Chapter Text
A branch snapped in the silence of the night.
No light filtered through the threes, but the dark was no problem for the advanced eyesight of the wolf.
The wolf, however, didn’t turn to see what or who caused the disruption.
Didn’t even wait for another sound.
Muscles bunched, paws struck earth and bolted in the opposite direction.
One growl.
A loud warning to leave the wolf alone.
Fog poured from its nose with each ragged breath, steaming in the icy air.
A relentless shadow followed, almost matching speed.
The hair on the wolf’s neck bristled, but instinct controlled the body and the curiosity wasn’t enough to stop the flight.
One snarl.
Annoyance laced with fear.
Rain clung to the fur, heavy, and cold, shaken loose in violent jerks of her head.
Another day being the same.
Still running.
Still hunted.
Tired.
So, so tired.
The brief distraction on random thoughts doomed the wolf and the path cut off to a stone wall, nowhere else to go now.
A low rumble clawed up the wolf’s throat after quickly turning around to face the chaser. The sound echoed in the darkness like a thunder.
“Back off” the wolf warned without words.
The bark certainly had teeth if the chaser dared to get closer.
But the steps kept coming.
The wolf’s nose detected a different scent to the right, but before focusing on that, a pair of black eyes emerged from the shadows ahead.
Dark, steady, merciless.
‘Surrender, please’
They pinned the wolf and held it there.
A whimper.
The wolf recognized the eyes.
Ears flattened against the skull.
“Enid…” the voice she had only ever known as steady, trembled for the first time, “I will apologize for this later”
Confusion.
A sharp hiss of wind from the left. Then something pressed cold against her neck. Not painful, just alien.
Her legs buckled. ‘Had they always been made of jelly?’
Couldn't ponder that for much longer, while the eyes closed and felt the body crumbling against the cold snow.
Footsteps to her right.
Footsteps to her left.
Footsteps at the front of her getting closer and closer.
“Owhoo?” the wolf whimpered weakly.
“I’ve got you, Enid” was the last thing she heard before the world went black.
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Cold.
Her bones felt like popsicles. Her body dragged through snow, fur catching on roots, every bump and jolt rattling through her frame.
Voices muffled. Like if they were underwater.
Maybe she’d finally drowned in the frozen lake.
“…this time I wasn’t going to miss my shot” a crackling voice announced with barely contained glee.
More dragging.
“… shouldn’t we…” a small and uncertain voice intervened.
She caught only fragments, words not meant for her.
“… a few more kilos than I expected…” a third voice answered.
‘Wednesday?’
“… you meant pounds?” the small voice asked.
“… nonsensical measurements. Not even I am anarchic enough to insist the rest of the world must change…” the third voice answered sharply.
‘Wednesday!’
That was all she clung to, for however long the dragging lasted.
Next thing she knows, the cold was gone.
The fogginess remained though. She felt dizzy and out of her body, but her eyes too stubborn to open.
The wolf whimpered.
“… ask mother about how…” the male voice again, glee tinged now with doubt.
“… necessary. I can take it from here. Leave us” Wednesday commanded, tone brooking no argument.
Another whimper.
Whatever was making her jelly, it began dissipating, and the discomfort was coming back full force.
Run.
She needed to run.
She needed to escape.
“Enough!” Wednesday demanded firmly, “you are not alone, Enid. You are not abandoned. You are mine to command, so stop with this nonsense and come back to me. Now!”
Her mind went silent.
She felt it just before she heard her bones reshaping. Snapping and taking a different form.
Fur pulling back into skin.
The agony of becoming smaller, softer, weaker.
The weight of humanity forced on her again.
What a blessing.
She felt colder.
There she finally was out of wolf form. Naked, trembling. A myriad of bruises with different colors adorning her skin.
She should have had enough conscience to felt embarrassed, but the only thing she could feel was warmth.
She was safe.
She was with her pack.
Heat flushed her forehead
The fever announced itself before her eyes even opened, though they did open for a blink.
“… nes!” Wednesday barked to the side, before focusing again on the trembling blonde girl in front of her, “it’s not worse than I expected, but is still bad”
Oh, how she missed that flat tone of voice, that betrayed nothing.
Except Enid had heard her voice tremble once tonight.
She clung to that.
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A loud engine made her ears twitch.
She tried to open her eyes, and for a moment, thought she saw fire and lighting.
“I’ve got her arm” the soft voice whispered.
Hands lifted her. Several, fumbling.
The male voice cackling again.
She could feel Wednesday. Silent, but somehow she knew that was carrying most of her weight.
There was a steady rumble.
“Stop worrying, my dear niece” the voice male teased, “she’s stable. Or at least stable enough until we make it home”
“Lurch, faster…” Wednesday said, ignoring him.
“Faster than this?” the quiet voice asked, fear creeping in.
“Now, Wednesday, where are your manners? Is that the way to ask Lurch?” the male voice chastised her.
“Drive faster, or else…” she warned.
“Better!” the male voice cheered and started laughing again.
Enid’s head spun, but she felt it guided to rest against a warm body.
Which was weird, because she knew for sure she was on Wednesday’s lap, being held close by strong arms, but Wednesday usually ran cold as dead.
‘Was her fever worsening?’
A hand brushed her cheek and tuck a few loose hairs behind her ear.
The hand stilled there.
It felt good.
She dared a sniff, confirming what her eyes refused to see.
She spiraled into unconscious one more time.
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There were voices again.
And more lifting.
“Don’t worry, mija” a raspy male voice said, “tu lobita es fuerte. She will come back to you”
Warmth again, but not oppressive as her fever.
It almost felt comforting.
“Poor sweet flower” a silky voice added, perfumed like midnight gardens, “she’ll recover beautifully, you’ll see”
Head bowed to cool cloth.
A hand pressed into hers.
Creak of wood and suddenly being surrounded by a hush of velvet.
It felt like a fresh shower after a hot summer day.
A foreign hand grabbing her jaw, not roughly, but definitely firm.
A warning growl.
“Oh, none of that, wolf!” an amused voice answered, “now drink this, wolf, and save my grandchild from her despair”
A bitter taste traveled across her tongue. She swallowed. If this was poison, at least it would end the dream one way or another.
A drum echoed through her body.
Her eyes snapped open.
Different shadows took form in the room, but she could only concentrate on the pair of black eyes in front of her, and the warm hand still holding hers.
“I’ve got you, Enid”
Her eyes rolled to the back of her skull and she passed out once again.
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The first thing she noticed was the absence of the pounding headache.
Then she heard a very familiar and steady heartbeat.
Enid forced her eyes open.
She was in a room she hadn’t seen before in her life, but in her mind there was no doubt who it belonged to.
“About time” Wednesday said.
Enid could have said so much. So many things to address. So many smart ass comments regarding the worry frown on her usually schooled expression roommate.
Instead, she greedily took sight of Wednesday sat beside her, posture perfect, tired eyes and their joined hands.
Enid simply tightened the grip and smiled weakly before falling asleep, this time sure it was to dream and not to have nightmares.
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Enid’s eyes fluttered open. A soft light fell across the room. No clock was in sight, but the faint blue glow suggested it couldn’t be past five a.m.
She stretched slowly, reacquainting herself with human limbs. Certain parts of her body complained, soreness shooting through her muscles. She’d need a full check of the casualties later.
A subtle movement to her right caught her attention. Morticia Addams stopped the rocking chair and closed a thin leather-bound book before meeting her gaze.
“You finally look like your mind is among us, my dear” Morticia said, smiling with gentle warmth.
“Uh…what… what happened?” Enid croaked, her voice hoarse.
Morticia leaned forward, her fingers brushing Enid’s forehead to check for fever.
Enid’s cheeks tinged pink at the motherly action.
“You were a magnificent specimen to chase” Morticia answered, serene as ever, “I’m certain Wednesday would want to reveal the details of the hunting herself”
Enid’s pulse quickened.
“Where… where is she?”
Morticia’s dark eyes met her gaze and smiled knowingly.
“Currently… unconscious in a guest room” she said with no concern, “you see, she refused to leave your side, so Grandmama had to trick her with one of her strongest potions to make her sleep. That was an hour ago, so she’ll likely rest for a few more. How are you feeling, darling?”
“Better… I think” Enid answered hesitantly, “thank you for watching over me”
“But of course, my dear” Morticia cooed, gently patting Enid’s hand, “you are family. And Wednesday would never forgive us if you woke alone”
At that moment, the door burst open.
Wednesday stood there, just slightly… altered. Or as much as Wednesday Addams would show being altered. Her heart beating faster than usual and her breathing betraying the speed of her arrival.
Gomez marched right behind her into the room, chest puffing and almost out of air.
“I couldn’t keep her down” he announced proudly, “she woke up suddenly and insisted on coming to watch… oh, lobita! You are awake!”
“Enid…” Wednesday remained frozen just a few steps away from the bed.
Morticia stood, gathering a few things and placing them into Wednesday’s hands before gently ushering her husband out of the room.
Enid grinned and felt her eyes watering.
“You found me…”
Wednesday blinked, clearing her throat, then walked the remaining steps to sit at the edge of the bed. Not touching, but leaving barely any distance between them.
“I am your pack, am I not?” she said, trying to keep her voice emotionless, but Enid knew better, “it’s part of my duty, regardless of how stubborn and childish this chase was”
“You are my pack, Wednesday” Enid said, sitting with difficulties and grabbing one of Wednesday’s hands on hers, “I’m sorry for giving you a hard time, though I can’t barely remember anything”
Wednesday cleared her throat again and squeezed her hand before opening the kit Morticia had given her.
“It was a good exercise to polish my hunting” she said, avoiding Enid’s eyes as she pulled out clean bandages and disinfectant spray, “this may sting a little, but your wolf has taken care of most of your injuries. We just need to make sure there’s no infection”
“Sure” Enid agreed, knowing not to push anymore.
Wednesday worked in silence, removing old bandages from her arms and leg. She cleaned each cut carefully, methodically applying ointment before covering them with fresh bandages.
“Ugh, I look like a clown with all these bruises and cuts” Enid complained, watching Wednesday wrap her hand. The red was too bright against raw skin.
“That’s preposterous” Wednesday argued, offended, “your blood has a magnificent color”
“Do you ever give normal compliments?” Enid groaned, blushing despite herself, basking in the warmth of Wednesday’s touch.
‘Seriously, when did she stop being so cold to touch?’
“That was one of the most normal ones” Wednesday replied serious as ever, but the angle of her face while working hid a tiny smirk.
Before Enid could reply to that, a soft knock at the door interrupted. The sound felt polite and very small, so definitely not an Addams.
The door creaked open and Agnes peered in with a timid smile. She slipped inside balancing a tray with three cups. She handed one with coffee to Wednesday and tentatively offered the biggest one to Enid.
Smoke rose from it and Enid was certain that it was not a light trick that caused for the liquid to move like that inside the cup.
“That smells like something that crawled out of a swamp” Enid wrinkled her nose at the scent.
“Grandmama is sending it” Agnes said, taking a cautious sip of her own to disguise a laugh, “she said it will help you”
Enid leaned in and sniffed, reluctant to drink it. There was something herbal, like lavender, but with a distinct sharpness underneath, earthly and something medicinal.
“It’s safe” Wednesday added, “no one here would try to harm you. Not deathly, at least”
Pinching her nose not to smell, she finally took big gulps of the liquid until the cup was empty.
“Eesh” Enid complained with distaste, placing the empty cup on the side.
Wednesday nodded pleased.
“It’s too early for breakfast, but if you are hungry, I can procure something from the kitchen” Wednesday offered.
As if on cue, Enid’s stomach growled loud enough to fill the room. Her cheeks bloomed hot.
“Very well” Wednesday simply said before standing up to leave the room.
The door closed softly behind her, leaving Enid and Agnes in a charged silence.
“So…” Enid started, trying to get comfortable against the pillows.
“I…uh… should probably explain how I ended up in all this” Agnes hesitated before pulling up a chair.
“Yeah, I’d like to know how you got dragged into wolf-hunting” Enid tilted her head with curiosity.
“I honestly didn’t want to be alone” Agnes admitted, twisting her fingers nervously, “so… I followed Wednesday. It only took me a couple of days to find her, and I stuck around since she only asked me to leave twice”
“Right… three means I don’t want you here, two means stay…” Enid retorted.
“Exactly!” Agnes cheered up, her lips quirked into the faintest smile, “mostly I helped with tech stuff…”
“Wednesday’s Achilles’ heel” Enid said with understanding.
“Yeah. Pretty basic. Hacking cameras, traffic feeds…” Agnes continued.
“Please don’t tell me you…” Enid started.
“Police ones and public CCTV” Agnes brightened and then shrugged as it was nothing, “once we had a solid lead, we went after you. But every time… you ran. Even when I was invisible and tried to get near, you know, stealth mode and all, you always detected me and bolted”
Enid groaned covering her face.
“Oh, so I did give you guys a hard time” she said laughing with embarrassment.
“Just a little” Agnes’ smile softened, shaking her head, “it was fun though. Spending time with Wednesday and her uncle. Learning from both. It just wasn’t fun to see her so…”
She hesitated.
“So what?” Enid pressed.
“Sad…” Agnes said finally.
“Wednesday was sad?” Enid sat straighter, her own memory of Wednesday’s mood flared.
“Yes” Agnes watched Enid with earnest, furtive eyes, “you know I’ve spent a lot of time observing Wednesday, so I know her default moods by now, but every time you…” she hesitated, searching for words, “she looked smaller every time you bolted. When we were so close, but you managed to run”
Guilt twisted in Enid’s chest. The worried, black eyes from her dreams, those had been Wednesday’s.
“I was sad at the poor quality your presence contributed to the operation” Wednesday’s voice cut in from the doorway.
Enid bit back a laugh, eyes darting between the two.
“Don’t be rude, Wednesday!” she reproached, feeling protectiveness blooming, “I’m sure she was most helpful”
Agnes blinked, a small flush burning at the tips of her ears.
“I can’t believe you haven’t had proper training for your skills” Wednesday said, ignoring Enid’s comment and gently placing a plate with buttered bread at her lap, “I will remedy that”
Agnes seemed half excited about the idea and half scared.
“Wait…” Enid blinked, frowning, “what about school? How did you get free days? I’m assuming once the zombie issue was resolved, classes went back to normal”
Agnes shifted in her chair, almost sheepish and shared a look with Wednesday.
“Classes actually ended three days ago” she explained, “we didn’t miss much, just a few classes and final exams”
“What… what do you mean classes are over? The semester is over?!” Enid asked, horrified at the thought, her sense of time completely skewed, “but it’s November!”
“We chased you for five weeks. It’s December twenty-third. Try to contain your grief for academic loss” Wednesday declared, “I wasn’t going to let something as irrelevant as classes delay your hunting, Enid”
“But…” Enid tried to process the information, now paying attention to the baggy eyes on Wednesday and Agnes.
“Nothing was more important than finding you, Sinclair” Wednesday said with finality.
Enid’s eyes filled with tears at the soft but determined gaze on Wednesday’s eyes and the timid but honest smile from Agnes.
The buttered bread tasted like a thousand bucks.
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Enid shifted for the tenth time, trying to find a position that didn’t make her legs itch with restlessness.
Knowing better than to engage, Wednesday continued reading from her chair, making just small pauses to scribble on a notebook.
A pair of bright blue eyes bore into her profile, desperate for attention. When they earned nothing, Enid huffed dramatically and flopped against the pillows.
“Are you attempting self-harm, Enid?” Wednesday finally relented, closing her book over one finger as a marker.
“My bones are fossilizing here, Wednesday!” Enid shot back, the whine outweighing the bite.
“You are injured” Wednesday tried to reason.
“I know but…”
“And you know you need to rest for at least a couple more days” Wednesday continued.
“Yes, but…”
“And you grew exhausted just from two trips to the bathroom earlier” Wednesday interrupted again.
Enid pouted, glassy-eyed.
“I do know, but…” she attempted.
Wednesday held her gaze in silence before sighing.
“Agnes…” she called, still keeping her eyes on the werewolf.
Agnes appeared at the opposite side of the room, leaning against Wednesday’s desk, sheepish.
Enid jumped, nearly tangling herself in the blanket.
“Wha… how long have you been…” Enid sputtered.
“Long enough” Wednesday said, deadpan, closing her notebook with a snap, “honestly, even when you’re invisible, your breathing is so loud I’m astonished you weren’t hyperventilating. Not to mention that your shadow is obvious. And you…”
Enid shrank under the weight of her stare as Wednesday rose and moved to the bedside.
“You are a werewolf” Wednesday continued, “in recovery, but a werewolf nonetheless. The fact you failed to smell or hear her is frankly concerning. It casts doubt on the vaunted reputation of alphas”
Enid’s ears burned red.
“Hey!”, she snapped fiercely, though obviously ashamed, “I was distracted”
“Boy if I can confirm that” Agnes murmured, “you spent an absurd amount of time staring at Wednesday’s face”
Wednesday arched a brow at this and Enid flushed even deeper.
“The new phone I ordered for you should arrive tomorrow” Wednesday said briskly, turning to deposit her book and notebook on the desk, “then your boredom can be appeased by the endless stupidity of social media”
“I wasn’t staring that much to your face… I just was…” Enid tried to argue, “distracted…”
“So you have said” Wednesday nodded, walking back to stand near the bed, offering her hand to Enid, “in any case, I’d be a negligent host if I didn’t address the matter at hand”
Enid hesitated, then slipped her palm into Wednesday’s.
‘So warm’, she thought, startled by the steadiness of the touch.
Wednesday bent, sweeping the covers aside with her free hand, then eased Enid’s legs over the edge of the bed before slipping an arm around her waist.
“Ready?” she asked quietly, her face just a few inches apart. (centimeters! I’m sorry, Wednesday)
Enid yipped, the sound bursting from her throat before she could smother it, unused to such care from her friend.
The gesture was casual and smooth, but Wednesday’s grip was firm as she guided Enid upright.
Her knees wobbled briefly, forcing her into a half-hug, clutching at Wednesday’s shoulders until the tremor passed. When she could stand on her own, she didn’t let go, both hands slid down to cling to Wednesday’s left arm.
Wednesday did not comment, only adjusted her stance until Enid found her footing and started walking towards the door.
“We’ll kill two proverbial birds with one stone, Agnes” she announced.
“Birds?” Agnes echoed, bewildered, but hurried ahead to open the door for them.
“We are not killing birds, Willa!” Enid cried, alarmed.
Wednesday rolled her eyes but didn’t say anything else, just turning briefly to tight Enid’s robe and make sure she was well covered.
They made their way down the long staircase, with Enid walking slowly and Wednesday keeping her secure. Agnes trailing behind. The house creaked as Wednesday led them in the silence of the night through the house and a side door, across the yard and further, until the Addams Family graveyard loomed ahead.
The moon washed the crooked headstones in pallid light, and the air hung cold and still, biting at their cheeks as white puffs of breath escaped with every inhale.
“Um… Wednesday?…” Enid ventured, concern creeping in, “I’m all about sharing hobbies, but I don’t think I can stomach digging graves right now”
Wednesday’s eye twitched. She stopped before two headstones flanking a marble pillar, guiding Enid down to sit on the stone. She didn’t let go until Enid was settled.
“You said you want it to get out of bed” she explained matter-of-factly after Enid was completely seated, not trusting she could take the action on her own, “and Agnes’ skills are mediocre at best, so, lesson one, breath control…”
Agnes straightened, eager.
“I’ve been practicing since your uncle mentioned it!” she inhaled deeply before disappearing, then after a couple of seconds she added, “see? You couldn’t tell I’m here”
“Pathetic” Wednesday replied without hesitation, “silence isn’t simply the absence of speech. Even my halfwit brother could track you with how loud you are”
Agnes reappeared and seemed defeated at Wednesday’s comment.
A cluster of bats chose that moment to burst overhead, their wings beating the air. Agnes shrieked.
“Point proven…” Wednesday said, but then her tone change to a more neutral one, “control of breath is tied to control of heartbeat. Panic ruins both. Again. This time without vanishing. Focus on disguising the sound of yourself amid the noise around you”
Agnes nodded and closed her eyes, drawing in a slow, measured breath.
Wednesday walked to stand in front of her in silence. It was clear the moment when Agnes felt her approaching, not able to keep her eyes closed and gasping quietly.
“Again” Wednesday said, no roll of eyes this time, simply circled around the girl.
Agnes set her shoulders, inhaled, and kept her eyes shut.
“Don’t hold your breath” Wednesday warned.
Agnes blinked, but obeyed, breathing through her nose, deeply concentrated.
“Better” Wednesday conceded, stopping directly in front of her.
Agnes bit down on the urge to squeak at the praise, lips pressed tight, but not wanting to break the quiet until being told otherwise.
With no warning, Wednesday flicked a knife from her sleeve and lunged.
Agnes yelped, clutched her chest, heart hammering.
“That’s cheating!” she complained.
Wednesday slid the blade back into her sleeve, unfazed.
“You won’t be comfortable all the time, Agnes” she explained, sounding more patiently that anyone ever heard her, “you are not even invisible now and could not keep your concentration. Not always you will be in a position where the danger will be as careless as Tyler was. Control means nothing if it collapses, and you can’t rely on it during your worst moments”
Her voice was calm, but Enid caught the faint crease between her brows. She knew Wednesday was thinking about Agnes trapped in the car with a corpse, hands clamped over her own mouth to stifle a scream and prevent the Hyde to notice her.
Agnes must have remembered too. She shivered before setting her jaw and resuming the exercise with new resolve.
The lesson stretched on until Wednesday noticed Enid stifling a yawn.
“If you are bored, Sinclair, you might as well take the time to practice” Wednesday said with a monotonous tone, “your own impulse control is no less questionable than Agnes”
Enid huffed.
“My breathing control is excellent, thank you very much” she gloated, “you forget that I’m a werewolf. Werewolves are built for it, we regulate breath while running. Watch this and learn”
Her ears twitched as she drew in a slow breath, senses sharpening. The damp moss. The iron tang of weathered stone. The faintest wind stirring through the trees.
Funnily enough, this time she did hear Agnes’ breathing, though she couldn’t hear Wednesday’s. Only when she strained could she catch the slow, deliberate rhythm of the raven’s heartbeat.
“Mastered” Enid declared smugly, flashing a grin.
Wednesday’s fingers shifted near her sleeve.
“Your knives don’t scare me anymore, Wedns” Enid said, closing her eyes with exaggerated confidence.
For a long moment, Wednesday only studied her. Then she stepped forward noiseless, so silent that the wolf didn’t hear her leaning close until her lips hovered just beside Enid’s ear.
“Your pulse is showing…” she whispered.
The warmth of her breath lit a spark through Enid’s veins. She jolted, eyes flying open, her inhale stumbling as scarlet flooded her cheeks.
“Un…unfair” she stammered.
Wednesday drew back, perfectly composed, the tiniest quirk ghosting her lips. Enid eyes followed those lips like her life depended on it.
“Mastered?” Wednesday repeated, voice as flat as ever, but the glimmer in her eyes betrayed her satisfaction and something else that Enid hadn’t seen before.
Agnes giggled softly, only to stop when Wednesday’s eyes flicked her way.
Enid folded her arms, trying to recover, but the memory of warm breath lingered against her skin. Another shiver betrayed her.
Wednesday saw it immediately and her gaze softened.
“Enough for tonight” she declared, “your wolf is strong, but your body is not yet recovered”
Enid blinked, caught off guard by the softness in her voice. She nodded, unwilling to confess her trembling had little to do with her injuries.
“Come” Wednesday added, offering her hand like it was an everyday occurrence, “you need rest more than practice”
Enid accepted Wednesday’s hand, warmth blooming in her chest despite the chill of the air.
‘So freaking warm! What’s going on!?’
“Bossy” she muttered, cheeks crimson.
Wednesday only tightened her grip.
“Efficient” she corrected.
Agnes pretended not to notice the softness in Wednesday’s tone and their charged glances, and occupied herself looking around while Enid clung again from Wednesday’s shoulders to stand up.
She waited patiently until Wednesday carefully guided Enid across the damp grass, one arm steady against her elbow, the other arm gently holding her by the waist and followed them, trailing just a few paces behind.
They had only just crossed into the courtyard when a low whistle broke the silence.
“Well, well” a voice drawled, “look who snuck out for a midnight stroll”
Wednesday’s dagger flashed, pinning the intruder’s sleeve neatly to the wall.
Enid growled warningly before her wolf eyes recognized the figure in front of her smiling with a lopsided grin.
“Pugsley?” she retracted her fangs and claws for a second.
He yanked the dagger free with some difficulty, stepping into the moonlight with a fishing rod in one hand and a sloshing bucket in the other. His grin was all teeth.
“Didn’t know romantic walks included chaperones now” he teased his sister, eyes flickering between Enid and Agnes.
Enid froze and went crimson again.
“We weren’t… we didn’t…” she fumbled, glancing desperately at Wednesday, who offered her no rescue.
Agnes gave the tiniest wave.
Pugsley’s grin widened.
“Invisible girl” he waved back with the bucket hand, the faint squelch of movement inside suggesting something was still alive, “so my sister decided to keep you, huh? Ready for the initiation?”
“Keep me?” Agnes blinked again, startled.
“Pugsley” Wednesday said coolly, “shouldn’t you be drowning something right now?”
“Already did” he said proudly, lifting the bucket just enough for a tentacle to slap the rim before dropping it again, “thought I’d save the dissection for later”
Enid wrinkled her nose. Agnes, however, tilted her head with genuine curiosity.
“What is it?”
“Wanna see?” Pugsley’s grin turned conspirational.
“Absolutely not” Wednesday cut in, but she noticed Agnes’s lingering interest. A sigh slipped from her, “fine. Just don’t let her touch the venomous parts. Now is not the time to test her immunity”
Pugsley beamed and walked to show the bucket’s content to the redhead.
Wednesday adjusted her hold on Enid, steering her firmly toward the house.
“Enough interruptions” she said firmly, “you’ve had your walk, now bed”
“Yes, ma’am” Enid teased, though she leaned into the support.
Behind them, Pugsley and Agnes fell into step, the boy explaining everything about tentacles and the best solvents for bone-cleaning while Agnes listened with wide-eyed fascination.
Enid barely heard them. Her focus narrowed on the faintest curve of a proud smile tugging at Wednesday’s lips.
She decided not to point it out though. For everyone’s sakes. Specially her own heart.
By the time they climbed back upstairs, Enid’s legs felt like overcooked noodles, so she didn’t protest when Wednesday guided her directly towards the bed, almost carrying her up to help her lay on the mattress and pulled the covers back.
“Lie down” Wednesday ordered softly.
Enid obeyed, her eyes shinning with amusement, sighing as she sank into the pillows.
Ever used to have energy to spare, she didn’t know how worn out she actually was until her body relaxed, thanking her for going back to bed.
She watched Wednesday fuss with the blanket edges, smoothing every crease.
“Hey, Wedns?” Enid’s voice was groggy but curious, the thought only now surfacing, “why are you in a guest room and leaving me in yours?”
Wednesday paused, her hand resting on the quilt.
“This is the only room in the house Aunt Debbie doesn’t dare to enter”, she explained, avoiding her eyes, “I don’t want you disturbed. Strategically, it is the safest option”
Enid’s lips curved.
“For my sanity, of course” Wednesday continued, “I wouldn’t be able to sleep through your multiple complaints if that were to happen”
“You could’ve just said you wanted me comfortable” Enid teased, endeared at the same time.
“That would have been redundant” Wednesday countered, eyes flicking away.
Enid lifted her brows in surprise at the minor deflection, expecting her friend to outright deny she cared.
Wednesday continued arranging the quilt, stopping only when reaching Enid’s side, the blonde girl grabbing her hand gently.
“Stay?” she murmured, “please?”
For a heartbeat, Wednesday didn’t move. Then Enid shifted slightly under the blankets, patting the space beside her.
Wednesday’s brow furrowed a bit, as though calculating.
She turned around and walked to flick the lights off before returning to quietly slip off her shoes, unfastened her robe and slid onto the bed. She stayed stiff, perched atop the covers, leaving a respectable inch of distance.
Enid waited a beat before scooting closer, resting her head on the same pillow, her temple brushing Wednesday’s shoulder. Their hands hovered near each other, fingertips grazing.
“See? More comfortable” Enid whispered, waiting for the moment Wednesday would decide to move her hand.
Wednesday’s dark eyes lingered on her, unreadable, yet softer than Enid had ever seen them. She flicked her eyes down to the brushing hands, then quietly reached up instead, tucking a stray lock of blonde hair behind Enid’s ear before lowering her hand to rest beside hers with the faintest touch.
Enid’s heart thudded and decided to take the risk, threading her fingers through Wednesday’s stiff ones.
Wednesday didn’t argue and Enid smiled again before letting exhaustion take over, her breathing evening out against Wednesday’s shoulder.
“Sleep, Enid” Wednesday whispered, “you are not alone, you are my pack and I will be here once you wake up. I always will”
Enid smiled in her sleep, unaware of Wednesday at last intertwining their fingers fully.