Chapter Text
The courtyard was full, it was lunchtime and everyone was sitting on the circular tables with something to eat in front of them.
Wednesday stared at the book while holding a bitten apple, oblivious to the conversations between Enid and Xavier while they ate. Yoko had had to go home that week due to unexplained family complications, something about the lack of quality blood supply. Since then, Enid had been taking all her free time and immeasurable desire to talk to her roommate. So, as long as Eugene and Xavier could distract her, the brunette would be extremely grateful and would enjoy every second.
Lunch was almost over. The noises around them had gotten louder in the last few minutes because no one else had their mouths full. This was distracting Wednesday and making her stressed, but she would stay there until the end of the class, since she had promised Enid that she would accompany her to the classes they had together that day.
Her peripheral vision caught Bianca running towards their table, she looked up when the girl placed both hands on the tabletop at once, causing a small thud.
-Guys, have you heard the gossip?- She sat down with her eyes shining.
-Gossip? Enid promptly answered, excited about one of her favorite subjects.
-It's about Marisa Furian, from the first period, you know? That blonde vampire girl.
-The one who plays piano in music class?- Eugene asked, seeing Bianca nod- She's beautiful, but I was once told she was worth a lot.
-I've heard something like that too, she slept with two or three guys a night, never gave them an explanation afterwards.- Xavier commented
-Very decent of us to measure a woman's value by how many guys she kisses- Wednesday said with her usual monotonous and hoarse voice, trying to continue pretending she was present at the reading in front of her.
-Let her finish! I need to know so I can update the blog- Enid scolded everyone, who immediately fell silent- Bi continues
-It seems like she disappeared out of nowhere, was sent home, and they found out that her parents preferred to take her because she is pregnant, with twins and a boy from here who is not even a vampire!
Enid let out a gasp of surprise next to Wednesday, dramatizing the information more than necessary, and she was about to roll her eyes at that whole nonsensical scene, none of them there had anything to do with the possibility of that student being pregnant or not, none of them could be the father after all, and how could Bianca know they were twins? When she heard a breathless sigh of pain coming from the blonde.
Her head turned quickly towards her friend who had one hand over her mouth, her heart tightened in her chest and she quickly looked at her face and arm and saw no sign of anything wrong, but Enid was breathing slightly out of breath and that didn't seem like a good sign.
-Enid, what happened?- She asked trying to get closer, without really intending to touch the blonde, but wanting to somehow make sure she was okay. Her book was dropped on the table, without any markings, Enid didn't say anything- Enid, answer me! What happened?- She repeated, more urgently
-I think...- She stopped and took her hand away from her mouth very slowly, looking at her slightly bloody palm, the brunette's brain turned to mush looking at the blood and her friend's mouth, at one and then the other, trying to find the wound. A shiver of pain passed through the blonde and she trembled, hissing, "I think I broke my tooth." A grimace of pain followed the statement.
"Which tooth?" Eugene asked, pulling Wednesday out of her worried trance, making her glare at him.
"Does it matter?" She growled, leaving the boy confused with anger.
"It does! The werewolf's canine tooth is their most important tooth, and also the most difficult and painful to fix. She'll need a specialist," He explained, adjusting his glasses under his nose.
Everyone looked at the blonde again. She put her index finger in her mouth, searching correctly for which tooth it was. It didn't take long for her to find it and quickly remove her finger with another groan of pain.
"It was the left canine tooth," She said tearfully, her tears were accumulating in the corners of her eyes.
"How did you manage to break your tooth while having lunch?" -Bianca, who had been silent until then, spoke up a little nervously at seeing the “mongrel” cry.
-I think there was a bone I didn’t see- She explained, grabbing her glass and spitting out some blood. There were pieces of something there too, causing her friends to look disgusted and Wednesday’s heart to tighten again. I got distracted listening to the story.
She grimaced again in pain, bending over a little, taking a few heavy breaths of air that indicated she was feeling intense pain.
-Let’s go see Weens, you need help-The words came out softly before the brunette could think about them, her brain was numb to the idea of Enid being in a lot of pain. She stood up and waited for Enid to do the same, following her closely along the way, ensuring that, even if she touched her, she would be close to support the blonde if she needed it. She didn't notice the expressions of surprise and doubt she left behind on her friends. --- Weens put the landline phone down and looked at the two teenagers in front of her. Enid didn't seem to be the most attentive, since she was holding an ice pack on her left cheek and had a considerable cotton ball under her canine, in an attempt by the infirmary to stop the bleeding, but Wednesday looked at the director anxiously, demanding the woman's next steps. - I managed to ask a classmate who studied with me in my Nevermore days, a werewolf specialist, to come to Jericho to take care of Enid. The silence hung for a few seconds while the brunette grimaced visibly, waiting for the other information that didn't come.
-Your fellow dentist, I suppose- She asked, neutral as she could.
A short period of silence passed while Wednesday watched an unpleasant frown form on the director's face. That couldn't mean confirmation.
-No, not really- The woman in front of her sighed.
-No?- The girl's voice sounded incredulous.
-No, Simon is an accomplished researcher of the history, anatomy and customs of werewolves. He's the one we usually call when there's a peculiar request that only a specialist could handle.
-So is it okay if you have a heart problem and I tell you that I'm going to call one of my uncles to solve your problem since he spent seven years obsessed with and studying shapeshifters to the point of marrying one? - She said angrily, getting slightly closer to the principal, rising a little from her seat- It's not because he knows something about your species that he would be fit for a delicate surgical intervention task! He doesn't give us any kind of security- She choked, realizing what she said- To Enid- She corrected
- I understand Miss Addams, but it's the best I can do considering that Jericho is a town of normies and that we don't have medical specialties at the school. The other alternative I can offer is to call Enid's parents and ask them to pick her up to take her to the family specialist.
- No- Enid groaned in her chair, drawing the attention of both of them- Wed, it's okay, I don't want you to call my parents, I'll accept going to the city- Her voice came out muffled by the cotton, lower and more suffering.
A grimace of anger crossed the brunette's face before she forced herself back to her usual neutral expression. She refused to think it was normal for that delicate situation to be handled by just anyone, but she wouldn't argue so as not to upset Enid even more.
-You can take a school car to go to the city, Enid. He'll be waiting for you in building 245, third floor, at 3:30 p.m.- Weens finished going over all the details so that the two of them could leave his office and end the possible discussion outside. And it worked. The blonde girl started walking away towards the door. Wednesday snorted and followed her.
As soon as the door closed behind the two of them, Enid reached for her cell phone and checked the time. It was 1:48 p.m., it had been about forty minutes since she had taken a painkiller, and the pain was still intense, covering the entire left side of her face and dangerously reaching her ear. Not to mention the constant taste of blood and the totally uncomfortable sensation of having a cotton ball in her mouth.
-I'd rather risk losing my canine than call my parents, my mother will be furious with me, the canine is an essential part of a werewolf's adult life, the bite is our identity- She sighed, catching the breath she was sharing with the pain- What will I have to hear of complaints, lessons and arguments...- Her eyes filled with tears again, dangerously fast, she breathed holding back a sob as the tears threatened to run down her face.
-Okay, I understand, okay, stop talking- Wednesday asked a little harshly, nervous to witness her panting in pain and crying once again, she didn't understand how to improve the situation- Do you want me to go with you?- She asked seeing Enid open her mouth to answer, so she hurried to finish- Shake her head yes and no.
The blonde nodded positively with the corners of her lips rising slightly.
---
They had been sitting in front of the entrance to the room on the third floor for 40 minutes, the first 20 being their fault for being early, and the last 20, the researcher being late. Wednesday had already reached her daily quota of pained whimpers and heavy sighs, but it was all Enid could manage for a good few hours.
The blonde had been avoiding talking after her friend asked her to just nod her answers, but Wednesday was starting to miss the random topics and the endless chatter, no discomfort they caused could compare to what seeing Enid in pain was doing to her, the whirlwind in her heart, the heavy stomach even though she had only eaten one apple all day, the worry about how it would make Enid feel if it didn't work.
When she talked about the bite being their identity, was she talking aesthetically or territorially? Could it be about the mate mark? She had read about it once before, but in the book it only said about relationships between wolves. What if she meant that, without the canine, she would be less favored in having a relationship with another wolf? How did the mark between females work? Was there a possibility of it happening the same way between a wolf and another species?
She urgently needed to research more about these things.
Another whine tore the brunette from her thoughts, she looked at Enid and could see that the left side of her face was definitely swollen, bigger than the other side, which left her without a mark and shadow, in a way, cute, but it was almost impossible to see much, since Enid was holding the bag, previously iced but now just cold, against her face and had her eyes closed.
-Enid, isn't the painkiller helping?- She denied, still with her eyes closed, kind of slowly- Are you sleepy?- She nodded.
Great, they didn't help her with the pain but they drugged her, Wednesday rolled her eyes making a mental note to complain about NeverMore's first aid.
Enid's body relaxed and she ended up leaning forward slightly before the brunette reached out to hold her.
-Whoa, hey- Her heart skipped a beat and she called out to her friend, who opened her eyes for a split second, closing them again- Can you move back a little?- The answer took a while to come, but she received a nod and then Enid forced herself to step back and lean back further.
Realizing that the step wasn't enough support to support the blonde, Wednesday swallowed hard, if she didn't hold on, she could end up fainting and falling down those steps, the thought sent a shiver through her body.
-Enid, lean here- She whispered, close to the girl's face- Lean on my shoulder
It didn't take more than a second for Enid to give in to Wednesday's chest, ending up with the girl with her arms around her and their faces very close.
This time it was Wednesday who closed her eyes, she was concentrating on not getting overwhelmed, that was more physical contact than she had had in her entire adolescence, she could feel the blonde's breath close to her chin and her heart was racing, but she had to endure it, since it was for Enid.
A few more minutes in that position and she began to calm down, feeling that her friend had possibly fallen asleep, she could feel her senses becoming less alert for her and her heart was beginning to slow down, after all, having Enid in her arms was not the worst feeling in the world. Suddenly she heard footsteps on the stairs in front of them and opened her eyes immediately, being able to see a man finishing climbing the stairs.
-Which one of you is Enid?
---
Wednesday's leg was swinging non-stop. She was sitting outside the makeshift room, whose conditions made her apprehensive just by looking at it. An old stretcher, some questionable materials, some drills and small mirrors in his case...
She helped take the blonde inside and lay her down on the stretcher. The tall man, the specialist, told her that it was a boring but simple procedure, that she had nothing to worry about, but that it would take a while and he would need to sedate Enid, since she could become aggressive with the pain.
As he spoke, she looked at her friend once more and contemplated how vulnerable she seemed. It was not torture or at all satisfying to see the joy she always carried away from her. Wednesday silently asked her to be okay. She wouldn't know what to do if something happened to her.
When she realized it, the man was still talking as he prepared himself for the procedure.
-You can stay in the room if you prefer, I should just do a simple cleaning and rebuild the broken part of the canine, I want to look for the cause of the breakage easily, since it is expected that werewolf teeth have greater strength, I don't know what your resistance to blood is, but if you prefer to wait here, that's fine with me.
Wednesday's resistance to blood is clearly absurdly high, but not to Enid's blood, for some reason, so she quickly realized that she would wait outside.
She turned to leave but came back, getting close to the doctor and almost touching his chest with her finger.
-It's good for your health that you leave here better than when you came in, or I'll use one of those little drills you carry to rip your brain out of your skull hole by hole.- She turned, took one more look at Enid and left.
It had been almost two hours, she was impatient, she didn't have a book or her typewriter to entertain herself, her macabre brain joined her concern and it proved to be a dangerous combination, since she was imagining the worst possible scenarios for how that situation would unfold, until the office door opened and she instantly jumped out of the chair, looking at the man.
-She's awake, you can come see your girlfriend.
Wednesday didn't bother to deny the man and ran inside, her brain flooded with concern rested a little when she saw Enid awake and looking at her.
-Hiiiiii- She said happily, opening a big smile and turning her head slightly to the side.
Wednesday could briefly see the tip of the canine lighter where it had been patched.
-Hello- El answered approaching -How are you?
-Very well- Another cheerful and drawn-out answer, longer than it needed to be.
-Is she no longer in pain?- She turned to the man, addressing him.
-Not yet, she's under the influence of nitrous oxide, that's why she's happy, but the effect should wear off in a few hours, I had to use a considerable dosage, but it's very strong, she'll be fine soon- he smiled.
-Willlaaa- Enid moaned, calling her friend and attracting her attention- Let's go back to school, there are a lot of classes we haven't seen today and I really want to get out of here- She pouted, opening her arms dramatically.
Wednesday raised an eyebrow, feeling her stomach churn with his nickname coming out of her mouth in that slow and sly way.
-How long did you say this is going to last?- She looked at the man again, controlling her panic and seeing that he was already grabbing his briefcase and coat, getting ready to leave.
-Somewhere between 2 and 3 hours, it depends a lot- He approached and handed her a paper- Here are some painkillers and anti-inflammatories that will work on her species, after the effect of the gas, she will feel pain again due to the procedure, they will be less, but still, it is better to have medicines that work- He adjusted his bag and looked at the two again- It was a pleasure, say hi to Wenns for me, please- And so he left.
Wednesday took a quick look at the paper and put it in his coat pocket, turning to Enid.
-Let's go back to school- She leaned over her and supported her head to help her get up, Enid sat up, clearly feeling a little dizzy and with her head spinning, she closed her eyes taking a deep breath and opened them again, looking into Wednesday's.
-Hiiiiii- She said again, with the exact same tone and joy with which she said it the first time.
-I already said hi to you- The brunette replied, still looking at her, crouching down to her height and up close, in order to capture any trace of dizziness or discomfort, wanting to know if she could get up.
-I know I already did, but you're just so beautiful like this, right next to me.
Wednesday's eyes widened at her roommate's words, an instant chill hit her stomach and she stood still, afraid that she had misunderstood, that she had imagined that she had just said those words.
-What are you saying?- The sentence left her lips as she remained still, feeling more panic take over her and trying to keep her face impassive in the meantime.
-I think I can see details that I never could in you- She continued, ignoring the previous question and slowly moving her eyes down her friend's face- Your eyebrows are very beautiful, they look sooo perfect on your face, your freckles make everything look like a starry sky, your nose is so tiny and your mouth...- Wednesday immediately interrupted whatever was happening and pulled her face away from hers, completely nervous, breathless and disconcerted, she had never felt disconcerted before, her face was burning and her heart racing for the thirtieth time that day threatened to come out of her chest.
She stood there staring into space, waiting for her brain to put the rest of her body in order.
-I can hear it- A smiling Enid whispered, making her friend turn to her- Your heart, I can hear how fast it's racing- Her smile widened and Enid had to run her tongue over her canines, the sound of her friend's racing heart was making her salivate.
Her eyes trembled before closing for a brief moment, that messed with the brunette, Enid was messing with her, she was uninhibited and sly, making her feel every word spoken with that tone sending shocks throughout her body, but she couldn't let her self-control be defeated, she needed to take the two of them back to school and, after the gas passed, everything would go back to normal, not Enid talking, it was the gas.
She opened her eyes, scratched her throat and tried to put an end to those feelings by swallowing them dry, reaching out to Enid next.
-Come on, I'll take you by car- The blonde looked at the outstretched hand and accepted it, but her expression was sadder than before, a small pout was forming on her lips, not that Wednesday was paying much attention.
They walked down the stairs slowly and in silence, which the brunette appreciated a lot, that way she could concentrate on staying completely neutral with Enid's hands in hers. When they left the building, the car that had brought them was waiting to take them back, she opened the door, put the blonde inside and buckled her seatbelt, getting in from the other side and doing the same for herself.
About ten minutes of driving later, the brunette took a peek at Enid and saw her dozing, she sighed in relief that she wouldn't have to deal with the gas talking nonsense and taking her out of orbit, at least until she got to school.
As soon as they entered the room, Wednesday guided her to the bed, sitting her there and looking into her eyes in an attempt to understand how she was. Enid looked back, her eyes glued to the brunette's and her expression serious.
-Are you okay, are you in pain?- She needed to check before going to get the medicine the blonde would need, but she didn't want to leave her alone if something was still wrong.
-No, no pain- She said, impassive- Maybe the only thing that's hurting is my heart.
Wednesday felt a lump form in her throat. That sentence sounded exactly like something Enid would say sober, could it still just be the effect of the gas?
-What?- She tried to disguise it, pretending not to have heard right, but the nervousness in her voice was noticeable.
-My heart- Enid repeated with a murmur, now smiling in a tender, almost sad way. - Because I like you so much, Willa, sooo much...
The brunette froze as the confession hung in the air, unexpected and disconcerting. For a moment, all her defenses seemed to crumble, but she forced herself to keep her expression cold, almost stern.
-You're delirious. It's the gas. - Wednesday looked away, trying to convince herself more than Enid.
But the blonde didn't seem to hear. Slowly, she got out of bed and approached, until her fingers lightly brushed Wednesday's, as if asking permission to hold her hand. The touch made the brunette's heart race again that day, something that was completely out of her control around Enid and she hated to admit.
-Wed... - The blonde whispered, a sad gleam in her eyes. - I know it's hard, but I wanted you to let yourself feel.
Those words hit Wednesday like an arrow. Feel? Feeling was losing control, and losing control was for the weak, she was an Addams, she wasn't weak.
She pulled her hand back abruptly, as if Enid's touch was burning. Wednesday's chest tightened with an unfamiliar sensation, something she didn't want to name.
She looked away again, her face still struggling to remain impassive, but her hands were shaking slightly.
-I'm not like you, Enid - she said firmly, although her voice was a little tense, almost trembling. - I don't... I don't do that.
Enid watched, more attentive now, noticing her friend's nervousness. The smile was still there, but less exaggerated, softer. She knew she had to be careful.
-Don't do what? - Enid asked, not pressing too hard, her voice gentle, trying her best not to scare her.
Wednesday didn't know how to answer. Her chest was still tight, her breathing fast. She hated this feeling of vulnerability, hated the fact that Enid made her feel all of this in a whirlwind.
-Feeling, these things, for people, for no one. - She took a step back, wanting to put more space between them. Enid's closeness was driving her crazy, confusing her thoughts. - That's weakness.
Enid sighed, but not dramatically. It was almost imperceptible, as if she was just trying to find the right tone. She knew that pushing Wednesday wouldn't work.
-It's not weakness, Willa - she replied, her tone firm - And I'm not asking you to change who you are, I like you just the way you talk, the way you think and act, I fell in love with you just the way you do.
Wednesday's eyes widened a little at those words. She said she fell in love. That was a big deal. She didn't know what to think about it. There was something in Enid's tone, something real, palpable, that sent a chill down her spine, and not the kind she was used to liking. The brunette shook her head quickly, as if she was trying to get rid of that confusion.
-You won't even remember this later. That's just the gas talking. - The words came out faster than usual, revealing the nervousness she was trying to hide.
Enid laughed softly, without provocation, and just shrugged.
-The gas is giving me courage, so who cares? I'm much more concerned with now.
Wednesday bit her lip, her heart beating out of control. Each word Enid said seemed to disarm her a little more, but what if tomorrow this was all just a memory? What if Enid forgot that she had said all of this and, after all this sea of feelings and sensations, she had to live with the emptiness that had suddenly appeared in her heart? She wanted to scream, she wanted to get out of there, but her legs were stuck to the floor, unable to obey.
-I... - The word came out almost as a whisper, and the brunette bit her lip, feeling speechless for what seemed like the first time in her life. - I don't know what you want from me, I don't know how to deal with this.
Enid felt her heart sink, an absurdly big tightness in her chest. Maybe she really didn't feel anything. She hesitated to continue that conversation, her brain wasn't in the best condition of lucidity either and she was starting to feel it bubbling a little, she was afraid of saying something too intense for that moment, afraid of seeming too needy.
-I'm sorry- She began, believing that this was the newest and best way to get out of here without losing not only her hopes, but also her best friend- I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said all that to you.
-No, Enid...
-It's okay! Seriously- She walked away with a slightly shaky voice – Iuu think I'm going to sleep, rest a little, you know? It was a very emotional day - Despite her words, her smile was devoid of any emotion.
Wednesday stood still, feeling the crushing weight of guilt. She watched as Enid turned her back, hiding her face from the rest of the room. The brunette noticed the slight shaking of her friend's shoulders, and in an instant, she understood what was happening. Enid was crying silently.
Soon she, who had always prided herself on being impenetrable, incapable of being touched by any emotion or person, now felt as if her heart was trapped in a web of confusing feelings. Heavy and suffocating, it was as if that whirlwind of emotions was literally crushing her.
She finally managed to move her feet, and she walked, leaving the room as fast as she could before they decided not to obey her anymore, she ran away, walking through the entire school without knowing what she was looking for. Eventually, she found a dusty corner of a deserted hallway and sat on the floor. Dust rose slightly around her, but she didn't care. She leaned her head against the wall behind her, and the first tear finally fell. It was salty, warm, strange. She hadn't cried since Nero's death, and now, the tears were falling in a way she couldn't control.
One tear. Two. Soon, she felt like she might collapse completely.
She heard small muffled sounds coming towards her and it wasn't long before she saw Thing approaching. For some reason, his presence didn't make her try to hide her tears. On another occasion, perhaps she would have felt too vulnerable. But now there was a greater chaos happening inside her.
He gestured quickly to her, asking something she could barely process at first.
"She's... okay, yes," She answered in a hoarse and rough voice, leaning her head against the wall behind her.
More gestures, a little less quick and urgent since he knew the blonde was better.
-We didn't fight, I just- She sighed, finally giving in to wiping away some of the marks on her face- She told me some things about how she feels... about me.
*She finally said she likes you?*
-What do you mean finally?- Her brow furrowed in confusion, she barely blinked her moist eyes as she stared at her hand
*She says things to me that she sometimes doesn't say to you*
A pang of wanting to kick her hand out of the ground took over Wednesday, she didn't like knowing that Thing was chosen before her to be a safe haven for Enid.
She huffed, a frown appearing on her face as she wanted to know more.
-Thing...- Her tone came out as a threat
The hand hesitated once more, the fingers stopping their drumming for a brief second. He knew that any answer now would be meticulously analyzed by Wednesday.
*She talked about how much you confuse her*
He did everything slowly, choosing his next words
*She doesn't know how you feel and you scare her sometimes, she can't tell if you care or not*
Something stirred in the brunette's stomach and she wished it was a large parasite, but she suspected it wasn't.
-She... thinks I scare her? - she asked, her voice a tense whisper.
*You scare everyone. But for some reason, with this little blonde it's different, it's the kind of fear she wants to be around*
Another moment of silence and contemplation followed, there was still so much going from her confused brain to her heavy heart that she could barely put it into words, but somehow Thing's words brought a certain sense of relief.
*And you, do you like her?*
She stood up abruptly, the movement too fast for someone who had been so vulnerable moments before, and looked at Thing with a serious, almost cold expression, as she tried to repress any new wave of feelings.
She turned around without answering him, causing him to run to her and lean on her feet to make her look at him again.
*Where are you going to sleep tonight?*
He was worried about her, since he knew she would avoid their room.
-I'm not going to sleep- She pushed him away from her like she would a disgusting insect- And don't follow me, don't make me have to ruin your perfect nails that Enid painted with pliers- Then she walked down the hall
If Thing could smile, he would smile, seeing that she found a way to praise her friend in the middle of her usual threats of physical harm.
Her boots echoed on the wooden floorboards with a determined rhythm, even though the inside was a mess. She knew she couldn't go back to her room. The scent of lavender and the trail of emotional turmoil Enid left behind would be too much to process at the moment.
The next thing she knew, her feet had taken her to Eugene's dorm room. He was one of the few people who didn't demand anything from her, and at that moment, he was exactly what she needed.
She stopped in front of the door to her room, hesitated for a brief moment, but didn't knock. With a quick push, the door swung open softly, revealing Eugene lying on his bed, the dim light of a lamp illuminating stacks of beekeeping magazines scattered throughout the room.
Eugene, who had been immersed in reading a magazine, looked up when he heard the door open. When he saw Wednesday, his surprise was evident, but his expression soon softened. He knew that if she was there, it wasn't to talk.
Without saying anything, Wednesday walked to an armchair near the bed, pulled it to a darker corner of the room and sat down, crossing her arms. Eugene watched her for a moment, deciding to ask one simple question.
-How is Enid's canine?
She felt her eyes threaten to fill with tears again, but she didn't allow it. That wouldn't happen twice in a row after so many years, not at all.
-Better- She answered simply, assuring her friend that, no matter how much something was going on there, Enid was fine, and that already made everything lighter.
-Good- He answered and went back to reading his magazine, letting the room become silent and peaceful again.
The soft buzz of a speaker playing the sounds of bees in the background gave that space an almost comforting air. Wednesday closed her eyes for a brief second, feeling a strange calm taking over her. She wouldn't sleep, but at least there, she could spend the night without the emotional chaos that awaited her in the room next to Enid.
___
The morning light was still soft, filtered through the thin curtains in Eugene's bedroom. Wednesday opened her eyes slowly, her body stiff from having spent the night in the armchair. She must have dozed off at some point and not realized it. She looked at Eugene, who was sleeping soundly, wrapped in his light gray blanket and his bee pillow, a smile almost escaped her lips, then she decided, without making a sound, to get up and leave the room discreetly, she didn't need to wake him up and give him more trouble.
She walked through the still empty corridors in the morning and, as soon as she stepped into her room, she saw that the room was enveloped in a comfortable silence. Enid was sleeping deeply, breathing calmly, and the room still had that light lavender scent that Wednesday associated with the werewolf; she seemed calm after all, it was a much better scenario than the options she had imagined during her waking hours.
Trying not to make any noise, Wednesday began to get ready for class. She put on her Nevermore uniform with calculated precision, adjusting the collar and sleeves delicately, tightening her tie and, taking advantage of the fact that she was in her room, redoing the length of her braids to lower the frizzy strands.
As she was about to leave through the door, she heard a slight movement behind her. Enid stirred in bed, her eyes slowly opening.
-Wednesday?- Enid's voice sounded soft, still choked with sleep.
She turned, her gaze fixed on the blonde, who was watching her sleepily, but with no trace of the night before, there was no sadness, no anger and no demand, she didn't remember.
She felt her chest tightening like the day before, the emptiness that waited for something unnamed to fill it, she knew she would end up in this limbo, in this tense and desperate form of herself.
"How's the pain?" It was all she allowed to come out of her throat, her voice controlled, almost emotionless, but enough for Enid to know it was a genuine question.
Enid sighed, leaning on her elbow as she grimaced slightly in pain.
"It still hurts, but much less than yesterday." She gave a small smile, which made Wednesday look away quickly. "I think I'll survive with some medicine."
It was then that Wednesday realized, the medicine. She had completely forgotten to take them the night before. Her body stiffened for a moment as she blamed her stupid and confused feelings for this mistake, then she turned back to Enid.
-I forgot your medicine - she said abruptly, bluntly - I'm going to the infirmary to ask for them and then I'll go to class.
-Wait - Enid turned quickly and sat on the bed.
Wednesday stopped with her hand almost on the doorknob, her heart gave a small jump of anticipation and she felt sick with anxiety. Gently she pulled her hand away and turned, seeing the blonde looking at her.
-How are you doing about yesterday? - She asked after gathering courage for a few seconds, thinking that if she didn't say it there, she might never say anything.
-I'm fine, as soon as you fully recover, everything will go back to normal - The brunette commented slowly, like a traditional conversation about a traditional day and not at all intense or confusing.
-It's not about my tooth that I'm talking about- Enid snorted lightly, knowing what her roommate was doing, trying to turn the situation into something unimportant, to take away the weight that the moment had for both of them. She rested her hands on the bed and stood up, taking a few steps towards her- I was there, maybe not completely lucid, but everything I said, I meant- She held her breath, not seeing any facial reaction on the other- And if you don't feel the same way, it's okay, I can deal with it, just don't pretend it never happened, or that it was that damn gas, because it wasn't!- She took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice calm- It wasn't... no- She murmured visibly upset.
The brunette closed her eyes thinking about holding back the urge to go up to the blonde and hug her, comfort her, tell her that she had felt more things in the last 24 hours than she had ever felt in her life.
-I don't...- She began- I don't know if you noticed, but I can't be very good with words sometimes, especially when it comes to you- A sigh left her lips when she opened her eyes and didn't look at the blonde, afraid of seeing her expression- I think I like...- She blinked deeply, deciding to look into Enid's eyes as she finished the sentence- I like you too.
They stood there just staring at each other for what seemed like hours, brown and blue, contemplating each other intensely and without making a sound.
-You're not saying that because you feel sorry for me, are you? - Enid suddenly said, her voice breaking.
She couldn't bear to see the blonde crying, once again in such a short time, for the same reason, because of her.
A lump settled in her throat and she took a step forward, her neurons divided between being the Wednesday who doesn't give in, doesn't have contact, doesn't feel, and between comforting her heart and the wolf's.
One more step, she stretched out her arms and slowly wrapped them around the blonde, and sighed in surprise.
-I would never lie to you- She whispered, close to Enid's ear due to the height difference between them.
Enid's hands slowly went up her back and a shiver ran through her. Their hug gained a little more strength and they stayed snuggled together for a few seconds, Wednesday could no longer hear that big mess in her head or in her heart, everything was calm, peaceful, it seemed like a big, unnecessarily complicated puzzle had been solved.
-We have class- Enid said coughing a little, they moved away, looking at each other's faces- We have class in a little while, right?
-Yes - the brunette agreed, releasing Enid with a slight hesitation. Although she had enjoyed the feeling of the hug, which she had avoided for a long time, now it seemed more intense, more necessary. The emotional weight she had carried was slowly beginning to dissipate.
However, before she could pull away completely, something was bothering Wednesday. The echo of Enid's words resonated in her mind, something deeper, the phrase "I fell in love with you like that" was intense, and if she defined those feelings as hers too, things would be more explained.
-There is something you need to know - she began, her voice serious. Enid, surprised by the seriousness, waited in silence.
Wednesday looked away for a moment, searching for the right words.
-In my family, love is never... simple. There is a curse among the Addams.” She looked back at Enid, her brown eyes more intense. “More than one, actually, but this one says that an Addams’ first love is always overwhelming, always intense, devoted, and for life. And we can never live without that person after that.” The room seemed to grow quieter, the weight of Wednesday’s words hanging in the air. Enid blinked, absorbing what she had just heard. “So…” Enid began, her expression saying she was slightly scared, but amused? “Are you saying that…” “If you are my first love,” Wednesday interrupted, her voice low, almost a whisper, “That means you are the only one, forever, that I would rather die than be without you, most likely.” The impact of the statement made Enid’s heart race. She took a small step forward, meeting Wednesday’s gaze. “Has this happened before? I mean, in your family?” "There is a high rate of suicides in my family tree due to the loss of spouses or even some unrequited loves, Addams tend to be... intense, in everything but especially in love" The end of the sentence was met with total silence, which made the shorter girl think she shouldn't have said all that, that it could be too much, scary for a teenage romance, so she continued. "I know it seems hard to believe, I didn't believe it myself, I disgusted my parents and their relationship, totally dependent on each other, my whole life, I always said that would never happen to me..."
-And does that scare you?- Enid asked, her voice soft but curious, taking the other by surprise, she swore she was the one who was scared.
Wednesday hesitated for a second, before letting out a soft sigh.
-I feel like I should, but no, it doesn't scare me. Because even though I never thought I would feel something like this, it's much less confusing and desperate when you're near me.
She stopped, almost not knowing how to continue. Enid, noticing the brunette's vulnerability, just smiled gently.
-I..- Enid began cautiously, deciding to take advantage of the moment full of honesty to ask what she had been wanting for a long time- Could I kiss you?
Wednesday's heart skipped a beat again. She hadn't kissed anyone since Tyler, who was also her first kiss, and who of course would be a serial killer, but she was apprehensive after that, in a way.
-That's another thing I don't... I don't know how to do.- She swallowed hard, trying hard to look Enid in the eyes.
-I can teach you, but only if you want.- She waited patiently for the girl to breathe in and out deeply twice, before nodding slightly.- Okay, first, look at me.- She brought her hand to the brunette's chin and lifted it, bringing her eyes up and making the little goth's heart race.- Now you lean to the right and I'll lean to the left.- And they did so, getting slightly closer in the process. Wednesday began to feel Enid's breath very close.- And now, we touch our lips gently, and it doesn't have to go beyond that, for now.- She whispered the last part due to the proximity.
-But what if I...- She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue, watching Enid shamelessly follow them- What if I want to go beyond that?
A smug smile appeared on the blonde's lips and she exhaled a strong breath through her nose.
-Then you open your mouth a little and let me put my tongue inside, and then, if you feel good, you can do the same to me.
A small grimace appeared on her face as the blonde laughed a little.
-It sounds abominable.
Enid didn't want to waste any more time talking and finally pressed her mouth against hers, not expecting that just the contact of their lips together would knock her out of orbit, a satisfied sigh left her as she turned her head to the other side in sync with the shorter one, she had been waiting for this for a long time.
Three loud and strong punches on the door made them jump back, separating immediately, their hearts were beating very fast and they were in euphoria.
-Enid Sinclair!- It was Yoko's voice- If you don't show up right now I'll make sure Wednesday couldn't stand your whimpering in pain and decapitated you to use as wall decoration!
-How awful, Yoko!- They heard Eugene mumble quietly through the door- I tried to stop her, but she doesn't listen to me!- He said louder so they could hear.
- She'll end up knocking it over if we don't open it- Enid joked, looking at her... girlfriend's face for the first time?
She was very angry.
Wednesday walked with hard steps to the door and opened it in one go, making the vampire almost fall into the room, since she was completely leaning on the door
- You better know teleportation magic, Tanaka, because if I catch you...