Wednesday
Making The First Move
Author's Note: I don't usually put these up here, but I had an important announcement to post before we get into the story. As you may be able to tell already, this is not the Nevermore Secrets spinoff. Nor is it connected in any way to Nevermore Secrets. I know, I said I'd post it up today and then this one afterwards, and yet this story is here instead. And there's quite a simple reason for that: I read through the spinoff once more before I posted it. And looking at it with fresh eyes, I decided it's nowhere near ready. It doesn't strike the balance that a Wednesday story needs. It's not dark in a funny way; it's just dark in a depressing way. The subject matter is a tricky one to strike the balance on, but I definitely missed the mark here. I will fix it, but it will have to be postponed indefinitely until that's done. Apologies to those I know were excited for it, but there was no way I could release it as it is. Thanks for understanding. Please see below for the updated schedule. In the meantime, welcome to Making The First Move. I hope you enjoy the story.
Habit, by its very nature, is predictable. In and of itself, habit is the repetition of an action at a set time of day or upon the occurrence of a specific circumstance. For instance: putting ketchup on food, wishing someone good night, taking a shower at around eight o'clock at night or the grinding of teeth when frustrated or anxious. There were many kinds of habit with many potential triggers for each. And it varied from person to person. Some people were creatures of habit while others found delight in the randomness of life.
One who was definitely a being of habit was Wednesday Addams. Bath time was a set time without fail. One hour a day at minimum was dedicated to her novel. Once the moon was high in the sky, it was time for cello practice. And stashing weapons around the room was something she did frequently. Every time Enid looked, there seemed to be a new one added. And she checked them in a way that was borderline religious.
It was a trap. Everyone who knew her could spot it. She made a very public show of her predictability so that anyone who was plotting against her might think they had her figured out. Only for her to completely turn the tables on them. It was the roadmap of her life. She knew all the twists and turns of it. Every little step that she would have to take on it every day. And woe to anyone who would think they could disrupt it. To anyone who thought her predictability made her vulnerable. Stepping into her life in any way, encroaching on her territory even slightly, was asking for trouble. The instant someone put their foot down, they'd hit a landmine.
So it was more than a little unnerving when her habits changed. And with no idea what it meant, Enid Sinclair felt she had no option but to ask someone. So that was why at half seven in the evening, while Wednesday was back in the room typing furiously on her typewriter, she found herself standing outside the door of one of her fellow Ophelia Hall residents. Rapping her knuckles against the hard wood, she waited as she heard a string of muffled curses and a second voice through the door as two sets of feet scrabbled about. Of course Yoko had company. And she could guess who. Sure enough, when the door swung open to reveal the frustrated Asian vampire on the other side, she could see Divina in the background.
Yoko was standing there with a gaze as black as night. She was clad in a blood red silk nightgown and Enid could almost smell the pent up energy pouring from her. There was no doubt about it: she'd just interrupted the two of them as they were getting down to business. Instantly, she felt the guilt hit her. But she knew she wouldn't be here if she didn't need to.
"What's she done now?" Yoko sighed, standing aside to let her in. The moment she crossed the entryway, Enid noticed how dark it was. The whole room was bathed in the light of electric candles with only one real candle lit in the corner. It was a scented one and was cordoned off to stop anything catching on it and causing a fire. The level of effort she'd gone to for this night was like an ice cold knife to Enid's gut.
"Ah, crap. Yoko, I'm so sorry! I-"
"Just start talking, Enid." Yoko sighed, sitting down on the bed as Divina pulled the covers that little bit higher over herself. "The quicker we try and help, the quicker we can get back to what we were doing." Enid had no idea what was worse. The abrasive edge to her tone or the effort she was clearly putting into trying to conceal it. At that moment, Yoko got off the bed again and headed over to the scented candle, blowing it out. Clearly she felt they were going to be there a while and didn't want to waste it. In the back of her mind, Enid wondered if Yoko had been hanging around Wednesday lately. That move was definitely a level of manipulation that was right up there with something Wednesday might pull. And somehow, Enid only felt worse about knocking. But she was here now. She'd just have to think more carefully in the future.
"Okay..." Enid took a breath. "I'm struggling to read Wednesday lately."
"What else is new?" Divina sighed as she flopped back in the bed. As she did, she reached down to bunch the covers up higher. In that moment, Enid saw why she was so intent on keeping them up to her neck. "I know." Divina said, having seen that she'd noticed. "The uniform makes me look flat as a surfboard, huh? God, that getup is stifling. And who the hell thought that colour scheme was a good idea?"
"Wait..." Enid paled. "Are you...? What...?"
"It's our two year anniversary." Yoko told her. "The getting was supposed to be good tonight. Still can be provided we get this over with quick, so speak!" As her voice rose, Enid saw the tips of Yoko's fangs beginning to emerge. Clearly the mask was beginning to slip and she was showing her annoyance. Enid got the message. She needed to speak her piece and make it fast.
"Okay, so she's never hidden things from me." Enid told them. "She's been open, upfront and never scared to talk about whatever she's working on. But she's completely done a one-eighty. I walked in last night and she quickly zipped up a giant bag and shoved it down the side of her bed where I couldn't see it. She's been scribbling notes down every other night... She's definitely planning something and she's not sharing. When I tried asking, she was distant. She dodged the question and sat down to do her writing hour. And here's the thing: she hasn't done that in several days. Writing her novel is one of the most important things to her and she used it as an avoidance tactic. It's so unlike her that I'm actually finding it freaky!"
"Sounds like you're paying way too much attention to her." Divina said, sitting up slightly. At that, Enid shot her a look that was part confusion and part annoyance. On one hand, that point made no sense. On the other, nothing about that remark sounded like she'd taken what Enid said at all seriously.
"No, I think she's right." Yoko nodded. This time, it was shock that flashed across the young werewolf's face as she turned to Yoko. "Enid, she's been living with you for about four months tops by now. In that short space of time, you've come to know all her habits off by heart. You know the exact number of weapons she has, where she hides them all and which specific ones she hides in each place. You once complained to us that she takes a bath at nine on the dot every night without fail and doesn't leave the window open so that the mould sets in from the condensation. You've ranted about her late-night cello solos- which we can hear from this room, by the way- while simultaneously gushing about how good she plays-"
"Good?" Enid repeated numbly. "She's perfect at it! Never a note wrong."
"That's exactly what we mean!" Yoko tried not to shout but her restraint was clearly crumbling. "Enid, you know all this. You've spoken to us about all this. And Wednesday knows you've spoken to us about all this! You love gossip. We love that you don't even try to hide that. And we adore that you've even found a way to use that by starting a blog. But Enid... Have you ever taken into account how Wednesday feels about all this? Someone who's so reserved, who loves to work in the shadows, getting dragged into the open like that? With everyone staring at her? You've put her on a pedestal and each set of eyes must be like a spotlight to her!"
Enid recoiled like she'd been slapped. It was true! How many times since Wednesday had moved in had she spoken to Yoko and Divina about matters concerning the gothic witch? What must Wednesday think of her? Did she find her creepy? Obsessive? Although Wednesday was all about everything creepy, so probably not that one. But was there a chance she could find her invasive? She thought she'd always given her ample space. But was that really true?
"Okay, so say you're right..." Enid feared to even consider the possibility. But she knew she needed to. "What should I do? Do I apologise? Try and talk it out? She's not much for personal conversations."
"Then show her." Divina suggested. "Start by letting her have the room tonight. Find somewhere else to stay. Just not here, because..." She gestured between herself and Yoko and Enid nodded in understanding.
"That's fair. And thanks, guys. I learned the hard way I can be a lot sometimes. I don't apologise for it since that's what makes me the person I am. But I am sorry I got in the way of your anniversary."
"It's fine." Yoko shrugged. "If anything, I'm glad you feel you can come to us. And any time Divina isn't staying over on an important night, you have a refuge. Remember that. But when the rose petals and candles come out, the door is right over there. And now you may use it." With that, Yoko walked over to her desk, pulled a jar out from underneath it and opened it to reveal that it was full of preserved rose petals. She then proceeded to tip the lot on the bed as Divina burst out laughing. Enid got the message, getting up to head to the door.
"Oh, Enid?" Divina called out, making the young werewolf pause. "If you need a place, try my room. See if my room mate is okay with you crashing in there. Fair warning: she'll probably rant a bit about me not being there."
"Thanks." Enid nodded gratefully before heading to the door as she heard Yoko heading over to re-light the scented candle.
She shut the door behind her and immediately started heading down the hall to put some distance between herself and Yoko's door. The enhanced senses that came with being a werewolf were definitely a double-edged sword. On one hand, they were a great way to get the upper hand in situations. She could overhear gossip from half a mile away if she got some good elevation on a quiet day. On the other, she knew she would be able to hear the vampire and the siren for quite some distance. The soundproofing in the walls didn't mean much. Many werewolves in the dorm would be pulling their pillows over their heads tonight.
With that in mind, she couldn't stay in the dorm. And no way was she sleeping in Divina's bed. That was more than a little uncomfortable and would undoubtedly lead to her mind wandering into dangerous territories. Conjuring up images of what Divina and Yoko might be doing together. Absolutely not. She wasn't allowed in the boys' dorms so that was out. Not that she'd want to take that option at night. That was unsafe as hell. The other girls' dorm was Bianca's domain and she really wasn't up for that. She'd won a lot of respect since wolfing out the first time and wasn't about to risk losing that by begging for a room.
For the first time in her life, she was stuck. She couldn't room with anyone else in the dorm. She'd hear Yoko and Divina. And she couldn't ask anyone else. Where could she go? She needed an idea and she needed it fast. The breathing was already starting to get slightly heavier.
Suddenly, the answer hit her. Of course! Somewhere quiet, warm and peaceful... The library was always left open at night! And this close to winter, the radiators would be running. Without wasting time, she set off. She broke into a run with no time to spare. Getting away from Yoko's room was the priority. As soon as she'd done that, she slowed right down to more of a leisurely stroll. Contrary to the natures of most werewolves, she didn't like to just run everywhere without good reason. At this time of year, the night air had a crisp chill to it. The crystalline dew that settled on the trees shone in the moonlight like a sea of crystals haphazardly scattered over the tops of the trees. She liked to stop at every window and take it all in from different angles. And the night air had a pleasant crisp and clean edge to it that really cleared her head. Of course, she could run the whole way. But why would she when she could just enjoy this beautiful night.
When she finally did reach the library, it was deserted. Of course it was. Only the hardcore nerds went in there at this sort of time and even that was more towards exam season. Enid wasted no time in dragging a desk over by the radiator. With that done, she laid herself down on it and took off her coat, draping it over her like a blanket. It wasn't perfect, but she could work with it. She'd slept in worse conditions. And with the radiator, she was warm enough. She closed her eyes, keeping as still as she could and counting the seconds in her head until lack of action turned into lack of consciousness. She always lost count. She'd never been able to get an exact number. But it worked for her. It had seen her through many a tough time with her family. The time when she was away from her home here at Nevermore. Everything was backwards for her. To her, Nevermore was home. And the holidays forced her to leave it.
This last time had been the worst. She'd been separated from the others, able to communicate only by phone. That much was normal. It was little wonder texting was a twenty-four seven addiction to her. Every second she was away from Nevermore, she was staring at her phone screen and counting the seconds until she went back. But this time it had been different. This time had been agonising. And she knew why it was. Ever since Wednesday had arrived, everything had changed. Some of it for the worst. Most of it for the better. But in her absence, the longing Enid felt to be near her again was more than she could stand. At one point, she'd even found herself looking up plane tickets back to Vermont Not that it would help since Wednesday would have returned home to... Actually, she wasn't sure what state Wednesday lived in. But she would have gone back there. Still, anything would have been better than being with her family.
As usual, she didn't know when she stopped counting and fully fell asleep. But between her improvised blanket and the radiator it was actually a pretty sound night all things considered. That said, she definitely wasn't jumping up to face the day when it arrived. Instead, she was making a furious mental note to bring something to support her back next time she needed to let Wednesday have the room. She rolled stiffly off the table and hit the floor hard amid a string of four-letter curses.
"Enid?" The young werewolf looked up with the bleary-eyed stare of someone who'd just woken up to see a certain goth girl looking down at her with an uncharacteristic look of concern. "What are you doing in here? You have a bed in the room."
"I thought I'd let you have the room to yourself." Enid replied, realising her voice sounded smaller than she'd intended. The pain she was in definitely didn't help. "I realised I'd been getting up in your business way too much. I thought I'd give you some space." In response, Wednesday let out a sigh and rolled her eyes. With a strength that totally belied her scrawny frame, especially without the power gained from being a werewolf like Enid, Wednesday picked the taller girl up and unceremoniously dumped her onto her front back up on the table.
"Don't move." Her voice was firm and carried a note of annoyance. At that moment, Enid felt Wednesday's ice cold hands on her back. She was so cold that it carried straight through her clothes and made contact with her skin instantly. It felt almost like Wednesday's hands had gone under her shirt, but she could still feel the fabric against her back. How she did that was a total mystery. Considering the flush of heat that unexpectedly ploughed through her back the moment the cold hit, she was loathe to disregard the possibility that there was literal god magic involved. Her muscles responded instantly, throbbing at the touch. Something about it was unquantifiable. Enid could only lie there as her hands travelled up and down, tracing the length of her spine. Then Wednesday pressed down.
Enid let out a strangled yelp as a resounding crack tore through the silence of the library. Wednesday's hands climbed their way up her back, repeating the pressure all the way up in that arcane way they seemed to have. Enid was a whimpering mess on the table as she worked. It was like some weird form of Jiu-Jitsu designed to control the female body. And it was working wonders. She could do nothing more than lay there and let Wednesday work as she felt her spine systematically snap back into place. When Wednesday was done, she stepped back and left Enid in a drooling mess on the desk.
"Stay like that until you feel ready to stand. And I'd better not have to do that again. What the hell were you thinking?"
"I told you." Enid replied groggily. "I-"
"Stop." Wednesday said icily. Enid instantly shut up as Wednesday took a breath for self control. "Let me rephrase the question: why did you think you'd been getting up in my business way too much? You're always curious. Always asking questions about or otherwise commenting on something I do. So why the sudden attack of self-awareness?"
"You were acting different." Enid confessed. I felt like there was something you were hiding from me. You don't usually do that. I've had all night to think about it. And in that time, I've decided... I don't care. Whatever you're doing... Whatever you're working on... It's your business. And I wish you the best of luck with it." At that, Enid could swear she saw Wednesday blink in surprise.
"If you must know, Enid: I was working on something for you." Wednesday told her. At that, Enid gave an involuntary gasp. She felt a blinding heat flush through her cheeks. Something for her? Enid felt her brain misfire spectacularly. Now she really regretted trying to intrude! But why would Wednesday try and do something for her? Her birthday wasn't for months yet. Wait... Did Wednesday even know when her birthday was?
"Why would- Ah!" Enid was cut off as she automatically tried to move, causing pain to lance through her back.
"No! Bad Enid!" Wednesday said with mock sternness as she tapped Enid sharply on the head. "Stay!"
"Is this going to be a thing whenever I get sick or injured in any way?" Enid sighed as her back gave another painful throb. "Please don't let it be a thing..."
"Oh, it's definitely going to be a thing." Wednesday promised, her tone unreadable and her expression not budging. Worry started to set in when Enid realised there was a chance she was being entirely serious. In fact, this was Wednesday Addams. When was the last time she wasn't serious about something? Enid genuinely didn't know. God dammit, this was going to be a thing now! "When you can move again, come to class. I'll let the teachers know you'll be late." Wait... What? She was just going to leave her here? Sure enough, Wednesday turned on her heel and went to leave, her face its usual blank, emotionless slate.
"What? What the f- You- Huh?" Enid spluttered as Wednesday headed towards the exit. "You're just going to leave me here?"
"Consider this the punishment for worrying me last night." Wednesday said without turning. She didn't break stride as she continued walking.
"Holy shit..." Enid groaned, her head hitting the table in defeat. No way was she in any shape to move. "Wednesday! Wednesday Addams, get your ass back here now before I call some very handsome paramedics to come and carry me to hospital!"
"Good luck when you left your phone in the room." Wednesday remarked. She didn't turn but she did stop at the door. "Don't worry, it's not permanent. You did this to yourself and I just worked out the kinks. Now your body needs to reorient."
"And how long will that take?" Enid demanded.
"Oh, about twenty minutes or five days." Wednesday shrugged nonchalantly. "It really depends on the person. Don't worry. I'll lock the door and post the key under it. No one will be able to get in."
"You can't just leave me here alone!" Enid protested. Wednesday didn't listen. She just reached over, grabbing the key from behind the librarian's desk and stepping through the door, turning the lights out as she left. "Wednesday? Wednesday!"
It took a very long time for Enid to be able to move again. She didn't know how long passed. For the longest while, she just had to lay there. She was barely able to move a muscle. Eventually, when she felt braver, she tried to move her left leg. Finding it easy enough, she managed to get her right leg following it. She was able to turn herself around slide backwards off the desk as her feet found secure purchase on the floor. Unfortunately, while her feet were secure, that was useless with no strength in one's spine or legs. She instantly pitched backwards, hitting the floor painfully. She could do nothing more than lay there in groaning agony, feeling like she was back at square one again.
After another agonisingly long wait, she found herself able to move more easily. She got to her feet on shaking legs and reached around to rub her back. Big mistake. She instantly pitched forward and was left bent over the desk in renewed agony. Yeah, she was definitely bringing something to support her back with next time. Still, the position she found herself in made it a lot easier to get the strength back in her legs. It was painful, but it was progress. With no other option, she had to bite the bullet and push through it.
By the time she managed to walk again, she had no idea what the time was. The sun was up, so at least it wasn't all day. But there was no way in hell that torturous forced immobilisation had only lasted fifteen minutes. She'd heard the bell go several times, but not counted how many. Not to mention the amount of growling her stomach was doing. No way in hell. Sore with every step, she grabbed the key from the floor and unlocked the door, throwing it carelessly behind the desk again as she left. She headed down to the reception desk, every step an effort in a way that got a lot of stares from everyone she passed. And there were a lot of people out and about. Clearly it wasn't class time. Had she missed them all?
"Enid?" She turned to face the source of the voice only to wince in pain as her neck protested heavily. But out the corner of her left eye, she caught a glimpse of two girls standing off to the side, concern plastered on their faces.
"Ginger... Brigitte..." she acknowledged them, her voice tight with pain. "Have you seen Yoko and Divina?"
"In the quad." Brigitte replied as Enid tried rubbing her back again. "What's wrong? Is it cra-"
"Finish that sentence and die!" Enid snarled as she set off towards the quad.
"Is that a threat or a promise?" she heard Ginger call after her in her typical sarcastic way. Enid paid her no mind. She continued on, opening the door and staggering out into the open air of the courtyard.
The instant she stepped outside, she spotted Yoko and Divina. They saw her too and immediately noticed the state she was in. The girls made their way over to her and helped her to a bench. She sat down shakily and gratefully, appreciative of their help. Just getting from the library to the quad had exhausted her. There was no point even trying to put up a strong front. They would see right through it instantly.
"Jesus, girl!" Divina said as she and Yoko took it all in for themselves. "What the hell happened? You get the PMT from hell or something?"
"That's the second time in as many minutes I've heard that." Enid growled dangerously. "No, that's got nothing to do with it! I decided I wanted quiet last night so I went to the library. Last time I sleep on a library desk. I basically crucified my back and then Wednesday found me in there and basically rocked my world and now I can hardly move." At that, Yoko's next words froze on her lips as Divina spontaneously choked on her own spit and erupted into a coughing fit.
"She rocked your world?" Yoko asked in a tone that carried so much caution that anyone would have thought Enid might detonate like a Siberian firecracker.
"Not like that!" Enid snapped. "She basically popped my spine back into place. I feel like I'm learning how to move for the first time all over again."
"Oh, I had that one time after an accident at swimming." Divina said. "It will sort itself out. You just need to give it time. Did she tell you why she'd been distant?"
"Apparently she's planning something for me." Enid told her. That got Yoko and Divina sharing a glance. "What?"
"Nothing." Yoko said; but her tone was evasive. "It's just... With Wednesday Addams, I struggle to tell if that means something good or bad."
"Look, I'm sure it'll be a nice surprise." Enid shrugged before realising what a stupid move that was. "Or her attempt at one, anyway. And plus, she seems to have a way with heartfelt gestures. Not a traditional way, but a way that's hers. It's kind of endearing, really."
As she said that, a sharp sting hit her in the upper arm. She yelped and swatted at it, spitting out a string of curses at the mosquito that had obviously bitten her. As she did, she felt her fingertips- which were already growing numb- brush across something metallic. She could feel the distant tickle of something fluffy on the end of it. She pulled it from her arm and turned it over, looking at the mustard-coloured feathers sticking out the back of the dart that she was now realising she'd been shot with. She could only stare dumbly as the sedatives took effect and she flopped forwards, hitting the ground like a sack of dog food.
At that moment, she felt her arms get pulled behind her back and heard the sound of zip-ties as her hands were restrained. Her legs were pulled up next and she was powerless to resist as she was hog-tied with merciless efficiency. She felt the panic set in, but never quite make it to the surface because of the sedative. It was more of a dull trickle of adrenaline than a full-blown cascade. What the hell was going on? This was already shaping up to be the worst day of her life so far. And she'd had some absolute shockers.
"Should we be worried about this?" she heard Divina ask from behind her as Enid was lifted up and placed on a sheet of thick plastic that crunched under her body weight as she was deposited on it.
"I mean..." Yoko seemed to be uncertainly fumbling for words. "If it were anyone else, I would be reaching for my travel can of mace and hitting my personal alarm. But this is Wednesday Addams. So... Like, I don't know. I think it's fine?" Wait, it was Wednesday doing this? It took a few seconds for Enid's brain to process that as the body bag was zipped up, sealing her in darkness.
"Nice try. But I've built up an immunity." At that moment, she felt herself be lifted off the ground and flung over the scrawniest shoulder she'd ever felt. Yeah, this was definitely Wednesday. And in her sedative-induced haze, as she felt consciousness slipping from her, she had to agree with Yoko. If it was Wednesday, then she was sure it was fine.
She didn't know how far they'd come or how long she was out for. The first thing she was aware when she came to was that the body bag had been opened. Then she felt her arms spring free as the cable tie around her wrists was cut. She brought them round slowly as she was flipped over and methodically freed from the position she'd been in. Every joint was screaming in protest and her brain was still foggy as hell from the sedatives.
"Take it easy." She heard Wednesday's voice from behind her. "You've been out for a while." As Enid was freed, she rolled over to look up. The sight of the stars up above them made her pause. Wednesday was right. She had indeed been out for a while. "I figured you'd look for Yoko and Divina at lunch." Wednesday continued. Lunch? That explained it! No wonder she was ravenous! She hadn't eaten a thing all day! And werewolves burned through a lot more calories by default than humans did. Going without for this long was incredibly unhealthy. Fortunately, Wednesday seemed to have it covered.
They were on the edge of a cliff, the Jericho forest below them and the starry sky above them. The body bag was open under them with a lidded wicker basket set in the middle. A picnic hamper! As Enid watched, Wednesday sat down and opened it up, taking out a plastic tub and opening it. Pulling out a plate, she unwrapped something from a piece of tin foil and slid it onto there. It was definitely meat. Enid knew that much. And at the sight of it, her stomach let out another ferocious growl. She then watched as Wednesday started serving other things up onto the plate before passing it over.
"This smells amazing!" Enid said as Wednesday handed her a knife and fork. "Did you make this?"
"Thing gave me a hand." Wednesday nodded. "Garlic-infused steak with fries, fried onions and a vinaigrette-dressed salad. And you haven't eaten all day so I know you're hungry." In that moment, any discomfort Enid had about sitting on a body bag she'd just been in like it was now a picnic blanket instantly vanished as she tucked in. The instant the steak hit her tongue, she couldn't resist the urge to close her eyes in a state of utter bliss. It was still slightly warm and was incredibly tender. The juices of the meat worked well with the bite of the garlic.
"What the f-" Enid wasn't sure whether to finish her sentence or keep eating. Her body was screaming at her to keep eating, but she had so many questions.
"Everything tastes good when you're starving." Wednesday said simply as she started plating her own food up.
"Yeah, but not like this!" Enid replied as she cut off another piece of the steak. This time she got the idea to grab some fries on her fork and have them at the same time. The instant the taste hit, she could tell they'd been cooked in the steak juices. "So why did you do all this? What's the occasion?"
"I wasn't aware I needed a reason." Wednesday said. "But since you must know, thanks to your insatiable curiosity: It's to say thank you."
"For what?" Enid asked as she continued eating.
"For being the most tolerable person at Nevermore." Wednesday replied. "When we were first forced into sharing accommodations together, I thought my family had finally found a way to break me. But I came to see past your luridly vivid colour scheme and your wrist-slittingly sweet exterior to see the person underneath. Someone who has a good heart. Someone who isn't afraid to go to any length for people she cares about and who cares about everyone even if she doesn't like them. And where I thought your presence would be the one to rob me of my sanity, instead I find myself wanting to thank you for helping me keep it." Her words were beautiful. But it still felt like she was holding something back. And that wasn't like her.
"Where are you going with this?" Enid asked, ignoring the hot tears pricking her eyes at the showering of compliments she'd just received. At that, Wednesday let out a sigh.
"Bottom line- this is a date and we are on it." With that, she aggressively cut off the first piece of her own steak and ate it, beginning to twist some salad around her fork as she chewed. "If you don't like it, please take it up with someone who cares. Probably Yoko and Divina since you usually go to them. I'm guessing that's where you got the idea to give me the room for the night?" Enid could only nod, scarcely able to meet Wednesday's gaze. "Well, it wasn't completely stupid advice. Because of that, I had the time I needed to make sure the tranquillisers were rated for werewolves." Wednesday smirked. "I'm surprised they let you in, though. Doesn't it say on your blog that it was their anniversary last night?"
"Does it?" Enid felt the colour drain from her face. At that moment, she could feel the side-eye from Wednesday burning into her skull.
"Enid Sinclair, did you write an article and forget about it?"
"Wednesday Addams, did you read my blog?" Enid countered. "Besides, that article was ages ago."
"I wanted hints on what you might like for a date." Wednesday shrugged. "There was a piece on there about K-Pop fanfiction and That was how I got the idea of a picnic under the stars. That one with Cho Min-Gyu and that one actor from All Of Us Are Dead. Which I'm amazed you like. And that article about Yoko and Divina was only a week old!"
"Exactly!" Enid defended. "A lifetime! In gossip terms, anyway." With that, she finished up and set her plate down. "Thanks for that. It was to die for." At her choice of words, she saw a glint come into Wednesday's eyes. She couldn't place it, but she knew she liked it.
"Are you ready for the main course, then?" she asked. That made Enid do a double-take. Surely she couldn't be serious! But she could and she was; as she proved when she removed more boxes of food from the hamper. Along with two wine glasses. That one definitely made Enid's eyes widen.
"You know we're under age, right?" she checked nervously.
"Don't worry." Wednesday assured her. "I foresaw your hesitance to break the law and so I prepared accordingly." With that, she withdrew two cartons of grape Kool Aid. "Usually, the best accompaniment to rabbit is a Beaujolais wine. It's made with grapes from the French countryside. And my mother has a half a cellar full of it. But this is not the Addams family manor. This is the ass end of nowhere. This is the best I could get. I hope it suffices." Enid was struggling for words, but hadn't processed much beyond the word 'rabbit'. She'd realised a while ago that she and Ajax were close, but it wasn't the closeness that could be shared by lovers. She hadn't even contemplated looking elsewhere yet and certainly would never have dreamed that Wednesday Addams of all people might go making the first move. She didn't know what to say. She didn't know what to do. The only thing she could think to do in this situation was to keep eating as the food was offered to her.
The rabbit was delicious and pouring the cartons of grape Kool Aid into wine glasses was absolutely hilarious to her. Still, it went down easily enough and was a delicious combination. Enid could only imagine how it would taste if done as nature intended. But she couldn't wait until she was old enough to find out. Especially if Wednesday was cooking.
"Thank you, Wednesday." Enid said. And she meant it. For all the creepiness of being literally abducted to come on a date, this had actually been a very beautiful night under the stars.
"Does that mean you're ready for dessert?" Wednesday asked. This time, the look on Enid's face was one of utter shock. She found herself silently begging that she wasn't dealing with a food pusher because no way was she keeping her skinny frame with cooking that good.
"You cannot possibly have more food-" Enid was cut off as she suddenly found Wednesday's lips on hers. They met softly but with a determination that definitely befitted Wednesday.
'So this is what Tyler was treated to all those weeks ago.' Enid found herself thinking. 'But of all us Outcasts, he was as close as we get to monster status. And I pushed her to go find him because I thought it was what she wanted. Because I wanted her to be happy. And now she's choosing me.' With that, Enid closed her eyes and returned the kiss. Her hand came up to the side of Wednesday's face to draw her closer as she angled her head so they could kiss deeper. Wednesday's left hand slid round to Enid's back as she went to ease her backwards so she was lying down. She didn't know if it was the energy rush from finally getting a full stomach or the sugar rush from that Kool Aid they were pretending was wine, but she could feel her body heating up in response to Wednesday's touch. A touch she was very ready to give in to.
The warm and enjoyable mood was shattered when her back muscles screamed in protest on the way down. It was so powerful that her chest muscles went into spasm and she had to turn her head away quickly as she erupted into a coughing fit.
"Are you okay?" Wednesday asked as she clutched at her chest. "Was it heartburn?"
"No..." Enid gasped out. "Oh god... I was lying on my chest until pretty much lunch time and lying back like that stretched it too far. God, it hurts!" At that moment, she felt Wednesday's hand on top of her own. Somehow, that one gesture instantly dulled the pain.
"Want me to fix that for you?" At the suggestion in her words, any hope Enid had of thinking clearly went out the window instantly.
"...Please?" The word left her mouth before she knew it had happened. Wednesday eased her all the way down and ran her hands up the sides of Enid's torso. A second later, as she started applying pressure, Enid let out a howl. It came from nowhere and echoed through the silent night. As Wednesday continued, so did the howl. It travelled through the still, crisp air and through the forest below them. And when it ceased- Enid's howls turning into ragged, ecstatic panting- the forest came alive with a chorus of responding animal calls. For all the noise, Enid barely noticed. She just grabbed Wednesday and rolled left, tipping them both onto their sides. As they met in another passionate kiss, Wednesday took the briefest of seconds to reach over and move the hamper off the body bag before pulling it over the two of them as a blanket. This night was unique. It was incredible. And it was theirs. Here and now with their improvised blanket and the whole night ahead of them, the only witnesses were the stars up above.
End.
Author's Note: This story was inspired by an idea that came up in conversation with a friend. With that being said, thanks to Bloodsucker1901 for helping me come up with this. As soon as it was mentioned, I knew I had to make this idea a reality. And it was a lot of fun to write. As you may have noticed, Ginger and Brigitte made a cameo in this story. By the time this one went up, the spinoff was supposed to be up and their story concluded. From here on out, excluding that story, their only role will be minor cameos from now on. For those that remember her, Zelda may also be making appearances from time-to-time. Keep an eye out for that.
Now, as promised, here are some details on the revised update schedule for my stories: The only thing I have ready at the moment is my Wednesday AU. I will start uploading chapters two weeks from today, however I have a question to put to all of you. Should I use my old update schedule of two chapters a week- one on Wednesdays and one on Saturdays- or should I do as I've done with posting the oneshots and post one chapter every two weeks. The extra editing time paid absolute dividends for the oneshots. And even then, there was always an occasional typo that managed to escape. There always will be. But at least that way I have a better chance of getting them all. That said, this is a multi-chapter story and not a oneshot series. Do you think that approach would work as well? Or should I stick to Tuesdays and Saturdays? Let me know what you think. Opinions on that are definitely welcome.
In the meantime, I hope you've enjoyed this story. I've got a few ideas for future stories of Wednesday's antics throughout Nevermore and some more serious stuff too. And of course, fixing the Nevermore Secrets spinoff will be a definite priority. Again, thank you so much for your patience on that one. I will aim to have it in better condition as soon as possible.