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Part One: Pulled
The crisp Autumn air makes no effort to bring death or dismay. Instead, it brings bright sunlight and new life. A day like this is rare in The Constant; the survivors know this well. Basic tasks like cutting trees or collecting grass become a sweet stroll. With such an environment, every survivor finds something to enjoy.
For a particular spider and an odd pair of twins, they have found joy in something so simple, the activity could double as a date.
“Wendy, over there! Those berries look really juicy!”
Webber slings his backpack over his shoulder, running after another berry bush. Wendy watches him, her own bag on the ground near a bush prime for the picking. Abigail remains beside her, trying her best to pick the berries.
Wendy tilts her head, keeping her ghastly eyes on Webber.
“I’ve never seen someone so enthused about bringing death to these bushes.”
Wendy turns back to her bag, picking the berries that have left home thanks to Abigail's help.
“Ooo oOooOoo… oOoOoOoo OOoO!”
Wendy looks up at Abigail for a moment, turning to see Webber engrossed in berry picking. She almost smiles as she grabs some berries and throws them on the ground, standing to smush them. Dragging the red stain into the bush before her, Wendy nods to Abigail before hiding.
Webber is oblivious to the act. He collects his berries while speaking loudly to Wendy.
“If we ask Warly nicely, do you think—”
Before Webber can finish, Abigail appears before him, her distress clear as day. She shakes and floats erratically, speaking ghostly gibberish at an alarming rate. Webber takes a moment to take in the scene.
“Abigail, what's wrong?”
The ghostly sister floats past him, revealing to Webber a ‘blood’ stain leading into a berry bush, with Wendy nowhere in sight. The moment Webber sees this, the appendages on his face recoil in fear, his first instinct pushing him to run over to the berry bush.
When he reaches the bush, he peers inside to see…
Nothing.
As he looks over the berry bush, he sees…
Nothing.
Webber turns around, going to ask Abigail…
“BOO!”
When Webber shrieks and jumps in the air like a catcoon, Wendy and Abigail waste no time bursting out laughter. Abigail floats joyously while Wendy laughs like it's her last laugh. As for Webber, the spider boy stands in frightened confusion for a moment.
The moment doesn't last long.
As Wendy wipes a tear of joy from her face, something quickly replaces it. Something red and wet. Before she can look at Webber, a barrage of berries are sent her way.
They almost exclusively hit her face.
Wendy runs for cover, Abigail joining her in ghostly panic. When they reach safety behind a berry bush, Webber’s bag conveniently lies nearby. Wendy grabs the bag and looks towards Abigail, excitement in her eyes.
At that moment, a berry war begins.
It is a brutal war.
Webber uses the appendages on his face to throw berries on mass while Wendy uses Abigail to return opposing fire, both sides fighting to stain the other red. The land is covered with berry blood as the trio jump from bush to bush, vying for control.
The mood turns from sour to silly in a matter of seconds. Some berries hit, others miss, some berries land in Webber’s mouth, others are used as war paint.
The war is brutal, there are no surviving berries.
When the land becomes barren, Webber realizes defeat is in sight. He accepts his fate as another casualty of war, grabbing a stick and weaving some silk to create a white flag.
Lifting the flag above the trenches, Webber waits for a response. Looking over the berry bush, Webber sees Wendy doing the same, her flag made of a twig and Abigail’s entire being; she mimics the movement of a flag surprisingly well.
Crossing No Spider’s Land, the trio meet in the middle, surrounded by the remains of fallen berry warriors. Webber keeps waving his flag, half of his body stained with dirt and berries. Wendy doesn’t do the same. She’s so dirty that a few more berries to the face wouldn't truly hurt.
Extending his hand, Webber is the first to speak.
“Truce?”
“Truce.”
“OoOoo!”
Webber and Wendy shake hands. Abigail tries to join them but she's a ghost.
Exhausted and friends again, the trio lay on the ground. They regain energy for their next activity by doing the most simple thing possible: cloud watching.
“That one looks like a skull.”
“Hmmm… looks more like a beach ball.”
“OOooOoOo!”
“That’s a weird looking flower, Abigail.”
“Oh! Over there! That one looks like a spider!”
Pointing a little too enthusiastically, Webber drops his hand onto Wendy’s hand, making sudden contact. When Wendy feels the fuzziness of Webber’s hand, her heart skips a beat as she turns to look at the boy with widened eyes.
Webber tries to keep his eyes upwards, yet his small spider eyes look over at Wendy, just as surprised as her.
They remain quiet, their hearts picking up pace with every passing moment.
“Um, I’m sorry…” Webber apologizes as he moves his hand away. “I didn’t mean to do that—”
“No.” Wendy grabs Webber’s wrist, speaking over him. “Don’t be sorry. Just… do it like this.”
Wendy slowly moves her hand from Webber’s wrist to his open hand, filling in the emptiness in his palm. Without any resistance, Wendy gently interlaces her fingers with his. It takes a moment before Webber closes his fingers on Wendy’s hand, but when he does, a sweet silence falls between them.
They rest their hands on the ground, keeping their bond tight.
As clouds pass, the gentle Autumn breeze fills the ears of the duo, letting words become irrelevant. Abigail, knowing that romance can only grow without prying eyes, silently sneaks back into her flower, letting the two be alone.
Webber and Wendy shuffle closer and closer, closing the gap between them. Soft excitement builds in their hearts, it’s a familiar feeling that still scares them.
“Hey Wendy?”
Webber turns his head over to look at her. Wendy does the same, surprised to realize how close they’ve become.
“Yes?”
After a moment of silence, Webber closes the distance between them. He nuzzles his forehead with hers, allowing his face appendages to instinctively go and touch Wendy, happy to be near her again. They’ve done this same gesture many times without really noticing it. Yet the sensation is something neither Webber or Wendy would trade for the world.
Wendy smiles. For a moment, she only thinks about Webber. No thoughts of death plague her, it’s just him. Webber and all the moments where he's made her smile. All the moments where surviving was worth it.
And at that very moment, Wendy leans in, closing her eyes and embracing her heart.
Webber doesn't move. His eyes widen as the warm feeling fills his heart. But Webber doesn’t need to move, his spider appendages pull Wendy closer, expressing his true feelings. Despite how different they may be, everything feels right.
As the two separate, they stare at each other in bewilderment. And then, they smile. Wendy’s cheeks turn slightly red as Webber’s eyes soften.
Lost for words, they look back at the sky. Their hands remain intertwined, just like their hearts. Worried for a moment, Wendy squeezes Webber’s hand, checking to see if she’s dreaming. But when he squeezes back, the truth is set in stone.
Dreams come true.
Part Two: One Normal Night
“The spider boy?! You're kidding me!”
Maxwell turns from the shadow manipulator to Wendy, his face full of confused disgust. He shouts his words knowing very well that nobody will hear them; he likes to live away from the common folk.
“Cast your judgment some other day. I need something from you.”
Wendy remains confident in her stance and attitude, Abigail floats beside her for support. Wendy speaks unabashedly, expecting backlash from her uncle.
The magician groans, turning back to the shadow manipulator.
“Great. You come here bringing me this awful news and now you want something from me. As if today couldn't get any worse.”
Wendy walks closer to Maxwell, speaking stronger than before.
“I’m serious. I need your help.”
“Jeez… couldn’t you have fallen in love with a normal kid?” Maxwell waves his hand in the air, churning another gripe. “Like uh… that Walter kid! He isn’t a monster! And better yet, he isn’t Wilson’s kid!”
Wendy sighs, tossing aside her previous thought to answer Maxwell’s question. She shakes her head disapprovingly, speaking with not an ounce of care.
“If I had to court anybody other than Webber, I’d simply up and die from boredom.”
“Ugh… I can’t believe we’re related.”
Maxwell moves away from the shadow manipulator, grabbing something from a nearby chest. Wendy and Abigail follow him and block his path back to the manipulator.
“The issue still stands. I need you to help me with Webber.”
“ With Webber? What, do you want me to make you a love potion?
“No! Listen to me!”
Maxwell turns away from the chest, looking towards Wendy. He stands up straight and crosses his arms, saying nothing as his judgemental stare lingers.
Wendy gets the memo. She speaks again, her every word calculated and rehearsed.
“Help me express my feelings towards Webber in a way that makes sense.”
Maxwell lifts an eyebrow, remaining silent.
“I like him. But I don't know how to show him that. You must teach me.”
Wendy recalls the events that transpired in the morning. The memory makes her warm inside, but a part of her still can't remember how they got to that point. If she can’t make that happen again, then nothing else will.
Maxwell drops his act, putting his hands on his waist while speaking as understanding as possible.
“Kid, why me? Shouldn't you ask Wickerbottom or uh, Willow? I’m sure they understand courting better than me.”
“I don’t want the other survivors to know about our relationship. I know you won’t tell them.”
Maxwell almost shoots back a comical retort when the passive insult hits him.
“… Uh huh. That’s because I don’t talk to anybody, right?”
“Of course. You are the loneliest person I know.”
Maxwell rolls his eyes, speaking while walking past Wendy and Abigail to the shadow manipulator; they let him pass.
“Thanks kid, you're really putting me on cloud nine.” Maxwell tries to work with the manipulator, but he can only sight and turn back to Wendy, crossing his arms as he looks at the ghastly twins. “Okay, I’ll help you. But, on one condition.”
Wendy nods, ready for whatever. Knowing him, Maxwell could ask an assortment of things. Shadow fuel, beard hair, spider glands…
“You have to call me Uncle Maxwell from now on. It’s the least you can do.”
Wendy blinks. When she speaks, there's a mix of surprise and shallowness in her voice.
“A deal worse than death… fine. But I expect you to actually help me.”
Maxwell smiles brightly, lifting his hands in a carefree manner.
“Of course! I was quite the charmer back in the day, you know.”
“Sure…”
Wendy stares at Abigail. They both roll their eyes.
“Say, Wendy… Why are you covered in berry juice?” Maxwell tilts his head before flipping his hand in the air, forgoing the thought. “It doesn’t matter, c’mon kid, first things first. You're getting a change of clothes.”
Pulling out his codex umbra and flipping a few pages, Maxwell summons shadow puppets to surround Wendy. They stretch a bit and grab some tools around the small camp, mimicking their master.
“Get comfortable Wendy, you’ll be spider bait in no time!”
“You and Wendy? It’s about time you talked about it!”
Wilson chuckles as he fiddles at the alchemy engine, Wes beside him clapping with joy. The camp is inhabited by only the three survivors, everyone else still enjoying the beautiful day.
Webber stands before the duo, his excitement momentarily dashed by the statement.
“Huh? What does that mean?”
“Well, it was only a matter of time before you two fell in love.” Wilson turns from the machine to Webber, visualizing his point with two twigs. “It’s scientific. Boy plus girl equals love.”
Webber scratches his head, asking another question.
“But Mr. Wilson, Wes isn't a girl.”
Wilson, overcome with embarrassment, covers his face. He shakes his head slowly as Wes gives him a big loving hug.
“This isn’t about me, Webber…”
It takes a minute before Wilson is ready to talk again, his time spent sharing smooches with his mime boyfriend. The gentleman scientist clears his throat, finishing his thought.
“So, Webber, what do you need help with?”
“Well… We really like Wendy, and we think she likes us too!” Webber smiles at the idea, feeling his cheeks warm up. “But we don't know what to do about it. Aren't boys and girls supposed to get married?”
Wilson scoffs with a smile as Wes shakes his head. The two adults look at each other for a second before turning back to Webber, crouching down to be on his level.
“Webber, you're hardly old enough for that. You need time to understand and develop your feelings with Wendy.” Wilson stands back up, putting his hands on his waist. “I’d say it’s time for you two to start courting!”
Wes stands up, blowing a pink heart balloon. He offers it to Webber who blinks all eight of his eyes, clearly confused.
“Do what?”
“Courting!” Wilson smiles as his scientific brain goes to work. “Courting is the experience of developing a deep relationship with someone, ultimately determining if they are right for you. The end results allow you and the other to date. And I’m sure you know what dating is.”
Webber nods his head, digesting every word. As he thinks about the possibility of dating Wendy, he speaks up.
“But, can’t we start dating now? Courting sounds hard.”
“Sorry Webber.” Wilson shrugs, speaking softly. “It’s safer this way, you don’t want to go head first into a relationship without really thinking about it. Especially considering she’s associated with Maxwell.”
Before Webber can disagree, Wilson speaks enthusiastically.
“Just look at me and Wes! Courting works.” Wilson turns to Wes as they plant another kiss on his face. They’re adorable.
“Now, Webber, if we want to start your courting property, firstly, we need to get you cleaned up.”
The two surround Webber, picking him up as they prepare to tidy up the spider boy. He doesn’t respond, deciding that the adults must know what’s best.
“Let’s get to work Wes!”
“Wendy, If you think anyone is going to love you in that , then you’re out of your mind.“
“No offense Webber, but Wes thinks putting on some clothes would help.”
“Here, put this on!”
“Your hair is a mess! How do you live with yourself?”
“Webber… there's so many knots in your fur, we’re sorry but this is going to hurt!”
“Just stay still!”
“If you want a good relationship, you need to let that kid know you're the one in charge. Don’t let anybody walk over you. Well, maybe let some people walk over you, but be smart about it.”
“A good start to any courtship must have equal understanding. You need to let Wendy know how you feel, then things can get started. Let's plan your confession accordingly, a gentleman never improvises plans.”
“No, say this instead!”
“You call that a smile? You look scarier than Webber.”
“Um, maybe don’t smile so hard. Your teeth are a little… freighting.”
“Smile like this!”
“Just listen to us and everything will work out fine!”
Part Three: Let’s Not Talk About Anything Else But Love
The evening sun washes over The Constant. For Wendy, she knows today is important. It might be the most important day in recent memory.
She takes a deep breath and opens her eyes. She’s alive, although embarrassment may as well kill her where she stands. Before her stands a mirror, inside that mirror is someone who isn’t Wendy.
“You don’t look half bad, kid. I think you’re ready.“
Maxwell voices his opinion, flipping through his codex umbra to relinquish the shadow puppets. He smiles, actually proud of his work.
Wendy hates it. Her entire outfit reeks of shadows and darkness. She can’t force even the slightest smile. Everything about her has been changed to fit Maxwell’s ideal.
It’s like she bathed in nightmares.
But it’s too late to fight back. She needs to see Webber before the day ends, before her heart hides away again.
Blinking with irritation, Wendy walks off, quickly adjusting to her new outfit.
“Hey, where are you going?”
Wendy says nothing as she grabs Abigail’s flower and leaves Maxwell’s camp, rushing back to the main base. Left alone, Maxwell sighs.
“So much for a thanks…” The magician watches his niece leave as an idea sparks in his mind. “… might as well.”
With an exhausted hum, Maxwell follows the drama.
Reaching the main base doesn’t take much time; the evening sun still fills the sky. Roaming the camp, Wendy finds Webber’s tent in no time. Thankfully, it’s covered in webs and cute stickers.
Looking inside, the only spider that resides in the tent is a normal spider. Not Webber.
Worried, Wendy summons Abigail, whispering for her ghostly aid. As the sister appears, Wendy asks just one thing.
“Please find him.”
Abigail nods as she roams around the camp, leaving Wendy to think. The second place that comes to mind is the crockpots; Webber is infamous for his late night appetite.
Wendy hurries, groaning occasionally thanks to the horribly uncomfortable texture of her new outfit. But when she gets to the crockpots, Warly welcomes her. Not Webber.
Sighing, Wendy talks to the chef.
“Hello Warly.”
“Ah, salut mademoiselle Wendy. Are you hungry?”
“No, I’m looking for Webber.”
“Ah! I saw the boy with Wilson over at the birchnut trees.” The chef points beyond Wendy. “With the pond and the berries, I’m sure you have been there.”
“Oh! Thank you Warly.” With a nod, Wendy runs off.
She runs and runs, each step exhausting but necessary. The terrain around her changes from pine to birch, the evening sun slowly changing. Abigail’s flower sits on Wendy’s head but the sister is nowhere in sight, something that pains her.
Even with Abigail gone, Wendy knows she needs to think. Her mind works a mile a minute, thousands of words trying to formulate a sentence that feels too stuffed, like a grave with too many bodies inside.
If she messes this up, then she’ll rot from the inside out. Love is precious but it can be ripped away at a moment's notice with no rhyme or reason. If Wendy loses another thing she holds dear…
But. All of that noise stops. Wendy’s movement is halted as something catches her eye. On the ground lies a group of red mushrooms, all planted in the formation of a heart. In the middle, a flower. It’s perfectly placed. And it’s not Webber.
Wendy walks inside the heart, grabbing the flower from the ground. She takes the moment to rip apart the petals, hoping that something will come from her pent up frustration.
And something does. A twig breaks behind Wendy. Then she turns around.
The sight is bizarre, to say the least. Webber has always been the kind of person to be dirty and not care. With all his fur and animalistic habits, it’s not necessary for him to be prim and proper.
But he is.
The appendages on his face, for some reason, have small bow ties attached to them, each strand of hair on his head brushed to silk. The boy wears a gray coat with a strange red undershirt, giving him some sense of style. It’s like he’s a guest of honor to a fancy dinner.
But it’s not him.
Webber stands before Wendy, his outfit the first thing she sees. The next thing that she notices is his unnatural smile. His smile is something so basic and familiar that seeing it contorted to look more… ‘human’ is disturbing. And the last thing Wendy notices are the two suspiciously placed berry bushes behind him.
The whole picture makes Wendy truly sad.
Neither of them are really themselves.
“… Wendy? What’s wrong?”
He sounds so guilty.
Wendy shakes her head, hating everything this day has become. She looks back at Webber, taking a few steps towards him.
Maybe she can still salvage today.
“Webber…”
Right as Wendy opens her mouth, she hears something.
Something ghostly. And then, a thud.
Looking down, a backpack sits between Webber and Wendy.
“oOoOo!”
Looking over, Wendy sees Abigail floating in joy. She looks towards the bag, clearly excited for what happens next.
Wendy looks at Webber. They both lean down and open the bag.
It’s full of berries.
Slowly but surely, the truth dawns on Wendy and Webber. When they turn around to look at the two suspicious berry bushes, a mysterious third lurks nearby.
Wendy grabs the bag and holds it between her and Webber.
“Truce?”
“Truce.”
Almost in unison, the two grab ammunition and shout.
“ATTACK!”
The scene that follows is glorious.
Maxwell, Wilson, and Wes run in fear as a barrage of berries are sent their way. Apologies and bargains are met with even more berries as Webber and Wendy throw to kill. Even as they run away, the duo chase the adults to get revenge.
When the berries run dry, the damage is already done. Webber and Wendy win.
The two walk back towards the mushroom heart, laughter and smiles filling the air. Abigail is safe within her flower, letting the two enjoy their company.
“Webber, what are you even wearing?”
Wendy giggles as she pokes the spider in his side. Webber smiles as he jokingly points at Wendy’s outfit.
“Hehe, I could ask the same thing! You look really scary!”
When they reach the heart of mushrooms, Webber scratches the back of his head as his cheeks blush purple.
“Mr Wes thought this would be perfect, but we think it’s silly.”
“It is… experimental.”
Webber giggles again as Wendy smiles faintly. The two walk into the heart, laying on the ground in the middle.
They stare at the sky, the night almost taking the sky.
“Did you know? It’s going to be a full moon tonight.”
Wendy hums. She doesn’t say anything more, she just keeps staring at the sky, hoping for some stars. The night is always beautiful on days like these.
Awkwardly, Webber indulges in his feelings. He moves his hand to hold Wendy’s wrist awkwardly, eventually intertwining his hand with hers. The action is familiar yet uncoordinated. But Wendy doesn't mind, she accepts him wholeheartedly. Wendy intertwines her fingers with Webber’s, enjoying the simple feeling between them.
“Webber?”
“Yeah?”
“I think we should date.”
“Oh.” Silence spawns between them, the kind of silence that builds excitement with each passing moment. “Dating like, courting?”
“No. Dating like a couple.”
“Oh.”
Webber breathes, almost overwhelmed with joy.
“Okay! Um, so, I’ll be your girlfriend, right?” Wendy can't help but giggle at Webber. He gasps, stumbling over his own words. “No, wait, that’s not the right— oh gosh—!”
Webber groans and covers his face, more embarrassed than ever before. Wendy looks over, a little sad to see him hiding.
Moving closer, Wendy grabs Webber’s hands and moves them. She looks at him, his face purple and flustered.
Everything about Webber is delightfully bizarre. From his giant teeth that stick out of his mouth to his odd voice, Webber reeks of the unknown. But for Wendy, she loves that. There's always something new with him
“Thank you.”
They look at each other, smiles filling the silence. And right when Wendy goes to lay back down, Webber does the impossible.
He moves forward, kissing Wendy as his face appendages keep her close.
The kiss only lasts a second. Webber pulls back with a huge smile, almost in disbelief that he actually managed to kiss her. And for Wendy, she looks at him with starstruck eyes.
Without realizing it, Wendy finds a reason to keep going. And funnily enough, it stares at her with big creepy bug eyes.
Laying back on the ground, Wendy and Webber watch the cosmos, the full moon keeping them safe. High above, a sea of stars shine. The stars are small, faint and dying. But deep down, Wendy knows that they stay alive to be seen. The stars know that as long as they shine bright, someone will see them, and someone will love them.
Wendy smiles. Life is so much brighter now.