirped with a bright smile, placing one of the trays she carried on the table next to him “we brought you lunch”

“Thanks, Enid!” Eugene jumped, clearly startled since he hadn’t noticed their arrival “I just have to fix this and…”

Wednesday, silent as ever, set her own tray down and walked over to him. She stopped in front of Eugene with an outstretched hand, expectant.

Enid closed the door behind them, dragged a chair over, and sat down to start eating happily. 

“Oh… um…” Eugene stammered, glancing between them.

“Just give it to her and have your lunch” Enid said through a mouthful of food “you tots have to tell us what you’ve come up with for asking Isabella out”

Wednesday’s eye twitched, the faintest crack in her mask of composure. She waited, still silent, until Eugene handed over the heater. She took it without a word and moved off to the side, tuning out the impending gossip as best she could.

While Enid and Eugene chatted, she knelt beside the hive, hands moving deftly over the device. In minutes, and with a few subtle tweaks, it hummed to life working like new.

“You’re a great catch, Eugene” Enid said warmly, setting her now-empty tray aside and patting her lap invitingly “let’s focus on what you like about her. Then we can figure out the best way to confess”

Eugene furrowed his brows, deep in thought.

Meanwhile, Wednesday pressed her fingers to the bridge of her nose with a sigh, but she didn’t argue.

Silently, she crossed the room and lowered herself into Enid’s lap. Enid’s arms immediately curled around her greedily, pulling her close as she rested her chin on Wednesday’s shoulder.

Wednesday sighed again and finally let herself relax, leaning back into her girlfriend’s embrace.

Eugene picked at his tray, clearly stalling. Enid tilted her head at him expectantly.

“She’s… really pretty?…” he finally muttered “her smile…”

Wednesday’s head snapped toward him.

“Is that truly the foundation of your affections?” her voice wasn’t sharp, but cold “if you intend to pursue Isabella as if she were a prize or an ornament to parade around school, then allow me to spare both of you the humiliation”

Eugene blinked.

“I didn’t mean it like…”

“You will listen, Ottinger ” Wednesday said, leaning forward.

The sudden use of his last name earned a startled yelp from the bee boy.

“As annoying as she might be, I respect Isabella. And I respect you. But the hive code will only protect you so far. So let me make this clear”

Enid didn’t move, just hummed gently and tightened her arms around Wednesday, grounding her.

“In no way I will betray her trust and get into details of her life” Wednesday continued, each word carefully chosen and sharp with emphasis “but she is not a toy, or a trophy. She still has a lot to learn and might be hiding behind walls of sarcasm for her own protection, but she is brilliant and a powerful force of nature to be feared”

She leaned in slightly, voice dropping.

“If your intentions are anything less than honest…” her eyes darkened “if you dare play with her feelings, or treat her as anything less than the magnificent predator she is, deserving only to be respected and worshiped, you won’t have to fear Principal Hollis coming after you for hurting her daughter. I will personally end you”

Eugene swallowed.

“Not out of cruelty” Wednesday added, her voice softening with something almost like regret, pained at the thought “I’ll gladly take that burden, as a favor. To her. To you. And to whatever you could have been… had you not ruined it with hormonal foolishness”

Behind the bee shack’s wall, half-hidden behind a tree, Isabella gasped silently.

For all the wrong ideas about if vampires had beating hearts or not, hers had never pounded faster. It had started racing the second she heard Wednesday’s voice, like a bell toll, announcing Wednesday’s presence before Isabella even consciously registered it.

She’d followed them out of sheer habit, looking for mischief and hoping to annoy Wednesday just enough to bask in her attention.

What she found instead was pain. 

Old, twisted longing, curling and clawing its way up her chest.

It just wasn’t fair.

She wasn’t bad. She just liked pushing people’s buttons to see what made them tick.

Why was her karma, finding and falling for someone destined to be with someone else?

Back inside the shack, Enid finally spoke, breaking the long, stretched silence.

“I’m rooting for you, Eugene” she said with a kind smile “but you heard my moon here, and I agree with her. Except the threats of course”

Of course. 

Little miss sunshine had to be a good person too. 

Isabella rolled her eyes. It would be so much easier to justify her guilty wish for them to break up if it wasn’t for that little fact.

“That really came out wrong…” Eugene said quietly “I just… froze. I mean, I wasn’t trying to be fake or anything. Yes, she’s pretty. Terrifyingly so, but that’s not why I…”

He ran a hand through his curls.

Isabella pursed her lips. No longer in the mood for chaos, she turned to leave, only to be caught up by a steadier voice.

“She owns every place she walks into, you know?” Eugene continued, pushing his glasses up “have you noticed that? And not even in a ‘look at me, everyone’ way, but in a real way. She already knows exactly who she is and isn’t afraid to be herself, no matter who’s watching”

He blushed lightly.

“And yeah, I like her smile” he added “but not in a shallow way. Her smile is terrifying. Like a storm. I get paralyzed by it, and I don’t know if it’s safe… but it doesn’t make me want to run away”

Behind the wall, Isabella’s mouth parted slightly.

“She doesn’t pretend to be nice” Eugene added, softer now “but it’s the nicest feeling to be next to her. She’s intense, and I get that she’s complicated. And I know I probably don’t stand a chance, and I’m being delusional. But I really don’t care”

He sighed, defeated.

“I care about what she wants, of course. But I don’t care if she ultimately doesn’t like me like that. I just… want to know her. The real her. That’s all”

There was a pause, then Enid smiled into Wednesday’s shoulder.

“And that is why everyone thinks you adopted Eugene into your family, babe” she said.

Wednesday gave a subtle nod of approval.

Outside, no footsteps were left behind as a confused vampire sped away in a blink.

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“Why are you complaining about?” Ajax retorted, struggling with his juice straw as he glared across the room “at least werewolves looks badass. We look like a shampoo commercial or something”

With preparations for the interschool event still in full swing after classes, Principal Hollis had assigned groups of students to hang massive posters throughout the school, currently in the dining hall.

Ajax found himself locked in a silent staring contest with a life-sized print of a gorgon, its serpents hissing and coiling with fierce intent to the red eyes of the fierce serpents stares on the wall.

Along the walls, the other outcast groups were depicted in equally dramatic and glamorous poses.

A werewolf figure of golden hair (sparking quiet speculation that it was based on Enid) was shown mid-leap, growling at the air, with a blood-red moon blazing in the background.

Falling in an unapologetic cliché but still terrifying nonetheless, vampires cloaked in velvet capes, eyes glowing and pointy fangs bared.

The physics group was portrayed with shinny-glossy white eyes and unsettlingly calculating stares.

Shapeshifters, yetis, sirens, and even dragons were present too, the latter drawing hushed whispers, since most students hadn’t met a real dragon in decades.

“Bro, you could start a business when the normies show up” Kent joked, barely containing a grin “‘ buy my conditioner or get turned to stone ’”

The table burst into laughter, while Ajax whined wounded.

“I wasn’t complaining” Enid said, chewing thoughtfully “but they could’ve gone with the classic howling at the moon pose to make us look more… approachable. These make it seem like we’re dangerous monsters”

“ Ding ding ding ” Isabella chimed in, sauntering up to the table with her usual smirk “ten points for the blonde who finally activated her one brain cell. I don’t think my mom wants normies to see us as friendly. More like… terrifying…”

“Oh…” Enid muttered, turning back to her plate and nudging her tray closer to Wednesday.

“Just let it go, Ajax” Eugene said, waving a hand in front of the gorgon’s face “we’ve all heard the story about you stoning yourself in the bathroom mirror. You really want to get stoned by a poster now?”

There was a beat.

Then Isabella snorted, unashamed, before bursting into a full belly laugh.

“Bro…” Ajax pouted “what about hive code or whatever?”

“You would need to be a hummer to start with” Wednesday replied with a blank stare “and all the spots are taken”

“I thought it was just you and Eugene in that club?” Kent asked, also laughing at his friend’s expense.

“Correct. That’s full capacity” Wednesday answered without missing a beat.

“Legend” Eugene said, lifting his cup in salute to Wednesday and sneaking a glance at the still-laughing Isabella.

Before Ajax could fire back, a loud thump shook the table as Yoko dropped two heavy boxes onto an empty spot with a dramatic sigh.

“Addams” she started, pointing an accusing finger “I know you’re deep in your sugar mama for Enid era, but seriously, can you stop with the Amazon orders? Or at least wait for your own damn packages at the gate. It’s freezing, and we are not your fetch boys!”

Divina followed, lugging in another pair of boxes.

“Here is the rest, Wednesday” she said with a grin.

“Thank you Divina. Your help is highly appreciated and will be rewarded accordingly” Wednesday replied with a nod.

“That’s what friends are for” Divina said, smiling as she took the last open seat, leaving Yoko standing next to the table.

“Oh, hell no, Addams” Yoko frowned “I can understand Enid ignoring me when you’re around because… well, whipped , but what are you trying to do with my girlfriend?”

“I volunteered, love” Divina said, sliding her hand down Yoko’s arm in a soothing gesture “and you volunteered with me”

“I was threatened” Yoko scoffed.

“I only said please ” Divina quipped, racing soft circles along her girlfriend’s arm.

“You smiled . That’s coercion” Yoko retorted, though with noticeably less bite.

Wednesday raised an eyebrow.

“Enid, as you explained to me before… ‘ whipped ’ is not what Divina is currently doing to the leech?” she asked with dry curiosity.

The entire table erupted in laughter. Divina giggled behind her hand.

“Oh, I’m so glad I didn’t skip diner today” Isabella said, absolutely thriving in the chaos.

Yoko rolled her eyes, but Divina tugged her down to sit on her lap and kissed her cheek.

“Fine… whatevs ” Yoko muttered, feigning annoyance but leaning into her girlfriend for more kisses “just don’t make me haul any more packages. I’m a vampire, not a delivery mule”

“Wait!” Ajax yelped, suddenly jumping up.

All eyes turned toward him at the outburst.

“I got it!” he said, beaming “you’re not a delivery mule… but you can make overnight deliveries! You know, because you fly?”

“Dude…” Kent pulled him back down by the shoulder “self-preservation bro…”

“And dignity…” Wednesday added flatly.

“I guess someone’s about to try Tanaka Airlines with an express flight to the lake” Eugene chimed in.

That earned another round of laughter.

“Little dude!” Ajax pleaded to Eugene “what did I ever do to you?”

“I just lov-like… when Isa… p-people laugh” Eugene stammered, his gaze flicking nervously toward Isabella.

The vampire froze mid-laugh like she’d been struck by lightning.

A flush crept up her cheeks and the tips of her ears.

“ Scheiße …” she muttered under her breath, barely audible, before vanishing from the spot, storming off before anyone could say a word.

A silence lingered.

“Did I… did I say something wrong?” Eugene asked, blinking with concern.

“No” Enid said quickly.

“Yes” Wednesday said at the same time, calmly “and we are all very proud of you”

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After tossing her scarf onto the floor next to the empty, colorful bed and giving some pets to the lizard inside the terrarium, Enid flopped down on top of Wednesday’s bed.

Wednesday, already unbuttoning her uniform jacket, paused.

“Maybe we can just switch to a bigger bed and get rid of yours, since you’re already nesting on mine every night” she said, thoughtful.

“Yay! Let’s do a make-over to the room!” Enid sat up excitedly.

“Whatever you want, mi sol ” Wednesday added, checking lizard-Weems to make sure there was no indication of issues “it’s late now, but tomorrow during lunch we can place an overnight order for the new furniture and whatever you’d like to add to the room”

“My moon, that’s not what I meant!” Enid said, blushing “we can just put both our beds together and use what we already have. You don’t have to keep spending your money every time I want something”

“Nonsense, mon loup. You are my mate, and nothing will ever be enough if it's about pleasing you” Wednesday said with conviction.

She then crossed the room to unpack one of the recently delivered boxes with clothes she had bought for her girlfriend and began tossing them into the laundry basket.

“Furthermore, money is mundane. And we Addams believe it’s only truly valuable when it’s used to expose the rot beneath polite society” she added.

“If you’re sure…” Enid said, but her eyes were bright with excitement at the sight of the new outfits Wednesday had picked for her (and that needed to be washed first, even though they were brand new, because “ They are filthy, Enid. You don’t know what hands touched them before ”).

“We’ve always supported capitalism” Wednesday continued, tilting her head, pleased “few things are more deliciously corrupt than watching people sell their souls for paper. It turns values into commodities. Loyalty into assets. Love into transaction”

She paused, reflective.

“We merely skip the middleman and go straight to the indulgence” then she walked off to wash her hands in the bathroom “you’ll learn it soon enough once you are officially an Addams”

Exiting the bathroom, she noticed how her girlfriend’s eyes were shadowed by a faint cloud of sadness. Wednesday raised a brow in silent question.

Enid just shook her head and smiled.

“Btw! I didn’t know vampires could blush!” she said, with exaggerated sheer.

Wednesday paused for a second, contemplative.

“Most don’t. Or rather, most have enough experience to avoid it” she said finally, deciding to let her girlfriend come clean in her own time.

“So what happened to Isabella? She turned into a tomato. I’ve never seen Yoko blush” Enid said, flopping onto her side with her head resting on her hand, eyes twinkling.

“Isabella has only been a vampire for two decades” Wednesday replied, hanging her jacket with meticulous care inside her wardrobe “a relatively short time, biologically speaking. While that parasite friend of yours is at least two hundred years old, I’m sure. The older the vampire, the greater their control over their bodily responses”

“Wait… so they can blush?” Enid yelped, surprised.

“Blushing requires circulation” Wednesday explained, now unpinning her braids “the folklore surrounding vampires tends to confuse the undead, which are corpses animated through magic or undeath, and true vampires, whose physiology is preserved and animated by a sustained consumption of blood. Their hearts beat. Slowly, but efficiently. Hence, the twisted myth of the stake to the heart being the ultimate way to get rid of them”

“I’m soooo creeped out right now” Enid blinked and shivered.

“You will also get used to that, as an Addams” Wednesday added dryly, but said no more when she saw her girlfriend’s expression fall again.

They moved in silence through their nighttime routine with easy rhythm. 

Once they had brushed their teeth and changed into pajamas, they slipped under the covers. Like magnets, Enid laid her head on Wednesday’s chest, and arms tightened around her within seconds.

“Want to tell me what’s bothering you, mi sol ?” Wednesday whispered after a pause.

“Your parents are arriving tomorrow…” Enid murmured.

“Yes” Wednesday nodded, unsure where this was going “they should be here in the late afternoon. They’re leaving home after noon, but with Lurch driving, they’ll probably arrive way earlier”

Enid chuckled softly, then went quiet.

“I think it’s really nice… how much they support you” she said at last, shuffling closer “you barely had to say you needed help, and they were already preparing to come to your aid”

There was a beat of silence.

“They are deeply embarrassing” Wednesday said, matter-of-fact “but I’m aware not all families are this reliable”

“Not all of them, no…” Enid said with a sniff, hugging her tighter.

Realization dawned on Wednesday.

“They’re your family too now, you know?” she said gently, brushing hair away from her girlfriend’s face “in every way but name. And that will be remedied soon enough”

“Do you think… well…” Enid hesitated “do you think they’ll be disappointed? At me being so different? Don’t you think they’d prefer someone more… spooky ?”

“We actually prefer kooky ” Wednesday said, attempting to lighten the mood, though her heart clenched at Enid’s self-doubt “it’s only out of my adoration for you that I haven’t gotten rid of that trash heap you call a family. They are the real disappointment, cara mia ”

“Sometimes I wonder what it’d be like… to have that. To not be a disappointment” Enid stared into the distance, her head now tucked beneath Wednesday’s chin.

“Enid Sinclair you better listen to me carefully” Wednesday said immediately, her voice soft but resolute “you are not a disappointment and could never be. You are an extraordinary beast and a magnificent killer machine. But that doesn’t define you. More than that, you’re a gentle, kind, and remarkable person. Even if you had never wolfed out, you’d still be leagues above every other werewolf for miles, and your parents’ failure to see that isn’t a reflection of your worth. It’s a failure of their perception and a glaring display of their own insecurities and flaws”

Enid blinked back the sudden sting in her eyes.

“I know you know it already, deep down” Wednesday murmured, pressing a soft kiss to Enid’s forehead “that you belong… not only with me, but with my family. They already adore you. Believe me, mon loup, you will fit in perfectly. And I better not see you try to act like anything but yourself. There isn’t a single member of my family who would want you to be anything other than exactly who you are”

“You are so certain, right?” Enid asked hesitantly “what if they tell you to break up with me?”

“They would never” Wednesday said, her voice gentle “but even if they did, I’d pick you anyway. Above everything else, I’d always pick you, il sole della mia vita ”

Enid grinned, pressing a playful kiss to her girlfriend’s jaw and then nibbling lightly at her neck.

“I can’t believe my wolf is working as translator just to get into your pants” she laughed softly.

Wednesday smirked, mischievous.

“You are always so subtle to change the topic, my sun” she said, and with unexpected strength, pulled her girlfriend on top of her “I do not want to hear you complain tomorrow about how little sleep you got from indulging in your so-called ‘couple’s time’”

Enid beamed, bracing herself with both arms on either side of Wednesday’s head.

“I will complain” she said, eyes flashing from blue to gold, her wolf hungry. “but since you’re offering…”

She leaned down and captured her girlfriend’s lips.