Chapter Text
The thing is, Enid expected more. Instead, it was more akin to a limping victory.
Not that it was sad. Furs from all years were asking her about the fight with the Hyde, awed and curious. The pack accepted her and even helped settling her luggage back in Nevermore (the pack helped in packing. Heh.), and some even apologized for ignoring her for years. Her brothers congratulated her. Most of all, her mother hugged her and said she was proud of her.
She was no longer the outcast of the outcasts.
Enid expected to be so happy she'll burst but instead it felt weird. She supposed it's simply because of the suddenness of it all. It's rather jarring.
Which was also her excuse to ghost Ajax throughout the summer. Ever since she wolfed out, she'd been ignoring him and the thought of talking to him makes her skin crawl. She really did like him—he was sweet and everything but with all the pack, the camps, and all the werewolf traditions she missed out—it was just hard.
And of course, Bruno.
“Charming lad, he helped your father fix the car a few times. Quite handsome too,” Esther subtly commented when Bruno and fellow pack members came by. “And a werewolf.”
(No. Of course, it wasn't just the time management when it came to Ajax.)
It's all fine. Enid Sinclair is now popular, loved by the pack and her family. This year in Nevermore would be a blast, no doubt. The fun and freedom era. Especially with Camp Jericho and Prank Day around the corner. She'd beg for Wednesday to come to the camp and hopefully convince her to wear her snood so they could match. (Enid swore she saw the goth wear it once in a cold afternoon.) Plus, she just got the perfect prank idea for Wednesday too.
Speak of the devil (Wednesday would smirk at the comparison, no doubt) and she shall appear. Wednesday Addams burst into the door with all her dark glory, looking especially murderous probably because the whole pack is in their dorm room, hollering around. Enid couldn't help the splitting grin forming in her face despite a likely murder attempt in the future for letting two dudes make out on Wednesday's bed. “Howdy roomie!”
The tiny killing machine glared in response.
This is gonna be the best year ever.
It took at least a day or two for Wednesday to commit arson, find a body, a stalker and be on a murder investigation. Amazing. Honestly, Enid should have expected this.
Wednesday practically drew trouble towards her, like a flame to moths, a corpse to vultures and rot for maggots.
Enid understood that they're vastly different. She knew that from the very moment they met. Wednesday never liked popularity or people and honestly, that is a-okay in Enid's books, but at the same time, she wished her grumpy roommate had a little bit more empathy especially since last year (they hugged, by the way. Hugged.) She knew just how important being liked is for Enid and at least should have given it a bit of consideration before committing arson.
Speaking of last year made Enid want to tear out her hair sometimes. She expected ever since the Hug that the two of them would be closer now. Like actually talking for more than five minutes? Or hanging out sometimes? Maybe meeting Enid's new pack? Or just anything! But nope. Instead, Wednesday saunters off somewhere for hours on end, solving and chasing some mystery. Enid understood the stalker situation, especially after the manuscript fiasco but really? Murdering crows?
Not to mention,—and this was just her speculation—Enid felt that Wednesday is hiding something from her again.
Goodness gracious, Wednesday could be so full of herself. Enid sometimes—just sometimes—still doubted that the goth girl cares about her.
(But that's the thing, isn't it? Wednesday was loved the moment she was born. And honestly, who could blame them for doing so? Wednesday is Wednesday. She's Gomez's poisonous little viper, Morticia's beloved beheaded rose, Pugsley's bomb-planting partner and Pubert's idol. Xavier and Tyler were fighting like dogs and cats for her. It makes Enid a little sour. Just a little.
And Wednesday cared. Enid knew that. If she didn't, why would her voice go a pitch higher at the sight of a bloodied Enid on Prank Day? Why would her eyes widen in a fraction and almost reveal an emotion from her void-like (but admittedly really beautiful) eyes? Not to mention, she gave Enid a gift. From her favorite serial killer.
It honestly still creeps Enid out but it's the thought that counts!)
Right now, Wednesday is out again. Nowhere to be seen.
At least Bruno is here, Enid thought placatingly as she dragged the taller boy to their dorm room. He was very sweet, truly, and he's got such nice curls. Her mom might have a point. Enid briefly wanted to ask him his hair routine but a letter placed in the floorboard distracted her. A letter from Uncle Fester for Thing. Who was currently very intoxicated.
“It's your birthday?” Enid asked, incredulously. “And everyone just forgot?”
Thing nodded somberly, looking even paler than he usually is. How could you Wednesday? Oh, Enid will have a word with her once she returns. Disappearing like some ghost, keeping secrets from her again (allegedly), and forgetting Thing's birthday, of all people? This is getting out of hand. She invited Thing to their pack, hoping that'll raise his spirit but then, Enid heard Bruno yelp from behind and just as she was about to ask if he's alright, something or someone knocked her out cold.
When she woke up, she's tied to heavy chains along with Bruno. Above them, an array of knives awaited. Her fingernails sharpened to claws as she tried tearing off the chains but her efforts were futile. Of course, the chains had to be silver.
Jesus. Stalkers, murders, missing driving lessons and now this?
“Very funny prank, Ajax.” Her voice echoed throughout the desolate tower. Something about that told her that whatever this was, this wasn't Ajax. Enid gritted her teeth. God, this is something Wednesday would love actually though.
“Maybe, it'll loose,” Bruno's voice drifted from behind. “If we wiggle out, you know?”
Enid blinked. It wasn't exactly the finest ideas but she supposed that they don't really have options. These were the times she misses Wednesday the most. She'd find a way to get out of situations like with glee.
They struggled for a while, the chains clinking and clanking. Soon, it's starting to burn in her wrist —fucking silver— and there's a bead of sweat rolling down the side of her face. There's a rather painful stiffness in her shoulders now because whoever and whatever sick individual who did this made sure to tie them up real tight. The knives up in the ceiling weren't exactly helping her nerves either.
Both of them tumbled to the floor. Enid sighed.
“You okay?” Bruno asked, sounding breathless.
“Yeah. Just exhausted and a bit frustrated,” Enid replied, huffing out a breath. She tried craning her head to him. “Are you okay?”
She felt him nod. “Yep.” He fumbled his jacket, almost nervously. “The company helps. It isn't that bad being tied to you.”
Her heart jumped and she could feel it steadily pulsing. This never happened before, at least not with other werewolves. It's extremely flattering really, but like now? Talk about timing. Wednesday would probably think it's the most romantic thing ever though.
She rolled over to face him. Bruno smiled.
( “So, you still dating that gorgon dude?” one of her brothers asked. Nosy little brat. Enid felt her mother's eyes laying down on her.
“We aren't even dating yet,” Enid grumbled out as she upped the volume of her bright pink headset. Her phone pinged and a message from Ajax appeared. She ignored it.)
“—last of my family to wolf out too.” His brown eyes were warm as if begging to be understood. His beautiful curls frames his face, a small, shy smile etched on his lips. She'd never seen him like this, used to see him in the center of everything, playing a guitar in front of crowds or playing some sport. Enid understood now why he sought her out so much.
They're the same. Two late bloomers. A funny pair of werewolves. That should be enough, right?
( Would you and the pack ever talk to me if I never wolfed out?)
It felt like love.
Enid kissed him. It was a bit uncomfortable especially with the chains but he was surprisingly gentle. She could smell his perfume—something caramel and honey. Too sweet, she thought, but didn't she love sweet things?
Hurried footsteps made her pull away. She ignored her stiff neck to look and saw Wednesday and Thing in panicked haste. Enid wiped her lips as her heart started pumping once again. Due to relief. “Wednesday!”
Wednesday threw a quick furtive glance at Bruno before directing her gaze back to Thing. “Get them out of there.”
Thing clambered to obey, running towards Enid and Bruno. But, whoever did all this was definitely the stalker now, because they were prepared for Thing. A sort of wire trap made the hand trip, and the knives propped in the ceiling began to slowly descend.
Enid might take a paper out of Wednesday's book and kill someone after this. Preferably, that shit-eating stalker.
Wednesday saves the day.
The stalker was a thirteen year-old so, no, it's not socially acceptable to claw her face out unfortunately. Said stalker was much more accepted in Wednesday's mystery adventure than Enid, which of course, Enid doesn't mind. She literally did told Wednesday to not bring her along in her crime shenanigans. So, it's all good.
Enid sulked quietly instead because she's different now and more mature. It's not like she's jealous, it's just that she wishes Wednesday would include her too. Like, tell her about what she's doing. Or at least ask her to join? Not that Enid wants to join but, it'd be nice to be asked, you know? Okay, so maybe Enid doesn't know what she wants but, they're best friends — shouldn't Wednesday want her to join at least like a little bit?
Enid sighed, trying to tamper down that bitter sort of feeling that reminded her of their fight last year. She lounged in her bed, bored. No classes, no Thing nor Wednesday in the room. Off to some case with Agnes, no doubt.
A knock interrupted her stupor. The door opened and Bruno's face popped out of the doorway. “Hi.”
Enid quickly sat up, a hand up to her hair in an instant, trying to neat up the standing strands. “Hey.”
Bruno glanced down at something then back at her, almost nervously. “Is it a bad time? I'm sorry if I—I can come back another time.”
Enid looked down and saw her bed sheets decorated by matching claw marks. “Oh.” She retracted her claws in an instant. “Sorry, I was just stressed about something. But, you can come in, it's fine what's up?”
“If it's really a bad time and you don't want company, I don't mind coming back later. Or tomorrow instead,” Bruno said seriously, still staying at the doorway. “I really don't.”
Enid should swoon at that. “It's really fine, Bruno. Honestly, I'm more shocked that you want to come at my room after what just happened yesterday.”
He grinned at that. “I told you, didn't I? The company made it worth it.”
Her cheeks heated up at that and a bright smile splits her face. Enid tucked a wild strand of hair behind her ear as she stood up and walked towards him. “Okay, flatterer. What do you want?”
“Now, that's a very hard question.” Bruno propped a hand to his chin. “Okay, you see, I was just passing by the area and I thought of you.” The hand hiding in his back revealed a bouquet of flowers.
(“Charming lad,” her mother once said. Handsome and reliable, but that's not the point, is it?
And a werewolf too.
When will Enid be enough?)
“Not really the most original or smooth but, if you give me the honor to go out with you, I'd be the happiest fur in world.” The flowers were shaking in his hands. It's adorable. Ajax briefly flashed in her mind, smiling widely underneath his grey beanie. He had the most prominent smile lines, didn't he? Although, nothing beats Wednesday's dimples.
Enid chuckled and ignored the pin pricks of guilt falling down her gut. She took the flowers out of his hands and flashed a smile. “Yeah. I'll go out with you.”
(Enid may not know what she wants exactly but at the very least, she knows she wants to be wanted.)