Chapter Text
The end of Enid's first semester at Nevermore had arrived and with it the dread that came knowing she had to head back home. She slowly packed her things back into a suitcase, trying and failing to hide her reluctance and unusual dour mood.
“I can sense your despondency from here,” Wednesday stated, slipping the loops of her book-bag over her shoulders and tightening them. Her heavy black trunks were all packed and ready, and she was eager to leave Ophelia Hall. Enid still had a mountain of things to go through, a deliberate choice to delay herself.
“And normally, I do enjoy suffering, but it is curiously placed. Why do you seem hesitant to go back home?” Wednesday asked, in what could almost be considered a delicate manner. Or as delicate a manner as possible for her. Enid felt like she was being interrogated.
Enid sighed. She didn't mind mentioning the truth to Wednesday; after all Wednesday was already aware of Enid's familial issues related to wolfing out. But would there be any point in telling Wednesday? Wednesday wasn't the best at providing comfort.
“Enid,” Wednesday prompted when the silence had stretched. Enid folded up one last sweater and zipped her suitcase closed.
“My entire family and I don't have the best relationship. It makes going over for break a chore. It's especially bad with mom because she's disappointed in me about the whole wolfing out issue, among other things.”
“What other things?”
Wednesday rarely exhibited curiosity about things that were not directly her interests, so Enid found herself elaborating.
“About my choice in partners,” Enid said, wondering how Wednesday would take this upcoming chunk of information. She never knew what to expect with Wednesday. Eventually, Wednesday would have to find out anyways given they were roommates and all. She took a steadying breath before speaking. “I like girls, and she doesn't think I should.”
Enid kept her back to Wednesday, so her feelings wouldn't be hurt when she saw Wednesday's reaction.
“Why would she object to that?” was the surprisingly innocent answer. Enid swiveled around on her heel.
“What? You genuinely don't know why that would be an issue?” Enid tipped her head curiously at Wednesday.
“I can understand her concern about your wolfing out since that is important to you being a werewolf, though I do not approve of her methods. However, what is there to frown upon by having a female as a partner as long as they treat you well?”
Enid blinked slowly. “That....doesn't bother you?” she asked, genuinely taken aback by Wednesday's nonchalance. She expected Wednesday to not understand the point of dating a girl much less wanting to date anyone, but Wednesday was almost disappointingly boring about her response.
“Why should it? My uncle Fester's wife tried to murder him and the entire family, my aunt Macaw has had multiple partners of different species and sexes at the same time, and my other uncle married the Statue of Liberty.”
Well, that made Enid feel better to know that Wednesday did not care for these sorts of social conventions either. “I wish my mom was cool about it. Ever since she found out, she's been telling me what a failure I've been in all regards.” Enid couldn't help but look down at her hands. She clenched them, anger and hurt whirling inside her. It seemed like Enid's entire existence served to piss her mother off and no matter what she did or didn't do, it would never be right.
Wednesday took a step closer, then stopped as if unsure if Enid would want her closer. When she saw Enid look up at her she took another step to close the gap. “I often find that bullies need to be dealt with the only way they understand: through cruelty.”
“Are you saying I should be mean right back to my mother?” Enid shook her head. “I can't do that. She's my mom.”
“I would gladly do that,” Wednesday said.
“You would do that for me?” Enid asked softly, beyond touched by her roommates offer.
“I never miss out on a chance to torture someone,” Wednesday replied.
That made more sense. Of course Wednesday wouldn't do it only to help Enid.
“Alright, I'll let them know you'll be staying over,” Enid said, a smile creeping up her face. Like this, she could find the break more bearable. “Are you sure your parents won't mind you not coming back home for break?”
“Who said I was going back home for break.”
“Are you....not?” Enid looked at the suitcases on Wednesday's side of the room.
“I was going to go to Nepal to sleep in the caves with the bats to become more in tune with nature, however, I can easily postpone that. It's not the first time I've done that retreat.”
Enid had no idea what to say to Wednesday's odd break plans thus she didn't. Instead she thanked Wednesday once more. “Really, I do appreciate it. And my parents are coming to pick me up this evening. You can come in the car with us.”
“Good,” Wednesday said. “I do hope to impose on them. Greatly.”
Enid turned back to her packing with more vigor now, hurrying to pack up before her parents got here. She knew her parents wouldn't be happy she had sprung Wednesday coming with her last minute, but she knew they wouldn't turn down an Addams. They would be too scared to.
Smiling to herself, Enid imagined all the fun things she could show Wednesday in California. Oh, Wednesday would just love the fog!
Her parents beat up green van was waiting outside the gates of the academy. The car was ancient and likely never to be replaced despite the sputtering engine, the occasional black smoke coming from the tailpipe, and the side view mirror that held on through the sheer strength of duck tape. The outside of the car had dents and scratches and the upholstery inside had been torn up and resewn several times, battle scars from young wolf kids that had not quite gotten a hold of their abilities. Enid still remembered the time she had clawed up on the ceiling of the car when she'd been ten and itching to test out her new claws on the softness of felt. The marks were still there and gave her a feeling of pride.
Her one true mark on the family, one that her mother could not erase or subdue.
Her father beeped the car horn in greeting when he saw Enid and Wednesday approach. He got out to help Enid with her bags, offering her a small smile under his beard at her sight. He opened up the trunk and began putting in her pink suitcase and bags as she handed them to him one by one.
Enid's mother rolled down the passenger side window. “Hurry up Enid, we have a long ride back.”
“I know mom,” Enid said, internally hurt that her mother hadn't even bothered to say she missed her.
“Is your roommate here to say goodbye?” Esther Sinclair asked, and it didn't take a werewolf's keen senses to tell that her mother's hackles were raised. Despite Wednesday's small and human stature, it seemed she had a habit of off-putting other supernaturals.
“I am actually here to come along with you,” Wednesday stated.
Enid's father almost dropped her bag, before turning to look questioningly at Enid and then at Wednesday.
Esther Sinclair paled. “What?”
“Enid invited me over to see her domicile. I could not refuse her invitation.” Wednesday paused, maintaining intense eye contact with Esther Sinclair. “Is that going to be a problem?”
“Not a problem,” Esther Sinclair started, almost choking on her words. “I just wished we had known in advance. We don't have a room done up for you-”
“A simple hole in the ground that I can bury myself into will suffice. And if that is not available, I can sleep from the rafters.”
Esther swallowed thickly. “But your parents-”
“They don't mind me staying the whole break with Enid.”
“The whole break-?” Esther Sinclair managed out.
“I don't see why not. Considering that Enid and I just started dating, spending that much time away from my beautiful girlfriend would be dreadful.”
Enid's father smacked his head on the inside of the trunk, Enid dropped her luggage and Esther audibly choked on her own spit before dissolving into a coughing fit. Wednesday stood there, surrounded by the chaos she had caused, almost smiling to herself.
The car ride was deathly silent.
For once, Enid didn't mind the lack of conversation. Usually her mother would take this time to complain about her own life, and to whine about how disappointing Enid was in comparison to her brothers.
Now, there was nothing, except her mother trying and failing to steal furtive glances in the rear-view mirror at them. Every time her eyes would latch onto Enid's and Wednesday's conjoined hands purposefully placed on the middle of the back seat, her brows would furrow and she would look out the window to brood. Enid's dad was tense, so tense his knuckles were white on the steering wheel.
Enid had been completely blindsided by Wednesday stating they were not only dating, but girlfriends. The word girlfriends, girlfriends with Wednesday no less, made Enid's stomach feel weird in a pleasant way.
And she didn't know what to do about it, nor about the way her hand was sweating miserably within Wednesday's hold. Enid was so nervous to be holding Wednesday's hand and so embarrassed it was sweating this bad, that it only made her hand sweat more. But there was nothing to be done about it now. If it bothered Wednesday she gave no indication, reading from a small book with a nondescript cover held in her other hand, unbothered.
Her luggage was stacked along Enid's in the back, cementing the fact that yes, Wednesday was going to be staying the entire three weeks of the winter break with the Sinclair's. Predictably, Esther Sinclair had been unable to stand up to Wednesday. No one really could when it came down to it. Except Enid.
She found Wednesday was softer around the edges for her. Edges that Enid had whittled at with her constant presence. It had taken them a few months to get there, but Enid was happy for it. Happy they had finally made the leap to being friends.
And now, they had made another leap- to being girlfriends.
Enid wanted to talk to Wednesday. What was the dark haired girl thinking, doing this?
Enid thought and thought, looking out the window, unable to talk about anything with Wednesday because of how quiet it was in the car. And it stayed that way until they arrived at Enid's house. There was a gravel road that led up to the four story log cabin with a wrap around porch.
The area around it had been cleared of brush and trees to allow a murky pond out front that only attracted mosquitoes. The woods out back were lush and dense, perfect for wolves to run around in. Wednesday finally released Enid's hand and got out of the car, helping Enid's dad take out the luggage.
“Well, we're here,” Esther said, getting out of the car and awkwardly placing her hands by her sides. “I imagine it's not much to an Addams, but we have a small room in the attic we can make up for you.” It seemed the woman had resigned herself to the fact that Wednesday was going to be here, but the side-eye she gave Enid meant Enid was going to be in a lot of trouble if Esther ever caught her alone.
Enid had no intention of letting that happen.
“We also don't quite cater to human tastes,” Esther continued on. “Only fresh killed meat; we wolves need a protein heavy diet.”
“I've ingested roadkill before,” Wednesday said calmly and Esther's face blanched at that thought.
“Enid, show her indoors, I have to go check on your brothers to make sure they haven't torn the house apart in the meantime,” Esther said, deciding to beat a hasty retreat and regroup for later when no doubt she would return nastier.
For now, Esther had been cowed and Enid would enjoy the peace that came before the storm.
“Come,” Enid said, taking her stuff along, and skipping up the stairs. Enid didn't care how furious her mother was with her; she knew with Wednesday by her side, this break was going to be super amazing.