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Chapter Text

"You challenged Wednesday Addams to a duel?" Yōko Tanaka asked as Enid blew a strand of hair out of her face and turned to the vampire as the two sat in the other girl's room. "And here I thought you were just a flower puppy."

"Puppy or not, I do have claws, Yōko," Enid noted with a small smile.

"And apparently, those claws yearn for Addams flesh," Yōko joked with a grin as she leaned back on her bed. "Still, I'm pretty shocked about you taking initiation like that. So, what exactly happened that caused you to challenge her of all people?"

Enid narrowed her eyes as she thought back to the events that led up to the duel…

"What the hell did you do to my room?!"

"Dividing our room equally. It looks like a rainbow vomited on your side," Wednesday nonchalantly insulted as she strolled back to her desk all while Enid watched.

Enid had hoped that the attitude her new roommate had exhibited earlier would have eased slightly now that she was settled, but instead, she came back to her room being massacred by dreariness. How was a sparkly wolf like herself supposed to deal with this?

"You…You can't just—" Enid stammered.

"Silence would be appreciated at this time, Sinclair," Wednesday rudely interrupted as she sat down at her desk, her tone cold and unbothered. "This is my writing time."

"Your writing time?" Enid questioned.

"I devote an hour a day to my novel. Perhaps if you did the same, your vlog might be coherent," Wednesday answered with such a clinical tone that it knocked the air out of Enid's lungs. "I've read serial killer diaries with better punctuation."

Enid felt as if a silver-tipped arrow pieced her heart with pinpoint accuracy at her words and it showed by the wounded expression on her face. "You have no right to say something like that," Enid told Wednesday with a slight tremble in her voice. "I write in my voice and with my truth. It's what my followers love and despite what you may think, I take great pride in that."

Wednesday turned in her chair to glance at her, her face a look of eternal calm. "If that is your truth, I would prefer that you lie to me," Wednesday commented. "Perhaps it might make your writing slightly more palatable."

Enid took a sharp breath as she felt another "arrow" pierce her heart, increasing the anger that was bubbling within her.

"And as for your 'Followers,' they are clearly imbeciles," Wednesday continued as if she were talking about the weather instead of tearing her down. "They respond to your stories with insipid little pictures."

"Oh, are you talking about Emojis?" Enid questioned. Despite Wednesday not responding verbally or physically, Enid received her answer. With a pleasant voice with a catty undertone beneath it, Enid answered, "Of course you do…Well, to explain, emojis are used by people to express their feelings. I realize that's a foreign concept to you."

"Hm. Curious. There is steel behind that hideously colored cashmere sweater that you wear," Wednesday noted. "Should I be insulted or impressed? Because I'm neither. Also, if that is what "emojis" are for, when I look at you, the following emojis come to mind. Rope, shovel, hole."

A growl rumbled at Enid's chest as she watched Wednesday turn back around to her typewriter. She put a piece of paper into the typewriter, cracked her knuckles, and said, "By the way, there are two D's in Addams. If you're going to gossip about me, at least spell my name correctly." Wednesday began to type, only to pause a second later to add, "Then again, judging by the various spelling and grammatical errors in your vlog, which were numerous, the way my name is spelled is the least of your worries."

The final "arrow" pierced her heart and Enid finally snapped.

"I'm growing tired of your attitude," Enid said with barred teeth.

"Then you should lie down," Wednesday replied as she continued to type.

"You've been acting like a dick since the moment we met," Enid told her. "I did nothing wrong to you to earn your mean and callous words, and yet you freely throw them at me like you're giving me peanut M&Ms! Well, I am not going to let you bully me. I've been through too much to let someone like you put me down."

Wednesday finally turned away from her typewriter and stared at her for a moment. "Do you have something to say?" Wednesday asked.

"Ugh! It's like everything you say is a codeword for 'Please Kick my ass!'" Enid groaned in frustration. "Well, you know what? Maybe I should do that! Maybe I should kick your ass! Maybe then you'll be a little more nice!"

Wednesday narrowed her eyes and stood up from her chair. "Soften your tone to me, Enid Sinclair, or I will soften it," Wednesday commanded, her face still tranquil but the look in her eyes told Enid there was a hint of anger in them. "That is your first and final warning."

"Don't you dare mess with me," Enid warned as her claws grew from her hands. "This kitty's got claws, and I'm not afraid to use them…"

Wednesday walked up to her and warned, "That's twice now that you challenged me." Enid noticed the subtle glint of something in the other girl's dark reddish-brown eyes. "To challenge an Addams to a duel is like dancing with Destined Death, Enid Sinclair. I won't be held responsible for the repercussions you'll face if you continue down this path."

Enid stared at her roommate with determination in her eyes. Her grandmother once told her that werewolves, or Children of the Moon as she called them, valued honor and respect above all else. And despite her being unable to shift, she was still a werewolf and she deserved that respect.

"I'm not backing down from this, Wednesday," Enid growled. "I challenge you to a duel."

Wednesday nodded.

"Challenge accepted," Wednesday said. "Tomorrow. Midnight. We will have our duel then." Wednesday turned around and walked back to her desk as she said, "Do not be late and do not disappoint."

"Man, you really got some balls on you, Wolfie," Yōko said once Enid concluded her tale. "I mean, my sire and siblings have combated Addams before and every fight was pretty close."

"Your family has?" Enid asked.

Yōko nodded. "My sire always touted them as fierce combatants. With their swordsmanship, hand-to-hand skills, and not to mention the blood magic. Anyone that fights an Addams are in for a long night."

Enid blinked.

"D-Did you just say blood magic?" Enid asked as she grew pale. Her grandmother had spoken about blood magic once. She often told her that it was very dangerous and a user could nearly match the might of a werewolf or vampire.

"Yeah…Didn't you know?" Yōko asked. "Like, the Addams are like top-tier blood magic users. Hell, they are the only blood magic users this world has. They can make weapons out of their blood and the blood of others. Not only that, but blood magic can also act as a power enhancer, increasing the strength and speed of the one who invokes it, as well as enhancing any natural abilities they may possess as well."

"H-How did I not know this?" Enid asked. "How could you not tell me for my vlog?!"

"I thought you knew!" Yōko shouted back. "Well, the duel is tomorrow, right? Then that means we have some time to coach you on how to fight her."

Enid nodded.

She may have stepped into a mess, but she would not back down from this challenge.

Not like everything else she did in her life…

Chapter Text

"Why am I here?" Bianca questioned as she crossed her arms, dressed in her fencing attire while Yōko and Enid stood in the empty fencing hall.

"Well, since Enid decided to challenge an Addams to a duel, I'm setting up some sort of gameplan for her, and who better to help than Nevermore's top swordswoman," Yōko said with a grin.

"Laying it on a tad thick, Tanaka," Bianca commented but Enid noticed the hint of a smile on her face, only for it to melt away when Bianca's intense gaze fell on her. "Do you know what type of duel this is supposed to be, Sinclair?"

Enid blinked, only to sheepishly rub the back of her neck. "Nope!" Enid answered with a smile.

Yōko bowed her head and shook it slowly while pinching the bridge of her nose as Bianca's right eye twitched in aggravation. "I should have guessed," Bianca muttered, mostly to herself, and then said to Enid, "Well, let's assume the little psychopath is using a sword, will you do the same?"

"Why would I need to?" Enid asked. She then popped out her claws with a toothy grin and said, "I haven't shifted yet and these bad boys can cut through ste—"

Enid stepped back in surprise as the tip of Bianca's blade came inches from her neck.

She didn't even see her move.

"It doesn't matter how strong you are if you can't get close to your opponent, Sinclair," Bianca admonished before she sheathed her sword back into her sheath, but not with a flourish. "Addams is a blood witch, which means she could keep you at bay. And depending on the strength of her magic, she could pierce through that tough skin of yours with just a drop of her blood."

"Oh…Right," Enid mumbled.

"And while you're fast, she can augment her speed and strength to match yours and again, depending on her magic, can surpass yours," Bianca continued. "Not only that, Addams are skilled fighters in general, if the rumors are held to be true she could, feasibly, she could create any weapon with her blood. If you don't take this seriously, the only way you as a non-shifting werewolf could hope for is to stall her out long enough for her to die from blood loss."

"Hence why we came to you," Yōko told her. "You're the strategist, Bianca. If anyone could think of a plan to beat Addams' Hemomancy, it's you. So will you help this puppy?"

Bianca stared at Yōko for a moment and then let out a sigh. "In the past, whenever a Siren battled an Addams, they lured them to water. It would make their Hemomancy obsolete. The water would dilute it. It wouldn't stop her from enhancing herself, but it would potentially take away her Haemokinetic Weaponry. However, if she is strong enough, she could transform anything into blood, even water."

"Hold up!" Enid called out. "How much can Wednesday actually do with blood?"

Yōko and Bianca exchanged a look.

"It depends on how strong her Hemomancy truly is," The sanguinare answered. "If she is a fledging, you have a fair shot with her only knowing the basic Haemokinetic skills, such as weaponry and empowerment. If she is above that, that could really change things. She could teleport using blood, she could turn anything into blood, boil people's blood, infect people's blood, control people via blood, use divination via blood, control blood pressure, detect people using their blood, drown people via blood, heal herself and others via blood, blood clones…"

Yōko turned to Bianca and asked, "That about it?"

"Sounds like it," Bianca answered but even she sounded unsure.

Enid was stunned.

All of that?!

Wednesday could potentially do all of that?!

"Hacks! I call hacks!" Enid cried. "She could practically do anything with blood depending on her skill!"

"But at the same time, it leaves her at risk. If your blood is infected/poisoned, she could take it and it could damage her as well as exsanguination and the risk of developing Thrombosis," Yōko continued. "Also how she uses the blood. Can she use both her blood and your blood as fuel for her magic? Or can she use just her own or others?"

"I'm doomed," Enid whined with a slump of her shoulders.

"Don't think like that, Furball," Yōko admonished with a grin. She then turned to Bianca and said, "The water idea sounds like a good one to try in your duel tonight and like we know, you're pretty fast and can slice through steel. Not to mention, you're good with a sword too! We don't know the logistics of her skills in Hemomancy, but in a straight claw-to-hand and steel-to-steel fight, you're sure to win! So maybe focus on that aspect for now. Do you both have a location for the duel?"

Enid shook her head.

"Seriously?" Bianca asked.

"It was literally a spur-of-the-moment challenge, Bianca. I mean, she's probably just as unprepared as I am!" Enid exclaimed while waving her arms up and down.

"Do you want to chance it though?" Bianca asked.

Enid stood for a second in silence, her mind going back to those dark reddish-brown eyes, challenging her…mocking her…drawing out her anger. "No..." Enid answered.

"I know where the duel can take place," Bianca told her.

"Where?" Enid asked.

Bianca smirked and turned to Yōko. "Tanaka? Mind grabbing Divina and Kent for me? I'll need them for what I have planned," Bianca told her.

"Yeah, yeah, I gotcha," Yōko told her before she stepped into Enid's shadow and said, "I know you dislike this but kind of on a time crunch."

Yōko sunk into the shadows, leaving Bianca and Enid alone.

"Now, let's prepare for how you will combat her," Bianca commanded as she withdrew her blade. "Surely your endurance can handle this?"

Enid smirked and once again grew her claws.

"I think it can," Enid replied.

Bianca nodded and without hesitation, she lunged forward.

The crescent moon was high in the sky as Wednesday gingerly placed her black suitcase on the bed. To her appreciation, Enid had left their room after their confrontation and had not made her presence known to her throughout the day.

Wednesday hoped that the werewolf was preparing for their duel.

Wednesday wouldn't insult herself by denying her excitement for the events that led to this. She didn't think that she would be using this at all, but she was wrong, and for that, she was grateful.

A subtle smile filled her face as she opened the case and stared at the contents inside of it. The first thing she removed was the ceremonial Addams dagger, which lay hidden behind its black sheath that was adorned with blood-red filigree decorating it, along with a dark-slate gray hilt, and three spikes sticking out of the grip.

Wednesday removed the sheath to reveal the dagger, which was made of obsidian steel with blood-red filigree decorating the steel along with three black rubies embedded in the steel in a vertical line that started at the hilt.

Wednesday gave the blade a gentle caress before she gripped the blade, allowing the spikes to puncture her palm without so much as a wince. For the next few minutes, she watched as the black rubies were filled with her blood, which once full, began to pulsate with magic.

She then re-sheathed the blade and pulled her hand from the spike, barely paying any mind to her healing hand. She ran a hand against the folded-up clothes that sat in the briefcase and slowly removed them.

She took a step back and began to undress in the darkness of her room, the outline of her body practically glowing from the moonbeam that lit up the area of her room.

When she was done, Wednesday now wore a loose, blood-red evening gown with a black belt and large dark-gray buttons; a black top with matching tights under her gown; a set of blood-red high heels; and a large, sheer pale red scarf around her shoulders and arms.

While Wednesday disliked the outfit as it felt too billowy for an Addams female to wear. However, as she was told by Grandmama plenty of times since her youth, this was the outfit that every female Addams had to wear to their duel.

And who was Wednesday to shirk tradition?

She tucked her dagger into her belt and with all of the confidence in this world and the next, Wednesday walked toward her door and opened it, only to see a note attached to the door.

When had this gotten here?

Wednesday plucked the note from the door and read it.

"Addams,

Meet me at Crackstone's crypt on Raven Island. Divina will assist you in getting there. Be warned, Our Dorm mother and the security guards will be stationed around Nevermore so please sneak out carefully and meet her a mile outside of Nevermore.

I'll be waiting,
Enid Sinclair."

Wednesday folded the note and tucked it into her gown before she began her trek.

A beam of moonlight shined down on Crackstone's crypt as Enid paced in front of it with her arms crossed.

Enid wore nothing but a white tank top with an open leather jacket above it and Fencing Knickers. She also had her rapier hanging from a white belt around her hips and vials filled with special water strapped around her right thigh and was barefoot.

She glanced at her smartwatch and saw that the clock just hit midnight.

Any minute now, her opponent would be here and the two would start their duel.

Her ears twitched as she heard footsteps coming from her left. She stopped, turned her head, and down the trail of brown leaves, Enid watched as Wednesday calmly walked toward the crypt as a gust of wind blew, causing leaves to flutter around Wednesday's approaching form.

Enid watched as Wednesday stopped just before she stepped into the moonlight, keeping herself bathed in darkness while Enid stood in the light. Enid and Wednesday stared at one another for a moment as the leaves continued to fall around them. Despite herself, Enid found her opponent rather enchanting.

"You showed," Enid voiced through the lump in her throat, anticipation racing through her.

Wednesday remained silent for a moment and Enid didn't know why, but she felt as if the girl was peering deep into her soul. "The siren, Divina, nearly made me late but thankfully, she understood how important this was and got us here on time," Wednesday finally answered. "But, we aren't here to speak about a siren."

"No, we're not," Enid sat as she removed the leather jacket, revealing her bare arms. Enid flexed her claws and said, "We're here because of disrespect towards me, Wednesday Addams."

With a subtle smile, Wednesday gripped her dagger and Enid smelt blood in the air.

Why did it smell so…intoxicating to her?

Wednesday pulled her dagger out and Enid watched in fascination as a steady stream of blood fell down the black blade and began to form into a longer blade, creating a rapier made of blood. "The rules. Whoever draws blood three times is the victor. Is that acceptable?" Wednesday questioned.

Enid nodded.

"Then come to me, Enid Sinclair…" Wednesday commanded with a soft tone in her voice. "And meet your better."

Enid barred her fangs in a grin and without hesitation, she lunged.

Chapter Text

Wednesday Addams had been in many duels in her rather short life.

From short, one-stroke duels to long, methodical ones, Wednesday had dueled plenty of people, including her family, for various reasons. Some for sport, others for the thrill, but the biggest cause of the majority of her duels had been due to honor.

Wednesday was not proud to admit it, but she was like her father in that regard. Despite her general aloofness at her best to annoyance at her worst to her family's shenanigans, she did care dearly for all of them and would lay her life down for any of them, regardless of the situation. So any slight to her family's honor meant that a life-or-death duel would follow shortly after.

All of them ended in her victory.

And in regards to her own honor, she seldom needed to duel someone to protect it. The majority of the time, Wednesday's words were able to cut down an opponent faster than any blade could and when that failed, intense tricks would often win it as well.

She seldom needed to draw upon her steel and blood in her own defense.

But this duel wasn't about her family. It wasn't even about her own honor. No, this was different somehow to Wednesday.

But why this felt different, she was admittedly unsure.

Wednesday didn't duel or accept duels with such short notice. She liked to study her opponents. Watch for their weakness and then exploit them when the time arrived.

And yet with Enid, she accepted without hesitation.

But why?

When Enid lunged for her, Wednesday easily sidestepped the attack and turned around as Enid skidded on all fours to stop herself. With a burst of speed that impressed Wednesday, Enid twisted around and began to swipe at the air, her claws fully extended in an attempt to slice her down.

As she avoided the claws, Wednesday clenched the hilt of her dagger, allowing the pulsating magic of the dagger and her blood to mix as it fell to her feet. The blood swirled around her feet and then coated it, allowing Wednesday to glide backward to get out of the range of Enid's clawed hands.

There was no reason to try and attack her yet.

She had to observe her opponent.

Once she had a base of how Enid battled and her skillset, she would then plan appropriately.

Enid barred her teeth and dashed toward with another burst of speed performing two quick jabs of her claws. Wednesday dodged the left claw and used her scarlet rapier to smack the right one away.

Enid used the moment to lower her hands to the ground and swing her left leg out toward Wednesday's head in what Wednesday recognized as the Meia Lua de Compasso (the Compact Half-Moon Kick) often seen in Capoeira, causing the girl to glid back sharply to avoid the kick, almost surprised at the claws that had frown from her toenails.

Interesting.

Wednesday halted as Enid finished the motion to return to her feet and sprang toward Wednesday to continue the assault with her claws, which Wednesday avoided with a combination of her swift movement and her scarlet rapier interfering with Enid's strikes, causing crimson droplets of blood to fly with each collusion.

After a wild swing of Enid's arm that caught Wednesday's cheek, Wednesday glided away once again to gain some distance from her opponent. Wednesday held a hand to her left cheek and felt wetness beneath her palm.

She pulled her hand away and saw her blood.

She had been struck.

Wednesday's blood quickened as she stared at her palm for a moment longer.

How…exciting.

"I didn't expect you to be running, Wednesday," Enid said with a smile that portrayed innocence but the feral glow of the girl's blue eyes told Wednesday otherwise.

"I'm assessing your weakness," Wednesday calmly explained after a moment of silence after feeling the unsettling flutter of an eclipse of moths' wings in her stomach at the sight of those eyes.

"Is that what they call "stalling," Wednesday?" Enid asked with a cocky tone as she flicked her right thumb, which was covered in a splatter of blood, across her tongue to clean it. Wednesday saw the girl shiver, much like she did when they first met. "Because if you think stalling me until I'm exhausted is a plan, werewolves, even half-ones like me, don't tire easily. You'll have to think of something better."

"Remind yourself that overconfidence is a slow and insidious killer, Enid Sinclair, " Wednesday told her opponent as the blood boots on her feet and her scarlet rapier melted into a puddle of blood around her feet.

As Wednesday pressed a button at the bottom of the hilt to withdraw the spikes in the grip of her dagger, she watched as a pool of blood from the blood used during her evasive movements moments before formed behind Enid. "A lesson, I shall teach you now."

Enid watched in awe as Wednesday's body seemed to explode into blood, which fell to the ground before that familiar sweet scent reached her nose. She swiftly turned around, only to jump back when Wednesday, holding a scythe made of blood, swung her weapon, nearly cleaving her in half.

Enid skidded on the balls of her feet as Wednesday dashed forward, that scythe morphing into a rapier, and performed a powerful thrust that Enid barely managed to avoid with a tilt of her head to the left.

Wednesday pulled back her rapier and began to rapidly lunge it at Enid's form, causing the young werewolf to use her speed to avoid each quick and deadly thrust until Enid performed a jab at Wednesday's face with her right claw.

The rapier melted around Wednesday's left arm and she blocked the claw, causing droplets of blood to fly as Wednesday twirled her dagger so she held it in a reverse grip, where she forced Enid's right arm aside and swiped at Enid's face with the dagger.

Enid held up her left arm at Wednesday's wrist to stop the swing and attempted to kick Wednesday in the chest, only for the girl to explode into droplets of blood the moment her foot was about to touch her chest.

Enid's foot slammed to the ground before her nose twitched. She quickly darted back as tendrils of blood exploded to life from the ground around her in an attempt to skewer her with them before she jumped back and landed in a crouch on a tree branch.

Her nose twitched again and she quickly leaped from the tree as a beam of blood pierced through the tree branch, where it crashed to the ground as Enid's feet landed on the ground near the crypt. She watched as a mound of blood formed from the ground, formed into a humanoid shape, and then exploded to reveal her opponent, and once again, Enid found herself transfixed.

Wednesday's irises were no longer the dark reddish brown she was familiar with, instead, it was a bright red and seemed to ebb and flow in unison with the blood rubies that were on her dagger.

It was beautiful.

"You are running, Enid Sinclair," Wednesday calmly noted as Enid watched her slice at her left palm with her dagger three times, sending more of that intoxicating smell into the air.

"I'm assessing," Enid corrected, echoing Wednesday's own words from moments ago as she struggled to not stare at the way the girl's blood slid down her cheek.

There was something about the way the red was splashed on her cheek that was driving something deep within her wild.

But why?

"Don't assess me for too long," Wednesday told her before her left hand whipped out, causing a long tendril made of blood to fly out toward Enid. Enid rolled to the left to avoid it, causing it to hit the stone of the crypt behind her, causing it to leave a slice in the stone.

Enid rolled to her knees only to throw herself to the ground as Wednesday's blood whip swung above her. She pushed herself off the ground and charged toward Wednesday, her body moving on instinct to avoid her opponent's blood whip.

Wednesday reared back her left hand and swung her whip toward Enid, who pulled out a vial of water, broke the top of it with her hand, and launched the water toward the whip, causing it to melt before it could strike her.

Enid barely caught the look of surprise on Wednesday's face before she lunged at her in an attempt to take her off of her feet.

Unfortunately, Wednesday's body exploded into blood once again, sending Enid flying through the blood and toward the ground, where she placed her palms against the ground, vaulted herself into the air with a twirl, and landed on her feet…Only for Wednesday's form to reconstruct in front of her in a crouch, her dagger in midswing.

Enid barely got her arms up in time as the dagger slashed at her forearms with enough force to send the girl off of her feet and into the air, where she soared backward and then fell onto her back. Enid quickly grabbed two vials from her thigh and splashed water on her wounds to dilute her blood as Wednesday stood upright and watched her.

Enid watched in fascination as Wednesday lifted her dagger, which dripped with her blood, and gave it a small lick. Enid then watched as Wednesday's pupils dilated before she softly announced, "Your blood… it sings for me."

There was a flicker in her voice as she said this and Enid didn't know if it scared her or if it elicited another, more forbidden feeling within her. Enid scrambled to her feet and flexed her claws as she shouted, "H-Hey! That's my blood you're licking off your dagger! Stop doing that, you p-pervert!"

Wednesday turned to her and Enid was nearly floored by the intoxicated look in Wednesday's eyes.

Enid hoped she didn't look like that when she tasted Wednesday's blood moments ago.

Wednesday tilted her head and a subtle smirk formed on her face. "You tasted my blood once before, I was repaying the compliment. Besides, you're the one staring, Enid Sinclair," Wednesday noted.

Enid growled as she glowered at her opponent. "I have no words," Enid huffed.

"Because I'm so stunning?" Wednesday questioned.

Enid's growl deepened before she shouted, "Stop it!" Enid lunged toward Wednesday and attempted to claw at the girl's face but Wednesday continued to avoid each wild swipe before Enid felt the air leave her lungs when Wednesday's foot slammed into her stomach.

Enid was then taken off of her feet with a rising kick beneath her jaw, sending her into the air where she fell onto her back once again. She rolled backward onto her feet, inadvertently avoiding Wednesday's blood scythe from cleaving her in half, and then lunged herself forward just as the scythe turned into a whip.

Enid felt Wednesday's blood whip slice at her left cheek but it left her open, allowing for Enid to slice through Wednesday's side during the lunge.

She rolled against the ground and landed on all floors as she felt blood slide down her left cheek. She quickly grabbed another vial and doused her cheek to dilute it once again. "That's two for two," Enid noted as Wednesday kept her back to her "Mama is about to claim victory over an Addams."

"Confident to the end, Enid Sinclair," Wednesday retorted as she sheathed her dagger and tucked it into her belt. "Unfortunately, the duel has ended."

Enid blinked.

"W-What do you mean by that!?" Enid exclaimed as she rose to her feet, only to fall to one knee as liquid slid down her left thigh. She looked down to see the wound and blinked in surprise.

She didn't even feel it!

"W-Wait!" Enid shouted as she got to her feet and stumbled forward, only to fall back to one knee. "This duel isn't over!"

Wednesday paused. "We had our terms and agreed to it. Do not tell me you are a sore loser, Enid Sinclair," Wednesday said without turning to face her. "You were very fast and very quick. The fact you managed to wound me twice says something about your skill…Had it not been for my blood, you could have very well won."

Enid was surprised.

She didn't expect Wednesday to say something like that after verbally tearing at her self-esteem the night before.

Wednesday finally turned around, the glow of her red eyes fading away back to their normal dark reddish-brown. Wednesday walked toward Enid and knelt down in front of her. She took off her scarf and said, "But you grew overconfident and didn't use the weapons you had. The rapier you bought wasn't touched and while thinking with the water was smart, both whip neutralizing the whip and diluting your blood to keep me from using it, you should have planned more with it. Perhaps lure me toward the water behind us. Instead, you became cocky at the brief moment of believing you had me on the ropes.

"I guess I did," Enid whispered, disappointed with herself.

"Do not look disappointed, Enid Sinclar, for being a short-notice duel and not having all of the facts, you did well, all things considered. This has definitely opened my eyes when it comes to you and the wild blood that flows through your veins," Wednesday told her before she finished tying the scarf around her wound. "I am aware that werewolves take a few minutes to heal. Keep this around your thigh. Divina will be waiting at the dock to take you back."

"You're not coming with me?" Enid asked.

"I can get myself back to the dorm using my blood. Besides, I can't travel with anyone else using my blood," Wednesday explained as she stood upright, turned around, and began to walk away. "Thank you, Enid Sinclair. I had…fun dancing with you…."

Enid watched Wednesday walk away for a moment, the taste of Wednesday's sweet blood still on her tongue. "Wednesday!" Enid suddenly shouted.

Wednesday stopped once again.

"I don't accept this loss," Enid admitted. "I want to duel you again! This time the proper way!"

Wednesday turned her head and looked at her out of the corner of her eye. "I know that I can beat you! You said it yourself, right? Then accept my challenge again and I promise that I will beat you!" Enid shouted.

Enid didn't know why she was pushing her luck. Wednesday proved to be the better fighter but Enid…Enid couldn't let it end like this.

She needed to try again.

"Is that so?" Wednesday asked.

Enid nodded.

"I see…" Wednesday murmured. Enid watched as the girl turned around and gave her a serious expression. "I accept your challenge. Three weeks from now, we will meet here again and duel. That should be enough time. However, you must accept my terms."

"Done," Enid instantly agreed.

"You will take this duel even more seriously than before and whoever wins gets something of their opponents," Wednesday said, setting the terms. "And most importantly, no one, and I mean no one must ever defeat you again in combat. The only one who has that right is me. And only me. If you accept this, I will duel you again."

"I accept," Enid told her. "Until we fight again, I will not lose to anyone. No matter what happens…You have my word."

Without another word spared, Wednesday nodded, turned around, and walked into the darkness, where her body exploded into blood, leaving Enid alone in the field.

Chapter Text

Enid stared at Yōko's ceiling with a frown on her face.

Her mind kept flashing back to her standing tall after their duel, her dark reddish brown eyes staring down at her as blood fell down her cheek.

"The only one who has that right is me. And only me."

Enid covered her face with the pillow and let out a frustrated growl.

It had been a week since her duel with Wednesday Addams and she couldn't stop replaying how the duel progressed. Despite Wednesday's words, Enid couldn't help but blame herself for her loss. She had been cocky and immediately had to eat crow when Wednesday proved that much better than her.

She had to find a way to get strong enough to defeat her.

'And maybe taste her again,' a smaller part of Enid's mind whispered.

Enid blinked and immediately banished that thought.

She really needed to get her head on straight before she had her first lesson with Nevermore's new gym and science teacher and her personal instructor…

"Yo, Furry," Yōko called out. Enid slowly slid the pillow down, allowing for Yōko's face to slowly come into Enid's line of sight. "So…You going to move back into your room soon or what?" Yōko asked.

Enid blinked.

"What?" Enid asked.

"What?" Yōko repeated. "I thought furs had good hearing."

"We do," Enid confirmed. "My mind is just in another place right now."

Yōko raised an eyebrow, which was her way of asking, "What's on your mind?"

Enid sighed and replied, "It's stupid but…The duel."

"Again?!" Yōko exclaimed. "Enid, girl, it's been two whole-ass days since that thing happened! Was the duel that damn good?"

Enid pushed herself off the spare bed and replied, "It wasn't like it was good. I'm just reflecting on it. That's all."

"Is that what they are calling it?" Yōko asked with a small frown. "Reflecting? Because that blush on your face shouldn't be there if you're just reflecting on a duel."

Enid blinked and touched her cheeks.

They were burning hot.

When did that happen?

"Welp, none of my business," Yōko shrugged. "Anyway, If you're going to be crashing in here for the rest of the semester to avoid Addams, we have to at least come up with a codeword for when I invite Divina over for some girlfriend time."

"Girlfriend time?" Enid asked, unsure of what Yōko was talking about. A blank stare from Yōko quickly clued Enid in. "Oh! Girlfriend time," Enid repeated with a wide grin. "I'm picking up what you're putting down. How about when you need time alone with your girlfriend, we can say…"

For a split second, the image of Wednesday licking blood from her dagger appeared in her mind. "…Beauty?"

"That was way too quick in the chamber, Sinclair," Yōko commented. "But hell, I'm down for it. So um…Beauty."

"Why are you repeating it?" Enid asked.

Another blank stare.

"Oh…Oh! Sheesh, cue dumb blonde stereotype here," Enid laughed. "I'll get out of your hair so you can have that girlfriend time. Ms. Danvers wants to see me anyway."

Yōko grimaced at the mention of the new teacher and Enid couldn't blame her. Kara Danvers was one of the strongest werewolves of this generation and one of the rare werewolves who shifted under a blood moon and kept their sanity afterward.

She was also known as the butcher due to her slaying dozens of vampires near the tail end of the Underworld War between Werewolves and Vampires. Her mother had pulled a lot of strings to get the "Night Slayer" to apply and teach at Nevermore to help her, but what her mother did to get a practical legend to help her remained unknown.

"Does your mother really think Danvers will help with you being unable to wolf out?" Yōko asked.

"Mom says that she was a late bloomer too and despite her rebirth under a blood moon, she's proven to be the best of the best. If anyone can help me, it's her," Enid explained as she scrambled off the bed and hoisted her bag over her shoulder.

"I guess," Yōko muttered. "But try not to be seen with her outside of class. A lot of the other fangs around here have been itching to do something to her. If they see you with her, no telling what they will do."

"Hakuna Matata," Enid waved off. "I'll stay clear of the room tonight in case you and Divina are still having girlfriend time."

"Nah, no need. Come back at your normal time but you may want to bring more clothes. Your lesbian flag sweater is cute but I'm tired of seeing it," Yōko teased.

Wednesday walked out of the infirmary after checking on Rowan and strolled down the hallway of Nevermore with an aloof expression on her face.

It had been two days since her duel with Enid Sinclair and Wednesday had been feeling…Odd. Starting from the night after her duel, her nightmares were plagued by a girl standing in the moonlight, her warm and gentle blue eyes sparkling with friendliness.

Wednesday knew who the girl was and she refused to lie to herself to pretend otherwise. It was clear to her that it was Enid Sinclair. Wednesday had never had something like this happen before. She had been in plenty of duels that often got out of hand and if she had to judge them, her duel with Enid wasn't too bad.

And yet, she felt as if something had fundamentally changed in her. But what that was, she wasn't quite sure. So, to work out her stress, she had gone to the fencing hall where she met and dueled with Bianca Barclay.

Bianca was a good sparring partner with skills that even had Wednesday questioning if the girl was strong enough to take her down in an official duel. She would never find out as a rather brutish vampire named Emmett had attacked Rowan.

Being unable to see such a pathetic soul being beaten before her, she stepped forward and challenged Archie Cullen to a duel. She won of course, but Wednesday wasn't too sure that his boyfriend, Royal Hale, was pleased by this.

All and all, a simple, if not dull day.

As Wednesday got closer to the school's exit that would take her to the common room, she found herself passing a group of Furs, if the subtle wet dog smell was anything to go by.

The group of Furs were four teen males of various sizes , and they were standing in front of a large window. Wednesday paused and peered over the shorter green-haired teen's shoulder when she noticed what they were staring at.

It was Enid.

She was in the middle of the gym, wearing nothing but a white sports bra, and rainbow yoga pants. She was jogging alongside Ms. Kara Danvers, the blonde-haired, blue-eyed gym teacher, who was also wearing rainbow yoga pants but with a blue sports bra and they were both barefoot.

Wednesday had already known that Enid was fit. She had seen the girl's failure of a dueling outfit two days ago which didn't exactly hide how toned the girl was, but this gave Wednesday a more appreciative view of her opponent.

But Wednesday could feel lust rushing through the blood of the four male teens watching Enid. "Damn…For being a fail-wolf, Sinclair is fucking hot," one of the teens. "What I wouldn't do to get a taste of that."

"You better stop that, Paul. I heard that Gorgon, Ajax-or-whatever was thinking of asking her out," another one of the teens told the first teen.

"But is he lying, Brady?" The third Fur asked with a friendly tone. "I mean, damn. Enid is a snack, but if she's a snack then Coach Danvers is a whole dinner plus dessert."

"Jared is right," The first teen, Paul, agreed. "You wouldn't think she was the Night Slayer considering how young and perky she is. Shit, I'd love to give her a reward for killing so many Blood drinkers. But maybe that's after I show Enid around my bed."

While the other two males didn't speak, Wednesday felt enough of the lust within their pulsating blood that she knew their thoughts were less than pure. Wednesday didn't understand why but hearing their comments and feeling their blood had angered her.

If there was one thing she despised in general was men degrading women with their "Locker Room" talk, but to hear it directed toward Enid hit a button she didn't even know she had.

Wednesday cut her palm and allowed a coat of blood to swim up her right hand and forearm as the first teen asked, "Do you guys smell blo—"

Without hesitation, Wednesday interrupted the teens and struck.

"You can do this Enid! Just three more laps! Come on, keep it moving!"

Enid heard her teacher instruct, causing her to pick up the speed as she cleared another lap in the gigantic gym. She looked up to see her teacher running backward with her arms closed, her bright blue eyes staring her down in the distance.

Challenging her.

"Come…"

Enid's eyes widened.

That was Wednesday's voice.

Enid watched as her instructor's image and the gym around them changed. Instead of Ms. Danvers in the gym, it was now Wednesday standing at Crackstone's crypt on Raven Island, a subtle smirk on her face as she slid back with the assistance of blood.

"Come to me, Enid Sinclair…" Endi heard Wednesday beckon with a soft tone in her voice within her mind. Enid growled and picked up speed as she chased after "Wednesday," who smiled in approval and continued to glide from her grasp.

Enid picked up her speed as her heart pounded in her ears, a strange feeling blossoming in her chest as "Wednesday" asked, "Can you keep up with me, Sinclair?"

Enid pushed herself to go faster, closing the distance bit by bit as she felt her fangs and claws starting to grow. She could feel that odd feeling blossoming in her chest as she neared "Wednesday." However, the sound of glass shattering broke the strange vision and caused Enid to trip over her own feet, where she crashed face-first to the ground.

"Ouchies," Enid groaned as she lifted her face off the floor and turned her head, only to blink in shock.

There was a Fur lying on the gym floor, groaning in pain with glass surrounding his downed body. "In Inuyasha's name," Enid gasped as she scrambled to her feet while her instructor rushed past her to check on the student.

Enid rushed up beside her teacher, only to realize there were three more bodies on the outside of the gym.

It was then a scent caught her nose….

It was a floral and green scent, with fresh and slightly sweet notes….

Wednesday was here.

Enid looked at the three boys and then turned to face the third downed teen.

Had she done this?

Enid sniffed again.

The scent was still strong, which meant she must have just left. If she was fast enough, she would be able to catch her.

"I'll go fetch a nurse," Enid told her teacher.

"Go ahead and be quick. They look to be pretty injured," her teacher instructed.

Enid nodded and quickly fled the gym.

Wednesday opened the door to see the pouring rain awaiting her.

While didn't need to cause such havoc on those four Neanderthals, it felt nice to get a brief exercise in during such a dull day.

Plus, if her sense of smell was correct, she was sure Thing had enjoyed the sight of her laying waste to those useless wolves from behind the water cooler.

She would have to deal with him as soon as the opportunity presented itself.

She popped open her umbrella and walked out of the academy and toward the entrance to the dorm. As she walked, however, the sound of stone scraping reached her ears. She looked up, tilting her umbrella aside only to see a fairly large raven statue coming straight toward her.

"Wednesday, look out!" A familiar voice screamed and without warning, Wednesday was sent to the ground. She looked up in surprise to see Enid holding the raven statue in both hands, but the beak of the statue had punctured the side of Enid's forehead, causing her to bleed.

"Enid Sinclair," Wednesday greeted with a soft, almost surprised tone. Despite liking the rain well enough, it did weaken her ability to sense others by their blood. But even then, she was stronger than the average blood witch around her age.

She should have smelled something.

"Hi," Enid greeted with a toothy smile, the rain falling down around them as the dreary rain made her blue eyes brighter and sharper. "Fancy meeting you here, Addams."

Wednesday rose to her feet as Enid tossed the statue to the ground, shattering it into pieces. "I know this is old but yeesh," Enid joked as she rubbed the back of her neck.

"You saved me," Wednesday uttered as she stepped toward Enid.

"Despite my ass-kicking two days ago and my feelings about it, I couldn't let you get flattened by that thing," Enid explained.

Wednesday stared at her for a moment and slowly, she reached up and touched the taller girl's wound. "You're hurt," Wednesday noted with displeasure running through her veins. She didn't mind Enid getting hurt if it was by her hands, not by faulty decorations.

Enid touched the side of her head and said, "Oh. Well, that's fine. I can always go to the nurse's office to grab a band-aid. Besides, wolves heal fast. Hakuna Matata."

Wednesday shook her head and said, "No one has ever tried to save me before. A future opponent or not, I must repay your kindness. Now, Stay still…" Wednesday bit her thumb hard enough to draw blood and then stepped closer to Enid until they were chest to chest.

"Okay…?" Enid reluctantly obeyed.

She wasn't quite experienced with healing via blood magic but she could at least do this small injury. Wednesday closed her eyes and placed her bleeding thumb on Enid's wound. She allowed the magic to flow to her thumb and even with her eyelids covering her eyes, she could see the gentle scarlet magic shining.

After a moment, she pulled her thumb away and whispered, "There. Healed."

Enid blinked as the thunder rumbled above them. "Thank you," Enid whispered.

Wednesday stared at those soft blue eyes before she nodded and took a step back, those familiar moths fluttering in her stomach. "As I told you. You are mine to touch and mine alone. That includes crumbling architecture," Wednesday hastily replied.

She quickly turned away and asked, "I suppose you'll be staying out of our room still?"

"W-Well, yeah," Enid sheepishly replied. "I'm staying with Yōko for a bit. I do have to stop by the room to grab more of my stuff."

Wednesday hummed for a second, feeling a bit of disappointment at this.

"Then, I suppose you should escort me," Wednesday announced as she walked to her umbrella and plucked it from the ground. "Since you've thrown yourself into the role of my protector. Who knows what other thing may break apart on these old buildings that could injure me."

Wednesday placed the umbrella over her head and without thinking, she added, "Come, Dolce Lupa."

"I don't know what that means but sure!" Enid chirped before she walked over to the umbrella and tucked herself beneath it. And together, the two walked to the entrance of Ophelia Hall.

Chapter Text

Enid had to admit, she was surprised.

The room looked exactly as it did when she left it a week ago. Even down to the black tape divider. Enid was pretty sure that her room had been morphed into Wednesday's gothy but hot dungeon or something. And yet it wasn't.

Enid ignored the butterfly wings fluttering in her stomach.

"You seem surprised, Enid Sinclair," Wednesday calmly noted as she strolled past Enid and walked over to her desk.

"You kept everything," Enid blurted out as Wednesday switched on her lamp light.

Wednesday slowly turned to face her and despite her deadpanned expression, amusement sparkled in the shorter girl's eyes. "Despite you staying in another person's room, we are roommates," Wednesday explained. "And I suppose It would be rude of me to remove everything."

"Even if it causes you allergies?" Enid teased.

Wednesday remained silent for a moment but Enid could see her gaze soften just a bit. Enid flushed at the look in her eyes. "Even so," Wednesday answered. "Shall I leave you to collect your things?"

"O-Oh no! You can stick around while I collect some more of my stuff," Enid hastily replied. "If it's still my room with me being gone, then it's definitely also your room for being in…here?" Enid laughed. "Did that make sense? I hope it does."

Wednesday stared at her and while Enid would question it, she could have sworn she saw Wednesday smile. "Quanto prezioso…" Wednesday whispered before she turned away and sat at her desk to begin typing.

Enid awkwardly stood around for a split second while definitely not staring at how picturesque Wednesday looked with the cloudy sky behind her and the gentle glow of her lamp hitting her face just right, softening her already beau—pre—nice face.

Enid made her way to her side of the room, unburied her suitcase from the corner of her bed, and packed up a few clothes but every once in a while, she would turn and glance at Wednesday as she dutifully worked on her writing.

"And done," Enid chirped as she dusted her hands.

"Will that be all you're packing?" Wednesday asked from beside her, causing Enid to jump in surprise.

"Yeesh! I didn't even hear you!" Enid exclaimed. "Really need to put a bell on you."

"My mother tried that once. The bell wound up being found in the stomach of her pet raven," Wednesday informed. "She never tried it again."

"Did the raven live?" Enid asked.

"Depends on what you mean by "live," Enid Sinclair," Wednesday responded.

Enid blinked.

"Have you packed everything that you needed to pack?" Wednesday questioned.

"I did, yeah," Enid replied as she closed her suitcase and zipped it up. "Now, I'll be out of your hair. Well, until Ms. Thornhill finds out and then boots me back here."

"If she does, you at least know that your room is safe and sound," Wednesday told her. "Besides, if things go my way, you may have this room to yourself soon enough."

Enid stilled.

"What?" she asked.

Wednesday moved away from Enid's side and returned to her side of the room. "I gave my parents a week of my time in this place. Once it ends, I will escape, never to be seen again."

"Never to be…." Enid drifted off. She didn't know why but the thought of Wednesday disappearing on her was unpleasant to think about. Even those words made Enid's heart squeeze with an uncomfortable pressure. "But what about our rematch?"

Wednesday faltered for only a brief moment before she replied, "Our rematch would still be in place. I do not have to go to this place to have it."

"But that changes everything. I mean, how would you know I kept my word about not losing to anyone?" Enid asked. "How would you know?"

"I have fingers in everything, Enid Sinclair," Wednesday answered. "Besides, you are a woman of your word. You've proven that already. I would be able to trust you to keep your word to me."

Enid felt touched that Wednesday trusted enough in her skills to believe her strong enough to keep her word without her being there. "It wouldn't be the same, Wednesday and you know that," Enid told her. Enid then walked over to their large window and gazed outside. The clouds were starting to part and Enid could see the night sky.

"I don't want you to just leave me here. We're supposed to be rivals, right? That means that you're supposed to be here to watch me get stronger. Y'know, turn into my super Saiyan self," Enid explained before she turned around to stare at Wednesday. "And as rivals, I'm supposed to watch you get stronger too, y'know? I want to be able to see you at your best at all times! I want to see the anticipation in your eyes as our duel draws near! I want to be able to taste the excitement in your blood! I want to see…I want…" Enid let out a sharp breath of frustration as the words died in her throat.

Wednesday stared at her long and hard.

"You wish for me to stay?" Wednesday asked, her voice barely going above a whisper.

"…I do," Enid answered, stunned at how weak she sounded.

There was silence once again.

"Then for you, I shall remain here…." Wednesday told her. "You have my word."

"Really?" Enid asked with disbelief. "You'd stay for me?"

"I do not give my word to anyone lightly, Enid Sinclair," Wednesday informed. "As much as I loathe being in the place my parents seem to adore, you asked for me to stay, and stay I shall."

"But why?" Enid asked.

Wednesday looked away from her and replied, "I've never had a rival before but Father says it's an exhilarating experience to have a connection with someone on such an intimate level." Wednesday turned back to look at Enid. "I have accepted you as my rival from the moment you challenged me. Besides, you are right. We should be together to bring out the best in one another if I was to part, I would never get to see that. I would never get to see you grow strong enough to potentially defeat me. And that would be something I would regret."

Wednesday walked to her until they stood before one another and slowly, Wednesday reached out and ran the back of her index finger against Enid's jawline, causing her to close her eyes. "I wish to enter such an intimate level of animosity with you, Enid Sinclair. And the only way I can do that is to remain…."

Enid opened her eyes and stared at Wednesday. Her dark reddish brown eyes were so tender that Enid couldn't help but feel warm. "Then promise me, Wednesday…No matter what happens, you'll stay here," Enid whispered as she grasped Wednesday's outstretched hand. "You'll stay here with me so we can grow stronger together until we see who is the best."

"Once again…" Wednesday started. "You have my word."

With those words, Enid fully smiled.

"That is literally the gayest thing I've ever heard," Yōko told her after Enid told her about her conversation with Wednesday. "Literally everything from her reveal on was super gay. Like, I've heard of rivals having some suss things but that really takes the cake."

Enid groaned as she covered her face with a pillow.

"Shut up," Enid told her, but she couldn't help but smile.

She had never had a rival before either and yet this one was proving to be something amazing.

Her rival…

Wednesday Addams…

She couldn't wait to see what happened next between them.

Chapter Text

Wednesday's head snapped up as she sat in the passenger seat of Principal Weems' vehicle. "Tired, Ms. Addams?" Principal Weems asked with a hint of amusement on her face.

Wednesday gave the woman a cool expression. "I did not sleep well last night. However, I will not allow that to deter me during this pointless trip," Wednesday told the white-haired woman.

Wednesday was completely honest with the woman too. Since her talk with Enid the night before, Wednesday had been robbed of her dreamless sleep and given a dream of the friendly but confident blue eyes of her rival.

Wednesday placed a hand on her stomach to calm the eclipse of moths within her stomach. For a brief moment, Wednesday toyed with the idea of speaking to the therapist regarding this odd feeling she's been having lately but out of pride, she wouldn't.

She would figure this out on her own.

The car slowed to a stop in front of a building as Weems said, "Dr. Walsh's office is on the second floor. Other Nevermore students swear by her. Especially after Dr. Kinbott's unfortunate murder."

"You'll be here until I'm done?" Wednesday inquired.

"Yes. Perhaps afterward we can visit the Weathervane for hot chocolate," Weems answered with a small smile.

For a moment, Wednesday wanted to insult her, but those eyes flashed in her mind again which made her think. She had been quite unkind to her rival the day they met and while they became a net positive to her, she still felt odd regarding it.

So, instead of letting loose with the vitriol she had planned, Wednesday said, "While I think chauffeuring your students around is below your pay grade, I accept your peace offering." Wednesday saw the brief flash of surprise in the woman's eyes before the woman nodded.

"Then I wish you luck. I shall be here once you're done," Weems replied.

"So, do I want to know why you aren't in your assigned room?" Enid's mentor asked as the two stood in the lunar field, a training ground for werewolves that sat beneath Nevermore. In a normal situation, Enid would never be able to stand in such a beautiful place.

Despite being underground and despite being able to see the roots of the trees above them, the "sky" was dark purple and there were stars scattered about as if she was staring at the large sky. Add in the lush green grass and Enid felt at peace.

"Me and my roomie aren't exactly seeing eye to eye," Enid told Kara. It wasn't necessarily a lie. They hadn't seen eye to eye that first night but despite their duel and their talks, Enid felt it was wrong for her to room with Wednesday still.

But was it because she was concerned they would fight again like they had before or was it because of this strange feeling that lurked beneath her skin? Kara frowned at this and asked, "Should I go to Weems?"

"No!" Enid immediately replied before she flushed. "I mean, we shouldn't bother her over something so trivial as a disagreement."

Enid hoped her mentor would understand and after a moment, Kara nodded. "Alright. But the minute those disagreements change into combat, you have to let me know, alright?" Kara told her.

'A little too late for that,' Enid thought but she nodded. "So…Why exactly did you bring me to the lunar field? Aren't non-shifters not allowed her?"

"They aren't but I got special permission from Weems to allow you to come here," Kara explained. "When I was younger and I was a late shifter, my big sister Alex took me to one of these to get me to connect to my wolf."

"And did it work?" Enid asked with a hopeful tone.

Kara gave a small grin and replied, "Yes and no. I felt a closer connection to my wolf, but I still didn't shift until my life of someone dear to me was in danger from a rather ruthless vampire."

"And that's when you became a blood wolf?" Enid asked.

Kara nodded.

"What is that like?" Enid asked. "I hope that isn't rude to ask but I've always been curious. All I really know about them was that during the Underworld war between vampires and shifters, our elders would force a non-shifter to shift during the blood moon to acquire more soldiers for the war. But after that, many of the Blood Wolves vanished and a lot of the elders refused to talk about them out of shame for their actions. You're the only one many of us pups know about."

With a sigh, Kara crossed her arms and stared at the air (ground?) for a moment. "Alex once told me that being a Blood Wolf is one of the most dangerous things a shifter could be. I didn't quite understand what she meant until I became one. For example, my healing factor surpasses that of a siren's. I can get my arm chopped off and I can stick it back on and I would have full control of it without any issues. I'm also stronger, faster, and more agile than a typical werewolf and that is in the form I stand in now. After a shift? Let's just say there's not a force alive that can stop me."

"Whoa…" Enid breathed.

"And unlike other shifters, I don't need the moon to shift. I can do it anytime, anywhere at will," Kara continued. "However, there are drawbacks to this."

I tend to lose control in a shorter amount of time than a normal werewolf."

"What do you mean?" Enid asked.

"To obtain this power, something of equal value must be lost," Kara told her. "That law of equivalent exchange. I can do things no mere mortal or shifter can do, but my sanity dwindles faster. The longer I stay in my Blood Wolf form, the more control of my body I lose. The last time I shifted, I lasted ten minutes before I became a ravenous animal, attacking friend and foe alike. When I came to, I was butt-naked in the middle of National City Park, with the body parts of dozens of people around me."

"Oh…" Enid whispered.

"Being a Blood Wolf feels like I'm living in a world made of cardboard," Kara revealed. "Always taking constant care not to break something, to break someone. Never allowing myself to lose control even for a moment, or someone could die. I have to constantly be aware of everything that I do…."

Kara turned to Enid and said, "But without this, I wouldn't have been able to save my sister, my adopted mother and father. My friends…I wouldn't have been able to save my best friend." Enid watched as a bittersweet smile formed on her face. "In the end, I'm glad that it happened, but If I can help shifters avoid the plight that I live through, I would."

"Is that why you decided to help me?" Enid asked.

"There are other reasons," Kara answered with a mysterious but sad smile. "But it is one of the main reasons. Now, enough about my backstory, we're here to get you connected with your inner wolf. So let's get it started."

Enid nodded with a wide smile.

"So, the first thing we must do is meditate," Kara said with a grimace.

Enid also grimaced at this.

"Wait, so we're not going to spar or run around or anything?" Enid asked. "That's hella bad."

Kara laughed and ruffled Enid's hair. "Trust me, I know. Meditating is everything we wolves are not but it's something we have to do to start the process," Kara told her.

Enid pouted but nodded.

The two sat down in the middle of the field, with Enid replicating Kara as she sat in the lotus position. "Alright, now I want you to close your eyes and listen to the sound of my voice, Enid," Kara instructed.

Enid nodded and closed her eyes as well.

"Every wolf has their own heartbeat, hidden within your own heart. I want you to find it and hone in on it," Kara instructed.

Enid remained silent as she focused as hard as she could.

For a moment, nothing seemed to happen. All she could hear was the sound of her own heartbeat. But then, she heard something. It was distant but she could another heartbeat beating alongside her own

And then she saw it.

In the darkness, she saw a pulsating orb of scarlet light beating in the distance. She reached out to grab it but it pulled away from her. Did it not find her worthy to shift into? Or was there something more that it was looking out for?

But what could that be?

"I read the notes from your school counselor. Would you like to explain what happened?"

Wednesday stared into the heterochromatic poisonous green and Delphinium blue of Dr. Lena Kieren Kieran. When Wednesday stepped into the room, she had expected her therapist to violate her space with fake smiles and faux comments of support. Instead, the raven-haired, pale-skinned woman was just as aloof and clinical as she was.

It was a…nice change of pace.

"Mrs. Bronstein. She had a nervous breakdown after our last session and had to take a six-month sabbatical," Wednesday explained.

Lena quirked an eyebrow. "And how do you feel about that?" she inquired.

"Vindicated," Wednesday answered. "Anyone that crochets for a hobby isn't a worthy adversary."

"Is that right, Ms. Addams? Do you see me as your adversary?" Lena questioned. "It would be rather awkward if that was the case as I was hoping that we could forge a relationship based on trust and mutual respect."

Wednesday wanted to scoff at this but once again, those pesky blue eyes of her rival entered her mind. "Very well," Wednesday murmured.

"Good," Lena said with an approving tone. "I want you to think of this as a sanctuary where we can discuss anything that comes to mind. Or maybe nothing at all."

Wednesday leaned back in her chair and glanced around at the office. She took note of the dozen certificates and awards that the woman had on her wall. Curiously, most of the certificates were given to her by very reputable colleges across the country. Not only that, the name on the certificates was "Lena Luthor." That name sounded vaguely familiar to Wednesday. But even if she couldn't place the name, Wednesday wondered why would a woman this accomplished be in the rundown town of Jericho of all places. Wednesday continued to look around until something caught her attention.

On the woman's desk was a picture frame that was faced down and there was a hint of alcohol in the air. It reminded her of the scotch her father would drink when in a joyous mood, but judging from the woman's exhausted expression, she wasn't quite sure it was the same case.

"That picture on your desk. Why is it faced down on your desk?" Wednesday asked.

Lena turned and glanced at the frame with a subtle frown. "Just gazing at the past. Nothing more," Lena answered before she turned back to Wednesday. "But, this session isn't about me. It's about you. Maybe with time, once we build our rapport, I'd be willing to answer your question."

Wednesday nodded. "That seems fair," Wednesday murmured. "So, where would you like to begin?"

Chapter Text

"How was your meeting, Wednesday?"

"It was eventful," Wednesday answered the principal with a small frown on her face. Admittedly, the meeting was quite fruitful. This Lena didn't push her for anything she wasn't willing to give. If anything, she spoke to her like an equal. Wednesday also noticed that there was a darkness in her therapist's eyes that she had often seen in her own.

How curious.

"I am glad you found it fruitful, Wednesday," Principal Weems told her. "Now, as promised, we shall go to the Weathervane for hot chocolate."

"Those are the terms I agreed to," Wednesday confirmed. "Although, I prefer an expresso versus hot chocolate."

"A good substitute I will happily give you. Now, let us be off," Principal Weems smiled. After a ten-minute drive, Wednesday was driven to a café and bakery shop called the Weathervane. just in time to see a large burst of steam explode from a machine.

"Well, shall we?" Principal Weems asked.

Wednesday nodded and the two approached the counter as another explosion of steam filled the air. The teen who was working on the machine looked fairly focused on trying to fix it. One more explosion of steam caused the teen to step back, only to shriek at the sight of Wednesday and the principal.

"Holy sh—crap!" the teen exclaimed, barely catching himself from cursing in front of the woman. The teen glanced at Wednesday's uniform and said, "Nevermore. Of course. You guys have made it a habit of scaring people. Didn't think they changed up the uniform like that."

"It is a preferred hobby of mine," Wednesday replied with a bland tone. "I need a quad over ice."

"And some hot chocolate, with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, a graham cracker that is also slathered in whipped cream, topped with a toasted marshmallow," Principal Weems ordered. Wednesday slowly turned her head to stare at the older woman. "What can I say? I have a sweet tooth," the principal curtly defended.

Wednesday had to admit, that did sound rather delicious but she wasn't a sweet person.

But perhaps her rival was.

"Okay…The hot chocolate with all the fixings Is something I can do. As for the quad, sorry, the espresso machine's having a seizure, so all we have is drip," the teen revealed. Wednesday turned her head to see a rather normal guy with balding blond hair and the name tag "Gilear Faeth" attached to his yellow shirt, which was stained with dried yogurt.

"But drip is for people who hate themselves and know their lives have no real purpose or meaning," Wednesday stated to the teen. Out of the corner of her eye, the man bowed his head and let out a pathetic sigh.

The serotonin boost would feed her for days looking at his crestfallen face.

The principal saw this as well, judging by the smothered grin on her face.

"What's wrong with your machine?" Wednesday asked.

"It's a temperamental beast with a mind of its own," the teen explained before he held up what Wednesday quickly deduced was the instruction manual. "And it doesn't help that the instructions are in Italian…"

"Excuse me a moment," Wednesday told the principal before she strolled behind the counter, snatched the manual from the teen's hand, and observed it. "I need a tri-wing screwdriver and a four-millimeter Allen wrench."

"Wait, you read Italian?" the teen asked.

"Of course. It's the native tongue of Machiavelli," Wednesday answered with a small narrowing of her eyes. "Here's the deal. Assist the principal with her sweet tooth. I'm going to fix your coffee machine, then you're going to make my coffee, all of this to go."

At the teen's skeptical expression, Wednesday added, "Would you rather call someone, wait 24-48 business hours at least, only for them to charge an exorbitant amount of money, wasting both your time and the time of people who actually value their lives?"

Once again, the boost of serotonin hit as the man at the counter sighed.

Wednesday held out her hand. "I never met a Nevermore kid who got their hands dirty. Alright. You got a deal," he agreed. He turned to the principal and said, "So, two Ned Flanders, coming up."

"Much appreciated," Principal Weems nodded.

Wednesday tried to avoid the rather pleased and proud look from the principal as she worked on fixing the machine. "I have to make a call. Let me know when our orders are done," Weems instructed. Wednesday nodded and Weems walked to the exit of the Weathervane and got into her car.

Wednesday felt the inquisitive gaze of the teen hitting the side of her face and when she turned to look, he deftly looked away. She turned her attention back to her objective, only to feel his gaze again

She did not like his eyes drinking her in.

The only eyes she would prefer to bask in her brilliance at all times were those bright, wild, and dizzyingly beautiful baby blues of her rival. Anyone else simply could not compete. The teen walked over to her and asked, "So, how goes it?"

"You have a valve issue. I've seen it before," Wednesday answered.

The teen looked at her, back at the machine, and then back at her. "Where? You have one of these monsters at home?" the teen asked with a healthy dose of skepticism.

"Steam-powered guillotine. I built it when I was ten." Wednesday turned to see a look of confusion on his face. For a moment, she wanted to leave him hanging but the sooner she got her quad over ice, the better so she clarified. "I wanted to decapitate my dolls more efficiently."

"Sure…" the teen drawled. "Grim Reaper Barbie…Makes perfect sense."

The steam ceased and Wednesday returned the screwdriver to the teen's hand. "Mission complete," she concluded.

"Wow. Thanks. I guess you'll be the first Nevermore student I've seen getting their hands dirty," the teen said.

"There is another that does as well," Wednesday told him as her rival's eyes appeared in her mind, causing that familiar eclipse of moths to flutter about in her stomach.

"Well, I'll have to widen my expectations on you Nevermore students," the teen smiled. "I'm Tyler, by the way. I didn't catch your name."

"I never gave it," Wednesday replied. "That's a need-to-know basis, I'm afraid."

"Well, Ms. Need-to-Know, let me get your drinks ready," Tyler said with a friendly smile. "And to show my appreciation, the two drinks are on the house."

"How kind. You have my thanks," Wednesday replied with a nod. She then hesitated. "Actually, can you add one more thing?"

"Sure," Tyler agreed.

"The hot chocolate. Can you prepare one more for me?" Wednesday asked.

"Also to go?" Tyler asked.

"Also to go," Wednesday confirmed.

"Alright. It'll all be ready in ten minutes," Tyler told her.

Wednesday gave Tyler her thanks and moved to a booth to sit down. As much as she was dying to get back to her room to rest off the day of interacting with various people, that quad over ice was worth waiting for.

She did wonder how long it would take for Weems to get off of her phone call. She paused as a familiar scent reached her nose.

Wednesday scoffed.

Silly little hand really thinks he's doing a great job spying on her. She would have to prove him wrong.

Perhaps by pulling his fingernails off. Or maybe locking him away in the dark. No, she had to be creative with his punishment. Or maybe it won't come to that. Yes, let's see how long he could keep hiding just out of her eyesight.

So focused on her thoughts, Wednesday wasn't even aware of the three boys standing at her table until she heard, "What's a Nevermore freak doing out in the wild?"

Wednesday looked up, glanced at all three of them, and without thinking, she asked, "Why are you dressed like religious fanatics?"

The taller Caucasian boy looked at his two friends, a shorter, pudgier Caucasian male, and a taller black male, with a look of confusion and corrected, "We're pilgrims."

"Potato, po-tah-to," Wednesday dimissed.

"We work at Pilgrim World," the black teen said as he motioned to the leaflet that sat haphazardly on her table. The teen then slid the paper toward her, where she glanced at it with uncaring eyes.

"I didn't notice," Wednesday explained. "Then again, I can see why. It takes a special kind of stupid to devote an entire theme park to zealots responsible for mass genocide."

The boy glowered at her and hissed out, "My dad owns Pilgrim World. You calling him stupid?"

"If the buckled shoe fits," Wednesday challenged, taking joy at the look of rage in the boy's eyes.

Suddenly, Tyler was pushing the group away as he said, "Guys, Lucas, back off!"

"Stay out of this, Galpin," the angered teen, who Wednesday deduced was Lucus and the leader of his little group, said as he pushed Tyler back.

Wednesday rose out of her seat as she said, "Yes, stay out of this, Tyler." She stepped into the circle and faced off with Lucas, who glared at her. "Continue with my order. I will see to this matter."

She had to admit, he was brave to stand toe to toe wither. Unfortunately, she already knew that she was going to have to humble him. "So tell me, freak, you ever been with a normie?" Lucas asked.

"I've never found one that could handle me," Wednesday calmly answered.

As she stared at him, that bravery he had shown was now giving way to fear. And that was the crux of it, wasn't it? All normies, male, female, and non-binary, couldn't handle someone like her. No one could even stand before her.

Not until Enid Sinclair.

"Your bravado is dissolving like paper-mache artwork in the rain," Wednesday noted. "Are you sure you want to do this?" Wednesday's dark reddish brown eyes glinted with malevolent red magic, and Lucas took a step back, his bravado now gone in the sight of her intimidation.

"Let's get out of here," Lucas told his two friends. "Stay out of our booth next time, freak."

"I'll be sure to burn this booth and send its cremated ashes to your doorstep," Wednesday promised. The three teens walked away and Wednesday turned back to Tyler, who stared at her with surprise. "Are our drinks ready?"

"Y-Yeah," Tyler replied. "Y'know, I really thought it was going to come to blows."

Wednesday allowed a small smirk to form on her face. "They wouldn't have walked out of here if it had. Now, the drinks, please."

"Koko, you look absolutely dead on your feet," Enid commented the moment she saw her friend in front of the dorm building's entrance.

"Speak for yourself," Yōko grouchily retorted, only to sigh. "Sorry, Nini, I'm just tired. Had to show around a Cullen."

Enid winced and apologetically said, "My condolences."

"It's whatever. I just hope she and her eternal peppiness don't infect Divina. My poor guppy," Yōko sighed. Yōko then looked at Enid and raised an eyebrow. "I didn't take you as a sweatpants and tank-top kind of girl, Enid."

"I'm not," Enid flushed. "Kara. I mean Ms. Danvers, had me do some end-of-meditation sparring. She hits really hard."

"She's letting you call her by her first name?" Yōko asked. "What a teacher's pet."

"She's not even a teacher," Enid huffed as the two walked into the building and walked up two flights of stairs. "But, I think she's really onto something with her methods. I feel closer to my wolf side after that meditation. I mean, as close as Iowa is to California, but still close."

"Baby steps, right?" Yōko asked as the two made it to their floor and headed to their room. "Just don't get too close. Unless you want Fangs to start fighting you due to being in association with her."

Enid opened her mouth to reply, only to stop when she smelled something sweet in the air and it was coming from the direction of Yōko's dorm room. She walked ahead of Yōko to her door and there she saw it.

It was a large cup with a dome top that had a graham cracker covered in whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and a toasted marshmallow on top. And leaning against the cup was a card with her name written in the prettiest cursive she had ever seen on the cover. She picked up the card with her right hand and the cup with her left and flipped the card open.

"A sweet offering to solidify our rivalry. May our battles be intense, Enid Sinclair. Until our next meeting, Wednesday Addams…" Enid read. She held the note to her chest and let out a soft sigh.

"Did you just swoon?" Yōko asked.

Enid jumped.

Chapter Text

Enid's back slammed against the ground in the lunar field.

"Come on, Enid," Kara commanded. "Get up and try again!"

Enid scrambled to her feet and launched herself toward her mentor, her claws lashing out wildly to try and strike the older woman. Kara sidestepped two of her swings before catching her left arm, kneeing her in the stomach, and then tossing her over her shoulder back to the ground.

Enid gasped, the breath leaving her lungs, as she struggled to stare at her mentor's face. "You can't tell me that that's all you've got," Kara growled in agitation. When Enid wasn't able to respond, Kara closed her eyes, sighed, and released Enid's wrist to take a few steps away. "Let's call it there," Kara offered.

Enid groaned and lifted herself off the ground, her back toward her mentor. Enid didn't know what was going on. For the past few days, her mentor seemed more frustrated as of late. From the amount of time she spent with the older woman, she always seemed in control of her emotions.

And yet it felt like she was barely able to stay within her skin. Enid turned around so her hands were planted on the ground and pushed herself to her feet. "Kara? Is everything alright?" Enid asked with a worried frown. "Did I do something wrong?"

Kara ran a hand through her hair and for a moment, Enid grew afraid of her answer. The two had grown a bit closer in the past two weeks since her apprenticeship began and Enid was slowly starting to warm up to the wolf. If she had done something wrong, she wasn't quite sure if she could recover from it.

"Oh, Rao. Enid, You didn't do anything wrong," The woman assured with a sincere tone as she lowered her hand from her hair. "I'm sorry. It's been a rough couple of days."

Enid frowned.

"It's Mom again, isn't it?" Enid asked.

She was proven correct when Kara huffed. "I know how she gets. I'm sorry she keeps fighting you," Enid apologized. "If there is anything I can do to try and lessen your aggravation at her, I'll do it."

Kara let out a small laugh as she approached Enid and ruffled her hair, causing Enid to pout a bit before she smiled. "Nah. I just need to blow off some steam. Maybe I'll call my sister when I get home or something," Kara shrugged. Kara's smartwatch then chimed, causing her to glance at it. "Alright. Our time is up for now. Any plans on this Thursday afternoon?"

"Actually…" Enid blushed a little. "I do have some plans."

"Oh? Well, spill," Kara smiled.

"I'm going to Jericho to give my rival a gift," Enid replied.

Kara blinked.

"Your what?"

"So, why did you drag me to Jericho, Sinclair?" Bianca asked as the two walked side by side on the sidewalk in Jericho.

"I've been noticing that you and Wednesday have been hanging out," Enid started as nonchalantly as possible.

"Sparring during fencing practice does not equal "hanging out." Sinclair," Bianca informed.

"But, you two also talk outside of fencing class," Enid said.

"And how would you know? Since Kara Danvers came to the school two weeks ago, you haven't shown your face in class," Bianca told her. "You were my second in command. Now I have to rely on Kent. Kent of all sirens."

Enid flushed and murmured, "I really am sorry, Bianca. But Kara—I mean—Ms. Danvers is going to help my shift. Once I do, I promise I'll rejoin the team."

"I'll hold you to that," Bianca told the blonde. "As for Addams, she and I have a…understanding of sorts in regards to a few things."

"Like what?" Enid asked.

"That's our affair," Bianca answered. "Don't worry. Thanks to both Addams and Tanaka, I'm well aware of your "rivalry" with Addams. I'm assuming that's why I'm here, right?"

Enid bobbed her head. "Yeah. A few days ago, she got me something really sweet and I want to repay her with something. But I don't know what she likes."

"What she likes?" Bianca asked. "Okay, back up a spell. You're talking about Wednesday Addams, right? The girl who disrespected you on her first day here? The girl Yōko and I helped you warm up for? The girl that's supposed to be your roommate yet you've yet to return to your room?"

Enid blushed and asked, "You've been talking to Yōko, haven't you?"

"Divina, actually," Bianca explained. "Talk to me, Sinclair. Where's your head at in terms of Addams?"

Enid stared at the ground, her face growing pensive.

"I don't know," Enid whispered. "Ever since my duel with her, things of been different."

Bianca motioned for her to continue.

"I should hate her," Enid admitted. "She defeated me in combat. IDK what you know about wolves but we don't take defeat lightly. And yet when I lost to her, I was…not happy, but I wasn't devastated like wolves get when they lose. Instead, I'm more driven to beat her but it's not coming out of a place of hatred."

She placed a hand on her chest and for a moment, she could feel two heartbeats in her chest before it became one. "I don't know what this emotion is I feel when it comes to her but what I do know is that I want to fight her again. I need to fight her again. I need it more than water, more than air. Even more than my need to shift. I want to fight her…but I can't explain why…"

Enid turned to Bianca, who was giving her a strange look, and asked, "Does that make sense?"

"Not. At. All," Bianca slowly and dryly answered.

"Oh Rao," Enid grumbled. "I was hoping it would."

"Is that the reason why you haven't roomed with Black, White, and Red all over?" Bianca asked.

"The reason we got into our duel was because of the way she treated me and because of what she did to my—our—room," Enid said. "Despite the air being somewhat cleared, there's this tension I've been feeling every time we see one another. If I move back in, putting us in close proximity, I'm…I'm not sure if the building, let alone our room, would withstand if we fought again…Oh!"

Enid suddenly grabbed Bianca and dragged her into an alleyway. "Sinclair! What has gotten into y—" Bianca was interrupted by Enid covering her mouth.

"It's Wednesday…She's over there…" Enid whispered into Bianca's ear as she watched Wednesday walk alongside a beautiful raven-haired woman. Enid watched as the two entered the Weathervane. "Talking to that wo—"

Enid bent forward as Bianca's elbow collided with her gut, sending the girl onto her knees. "Do not do that again," Bianca warned. She then turned to Enid and asked, "Let me guess, you want to spy on them?"

"That would be great," Enid wheezed.

Bianca rolled her eyes and helped Enid off her knees and onto her feet. "Then let's get going, yeah?"

Enid nodded only to hesitate.

"Can we find that gift first?" Enid asked.

Bianca rolled her eyes.

Kara Danvers was a ball of agitation.

For the past two weeks, she had been teaching Enid to better connect with her wolf and admittedly, she was slowly starting to grow fond of the exuberant late-shifter. Her days with the young girl went from strictly ending their meeting after 6. P.M. to the woman taking Enid out to dinner or even to a movie to reward her when major progress was made.

But with her growing closer to Enid, the more her mother, Ester Sinclair, began to irk her. Kara could easily admit that she could be a hothead. Her older sister Alex had to constantly cool her down during the Underworld War, especially when a certain woman would be put in the path of danger.

Kara had made great strides to keep that anger and impulsiveness under control but the way Enid's mother kept insulting her daughter in front of her was eating away at her.

"I'm telling you, Alex, If I could jump over the phone and claw out her throat, I would," Kara concluded her latest bombardment of complaints to her sister regarding Enid's mother. "It's like dealing with Lillian all over again."

Through her laptop, Kara watched as her sister ran a hand through her short auburn hair, her dark brown eyes staring at her with both amusement in disbelief. "Kara, it can't be that bad," Alex told her. "Nothing could be as bad as Lillian Luthor."

"Well, congrats, Ester Sinclair is as bad as Lillian," Kara confirmed. "She keeps harping about Enid being destined to become a lone wolf if she doesn't shift this year. To a lone wolf! Rao, she's such a jerk!"

"Kara, first off, you're not a lone wolf," Alex corrected. "You have me. Not to mention Sam, Maggie, Winn, Brainy, James, Kelly, Nia, J'onn, and Mom. See, you have a pack."

"You, Sam, Maggie, and Kelly are a pack, with you as their alpha. Nia and Brainy, and Winn and James are starting their packs. Compared to all of you, I am a lone wolf." Kara sighed.

Alex let out a soft sigh.

"Kara, I know that we aren't exactly the pack you had in mind when you finally shifted, but we're still your family all the same," Alex told her.

Kara leaned against her chair and said, "And don't think that I'm not appreciative but you know being invited to another pack doesn't mean it's my pack, Alex. I always thought that once I shifted, I would find a mate and have a litter of pups, you know? Instead, I'm just…me…"

Kara turned her head and stared out of the window of her rather humble cabin out in the woods near Nevermore. "Enid…She has the same goals I do," Kara continued. "She wants to find a mate, start her own pack, and have a big pack…But the difference between us is that Eliza didn't ship me far away from Midvale, nor did she threaten me with those conversion camps."

Both she and Alex shuddered.

"Eliza never faltered in her love or support when it came to me, nor did she allow you to treat me like I'm second best…Enid doesn't have that support," Kara explained as she turned back to her computer screen. "Nevermore and I…We're Enid's last chance before she's forced to go to those camps and endure horrors not seen since the war. I have to figure out how to help her shift before that woman ruins that girl's life."

"Kara," Alex started. "I get it. I do. But you of all people know that you can't rush it either. Her wolf will come when it does. I know how Ester treats your student is similar to how Lillian treated Lena but don't allow your anger at that situation to cloud your judgement. Think it all through because yeah. you can rip out Ester's throat, but it's Enid who suffers from your actions. Alright?"

Kara sighed and nodded.

"Alright," Kara grumbled. "I hate it when you're right."

"So do my girls and my kids," Alex winked. "So, anything else going on over there?"

Kara smiled.

"Enid has a rival," Kara answered.

"A rival?" Alex asked.

"Yeah, an Addams," Kara explained.

Alex blinked.

"Yeah…" Kara drawled. "She had to rush off to Jericho with her friend to get her rival a gift. But when she comes back, I plan to talk to her about her rival. That poor girl really doesn't know what a rivalry with an Addams really entails."

Alex snorted and said, "Well. Let's just hope she doesn't get her a gift that resonates with the Addams girl. Otherwise, Your student will be engaged faster than we can sneeze. And who knows how Ester will take that."

Kara laughed, not really paying attention to Alex's words only to still as Alex's words caught up with her.

"Alex, I gotta go stop Enid from doing something!" Kara exclaimed. "TTYL!"

"Kara, wai—" Alex barely got out before Kara slammed her laptop closed, stood up, and darted out of her front door.

Chapter Text

"Thank you!" Enid exclaimed as she walked out of the store two medium-sized white bags filled with clothes. She turned to Bianca, who was leaning against the wall on the side of the store's door, and said, "I got the stuff."

"Joy," Bianca dryly said. "Well, let's go get these—" Bianca sighed. "—Disguises on."

Enid smiled and dragged Bianca to an alleyway where she handed Bianca a bag.

"This is so ridiculous," Bianca complained as she pulled out a black baseball cap and put it on her head. "You realize this is ridiculous, right?"

Enid slipped a Jericho hoodie over her fluffy cashmere sweater and slipped the hood over her head. "Wednesday would see us if we just walked in as Enid and Bianca. We gotta be smart about our spying," Enid explained while putting sunglasses over her eyes. "More covert."

Bianca rolled her eyes and muttered, "Maybe Yōko is right…" as she slipped the glasses on and zipped up the sweater Enid had purchased for her.

"Right about what?" Enid asked with a cocked head.

Bianca narrowed her eyes, put on her own sunglasses, and replied, "It's nothing. Come. Let's go spy."

Enid beamed.

"Wait," Bianca halted her. "Your bag. It has one more thing in it."

Enid blinked and then grinned. She reached into the bag and revealed a choker that was made with dark burgundy leather, a carved skull fastened in the center, and spikes running along the middle. "My gift for Wednesday," Enid informed. "Fits her, right?"

"Like a glove," Bianca said. "Think she'll like it?"

"I know she will. I know my rival very well," Enid boasted with her chest puffed out with pride.

Bianca stared at her.

Enid tucked the choker into the large pocket of her hoodie and exclaimed, "Alright. Let's mosey!"

"One Quad over Ice, one Irish Crème Cappuccino, and two strawberry muffins," Tyler announced as he placed the order down on the table where Wednesday and Lena sat.

"Many thanks, Tyler," Wednesday told the teen with a nod of acknowledgment.

"Anytime," Tyler replied. For a moment, Tyler looked as if he was going to say something more but instead, he offered her a small, yet friendly smile before walking away.

"Dr. Kieran, what is the nature of having our meeting in such a public place?" Wednesday asked the woman, who had taken her cup of cappuccino to take a sip from it. "Is this normal procedure?"

"It's not," Lena admitted. "But I was going a little stir-crazy in that office."

"I would have assumed you were a little crazy already, considering your occupation," Wednesday commented.

Lena gave a small wry at her comment. "Surprisingly, working in therapy is easier than working in a boardroom," Lena replied. "Now that was a true test of one's sanity."

Wednesday hummed in agreement and took a sip of her drink. For the past two weeks, Wednesday had been seeing Lena for her therapy appointments and much to her annoyance, she found herself…enjoying the woman's company. They were alike in some ways, such as their penchant for solitude, their blunt honesty, and sharp intellect.

But the biggest thing that they had in common was the darkness within them. There were times when the woman didn't think Wednesday was paying attention, that the girl could see it. Something was always lurking within the woman's heterochromatic blue and green eyes. Waiting to lash out like a caged beast at the slightest offense.

It made Wednesday curious.

And it was that curiosity that made Wednesday go to her appointments. She wanted to see what it looked like when her prim and proper therapist snapped and unleashed the darkness within her.

"Speaking from experience then?" Wednesday questioned.

"You are a smart girl, Wednesday. I'm sure you've done your research on me already," Lena told the girl before taking another sip.

"Admittedly, I had not," Wednesday told her. "I refuse to be a slave to technology in a world that seems to welcome it."

Wednesday had flirted with the idea the day after dropping off her rival's treat but in the end, she refused. She would find out either by questioning the woman or in a different way. She would have to be truly desperate to use technology.

Lena chuckled.

"The only thing that I truly know about you is that you use the last name "Kieran" while your certificates have the last name "Luthor" on them," Wednesday continued. "So, that leads me to believe that either you are running from that last name or you were married or divorced, causing the change in last names."

"Running…." Lena murmured. "it's interesting that you use that word. If that was the case, why would I run from such a name?"

"Names have power," Wednesday explained. "Names convey and create meaning. They reveal something about who we are, where we come from, and where we're headed. Sometimes, Knowing someone's name, their true name, gives one power over the owner of the name. There are even some that say using a person's true name forces them to obey your command. So if you're running from that name, whose control are you trying to evade?"

Lena chuckled again but Wednesday could see that darkness grow in the woman's eyes. "If that was the case, I wouldn't use my true first name. I would go by my many pseudonyms. Lutessa "Tess" Mercer, Morgana Pendragon, Or Mercy Mercer" Lena casually answered. "There is no one that could control me. So I don't need to hide behind any of them."

"A lot of aliases for someone that doesn't need to hide," Wednesday noted with a gleam in her eyes as the door chimed, signaling that someone had just entered the Weathervane. As two people walked past her table, Wednesday took a sharp breath when the scent of oleander caught her attention.

She turned her head and watched the two people walk toward a table two tables down from them and sat down. Why was that scent so familiar and comforting to her and where had it come from?

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Tyler approaching the table.

"Welcome to the Weathervane, you guys ordering something?" Tyler asked.

"Frappé coffee," the familiar voice of Bianca Barclay smoothly answered. "And two chocolate chip sea-salt cookies."

"Oh! I'll take five of those cookies and a Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino," Enid's excited voice answered.

Wednesday stilled as that familiar eclipse of moths fluttered in her stomach.

Her rival was here with Bianca Barclay of all people.

Wednesday frowned.

Why did the sight of her rival being with another irk her so?

Wednesday shook her head and returned her attention to her therapist, who had a perfectly trimmed eyebrow raised. "You look caught off-guard. Everything alright or has your questioning ceased?" Lena questioned. Wednesday cleared her throat, grabbed her strawberry muffin, and took a small bite, opting not to answer.

"You know, all things considered, I appreciate you treating me out for dragging me on this "Mission" of yours," Bianca said as she popped a piece of her cookie into her mouth.

"Well, I did kind of drag you into doing this for me so this is the least I can do," Enid smiled. "Besides, my family is pretty rich and they may lack in a lot of things but throwing around money isn't one of them."

Enid felt a rush of bitterness enter her veins at those words but like water off of a duck's back, she let that dark thought rush past her and let her mind go to better things.

Like her rival.

This was the first time in two weeks that she was able to take a good look at the girl whom she had promised h̶e̶r̶s̶e̶l̶f̶ her victories too and being able to smell the fresh and sweet green floral note of Lily of the Valley in such a large dose again felt wonderful.

She had truly missed it and smelling the faint remains of it around Nevermore hadn't been enough for her. "Enid," Bianca called out, snapping her fingers in front of Enid's face. Enid blinked and looked at an exasperated Bianca. "You zoned out on me for five minutes," Bianca explained.

"I did?" Enid breathlessly asked.

"By Poisidon's Trident," Bianca sighed. "Yes. While you were somewhere else, that woman your rival is with is her therapist."

"Wednesday's seeing a therapist?" Enid asked, surprised.

"Yeah. Surprises me too," Bianca said. "Hopefully, she's able to fix that girl."

"There's nothing that needs to be fixed," Enid immediately defended with a hint of anger in her voice.

Bianca raised an eyebrow.

Enid flushed and murmured, "My bad."

"Girl…" Bianca sighed as she slowly shook her head. "I'm starting to think Yōko had a point."

"Point about what?" Enid asked.

Enid never got her answer because her attention was focused on the barista, who was back at Wednesday's table. "Hey, mind if we go outside to talk for a minute?" the barista asked.

Wednesday gave a polite nod and looked at her therapist. "Dr. Kieran, do you mind if leave for a moment?"

"By all means. I have a call to make anyway. Don't be too long," Dr. Kieran answered.

Wednesday nodded, rose from her seat, and both she and the barista left.

Enid felt herself bristle at the sight of her rival leaving with a conventionally attractive normie male. Wednesday shouldn't be going with anyone unless it was her.

"I'll be right back," Enid told Bianca as her rival left the Weathervane before she practically scrambled out of her seat and rushed after the pair.

"You wished to speak with me, Tyler?" Wednesday inquired as the two walked down the sidewalk, her hands placed behind her back. Since the two weeks that they met, Wednesday had been loathed to admit that Tyler seemed less annoying than she anticipated.

So much so that she had given him her name after her third time at the Weathervane. "Yeah, I did," Tyler answered. "There's, um, this harvest festival that's happening this weekend."

"I've heard of it," Wednesday commented. "Per Principal Weem's order, Attendance at the Harvest Festival is mandatory. Why do you bring this up?"

"Well…I've been thinking," Tyler began.

"A dangerous start to a bad idea," Wednesday told him.

Tyler snorted. "Anyways," Tyler continued. "I'm supposed to go because my Dad wants me to be more sociable. I wanted to know if you wanted to come with me to hang out."

Wednesday frowned and said, "I do not hang out, Tyler."

"Well, that's going to be the cover," Tyler whispered. "I'm supposed to meet someone there and my Dad is supposed to be skulking around the place. If he finds out I'm meeting with someone I'm not supposed to be meeting, he'll freak."

"I see. So I am to be your cover and/or alibi while you have this meeting?" Wednesday deduced.

"Yeah, exactly," Tyler confirmed. "Do you mind?"

"I suppose that it is acceptable," Wednesday answered after a moment of thought. "Very well. I shall be your alibi for the evening."

"Sweet," Tyler breathed out in relief. He clapped his hands and pointed them at her as he added, "I owe you one."

"One I will be collecting soon, I am sure," Wednesday told him before she stopped.

Oleander….

She turned her head and noticed someone duck into an alleyway. "See something?" Tyler asked.

"Perhaps," Wednesday replied with a subtle smile. She turned back to Tyler and asked, "So, who are you meeting?"

"Tyler!" a voice called out, prompting Wednesday and Tyler to turn to see the owner of the voice. The minute they did, however, Tyler let out a frustrated groan at the sight of Jericho's sheriff approaching them.

"Great…" Tyler muttered.

"Who is he?" Wednesday asked.

"My father," Tyler answered as the sheriff stopped in front of them. "Hey, Dad."

"Tyler, I was just going to the Weathervane to grab some coffee. I didn't know your shift ended," the sheriff explained with a small smile.

"My shift isn't over yet. I was just taking a walk with my friend," Tyler explained. "Uh, Wednesday, this is my dad, Sherriff Donovan Galpin. Dad, Wednesday Addams."

"Charmed," Wednesday dryly greeted.

Sherriff Galpin narrowed his eyes. "You're an Addams?" the older man asked. "Don't tell me Gomez Addams is your father?"

"The very same," Wednesday answered. "You know him."

"The man's a murder," Sherriff Galpin divulged with a small sneer. "Belongs behind bars. Hopefully, the apple falls far from the tree. All the same, I'm gonna keep my eye on you."

"Wouldn't be the first one to do so, won't be the last," Wednesday retorted. "But don't stare too hard. I wouldn't want those eyes of yours to dry and fall out of your skull." Wednesday turned to Tyler and said, "I should return back to my therapist, excuse me."

Without waiting for a response, Wednesday walked back down the street to the Weathervane, only to be pulled into an alleyway entrance. Wednesday's back hit the wall but just as she was about to pull out her dagger, she found herself drowning in oleander and the crystal-clear blue eyes of her rival.

"Enid Sinclair," Wednesday greeted with a subtle smile. "Why, isn't this a surprise?"

"That boy, who is he?" Enid asked, rushing out her question with a hint of annoyance within them.

"An acquaintance," Wednesday answered with a hint of confusion.

"An acquaintance?" Enid repeated. "That's all he is? Just an acquaintance?"

"I will not repeat myself, not even for you, Enid Sinclair," Wednesday told her.

The annoyance in her eyes immediately faded away as she stepped back from Wednesday, her face turning red. "Oh…" Enid murmured.

"Are you alright?" Wednesday questioned.

"I-I'm fine!" Enid squeaked. "I-I just thought he was…You know what? Nevermind!"

Wednesday felt a small grin form on her face as realization blossomed within her. "You are jealous," Wednesday told her.

"J-Jealous? Why would I be jealous?" Enid sniffed while crossing her arms and looking away from Wednesday.

Wednesday reached out and gently turned Enid's face to her. "While jealousy looks good on you, Enid Sinclair, you do not need to worry. The only one who has my eyes is my rival. No one else," Wednesday softly declared.

Enid stared at her and leaned against Wednesday's hand. "Promise?" Enid murmured, her voice thick with uncertainty.

"I promise," Wednesday reassured. "No one but you."

Enid let out a relieved sigh and breathed, "Okay…" Enid then gave her a bright and confident smile. "Okay! Well, since I got you here, I should give you my gift."

Wednesday blinked.

"A gift?" Wednesday repeated.

Enid bobbed her head and pulled out a rather gorgeous choker. "For you," Enid chirped as she held it out to her. "I figured this was your type of thing, yes?"

Wednesday gently took the choker from Enid's hand and felt the eclipse of moths fluttering wildly in her stomach. It looked remarkably similar to the Addams Betrothal Choker that her mother once wore. Had it not been for the leather's color, she would have assumed it was taken from her mother's vault of priceless gifts her father would give her.

Was Enid trying to tell her something?

No, that couldn't be it. Her rival wouldn't propose to her before their next duel.

And yet…

"I don't know what to say…" Wednesday murmured, touched by the gesture.

"You don't have to say anything," Enid told her. "All I ask is that you wear it every day and think of me when you do."

"That I shall…Enid Sinclair," Wednesday whispered.

"Dope" Enid beamed. "Do you want me to help you put it on?"

Wednesday felt far too discombobulated for this conversation. "I'm sorry?" Wednesday asked.

"Do you want me to put this on for you?" Enid asked again, her tone earnest and her warm blue eyes gazing at her as if she was all that mattered in the world.

"T-That is quite alright," Wednesday stammered. She cleared her throat, calmed the moths within her stomach, and gently added, "I need some time before I can properly wear this."

"No worries. When you're ready, don't forget to think about me, okay?" Enid asked.

For the first time in what felt like several lifetimes, Wednesday smiled.

"I don't think I could ever forget someone like you, Dolce Nemico."

"So, how's life in little ol' Jericho? Is it as quaint as you expected it to be?"

Lena leaned back in her chair as she absorbed the question that her longtime friend and "Big Sister", Samantha "Sam" Arias, had posed. When Lena had first moved from National City to the small town of Jericho to get far away from the memories that the city held for her, Lena had been elated.

This was the absolute fresh start that she needed.

She didn't have to worry about L-Corp, her brother's enthralled soldiers, other outcasts trying to kill her to get to her ruthless vampire brother or a certain blonde wolf with eyes as bright as the sky. All she had to worry about was her young clientele and helping them find the peace that she spent all her life seeking.

But the longer she stayed in the town, the more she started to miss the hustle and bustle of National City, her "sister" Sam, her godchild Ruby, and even the friends she left behind. Even if the latter group had betrayed her trust and hid the fact that her former best friend had been that mysterious wolf that had saved her countless times from the various outcasts and thralls of her brother that were out to kill her.

"It's been fine," Lena answered. "There have been a few strange things happening here but all in all, it's been fine. Although, I am getting a little concerned. My latest patient has been gone for a little while now. I hope Larissa's warning of her running away doesn't come to pass. I quite like this one."

"Of course you do. From what you've told me about your meetings with the Addams girl, you two share a lot of similarities," Sam said. "Like having your own mini-me. Even down to potentially running away."

"So it would would seem," Lena agreed. "I should go find her. I'll call you later. Give Ruby my love."

"Always," Sam replied before Lena ended the call. She stood up from her seat, grabbed her purse to sling it around her shoulder, and walked toward the exit. She opened the door to the Weathervane and made her way outside, only to see Wednesday with a tall blonde girl coming toward the café.

"Ah, I was just coming to find you," Lena informed Wednesday, who she noticed had a faraway expression on her face.

"Oh, I apologize," Wednesday murmured. "I meant to come back sooner but my rival wanted to gift something to me."

"Hi! I'm Enid Sinclair. The rival in question," the taller girl greeted with a smile. "Pleased to meet you, Dr. Kieran."

Lena opened her mouth to respond, only to hear a voice she never thought she would hear again reach her ears.

"Lena?"

Lena slowly turned her head and felt her heart stop as a woman, dressed in a black tank top and black jeans stood across from her, her blonde hair flowing with the breeze and surprise showing in her bright blue eyes.

"Kara..." Lena breathed.

Chapter Text

"It's so hot…." Lena heard Kara whine as she leaned over the couch, while Lena quietly sat on the woman's couch. It was one of those days where there were no threats from her brother, no outcast sightings, or any important meetings.

It was a nice and slow day in National City, so it was no surprise when Kara invited her to her apartment. The two had been friends for a few months now and Lena was astounded by how well Kara seemed to slot herself into her life.

Where the days seemed dull and dreary, all it took was a flash of Kara's smile and Lena could feel her day brighten up. Lena didn't have to try to be the CEO of L-Corp or the repentant younger sister of Lex Luthor, the man who revealed Outcasts to the world in an attempt to kill them.

All Lena had to be was herself with Kara and that was the greatest gift the blue-eyed woman could ever give her.

"The news did state that there was a heatwave," Lena told Kara without taking her eyes off her laptop. While Kara had a rule that Lena was only supposed to have fun and not work when she would come over, Lena didn't think looking over prototypes for her new invention was work.

If everything went right, L-Corp would develop a prototype of a device that could identify an Outcast. She had no issues with outcasts. If she was honest with herself, she was fascinated by them. Lena was a woman of science, so mythical things felt foreign to her.

Until her brother's plot happened.

What went from mere myth became reality, with vampires, werewolves, sirens, witches, and the works being brought to the forefront. Her brother wanted to cast a light on the shadows of the world and now, the world was entering a new, but terrifying age.

Lena genuinely believed that people had the right to know who was an Outcast and who was not. But unlike her brother, who wished to sow chaos and a large amount of death with his actions to stroke his own ego, Lena wanted this for everyone's safety and benefit, which would mutually go along with L-Corp's profitability as a business enterprise.

"Lena, I hope that's not work being done on that laptop," Kara playfully admonished, which caused Lena to look away from her screen and at her friend's amused face.

"Nothing extensive, I assure you," Lena denied as she closed her laptop and stared at the blonde woman. "I was checking my emails."

"Emails?" Kara asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Emails," Lena confirmed. "I do have a company to run. Even on a day off like this, there are still things I need to look over."

"Well, if you're done checking your emails and ignoring the movie we're supposed to be watching," Kara started with a knowing grin. "I'm feeling a bit peckish. What about you?"

"A bit peckish? I didn't know Kara Danvers could be a "bit" peckish," Lena teased.

"Hey!" Kara pouted. "I don't eat my weight in food all the time."

Lena chuckled as she felt her stomach flutter at the sight of Kara's rather adorable pout. "With that said, I could go for something to munch on. Why do you ask?" Lena asked with a curious expression.

"I wanted to know if you wanted to bake some cookies," Kara revealed.

"Cookies?" Lena asked.

Kara smiled and hopped into the kitchen where she then jumped on the counter and said "Yeah! Delicious, wonderful cookies. With chocolate chips and macadamia nuts in them."

"You were just whining about the heat and now you want to add to it?" Lena asked as she followed her friend.

"Of course!" Kara replied. "A little sacrifice for something sweet is always worth it. Don't you think?"

Lena faltered for a moment and the woman's excited smile. No, she couldn't say that it wasn't always worth it. "Alright," Lena agreed with a fond expression, a whisper of a smile on her face.

Kara beamed.

So after mixing the ingredients, rolling the cookie dough into a small ball, and placing them on a cookie sheet, Kara popped the oven open and placed the sheet of uncooked cookies into the oven. "And now we wait," Kara said.

With those words, Kara hopped onto the counter again but she didn't notice a bag of flour underneath her so when she sat down, the flour exploded everywhere, showering them both with the white powder.

"Aw, man! That's so not cool…" Kara groaned with a slap to the face as she got off the counter but that's when Lena let out a small giggle, making Kara turn around with a look of shock on her face.

"Y-You giggled," She stammered out while Lena, was thankful for the flour on her face because she had a light blush on her face.

She hadn't meant for that giggle to come out but she looked with flour all over her body and her bright blue eyes that screamed "Oh crap" made her think she was a ghost and she found it amusing and maybe even cute.

"A slip-up, I promise you," Lena managed to drone out despite her grin.

"I made Lena Luthor giggle. Not a laugh. Not a chuckle, but an honest-to-goodness giggle," Kara breathed.

"You sound so proud of that fact," Lena noted.

"Of course I do," Kara exclaimed. "I never knew how pretty it sounded either."

Lena's face burned at the compliment, her heart fluttering in her chest.

"Charmer," Lena breathlessly whispered. "But I promise it will be the only time you'll get that to happen."

Kara stepped forward with a small toothy grin, revealing to Lena her elongated canines that sent a shiver up Lena's spine. "Is that right?" the blue-eyed woman asked as she took another step forward, making her step back again, her hips hitting the counter behind her. "Because I think I could do it again."

There was such confidence in the taller woman's eyes and words that it nearly left Lena breathless.

Where had this Kara come from?

"And how will you accomplish such a feat?" She asked her in a whisper, her hands placed on the counter.

Kara's body was now pressed against hers, the taller woman's slightly larger hands on top of hers and her face inches from hers. "I'll think of something…" Kara whispered as she slowly leaned in.

And that's when the oven went off.

The two seemed to snap out of the trance they were in and slowly, that awkwardness of what was about to happen had set in.

"Y-You should get that," Lena managed to stammer out, trying to still her fast-beating heart by placing her hand on top of it while Kara nodded wordlessly and slowly split apart to get the cookies out of the oven.

After Kara got them out, the two of them got cleaned up and their day continued with the sugary treat but neither mentioned the incident ever again.

For a moment, the world stood still as Lena took in the sight of her former best friend. The woman's hair was shorter and her body seemed more toned, but those eyes…those soft, warm blue eyes still had the gift of drawing her in, as if she were a sailor lost at sea hearing the hauntingly beautiful voice of a siren, drawing her ever so closer to her isle.

Lena took a step toward the woman as she breathed, "Kara…"

In her mind's eye, she felt as if she could see all the memories the two shared, the good, the bad, and the tragic, fill the space all around them, and for a moment, Lena longed to close the distance that sat between them.

But she couldn't.

Not after everything she said.

Not after everything she did.

"Kara, what are you doing here?" Enid's confused voice questioned.

Lena noticed that Kara didn't respond to Enid's question but instead kept her eyes on her. Lena could see the myriad of emotions playing in the woman's eyes.

There was surprise, sadness, apprehension, and longing before it all was hidden by a guarded look.

Lena ached.

"I…" Kara attempted to speak, Lena hearing the emotional lump in the other woman's throat. "I came to talk to you, Enid." Kara did not look toward Enid as she said this, instead, she kept staring at Lena. In Lena's opinion, it felt like Kara was afraid to take her eyes off of her as if she would vanish if she looked away for a single moment. "And stop you from making a mistake…"

"A mistake?" Enid asked. "Like what?"

Lena watched as Kara hesitated before she finally turned to Enid. "I'll explain later. But for now, we should return to Nevermore," Kara answered.

"You work there?" Lena found herself asking.

She could hear Kara's sharp intake of breath as she looked her way. "I-It's complicated," Kara stammered.

"I see," Lena murmured, struggling not to say more. But what could she say? What could she say after the way she broke them apart? Where could she even start?

"Enid, we should get going. Wednesday, would you like a ride back to Nevermore?" Kara asked.

Wednesday, who Lena knew was observing her and Kara, silently turned to her and asked, "Has our meeting concluded, Ms. Kieran?"

Despite everything in her heart wanting to keep the woman in her sights, Lena forced herself to look away from Kara to look at Wednesday. "If there is nothing more you wish to discuss, you are more than welcome to depart," Lena answered.

"Kieran?" Kara asked. "You changed your last name?"

Lena turned back to Kara and replied, "I did…"

"Why?" Kara asked.

"It's c-complicated," Lena echoed.

Kara nodded as she took a shaky breath. "I understand," Kara echoed back.

"Hey, Ness?" Enid said as she nudged Wednesday's side. "Maybe we should go get Bianca."

"Ness?" Wednesday questioned.

Lena watched as Enid took Wednesday's hand and led her inside while replying, "I'll explain inside. Come on."

The two girls entered the Weathervane, leaving Lena outside with Kara. Despite wanting to be here with Kara, Lena didn't want to be alone with Kara. The last time that happened, the two had their big fight that ended with Kara leaving National City and Lena feeling more alone than she had ever been before in her life.

"It's been a while, Lena," Kara said, breaking the silence.

"Three years," Lena answered as she nervously played with her fingers. "You…You look nice. A little wilder than before, but still nice."

Kara lifted her hand to her face, as if she was about to adjust a pair of glasses, only to realize that there were no glasses. She moved her hand down and rubbed at her right bicep. "Thanks. I, um…With everything that happened, I figured it was time to ditch the sweaters and blouses. I keep a lot of outfits that way…"

"I understand with the shifting," Lena murmured. "You make it work for you. Tanks tops suit you."

"Thank you…" Kara whispered.

Everything grew quiet again.

"So, what are you doing in Jericho of all places?" Kara asked. "I figured you'd be at L-Corp, working on some new invention or something?"

"I don't work at L-Corp anymore," Lena revealed. "I decided on a different path."

"Oh! I-I'm sorry," Kara apologized. "I know how much loved working there…You know? With technology and whatnot…"

"You don't need to apologize for that…" Lena replied. "I needed to…I don't know…it was hard fixing and inventing new things when everything around me was broken."

"Oh…" Kara whispered, making Lena's heart feel heavy at how sad it sounded to her ears.

"I um, I work as a therapist now," Lena swiftly continued. "It's…more fulfilling than I truthfully expected. Being able to help those searching for peace find it."

"I'm glad," Kara said with a small but genuine smile. "If anyone could do that, it's you."

It was hard for Lena to hear so much sincerity in Kara's voice because it only made her hurt worse. It was then Lena heard her phone vibrate in her pocket. She wanted to ignore it. She wanted to take the chance to stay in Kara's eyes before something tore them apart again but she couldn't.

She pulled out her phone and stared at it. It was her calendar app reminding her about her appointment with Tyler Galpin. "I…" Lena sighed. "I have to go. I-I have another appointment to go to."

"Oh…A-Alright," Kara stammered. "I guess I'll see you around? I-If you want, of course."

Lena stared at Kara and offered her a faint smile. "I'd like that…" Lena replied.

"Oh, they definitely have a past," Bianca told Enid as the two stared out the window at the two women. Wednesday, who sipped her, thankfully still hot, drink, merely smirked.

She had asked Lena whose control she was running from and judging from Enid's little squeals and Bianca's comment, it seemed Wednesday found the cool woman's weakness.

Who knew it would also be a tall blonde with bright blue eyes?

Wednesday blinked.

Not that her weakness was the same as Lena's.

No, not even remotely.

"Oh, this is like one of my fanfics," Enid gushed. "Two women who knew each other in the past, brought together again by fate. I can't wait to blog about this potential blooming romance. Different names, of course."

"Speaking of being brought together by fate," Bianca began as she turned to Wednesday. "Like the gift?"

Wednesday narrowed her eyes at Bianca as she finished her drink. She sat the empty cup down and replied, "Naturally. Anything given to me by my Dolce Nemico is something I shall enjoy."

Out of the corner of her eye, Wednesday noticed Enid's face turning red.

"Are you alright, Enid Sinclair?" Wednesday asked with a subtle tone of concern.

"What?! Oh, I'm fine," Enid hastily answered while Bianca shook her head. "Just feeling a little hot, that's all."

"Hm. While Werewolves are highly resistant to the cold, doesn't mean they can't get sick. Please do remain healthy. I'd hate to see my rival defeated from mere illness," Wednesday instructed.

"You're underestimating me, Ness," Enid commented as she thumped her chest. "Getting sick is like losing a battle. And like I promised you that night, Ness. I'll never lose again. Not unless it's to you."

"Oh my god," Bianca grumbled.

Wednesday allowed a smirk to appear on her face. "You intend to lose to me?" Wednesday asked.

Enid blinked and her face got even redder. "No!" she gasped. "I misspoke! I mean that I'll never lose again until I defeat you! Not lose to you!"

"I'm sure," Wednesday merely responded.

"Ness," Enid whined. "You're so mean to me."

Wednesday felt something flutter in her chest at the pout that formed on Enid's face.

"You knew who I was when you entered into this intimate dance of animosity with me, Enid Sinclair," Wednesday told her. "It's my role to be cruel."

"Maybe that's true," Enid agreed before a gentle smile formed on her face. "But I know there is a sweetness beneath your cruelty too. And maybe that's why I'm enjoying this dance so much."

Wednesday stared at Enid for a moment, unable to gather a single word in her own defense.

Later that night, when the moon reached out to the stars as Wednesday was drifting off to sleep, she would come to realize that perhaps she and Lena did share the same weakness.

Chapter Text

"You did not have to escort me back to our room, Enid Sinclair," Wednesday commented as the two walked side by side upstairs to their dorm room.

"I know, but maybe I didn't want to leave you alone just yet," Enid replied with a smile. Truthfully, she didn't understand why she wanted to stay with Wednesday longer. But something within her was begging her to stall their separation for as long as she could.

Kara had been teaching her to listen more to her instincts so why not start now?

"Is that so?" Wednesday questioned.

"Of course," Enid replied with a puffed-out chest. "What type of rival would I be if I didn't walk you to our room?"

"How gentlemanly, Enid Sinclair," Wednesday murmured but Enid could see a subtle smile form on her face. She had seen her smile earlier in the day and it elicited the same dazzled reaction she had before. It was like seeing a ray of sunshine through clouds after a particularly bad thunderstorm.

"ómorfi (pretty)," Enid murmured.

"I'm sorry?" Wednesday asked.

Enid blushed and rubbed the back of her neck. "Nothing! Nothing, nothing, nothing," Enid hastily repeated. "Just thinking out loud."

"Not too hard, I hope," Wednesday said.

Enid giggled and replied, "You kidding me? It's always hard to think when you're around." Enid's eyes widened as she swiftly covered her mouth. She did not mean to say that!

Wednesday looked puzzled and it made Enid's heart flutter, instantly being reminded of a black cat hesitantly reaching out to paw at something. "Was…that an insult?" Wednesday asked.

Enid shook her head and uncovered her mouth. "Not even remotely, Wednesday," Enid sincerely answered. "When I'm around you, It feels like you take up all the space in my head, leaving me less time to think."

Wednesday observed her for a moment and then nodded. "Your words ring true. I am very flattered by them as well as your gift."

"The minute I saw it, I had to give it to you," Enid explained as the two stopped and slowed to a stop by their room door. "Well, this is your stop."

"I suppose it is," Wednesday said. "I…appreciate you for walking me to the door. Thank you, Dolce Nemico "

"You never have to thank me for that, " Enid beamed, trying to ignore the way her heart fluttered. "If anything, I should be thanking you." At Wednesday's curious expression, Enid clarified, "For what you said earlier. No one has ever said something like that to me before." Enid looked away with an embarrassed blush. "It's kind of twisted considering our duel and how badly I want to defeat you but hearing that makes me feel kind of wanted…you know?"

Wednesday stared at her and slowly, she reached up to caress Enid's cheek, prompting Enid to face the girl. "As long as I breathe, you will always be wanted by me…." Enid could feel emotion welling up in her chest at those words.

"Wednesday…" Enid whispered.

Enid could feel something change in the air as the two stared at one another. She wanted to comment on it and as she stared into those dark reddish-brown eyes of her rival, she wanted to speak on it as well. But after a moment longer, Wednesday took a step away from her and bowed her head. "I should retire for the evening."

Enid swallowed and nodded, unable to utter a single word.

Wednesday unlocked the door and slowly stepped inside but before she could close the door, Enid softly asked, "Wednesday, I have to know…Dolce Nemico…What does it mean?"

Wednesday paused for a moment as if she was hesitating before replying, "It means 'Sweet Enemy." Something you always be to me. For as long as you desire."

"Oh…" Enid breathed.

"Pleasant Nightmares…Enid…" Wednesday whispered before she slowly closed the door, leaving Enid standing outside of their room.

"Sweet dreams," Enid softly said, her heart speaking for her as her head, once again, was filled with the scent of her rival. "Glykó Koráki…"

It was Lena's breathing that woke Kara up.

Kara slowly opened her eyes and saw the top of Lena's head and flushed as Lena nestled her face into the crook of Kara's neck, her calm and gentle breaths hitting her skin.

It took Kara a moment to remember how she found herself in this position but then she remembered.

Earlier in the day, she and Lena were having lunch when a pair of vampires, sent by Lena's brother, tried to kidnap the youngest Luthor.

Kara had done her best to protect Lena from the vampires but even with her above-average strength, she wasn't strong enough to fight two vampires on her own. Thankfully, Alex and the rest of her D.E.O. cohorts managed to subdue the vampires.

Unable to let Lena go home after such an event, Kara spent the next hour cajoling Lena into staying the night at her place.

The last thing Kara remembered was watching her favorite childhood movie Quest For Camelot with Lena before she fell asleep on the couch but as she glanced down at Lena, Kara swore she had carried Lena to her bed before she came back to finish the movie.

Had Lena willingly come back to the couch just to sleep with her?

Kara's eyes softened as she observed the shorter woman for a moment. "Lena…." Kara tenderly whispered, her hand carefully brushing away a strand of hair from Lena's face. "Do I make you feel that safe to come back to me? Do you trust me that much?"

Kara tilted her head as a gentle smile formed on her face. Carefully, Kara pulled Lena a little closer to her and whispered, "My mother once told me that trust was the most precious treasure that someone could ever give another. I promise never to betray yours, Lena…."

She had to get stronger.

She had to shift as soon as possible.

She needed to keep Lena safe….

Kara's eyes snapped open as the door to Ophelia Hall opened to reveal Enid.

Kara did not mean to daydream like that.

Especially about Lena.

Kara moved away from that thought and noticed that Enid looked strange. As if she wasn't really there. "Enid, you alright?" Kara asked.

Enid blinked and turned to her. "Oh? When did I get down here?" Enid asked.

Kara blinked and said, "Oooookay, maybe we should get you back to Poe Hall in Tanaka's room, even though you're technically not supposed to sleep in any dorm outside of your own, so you can rest."

Enid nodded and together, the two of them began to walk toward the Poe Hall Building.

"So, I know that Wednesday Addams is your rival," Kara began with a nonchalant tone. "But you never told me how that came about. So, how did that happen?"

"She disrespected my space by touching my things and then said a few mean things. I challenged her to a duel, and we fought. I…lost and then I challenged her again," Enid summarized. "It was a pretty interesting day."

"That's…certainly a way to gain a rival," Kara commented with a confused tone.

"A pretty strange way but I don't think I'd change anything about it," Enid admitted with a fond tone. "Wednesday is…gosh, she's amazing, Kara. Scarily so. I'm going to have to train super hard to defeat her next time. But with you teaching me, I'm sure I can do it."

"And we get strong enough," Kara agreed. "But…I guess the reason I ask is because the Addams Clan is quite unique in a lot of ways. One of those ways is how their culture accepts gifts. Did you give Wednesday a gift?" Enid seemed caught off guard by the question, so Kara hastily added, "You're not in trouble or anything. But I have to know. Did you?"

"Yeah. I got her a choker today. As thanks for getting me a delicious drink the other day," Enid explained. "Why do you ask?"

Kara frowned at the answer and asked, "Did she accept it or put it on?"

Enid nodded and clarified, "She didn't put it on but she did accept it."

"Okay…" Kara breathed. "Okay! That's good. I'm glad she didn't put it on. Otherwise, we would need to have a rather rough conversation."

Enid shot her a questioning look. Kara stopped, which prompted Enid to stop, and she ran a hand through her hair. "Enid, when your mother offered me the chance to mentor you, I made a promise to protect you. Even if it means that I have to protect you from yourself."

"I don't understand," Enid murmured.

Kara let out a small sigh and said, "Had Wednesday accepted and worn your gift, under their culture, you would be her fiancée right now."

Enid looked thunderstruck.

"Are you serious?" Enid asked.

Kara nodded and answered, "Very much so. There's a lot that goes into it but in short, if you find a gift that resonates with her, she may see it as a courtship gift and those aren't easily broken. It's taken very, very seriously by the Addams Clan with the only way to separate from them would be either her death or yours."

"So…had Wednesday worn my choker, she would have my bride?" Enid asked.

Once again, Kara nodded.

"Oh…" Enid murmured.

"And if that did happen, who knows how your mother would react," Kara stated.

"Not well, I'll tell you that much," Enid nervously chuckled. The girl's eyes then widened as realization set in. "Wait! If she didn't want to wear it, does that mean she wouldn't want to marry me?!"

Kara blinked.

That was not the question she expected. "S-Sometimes they can accept a gift and not wear it at that time. It doesn't mean that the gifter was rebuffed. It just means maybe they aren't ready yet," Kara answered. "But, that shouldn't be the question you ask after getting told something like that."

Enid gave a sheepish laugh and replied, "Right. Right. My bad. Let me try again….Wait! does that mean—"

"That boat has sailed, Enid," Kara chuckled.

Enid blushed and stared at the ground, only for Kara to ruffle her hair. "Hey, I don't know what's going on with you and I'm not going to assume anything. But even if marrying Wednesday Addams sounds tempting, you have to remember that you've barely started to live yet. You don't want to jump into anything as serious as that. You want to give it the time and patience love truly deserves."

"L-Love?! Who said anything about love?!" Enid shrieked.

"Breathe, breathe," Kara instructed. "Love, crush, whatever! But you want to give it time, all the same. Alright?"

Enid nodded and repeated, "Alright."

"Good. Now let's get you home. You look like you're about to pass out," Kara joked and the two began to walk again.

"Kara?" Enid asked. "You seem like you know a lot about love and the whole rushing it thing. Did that happen to you?"

Kara nearly tripped over her own feet at the question but Enid didn't seem to notice. "No," Kara replied. "At one time, I thought it could be. But in the end, we let it go..."

"Oh…I'm sorry," Enid apologized.

"Don't be, Kiddo," Kara replied. "But I want you to keep something in mind when you decide that you want to enter a relationship. My mother once told me that trust was the most precious treasure that someone could ever give another When you enter one, you have to be willing to trust the person you care about with all that you have and you have to expect that trust in return. If you don't, your relationship will crash and burn before it even lifts off the ground. "

Enid stared at her with a serious expression. "I will," Enid promised.

"That's my girl," Kara smiled. "But, if you want my opinion, I saw the way Wednesday looked at you during the ride back here, and don't think I missed any of your little looks. When you're ready to offer your trust to Wednesday, I don't think you'll have to worry much."

"What?! I-I don't have a crush on Wednesday!" Enid shouted with a deep blush on her face. "We're rivals! Enemies!"

Kara laughed.

Well, at least someone would learn from her mistakes...when she realized her feelings that is.

Chapter Text

There were a lot of classes that Enid enjoyed at Nevermore.

There was Theater Class, Music Class, and Gym class. But her favorite by far was photography class, taught by her second favorite teacher after Kara, Maxine "Max" Caulfield.

But for the life of her, Enid couldn't focus on her teacher's lesson.

Enid chewed on her pen cap as she stared at Wednesday, who sat on the bottom row of desks, focusing on the teacher. Well, she wasn't staring so much at Wednesday, even though it was easy to stare at her rival's dark beauty, but at her bare neck.

It had been two days since Kara had broken the news about the significance of her gift to Wednesday and since then, Enid had been a tinge obsessed with the thought of Wednesday and the choker.

At first, it had been innocent thoughts of just seeing Wednesday walking around with the choker around her neck doing everyday things. Then it turned a little more risqué with Enid imagining putting the choker on her rival's neck after waking up together. And then at least, it turned spicy as Enid imagined Wednesday lying beneath her on her rainbow-striped sheets, wearing nothing but the choker, staring up at her with half-lidded eyes.

Normally, Enid would snap out of those kinds of thoughts whenever she had them, but this was one of the classes that overlapped with her rival, meaning that Enid had to suffer with Wednesday's scent permeating the air like a thick mist, inflaming her forbidden thoughts and making something deep within her thrash with hunger.

While it was torture, it was the sweetest torture Enid had ever endured before in her life.

Enid flushed.

That sounded like something Wednesday would say.

'Oh, for Leto's sake. If Yōko could read my thoughts, she would be ragging on me so hard and I can't even blame her!' Enid thought with a panicked expression.

"Enid?" a voice chided from in front of her, causing Enid to jump as she looked away from Wednesday to see three golden rings dangling in front of her face. Enid looked up to see the amused blue eyes of her teacher. "So glad you can join us again. Did you hear my question or would you like me to repeat it?"

Enid flushed as her classmates chuckled, doing everything in her power to avoid the inquisitive look from her rival. "Um, sorry Miss Caulfield," Enid sheepishly apologized. The teacher shook her head in amusement and walked away to continue her lesson.

Divina, who sat beside Enid, leaned over and whispered, "Everything good with you? You look super red."

"I'm fine," Enid replied in a murmur.

Divina gave her a skeptical look but shrugged and looked ahead to focus on the lesson. Enid tried to keep focus on the lesson as well, but once again, she found her eyes returning to her rival. By the Goddess Leto, staring at Wednesday like this can't be healthy.

Enid watched as Wednesday glanced from her paper and slightly turned her head to stare at Enid with subtle amusement in her eyes, causing Enid to swiftly duck her head with reddened cheeks. Wednesday had caught her staring.

Could this day get any worse?

The bell rang and Enid couldn't wait to scramble out of her desk and flee the room as fast as possible, desperately needing fresh air before Wednesday's scent caused her to overdose on the emotions flowing through her.

Enid stumbled outside and took a deep breath of fresh air.

"You seem troubled, Enid," Wednesday's voice said, startling Enid and prompting her to turn around.

"Goddess!" Enid exclaimed as she placed a hand over her chest.

"While correct, you may also call me Wednesday," Wednesday said with a subtle smirk on her face.

"Need to put a bell on you," Enid muttered to herself with reddened cheeks. "You scared the daylights out of me, Wednesday."

"My specialty. You know this already," Wednesday told her.

Enid grinned and replied, "Yeah, I guess I should." Enid clapped her hands together and murmured, "So…um…What's up?"

"You were staring at me, today," Wednesday noted as she motioned for Enid to follow her while starting to walk away.

Enid quickly followed behind her and replied, "I was thinking about our next duel. I wasn't trying to make you uncomfortable or anything. I'm sorry."

"Your apology isn't necessary," Wednesday told her. "I quite enjoy your eyes on me, Enid."

Enid stumbled for a moment and let out a strangled laugh. "W-Well, that's good to know!" Enid gasped. "I'll just stare at you more often then." Enid laughed again while inwardly, she was rattled. She shouldn't be rattled. They were rivals and Wednesday was the type of girl to want to study her rival.

But despite her rationale, Enid's body felt hot at Wednesday's words.

'Until the sun dies, I will always watch you, Glykó Koráki….' Enid thought. "So, where are you going now?" Enid asked as normally as possible.

"Fencing," Wednesday answered. "Barclay challenged me to another sparring session during our art class today and I accepted."

Enid frowned a moment.

For the past few days, whenever she would spot Wednesday, the macabre girl was often seen conversing with Bianca. Had her conversation regarding that normie not happened, Enid would have been jealous of Wednesday spending so much time with Bianca.

"Is that what you two do all the time? Spar?" Enid asked.

Wednesday nodded. "She is skilled at the sword, similar to I. While she does not make my blood race like you do, Enid, she is someone I feel will keep me sharp." Wednesday turned to Enid. "Which is needed as our second duel draws closer."

"I can understand that," Enid said. "Kara, the woman you met at the Weathervane a few days ago, she's been helping me train too. I've been learning a lot from her." Enid puffed out her chest. "I think you'll be surprised when our next bout happens."

Wednesday hummed with approval. "I look forward to it, Enid," Wednesday softly told her as the two stopped in front of the fencing hall. "In the interim, this Saturday, I would like for you to accompany me."

Enid paused, her heart rate quickening as she asked, "Accompany you? To where?"

"To Jericho," Wednesday answered. "I wish to thank you for your gift, as it was thoughtful and well-fitting. However…" Enid watched a strange, almost vulnerable look appear on Wednesday's face. "…I am not certain of what you would like." Wednesday stood straighter and stared her right in the eyes. "So, I would like for you to accompany me to Jericho so you can perhaps show me what you would like so I can gift it to you. Is that acceptable?"

"Oh…" Enid breathed. "Oh! Yes! That would be hella fun! Oh! We can make a whole day of it! Maybe we can dine out and even see a movie! I think they're playing Neverafter right now."

"Neverafter?" Wednesday asked.

"Yeah! It's like this twisted, horror take on some fairytales like Little Red Riding Hood, The Princess and the Frog, Pinocchio, Sleeping Beauty, and the works! I heard it was really good," Enid excitedly explained. "I think we should be able to see it before the festival starts!"

'Dial it back some, Enid,' Enid coached within her head. 'You're turning a simple outing into a date with your rival!'

"I mean," Enid cleared her throat. "If you want, of course. I don't want to take you out of your comfort zone."

Wednesday observed her for a moment and then nodded. "Your terms are acceptable. We shall shop for your gift and then afterward, lunch and your movie," Wednesday agreed. "Thank you for indulging me."

"You don't have to thank me for that," Enid waved off. "Any chance I get to spend time with you is a gift in and of itself."

Enid paused.

'Enid, you are such an idiot,' a voice that suspiciously sounded like Yōko said within her mind.

But Enid was rewarded when a small smile formed on Wednesday's face. "Most would often call me a curse. It is…enjoyable to know you think of me as the opposite, Enid. Thank you."

Enid flushed as a bell chimed, signifying the next class. "I should let you go," Enid said with a grin. "I'll see you later."

"Farewell, Dolce Nemico," Wednesday murmured before walking into the Fencing Hall, leaving Enid standing outside with a grin forming on her face. She shimmied in place in excitement and spun around to head to her next class, only to stop when she noticed a male fang standing behind her.

All excitement flew from Enid's face at the sight of the rather imposing fang. "Can I help you?" Enid asked.

"You can, actually," the male answered. "Saw you've been hanging around the Night Slayer. If you don't want anything to happen, you better stop. Unless you want us to think you're in cahoots with her."

Enid stared at the teen for a second before her eyes widened. "Oh, you mean Kara?" Enid asked. "Well, she's my teacher, so of course I would be hanging around her."

"Well, if you know what's good for you, Sinclair, stay away from your teacher or else," the fang warned.

Enid narrowed her eyes.

It was strange. Before she met Wednesday and got close to Kara, Enid may have taken that threat lying down, but now, she felt stronger than she ever had before.

She felt fearless.

And it was that fearlessness that caused her to stand straighter and square up against the much larger and wider vampire. "I don't handle threats very well," Enid warned with narrowed eyes. "So I'll ask you once. Or else what?"

The fang looked at the Fencing Hall and said, "I saw you speaking to Addams. I heard she's quite the nightmare. From what I overheard, you two seem pretty close."

Enid stilled.

"It would be a shame if something happened to her because you didn't listen to our warning," the fang offered.

Enid's pupils shrank as white-hot rage filled her veins.

Metal clashed with metal as Wednesday's blade met Bianca's in a fierce exchange but while Wednesday would normally revel in such combat, her mind was preoccupied.

Two days ago, in the still of the night, Wednesday had admitted to herself that perhaps she and her therapist shared the same weakness in blonde, blue-eyed werewolves but despite admitting this, she had hoped that perhaps she was wrong.

She had hoped that it was just the intimate dance of animosity that was swaying her feelings. And yet, each time she smelled Enid's fading scent throughout the halls of their school or in the Quad, Wednesday felt a sense of longing at wanting to see her again.

It was maddening.

Her scent, her eyes, her smile, her infectious bubbliness. All of it was torturous but it was torture that Wednesday was willing to go through time and again just to see the werewolf smile at her.

"Point: Barclay!" Coach Vlad declared.

Wednesday stared at her chest, which had the end of Bianca's blade pressed against it. She looked up to see Bianca remove her mask with a grin. "I win again, Addams."

Wednesday eased her stance and removed her own mask. "I suppose you d—" Wednesday was interrupted by not only the sound of glass shattering at the end of the hall, but the alarmed screams coming from everyone in the room.

Wednesday noticed as a male vampire rolled against the floor, his body covered with stained glass while Enid stood behind the shattered pane with a proud grin on her face.

There were tears in her clothes, her hair was a mess and there were bloody scratches on her face but thanks to the sunlight hitting her from behind, her hair looked as if it was strands of gold and her vibrant blue eyes glowed with a ferocity Wednesday had only seen during their own duel.

Wednesday was shaken by her wild beauty.

Enid hopped into the room and walked over to the downed vampire. She reached down and grabbed him by the shirt to lift him off the ground. "The next time you want to threaten somebody, you better make sure you can back that shit up," Enid warned the downed vampire.

"Sinclair!" Coach Vlad shouted. "What in Lord Alucard's name is going on?"

Enid blinked and unceremoniously dropped the vampire back on the ground as she stood up and answered, "Coach Vlad, Alec Bright decided it was a good idea to threaten me. I was calmly explaining why it was wrong to do so," Enid explained.

The vampire, Alec, groaned against the ground.

"Sinclair, Bright, you both will be coming with me, now!" Coach Vlad directed.

"Right away!" Enid saluted. Wednesday noticed Enid flash a grin at her before she walked out with Coach Vlad, who had the dazed Alec on his shoulder.

The class immediately exploded with conversation as Wednesday stared at the door Enid walked out of and let out a breathy sigh.

"Addams….Did you just swoon?"

Chapter Text

Wednesday's eyes snapped open as she found herself staring at the ceiling of the medical bay.

"Welcome back," a voice greeted.

Wednesday turned her head to see a familiar face staring down at her with a lazy grin. "You might want to take it easy. The nurse said you don't have a concussion, but you probably have a nasty bump, huh?"

Wednesday lifted herself off the bed and rubbed at the side of her head with a slight grimace. The last thing she remembered was rushing out of the fencing hall to flee from Bianca's annoying drivel, only to be knocked to the side after another gargoyle nearly fell on her.

As Ian Fleming once said: Once is happenstance, Twice is a coincidence, and Three times is enemy action but to her, twice was more than enough to inform her that someone was targeting her.

But why?

"The last thing I remember I was walking outside feeling a mixture of rage and annoyance," Wednesday said. "Then I looked up and saw that gargoyle coming down and I thought, "At least this will make up for the first humiliation of being saved." Then like the first time, I was tackled out of the way. But unlike before, I find myself staring at you versus my beloved rival so why save me?"

Xavier clicked his tongue and replied, "Call it instinct."

"So you were guided by latent chivalry, the tool of the patriarchy, to extract my undying gratitude?" Wednesday blandly asked.

Xavier drawled, "Mm-hmm. Most people just say thank you."

"I didn't want to be rescued," Wednesday said. "At least, not by you."

"I shoulda just let that thing smash you to mush?" Xavier shot back.

"I would have rather saved myself," Wednesday replied.

Xavier scoffed and said, "Good to see you haven't changed. But If it makes you feel any better, you can say I finally returned the favor."

"I suppose you have," Wednesday acknowledged. "It is good to see you again, Xavier. You've slimmed down quite a bit since we last met."

"Ah, so you do recognize me?" Xavier asked with a grin.

"I would recognize that smarmy grin anywhere," Wednesday countered. "Your Godmother often wore it with Grandmama when she thought she could get away with not sleeping in the iron maiden after slighting her. Although, I am surprised this meeting is happening now."

Xavier snorted and said, "I've been away. I literally just came back moments before you were about to get smushed. So, what have I missed?"

Wednesday opened her mouth but paused when she caught it.

A hint of neroli and bergamot.

She was impressed that he was able to stay just out of view for so long but now, the game was up.

"Wed—" Wednesday held up her hand to halt whatever was about to leave Xavier's mouth.

Wednesday cut her palm to form a needle made of blood and launched it at a plastic plant that sat near the door. The moment the needle collided with the plant, Thing jumped out to avoid it. "Hello, Thing," Wednesday greeted.

"Sup, Thing," Xavier called out, deeply amused.

Thing scuttled from side to side, clearly panicking, before it attempted to jump behind the nurse's desk. Wednesday crafted a lasso from her blood, ensnared Thing mid-jump, and dragged the struggling hand toward her as she said, "Did you think my highly trained olfactory sense wouldn't pick up on the faint whiff of neroli and bergamot in your favorite hand lotion?"

She whipped Thing into her hand, pinned him to the mattress, and formed a bloody needle. "I'll give you one chance. Surrender?" Wednesday asked.

Thing tapped on the mattress.

"He's tapping out," Xavier noted. "You didn't even need to stab him."

"Lucky him," Wednesday stated as she released Thing from her grasp. "Mother and Father sent you to spy on me, didn't they?"

Thing wiggled his index finger. Wednesday narrowed her eyes and threatened, "I am not opposed to breaking a few fingers. Try again."

Thing lowered himself toward the mattress, confirming her thoughts. "Oh, Thing, you poor, naive appendage," Wednesday murmured. "I'm sure this is their attempt at pulling my strings even from afar. Luckily for them, I'm not planning on leaving this place."

"You're not?" Xavier asked.

"No," Wednesday answered. "I made a promise and an Addams never breaks their word. Now, Thing. The way I see it, you have two options. Option one: I take you to my room and I lock you away in my desk for the rest of the semester, and you go slowly insane trying to claw your way out, ruining your nails and your smooth, supple skin." Wednesday squinted her eyes at the hand. "And we both know how vain you are."

She could feel the terror emanating from Thing at such a threat.

"Or, Option two: You pledge your undying loyalty to me. Make your choice," Wednesday concluded. Thing stood there before kneeling to her. Wednesday gave a subtle smile. "Naïve but wise. Now, my little shadow, there are things we need to discuss. But first, I must prepare."

"Prepare for what?" Xaiver asked while Thing signed out the same question.

"I must prepare for my outing tomorrow with Enid," Wednesday answered. "But first, Xavier, may I borrow your cellphone? I must call my therapist." Wednesday held out her hand toward the surprise Xavier.

"Okay, what the hell did I miss?" Xavier asked again.

"Knowing someone's name, their true name, gives one power over the owner of that name," Lena heard Wednesday's voice explain in her mind as she sat at her desk, holding a photograph in her hands. "There are even some that say using a person's true name forces them to obey your command. So if you're running from that name, whose control are you trying to evade?"

Lena placed the photograph facedown on her desk and let out a frustrated sigh.

Three years.

Three years since the day she found out Kara was an outcast. Three years since she had betrayed the other woman for keeping such a secret from her. Three years of introspection, self-loathing, rebranding, and rebuilding the walls around her heart…Three years of hard work crumbled without hesitation at the sweet sound of her name leaving Kara Danvers' lips.

It was as if she had returned to her high-rise office, staring at the pastel-sweater-wearing woman with eyes as blue as the ocean that sat behind a pair of glasses and desperately struggling to not become undone by the woman's bashful smile.

Lena had escaped to this small town to stay out of the public eye and be the woman she always wanted to be, never knowing that the woman who both inspired her and drove her to do this was at the infamous Nevermore Academy, teaching a girl that practically looked like her daughter.

But now that she knew this, what would she do with this information?

Would she go to Nevermore and throw herself at Kara's feet to beg for forgiveness for her past betrayal? Would she wait for Kara to come to her to talk? Or would she do nothing and continue to live as she had prior to this knowledge?

Lena shook her head.

No matter what she decided, she couldn't return to that blissful ignorance of never knowing Kara's whereabouts. Because she had felt it. Despite the broken bridge that lay between them, Lena felt the pull in her chest, urging her to Kara.

It was that pull that made her aware of Kara the day she spoke to Clark Kent and Kara in her office all five years ago. It was that pull that made Lena seek her out as her friend. It was that pull that even during their three years of separation, she could feel guiding her, unknowingly, back to Kara.

No, she couldn't ignore it but then that left either going to Kara or waiting for Kara to come to her.

She just hoped that it would happen soon…

Lena's phone vibrated on her desk. Lena reached for it and saw that it was a number she wasn't familiar with. She answered the phone and said, "Dr. Kieran speaking."

"Dr. Kieran," Wednesday's voice answered on the other line. "I am aware that we have a meeting today but I am unable to come to Jericho. Is there a way we can have my session here? I am in need of immediate advice."

Lena blinked and then glanced at the ceiling with suspicion. "Of course I can, Wednesday. I will need directions, however…."

"I'm telling you both, Addams swooned at the sight," Bianca informed Yōko and Divina as the trio sat in the common room. While Bianca and Divina sat side by side on the couch, with Divina's head resting on Bianca's shoulder and Bianca's arm around her shoulders, Yōko laid across them, with her feet on Divina's lap and her head in Bianca's lap, with the queen bee's hands carding through Yōko's hair. "Though, she immediately threatened to gouge my eyes out with my lying tongue if I repeated such slander."

Bianca rolled her eyes while Divina looked perturbed. "How would that work?" Divina asked. "That seems physically impossible."

"You know, I asked myself that same question before I realized the girl was blushing. Then I decided to taunt her about it," Bianca smirked. "She then told me to look up some guy named Church Tucker from the 30s. Turns out, it is physically possible. It's just very hard to pull off."

"Unnerving threats aside," Yōko started, her eyes closed behind her glasses. "It's obvious to me that these two are being useless about this shameless crush they have on each other. Perhaps we should…push them along the end of the road before they wind up in a ditch of "What-ifs" or misunderstandings?"

"I kind of don't want to interfere with their nonsense," Bianca stated as she rested her head against Divina's, her eyes closed.

"Same here," Divina agreed. "We haven't even talked about our nonsense. Shouldn't we handle that before we mess with theirs?"

A small smirk appeared on Yōko's face at Divina's comment.

Leave it to her sensible girlfriend to point out whatever the hell has been going on with the three of them.

Truthfully, It hadn't even meant to happen. Yōko and Divina had seen a devastated Bianca trying to put up a brave face a few days before Enid came to her for help about Wednesday. She and Xavier had gotten into a bad argument that led to their breakup and Divina, being Bianca's friend, had offered her solace.

Since then, they kind of seamlessly melded into whatever this was.

"Good point," Yōko admitted. "But, it's kind of our fault this happened. I mean, if we didn't train Enid and if we hadn't taken her to that island, I doubt any of this would be happening. It's our responsibility to get those brats together before something forces them not to be." Yōko let out a pleasant sigh and added, "As for this thing between us, why put a label on it? Let's just see where this road of ours takes us."

"You three get married five years from now near the ocean at midnight on the dot," an amused voice said from the lazy boy beside them, causing the trio to flinch in alarm. Yōko leaned off of Bianca's lap and glared at the bane of her existence, Alice Cullen, who wore a teasing smirk on her face. "All of your outfits are really pretty."

"Get bent, Alice!" Yōko exclaimed while shaking her fist.

The short, brown-haired vampire smiled and added, "Also…If you plan to push along #WenClair, you might want to start planning now."

"What do you mean?" Bianca asked while Divina covered Yōko's mouth to keep her from railing at her nemesis.

Alice tilted her head and replied, "Enid is just about to get some pretty bad news right about….now."

"I must say, Ms. Sinclair, I am very disappointed in you," Principal Larissa Weems expressed with disappointment in her voice as Enid sat in her office, with Kara standing behind her with her arms crossed. "You aren't the type to act out in such a manner."

"That jerk threatened me, Kara, and Wednesday," Enid defended. "Did I take it too far? Sure, but he started it."

"And it is exactly that reason why I will not be giving you the same punishment of expulsion that I just gave Mr. Bright," Principal Weems said. "However, throwing him into a glass pane that will cost the school thousands to repair is not something I can lightly excuse."

Enid watched as the older woman leaned back in her chair and observed her for a few moments. "Detention for two weeks," Principal Weems declared. "And you will be restricted to Nevermore during those two weeks, starting today."

"What?!" Enid exclaimed while jumping out of her chair, startling both Kara and Principal Weems. "I-I can do the detention but I-I can't be stay here at Nevermore! Not when I have a da—" Enid swiftly cut herself off.

She had almost said it.

A date.

"I-I mean…" Enid stammered. "I have something important to do in Jericho tomorrow. Surely, the punishment can wait until after that. Right?"

"I'm sorry, Miss Sinclair," Principal Weems said with a sympathetic frown. "But I cannot allow myself to be more lenient than I already have been regarding this situation. I apologize but you are to remain on Neveremore's premises for the next two weeks. Am I clear?"

Enid felt tears of frustration and sadness building in her eyes but she held it together just enough to whimper out, "Okay…"

"Come on, Kiddo," Kara softly urged with a hand on Enid's trembling shoulder.

Enid sniffled and allowed Kara to lead her out of the room, struggling to keep her tears at bay until Kara led her to her office, where she proceeded to cry.

Her date was ruined.

With Thing tucked away in her bookbag and Xavier in tow, Wednesday walked out into the hallway of the medical wing with her hands behind her back. As she turned a corner, she was surprised to see a short vampire leaning against the wall, staring straight at her with those gold eyes.

"Wednesday Addams?" the vampire inquired.

Wednesday stared at the vampire and replied, "Who is asking?"

"The girl Yōko has sent to let you know that your date with Enid Sinclair is in jeopardy," the vampire replied with a cheeky smile. "Unless you don't want to know about that?"

Wednesday's irises shrank.

"What?"

Chapter Text

Lena hated to admit when something put fear in her but as she drove up to the entranceway of Nevermore Academy, she felt like she was trapped in a chair with her lunatic brother raving his sick plans in her face.

Somewhere in this large complex, Wednesday would be waiting for her while her reunion with Kara could be a corner turn away from happening. Lena took a deep breath to quell the butterflies in her stomach and stepped out of the car.

Once she made herself known to the security guard, she stepped into the halls of Nevermore, making sure she did not bump into the myriad of students that moved all around her. This place was like a maze. She wandered around until she saw an adult walk out of the classroom.

She quickly walked over and said, "Excuse me, Miss—" she glanced at the nametag. "—Marilyn Thornhill. I'm looking for Wednesday Addams?"

The woman offered her a smile and immediately, Lena felt something was…off about her. It was her eyes. There was something dark and empty within them that reminded her too much of Lex. "Ah, and who are you?" the woman asked.

"I am her therapist from Jericho, Lena Kieran," Lena introduced as politely as possible while holding out a hand.

"Ah! You must be the woman who replaced poor Kinbott!" Marilyn realized. She shook Lena's hand as she said, "It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise," Lena replied.

Marilyn pulled her hand back and continued, "It was a shame what happened to her. Mauled by a bear during a camping trip. How have you been settling in taking her place as Jericho's number one therapist?"

"It's been fine," Lena swiftly answered. "Unfortunately, I cannot chat."

"Right, of course. It's actually funny that you're asking me about her, considering I am Wednesday's dorm mother," Marilyn revealed. "If you'd like, I can take you up to her dorm. She should be there right now."

"That would be wonderful, thank you," Lena replied.

Marilyn nodded and together, the two of them walked down toward an exit at the end of the hall.

Larissa stared at the poster of a faceless girl with an unsettled expression on her face. "Another student has gone missing…This is most troubling indeed…."

A dagger made of blood stabbed at the front of Larissa's desk, startling the principal. She looked up from the papers given to her by the dorm father of Annabel Hall and stared at the owner of the dagger with a hint of relief. "Ah, good afternoon, Wednesday," Larissa greeted as she steepled her fingers. "You have to forgive me, you have caught me in a…troubling time. But, I digress. How can I help you?"

Wednesday narrowed her eyes as she stared down at the silver-haired woman and stated, "You have wounded me, Larissa Weems."

Larissa blinked in confusion. "In what manner?" Larissa asked.

Wednesday glared down at the woman and slowly replied, "You have brought tears to Enid Sinclair's eyes. To hurt my dearest rival to such an extent is unforgiving and I will not leave this office without satisfaction."

Behind Wednesday, Xavier and Alice slid in the doorway and Alice let out a small giggle. "Well, looks like we were too late to stop her."

"Shouldn't you have seen this coming?" Xavier asked with a small hiss.

"The future is like sand in the wind, Xavy," Alice replied. "Constantly shifting until a decision is solidified. I can see dozens of outcomes without knowing the true one." Alice grinned. "Although, this was the far more entertaining path she chose."

Xavier groaned and then turned to Wednesday. "Um, Wednesday!" Xavier called out but Wednesday lifted her right hand to halt any words that would spill from Xavier's mouth.

Larissa's eyes narrowed before she asked, "Do you truly understand what you are asking for, Miss Addams?"

Wednesday lifted her chin in both understanding and defiance.

Larissa nodded and she stood at full height, causing Wednesday to look up at her. "Very well. You've come here to seek satisfaction and It is mine to give if you so wish it," Larissa declared.

"I wish it," Wednesday answered.

"Then pick your weapon, the time, and the place," Larissa commanded.

"The Quad at midnight shall suffice," Wednesday announced. "I've seen your picture in the hall alongside my mother's, so I understand that you learned the way of the sword. If your skills haven't dulled due to sitting behind your desk, that is what I choose."

"Then, we meet at midnight, Wednesday Addams. We shall set the terms then. Until that time—" Larissa lifted her hand in the direction of the door. "—you know where the exit is."

"And here we are, Wednesday's dorm," Marilyn announced as a very annoyed Lena stood at the closed door. This woman had been blithering about for what felt like years during their trek here and she really wanted to get far away from the woman as quickly as possible.

"Thank you," Lena said.

"Let me know if you need my assistance in finding the exit to the school," Marilyn told her. "I'll be in my office downstairs." Marilyn quickly departed, leaving Lena alone in front of the door. As she lifted her hand to knock, the door swung open, and a young man was standing in front of it, looking back at Wednesday.

"Alright, don't say I didn't warn you," the teen said before he turned around and jumped back at the sight of her. "Oh, um…hello."

"Hi," Lena greeted.

"You must be here for Wednesday. Maybe you can talk some sense into her before she gets herself expelled," the teen said before he moved aside and walked past her, leaving the door wide open for her as she watched him leave.

She then turned around to see Wednesday standing at the doorway. "Thank you for coming here. Please, come in." Wednesday stepped aside and Lena walked into the rather strange room.

"I was led to believe you were allergic to color," Lena commented, observing the half-black/half-rainbow room.

"I am, but I will not remove what remains of my dear rival," Wednesday explained.

"He said you were at risk of being expelled?" Lena questioned.

Wednesday let out a silent huff and replied, "He doesn't know what he's talking about. Do not let his words weigh on your mind."

"He wouldn't say that for nothing, Wednesday," Lena stated. "What is he talking about?"

"SHE WHAT?!"

"Exactly what I said," Alice confirmed as Yōko, Divina, and Bianca stared at her, with Yōko and Divina's expressions being nothing short of gobsmacked while Bianca chuckled. "She challenged Principal Weems to a duel."

"How could you not have seen this coming?" Divina asked with disbelief.

Alice crossed her arms with a pout and replied, "I already explained to Xavy—" Bianca huffed. "—that I can only see the outcome of someone's decision once it is made. Wednesday's future is constantly shifting."

"Meaning?" Bianca asked.

"Meaning, I couldn't nail down what she was going to do until she disappeared into a pool of blood," Alice elaborated. "Also, a little warning about her being a blood witch would have been nice, Yōko. What if Jasper and Jessamine were here when she did that? They don't have control over their bloodlust like we do."

"Then you send them back to Hexside Academy to Emmett, Edward, Eleanor, Beau, Carine, Edythe, and Earnest," Yōko drawled with a blasé wave of her hand.

Alice huffed.

"But, this could pose a serious problem," Divina told the group. "Perhaps we should set up a Nightshade meeting."

"For this?" Bianca asked. "Look, as much as I like the challenge Addams gives me, what she decides to do and fight is not my business."

"Yeah, but Enid is your friend," Divina countered, only to look unsure. "Right?"

"She's not the most annoying pup in Nevermore. That goes to the Black Twins," Bianca reluctantly answered. "Especially Jacob. That fur drives me up the wall sometimes…" Bianca shook her head. "But still, why should the Nightshades step in to stop this?"

"So we can find Enid and stop Wednesday from getting expelled," Alice answered. "At least, that's what three of my visions are showing me. That also drives Enid to despair in all three too…"

Bianca let out a groan.

"I guess that settles that," Yōko declared as she stood up from her rather comfy seat. "Let's go gather Kent, Ajax, and Xavier…"

Chapter Text

Enid felt as if she had been punched in the gut.

Truthfully, she knew she shouldn't be feeling this way. Not about Wednesday Addams of all people. They are rivals. She challenged Wednesday to a duel on night one and then dueled her on night two. And they had just met! And yeah, things had gotten a little bit muddled since then with various conversations and actions to the point that her mind autocorrected a simple outing into a full-fledge date.

But at the end of the day, the two of them were fated to fight once again and Enid would do anything she could to defeat her.

But despite her head knowing this, her heart was telling her something vastly different.

Her heart was telling her that she wanted to go on that "date" with Wednesday. She didn't understand why she wanted it so badly, but something deep within her knew that it could have been a turning point.

A turning point for what, she didn't know.

Regardless of what it could have been, there may be a chance that she would never know.

And that hurt even more than missing this "date" with Wednesday.

"T-Thanks for letting me cry here," Enid hiccuped as she looked at her teacher, who had two plates of food in each hand.

Kara placed the plates of food down on top of the dresser and approached Enid. The woman then crouched down in front of Enid, placed a comforting hand on top of her head, and said, "You don't have to thank me for that, Kiddo. You needed a safe and private space to cry. I'm glad that I was able to give that to you."

Enid sniffled and wiped her eyes with the bottom of her palm. "I just don't know why my heart is hurting like this…" Enid told her mentor with a weak whine.

Kara gave her a sympathetic smile and replied, "Just like the dark side of the moon, the heart is a mysterious force of nature. When it's ready to reveal its secrets, it will."

Enid blinked. "Did you just quote I'll Make a Man Outta You?" Enid asked, flabbergasted.

"No!" Kara denied. "I just…." Kara sheepishly looked away. "Look, I just watched Mulan last night and had that stupid song stuck in my head since. Don't judge me."

Enid giggled at her mentor's embarrassment before she revealed, "You know, I never actually saw Mulan."

"What?!" Kara exclaimed, utterly stunned.

"It's true," Enid said. "Mom wouldn't let us watch TV. Said it interfered with learning the ways of the wolf. The only reason I know that song is through cultural osmosis."

"Okay, we are so changing that right now," Kara announced.

"We are?" Enid asked.

"Yep. Grab your plate and come to the living room. We're going to watch Mulan right now," Kara announced. "Trust me. You'll love it."

Enid nodded with a smile.

While her heart was still hurting from what happened to her "date," this was a good start in helping her cheer up.

Wednesday and Lena sat on the balcony of Wednesday's room watching the sunset. Well, Lena was watching the sunset. Wednesday, on the other hand, was sharpening her sword with a critical eye. "I must say," Lena began. "When you invited me here to Nevermore for our session, I was not aware I would be invited to see your duel with your principal."

Wednesday hummed as she slid her blade against the whetstone that sat on the small circular table in front of her. "My conversation with you was regarding my outing with my dear rival," Wednesday softly revealed. "Due to Larissa Weems' punishing her for defending my honor, she made Enid Sinclair cry. I will not allow anyone to bring tears to her eyes."

"You're protective of her," Lena noted as she turned to her. "And yet, you call her your rival. You can't be protective of someone you look to defeat and hurt in the future."

Wednesday paused and bowed her head. "While I am aware of the contradiction of my emotions regarding Enid Sinclair, it matters not," Wednesday softly declared. She then looked at the setting sun and closed her eyes, soaking in its warmth.

A warmth she often felt when she was with Enid.

"I am Enid Sinclair's rival," Wednesday told her. "When I defeated her in our duel, I claimed her as mine. Mine to combat, mine to defeat, and mine to touch…I am very aware that I will hurt her physically in our upcoming duel and I am also well aware that this blossoming intimacy of animosity could grow into something that I cannot tame…"

Wednesday allowed a faint smile to form on her lips at the thought.

It should have annoyed her that anything could go beyond her control, and yet, the thought of this dance of theirs spiraling into an uncontrollable madness was soothing to her.

Then again, it seemed anything that involved the werewolf was soothing to her now.

"But the moment I accepted her as my rival, I made a promise to myself that no harm should come to her. I swore that I would protect her from those looking to harm her emotionally, physically, and spiritually until our destined meeting beneath the moonlit sky. And that was before I realized that she became my weakness…"

Wednesday turned to Lena and said, "I know that I can never be the one to make her smile but I will make sure that no one else, not even myself, will ever make her cry. And for those that do, I will repay the pain that they put on her tenfold."

Lena let out a small chuckle and looked away from Wednesday.

"Is something funny?" Wednesday asked.

"I think I'm starting to understand you better," Lena commented.

"How so?" Wednesday asked.

"'I may not be able to make her smile long but I'll never make her cry even once….'" Lena quoted. "It seems like a lifetime ago when I said those same words to someone regarding my own weakness."

"Your weakness…That would be Enid's mentor, Kara Danvers, correct?" Wednesday asked.

"Yes," Lena replied, seemingly not surprised that Wednesday knew who she was referring to. "I broke my promise in the worst way possible, something that I regret to this very day…." Wednesday watched as Lena looked at her with a serious expression on her face. "So keep your word, Wednesday Addams, because you can't afford to live with the knowledge that you were unable to."

Wednesday nodded and together, the two watched as the sun set.

It would be another ninety minutes before Wednesday, with Lena beside her, would prepare for Wednesday's duel.

"Now, that is truly interesting," Morticia said through the crystal ball as Larissa leaned against her recliner, dressed in the standard fencing outfit. "And you say she challenged you on the behalf of a fellow student?"

"Yes. A Miss Enid Sinclair," Larissa divulged with a wry smile. "It seems history is repeating itself."

A small but pleasant smile formed on Morticia's face. "That is is, Larissa," Morticia softly replied. "Do you think that there is a chance for them?"

"I am not sure," Larissa answered. "You know Ester Sinclair and know how cruel she can be."

Morticia let out a sigh. "I would hope that she did not follow her mother's footsteps but it was a failing dream I see…A pity," Morticia lamented with a small frown. "All I can hope is that our history does not repeat in that way as well…."

Larissa nodded as a bittersweet smile appeared on her face.

"The time has come to see what your daughter is made of, Morticia," Larissa told her. "So I must bid you adieu."

"Larissa…." Morticia stated. "Wednesday will not be an easy adversary to defeat even without the use of her blood magic. So do not hold back or she will have your head."

Larissa chuckled. "Hold back against the daughter of Morticia and Gomez Addams? Perish the thought," Larissa responded.

Morticia smiled and whispered, "Be safe, mon métamorphe…."

Larissa gave Morticia a nod before she ceased communication with the Addams' Matriarch. Larissa grabbed her wine glass, which was filled halfway with Domaine Leroy d'Auvenay Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru, and took a small sip.

"I will, mon cœur noir" Larissa whispered into the darkness.

"The greatest gift and honor….is having you for a daughter."

Enid and Kara sniffled with tears in their eyes as they watched the ending scene of Mulan. "My heart. My soul!" Enid whimpered with a watery but happy smile on her face. Watching stuff with parents accepting their children always hit differently when it came to Enid.

She wondered what it would be like to achieve bringing honor to her family one day…

It was then there was a knock on the door, prompting the two blondes to turn to the front door, only for Enid's eyes to widen in surprise.

Yōko…That was her scent at the door.

"Yōko's at the door," Enid whispered to Kara, who nodded and quickly got up from the couch. Enid watched as her mentor opened the door to reveal a rather fidgety Yōko.

"Miss Tanaka, what are you doing here at this time of night?" Kara asked.

"I could smell that Enid's here. I need to talk to her. It's like…uber important," Yōko answered.

Kara turned to Enid with a raised eyebrow.

Enid nodded and Kara stepped aside to allow entry to the young vampire. Yōko immediately rushed in and said, "Enid, girl, we've been looking everywhere for you."

Yōko then noticed the TV and asked, "Are you guys watching Mulan?" Yōko shook her head. "So not the point. Hey, if you don't mind, can you come back to the Quad like pronto?"

"Sure but why?" Enid asked.

"Oh…It's nothing too big. It's just Wednesday Addams and Principal Weems are about to duel and we need your help to stop it unless you want her expelled," Yōko nonchalantly revealed.

Enid blinked.

"WHAT?!"

Chapter Text

The trees were nothing but a blur as Enid raced toward Nevermore with Yōko and Kara trailing behind her.

Enid was in two minds. When Yōko told her in detail about what happened between Wednesday and Principal Weems, Enid wanted to cry. How could Wednesday do something so foolhardy and yet so sweet in fighting for her honor?

Even with the harsh wind clawing at her face, Enid's face felt flushed. Never in her life had anyone ever fought for her before. Sure, Yōko had defended her from some awfully mean rumors a few days after becoming friends, but she had never raised a blade to those mean girls and fought them.

And yet, Wednesday had not only done that, but she also did it to their principal of all people.

All because Enid had cried….

Something in Enid's heart blossomed at this.

Her sweet raven had cared so much that she was willing to get expelled just to defend her. But Enid knew that despite this, she had to stop the duel before Wednesday could be expelled.

She had to stop her, just so she could figure out this feeling in her heart.

The moon's gentle light bathed Nevermore as Wednesday, dressed in her dueling attire, walked alongside Lena in total silence, with the woman beside her holding her sheathed longsword. Admittedly, Wednesday didn't need Lena to come along with her. Her duty was completed after their talk on her balcony.

However, something had shifted within Wednesday since the talk. She once thought of the woman beside her as nothing more but a hindrance. Someone who would deem her insane like all of the other weak-willed parasites she had bested.

Instead, she felt as if she was speaking to a kindred spirit. Something that was in low supply in Wednesday's life and who was Wednesday to deny herself someone that could bask in a mutual weakness and understanding?

Leaning against the water fountain with a cigarette in her hand and her eyes closed, Larissa Weems waited, dressed in standard fencing attire. Larissa blew out a plum of smoke as Wednesday and Lena stopped.

"Good evening, Miss Addams…I see you brought a witness to this duel," Larissa noted as she opened her eyes to face the two. "It is a pleasure to see you as well, Miss Kieran."

"Likewise, Miss Weems," Lena acknowledged with a nod of respect.

Larissa opened her eyes and smiled at the choice of the weapon Wednesday brought. "The longsword. And here I thought you would bring your rapier."

"You seem to favor longswords, according to the record books of your contests and the picture I've seen of you," Wednesday responded. "As much as I enjoy one swift stab to the chest, my rapier wouldn't survive a duel with a longsword. So, I figured defeating you with your preferred weapon would be a sweeter gift on top of my victory."

Larissa beamed as she looked at her side. Wednesday followed her gaze and noticed that Larissa had bought four blades. "Wonderful. I thought I would need to use my rapier but on the off chance, I also bought four other swords as we did not discuss our weaponry except that it was a sword. I'm glad your arrogance chose wisely…Now tell me, have you thought of the terms of the duel?" Larissa asked.

"First to draw blood three times," Wednesday informed. "Where matters not. If I win, you are to apologize to my dearest rival for her tears and rescind any punishment given to her due to protecting my honor. I will even handicap myself and fight as a normie would."

Larissa chuckled.

"Your haughtiness is quite refreshing," Larissa told her. "I will agree to those terms if you agree to mine in return."

Wednesday narrowed her eyes but did not speak any objections to this.

"I have been watching you, Wednesday Addams," Larissa began after another plum of smoke escaped her lips. "While you are arrogant beyond words and bluntly coarse with how you speak and behave with others, I do see your brilliance and skills. If you could harness those skills into something meaningful, I believe it could bear fruit that could change the world."

Wednesday remained silent.

"But, I am also aware that you are a recalcitrant due to how much you think you know about how the world, and those who live in it, works. So, I leave you with two options if I am to win this duel." Larissa took one last drag of her cigarette, tossed it to the ground, and crushed it beneath her boot. "You will either become my right hand or you shall be expelled from Nevermore. Leaving you stumbling in the dark, without guidance or a way to further evolve the skills you think need no further evolution…and separated from your beloved rival without hesitation or any chance to ever see her again. And believe me, we both know I will do all I can to keep my word."

Wednesday bristled at the thought of both options, but the latter infuriated her. She took a step forward, only to find Lena's hand on her shoulder.

"Think carefully," Lena murmured to Wednesday, who was just about to open her mouth to respond. "It is clear she's trying to goad you into an impulsive response in bringing up Enid Sinclair."

Wednesday closed her mouth, took a deep breath, and slowly responded, "You speak the truth, Larissa Weems but do not presume that you can use her name to sway me or persuade me to back down from this challenge."

"No persuasion is needed, Miss Addams," Larissa assured with a knowing smile. "Because I already know your answer."

Larissa placed her hand on the rose-like hilt of her longsword and freed it from its sheath. "Become my right hand or face expulsion. Those are the terms of my victory. Do you accept?" Larissa challenged.

Wednesday held out her left hand, in which Lena placed the hilt of the sword against her palm. Wednesday pulled to sword free of its sheath, gave it a flourish, and then pointed it at Larissa. "I accept your terms," Wednesday announced.

Larissa gave Wednesday a proud smile while Wednesday motioned for Lena to move aside, who nodded and stepped away from Wednesday with a brief, "Good luck."

Wednesday nodded at Lena's words before she approached Larissa. Once the two opponents stood across from one another, the two bowed in respect before taking their stances. Wednesday grounded her feet against the ground and smacked Larissa's blade, which Larissa returned in kind with a swat of her own, sending Wednesday's sword to the side.

Wednesday's blade moved forward with two pokes toward Larissa's head, trying to gauge the distance between herself and the woman's head, Larissa swatted each poke away and then swung downward toward Wednesday, who turned her blade to block it while stepping back. Wednesday then whipped her blade upward toward the taller woman's hands but Larissa separated her right hand from the hilt and spread her arms apart to avoid the strike.

Wednesday then swung her blade downward but missed Larissa's chest while leaving herself wide open for Larissa, who reunited her right hand with her hilt and swung downward. Wednesday lifted her blade and blocked Larissa's with a side swipe and then moved the blade toward Larissa's head to strike, only for Larissa to block it and retaliate by forcing Wednesday's blade to the ground and then lunging forward, catching Wednesday's left cheek with a shallow cut.

Larissa didn't boast or even pause as she advanced with two quick pokes at Wednesday's face, causing Wednesday to retreat as she blocked each poke before planting her feet against the ground and blocking an overheard angled strike, a middle thrust, and then leaning back to avoid an upward flick that barely touched Wednesday's chin.

Wednesday attempted her own overheard slash, only for Larissa to block it and aim another swipe at Wednesday's head. Wednesday blocked the strike and then forced their blades to touch the ground before she flicked her blade upward, causing Larissa to step back to avoid being cut.

Seeing that Larissa was retreating, Wednesday surged forward and her blade whipped out, only for Larissa to block each strike before forcing a clash. Larissa's sword pushed against Wednesday's blade, causing the girl to lean back before forcing herself against the push. Finally, the two broke the clash and jumped back to create space.

It was then Wednesday heard the sounds of footsteps running into the Quad.

"Welp, we're too late, the duel's started," Alice's voice said with a pout.

Xavier let out an exhausted groan while Bianca's voice said, "Well, it seems Addams is already cut."

"Whoa," Ajax breathed. "Whose the woman near Wednesday and the Principal? She's super cute."

"Out of your league, Ajax," Bianca informed.

"Darn it, Yōko's going to be so annoyed that we didn't stop it in time," Divina said.

Wednesday willed herself to focus on Larissa, who looked amused at the new faces in the quad. "An audience?" Larissa questioned. "I was unaware that you wanted evidence of your defeat, Miss Addams."

"I did not ask for them to be here," Wednesday explained. "Had I done so, I would asked them to cease their incessant babbling!" Wednesday raised her voice near the end to the newcomers.

"No need to yell, dude!" Kent exclaimed.

Wednesday narrowed her eyes in frustration. "Ignore them. We have a duel to finish," Wednesday advised.

"You're right. We do," Larissa agreed as a smile formed on her face before advancing once again.

Wednesday moved backward as she blocked Larissa's two quick pokes that were aimed at her head, a poke that was aimed at her midsection, and then a swipe to her head, which Wednesday parried and moved the swords to the ground, twisted her body around and swiped at Larissa's face.

Larissa took a step back, the tip of Wednesday's blade barely cutting the bridge of her nose, before Wednesday advanced with two stabs aimed at Larissa's chest. Larissa moved her blade and swatted each stab away before smacking her blade against Wednesday's, who had aimed a stab at her face, causing Wednesday's blade to fly into the air and clatter on the ground near the water fountain.

Larissa reared her arms back and then lunged her blade forward, only for Wednesday to jump to the left to avoid it, causing the blade to pierce the wall while Wednesday rolled against the ground into a kneeling position beside her weapon.

She picked up her sword and managed to get off the ground to smack Larissa's sword to the right when the woman attempted to strike her face and retaliated with a powerful lunge, which Larissa sidestepped, causing Wednesday to sail past her opponent, only to gasp as she felt Larissa's blade slice down her spine.

Wednesday turned around and retreated backward as she blocked a downward diangle slash, a side swing, and an upward swipe from Larissa before she stepped forward and performed three rapid stabs toward Larissa's head. Larissa managed to avoid the first two but the last stab turned out to be a faint by Wednesday, who swung her blade downward to cut Larissa's left shoulder before pulling her sword back.

Larissa moved backward, stared at her now wounded shoulder, and then back to Wednesday with a nod of approval.

Meanwhile, a frustrated Wednesday panted with sweat falling down her face.

Fighting Larissa Weems was a more arduous task than she expected.

She had a feeling that the woman was strong but she was deceptively fast as well. It was taking all that she had to keep up with her speed without going against her word and tapping into her blood magic. Even if she did tap into it, she wasn't even sure if it would balance the scales.

Just one more push.

Wednesday lifted her sword, which scrapped against Larissa's before she gritted her teeth, forced the blade aside, and performed a powerful swing, only for Larissa to block it and push her sword aside. Wednesday took a harsh breath and delivered two more hard swings, with one aimed at Larissa's midsection and the other at Larissa's legs, only for the first one to be blocked and the second one to be avoided by Larissa moving back, causing the blade to cut through the air mere inches from the front of Larissa's thighs.

Wednesday lifted her blade and smacked Larissa's blade to the right and then lifted her blade into the air but Larissa brought her blade toward her and then lunged, causing the tip of her sword to stab into Wednesday's midsection mere seconds before her blade was about to strike Larissa's forehead.

Wednesday ceased her movement the moment the cold chill of Larissa's blade entered her midsection and dropped her weapon, letting her blade clatter to the ground. "It seems I've won," Larissa concluded as she removed her blade from Wednesday's midsection and turned away as Wednesday crumpled to her knees, holding her final wound.

And it was at that moment, she heard Enid's voice shout, "Wednesday!"

Chapter Text

Enid felt her heart crumble at the sight of Wednesday falling to her knees as Principal Weems stood before her. She could smell Wednesday's sweet blood fill the air as she began to fall toward the ground.

With a speed that surpassed her normal pace, Enid darted toward Wednesday's falling body, slid to the girl on her knees, and managed to catch Wednesday in her arms. "Wednesday?! Wednesday!" Enid shouted as she turned the girl in her arms to stare at her rival.

"Enid…." Wednesday whispered with half-lidded eyes.

Enid could see a myriad of emotions swirl in Wednesday's eyes but the biggest one was shame. "I ran as fast as I could to you," Enid whispered as she held Wednesday closer to her. "Are you okay?"

Wednesday didn't respond vocally but Enid could feel Wednesday struggle to push her away, only for Weems' feet to stop in front of her. "Do not take shame in your loss, Wednesday," Principal Weems advised. "You did very well in our duel. Your mother trained you well."

Enid looked up at the principal's face and saw a mixture of melancholy and pride in the older woman's eyes but then her eyes hardened.

Possibly due to the loud growl that filled the air.

"You hurt her," Enid darkly growled as she stood up with Wednesday in her arms.

"Those were the terms she set forth in our duel, Miss Sinclair," Weems informed with an impassive tone. "Had she not decided to fight for your honor, this loss and her injuries could have been avoided." Enid took a threatening step forward, her breathing quickening and her irises slowly slitting. Enid could feel a deep anger sitting in her chest as she faced the expressionless principal.

But before anything could occur, she felt Wednesday's hand on her chest. "Don't…" Wednesday breathed. Enid's head turned to face the exhausted girl in her arms. "She is right, Enid Sinclair…Do not allow your anger at her to blind you. My failure is to blame…."

"Wednesday…." Enid whispered, her eyes slowly turning back to normal, the anger slowly ebbing away as Wednesday pushed at her chest. Enid slowly placed Wednesday on her feet as Wednesday held the wound in her stomach.

Why hadn't she healed herself?

"As to your comment regarding my training, Larissa Weems, she did not train me well enough, it seems…" Wednesday murmured.

"Unfortunately, you have been defeated," Weems continued. "And thus, I require my reward."

"Reward?" Enid repeated with narrowed eyes.

"Yes. She works as my right hand or she is expelled," Weems informed. "Those were the terms of my victory, and now, I await her answer."

"Isn't beating her enough?!" Enid yelled. "You have to make her decide this now?!"

"Those were the terms, Miss Sinclair," Weems firmly repeated as she stared at Wednesday's form. "An Addams never breaks their word, correct? It is time to prove it, Wednesday."

Enid watched as Wednesday balled her hands into fists and felt a burst of helplessness before determination filled her eyes. "What if I take her place?" Enid softly asked as she looked at the older woman. "I'll be your right hand or I'll get expelled."

She could hear Wednesday take a sharp breath and could feel Wednesday's eyes on her but she kept her unwavering gaze on Nevermore's principal.

"Is that right?" Weems asked with a spark of interest in her eyes.

"Wednesday challenged you to duel because I messed up and fought that jerk," Enid explained. "It was my mistake and my tears that did all of this. It's only fair if I make it right and take responsibility. She shouldn't have to pay for my actions."

"Enid…." Wednesday whispered with an emotion that Enid couldn't place but it made her heart ache for the girl beside her.

Enid placed a hand on her chest and said, "Give me that choice, Principal Weems."

Weems stared at her for what felt like forever but as she opened her mouth to answer, Wednesday declared, "I made a promise to remain here at Nevermore. Therefore, I will be your right hand, Larissa Weems."

Enid whirled her head to look at Wednesday, who had her head bowed and her face set with an emotion she couldn't understand. Weems smiled with somber approval and softly said, "I am glad you see things my way, Miss Addams."

Wednesday didn't look at the older woman.

"Before you give her your orders, can it wait?" Lena's voice asked, prompting Enid to look at Wednesday's therapist. "She needs assistance in dealing with her wounds."

Why was she here?

"Ah, I suppose you're right, Dr. Kieran," Weems acknowledged as she sheathed her blade. "Wednesday, we can discuss our plans tomorrow before the festival, understood?"

"…I understand," Wednesday whispered with a bowed head.

Weems nodded, walked over to the water fountain to collect her unused blades, and held them beneath her arm. "Dr. Kieran, please ensure that Wednesday's injuries are taken care of. Bright and early, Wednesday. Until tomorrow."

Without waiting for a response from Lena, Weems walked away.

Enid huffed and turned to face Wednesday, only to find that her rival had made her way toward Lena. "Wednesday!" Enid called out as she moved toward her but Wednesday halted her movements with a hand in her direction.

"Don't…." Wednesday whispered, her head turned away from Enid.

Enid wasn't able to place Wednesday's emotions before, but with that single word, Enid heard the emotion it conveyed and she felt as if she had been punched in the gut.

Rejection.

"I must get away from Nevermore for the night," Wednesday told Lena with a catch in her voice.

Lena looked concerned but after staring at Wednesday's face for a moment, Lena nodded. "I will take you with me then, Wednesday," Lena gently told her. "After we get you some help."

Wednesday nodded and without even sparing a glance her way, Wednesday and Lena walked away.

Enid placed a hand to her stomach as she heard several people walk up behind her. "Enid," Divina murmured as she placed a hand on her shoulder. "Are you alright?"

Enid couldn't speak.

All she could do was watch as Wednesday walked further away from her.

Unaware of a hand watching on in the distance.

Chapter Text

"Well, that could have gone worse," Alice quipped as she fell back on the beanbag chair situated in the corner of the Nightshades' Library.

After the duel, the Nightshades, minus Yōko, had retreated back to their hideout to talk about their plans to help Enid.

"How?" Ajax asked with the closest look to displeasure the normally jovial Gorgon could express. "Enid is back at her teach's place sobbing her eyes out."

"That's actually a good point," Kent said as he plopped himself on Ajax's lap and twisted himself so he laid across the boy's lap. "How could it have been worse?"

"Well…" Alice drawled. "There were a few ways it could have gone down. Wednesday could have refused to submit and gotten grievously wounded or even worse, killed, by Weems, Enid could have taken that final stab had she arrived earlier, which could have killed her as Weems' sword was made with silver or Enid could have killed Weems."

"Enid? Kill someone?" Divina asked. "There is no way that could have happened."

Alice quirked an eyebrow. "You know, Rosalie and I thought that about my best friend. Well, until she set a vampire on fire for nearly killing Rosalie two months later," Alice commented. "And that vampire was part of the Volturi. I've learned that the kindest souls can do the most deranged stuff for the people they love."

"Love?" Divina repeated. "Isn't it too early for us to put that label on Enid and Wednesday?"

Alive gave a small grin and replied, "Maybe. Maybe not. Who knows?"

"You know!" Kent exclaimed.

"I am not explaining how my visions work again," Alice pouted. "All I know is that the future is constantly in flux and I don't know anything yet until it solidifies but If what Peter told me is true, Enid and Wednesday are the keys to saving the Outcasts at not only Nevermore but the country at large. I don't know how or from what, but we have to protect them."

Divina frowned and looked at Bianca, who had been silent since they returned to their hideout. "What's on your mind, Seashell?"

Bianca gave Divina a small smile before she voiced, "When we decided to reform the Nightshade Society, it was supposed to be a harmless club, you know? For us to be able to hang out, host parties, and enjoy the occasional skinny dipping. Much like the Vortex Club Miss Caulfield told us that one of her "Wives" attended. To think we have to shoulder this responsibility to keep Enid and Wednesday safe and together…It's pretty unexpected."

"And yet you live for stuff like this," Divina said as she nudged Bianca's shoulder with her own.

Bianca grinned and replied, "Yeah. I'm glad our second year could be so exciting."

"So, in the meantime, what do we do?" Divina asked Bianca.

"Other than protect them? Nothing," Bianca answered. "Those two need to work out their issues. In the meantime, Alice, try and get in touch with your friend and see if he can cough up anything that can give us a clue about this threat."

Alice gave a lazy salute.

"With that talk done, Kent, Ajax, Any updates about that book that went missing?" Bianca asked.

Kara had been a part of some strange combinations in her lifetime.

Her first apprentice, Nia Nal is a siren.

Her surrogate father, J'onn J'onzz, and his niece, M'gann M'orzz are shapeshifters.

Her childhood friend, Leslie Willis, was an electricity spectre while her old boss/friend, Andrea Rojas, was a shadow spectre.

Her best friends, Winn and James, her adopted parents, and her old mentor, Cat Grant, were regular normies, but never in her wildest dreams could she have seen herself hanging out with a young vampire after years in the Underworld War.

Especially once as peculiar as Tanaka Yōko.

It was strange to know that a vampire was so gentle and caring to a werewolf, but it also filled her with warmth. Alex would be stoked to know that if Yōko and Enid were the standards of this generation, the world may never know another Underworld War again and go through what they went through.

"It's been a long night. Shouldn't you be going back to Nevermore, Ms. Tanaka?" Kara asked.

"Nah," Yōko replied. "I'm too wound up from that long run. It's going to take me hours to sleep."

"Got that right," Kara agreed.

"So….What do you think about this whole thing between Enid and Addams?" Yōko broached.

"Truthfully? I don't like it," Kara answered. "I've seen where this road goes and if Enid crying herself to sleep means anything, this journey she and Wednesday are going on will only lead to more heartbreak for Enid."

Yōko remained silent.

"But," Kara continued. "That's life, isn't it? A journey of heartbreak."

"Ain't that the truth," Yōko agreed as she rubbed the back of her neck. "But even if the road ends in heartache, the good memories that road brings are priceless, don't you think?"

Kara shut her eyes and chuckled.

When she and Yōko had made it to the Quad, Kara had caught Lena's scent fading scent. Smelling her lingering scent brought back the terrible memories of her catching that scent days after their fallout and nearly sent her on a downward spiral, one of which she couldn't act upon due to needing to be there for her student.

"I suppose so," Kara agreed. "You've been through it then, huh?"

"You have no idea," Yōko replied. "Since I was turned about two years ago, I had to make peace with the fact that my body will continue to age until I hit twenty-one, where I'll then be frozen in time, watching everyone I care about wither away to dust. Knowing that I have eternal life puts shit like that into perspective, you know? Life is way too short to hold grudges and carry heartbreak."

Kara slowly nodded before she clapped Yōko on the shoulder. "Can you watch over Enid for me?" Kara requested. "There's something I need to do."

"Sure," Yōko answered. "But why?"

Kara stepped away from her little cabin and replied, "There's someone I need to find. That's all."

Yōko nodded and said, "Well good luck, Ms. Danvers. I'll keep an eye on our girl."

"Thanks," Kara said. "Not just for watching over Enid….But for the advice."

After giving Yōko a grateful smile, Kara fled from her cabin, hoping Lena's scent wasn't too faded.

Yōko watched as Ms. Danvers ran off into the night and murmured, "Shit, I didn't even know I was giving advice. Damn, I'm good." Yōko let herself into Kara's home and the moment she closed the front door, she realized something was amiss.

She sniffed the air.

Neroli, bergamot and necromantic blood?

What the hell kind of combination is that?

Yōko followed the smell up the stairs and into the room Enid was occupying and opened it to reveal a whole ass hand standing on the pillow beside Enid's sleeping head.

The hand scuttled around to face Yōko, who stared at it with visible disbelief.

"Um…Hi!" The hand signed.

Yōko blinked.

There were a lot of things that infuriated Wednesday Addams and she would never be shy in letting anyone know it.

In the long list of "Things that infuriated Wednesday Addams" liars and weakness were in the top five in that infamous list and as Lena walked her up the cobblestone trail to her rather modest but nice micro-mansion, Wednesday loathed herself for ticking those two things off her list.

She had told Lena before the duel that she would never hurt her rival emotionally but she had done exactly what she promised not to do by walking away from Enid.

Her father often touted that an Addams must disavow hesitation and act with their whole heart, even if it would them down the road to damnation. Wednesday had acted with her heart by challenging Larissa Weems to defend her rival's honor.

She had let her arrogance blind her and underestimate the woman and in turn, she had suffered a sound defeat.

But then it got worse.

Enid had seen it.

The girl Wednesday had fought for had seen her defeat.

A mixture of rage, pity, and self-disgust swirled through her as Lena showed her around the mansion, her voice sounding as faint as the wind outside of her home.

When Enid's arms wrapped around her and she had to hear the blonde werewolf ask to take on her punishment instead, Wednesday didn't feel like the strong blood witch she had trained so long to become.

Instead, she was back to being that small little macabre girl grieving over the loss of her scorpion.

And she couldn't bear her rival seeing her in such a state.

"And here is the guest room," Lena concluded.

Wednesday lifted her head and realized that somewhere during her thoughts, Lena had led her to the room she would be staying in for the night. "There is a full bathroom attached to it, so feel free to use it as if it were your own."

"Thank you for allowing me to stay here, Dr. Kieran…" Wednesday softly thanked with downcasted eyes.

"You don't have to thank me. You're not the first of my clients I've lent a helping hand to during their time of need. However, you are the first I've actually let into my domain," Lena replied. She then held out a bundle of black silk pajamas and handed them to her.

'Lena must have grabbed them while I was on auto-pilot,' Wednesday thought as she took the clothing and held them in her arms. "Thank you…" Wednesday whispered.

Lena nodded and was about to walk away before she turned back to Wednesday. She then hesitantly placed a hand on Wednesday's shoulder, looked her right in the eyes, and began, "I understand that your mind is going through a lot of things, Wednesday. I've been there myself…" Wednesday could see the truth of Lena's words in her eyes to confirm this."We don't have to talk about what happened tonight unless you want to broach the topic. For now, take a shower. I'll bring you something to eat and something to read to ease your mind."

"You do not have to do this. Not for me…." Wednesday murmured, internally scolding herself for how weak her voice continued to be.

"And yet, I am," Lena replied. "Someone dear to me once told me, "Do not forsake kindness because you feel you are undeserving of it because that's often the time you need it the most." And even though we fell apart after she told me this, I never forgot her words. So don't forsake my kindness, Wednesday, because right now, you need it…"

Lena gave Wednesday's shoulder a supportive squeeze before she walked down the hall of her home, leaving Wednesday standing in front of her room for the night.

Wednesday's shoulders slumped as she retreated into the room.

Lena walked down the stairs into her spacious living room and headed to the kitchen, her mind focusing on the young girl upstairs. Lena had only known Wednesday for a short time and sure, their first meeting had been a little combative but after their talk, Lena knew they had turned a corner.

But seeing Wednesday with rage, pity, and self-disgust in her eyes was like staring into a mirror and it startled and saddened Lena. Lena had a feeling she knew it was about Kara's apprentice, Enid Sinclair, seeing her in such a state, but she wouldn't assume anything until Wednesday decided to talk to her about it.

And when she did, she would help the girl get past these feelings.

But as Lena stepped into her kitchen, she noticed someone standing outside her patio door.

That someone was Kara Danvers, who gave her that familiar endearing smile and hesitant wave.

Oh…

So this was happening now.

Chapter Text

Kara had been in a lot of situations that could have ended in her death.

When Krypton, a small state within the country of Kaznia that was a sanctuary for Outcasts, was invaded and then destroyed by an army of vampires, when her aunt had come to National City to try to turn the metropolis into an Outcast haven by killing all of the normies, when her cousin, Sam Arias, had been uncontrollable as a blood wolf, and when she faced down Lex, imbued with the latent vampiric blood of Dracula Vlad Ţepeş.

But as she stood in Lena's laboratory, trapped by a cage made of pure silver, facing down the expressionless face of her best friend/the woman she loved, she had never known true fear.

It had happened so quickly.

She had come over with some Chinese food and a movie due to it being their movie night, only to step on a tile, which triggered the trap that caused the cage to rise around her to trap her within it.

"Lena…What is this?" Kara asked.

"This…." Lena began as she ran a hand against one of the bars. "Is a cell made of silver. I dulled the potency of it, so it shouldn't kill you. But changing into a werewolf wouldn't be advised, Kara…"

"I-I don't understand," Kara stammered. "Why a-am I in this cage?"

Lena remained silent for a moment before Kara watched Lena's expression become lifeless. "Do you remember when you finally told me you were that heroic outcast?" Lena started, her voice void of any emotion as she continued to stare at the silver bar in front of her. "You were weeping. Big crocodile tears. Well, I wept real tears, bitter tears over you weeks before…"

Despite the silver cage restricting her, Kara could still hear Lena's heartbeat It was beating so fast. To the point that Kara was afraid that the woman in front of her would suffer a heart attack.

Or was she mistaking Lena's heartbeat for her own?

"You…You knew?" Kara whispered.

"I found out when I killed Lex," Lena revealed.

Kara's confusion increased at that reveal.

"You couldn't have killed Lex," Kara told her. "I stabbed him in the heart and dropped him off a cliff."

"But did you see him land? Did you see him die? I did, and let me tell you, it wasn't pretty," Lena told her. "Lex took the blood of a particularly powerful vampire. He was decaying and his body was mangled, but he was still alive…my satellite captured him turning into a colony of decaying bats and flying away. I knew he would go to the cabin we loved when we were children, so I was there waiting for him…A specialized gun loaded with a single ultraviolet radiation silver bullet in hand. I could feel the weight of it in my hands…"

Kara could see the hurt in Lena's eyes at this reveal, For a moment, Kara forgot the betrayal and felt sorrow that Lena had to suffer in silence, with her completely unaware.

"You had missed his heart," Lena revealed. "You did a lot of damage, but you didn't finish the job… He tried, you know? To tell me how Outcasts were going to enslave us all and how we needed to kill them. He asked me to join his side. To get him a specialized coffin so he could heal his wounds and try again. I said yes…All in an attempt to get him to lower his guard…."

"Lena," Kara breathed.

"Every fiber in my being rebelled," Lena continued as if Kara hadn't spoken. "But I-I didn't want to do it, but I knew I had to because if Lex lived, the world wouldn't be safe, my friends wouldn't be safe." Lena turned to Kara and slowly, she reached into her lab coat, withdrew a silver gun, and pointed it directly at the stunned Kara. "And so…I did what you and the world failed to do… I forced myself to pull the trigger and I shot my own brother in the chest….Bang."

Kara felt crushed.

"It's funny. His final words to me weren't that he loved me or that he even cared. No, with his dying breath, he told me that I was a fool. That my best friend and every friend that I had was lying to me. That you were an Outcast…."

"L-Lena, I'm so sorry," Kara murmured.

"You don't get to apologize," Lena hissed out as the hurt in her eyes roared into a blazing fire of rage. "You don't know what I had to deal with. You don't know how it feels when every fiber in your being is rebelling from making this choice. You, of all people, don't know what it's like to take the life of your own flesh and blood."

"I know exactly what that's like," Kara softly told her.

Lena scoffed and asked, "Then you know what's it like to be told that your best friend, that every friend you had was lying to you?"

Kara stilled.

Kara now understood.

"Lena…." Kara breathed out. "Lena, you have to believe me, I never meant to humiliate you."

"When I came to this city," Lena softly began, her wet eyes locked onto Kara. "I promised myself that I would never trust anyone again, and then I met you."

Kara shut her eyes and held back the outburst that wanted to escape.

"You chipped away at my armor with your warmth and your earnestness, and you convinced me to trust in people and friendship again, and against my better judgment, I did," Lena continued. "All the while telling you about my Achilles heel betrayal. I confided in you that everyone in my past had betrayed me."

Lena let out a watery laugh.

"I confided in you About how much it hurt to have someone you love lie and betray you. I spelled it out to you over and over again, essentially begging you not to violate my trust, begging you not to prove that, once again, I was a fool," Lena said. "You reassured me ad nauseam that you would never lie to me, that you'd never hurt me. And all the while, there wasn't a single honest moment in our friendship!"

"That's not true," Kara shakily breathed out as she took a step forward toward Lena.

"I killed my brother for you, for our friends! Don't you understand what you've done?!" Lena wailed, halting Kara's movements.

"L-Lena," Kara stammered. "W-When you found out, why d-didn't you come to me right away, so I could explain."

"Explain?" Lena let out a watery laugh.

"Yeah? If you hate me so much, why?" Kara asked, unable to keep the hurt from her voice at the mere words she was saying. "Why not out me at the Pulitzer party? Why pretend to still be my friend this long?"

"Because I wanted you to experience what you did to me," Lena answered. "Feel what I felt. To feel like you have someone that you can trust and care about, only to reveal that the person you cared about was a mask…"

"I understand your pain and your fury and…And you're right," Kara told her as she once again took another step. She was mindful of the silver but if the pain of getting close to it would appease Lena, Kara wasn't sure if she wouldn't suffer it for her. "I made a big mistake, maybe the biggest mistake of my life. But our friendship, everything that we have been through—" Lena started to shake her head in denial. "— none of that was fake."

"Don't lie to me," Lena whispered as she continued to shake her head. "You've already lied enough."

"I'm not lying, Lena," Kara insisted.

"Yes, you are," Lena shot back.

"Le—"

"Stop it!" Lena screamed, interrupting Kara. "Just stop!"

The two stood in silence for a moment, with Lena struggling to catch her breath. "I gave everything to Kara Danvers. My trust, my heart, and my soul…." Lena whispered as she moved away from Kara and held herself. "I fought for her, I protected her….I killed my brother for her." Lena swallowed. "And It was all a lie…."

Kara's tongue felt like lead as Lena's words sunk into the depths of her soul. She wanted to rage against Lena for lying to her for so long. For betraying her trust so thoroughly, but she couldn't.

She felt so…defeated….

She had never felt like this before. It was as if all of the energy within her just…ceased to be. Even her wolf, who she could always feel raging in the back of her head, had ceased movement. She had not only hurt the woman she loved but she had been so thoroughly betrayed as well.

"I never meant to hurt you," Kara softly revealed. "It's why I hid it for so long before I told you the truth the night of the Pulitzer…It was eating away at me…But I did. I did hurt you…And I'm sorry…If you want to kill me, then you can…I won't stop you. I won't even put up a fight…."

For the first time, Kara could see something other than rage in Lena's eyes and it broke Kara's heart even more. "Will that make you happy?" Kara asked as tears fell from her eyes. "To take my life? To be the eye for Lex's eye?"

Lena's hands trembled. "What is this?" Lena asked, her voice shaky. "Some sort of reverse psychology?"

"No, it isn't," Kara answered. "But at this point, do you even believe me? I wouldn't blame you if you didn't… So please do it…that moment of pain won't be any different than anything else I've endured."

The laboratory was quiet, leaving only the sounds of machinery chirping in the background and their breathing."We've reached that level, haven't we, Kara?" Lena finally asked in a whisper. "The level that we can never come back from."

Kara knowingly closed her eyes and whispered, "Yeah…."

"Do you stop loving someone just because they betray you?" Lena asked.

"I don't think so," Kara answered. "That's what makes the betrayal hurt so much…."

Lena kept the gun trained on Kara for a moment as more tears began to fall from her eyes. After a moment of silence, Lena shouted, "Damn it!" Lena launched the gun across the wound, causing it to slam against the wall and clatter to the ground.

The bars around Kara lowered as Lena took ragged breaths. "Go," Lena whispered.

"Lena…I…" Kara started as she took a step toward Lena with her hand raised while Lena hugged herself.

"Go!" Lena screamed. "Just go! I never want to see you again!"

Kara's shoulders slumped but she nodded, turned around, and walked out of her life.

Lena's grandfather clock ticked in the background as Kara sat across from Lena with a hot cup of coffee in her hands. Kara had hoped that her sudden arrival would break the previous awkwardness the two had a few days ago, but now it felt worse.

"I-I wasn't expecting you…" Lena softly said as she stared at her mug. "Especially so late…"

"I'm sorry for coming unannounced like this," Kara apologized. "I-I just had to see you, is all…"

"Is that so?" Lena murmured.

"Yeah…." Kara replied. "E-Enid told me what happened. At the duel, I mean…Regarding Wednesday."

"She did?" Lena asked.

Kara nodded. "Yeah…It was actually your scent that told me you were there before Enid told me," Kara told her. "It's how I knew you were here…"

"You followed my scent?" Lena stated. "I don't know why that surprises me so much and yet it makes sense….Considering…your outcast status…"

"Yeah, I got a pretty good sniffer," Kara weakly joked.

It grew silent again.

"The fight Wednesday had with Larissa…That's not the true reason you came, is it?" Lena asked.

"It's that obvious, isn't it?" Kara asked with a sheepish grin.

"There are a lot of things that you are, Kara Danvers," Lena began with a tiny smile. "But subtle isn't one of them."

Kara let out a small laugh and said, "I guess not…"

"But that begs the question…If you're not here on Enid's behalf…Why are you here?" Lena asked.

"That's a good question, isn't it?" Kara whispered. "What do I want…" Kara narrowed her eyes. "There are a lot of things that I want, Lena. I want some potstickers. I want Enid to stop being upset. I want to go over to Alex's house and have a sister's night, I want to go shopping with Nia, just to name a few things…"

Lena remained silent but nodded.

"And that's just off the top of my head," Kara continued, stopping for a moment when she heard the faint squeak of a step. "But what I've always wanted was for us to be alright. Someone told me that life is way too short to hold grudges and carry heartbreak. But when I look at you, all of the pain comes back and it hurts."

"Kara…I…" Lena started but Kara lifted her hand to halt her.

"There is far too much between us to allow that to happen. It's like you said, we've reached a level that we can never come back from," Kara told her. "I've had time to settle the things that you've done to me, Lena. I know that I hurt you by waiting so long to tell my truth. But what about all the ways you hurt me? You pretended to be my friend for weeks just so you could manipulate me. You stole from me. You convinced me to steal for you. And then, then, you even..." Kara lost her words for a moment due to the anger she suddenly felt. "Y-You used silver on me."

Kara tried to ignore the way her heart cracked at the deeply wounded expression on Lena's face but she pushed forward. "I made one mistake. One mistake that was only ever meant to protect you. And in return, all you did was hurt me in every way imaginable. To the point that I even wanted you to k-kill me…" Kara took a shuddered breath. "As much as I missed you for all of these years, we've gone to that level and the only way to fix things is to settle them…You have wounded me, Lena Luthor. And I demand satisfaction."

"Kara! You can't be serious!" Lena gasped.

"I am deadly serious," Kara doubled down. "I challenge you to a duel. It can be with anything you'd like. You can set the terms and how we do it. But it's the only way we can get past our issues." Kara downed the coffee and placed the mug on the coaster that sat on Lena's glass table. "So, I'm asking you…Do you accept?"

"If this is the only way, so be it," Lena replied. "I accept your duel."

Kara turned her head toward the steps and said, "Wednesday, I assume you will assist Lena in preparing?"

Lena whirled around to the stars to see Wednesday step into view. "You knew," Wednesday stated.

"Of course I did," Kara replied.

"It seems E-Enid Sinclair chose a skilled teacher," Wednesday noted. "And if I must answer, I will."

"Good," Kara nodded. "Because once Lena and I conclude our business, you and I will also have words regarding Enid." Wednesday gave a grave nod and Kara returned her attention to the stunned former Luthor. "You know where I work so when you find the time is right, I'll be waiting." Kara wanted to walk past Lena and give her a dramatic exit, but the expression on Lena's face stopped her.

She couldn't leave it there.

She couldn't allow Lena to think she hated her.

Kara moved to the other side of the table and placed a lingering kiss on Lena's forehead, causing the woman to take a sharp breath. "Don't keep me waiting too long, Ms. Luthor…" Kara whispered.

And with that, Kara went to the front door, opened it, and closed it behind her.

Chapter Text

"Are you painting its nails?" Yōko asked with disbelief in her voice as Enid sat in front of Thing, applying pink nail polish to its nails.

When Enid was startled awake by Yōko catching Thing, she was terrified and continued to remain terrified during the next three hours when Yōko interrogated him. But, once they learned that Thing could communicate, he explained who he was and his relationship to Wednesday.

"Of course I am," Enid replied. "Everything deserves to be pretty. Why not Thing?"

Yōko pinched the bridge of her nose and muttered something in Japanese while Enid leaned back and observed her handy work. "Looks pretty good. After it dries, I'll make the puppy dog head on it," Enid told Thing, who gave her a thumbs up.

It was pretty easy to communicate with Thing. All werewolves specialized in sign language, even once as archaic and frantic as Thing's, due to often needing to use it when in werewolf form to communicate when howling wasn't feasible.

"So, any reason why we're still here and not at the academy?" Yōko asked.

"I kind of don't want to go back there until tomorrow," Enid answered. "I just don't get it. Why would Wednesday just close me out that way?"

"Because she is far too prideful," Thing signed.

"Ah-ah! No moving your fingers," Enid admonished. "Not until they're dry."

Thing settled back down.

"But, you think because she's prideful, huh?" Enid murmured.

"I mean, that makes sense," Yōko said with her hands in her pockets. "From what I've heard about Addams, they are a prideful bunch. But I don't get why Wednesday's pride made her leave you like a runaway bride."

Enid's wayward mind decided that this was the time to imagine Wednesday in a dark red and black wedding dress with a black rose bouquet.

Enid banished the thought.

No need for that right now.

"I don't know and I shouldn't care," Enid huffed. "I tried to be there for her but she decided she wanted to be alone. Well, she can be alone then."

Yōko stared at her.

"I mean it," Enid insisted. "I'm not going to allow myself to be treated like that when I offered to take her punishment for her and be there to help her."

Yōko continued to stare.

"Like, I shouldn't even care anyways! She's my rival! My enemy! We're supposed to fight, not be there for one another!" Enid exclaimed.

Yōko kept staring.

"I mean, sure. She can be charming and sweet…and honorable…and pretty…and super strong. The fact she went up against Principal Weems for me says a lot about her as a person who cares about me…But still!" Enid yelled.

Yōko raised an eyebrow.

Enid's shoulders slumped as she sighed. "Look, I can compliment my rival. Even if she doesn't want me around," Enid grumbled.

"….Girl, you got it bad," Yōko finally said.

"Shut up!" Enid shouted. "She's just my rival! That's it! Just…my rival…Nothing more…" Enid shook her head. "I should finish Thing's nails before Kara comes back from wherever she went. Hopefully soon, I'm really tired."

"Awww, can't sleep without Mama wolf here?" Yōko teased.

"SHUT IT, YŌKO!"

"There have been a string of murders in Nevermore," Larissa explained as Wednesday stood in front of the woman's desk the following morning, having been dropped off by a perturbed Lena. "The folders in front of you are the victims of Nevermore. Take a look." Wednesday glanced down and saw several folders spread out before her. She plucked one off the desk and scanned through it.

It was that of a pale noppera-bō girl named Urameshi Setsumon. Her remains were found near the water fountain in the Quad. She was a second-year student and her left arm was missing from the carnage.

Wednesday sat the folder down and picked up another folder, which revealed a dark-skinned gorgon girl named Morri Aensland. Another second-year student and both of her legs were missing from the remains of her body.

"Your mother has praised your deductive skills," Larissa continued as Wednesday glanced at the next victim. Amanda Buckman, a psychic. A third-year student whose right hand was missing from her body. "As well as your blood magic."

"So, you wish for me to investigate?" Wednesday inquired as her eyes paused on the image of the next victim. "Joel Glicker…."

"Yes, he was a second-year student here at Nevermore," Larissa explained. "He could manipulate emotions."

"I am aware. I met him during my time at Camp Chippewa," Wednesday divulged, her voice a tinge softer than it was before as she stared at his brown eyes. The same brown eyes that were plucked from his remains. "He was allergic to everything and his mother was pure evil."

"He was a smart student," Larissa told her. "He led the fencing team before Bianca did."

"He asked me if I ever wanted to get married and have children and what I would do if I met the right man who worshiped and adored me and who'd be my devoted slave…" Wednesday whispered. "I told him that I would pity that man…" Wednesday closed the folder and glanced at the remaining folders she hadn't touched. "Seven victims and it seems when the killer finishes, a piece of their body is taken from them. Perhaps as a prize? Maybe a ritual of some kind?"

"Perhaps," Larissa replied. "All I know is that the deaths began fairly recently and that they've been happening every two Saturdays. Which means—"

"Tonight should be the next victim," Wednesday concluded.

"You are to find what this creature is and its goals," Larissa told her. "Whatever you find out, you are to report it to me."

"And if I find it?" Wednesday asked.

Larissa chuckled.

"Your family is hailed as many things, Wednesday," Larissa told her. "But I hear hunting is an Addams specialty."

"I will gift you this creature's head then," Wednesday said.

Larissa hummed in delight and said, "I thought when you walked into my office, you would put up a fight regarding being my right hand. Especially due to the way it came about in our duel last night. I am glad I was incorrect in my assumptions."

Wednesday bit back a grimace.

A part of her wishes she could have done just that but it wasn't her family's way. It wasn't her way. She would face her failure head-on and do what Larissa Weems required of her with no question. She just wished she could face her biggest failure the same way...

But how could she face Enid Sinclair again after such a monumental defeat? How could she look her rival in the eyes as an equal when she failed to protect her honor?

She couldn't.

"I gave you my word, did I not?" Wednesday questioned with a bowed head. "An Addams always keeps their word. Raging against you wouldn't change that fact...I fought, I failed, and now I follow..."

Wednesday struggled not to vomit at such an admission.

Wednesday watched as a bittersweet smile flickered on Larissa's face. "It must have been difficult to face me after your loss. Especially considering why you fought me in the first place," Larissa said.

Wednesday pushed back the image of Enid's smiling face and breathed. "I'd rather not speak to you regarding Enid Sinclair," Wednesday told her. "Am I needed for anything more?"

"Not at all," Larissa replied. "Your case begins tonight at the festival. Until then, you're dismissed."

Wednesday nodded, tucked her hands behind her back, and left Larissa's office. Her face wore a mask of aloofness to the outside world, but within, a storm was brewing.

Death was not new to Wednesday but Joel's deceased body had struck her in a place she wasn't expecting.

Joel was as soft and friendly as her brother. While he bothered her with his subtle attempt at wooing her and becoming the worshipping husband, she valued his friendship over that fateful summer and the year after it.

He did not deserve such a violent end.

Whoever or whatever did this would undergo the same end they/it brought to Joel and the other students.

That, she could guarantee.

"Wednesday!" Xavier's voice shouted.

Wednesday paused and waited for her "cousin" to approach her and gave him a nod. "Good morning, Xavier," Wednesday greeted.

"Morning," Xavier greeted. "How are you holding up after your duel last night?"

A flash of Enid's hurt expression filled her mind but she quickly banished it. "I wish to not discuss it," Wednesday firmly told him.

Xavier raised his hands in surrender and replied, "Hey, no skin off my bones, Wednesday." Xavier then lowered his hands and stuffed them into his pockets. "But I need to talk to you about something I found last night after the duel…"

Wednesday quirked a brow.

"Okay, okay, just follow me," Xavier told her.

Wednesday nodded and walked behind Xavier as he led her to their destination, never noticing that someone was watching them with anger in their eyes.

Chapter Text

Thunder rumbled above as Wednesday walked across the Quad toward Poe Hall, her mind racing at the information Xavier had given her in his hideout. Xavier had divulged that Rowan had been acting angrier and more erratic the past few weeks and after her duel with Weems last night, Xavier found a mysterious book and confronted Rowan about it.

That ended with Xavier being thrown into a wall.

'It's always the quiet ones,' Wednesday thought to herself as she entered her dorm building. Xavier warned her that he would be at the Harvest Festival this evening and while Wednesday wasn't sure that he was the killer, she would leave no stone unturned.

Wednesday made it to her dorm room but when she grabbed the doorknob, the door pushed forward. Wednesday narrowed her eyes and dug her thumbnail against her palm. With a clean swipe, she managed a cut, causing blood to spill and shape into a throwing knife.

She counted down, swung the door open, and threw the bloody knife, only for Enid's claws to shred it. "What the hell?!" Enid shouted, aghast at the sudden attack.

"Enid S-Sinclair," Wednesday stammered, taken aback at the sight of the werewolf. She quickly looked away, unable to stare at the girl as that familiar shame filled her being.

"Do you always strike first and ask questions later?!" Enid shouted with wide eyes.

"I…" Wednesday drifted off, her tongue briefly turning to lead.

Stupid.

How could she be so stupid?

Wednesday quickly cleared her throat and placed both hands behind her back, looking anywhere except at Enid. "Forgive me for my sudden attack. I…was unaware anyone would be in here. It was foolish, considering this is your room as well as mine. I should have known you would come here at some point while I was absent…"

"T-That's fine, Wednesday. No harm done," Enid replied with a slight frown. "I should have let you know that I was going to stop…Actually, I couldn't do that even if I could have. It's not like I have your number…I doubt you even use technology like that…." Enid shook her head and motioned to the bag on her bed. "I'll be out of your hair soon. I was just grabbing some fresh clothes."

"I see…" Wednesday murmured. "Are you still staying with Tanaka?"

Enid shook her head and answered, "No…I'm staying off campus with my teacher, Kara Danvers."

Wednesday knew she shouldn't have the right to be disappointed by this. She had pushed Enid away, "…..Then I won't keep you. I must depart as well, in fact. I-I am required to attend the Harvest Festival on behalf of Larissa Weems. I am to be her eyes for the evening…"

"Right…because of the duel," Enid whispered. "How are you inju—"

"I'd rather not talk about it," Wednesday sharply interrupted.

The room grew silent.

Wednesday grasped her left forearm as she narrowed her eyes at the ground while Enid took a shaky breath.

Enid played with her hands as she stammered, "A-Anyway…I…um…I-I should really keep packing. I won't be long…"

"You don't have to rush on my behalf," Wednesday softly told her. "I just need to grab my clothes for the evening and I'll leave you be." Wednesday swiftly moved to her side of the room and grabbed a suitcase that held her hunting clothes.

She then grabbed the ceremonial Addams dagger, tossed it into the suitcase, and practically sprinted toward the door. Just as she was about to reach her freedom, she felt Enid grab her wrist, stopping her in her tracks. "Enid…I must depart…" Wednesday insisted, hating how weak she sounded to herself.

"Why are you doing this?" Enid softly asked. "Did I…Did I do something wrong?"

Wednesday felt her heart crack at how vulnerable her rival sounded. It only made her angrier at herself.

She was hurting her rival….

"You must let me go, Enid Sinclair," Wednesday whispered, her voice edging to pleading. She had an assignment tonight. She could not go into it with this type of weakness unless she wanted her hunt to end in her demise.

Without warning, Wednesday found her back pressed to the wall beside the door and Enid in front of her, her wet blue eyes gazing into hers. "Enid…" Wednesday uttered, her heart hammering in her chest.

"Not until you tell me why," Enid insisted. "I came to you while you were hurt and you pushed me away. Why did you do it?"

"Enid…" Wednesday softly warned., looking down at the ground.

"Everything was going so well. We were getting along, despite being rivals, but now…You can't even look me in the eyes, Wednesday," Enid commented. "What did I do to cause this? What can I do to fix it? Can this even be fixed?"

For a brief moment, Wednesday felt her will crumbling to the point that she could feel the words ready to burst free from her mouth, but she swallowed them. "I must go…" Wednesday firmly insisted, keeping her eyes down, not wanting to be pinned by the imploring look she knew Enid had on her face. "You have to let me go, Enid. I have an assignment to do…"

The room grew quiet once again, filled with the sound of just their breathing.

"Fine…" Enid whispered, her face crestfallen. "You want to go, Wednesday? Fine…I'll let you go…"

Enid stepped away from Wednesday, stomped to her bags, and quickly left the room, leaving Wednesday alone against the wall.

Wednesday slowly slid down the wall and bowed her head.

Stupid…

"You know, you're at a festival, Wednesday. You should have dressed more casually, versus…that."

Wednesday stood at the entrance of the festival, dressed in a simple button-down long-sleeved white shirt with a dark crimson jabot, a black vest, a black leather coat, black slacks, black leather boots, and a black leather cap with a feather sticking out on the side.

"I am not here to enjoy the festivities, Bianca," Wednesday said as she turned to the taller girl with a blank expression on her face. '…Not anymore…' Wednesday thought with a bitter feeling in her chest as Enid's crestfallen face appeared in her mind.

This was not the time for that.

"That I can see," Bianca noted as Wednesday slipped her right leather black gloves over her hands.

"Looks like you're about to start a fight. Who's the unlucky soul?" Divina asked with a curious expression on her face, snuggled up against Bianca's side with the taller girl's arm around her shoulders.

"Once I discover them, I'm sure you'll find out," Wednesday replied. "Why are you both speaking to me? Bianca, we normally do not interact outside of the Fencing Hall, and Divina, we haven't talked since Enid's duel. Why now?"

Bianca slipped her hands into her pockets and replied, "We don't but word on the street, a certain werewolf was seen leaving Poe Hall in tears. That wouldn't have been your doing, would it?"

Wednesday, who had just started to put on her left glove, paused.

"Look, I get, losing against someone who hurt the person you value fucking sucks," Bianca started.

"But pushing that same person away because you lost is bullshit and you know it, Addams," Divina followed up.

Wednesday remained silent.

"We don't know what's going through your head, but get it out of your ass before you do something you'll regret," Bianca advised before she and Divina walked into the festival, leaving Wednesday to watch them leave.

"Whoa, you're dressed rather…oddly," Tyler said from behind her.

Wednesday turned around to face the taller boy and replied, "It is supposed to rain any moment," Wednesday explained. "I hate getting wet so I'd like to avoid that."

"By dressing like Hunter from Bloodborne?" Tyler joked. "Hey, whatever works, right?"

Wednesday narrowed her eyes at him and began to walk into the festival. Tyler quickly caught up to her and said, "Sorry, my mouth tends to run without input from my brain sometimes."

"Don't make it a habit around me," Wednesday advised.

"Noted," "Tyler laughed and then gave her a friendly smile. "But still, thanks for showing up. Dad is over by the food stall. My meeting is at the House of Mirrors so if you can hang over there for ten minutes, that'll be awesome. After that, we can hang out. Maybe play some festival games?"

"As I stated before, Tyler, I do not "hang out" at all," Wednesday told him.

"Well, maybe this can be the start of that?" Tyler offered.

"Don't you have a meeting to think on?" Wednesday inquired.

"Ah, nice try on the deflection," Tyler laughed. "But you seem off tonight. You okay?"

Wednesday frowned.

"I'm…I'm not used to people engaging with me," Wednesday admitted. "Most see me coming and cross the street. I was used to that until recently…"

"Is it because most people think you're scary?" Tyler asked. "If so, you're not. You're just kinda… kooky."

"I prefer spooky," Wednesday corrected. "But yes. Now, I find myself engaging with someone I never would before and growing to actually…." Wednesday frowned. "Care about her, her feelings, and what she thinks of me…And it's causing me to act unlike myself."

"Oh…" Tyler voiced, disappointment heavy in his voice. He cleared his throat and said, "Well, if you want, when I'm done with my meeting, we can talk about this mystery girl."

"Perhaps…"Wednesday whispered.

With that, the two walked in peaceful silence until they made it to the House of Mirrors. Tyler quickly walked into the building, leaving Wednesday alone. As she waited, she noticed that there was a dart game nearby.

Perhaps she could waste some time there.

She strolled to the game and saw a couple walking away from the stand, with the white-haired teen male with an eyepatch handing his companion a stuff panda. "I don't get it. I could have just gone out and bought a store that sells these things, Adaine. Why did I have to nearly brain that guy to earn this for you?" the teen grumbled.

"Fabian….I really don't know what to do with you sometimes," the blonde teen girl said as she rolled her eyes but still had a small grin on her face.

Wednesday stood at the stand and eyed the panda. Due to sharing…formerly sharing a dorm room with Enid, Wednesday knew that the werewolf loved pandas. Maybe if she won one, she could…Wednesday shook her head.

'Get her out of your head,' Wednesday thought with a sneer on her face. And yet, she began to effortlessly launch the darts at the balloons, popping all but one.

"Jeez, if you get any better at this, you'll be taking home a whole pack," a familiar voice stated, prompting Wednesday to turn her head to see Lucas.

"Pandas don't travel in packs. They prefer solitude," Wednesday replied. "If you spent more time in school versus harassing people, you would have known that." Wednesday popped the final balloon and turned her attention to the normie. "Then again, I doubt you're here to give me a subtle pick-up line. What do you want?"

"Hey, hey, take it easy," Lucas said with raised hands. "I didn't come to cause any trouble."

"The remains to be seen," Wednesday uttered.

"For real, I didn't," Lucas insisted. "I actually came to apologize for what went down between us the other day. I was a dick."

"You were," Wednesday agreed. She picked up that two figures were sneaking up behind her and chuckled. "And it seems you still are." Without hesitation, she turned around and slammed her right foot against the kneecap of his pudgy friend, causing the teen to go down with a surprised scream, dropping his pipe.

She quickly twisted around and backhanded Lucas' taller friend before she turned around and delivered a roundhouse kick to Lucas himself, who had armed himself with a pipe, and sent him sailing through the stand's opening.

Wednesday tugged at her coat and looked at the stand owner. "One Panda please," Wednesday said as she held out her hand. The stand owner nodded and shakily handed her the panda, which she tucked beneath her arm.

It was then she spotted Rowan moving through the crowd of people who had just seen her spectacle. Wednesday turned her head at the House of Mirrors before looking back in the direction of Rowan. Her assignment meant more to her than a favor.

Tyler would forgive her later.

Wednesday made her way through the crowd, stalking her target as he looked over his shoulder at her and increased his speed, bumping into the various patrons as fireworks crackled in the air above her. Wednesday chased Rowan across a bridge and into the forest. "Rowan!" Wednesday called out. "If you continue to run, this is going to get worse. It's going to be worse."

Rowan let out a frustrated groan and shouted, "Why do you want?! Why are you following me?!"

With a burst of speed, Wednesday moved in front of him, causing Rowan to back up with terror and anger swirling in his eyes. "I wish to speak to you," Wednesday answered. "Answer my questions and I will leave you be."

"Questions?" Rowan scoffed, the anger in his eyes growing into rage as a smirk formed on his face. "Funny…Because I had a few for you!" Wednesday felt an unknown force pick her up and launch her backward into a tree when a searing pain in her side caused her to gasp.

She looked down to see that a tree branch had punctured through her side.

"It seems I've fallen into your trap," Wednesday commented dryly as she immediately worked to have her blood cut through the branch that had impaled her. "Am I to be your next victim?"

"Next?" Rowan asked. "No…You got it backwards, Wednesday. You are meant to be my first and only kill until Enid bungled that up."

"Your first and only?" Wednesday repeated. Her eyes then widened as a memory played in her head. "The gargoyle. That was you?"

She blinked.

"And here I blamed the architecture," Wednesday muttered, more to herself than to Rowan, as the branch sticking out of her harmlessly fell to the ground, along with her blood. "Why?"

A folded-up piece of paper flew from Rowan's pocket and stopped in front of Wednesday's face. It then opened up to reveal a drawing of…her?

"The girl in the picture…That's you," Rowan informed.

"Thank you for pointing that out to the class," Wednesday dryly stated as her wound closed up. "But that doesn't tell me why you want to kill me. Unless this is the part where go on your villainous reveal?"

"Stop treating this like it's a joke! Like my mother and I are a joke!" Rowan screamed with spittle flying from his lips.

"Your mother?" Wednesday questioned.

"My mother drew that picture 25 years ago when she was a student at Nevermore," Rowan revealed. "She was a powerful Seer. Before she died." Rowan's bottom lip quivered as his eyes watered. Wednesday then noticed something lurking in the shadows.

It was big…and she could feel its blood rushing in anticipation.

"Rowan…"Wednesday started. "You need to put me down…"

"No! She said it was my destiny to stop this girl if she ever came to Nevermore," Rowan continued as Wednesday looked down at him to see determination and madness gleaming in his eyes. "Because she will destroy the school and everyone in it!"

"Rowan, move you idiot!" Wednesday warned as a beastial roar echoed behind him. Through the fireworks, Wednesday saw the hulking figure's claws stretched in the air.

Wednesday gritted her teeth and used the pool of her blood that had fallen to form an octopus tentacle with it and swatted Rowan away as hard as she could before the massive beast could bisect him. Rowan's body slammed against the tree which broke his concentration, allowing for Wednesday to fall onto her feet before the massive beast.

"So you must be my prey," Wednesday deduced as she reached into her coat, pulled her dagger from its sheath, and gripped it, allowing for her blood to fill the rubies. "In all of my hunts, I've never seen something quite like you…Grandmama will enjoy dissecting such a beast…"

The beast roared as Wednesday smirked.

While her heart may be wounded regarding her dear rival, at least this hunt could distract her for a little while...

Chapter Text

A seven-year-old Wednesday dutifully sat in front of a large chalkboard in the middle of the forest as her beloved Uncle Fester stood beside it with his familiar crazed smile on his face. On the board were horrendously drawn versions of the dozens of beasts her clan had encountered throughout the centuries of their existence.

"And this is Ketos!" Fester introduced as he tapped what looked to be manic lines with an indescribable blob for a head that had a smiley face on it. "A feared sea monster with a head of a boar. This will be your first hunt!"

"That seems counter-intuitive, Uncle," Wednesday stated despite the exhilarating buzzing that flowed through her body at the thought of her first hunt. "I am a blood witch. Water heavily dilutes my magic of choice. How would I be able to puncture its steel-like skin?"

"You raise a good point, my little Electric Chair!" Fester agreed with a broad smile.

Wednesday beamed at his praise.

"As a hunter, we are often thrown into less desirable situations which could often mean our deaths," Fester explained. "However, this means that we get to the biggest part of your lesson. Improve!" Fester threw out his hands, causing electricity to fly into the air before small particles floated around them. "Tell me, my dear Sparkplug, what does improvisation mean?"

"To create and perform spontaneously or without preparation," Wednesday answered.

Fester's smile grew deeper to the point that Wednesday could see the sides of his eyes crinkle. "Ah, It feels so good to be able to see your smarts in action again, Wendy," Fester told her. "Those old farts in that asylum couldn't improvise themselves out of a sealed waterbed.

With a shocking amount of speed, Fester appeared to the left of her, nudged her side, and stage-whispered, "Something I can strongly confirm."

Wednesday giggled as Fester appeared back at the chalkboard and said, "But yes! Improvisation! The Hunter's biggest tool in their arsenal. Some say that Improvisation is the better part of planning. And I know how skilled you are with a plan so… Let's see how good you are with this!"

Fester clapped his hands together, causing a crackle of electricity before he pointed his hands at the forest beside them. "Now, somewhere in our forest is my gift for you."

"A gift?" Wednesday asked with a gleam of excitement. Anytime Fester would get her a gift, it often became something she would always treasure. It was Fester who gifted her her first throwing knife at the age of two, her first blood vial at four, and then Nero at five.

Wednesday ignored the pang of sadness in his chest at the thought of her late scorpion.

"Oh yes, a very powerful gift, My pig-tailed protégé," Fester boasted. "It is at the exit of the forest. If you can escape, it's yours. But, you will be trying to outrun not only me but some of my enthusiastic friends from the asylum."

"That sounds too simple," Wednesday said.

As if fate despised her, thunder rumbled above their heads. "Well, would you look at that," Fester smirked. "Difficulty added." Wednesday frowned as the rain began to fall on top of them and to her annoyance, it was heavy enough that it would dilute her blood magic. "Now, you have to do anything and everything you can to get out of here. And remember, be sure to improvise!"

Wednesday nodded and quickly made her way through the forest as the rain grew heavier around her, her eyes searching for anything that could strike her. The bushes rustled to her left, prompting her to turn to face it, only to still when she saw a familiar face.

It was the face of a werewolf who a somber smile on her face.

"You want to go, Wednesday? Fine…I'll let you go…"

A light rain began to fall as Wednesday's eyes widened, startled out of her memory.

'Damn it. I need to focus,' Wednesday thought to herself with as she narrowed her eyes in concentration. Despite the light rain, fireworks continued to go off into the air, allowing Wednesday to observe the massive monster in front of her.

It was shockingly hideous, with its death-grey skin, its massive upper body, its abnormally long arms with its equally long claws, its shorter but thick digitigrade legs, the mop of chestnut hair on top of its head, and its sharp fangs. But what unnerved her the most was its bugged-out, bloodshot eyes with its red irises that glowed in the dark when the fireworks faded away.

In all of her time hunting, she had never faced a creature like this before. She didn't even recall seeing a creature like this on her uncle's monster board. She was coming into the situation with no background information on her prey.

There was no baseline for her to work on.

Not only did she have dozens of unknowns working against her, she also had another issue plaguing her and that was the unconscious Rowan behind her. The foolish student who tried to kill her over a drawing. Despite many wanting to paint her as a monster, she refused to leave him to his fate, even if he deserved it.

The strange beast gave what Wednesday assumed was a warning growl that made a chill run up her spine. She gripped her dagger, allowing more blood to spill from her palm, and wrapped her blood around the steel blade to create a sword.

As dangerous as this was going to be, she had to figure out its weakness.

The beast roared and charged toward her, prompting Wednesday to meet the beast head-on. The beast lashed out, attempting to tear Wednesday from her shoulder to hip with a shocking amount of speed, but Wednesday managed to avoid it with a jump and stabbed its forehead, only for her blood blade to shatter like glass.

Wednesday's eyes widened and she quickly retreated by using its face as a launchpad to send herself into the air, where she landed in a crouch, with her feet skidding until Rowan's body stopped her movement.

Wednesday turned back to see Rowan's body as the monster roared, having not moved an inch from her maneuver, and charged forward. Wednesday quickly grabbed Rowan's body and ducked out of the way of the beast's large claws, tearing the tree behind her apart. She darted to the left to avoid the monster's hind leg stomping down on her.

Wednesday's feet skidded against the ground and she tossed Rowan's body aside to use her blade to shift her blade into a shield, which shattered upon the creature's fearsome might when its claws met the shield in an attempt to backhand her away.

Wednesday went sailing into the air with three deep gashes in her chest, where her back collided against a tree and she fell face-first to the ground. She pushed herself off of the ground and could feel streams of her blood flowing from her wound and saw the beast charging toward Rowan's unconscious body.

Why was it so interested in him?

As Wednesday stood up, she drew the blood into her hand to create a lasso and threw it around the creature's neck. The blood-rope grew taut and with all of her might, she pulled, sending the beast whipping back and crashing to the ground.

Thunder rumbled as Wednesday gripped the bloody tendril, causing crystalized spikes to form up its length in an attempt to puncture the creature's neck, but like her sword, the crystalized blood shattered upon the attempt.

Wednesday scowled.

Was the rain making her blood so brittle?

No, the rain was still fairly light. It wouldn't be enough to cause her hardened blood to break upon impact. That meant that this monster's skin was hard enough to keep anything from puncturing it.

Which means fighting it was not going to do the trick. She would need to trap it and escape to further research it.

The monster scrambled against the ground as it tried to get to its feet but Wednesday pushed more blood into the tendril to cause it to spread out and cuff its wrists and ankles together. A wave of dizziness overcame Wednesday but she pushed it aside and gathered blood around her feet to form boots.

She glided against the ground as the monster strained against the rapidly weakening bindings, threw her dagger into her left hand so she could grab Rowan's body with her right hand to put him under her arm, and skated away as fast as she could.

Hearing the monster's roar followed by its thunderous footsteps, Wednesday drew blood into her left hand with a wince as she formed a thick staff, twisted around, and jumped back as she swiped at the monster's head as it lunged for her.

The monster caught the staff in its mouth and then bit down, shattering it into pieces but Wednesday quickly pushed her magic through, causing spikes of crystalized blood to grow on the creature's mouth to force it open.

She gathered more blood to change the remains of her broken staff into a greatsword but as she lunged it forward, the monster's jaw snapped shut, shattering the crystals and the tip of the greatsword. Its hand shot forward and slammed against her chest, sending her flying back through the air, where she slammed and skidded against the ground on the left side of her body.

Wednesday pushed Rowan's body off of her and quickly pushed herself to her feet as the monster advanced. She turned her body to the left to avoid its left claw and drew blood from her wounds to her dagger to creature a shield to block its right palm.

The creature closed its right hand around her hand to ensnare her, its claws slicing into her shoulder blades and the sides of both arms, lifted her off the ground, and sling her toward another tree, where she smacked against it and landed on her side.

The creature snarled and charged toward Rowan, causing Wednesday to draw more blood from her wounds, further keeping her from healing and causing her to grow dizzier, and moved it beneath her to glide herself toward Rowan's body while lifting her right foot to catch the creature in the jaw, sending it tumbling to the side.

She grabbed Rowan with her left hand and slid her onto her feet, only for the creature to slam into her with the force of a speeding car, sending all of their bodies tumbling to the right until the creature was right back on top of Wednesday.

This time, Wednesday slammed both of her feet against its chest where she forced more blood from her open wounds and created a pillar from the bottom of the boots, sending the beast into the air. She grabbed Rowan's body once again, placed both feet against the ground, and used her blood to vault herself into the air in the direction of the festival.

"No, I haven't seen Wednesday at all since we got here," Divina told Xavier as she sat beside Bianca with cotton candy in her hands.

"Seriously, not even a hair of her?" Xavier questioned.

"No," Bianca replied. "All we know was that she was dressed as if she was prepared for something and then that's it."

Xavier swore to himself.

He was hoping he could catch her before she could interrogate Rowan.

But maybe he was too la—

A large crash was heard near the outskirts of the festival, causing alarm to ring out amongst the normies. "What was that?" Divina asked as Bianca swiftly rose to her feet.

"Only one way to find out," Xavier muttered before he and Bianca exchanged a look, nodded, and ran toward where the sound was heard.

Normies screamed in alarm as Wednesday pushed the remains of a fireworks display off of her and Rowan's bodies. The young witch was in agony, but she knew that she wasn't out of the woods yet. She fell from the wreckage onto the ground, where she fell on both knees as blood dribbled from the various wounds on her body.

"Holy shit! Wednesday!" Xavier screamed as he, Bianca, and Divina ran to her side. "You're bleeding all over, what happened?"

Without answering his question, she tossed Rowan to the ground, and forced herself onto her two feet, causing another bout of dizziness. "I don't care which one of you it is…" Wednesday hissed. "Get. The. Dead. Weight. Out. Of. Here. Now."

Xavier turned to Rowan's unconscious body and opened his mouth to respond when the ground vibrated beneath them. They group looked up to see the hulking figure thundering toward them in the distance. "Wednesday? What the hell is that?" Bianca asked with wide eyes.

"I will not tell any of you again," Wednesday warned. "Get him and go…Now."

After a brief exchange of looks between Divina, Bianca, and Xavier, Divina bit her bottom lip before she grabbed Rowan's body from the ground and quickly fled along with the other normies as the rainfall grew heavier.

"Wednesday, you need to get out of here too," Xavier advised.

"He's not kidding," Bianca agreed. "You look like shit warmed over twice."

"I will be fine…" Wednesday rebuked as she took a step forward, only to stagger and start to fall, only for Bianca and Xavier to catch her. "What are…. you both….doing? Get out…of here…"

"Shut up," Bianca advised as she put Wednesday's arm around her shoulder with Xavier doing the same with her other arm. "You aren't doing shit with how fucked-up you look right now."

"Yeah. I don't know what the hell that is but you cannot fight that thing," Xavier argued.

"You idiots…" Wednesday muttered as she struggled to lift her head. With blurry eyes, she could see the beast stop in the shadows as the rain grew heavier around them, its red eyes glaring at her in the darkness as it slowly stepped back into the shadows.

And with that, Wednesday's head dropped as the sweet bliss of darkness claimed her.

Chapter Text

"Wednesday? Wednesday?!" Xavier shouted as Wednesday's body slumped forward. Bianca checked the girl's neck for a pulse, trying to ignore the amount of blood that was coming from the various wounds on her body.

"She's still alive," Bianca told her ex-boyfriend. "But she won't be soon if we don't get her to a hospital."

"But how? This place is going nuts," Xavier complained as he watched several people rush past them, only to see a very new and very sleek sports car coming their way, doing the best it could to not hit anyone. The car came to a stop and Alice opened the door, only for someone to slam into it and tumble over the door.

"Hey, watch it! I just paid for this," Alice pouted as she helped the person to their feet and pushed them along. Alice then looked to Bianca and Xavier and ushered them closer. "Hurry up! I have the backseat prepped."

Bianca let out a sigh of relief and both she and Xavier carried Wednesday's body to the car. However, as they sat Wednesday in the back seat, she was jostled awake. "Enid's…Panda…" Wednesday drowsily requested.

"What?" Bianca asked.

"Enid's panda…I won it for her….I dropped it when I chased the dead….weight…" Wednesday drifted off once again.

Bianca turned to the gobsmacked Xavier with the blankest expression on her face. "Hopeless…Literally hopeless," Bianca grumbled.

"I got the panda. It's in the trunk," Alice told them with a knowing smirk. "Now hurry up and get in so we can pick up Divina and the Dead Weight."

Bianca nodded but as she moved away from the backseat, she noticed that Wednesday's right coat sleeve had risen, revealing a familiar item around it.

Enid's gift.

"Oh, Addams, you truly have it bad," Bianca softly commented.

"I just don't understand, Kara," Enid tearfully concluded as she leaned her head against her mentor's shoulder as the two sat in the living room of her home. "She couldn't even look me in the eyes while we talked. I just don't get what her deal is…"

Kara frowned as her distraught mentee finished her tale and petted the side of the girl's head. She knew that this wasn't kosher as Enid, despite being her mentee, was still a young student but Kara was a tactile person, as she knew Enid was and knew the girl needed immediate emotional support.

"I know, Enid," Kara gently cooed. "I'm sorry you're going through this pain."

"But I don't get why I'm in pain," Enid sniffled. "I shouldn't be feeling this damaged from someone I wanted to beat up a while ago. None of it makes sense to me, Kara!" Enid buried her face into Kara's neck as her body trembled.

Kara had to admit that Enid had a point. Enid had spoken about the enigma known as Wednesday Addams a few times and at first, it didn't make sense to Kara how Enid seemed to switch from being irked by the girl's mere existence one day and then gushing about her the next.

But seeing her mentee now, she had a feeling she knew what had happened and to help her student, she would need to approach this delicately. "Enid…sweetie," Kara slowly began. "Have I ever told you about how Lena and I met?"

Enid peeled away from Kara and rubbed her wet cheeks. "Y-You mean Wednesday's therapist, right?" Enid asked.

Kara nodded.

Enid shook her head and answered, "No…You never really talked about your past at all outside of your sister and your other mentee, Nia."

Kara hummed and said, "Very true. It was really hard to talk to anyone about Lena due to how everything turned out until very recently…" Kara shook her head. "I'm getting off track. Before I met Lena, I heard terrible things about her family from my cousin, so going into my meeting with Lena, I had some preconceived notions..."

Enid slowly nodded.

"But the minute I saw her, heard her laugh and smile, it felt like all of the air rushed out of my lungs. I watched her and Kal, my cousin, trade subtle barbs and I wanted her to notice me so bad, I blurted out the first thing that came to mind," Kara explained.

"What was it?" Enid asked.

"'I'm here too!'" Kara recited with an excited little wave that made Enid blink in surprise.

"Wow…That is the dorkest thing I've seen," Enid giggled.

"It really was," Kara agreed with a sheepish smile. "It didn't help that Lena looked/looks like a runway model and I'm…not. But, after that embarrassing moment, my cousin went on to interrogate her about the Venture, a ship that nearly exploded, Lena said something that I resonated with and made me realize that I had her all wrong. I decided then and there that I would give her a clean slate."

"I get it but what does this have to do with Wednesday and me?" Enid asked.

Kara offered Enid a smile and said, "I want you to humor me with something. Tell me, in your words, how your opinion and feelings changed regarding Wednesday."

Enid frowned and crossed her arms. "Well, when I first met her, I thought she was…" Enid drifted off and Kara could practically see various words popping into her mentee's head. "….Rocking her gothy style, but there was something that drew me in…" Enid lamely finished. "She kinda gave off serial killer vibes, but I just figured that she's just shy. So, I put myself out there to try and be her friend. She met that with maximum resistance."

Enid let out a small laugh.

"That night, we had our argument about her messing with my decorations in our room," Enid continued. "And I challenged her to a duel. I spent the next day dreading it because I didn't know exactly what I was getting into but I was so determined to make her pay that I pushed through it."

"And?" Kara questioned.

"We had our duel and I…" Enid drifted off as if she was afraid of what she was about to say next but Kara offered her an encouraging smile. After a few seconds of silence, Enid finally said, "Kara? Wednesday was breathtaking. The entire duel, it was like she had me in a chokehold. It felt like I was drowning in her eyes, in her scent, in her blood. I walked into that fight angry at her and I walked out so confused!"

Kara nodded.

"But then after the duel, something changed. She was so sweet, in her kooky way. She gave me her scarf to cover my wound, she healed my head, she gave me sweets and called me this cute little pet name… and she…." Enid paused and Kara watched as a soft expression formed on her face. "She promised that she would stay."

"Without thinking about it, tell me how does that make you feel," Kara told her.

"Cared for," Enid instantly answered only to let out a small gasp in realization. "She made me feel cared for…" Enid looked at Kara and asked, "Omg…I think I have a crush on Wednesday."

"Congratulations. You figured it out in a shorter timeframe than I did with Lena," Kara praised.

Enid let out a long, drawn-out groan as she repeated, "Oh God, Yōko was right!"

"Yōko?" Kara questioned.

"She said this whole thing between Wednesday and me was hella gay but I laughed it off," Enid whined. "How could I be so blind? I mean, I freaked out because I thought Wednesday wouldn't want to marry me for Inuyasha's sake."

Kara snorted.

"But what do I do now?" Enid asked. "Like, I have a crush on Wednesday but knowing this won't get her to look at me."

Kara opened her mouth to respond when she smelled the frozen peach scent that she recognized as Yōko's. "Come in!" Kara shouted to the door just as there was a knock on her door.

The door twisted open and a grave-looking Yōko entered the living room. "Hey…Um…Some shit just went down with Wednesday…."

Kara bit back a sigh as Enid rushed to her feet.

This was not going to turn out well.

Wednesday's eyes snapped open to find herself staring at the ceiling of a wooden cabin.

She knew this cabin.

She knew it very well.

She had seen this cabin several times throughout her life, including the owner of the cabin. "I'm near death again, aren't I?" Wednesday asked. Wednesday turned her head to see a woman sitting in front of the table.

The woman looked remarkably like her, down to the slight freckles on her cheek. However, her hair was dirty blonde instead of black, and her pigtails hovered several inches above her hips with her bangs being tucked into her hair.

The woman wore a white corset with four bows on her chest and a long pale blue skirt.

"The closest you've been in some time, child," the woman replied as she turned a page of her book. To face down such a fearsome beast with no prior knowledge of its existence and being able to survive is impressive. Even I failed to survive such an event."

Wednesday hummed and pushed herself off the bed and rubbed her chest. "Goody, How long will my blood magic take to heal my wounds?" Wednesday asked.

"Two days," Goody replied. "You've recovered enough to wake up in a few minutes. Your betrothed awaits by your bedside. Such a diligent and caring soul she is. It is amazing how you were able to pull that off."

Wednesday stilled.

"Enid Sinclair?" Wednesday asked. "She is beside me?"

Goody nodded as she turned another page in her book. "Has been since she stormed into the medical wing of the hospital. She hasn't left once. Besides her, Bianca Barclay has stopped by, along with Thing, Xavier, Larissa Weems, and the other witch."

Wednesday attempted to smother the fluttering wings of the eclipse of moths that sat in her stomach, only to catch the rest of her ancestor's words. "The other witch?" Wednesday asked, her interest piqued.

Goody nodded and said, "You should discuss with the woman you've been seeing regarding her family line."

Wednesday hummed but nodded. "Perhaps soon…However, I must respectfully correct you. Enid Sinclair is not my betrothed. I do not wear her betrothal necklace."

Goody let out a small snort. "And here I believed you were above lying to yourself," Goody taunted. "You don't wear it around your neck, but you still wear it on your right wrist. We both know what that means."

Wednesday stilled and bowed her head.

"For someone who once told me that you don't believe in destiny—" Goody closed her book to look at Wednesday. "—You seem to be following it spectacularly."

"If you have something to say, then say it as I am in no mood for games," Wednesday told her.

Goody smirked.

"Since you adore speaking plainly, I shall speak to you as such. Your pride is driving you to the destiny I've foreseen in my visions of you," Goody advised. "Right now, destined death lurks in the shadows, waiting for the moment you are at your weakest. Continue to let your pride guide you and you will be alone with no one to save you. Is that simple enough for you?"

"Crystal," Wednesday replied.

"Good. Now…I believe it's time for you to wake up," Goody declared as a bright light streamed into the windows outside the cabin. "Good luck, Wednesday. I'll see you soon."

Chapter Text

Two days.

It had been two days since Wednesday was brought to the Raven's Wing, a specialized hospital wing for outcasts within Jericho's General Hospital, and Enid used that time to think about her feelings regarding the stubborn girl.

While Enid wouldn't deny the accusations that the girl had captured her attention from the start, Wednesday Addams was a riddle wrapped in an enigma wrapped in blood.

All she knew about the girl was that she didn't suffer fools lightly, she was brutally honest, hilariously blunt, overwhelmingly prideful, and antagonistic while also being thoughtful, sweet, smart, honorable, highly skilled, and charming in a mysterious femme fatale sorta way.

There was still so much she didn't know about her adversary but the one thing Enid had realized, with horror, was that Wednesday was similar to Esther.

While Enid had lost to Wednesday, she put up such a fight that it changed Wednesday's perception of her and from what Thing explained, Wednesday was fiercely against authority but after losing to Weems, she stepped in line and begrudgingly became her right-hand.

Esther was the same way. While her mother was undefeated, she respected those who stepped up to her in a fight and treated them kindly when interacting with them.

But the biggest difference between the two was that Wednesday protected those weaker than her while Esther would crush those she perceived as weak beneath her heel, something Enid was painfully aware of.

Enid stared at Wednesday's sleeping form with narrowed eyes while Thing perched on her right shoulder.

"Enid, are you sure you want to do this?" Thing tapped against her shoulder.

"Positive," Enid replied. "I know why I've been taking things hard when it comes to Wednesday but that doesn't erase the fact that she hurt me. If she responds well to strong people, I will make Wednesday see me again…"

"Alright…" Thing tapped. "Just keep in mind that a cornered animal is almost as dangerous as a wounded one. And Wednesday is both of them right now."

Enid's hands clenched around the objects that sat across her lap as she watched Wednesday begin to stir.

That's exactly what she was hoping for.

"Mi Vida, are you certain this is the right path?" Gomez questioned on the other end of the crystal ball as Morticia finished packing her belongings. It had been two days since Larissa (Morticia's heart lurched at the mere thought of the other woman's name) reached out to her and her beloved husband to inform them of Wednesday's injuries.

Gomez, along with Pugsley and his youngest brother Pancho Addams, had gone on a hunt that took them to the other side of the world, leaving Morticia alone in the Addams Mansion. As much as she enjoyed spending time with Grandmama and Lurch, her concern regarding her only daughter had overwhelmed her.

She had to be sure her daughter was safe and sound.

"I am sure, Bubele," Morticia calmly replied. "I will see that our daughter is safe. I am aware that the daughter of Elizabeth Walsh resides there and I am aware of the danger that poses but I've seen nothing in my visions that tell me she is the cause of what will befall Wednesday or myself."

"And you are certain that you wish for me to continue on my hunt instead of returning to Nevermore with you?" Gomez inquired. "Or…" an impish grin formed on his face. "Do you feel safer without me because Larissa is there?"

"You speak nonsense, my love," Morticia serenely replied.

Gomez chuckled. "Querida Mia, you often tout to our little stormcloud that she should not bury her emotions and yet, you continue to do so," Gomez commented with sincere gusto. "I've told you dozens of times that I'm in favor of sharing your heart with someone as skilled as I."

Morticia remained silent.

"I understand that this conversation is one you do not particularly enjoy, Cara Bella, but I saw your face as you spoke to her before her duel with our daughter. I can see that the flame has not been quelled within your heart," Gomez softly said. "And I do not blame you for having these reservations. But life is far too short and if I were in your shoes, You'd have already spoken to her to become my consort. Why hesitate? Seize what is rightfully yours!"

"Querido," Morticia began. "I appreciate your words of encouragement but there is far more to our past than even you were privy to. I will think on your words but it's best if we let this discussion die for the moment until I can assure Wednesday's safety."

"Very well! For now, see to our little scorpion! I have the scales of a greater Basilisk to retrieve from my hunt. Farwell, my love!" Gomez said.

"Safe hunting, my love," Mortica told him before the communication ceased.

Morticia took a deep breath and placed a hand on her stomach. She knew that Gomez was right. He often was when it came to emotion. But Morticia couldn't allow herself, or her heart, to travel back down such a road.

For now, she had a daughter to see to and a Walsh offspring to meet.

Anything else could wait.

"—And that is time, Tyler," Lena informed as she glanced at her watch before looking back at the young man in front of her. "We made quite the progress. You should be very proud of yourself"

Tyler meekly nodded as he hastily stood up. "I really am," Tyler admitted with a small smile. "I can't thank you enough for opening my eyes regarding certain…things. Dad may be a dick, but he was right that I needed this, so thanks…I better get to work but same time in two days?" Tyler asked, his voice rough with emotion.

Lena smiled and confirmed, "Same time in two days."

Tyler nodded and left her office, leaving a satisfied Lena alone in her office. It may not beat the thrill of creating world-altering technology, but it was slowly getting there. After a brief stretch, Lena rose to her feet, made her way to her desk, and started to pack up.

Just two days ago, she was deeply worried about the challenge Kara had given her, only for a mysterious girl to call her cell phone of all things to inform her of Wednesday's injuries. Since then, her mind focused on the battered, unconscious girl.

It was…strange to Lena to find herself worried about someone outside of her goddaughters, her three best friends, and her "Sister-in-Law" Alex Danvers but she saw herself in the dour Addams girl and knowing someone as strong as she was to get battered was unsettling to her.

Lena hoped that her patient would wake up soon.

After packing her belongings, she reached for her laptop bag only to briefly glance out the window and it was there that she noticed Tyler getting in a car and as he put on his seatbelt, Lena saw a familiar face in the driver's seat.

Marilyn Thornhill.

Why would the Den Mother of Wednesday's dorm room be picking up a teenage boy?

Lena calmly sat down to keep to not draw attention to herself but kept her eyes on the car. She watched as Marilyn whispered something into Tyler's ear, which he nodded to before she saw Marilyn's hand touch his thigh.

Alarms immediately blared in Lena's mind at the sight but before she could grab her phone, the car drove off. Had she seen that right? No, her eyesight was spectacular so she couldn't have been mistaken. But if she wasn't mistaken, then she had just seen something incredibly suspicious.

For a fleeting moment, Lena thought of reaching out to the authorities. Unfortunately, past experiences with law enforcement reared their ugly heads and she decided against it. If something like this was going on, she would need to investigate it on her own.

And the only way to do that was to go to Nevermore. Normally, she would need an invitation from Larissa Weems as she was a normie, however…She knew someone who could help her with that. Someone she had recently agreed to face off in a duel with just a few days ago.

A wry smirk appeared on Lena's face.

It seemed that the shoe was on the other foot now.

Wednesday's eyes fluttered open and with bleary eyes, she looked around at her surroundings.

She was able to deduce that she was in a hospital room, to her great annoyance, however, that annoyance dulled when her vision cleared and she spotted the familiar figure of Enid sitting on a chair at the other end of the room.

Why was Thing on her shoulders?

"Enid Sinclair…" Wednesday breathed.

"Hello Wednesday Addams," Enid softly greeted. "I'm glad to see that you're awake. How are you feeling?"

"I am feeling…sore…" Wednesday softly answered.

"I'm not surprised, considering you were practically a chew toy for some strange monster," Enid casually replied with a shrug.

Wednesday didn't know why, but something in Enid's eyes was setting off the same alarms that strange beast had set off in her mind a few days prior. "Yes…I suppose that is true," Wednesday murmured. "With time, I should recover."

"I'm glad…" Enid said. "Truly…Because I've been worried about you. I would have been devastated to know that you died before I…" Enid's breath hitched and Wednesday felt a pang in her chest at the sound. "Before I could do this!"

Enid's hand whipped in her direction and Wednesday barely had the chance to avoid the unsheathed sword from piercing her skull. She whirled her attention to Enid, only to roll to the left to avoid Enid's blade from piercing the spot on the pillow she had just had her head on.

Wednesday scrambled to her feet, wearing only a hospital gown, as Enid stood on the bed, withdrew the first sword, and tossed it down at Wednesday's feet. "Pick it up," Enid demanded. Wednesday briefly observed the blade before she looked back at Enid with alarm in her eyes. "Don't keep me waiting, Wednesday Addams!" Enid barked. "Pick it up or I will run you through where you stand!"

Hearing the assertiveness in Enid's voice as well as the dangerous gleam in her eyes made Wednesday's heart flutter.

She truly was in love.

Chapter Text

"Rao, you two are such idiots!"

Kara sighed as she stared at her sister's exasperated face on the computer screen. "You two can never do anything normal, can you? A duel? Kara? A duel? Did we revert to the old ways when I wasn't looking?"

"I can't just forgive Lena for what she put me through, Alex," Kara pouted.

"That's why we have that thing called "Therapy," Kara," Alex shot back. "You remember therapy, right? That thing we took you to after Lena pulled her villain arc and imprisoned you with the intent to murder you?"

"She wasn't going to murder me," Kara defended with a roll of her eyes.

Alex rolled her eyes and murmured, "Oh, this is not worth the headache….Okay, so you're going to duel her. What way can you feasibly do this? Isn't Lena skilled in all sorts of martial arts, gunplay, and swordplay?"

Kara blinked.

"Oh, Rao, you forgot about that, didn't you?" Alex realized. At Kara's sheepish smile, Alex sighed. "My sister is hopeless. Utterly and uniquely hopeless."

"It's not like I'm lacking in those skills either, Alex," Kara defended.

"Kara, right up until Lena's villain arc, she was training in that stuff. You cannot use the fledgling skills that you learned when you were little and then stopped against an expert who kept up with that training into her adulthood."

"Yeah, yeah, you got a point," Kara muttered. "I'll figure something out. Maybe I can have Sam come or Raven. She still owes me a favor and she works at the hospital."

"You do you, kiddo," Alex said before Kara's phone rang. "You should take that. Might be important."

Without looking at her caller I.D., Kara put the phone on speaker, and answered, "Kara Danvers speaking."

"Hi Kara," Lena said.

Kara froze.

"Oh Rao, I know that face," Alex droned. "Hey, Lena! Been a few years!"

"Is that Alex?" Lena asked.

"I was video-chatting with her," Kara hastily explained as she lowered her laptop screen down without hanging up on Alex. "I'm not anymore. Hi…I wasn't expecting to hear from you after how we left things."

"I know but…I need to talk to you regarding one of my patients and someone who works at Nevermore," Lena reluctantly started. "I know it's too soon to ask for a favor but I need one."

"Well, I do owe you after helping me with Roulette," Kara replied. She tried not to think about Veronica Sinclair, not only due to that woman being a pain in her side during her time in National City but also due to who she was related to.

"I would like to meet with you," Lena said. "To explain why I need your assistance. I'm going to see Wednesday at the hospital. Would you be willing to meet me there? I can even bring a peace offering of potstickers?"

Kara glanced at her clock.

It had been an hour since she dropped off Enid.

"Well, who can turn down potstickers?" Kara said with a smile. "Of course, I can meet you there. I have to pick up my mentee who's visiting Wednesday anyways," Kara answered.

"Wonderful. I'll see you then," Lena said.

"See you then," Kara repeated.

"Um, Kara?" Lena questioned before Kara could hang up.

"Y-Yeah?" Kara asked.

"I…It's nothing. I'll see you then. Bye," Lena hastily said before the line went dead.

Kara stared at her phone, let out a little laugh, and then lifted the laptop to see Alex staring at her, bemused. "It's like you two never left National City," Alex drawled.

"Shut up…"

"Doctor Logan?"

Green eyes met violet as Doctor Garfield Logan glanced at the emotionless face of his co-worker and wife, Raven Roth-Logan. "What's up, Rae?" Garfield asked.

"It's "Raven" while we're here, Doctor Logan," Raven replied as she leaned against the counter beside him. "So, we're just going to ignore what's happening in the room across from us?"

Garfield looked at the room of his latest patient. He could hear the muffled sounds of steel clashing behind the door. "I thought we promised after our time at Nevermore that we don't question anyone that comes from Nevermore, Rae," Garfield stated as he looked at the chart in his hand. "Besides, I checked on her before whatever is going on in there and she's fully healed."

"Well, if we're just going to allow this, at least she's in a hospital in case she gets injured again," Raven dryly said.

"No skin off my nose," Garfield shrugged. Without warning, the door to Wednesday's room exploded off the hinges and both Garfield and Raven watched as the patient, Wednesday Addams, skidded against the ground on her back until she stopped at their feet.

"So, how's it going?" Garfield asked.

"She is a lot tougher than I realized," Wednesday answered.

Raven quirked an eyebrow and said, "I am enjoying seeing all of our hard work saving your life becoming undone in front of my very eyes, Miss Addams."

"Not by my doing, I assure you," Wednesday dryly replied.

"Wednesday Addams!" Garfield looked up to see the blonde girl he had seen parked in his patient's room for the past two days step into view. "I know you're not finished yet, my sanguinare! Stand up and fight!"

Wednesday narrowed her eyes and rose to her feet.

"Try not to bleed out on our floors," Raven advised. "The janitor just had them cleaned."

"I'll take that under consideration. Please excuse me," Wednesday replied as she dashed backward down the hall, with the blonde giving chase. Garfield watched the girls flee before a hand scuttled behind the chaos, gave them a wave with its index finger, and then continued on its way.

"Man, am I glad I graduated from that school," Raven grumbled as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "This new generation gives me a headache."

"It could be worse," Garfield commented. "Come on, let's go grab some grub before the police are called."

Raven grunted but nodded.

Wednesday jumped back as Enid's blade punctured the ground after a diving stab attempt. Enid lifted her blade and swiped her blade at Wednesday's head, prompting her to duck, which led to an IV pole being cut clean in half.

Wednesday lifted her blade and blocked each of Enid's strikes as several doctors and patients fled in a panic. Their blades clashed, causing sparks to fly from the scraping steel while the two stared at one another. "Your voracity is impressive, Enid Sinclair," Wednesday commented with a strained voice as she struggled to keep Enid's strength at bay.

Despite being healed, her blood magic was heavily depleted, leaving her effectively the Addams version of a mortal. She still performed at peak human abilities but when hunting/battling supernatural beings such as her sweet werewolf, she was, annoyingly, outgunned.

"You have no idea how long I waited for this," Enid replied before Wednesday was kicked in her chest, sending her back colliding against a counter. Wednesday quickly rolled to the left as Enid's sword collided with the counter in the spot she had just been.

As Wednesday rose to her feet, she watched as Enid scraped her blade against the counter and pointed it on Wednesday. "Well, I'll tell you. Four days, Wednesday Addams. Four! Two days of being hurt about you pushing me away and another two days of sitting by your side after you were nearly killed! I don't know which one insults me more!"

Enid charged at her and once again, Wednesday was on the back foot, using her speed to avoid Enid's blade from either slicing or piercing her body. After blocking a strike that would have bisected her, Wednesday pushed Enid's sword away, twisted her body, and kicked Enid in the chest, sending the werewolf stumbling back to the curved edge of the counter.

Wednesday charged forward and swung her blade downward, but Enid blocked it just before the blade could touch her forehead. Enid moved her head, allowing Wednesday's blade to fall further until it grazed Enid's shoulder.

Wednesday leaned forward to put more pressure on Enid, causing their foreheads to touch but Wednesday was thrown off of Enid, causing her to drop her sword, and fall onto her back.

Wednesday felt the air leave her lungs at the impact of her back colliding with the ground but before she could even think about getting to her feet to continue the fight, she found herself pinned beneath Enid with the blonde's sword at her neck.

She looked up to see Enid's intense blue eyes as Enid's face was inches away from her, causing the blonde's hair to fall around her face.

"Why?" Enid asked in a whisper. While Wednesday could disarm Enid from such a position, the girl's eyes were doing a great job at pinning her in place. "Before I met you, I wasn't this violent or reckless. But since you waltzed into my life, I'm doing and feeling things I've never felt before. And right on the cusp of figuring it out, you hurt me. You made me cry. Why, Wednesday?!"

Wednesday shut her eyes as the urge to deny and hide from Enid's question filled her being. But she recalled Goody's words.

"Continue to let your pride guide you and you will be alone with no one to save you."

Wednesday forced herself to open her eyes to stare at the watery eyes of Enid's and softly answered, "I…I couldn't allow you to see me in such a state."

Confusion filled Enid's eyes.

"I…" Wednesday swallowed the bile that wanted to escape. "I had challenged Weems because she made you cry. I failed to honor you, Dolce Nemico…Not only did I fail to defend your honor, but you were…willing to take on the punishment I agreed to undergo just to spare me from going through it…I was ashamed…"

"Wednesday…" Enid whispered.

"I couldn't face you, Enid…I didn't have the strength," Wednesday concluded, feeling more exhausted than she did when she fought that strange creature. "And in trying to hide that shame, I hurt you. The one person I fought to avoid such a fate…"

Wednesday lay beneath Enid with only their breathing filling the air. Wednesday closed her eyes and whispered, "En verdad lo siento. Por favor, perdóname…"

She then felt something fall against her cheek. She opened her eyes to see tears falling from Enid's eyes.

"You're such an idiot, Wednesday Addams…" Enid tearfully whispered. "I didn't care that you lost your duel against Principal Weems, Wednesday…I was just happy that you felt I was worth fighting for in the first place…."

"Please, don't cry, Dolce Nemico…." Wednesday softly requested as she reached up to wipe the tears of Enid's eyes. "Not for me. I do not deserve it."

Enid leaned against her palm and let out a shuddered breath.

"Such an idiot…." Enid repeated.

"That is a word to describe you both."

Enid and Wednesday turned in the direction of the voice to see Kara and Lena standing there, neither of them looking particularly amused.

"Oh, Hey Kara," Enid greeted with a watery smile.

"Lena," Wednesday greeted with a nod.

"There better be a good explanation for this," Lena said with crossed arms.

Chapter Text

"Well, other than the massive amount of damage to the room, the hallway, and some of our equipment, Ms. Addams is officially cleared to go," Dr. Logan concluded as Wednesday laid in a new hospital room. The girl was aware that her nurse, Nurse Roth-Logan, along with Lena, were staring at her in disapproval at the chaos caused by her duel with her beloved rival, but Wednesday didn't pay them too much mind.

What she was paying mind to was Enid, who was staring at her wrist. The wrist that bore her gift around it. Wednesday attempted to pay attention to Dr. Logan but her heart stilled when she watched Enid reach over and ran a finger over it.

How Wednesday wished she could read the blonde's mind.

"So, she is free to go?" Lena questioned.

"There is a lot of paperwork to sign but otherwise, yeah, she's all good," Dr. Logan smiled. "….As long as she promises not to cause any more damage to my side of the hospital."

"She won't," Lena promised. "As for the damages, do not worry too much about that. I will front the bill."

Wednesday frowned at this. "Lena, there is no need for that," Wednesday objected.

"I donate to this hospital a lot," Lena casually revealed as she lifted her phone and tapped a few things on it. "If I wanted to, I could buy the hospital outright from Dr. Logan."

"I've seen her do it twice," Kara spoke up.

"Well, I would hope not," Dr. Logan chuckled. "As for the bill, it's sitting pretty at two hundred thousand dollars."

"What?!" Enid exclaimed in absolute horror. "It couldn't have been that much!"

"It was," Nurse Roth-Logan dryly confirmed.

"And done," Lena said. "It's been forwarded."

"Much obliged, Ms. Kieren," Dr. Logan smiled. "Anyhoo, I'll have someone bring you your clothes and you're free to go. Come on, Rae."

"It's Rachel, Dr. Logan," Nurse Roth-Logan corrected before the two walked out of the hospital room, leaving the foursome alone.

The moment the door closed, Kara immediately asked, "What in the world were you two thinking? Having a duel in a hospital of all places?"

"Honestly, Wednesday, you are smarter than that," Lena calmly stated before she turned to Enid. "And I'm sure Kara taught you better than to cause such wanton destruction."

"It was the only way to reach Wednesday," Enid muttered as she looked at the ground.

"I am in agreeance," Wednesday added. "My pride blinded me to the pain I was causing Enid. She did what she had to do."

"But was such desperation needed?" Lena asked Enid, who continued to keep her eyes on the ground before she took a breath, squared her shoulders, and looked Lena straight in the eyes.

"Of course it was," Enid sincerely answered. "Sure, she's prideful, very stubborn, and gives off serial killer vibes but I couldn't ask for anyone better." Enid turned to Wednesday and smiled. "While I'm still a little hurt about having to go through such hoops, I know that when it comes to a dance like ours, I need my partner."

Wednesday's gaze softened and she took Enid's hand. "Enid Sinclair, I will gladly imprison myself in the darkest prison imaginable in Tibet for causing you such distress," Wednesday uttered with a gentleness that startled her. Not because she could be gentle but because of the ease with which it came out. "To think you would still want someone as loathsome as myself as your partner is…No words can describe how I feel…"

Enid laughed and replied, "Of course I do, Wednesday. I mean, we're going to fight and disagree on things. In fact, I kind of expect it, considering how we met and all. But what I've come to realize is that we work. We shouldn't because of how different we are in a lot of ways, but we do. And honestly, I'm kind of glad did this because it helped me realize that I want to know how far things between us can truly go."

"I'm confused…" Wednesday whispered through the sudden lump in her throat.

Enid rolled her eyes with a small chuckle. "I didn't think you could get confused, Wednesday. I'll spell it out for you." Enid's expression grew serious. "I wish to explore you. All of you."

Wednesday's face turned scarlet. "I-I'm sorry?" Wednesday stammered.

"Okay!" Kara suddenly exclaimed, startling Wednesday and Enid. "With that all said and done, we should get out of here! Don't you agree, Lena?"

Lena glanced at Kara with amusement. "You should relax, Kara. I doubt she meant it like that," Lena told the blonde. "But I do agree. We should get out of here."

"Bingo! They are on the right path!" Alice announced as the Nightshades sat in their library. "They are about to become more insufferable but on the right path."

"Thank goodness," Divina sighed. "This whole thing has been pretty stressful." She then turned to Yōko and Bianca, both of whom were wearing frowns. "What's wrong? I thought you two would be breathing a sigh of relief too."

Yōko and Bianca exchanged a look before Bianca said, "While knowing those two idiots aren't going to get us all killed, per one of Alice's visions, we still have a lot of issues coming our way."

Yōko nodded and leaned back on the couch. "Yeah, That monster is still out there and we still don't know what to do with Rowan," Yōko explained. "We can't keep him locked up in the prison beneath the library for long."

"Then…Let's just release him," Xavier offered. "I mean, he promised he wouldn't go after Wednesday anymore, right? Let's give him a clean slate."

"And who is going to watch him? You?" Bianca questioned.

"Yes," Xavier answered. "I am his roommate after all."

"And we saw how good that worked out, didn't we?" Bianca asked.

Xavier glowered.

"I'll watch him," Kent's bored voice spoke out. "I mean, I don't have a roommate or anything like that. I'll handle it."

"Kent…." Divina warned.

"Look, Vin, we're breaking the school rules as it is being in this group, and imprisoning someone is sooooo going to backfire on us sooner rather than later. We need to put Rowan somewhere, just put him with me," Kent explained. "'Sides, what's the worst that can happen? Alice, don't answer that."

Alice put her hand down.

"If you're sure about this then fuck it, let's ball," Yōko said. "Kent, grab Rowan. Let's see if we can talk him into doing this."

Kent nodded and moved to a bookshelf. He pulled back a book, causing the bookcase to move to the side to reveal stairs.

"I don't know about this," Alice muttered as Kent walked downstairs. "Something feels off…"

"That's not forbo—" Divina was interrupted by Kent rushing upstairs.

"Guys, Rowan is gone!" Kent exclaimed.

Chapter Text

"She's been up there for a while," Enid stated with concern as she stared at the stairs.

"She's fine, Enid," Kara consoled as she ruffled the young werewolf's hair. "If she's anything like Lena, she's drowning herself to get rid of the hospital smell."

"Your teasing doesn't erase the fact that hospitals smell like medicine and death. Anyone in their right mind would want that scent off of them," Lena sniffed as she leaned back into her couch.

Enid frowned.

"Still…It's been over an hour. Surely the scent would be off of her by now," Enid objected. "I'm going to go check on her." Without waiting for a response, Enid stood up and made her way up the stairs, letting her nose guide her to Wednesday.

"I wish to explore you. All of you."

Wednesday narrowed her eyes as water poured down her body.

After being escorted out of the hospital, Lena opted to bring her, Kara, and Enid back to her home so she could enjoy an actual shower.

However, all Wednesday could focus on was Enid's words.

Wednesday pressed her forehead against the blue-white tiled wall and closed her eyes. Despite the cold water, her body still felt hot like an inferno. What was this feeling deep within the pit of her stomach? She placed a hand against her stomach in an attempt to quell the heat but like the cold water that rained down on her naked body, it did nothing to help her.

The touch caused the fire within her to grow into a raging inferno. An inferno that decided to descend between her legs.

Wednesday knew that she was sweet on the blue-eyed werewolf and she knew that she was attractive to her sweet rival, but this feeling felt like her attraction had exploded into something new. Something uncontrollable.

Something that scared her.

But what could this feeling be?

"You must focus," Wednesday whispered. "Whatever this feeling is, it will pass…."

"Wednesday?!" Enid's voice called out from outside of the bathroom, startling Wednesday. "Is everything okay in there, Glykó Koráki?"

Wednesday's blood sang at the sound of her rival's beautiful voice. How could Wednesday tell her that she wasn't fine, that she felt like she was being burned at the stake by intoxicating flames? "I am…" Wednesday paused, trying to fight through the strange lump in her throat. "Well."

A beat of silence passed.

"It doesn't sound like you're fine," Enid noted.

Wednesday let out a small breath and then admitted, "Perhaps I'm not."

The words were barely out of her mouth before she heard the bathroom door open and the curtains move aside, revealing the concerned form of Enid. "Are you okay? Did I injure you worse?" Enid hastily asked while observing the stunned Wednesday's body.

"I don't see any bruises," Enid noted before her bright blue eyes met Wednesday's astonished reddish-brown. Before Wednesday could respond, she found her face being cradled by Enid's hands. "Where does it hurt and how can I help?"

"Enid…" Wednesday murmured. "Has it escaped the fact that I am in the nude in the shower?"

"No," Enid replied. "I can be embarrassed about this later and you can be angry at me too. I just want to make sure that you're okay, Wednesday. That's all."

Appreciation flowed through Wednesday at Enid's words and without her permission, a fond expression appeared on her face. "Your words are as sweet as honey, Enid Sinclair," Wednesday told her.

"I do love my honey," Enid chirped with a toothy grin.

Wednesday glanced at Enid's canines and fleetingly wondered how it would feel to have them against her neck. Wednesday let out a flustered sound and pulled away. "Enid S-Sinclair, I will be out in a few moments. Until then, please allow me to finish showering," Wednesday requested.

"Sure, whatever you need," Enid responded before she quickly left the bathroom.

"And you're sure you saw Thornhill with him?" Kara asked Lena once the other woman had concluded her story.

"I am positive," Lena confirmed. "Not only that, she touched his thigh in a way that does concern me."

Kara frowned.

Marilyn Thornhill was a strange figure to her. She had been around her enough to know that she was friendly on the surface but something was screaming at her that something was…off with her. Hearing Lena's story about seeing her touching a normie teen was deeply troubling.

"So, I'm guessing the favor has something to do with her, right?" Kara deduced.

Lena nodded.

"I know things are…awkward between us," Lena started. She then rolled her eyes at her own words. "Understatement, I know. But I need a reason to be able to investigate Thornhill and see if she is doing anything untoward towards the students at Nevermore."

"Look, I'm more than willing to be that reason, Lena, but you can't do it alone," Kara told her. Kara saw the frown appear on Lena's face and immediately added, "Not for the reason you might think. I mean, Nevermore may be filled with tons of teens amped up on hormones but it's not dangerous. The reason I'm saying it is because you're still a normie and many don't trust them. I can be your way in, but investigating there will bring suspicion down on you."

"So what do you suggest, Kara?" Lena asked. "That you assist me in this manner as well?"

"I was going to suggest Wednesday, actually," Kara admitted. "The last time we teamed up…It didn't quite end well for us…" Kara tried not to let the hurt fill her voice but judging by the soft apologetic look on Lena's face, she failed in this.

"Kara…I—" Lena started.

"It's alright," Kara softly interrupted. "I don't want to talk about the past. Not until after our duel, okay?" Kara then allowed a small smile to form on her face. "In the meantime, I'll be your ticket into Nevermore and a potential ticket out of trouble okay? Just give me a bit of heads up."

Lena sighed but nodded. "Thank you, Kara. Truly…" Lena murmured.

"You're welcome," Kara replied.

Kara was thankful when she heard Enid's familiar footsteps coming down the stairs. Lena seemed to be grateful as well because she was quick to turn to Enid and ask, "So, was she fine?"

Kara turned to the stairs as Enid strolled down them but immediately noticed two things. The first thing Kara noticed was that Enid's arms were soaking wet and she saw that the girl was blushing. Apprehension built in Kara's stomach.

"She's fine, she's just taking a shower," Enid hastily explained. "Just like you guys said."

"Why are your forearms wet?" Lena asked.

"Oh, are they?" Enid squeaked as she hid her arms behind her back.

"Enid…What happened?" Kara warned.

Enid opened her mouth only for Wednesday's voice to answer, "She came to check on me." Kara turned her head to see Wednesday, walking down the stairs, now dressed in a simple t-shirt and jeans that Lena bought while they were in Jericho. "My side was causing me distress. Enid came to assist me. Do not fret, Kara Danvers, she was the perfect Gentleman."

Kara narrowed her eyes as Enid's reddened cheeks grew darker. She turned to look at the shorter girl beside the blonde but Wednesday's face gave nothing away. She was just like Lena when she needed to ice someone out. "Alright…." Kara slowly said. "I'll leave it alone for now. Good job, Enid."

Enid mumbled a reply as she stepped slightly behind Wednesday.

"Now, I am quite famished, are we still eating here, Lena?" Wednesday questioned.

"Of course. I already ordered some takeout," Lena answered. "I hope you both like potstickers."

Kara beamed.

"I see," Larissa murmured as she stared at the crystal ball at Gomez's face. "So Morticia is coming to Nevermore on her own?"

"Regrettably so," Gomez sighed. "Cara Bella felt that our daughter needed some eyes on her after she was admitted to the hospital. She is on her flight now and should be there in three hours. As Lurch is with me, I was wondering if you would do me the favor of retrieving her from the airport once her plane lands."

Larissa narrowed her eyes at the man.

While many would claim that Gomez Addams was a love-crazed oaf, Larissa knew the man beneath the façade. He was able to read anyone when it came to body language and reading beneath the underneath so Larissa was aware that Gomez was planning something in asking her to pick up Morticia, but what that was, she couldn't fathom.

"And where would I take her, Gomez? As far as I am aware, neither of you have property in Jericho," Larissa stated.

"We don't but I am aware that during our meeting with you to have our daughter go to Nevermore, you allowed us to stay at your mansion," Gomez recalled. "Perhaps you can allow that for Morticia as well. I would be forever in your debt."

Larissa sigh.

"Gomez, I have a lot on my mind so I will be blunt. What is your angle?" Larissa bluntly asked. "While you and I have remained friends for all these years, Morticia and I…We've only started speaking to one another fairly recently."

"I am quite aware, Larissa," Gomez confirmed with a twinkle in his eyes. "All I am doing is taking care of my darling wife's lodgings. As I always do. Besides, Cambiante de Marfil, we both are aware that your heart sings at the thought, Si?"

Larissa remained silent.

"All I ask, Larissa, is to take care of Tish. The same way you always did before she took on my last name," Gomez softly explained. "Please?"

"Alright," Larissa softly agreed. "As long Morticia doesn't mind, I will give her my spare bedroom."

"Ah! Perfect!" Gomez cheered. "Now, I am off! I have a hunt to continue. Farewell, Larissa!"

"Happy hunting, Gomez," Larissa said before she ended transmission.

She leaned back in her chair and slowly, she reached up to her neck and rubbed at the ring that hung above her heart.

'Morticia...'

With blood dripping down his bare body, Tyler stared down at the unconscious body of his previous hunt with a small frown on his face.

There were a lot of things Tyler expected when he took on his next hunt, but coming across the frail-looking body of a previous target was unexpected. For a moment, Tyler wanted to complete the mission Thornhill had given him two days ago, but he wasn't bound to take his life, as Thornhill made him focus on another prey.

But the more he thought about that night, the more a plan started to hatch.

This outcast was going to kill Wednesday that night before he stepped in.

Perhaps he could use this to his and Thornhill's advantage.

Slowly, Tyler bent down, slipped his arms beneath Rowan's back and legs, and lifted the boy off the ground.

"Sleep tight, little outcast," Tyler muttered. "Let's see if I can't put you to good use…."

Chapter Text

Enid sat beside Wednesday at Lena's clearly expensive dining room table, silently struggling with herself as she desperately tried to keep her eyes off of the girl beside her.

She had been in this situation before.

Since her duel with Wednesday, she often stole glances at her and it only got worse after Kara revealed that she had unknowingly proposed to Wednesday with her gift.

But this felt different.

While she didn't think about it at the time, she realized that she had seen Wednesday Addams naked.

And not just naked, but naked and wet.

And it was doing things to Enid.

Enid knew what lust was. She felt it all the time. She felt it when she saw Bianca naked once. She felt it when she kissed Ajax a few times during her first year at Nevermore. But this was different. It felt like her veins were on fire.

This wasn't just lust.

It was hunger.

And all Enid wanted to do was sate it.

All she wanted to do was claim Wednesday, to hell with anyone who could see it.

"Enid," Wednesday called, snapping Enid from her thoughts. Enid then looked around and noticed a confused Lena and an amused Kara staring at her. Enid turned to Wednesday with a confused look, only for her rival to chuckle. "You were growling, Dolce Nemico."

Enid wanted the ground to swallow her whole. "I was?" she squeaked, her cheeks turning a deep red.

Wednesday nodded with a small smile.

"Dolce Nemico?" Lena repeated as she turned to Wednesday with a small, knowing, smile. "'Sweet Enemy?' What a precious pet name, Wednesday."

Enid watched as a streak of pink crossed Wednesday's cheeks and felt that hunger deep within her spike. "You would do well to cease your teasing, Lena," Wednesday instructed. "Or else."

"Is that a threat?" Lena smirked.

Enid could see Kara adjust in her seat as her cheeks turned scarlet.

"I don't do threats," Wednesday replied but Enid could tell that there was no heat in her voice. "You'll find out when our training begins."

Enid watched Lena's smirk drop.

"Did I miss something?" Enid asked Wednesday, who briefly turned to her before turning away, the pink in her cheeks darkening into red.

For a moment, Enid could see Wednesday having that same shade of red as she lay naked beneath her, her long black hair splayed beneath her as her half-lidded eyes stared up at her with naked desire.

Enid bit her bottom lip with so much force, it caused her fang to pierce her skin, causing blood to dribble down her lips.

Lord, she wanted to be deep inside Wednesday so badly, it hurt.

Whoa!

She had to cool herself down something fierce right now.

Enid adjusted herself and took a drink of water. It was a little difficult due to her trembling hand but Enid managed to make it work.

It was there she noticed that Wednesday's ears were red and paled, barely taking note of the sweet feminine scent that made her arousal grow. Could Wednesday sense her desire through her blood…that she foolishly released by biting down on her bottom lip too hard?

Oh, please don't let that be the case.

"I-It is nothing to concern yourself with, Cariño," Wednesday answered as she placed her hand on her thigh while shooting Lena a pointed stare. Enid felt as if her skin was burning hot at Wednesday's touch and it only grew worse when Wednesday began to rub her thumb against her bare leg.

Did Wednesday know what she was doing to her?

Of all the days to decide to wear a skirt.

"I'm sure," Lena replied, her smirk slightly returning before she turned to Kara. "Darl—" Lena immediately halted as Kara stiffened. "I mean…Kara," Lena breathed. "How are you enjoying the food?"

"It's delicious," Kara replied, relaxing. "I'm almost sad to know it'll all be gone in a few minutes." Kara looked at Enid and smiled. "You should eat up. A growing wolf needs as much as she can to keep going."

Enid felt as if her mind was far away as she looked at Wednesday, who had resumed eating but kept her free hand on her thigh.

"Amazing…" Larissa breathed out, lying prone on the ground with her arms and legs spread slightly, her eyes closed as she breathed heavily. "Simply amazing…."

Morticia was on top of her, the tip of her sword placed against her opponent's left shoulder as she panted just as hard. Both teens were scratched up and bleeding from various areas after a long and brutal duel but in the end, Morticia stood tall.

"Why?" Morticia asked Larissa, her hand slightly shaking from the exhaustion she was feeling. "Why couldn't you just stop?"

She watched as Larissa opened up her left eye.

Morticia let out a shuddered breath as blood trailed down her cheek and fell to the corner of Larissa's closed eye, where it slid down the side of her face akin to a tear. Morticia panted as she forcefully pulled her gaze from the blood to the platinum-blonde-haired girl's exhausted yet beautiful blue eye.

Morticia swallowed.

"It didn't have to come to this, Larissa," Morticia whispered as she closed her eyes to distract herself from those eyes.

Only Gomez's eyes could elicit the flutter in her heart.

"It did," Larissa replied. "And deep down…You know that, Addams…."

"But still…" Morticia harshly gasped. "I never wanted this…I never wanted to fight you. I never wanted you to leave!"

Morticia could feel Larissa's hand against her cheek, prompting her to open her eyes to stare at her. Larissa's grin deepened. "It had to be this way…." Larissa whispered. Morticia's eyes widened as she watched Larissa's eyes begin to water. "It was either your life or my submission…This way, I won't have to worry about what happens t-to you…"

Morticia bowed her head and let out a ragged breath.

"Don't go. Please, don't go…." Morticia softly pleaded. "I can figure something out. You do not have to accept this punishment. I can help you gain better control of your shapeshifting. I can help you get a new identity. I can fake your death. For Nyx's sake, Larissa, I can try to master my visions! We can find a way. Don't throw all of this…all of us…away!"

Larissa closed her eyes.

"Why are you so bound and determined to walk away from Nevermore? From m—" Without warning, Larissa lifted her upper body off the ground, causing the tip of Morticia's blade to pierce her shoulder, and claimed Morticia's lips in a kiss.

Morticia's wettened eyes widened in disbelief but then slowly closed as she allowed herself to drift through such a heart-meltingly soft feeling.

But such a feeling was fleeting because Larissa, with tears flowing down her cheeks, pulled away and whispered, "Because I'm not supposed to want you, Ticia…."

Morticia's eyes opened and she found herself on her family's private plane, with Cousin Itt standing by her side. He babbled with concern and Morticia placed a hand on her cheek, where the faint scar left by Larissa rested, and felt wetness beneath her palm.

"Tears?" Morticia murmured. "I was unaware I was crying…" She wiped her tears away and turned to Cousin Itt. "Thank you for informing me of such a strange phenomenon but believe me when I say that I am alright. I assure you."

Cousin Itt babbled.

"Thank you but I will be fine. My darling has already prepared a place for me to stay. Take the jet back home and keep Grandmama company," Morticia instructed.

Cousin Itt bobbed and moved away.

With a gracefulness that no mere mortal could ever hope to attain, Morticia stood from her seat, removed her suitcase, and made her way down the steps that were placed at the exit of the jet.

She glided her way through the airport, ignoring the stares, both lustful and awe-filled until she found herself in front of the airport, where she let out a slight gasp.

A small smile appeared on Larissa's face as she lifted her hand in a wave.

"Larissa," Morticia whispered before she made her way to the taller woman. Once she was close enough, she slowed to a stop. "I was not expecting to see you, Larissa."

"A dark little owl informed me that you would be darkening my part of the world again," Larissa explained as she walked forward and grasped the suitcase. Morticia ignored the slight spark of electricity she felt when their fingers briefly touched. "I figured I would be a gracious host once more."

"I see," Morticia murmured. "It seems that owl and I must have words when he finishes catching his mouse."

Larissa chuckled and said, "That I am sure of. In the meantime, shall we get going? It will be a two-hour drive and I would like to get us back to my mansion before evening strikes."

Morticia gave a single nod in response.

Oh, she would be having words with her darling, well-intentioned husband very soon…

Kara could tell something was amiss with her ward as she drove them back from Lena's home. Enid had been strangely silent during lunch, only speaking up when Wednesday would ask her something.

Kara was pretty sure she knew what was going on with her but she didn't want to discuss it until they were safe and sound in her house.

Once the car was parked and the two entered her home, Kara immediately turned to Enid and asked, "What's going on in your head, Kiddo?"

Enid blinked.

"What?" Enid asked.

"What's going on…in your head…Kiddo?" Kara slowly repeated. "You've been off since lunch."

"I…" Enid paused. "I've been okay. Just a lot on my mind."

"Such as?" Kara prodded.

Enid flushed and turned away from Kara. "I don't wanna talk about…." Enid mumbled.

Kara squinted her eyes in thought before taking another approach. "Did you know that a werewolf can smell certain scents?" Kara asked.

Enid stared at her as if she had grown two heads. "Of course I do," Enid answered.

"You may not be able to tell since you haven't shifted yet but for me, my sniffer is pretty powerful," Kara continued. "Thanks to it, I've been able to discern what scent I'm smelling and between you and Wednesday, I was smelling some not-so-PG scents."

Enid's face burned as she frowned at Kara. "Wow, privacy much?" Enid questioned with horror.

"Trust me, I was trying to ignore it," Kara told the girl while rubbing the back of her neck. "But it was quite thick."

Enid pouted and made her way to the couch to sit down, where she crossed her arms in a huff. Kara sat beside the girl and said, "Look, I'm not in the place of telling you how to feel or anything like that. I mean, you both are seventeen-year-old girls—"

"—Almost eighteen—" Enid grumbled.

"—and I get that you and Wednesday have your…ahem…rivalry," Kara continued as if Enid hadn't spoken. "And I know that there are strong emotions tied to that. But thanks to your mother's….invasiveness….I know that your heat is coming up."

Enid huffed louder with a sour expression.

"Having such strong emotions while also being in heat, even if it'll be easier on you due to you undergoing your first shift yet, always spells disaster. Just be careful for the next couple of weeks," Kara gingerly advised.

Kara had to also remember her own advice because her heat was coming up very, very soon, and if her nose was as strong as she knew it was, she could smell her own desire when Lena had almost called her by her old pet name.

She would need to be very careful.

"Okay…." Enid muttered. "I'll be careful…I promise. If it gets too bad, I have my suppressants."

Kara smiled and ruffled the girl's hair.

"That's my girl. Now with that incredibly awkward conversation done, how about a movie?" Kara suggested. "We've yet to watch Quest for Camelot."

"Is that the Disney movie with the conjoined dragons?" Enid questioned.

Kara grinned.

"It's not Disney but you're on the right track."

Chapter Text

Lena could tell that something had rattled Wednesday.

She played it off very well but there was a certain edge that was taken off of the girl and Lena knew what it was. Her teasing of Wednesday had proven that the girl was rattled.

And it was all because of the blonde she called Dolce Nemico.

It was both amusing and adorable to see the stern girl reduced to something close to a normal girl with a crush.

But it was more than a crush.

Lena had been Wednesday's therapist for close to three weeks now and she was given a front-row seat to who Wednesday Addams is.

She was stubborn, distant, introspective, controlled, firm, fascinated with death and the macabre, focused, and determined but Lena knew that beneath Wednesday's harsh exterior, there was a girl with a kind heart who did care for others.

She wouldn't let them see it.

If anything, Wednesday Addams would throw up a smokescreen to disguise her soft heart and outright deny she had those feelings, but it was there and it was a larger factor to her character than Wednesday would ever realize.

During their lunch with the blue-eyed werewolves, Lena observed the young woman. She observed when Wednesday would lean close to Enid or (try) to bring the young werewolf into conversation. She was protective of Enid, and the bubbling of a smile remained on the girl's lips long after Enid and Kara were gone. Lena observed the way she allowed Enid in her space when Enid did engage in conversation or how Enid hugged her goodbye before she and Kara left. She observed the soft glances and tender voices and most importantly, Lena observed Wednesday's hand on Enid's thigh nearly the entire lunch.

It was crazy for Wednesday to do that with an all-glass table, near pitch-black or not.

Add to the half-hearted, unfocused girl that Lena had observed from after the duel with Larissa up to the duel in the hospital, and Lena knew that the emotions that Wednesday held for Enid Sinclair were far more than just a schoolgirl crush.

No, Wednesday Addams was in love with Enid Sinclair.

Lena wasn't sure if Wednesday had come to the same conclusion yet or if it was out of her view but Lena knew what love looked like for a person like Wednesday.

Because she had experienced it herself.

She was still experiencing it.

It was so foolish.

It had been years and yet, that flame that burned solely for Kara Danvers continued to burn for the blonde werewolf. If anything, the distance and reuniting changed that flame into a raging inferno.

So much so that in the attempt to tease Wednesday, she had forgotten where she and Kara stood and nearly called her the pet name that would no doubt bring up everything that the two were holding back until their duel.

"Lena."

Lena looked away from her book to see Wednesday standing in front of the stairs. "Ah, Wednesday, I thought you decided to retire for the evening," Lena said as she stood up, silently thankful for the distraction of her ever-worrying mind. Lena immediately observed that Wednesday was strangely fidgety. "What is the matter?"

"I…I know that this is not your regular working hours and I am aware that this is not your office, but I am in need of advice," Wednesday explained.

"Of course, take a seat," Lena instructed. Wednesday nodded and moved to the couch across from Lena and sat down, with Lena following suit. "What is on your mind?"

"I was deceptive this afternoon," Wednesday revealed. "Regarding Enid checking up on me. My side was not affecting me…I have been feeling…different since my duel with Enid at the hospital."

"How so?" Lena questioned. Wednesday grimaced, which prompted Lena to lean over to take her hand. "Remember, what is said between us is only between us," Lena recited. "No one else will know."

Wednesday nodded.

"Since her actions and her words at the hospital…I've been feeling as if an inferno has been raging within me," Wednesday revealed. "It's as if my blood is boiling and no matter how much I try to regulate my temperature, it continues to persist." Wednesday closed her eyes. "When Enid came to check on me, I was naked in the shower. Without hesitation, she came in, cradled my face into her delicate hands, and smiled at me…Despite everything that I put her through… And now that inferno feels as hot and uncontrollable as the sun itself..."

"Do you feel overwhelmed?" Lena asked.

"Admittedly, I do," Wednesday answered, her tone unsure…almost afraid. "I touched Enid. Her bare thigh, without prompt. All because I desired to be closer to her. Closer than what my body can allow…"

Lena subdued the need to gasp in realization.

"Wednesday, are you attracted to Enid?" Lena inquired.

"Yes, I may not pay attention to such things but Enid is pleasing to the eye," Wednesday answered. "And I am foolishly impassioned when it comes to her."

"Okay…Does she make you amorous?" Lena asked.

"A-Amorous?" Wednesday stammered with surprise etched on her face.

"Yes, does she excite you?" Lena prodded. "Titilate you? Inflame you, stim—?"

"I-I get the question," Wednesday swiftly interjected, her face redder than before. "Is that what this feeling is?"

"It just might be," Lena answered with a proud smile on her face. "Have your parents ever talked to you about…the birds and th—"

"I am very well aware of copulation," Wednesday interrupted. "I am also aware of the various ways it can be done. Cousin Itt is a doctor and made sure that I knew all I could…But I brushed it aside as I never felt… amorous before…."

"Good. It's not surprising that you weren't aware of these feelings, Wednesday. It is very natural," Lena kindly told the macrabe girl. "Tell me, you were taught about homosexuality, heterosexuality, Asexuality, and so forth, correct?"

Wednesday nodded. "I've known for some time that I could feel romantic feelings towards gendered and non-gendered people but I always deduced that I was asexual as I did not think of coitus while others in my age group thought nonestop of it and whenever I read of it, I did not feel titillated by it," Wednesday answered.

Lena narrowed her eyes in thought before she asked, "What do you know of Demisexuality?"

"I…Admittedly know nothing of it," Wednesday answered.

"Demisexuality is a sexual orientation in which a person feels sexually attracted to someone only after they've developed a close emotional bond with them. Forming a bond doesn't guarantee a person will feel a sexual attraction, but the bond is needed before sexual activity is even possible," Lena explained. "That is sexuality I realized that I have. Most of the relationships that I had in the past varied. From men like Jack and James to females like Andrea and Veronica, to crushes like Ka—" Lena coughed. "I had to have an emotional connection to them in order to embrace the sexual side of that relationship."

Lena watched as a puzzle piece clicked in Wednesday's head.

"I see…That does make sense…" Wednesday realized. "It would explain why these feelings are in overdrive. I am…stimulated by Enid Sinclair and her feelings towards me..."

"Viola!" Lena cheered as she took a sip of water.

"But now, I must figure out how to properly bed her to calm these feelings," Wednesday continued.

Lena never understood how people could spit-take. It was always so performative.

But now, she understood.

Enid whimpered with the bottom edge of her pajama shirt in between her teeth as she lay on her side, her left hand fondling her right breast while her right hand vigorously pumped at her painfully erect length.

She had tried so hard not to resort to this but after going to Kara's guest room to sleep, Wednesday's wet and naked body kept popping into her mind like an annoying mosquito that wouldn't leave her be. Enid's traitorous mind then decided to play out the scenario of her hands exploring every ounce of her rival's body.

Her brain even went further with the betrayal by forcing Enid to imagine the sweet moans that would escape Wednesday's mouth while Enid greedily committed every curve to her memory.

"F-Fuck, Wedns," Enid struggled to get out as she clenched her eyes and clenched her toes, the pleasure within her building as her grip tightened around herself. Her brain decided to treat her with the image of Wednesday's back pressed against the shower wall, her legs wrapped around Enid's hips, and her eyes closed in ecstasy with that damn choker around her neck.

Enid let out a sharp gasp that she prayed wasn't loud enough for Kara to hear as the pleasure briefly overcame her. She didn't want to lose it yet, she wanted to keep the image of Wednesday, blushing face moaning for as long as she possibly could.

She wanted Wednesday.

She needed Wednesday.

Her hand simply wasn't enough.

She wanted her heart, her soul, her body. She wanted everything that Wednesday could give her.

Enid bit down on her bottom lip now that her shirt had been released from her mouth to muffle the sharp moan that wanted to escape as she climaxed harder than she ever had before up to that point.

All while her mind continued to focus on her sweet raven.

"Kara, you got that look on your face. Like someone just stepped on a potsticker in front of you," Alex commented while Kara frowned. "What's wrong?"

"I'm going to have to talk to Enid tomorrow," Kara merely said without going any deeper. "So, what's this about a visit?"

Chapter Text

"Darling."

Gomez Addams grinned as the sounds of Fester and Pancho's crazed laughter filled the air at the noticeable frown on his beautiful wife's face on the other end of the crystal ball. "Ah, Tish, your beauty is at its strongest when you're vexed at me," Gomez complimented.

Morticia quirked an eyebrow, reminding Gomez of his little raincloud. "Bubele, I believe when we last talked, I said to let that conversation die until I could confirm that our little Raven was safe," Morticia noted.

"Ah, yes! We did, Querida Mia," Gomez cheerfully confirmed as the ground rumbled, thanks to Pugsley's explosion. "But, I, in my haste, had forgotten to set up your hotel room. Knowing that time was of the essence, I reached out to our dear friend, Larissa, to set up your lodgings."

Morticia stared at him with a subtle expression of displeasure.

"I understand your plight, Tish—"

"—but this is for the best," Gomez told Morticia as she paced in the guest room in Larissa's home. "You will need support that I cannot offer as I am on the other side of the world. And our hunt, even with Fester's sudden arrival and assistance, will take more time than anticipated. I'd rather have someone I can trust to watch after you."

"I could have taken care of myself, Gomez," Morticia frostily rebuked, her tone still serene. "I am not as defenseless as many think."

"That I know," Gomez gently said, a rare frown crossing his face. "But if anything were to happen to you, my heart, and the heart of our family, would never recover. I would rather err on the side of caution."

Morticia let out a soft hum of understanding.

She could not fault her darling husband for his reckless action. As much as it did irk her, she knew the cost of an Addams losing their loved one and their family would never recover from her demise.

"Neither could Larissa…." A gentle voice whispered in the back of her mind.

Morticia clicked her tongue.

"Very well," Morticia agreed. "However, you will pay dearly for interfering in the matters of my heart."

"And I'll gladly accept any punishment given to me," Gomez sincerely replied. "As I understand that I stepped out of bounds in my pursuit of making sure you were protected while we are apart, thus robbing you of your agency. I hope in time, you will forgive me."

"In time," Morticia confirmed. "Go. Hunt. And if you bring me its head, forgiveness is sure to come swiftly."

Gomez smiled and the crystal ball grew dark just there was a knock on her door.

Morticia sighed and in a rare sign of nervousness, she bit her bottom lip.

No, nervousness won't do.

It is only Larissa.

"The woman whose hand still caresses your heart," the gentle voice returned.

Morticia closed her eyes, hummed, and sauntered to the door. When she opened it, she saw that Larissa stood on the other side, dressed in a white suit and tie. "Hello, Morticia," Larissa greeted with a small smile before she lifted a platter of food. Morticia could smell the familiar scents of her favorite French cuisine. "I bought you dinner. All of your favorites."

"Merci," Morticia thanked as she took the platter from Larissa's hands, ignoring the spark she felt at her core when their fingertips briefly touched. "I was admittedly famished."

"You always were after a flight, no matter how long it was," Larissa reminded. "Oh, before I forget." Larissa reached to her left and pulled out a wine bottle. "A bottle of Airén."

"Oh," Morticia gasped. "You remembered."

"Of course I did. You could never eat without a glass," Larissa murmured.

Morticia hummed in agreeance and gingerly took the bottle of Airén from Larissa. "Merci…You certainly know how to treat a guest," Morticia commented.

"No, I know how to treat you," Larissa corrected.

Morticia's heart hammered in her chest at the comment.

"W-Well," Larissa stammered, seemingly taken aback by her own words. "I should retire for the evening. I have a lot to do tomorrow, including meeting your daughter."

"Ah, I shall not keep you," Morticia murmured. "But, would I be out of line in requesting I come with you?"

"Not at all," Larissa answered. "I know you're here to primarily see her. Who would I be to keep a mother away from her daughter?"

Morticia nodded and said, "I understand…I suppose I shall eat before retiring. Bonne nuit, mon métamorphe."

Larissa nodded and replied, "Bonne nuit, mon cœur noir."

Morticia closed the door as Larissa walked away.

For the rest of the night, her heart refused to calm down.

"So, did you enjoy yourself last night?"

Enid, who had just inhaled a large chunk of her steak, nearly choked at Kara's comment. With a red face, she looked up at her mentor's amused eyes. "Y-You heard that?" Enid stuttered.

"I smelled it," Kara corrected.

"Kara, I am so sorry," Enid apologized after swallowing her food. "I did not mean to do that. It just got so hard to ignore and—"

"Don't sweat it," Kara chuckled. "I'm not mad. Though I am surprised. It came a lot earlier than I thought it would."

Enid grumbled with discomfort.

"Which means, until it's over, you'll have to stay at the dorms," Kara told her. "Can't have two of us in heat in such a small house, y'know?"

Enid nodded. Admittedly, she was deeply sad that she wouldn't be able to stay at Kara's place until her heat ended. She was having a great time staying with the woman. It was…strange. She was so used to Ester being an absolutely terrible person that Kara treating her right was such a huge change.

She was going to miss it until her heat subsided.

"I gotcha," Enid softly said.

"But, I do have some news in regards to your training," Kara revealed.

Enid perked up.

"My sister, Alex, she's going to be visiting for a short time," Kara revealed with a large smile. "She was the one that helped me before and after my first shift. If anyone is going to help you get over the block you're having, it'll be her."

"Oh!" Enid gasped with excitement.

Many werewolves knew about Alex Danvers.

She was one of the strongest werewolves outside of a blood wolf. She was deeply respected among the werewolf community. But Enid worried that her appearance, alongside Kara's, would spell trouble with the vampires at Nevermore.

Considering the warning she received about studying under Kara.

"Wowsers! That's awesome! I can't wait to see what she's got for me," Enid excitedly said. "I feel bad that she's coming all this way just to help me."

Kara let out a small laugh and merely said, "Eat up Kiddo. We've got a long day today."

Enid nodded and resumed eating.

But then her mind decided to remind her of a face that she had forgotten.

In staying at Nevermore, it would leave her near her crush.

While in heat.

Oh, this was not going to be good.

The sounds of steel clashing echoed in the basement of Lena's home as Lena staved off the onslaught of Wednesday's rapier. From the moment Lena was cruelly awakened by Wednesday's soul-penetrating stare, she and her young cohort sparred in her basement.

While Lena did not need the refresher on swordplay, Wednesday figured it would be best as she would be battling her blue-eyed werewolf soon and eventually, Lena agreed. Wednesday's blade was sent soaring into the air as the younger girl fell to the ground, with Lena pointing her blade at the girl.

Wednesday nodded in approval.

"Very good," Wednesday complimented. "You've disarmed and defeated me without use of my magic. I never knew a normie to do that outside of my mother." Lena held out her hand, which Wednesday accepted, and pulled the girl onto her feet.

"Is your mother particularly strong?" Lena asked.

"To my detriment," Wednesday wryly answered. "If my visions tell me anything, you'll meet her soon enough."

Lena's eyes widened in surprise.

Interesting.

Lena glanced at the clock on the wall and said, "We should get going. School starts for you in twenty minutes and I have work in an hour."

"I agree," Wednesday stated before Lena noticed a shockingly bashful expression appear on her face. "Enid Sinclair will be there…."

"Are you nervous?" Lena asked.

Wednesday shook her head. "Nervousness isn't something I feel for Enid Sinclair. However, I feel apprehension regarding my potential actions toward her once I lay eyes on her."

"I wouldn't feel so nervous," Lena advised. "You have plenty of self-control. Do not fear that you will ravage your werewolf in the hallway."

Wednesday hummed in agreement. "Did you feel this apprehension when dealing with Kara Danvers?" Wednesday inquired.

Lena paused.

"A few times," Lena admitted. "It mostly happened anytime I was alone with her. I could sense something was brewing beneath our friendly façade…" Lena fought down a blush as she recalled, "I remember one night, the two of us had drunk some wine and we danced together in our living room. It was rather…shameless of me to allow myself to enter such a state, but my mother's court case was emotionally beating down on me."

"I remember…the air being thick with this…strange heaviness when she looked at me. It felt like she was going to devour me. Had I drunk just a little bit more, I would have thrown caution to the wind and allowed her the chance to do it," Lena admitted.

"Why didn't you?" Wednesday asked.

"It was too soon in our friendship to cross that line," Lena answered.

It didn't help she became painfully aware of how…. titillated Kara had become at their closeness.

It took Lena days to erase the need to have Kara buried deep within her. It took longer for Lena to erase the…imaginative images that kept appearing for a month anytime Kara popped up at her office.

"If you are truly that concerned, I would advise having an honest conversation with Enid," Lena offered. "Either that or avoid being alone with her."

Lena had meant that last part as a joke but she saw Wednesday nod in agreement at her words.

She fought the urge to facepalm.

Chapter Text

"Are you certain you do not want to stay at my residence for another night?" Lena questioned.

Wednesday nodded. "I am sure. I…I do appreciate having another place to go when I need the space. However, I do not wish to wear out my welcome. Not only that, I've missed a lot of schoolwork. While I loathe this place, I do want to keep my high marks," Wednesday answered.

"While you can never wear out your welcome, I understand. Then, I shall see you for your next appointment," Lena told her. "Until then, I want to offer you something." Lena pulled out a cell phone and held it out to Wednesday. Wednesday quirked a brow at the sight of the cell phone. "While I am aware of your strong dislike when it comes to technology, I do feel that with your recent hospital stay, you're bound to get into more situations similar to it. With this, you can at least call for assistance. Not only that, it will allow you to reach out to me whenever you need it, whether it is to set up an appointment, need me to pick you up, or even if you need someone to talk to. But that is only if you want it."

"If I want it?" Wednesday asked.

Lena nodded and explained, "I can tell you the good that will come from giving you this but I can't make you take it, Wednesday, and I refuse to."

Wednesday was sincerely flummoxed.

"Why offer it to me if you're not going to try and force it upon me?" Wednesday asked.

"Do you not deserve agency?" Lena questioned.

Wednesday observed the phone, letting Lena's words swirl in her head. Despite her displeasure at technology, she gingerly took the phone and murmured, "I am not used to this," Wednesday admitted. "My Mother and Father…while I understand that I am very privileged in having such loving parents as them, they often force a lot on me…" Wednesday glanced at Nevermore's entrance. "Even coming here, I was forced. Robbed of my agency." Wednesday turned back to Lena. "Thank you…"

"You never have to thank me, Wednesday," Lena affirmed. "I know how it feels to not have agency. I never want to rob anyone of theirs…Not again…" Wednesday tilted her head in thought before she shook her head.

She would inquire about Lena's words later.

"I shall leave but…I will reach out to you tonight. If that is alright," Wednesday quietly said.

Lena nodded in approval and after a brief goodbye, Wednesday got out of the car and watched as Lena drove off. Wednesday eyed the phone and slipped it into her jacket's inner pocket before going on her way.

Enid was pressed.

She always hated it when her heat came in general but now that her heat triggered earlier than expected, she was robbed of a decent stretch of peace. It was agony, with her sense of smell increasing and the unending pressure was going to drive her insane.

But now, knowing that she would be close to her rival/crush, she knew that this cycle was going to be utterly unbearable.

She needed to keep her distance from Wednesday as best as she could because one wrong move and Enid was sure she was going to pounce on the shorter girl.

"Hey Fluff and Tuff," Yōko greeted with a small grin on her face as Enid plopped down beside the vampire. "You look very…Agitated."

"It arrived early," Enid groaned. "Do you mind if I room with you until it passes?"

Yōko winced and replied, "Oh, I'm sorry, girl. I wish I could help you out but Divina and Bianca's time synced up so I'm rooming with Kent until it passes."

Enid groaned louder and hid her face in her arms.

"I mean, why can't you stay with Kara again?" Yōko asked.

"Because her heat is going to overlap with mine an—" Enid paused, turned her head, and shot Yōko a look. "When did you get on a first-name basis with my teacher?"

Yōko smirked and replied, "Yeah, we had a bit of a heart-to-heart about some stuff when Addams walked away."

"Great for you," Enid grumbled. "But where else can I stay?"

"I don't know, how about your room?" Yōko suggested. "I mean, you did text me that you and Addams were cool now, right? Just chill in there."

"During my heat? You're just asking for me to pounce on her," Enid groused.

Yōko raised an eyebrow and replied, "Enid, girl, I love you like my sister, but let's not kid ourselves. You've been wanting to pounce that since your first duel with her."

"Nu-uh!" Enid denied.

Yōko gave her a long stare, which made Enid roll her eyes and sigh. "Shut up," Enid grumbled. "But still! With how stuff has been turning out, I know if I lose control, I won't be able to stop until Enȳṓ is having our pups!"

"Whoa!" Yōko exclaimed. "Timeout, flag on the play. First of all, You're calling her the "Goddess of Bloodshed" as a pet name? You're sprung. Second of all, you're skipping all the steps in bedding a girl. Where is the romance, the intimacy? The smoldering looks and kisses? Heck, even the foreplay?" Yōko paused. "Well, more foreplay when it comes to you two."

"I know!" Enid whined. "And I want all of that. I want the cute dates and the smooches and cuddles and all of that! But since last night, it's like my body are fighting against what I truly want…That's why I want to avoid her until it ends."

Yōko crossed her arms and tilted her head. "Alright…I think I know of a place you can hide out but I'll need to speak to a few people. For now, try to withstand those urges of bedding Addams. Consider it training."

Enid groaned.

"Oh! I hate to pile on you but there is your girl," Yōko motioned for Enid to look ahead, prompting Enid to look up to see Wednesday walking across the Quad, with Thing trailing behind her.

Despite Wednesday's scent being weak due to the wind and the distance, the hint of it immediately caused a reaction that had Enid bite back a whimper. "You okay, Enid?" Yōko asked. Enid's cheeks burned as she hastily stood up, knocking over Yōko's breakfast plate. "Hey!" Yōko exclaimed.

"I gotta go! I'll pay for it later!" Enid shouted as she fled.

Wednesday was walking toward the faculty building when she felt a familiar hand scuttling up her leg, skirt, jacket, and then finally her shoulder. "Hello, Thing," Wednesday greeted. "Where have you been?"

"Busy helping Xavier search for Rowan," Thing signed on her shoulder.

"Understood but do not forget that you're my right hand," Wednesday calmly advised. She then paused. "Wait, take a step back. Rowan's gone?"

"Yeah. While you were recovering, Rowan somehow broke out of the jail Yōko and her group had her in," Thing explained.

Agitation filled Wednesday's veins.

"Incompetence rules everything around me," Wednesday muttered with disdain before she continued to walk. "Explain the events of this grave misstep. Leave nothing out." Thing immediately gave her the play-by-play of the events and the immediate aftermath. Once he finished, Wednesday had entered the faculty building and was heading toward Larissa's office.

"I would be impressed if I wasn't infuriated," Wednesday calmly admitted. "I will need to converse with everyone who was there when it occurred. Can you accomplish this?"

Thing bowed on two knuckles.

"Good. Make haste. I have a meeting," Wednesday commanded. Thing hopped off of her shoulder and scuttled away as she opened the door to Larissa's office, only to flinch in surprise.

"Ah, hello, Stormcloud," Morticia greeted with a soft smile as she stood beside Larissa, who sat in her chair.

"Mother? What are you doing here?" Wednesday questioned, surprise coloring her voice. She then shook her head. "No, that is a foolish question. I was in the hospital. Of course, Larissa Weems would see fit to contact you of my injuries."

"Astute as always, Wednesday," Larissa chuckled.

"Wednesday," Morticia began. "How are you feeling?"

"As well as I can be, Mother," Wednesday answered. "As…appreciative as I am of you coming to ensure my wellness, It is no longer required."

Morticia slowly tilted her head and Wednesday felt a chill go down her spine. She was barely able to summon a blood dagger when her cheek was knicked, causing blood to trail down her cheek. She looked at her mother, who had her right hand extended, allowing for Wednesday to see that her right index finger was bleeding.

"You would have been able to avoid that normally," Morticia calmly said. "It seems you are not as recovered as you think you are. Therefore, I will be remaining here until you are one hundred percent."

Wednesday glowered and dismissed her blood dagger before she turned her gaze to Larissa. "I assume you're okay with this?" Wednesday questioned.

"In a normal situation, it wouldn't While a parent has a right to keep an eye on her child, they aren't allowed to remain if they aren't part of the staff," Larissa answered. "However, just the morning, Coach Vlad had to leave due to an emergency for the foreseeable future. Seeing as Morticia was the fencing champion, I requested for her to be his substitute. She has accepted the position."

"It seems I will be here for quite a while yet," Morticia smiled. "I can't hold back the excitement I feel at watching how you've progressed."

Wednesday's glower deepened.

Of course.

"Very well," Wednesday said.

"Now," Larissa started as she leaned on her desk, her fingers steepled. "Tell me, what did you discover on Saturday?"

Wednesday's glower vanished, replaced with a serious expression.

"The killer you're looking for is something I've never faced before," Wednesday revealed.

Curiously, she watched her mother and Larissa exchange a look and her curiosity deepened when it was her mother who said, "Continue."

Water splashed on Rowan's face, causing him to splutter to life. "Where am I?" Rowan coughed. He attempted to look around but without his glasses, he was unable to see anything. He attempted to wipe his eyes, only for his hands to never reach his face.

Because they were shackled to the wall behind him.

"You shouldn't be worried about where you are," a cold voice warned.

Rowan looked up and despite his vision being blurry, he could clearly make out the naked teenage male in front of him, his body covered with fresh blood.

The male smirked.

"Instead, you should worry about what I have planned for you."

Chapter Text

“I don’t know if I can do this, Kara,” Enid tearfully said with a deep look of dread on her face. “How can I stay in the same room as Wednesday like this? I’m going to lose control!”

Kara frowned at the devastated expression that was written on Enid’s face. When Kara woke up this morning, she discovered, to her absolute horror, that her heat decided to rear its ugly head earlier than expected.

She was preparing to leave her home to inform Larissa of this wrinkle and that her sister would need a guest pass to train Enid until her heat passed when Enid exploded into her house in tears. Hearing her protégé beg her to allow her to stay in fear of hurting her crush made Kara’s heart hurt. All Kara wanted to do was throw caution to the wind and risk it all to allow Enid back into her home.

 Kara understood her fear all too well.

She had her own fear of losing control, especially when it came to her own crush, who hadn’t known of her status as an Outcast at the time. It had taken everything Kara had to not pin Lena against the wall and…

Kara pushed that thought from her mind.

She did not want to enter that sort of daze.

But despite her heart wanting to cave to Enid’s plea, Kara knew she would be risking not only her physical health but most importantly, Enid’s.

Outside of their chosen mates, werewolves got deeply territorial when other werewolves were near them during their heat. While Kara cared for Enid as her mentor, the wolf within her wouldn’t see her through the same lens.

It would see Enid as a threat and would act accordingly.

And Kara would rather fight Lex all over again than harm the blonde in front of her.

“Enid, If I wasn’t going into heat, I would invite you back without a second thought and have you wait it out there,” Kara told the smaller blonde. “But you know how dangerous two werewolves in heat being in close proximity could be….”

“I know,” Enid weakly said. “Mom would often yell at me if I was anywhere near the house when she got into heat…and every time I didn’t listen, she made me pay for it…”

Kara didn’t expect it to happen so but Enid’s comment caused rage to quickly build within her, causing her blue irises to briefly flash platinum-red. “…Kara?” Enid whimpered as fear etched itself on her face.

“Don't allow your anger at that situation to cloud your judgment,” Alex’s voice advised within Kara’s head. “Think it all through because yeah, you can rip out Ester's throat, but it's Enid who suffers from your actions. Alright?"

Kara took a harsh breath and forced herself to calm down.

She needed to keep herself together.

For Enid’s sake.

Platinum-red eyes faded back into blue as Kara let out a calmer breath. “I’m okay,” Kara murmured to her protégé.

“Are you sure?” Enid asked.

Kara wanted to pry more into what Enid had meant when she said Ester made her “pay” for it but Kara knew that it wasn’t the time. Not while Enid was distraught over the potential situation of her hurting Wednesday.

So, instead of saying what she was feeling, Kara answered, “…Yeah.” Kara watched as relief filled Enid’s face but Kara didn’t feel good about it.

Enid sniffled and Kara, once against blurring the lines of being Enid’s mentor versus something more, wiped the blonde’s tears. “Hey…I know that you’re terrified, Enid. I was in the same boat. But you’re a lot stronger than you think you are. And let’s not forget, do you think Wednesday is going to let you do what you’re worried about to her?”

Enid shook her head.

“I-I just don’t want to hurt her by losing control….” Enid sniffled.

“I know,” Kara said as she brought Enid into a hug. “But you need to trust in yourself more...” Kara knew just by how Ester would insult Enid when Kara gave the woman her progress reports and it was enough to anger her, so Kara could only imagine why Enid didn’t trust herself.

‘Don’t get angry. Remain calm…’ Kara told herself as Enid returned her embrace.

After a few minutes, Kara gingerly pulled away and said, “After you leave, it’ll be a while until we’re able to be close to each other again…So before that happens, let’s go for a run.”

Enid nodded and mumbled, “Okay…”

A plate of food was thrown down in front of Rowan.

“Eat up,” Tyler commanded.

Rowan stared at the food and murmured, “I’m not hungry.”

Rowan’s head was forcefully wrenched back, causing the bespectacled boy to stare into his captor’s dark brown eyes. “I don’t care whether you are hungry or not,” Tyler calmly said. “Eat or I’ll force you to eat.” Rowan’s hair was released, allowing the boy to bow his head once again.

“Why do you care if I eat or not?” Rowan asked.

“Why?” Tyler asked. “Because I need you.”

Rowan tilted his head and asked, “You need me?”

Instead of answering, Rowan heard Tyler out of the room and close the door behind him.

“You sure that this is going to work?” Tyler asked his master, who smiled in amusement.

“You doubt my methods, Ty?” Marilyn questioned.

Tyler crossed his arms with a wry grin on his face. “Somewhat,” Tyler answered. “I mean, why not just kill him and take the piece we need? Why manipulate him like this?”

“Because I see potential in him,” Marilyn answered as she sipped her tea. “An outcast among outcasts…Someone like that, especially someone as gifted as he is can be of use. It also helps that he fawns over boys like you. All tall, pale, and brooding…If Xavier Thorpe is to go by.”

“Speaking of him, when should I strike?” Tyler asked.

“He has a meeting with Dr. Kieran in an hour, according to his file. His father set up the appointment two weeks ago,” Marylin explained. “Kill him immediately after it. First chance you get. After that, take his brain and hands. Those with his gift require those.”

“After that, should we have enough to strike the Addams girl?” Tyler asked.

“Not quite yet, there are still a few pieces we need,” Marilyn answered. “I can leave that list for you. As for the critical piece, I will need to go to the lion’s den.”

“Lion’s den?” Tyler questioned.

Marylin grinned as she sat her teacup down, stood up, and hooked her arms around Tyler’s shoulders. “The lion’s den,” Marylin repeated. “But don’t worry about that. For now, I want you to do your best with Rowan. Wine and dine him. Sleep with him if it forms the attachment quicker. But I want him by our side by the time I return.”

Tyler placed his hands on her hips and grinned. “And if I succeed?” Tyler asked.

“I’ll give you carte blanche,” Marylin said.

Tyler’s grin grew.

“You got it, Boss…”

It had started to rain by the time Wednesday finished her meeting with Larissa and her mother.

It was annoying.

Just as she was starting to enjoy being away from her mother’s shadow, she was now firmly within it while also being firmly within Larissa’s.

Perhaps she should call Lena once she got to her dorm room to explain her frustrations. Wednesday placed her hands behind her back and proceeded to make her way toward her dorm room. On her way, she spotted Thing sitting on the water fountain and stopped, allowing the appendage to scuttle over to her and climb his way onto her shoulder.

 “Have you done what I asked?” Wednesday asked as she resumed her stroll through the rain.

“I wasn’t able to get everyone,” Thing reported. “However, I was able to get Yōko and Xavier to meet with you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow is too late for me,” Wednesday frowned.

“I’m sorry but—” Wednesday lifted her right hand to stop him as she noticed a familiar face walking toward Ophelia Hall.

“It is not your fault for their absence,” Wednesday hastily said. “Return to Xavier and continue to help him try and find the dead weight. I have something to see to.”

“Something or someone?” Thing teased.

Wednesday did not answer. Instead, she grabbed him and launched him as far as possible without taking her eyes on the figure who had now spotted her. Wednesday slowly approached the figure until they stood face to face in the rain.

“Hello Enid Sinclair,” Wednesday softly greeted.

Enid gave her a small, unsure, smile.

“Hey, Wednesday.”

Chapter Text

"….And that is time," Lena announced as she looked away from her watch and to Xavier with a friendly smile. "We've made great progress today, Xavier. I believe a breakthrough is coming any day now."

Xavier let out a relieved laugh and rubbed the back of his neck. "I certainly hope so. I'd hate to put all of these feelings on daddy issues, y'know?" Xavier replied while grabbing his satchel. "Right on time too because I have to jet."

"Oh? Big plans tonight?" Lena inquired.

"Something like that…" Xavier drifted off. It was then she heard someone knock on the door. Lena stared at the door for a moment and then looked at her ledger. "Expecting someone, Dr. Kieren?" Xavier asked.

Lena shook her head.

"No, you were my last patient this evening," Lena informed as she stood up, walked past the young man, and made it to her door.

She peered through the eyehole and gasped in surprise.

"I can hear your heartbeat on the other side of the door, Lena," the voice revealed. "Open up, already."

Lena was stunned as she opened the door.

With auburn hair that was cut in a side bob, aviator glasses, a dark blue shirt with a leather jacket above it, dark blue jeans with a badge hanging from her belt, and black shoes, Alex Danvers stood on the other side of the door with an expectant smirk. "Sup' Luthor. Been a hot minute," Alex greeted as she strolled inside, with Lena following her movements. "Or is it Kieren now? I can never keep track of what Sam tells me."

"Um…I guess this is a friend so imma jet," Xavier hastily said before he sped past Lena and out of the door, which Lena closed behind her.

"When I heard you were in Jericho of all places when you called my wayward sister, I was shocked," Alex continued as she turned around and leaned on Lena's desk with her arms crossed.

"So, Sam told you everything, I'm assuming," Lena deduced.

"The whole kit and kaboodle," Alex confirmed. "I didn't expect you two to be so close and yet not cross paths until recently."

"Oh, I'm pretty away at your God's sick twist of humor," Lena snorted before she walked toward her couch and sat down across from Alex. "So, what brings you here? Agent Danvers? Another shovel talk?"

"Well, I should. Considering the first one didn't take," Alex quipped. "But no, you're spared that talk. I actually just flew in. Kara's aunt is about to fly into town and I'm picking up training her kid while she preps for it."

"Enid Sinclair, I'm assuming…huh, I was unaware werewolves had periods," Lena commented.

"There's not really a classier way of saying 'Kara's in heat' so I had to use a familiar term," Alex shrugged. "Female werewolves do have periods. Those fated to become Blood wolves, especially if female, on the other hand, don't get that luxury. Different equipment, you see?"

"I see…." Lena hummed. "I was not expecting to learn about werewolf anatomy….So, Kara is gearing up for her heat and that's why you're in Jericho. But why are you here? In my office?"

Lena watched as Alex looked around for a moment and then softly answered, "I wanted to see where you decided to hole up all these years…."

Lena's eyes widened and then she bowed her head.

"You know, when Sam finally spilled the beans about where you were, I was…angry was an understatement," Alex began. "Kelly and Maggie are trying to get me to forgive Sam for leaving you a mystery to me for the past few years but….I never forgot when I lost my memory. I never forgot how you and me bonded and became friends…." Alex huffed. "After you tried to kill Kara, I could have done a lot. I could have hunted you down and ripped out your throat or I could have sent the DEO after you for the attempted murder of an agent….But I didn't…I couldn't. You want to know why?"

Lena peered up at Alex and nodded.

"It's a twofer really. The first reason is simple, Lena. You and my sister are both grown-ass women. What you two have between you stays between you two. I was not and am in the business of interfering between a lover's spat,"

"We're not lovers," Lena retorted.

Alex shot her an amused look. "Lena, you came over to my apartment right before you did what you did with a box of her stuff and when I tried to take it, you snatched a sweater from the box to keep," Alex dryly told the younger woman with a raised eyebrow. "The sweater that you're wearing now."

Lena's face heated up as she glanced down at the simple blue sweater with a row of faded yellow ducklings in the center of it. Lena crossed her arms and said, "I bet you had a good laugh with Kara about that when you told her."

"I didn't tell her anything," Alex told her while removing her glasses, revealing to Lena her brown eyes. "In fact, I haven't even told her about the box yet."

Lena turned to Alex with a surprised expression. "After all this time, you didn't tell her?" Lena asked.

"No," Alex confirmed. "I mean it. What is going on with the both of you stays between the both of you. I'll advise if need be, but this is something you two need to deal with on your own." Alex paused. "Like normal people. Not like with duels and swords and whatnot."

"How can I believe that?" Lena asked, a tone of insecurity in her voice as past hurt filled her heart. "You all laughed at me before behind my back, like I was a big joke, telling me that all of you are my friend when you don't trust me worth a damn."

"You're right. I didn't trust you," Alex softly admitted, causing Lena to blink in surprise as she looked at Alex. "I'll fully admit it. I've never lied about it nor hid it. I have protected Kara from the minute she appeared beside her boy scout of a cousin, scared and alone, after her small city of Krypton, Kaznia exploded. Even when I was insanely jealous and angry at her for even breathing in my direction, even when we both trained with Diana for a time, I still took care of her."

Lena could hear the softness and shame in Alex's words at the way she treated Kara in the past.

"When Kara first told me about you, I didn't trust you at all because of your last name. I mean, you were making a blasted Outcast revealing device or something when you and Kara met. And need I remind you about Clark/Lex? But Kara vouched for you time and again, even when everyone was against you, she was the sole person still on your side," Alex said. "So I decided to judge you by your actions. And yeah, there were some very iffy moments. Like when Kara discovered that you made silver jewel….Krypto—something or other."

Lena remembered that day very well. Her beastly hero had acted so horrified at her being able to create what Lex had called Kryptonite and Lena had shot back at her. After that, her relationship with her hero changed into a cold war while Kara outright avoided her until the blood wolf Reign was defeated.

But even after that, there was a year when Lena felt that she would lose Kara as her friend due to the chasm that had formed between them.

Lena felt a sudden blossom of hurt fill her heart as she replayed the arguments and the cold and callous words she said to Kara in her head. That had to be the catalyst that made Kara realize that she couldn't fully trust her.

"But, you always pulled through when we needed you the most," Alex continued. "And that was why I sincerely tried to be your friend. Because you proved to me that you were trustworthy. So when Kara told me that she wanted to tell you about being an outcast, I gave her the green light."

Lena slowly sat back down as Alex's truthful words settled into her mind. "With all of that said," Alex started. "I firmly believe that you and Kara are both in the wrong regarding your whole relationship."

"What?" Lena asked. "How am I wrong? She's the one who lied to me about what she actually was."

"And you turned a place that was supposed to be her sanctuary and used it against her and used Kryptonite, the very thing you argued Kara down to the bone about, against her, confirming her very worst fear," Alex retorted, immediately shutting Lena up.

"Your friendship with Kara is very complex, and from where I'm sitting, you both were plenty in the wrong for the things that happened during it. But like I said, it's not my place to talk about. But I will say this. On the subject of hiding her identity as an Outcast, revealing a secret identity is really like coming out. It's terrifying because you never know how the person you're revealing your whole self to is going to respond," Alex gently told her.

"Is that why she told everyone but me?" Lena shot back. "Because she was afraid about how a Luthor would respond?"

Alex shook her head with a sad smile.

"Despite popular belief, Kara doesn't trust easily. Hell, out of everyone that knows, she's only told three people willingly," Alex revealed.

"Really?" Lena asked, surprised.

"Yeah. James already knew thanks to Clark opening his big mouth, she was forced to tell Lucy Lane, Cat Grant figured it out on her own, as did Maggie, and I already knew since I'm her sister and an Outcast myself."

"I see," Lena murmured.

"But the only people she willingly told were you, Nia, and Winn," Alex told her. "And you may not know it, but you two have a lot in common when it comes to trust issues."

Lena felt herself become curious about Alex's statement. "Does she?" Lena asked.

"Yeah. But if you want to know more about that, then maybe you should talk to her," Alex told her.

Lena frowned at the suggestion and replied, "….We're holding back that conversation until after our duel…"

Alex groaned.

"I figured. I really wanted you two to talk this out like normal people," Alex sighed. "I guess that was wishful thinking, huh?"

Lena couldn't help but laugh at how exasperated Alex sounded and replied, "Kara and I aren't exactly normal people…"

"Ain't that the truth," Alex laughed.

Once their laughter died down, Lena questioned, "You said that What was the second reason?"

Alex's laughter drifted away and a small grin appeared on her face. "The second reason? Well, that's simple. Like it or not, you're as much my sister as Kara is. Even if you are homicidal sometimes."

Lena stared at Alex with surprise before she ducked her head.

"Well, I better get going. The rain is easing up for a bit and I want to get to Kara's before she catches my scent and knows I showed up a few days early," Alex said as she slipped her glasses back on. "Unless you want to soften the blow and come with me?"

Lena chuckled.

"Let me grab my umbrella."

Enid shivered as she stood in the middle of their dorm room.

"Are you cold?" Wednesday softly questioned as she turned to her, curiosity gleaming in those dark reddish-brown eyes of hers.

So enchanting….

"U-Um…" Enid stammered. She cleared her throat and replied, "Yeah. It was raining pretty hard earlier during my run with Kara. I'm soaked to the bone."

"I see," Wednesday stated before she looked to the floor, an inquisitive expression on her face. Enid wasn't sure if she was supposed to hear Wednesday murmuring, "I was unaware werewolves could get cold," but she did, which made her face redden.

"Full-shifted werewolves don't," Enid explained, prompting Wednesday to look back up at her. "I haven't shifted yet so I don't get full bennis. Only half." Enid lifted her right hand and extended her claws. "Like so…" she shrank her claws with a sheepish grin.

"I see…" Wednesday then tilted her head and stared at her. "If you only receive half of the benefits then I can see how you could be freezing…Here, sit on my bed."

Wednesday took Enid's hand and led her to her bed, where Enid was gently pressured to sit down. "Remain here," Wednesday calmly instructed before she retreated to their bathroom, leaving Enid to watch after her curiously.

What was going on?

Enid didn't have to wait long for Wednesday to return as the shorter girl waltzed back into the room with two of the fluffiest black towels Enid had ever seen. Wednesday placed one on the floor beside her before she kneeled on one knee. "Wednesday…?" Enid softly murmured as Wednesday undid the buckle on Enid's right shoe before slipping it off. "…What are you doing?"

"You are soaking wet, Dolce Nemico," Wednesday answered as the left shoe slid off Enid's foot. "And you are freezing. I'm doing as a rival should."

Enid shivered when Wednesday slid a hand up her leg to her left sock to pull it off, followed by the right. "I didn't think rivals did things like this," Enid quietly said as she stared down into Wednesday's eyes. "Being your rival is certainly showing me new things…Wednesday…"

"I once told you that I wished to enter an intimate level of animosity with you, Enid Sinclair," Wednesday softly reminded her. "We've had the animosity…Are you willing to see the intimate half?"

Enid felt her face burn at the question but she couldn't find her tongue. Instead, she let out a breathy sigh that seemed to reveal all of the feelings that were currently lodged in her throat.

Wednesday bowed her head but Enid could see the tips of Wednesday's ears turn red as the warmth of the towel surrounded her left foot. Enid watched, enraptured as Wednesday moved the towel up her leg to the very edge of her skirt before the towel continued past the barrier to dry off her thigh.

Enid felt her blood race through her veins as she visualized Wednesday's hand as it moved the towel against her skin, wishing how the thick and fuzzy fabric would just evaporate into mist so she could feel Wednesday's hands against her.

However, Enid suffered disappointment as the towel left her left thigh, only to feel it around her right ankle, thus starting the torture anew. As Wednesday dried her right leg, Enid couldn't help but feel soft, spoiled, and desired by such a bold yet gentle act.

If Wednesday wanted to try her hand at the intimate part of being a rival, Enid wasn't going to stop her. Enid felt the towel leave her now-dried right leg and watched as her pretty raven reached up to her skirt to unhook it and pull it down, revealing Enid's bare legs and, embarrassingly enough, her lesbian-colored boy shorts.

Enid had to fight to keep her urges at bay but knew that one wrong move by Wednesday and Enid would be completely swallowed whole by the sea of lust that she was barely surviving against. Wednesday slowly stood and gingerly pulled Enid's blazer back until it hit the bed, leaving Enid to pull her hands out of the sleeve before Wednesday lifted her arms into the air.

Everything about this moment felt precarious to Enid. One wrong move, one wrong sound, and she was afraid that the spell they were under would shatter, making Wednesday afraid to continue whatever this could be.

Wednesday placed a knee on the bed next to Enid's side before she loosened Enid's tie and began to slowly unbutton her shirt. Enid took notice of Wednesday's face, which was shockingly emotionless but reddened and her eyes seemed to glow with a feeling Enid was quickly becoming accustomed to. Enid bit her bottom lip hard as she stared at the goth girl, her shirt now wide open to reveal her white bra.

Wednesday took the black towel and slowly slid it against Enid's stomach and side to dry her both spots but then Wednesday left it there, her eyes locked onto Enid's. She then noticed Wednesday's eyes flash lower and whatever intrusive thought Wednesday had seemingly won as Wednesday leaned down and kissed her collarbone, causing Enid to gasp, "W-Wednesday!" with…

Surprise?

Elation?

Wanton lust?

Enid couldn't figure it out but her body trembled with all of these feelings and more.

"Dolce Nemico," Wednesday breathed against her collarbone before Enid felt the girl's cool lips kiss up to her neck, her hand abandoning the towel to slide up her bare body until stopped right beneath her left breast. "You taste delightful," Wednesday murmured against her neck in between slow, soft kisses, causing Enid's body to tremble.

Enid felt her blood rush, causing her to bite down on her bottom lip hard enough to draw blood, sending it dribbling down her face as Wednesday slipped her hand beneath her bra to—

[So, get away
Another way to feel what you didn't want yourself to know
And let yourself go
You know you didn't lose your self-control.
Let's start at the rainbow]

The sound of a cell phone shattered the air around them, causing both girls to jump in surprise. "A-Ah…H-Hold on," Enid said with a strained voice as she hastily reached into her blazer jacket, fumbled around, and pulled out her cell phone.

Meanwhile, Wednesday growled in annoyance and lowered her head until her forehead met Enid's shoulder. "Someone better be dead or dying," she heard Wednesday mutter.

[Turn away
Another way to be where you didn't want yourself to go
And let yourself go
Is that a compromise?]

Enid quickly answered the phone and greeted, "What?"

"Whoa, amp down, Enid," Yōko's voice greeted with a serious tone. "We need you to get Wednesday and meet us in the middle of the Quad."

"What? Why?" Enid asked.

"We have a normie and Xavier here and Xavier…he's pretty banged up."

Chapter Text

Enid's mind was in turmoil as she and Wednesday followed Yōko into what Yōko called the Nightshade Library. She should be upset that Yōko hid something like this from her, but all her mind could focus on was what happened with Wednesday.

Having Wednesday touch her. Having Wednesday kiss her neck. Had Yōko waited just a little bit longer to call, there was no telling what Wednesday would have done.

'Oh, I think we know what Wednesday would have done…' A voice that suspiciously sounded like Yōko's taunted within Enid's mind. Enid looked at the shorter girl beside her and noted the absolutely venomous expression on her face.

Enid had noted that Wednesday sounded furious when Enid relayed what Yōko had told her but to see it on her face…It admittedly was doing things to Enid.

Why did she have to look so hot when angry?

Enid let out a small breath.

She needed to set a boundary with Wednesday before her heat fully set in and did it for her.

With Wednesday by her side, Enid followed Yōko into the main chamber of the Nightshade Library where she saw Ajax, and Kent sitting inside but in the middle of the room lay the unconscious forms of Xavier and a black male teen. Xavier had a large gash on the side of his shirt and the unknown teen had a gash going down his right shoulder to his left hip but both were breathing.

"And here we are," Yōko announced, only for Wednesday to march past her and stand above the two boys. Enid watched as she leaned over and observed the wound on Xavier's side before looking at the other teen.

"How irksome…" Wednesday murmured before she leaned down and hiked up the right side of her skirt.

"Wednesday!" Enid shouted, her face aflame.

Everyone, including an inquisitive Wednesday, turned to her.

"Y-You can't just do that!" Enid exclaimed, her voice strained to her ears.

"Do what, Enid?" Wednesday questioned.

Enid's face burned as she helplessly motioned to Wednesday's slightly raised skirt. "T-That!" Enid answered. She then looked at the two boys and pointed to the exit. "Out!"

"What? Why do we have to leave?" Kent asked.

"I wanted to see what's going to happen next," Ajax commented.

"Out!" Enid commanded.

Kent and Ajax jumped out of their seats and quickly exited the library. Enid then turned to Yōko and said, "You too, Koko!"

Startled, Yōko asked, "W-Why me? Nini, What did I do?!"

"I saw you watching too," Enid responded. "Your eyes were hella glued to her backside when she stormed passed you. I seent it with my own eyes. I seent it!"

Yōko crossed her arms and defended, "What? Addams has a nice ass. Can you blame a gal?"

"You have two perfectly pretty girls as girlfriends with perfectly good behinds so stop staring at mine," Enid warned with a deep pout.

"Yours?" both Wednesday and Yōko asked, Wednesday's face morphed into a subtle look of surprise while Yōko looked downright amused.

"A-Ah," Enid struggled before she pointed at the exit with force. "G-Get out!"

"Alright, alright," Yōko surrendered with her hands in the air. "I'll skidaddle. I see when I'm not wanted." Yōko then stepped up to Enid and said, "But we will be talking about your girlfriend." With that parting threat, Yōko excused herself, leaving Enid somewhat alone with Wednesday.

Enid slowly turned to Wednesday, who still had the faint look of surprise on her face, and sheepishly rubbed her neck. "Sorry about that, my mouth has a bad habit of running itself some—" Wednesday held up a finger to stop Enid from speaking another word. Enid immediately shut her mouth, and slowly, Wednesday hiked up the right side of her skirt to reveal her leg holster, which had her dagger sheathed within it.

"Arketá (pretty)," Enid murmured.

She wasn't expecting something like that to look so…attractive to her.

Wednesday unsheathed her dagger and cut her palm while keeping her eyes on the two boys. "Do you recall when you saved me from the gargoyle?" Wednesday inquired.

Enid tilted her head in thought before her eyes widened. "You healed me using blood magic," Enid answered.

"It takes a fair bit of magic to perform such a feat," Wednesday revealed as she kept her eyes on the two unconscious boys. "I may be recovering still, but I have enough magic to heal the two of them, thus allowing them to live." Wednesday hummed in displeasure."…It is hard to ask for help. My pride makes me incapable of doing such a thing." Wednesday then turned to Enid, her irises glowing ruby-red. "However, since you threw yourself into the role of my protector and have claimed me as yours, I will be under your care until I recover."

"How long could that be?" Enid asked.

Wednesday looked away and kneeled in between the two boys. "It could be a week. Maybe more. But during that time, I will be left…defenseless to your whims."

Against her control, Enid felt her blood rush downward at how sexy Wednesday sounded when she said that word.

Defenseless…

"Oh," Enid rasped. "W-Well…How can I refuse such an offer?"

"I'll be holding you to that, Dolce Nemico," Wednesday chuckled as she placed her cut palm against the unknown boy's chest. Enid watched as ruby-colored veins appeared on Wednesday's body, followed by it appearing on the boy's before his large wound began to slowly close. "Because we were interrupted before I could smother this intense flame within me. And I know from your blood, that your fire has only begun to rage."

Enid flushed and looked at the ground. "You know that I'm on the edge of my heat?" Enid meekly asked.

"Ah, I was unaware of the official term werewolves call it, but yes," Wednesday calmly answered. "I could practically feel how enflamed you were without even touching you." Enid looked up to see that Wednesday's skin had gotten paler but the boy's chest was healed.

She cut her other palm and placed it on Xavier's side and like before, ruby-colored veins appeared on both of their bodies. "I could also see that my actions were affecting you," Wednesday continued, her voice sounding harsher to Enid's ears. "And I can only tell you how… enticing it was to know that I could ignite your passion."

Enid's face reddened.

"O-Okay…" Enid breathed. "So you turned me on. I'm not afraid to admit it…But a werewolf in heat, even a non-shifting werewolf, could be dangerous."

"Higher the risk, higher the reward," Wednesday replied.

"I could hurt you," Enid offered. "We're known to bite."

"My body trembles at such a promise," Wednesday retorted.

"We haven't even had a date yet," Enid said. "I don't want you to have my pups before we even had dinner together."

"Then allow me to rectify that," Wednesday concluded as she pulled her hand from Xavier's side, leaving it unblemished. Enid watched as Wednesday stood up, only to buckle. Enid raced to Wednesday's side and caught her in her arms bridal style before she was anywhere near the ground. "Would you like to accompany me to dinner, Enid Sinclair?"

"So blasé," Enid laughed, her cheeks practically hurting from both how hard she was smiling and how hot she felt. "Alright. I accept."

"As you should. Since I am yours after all," Wednesday softly taunted.

Chapter Text

"I didn't expect Kara to live in a cabin," Lena commented as she and Alex strolled up the path leading to an impressively tall log cabin. "How…rustic."

"Kara got really into the lumberjack life after you two had your dramatic lesbian breakup," Alex teased. "I remember when she made her first cabin. It sucked. Badly, but she quickly got the hang of it. It took her about…seven months to build this bad boy in anticipation of staying near Nevermore for Enid."

"She built this?" Lena gasped.

That made no sense to Lena. Kara's home looked far too professional for her to build it. She was always so clumsy. "That can't be right. This looks more like a luxury log cabin that I would live in during my stay in Aspen. Look at that large bay window. Is that a fireplace? Is it two stories? She has a garage."

Alex nodded and answered, "Kara is pretty handy with her hands. Add in her big brain and her strength and speed, she could truly outpace any professional builder. She did everything on her own. Even the electricity. Heck, she even made the stone path we're walking on."

Lena stared gobsmacked at Alex for a moment before she sighed. "She always portrayed herself as so much lesser than a lot of people. She made herself sound like a valley girl to me…And yet, she could do things like this in just seven months?" Lena bowed her head. "I never really knew her, did I?"

"That's a conversation for you and Kara to have," Alex said as she patted Lena's back. Lena walked up the stone steps that led to Kara's front door and almost snorted at the sight of a Christmas wreath hanging from it. "It's nowhere near Christmas."

"Tell that to Kara. You know that's her favorite holiday," Alex chuckled before she pressed the doorbell.

The door slowly cracked open to reveal the right half of Kara's face. "Alex!" Kara exclaimed with excitement as she swung the door open to reveal her full body.

Kara wore a white tank top and gray sweatpants. Unfortunately for Lena, Kara was soaking wet, causing the blonde's clothes to cling to her, allowing Lena to not only see her breasts (revealing to Lena that the woman did not wear a bra), but she could clearly see the outline of Kara's tool in the sweatpants.

Lena tried.

She tried so hard to keep her eyes locked on Kara but she couldn't ignore how her breasts and abs were clinging to the tanktop. Nor could she not stop the forbidden thought of her tongue tracing the blonde's abs from popping into her mind.

Lena was barely able to get her face to cool down when Kara spotted her. "L-Lena! What are you doing here?" Kara asked with a strange thickness in her voice.

Lena's eyes snapped up to Kara's face. Using all of her willpower, she slipped on the "Luthor Mask" and greeted, "Good evening, Kara. I'm glad to see you too."

"I'm sorry," Kara hastily apologized. "It's not like I don't want to see you. I just wasn't expecting you to be with Alex…" Kara turned to her older sister. "…Who arrived earlier than I expected."

"What can I say, I love surprising you, Kara," Alex grinned. "You going to invite us in or are you going to let us stand out here until the rain gets heavy again?"

"Oh! Sure! Come in, both of you," Kara said as she stepped aside and motioned for the two of them to enter her home. Lena nodded her thanks and entered Kara's home, where she was met with a fairly large but cozy living room that had one long couch, two lazy boys, and a large flat-screen television mounted over the fireplace. "Did you just get out of the shower or go on a run?" Alex asked Kara, prompting Lena to look at Kara's form once again.

It was so painful to see Kara with her shirt wet and seethrough like this. She could see the woman's tastefully defined back muscles. Lena was grateful that Kara had her back to her at the moment because she could feel her body heating up at the sight of them.

"I went on a run with Enid," Kara answered. "I just got home through the backdoor literally before you rang the doorbe—" Kara suddenly stopped and turned to look at Lena with a strange expression on her face.

"Lena," Kara said with that strange thickness back in her voice. "You should go upstairs."

"Upstairs? Why?" Lena asked.

"You're wet," Kara answered. "F-From the rain outside! Plus, I gotta talk to Alex alone. Is that alright?"

"Yes, that's quite alright?" Lena replied questioningly.

"You can just take some clothes out of my room, feel free to grab anything," Kara encouraged.

Lena nodded and slowly made her way upstairs.

What was that about?

"Wow," Alex drawled once Lena's form disappeared upstairs. "She didn't try to hide it at all."

"Alex!" Kara hissed. "Why would you bring her here while I'm on the verge of my heat?! You know how these things get for me!"

"I needed the ride," Alex defended. "Plus, I wanted to get her faster to surprise you. I figured it would be great for her to know where you live just in case Luthor Luck decides to strike."

"But I'm at the edge, Alex! And you caught her scent! My wolf has been scratching at the back of my mind about mating with her a lot as it is. What if she visits while I'm in the middle of it? I won't be able to control myself!"

"Kara," Alex sighed. "We both know that while being in heat heightens things, it can't drive you to do something you don't want to do already. I thought we left that "Wolves in Heat are practically uncontrolled rapists" thing in the 1800s."

Kara let out a sharp breath.

"Look, you and Lena have a lot to work through and I doubt you'd make things worse by sleeping with her while all those things are left unsaid," Alex told her. "You two have been apart for a while. Just keep your urges and thoughts in check and be her friend."

Kara sheepishly nodded and said, "Yeah, you're right…I have much better control than most wolves. Blaming my wolf for what I want isn't right to either half of me."

"…It also doesn't help that she can see a lot of you due to being wet," Alex commented. "Maybe if you don't want her to spike, you should go get dried off."

"What? Why would me being soaking wet make a difference in her spiking?" Kara asked.

Alex pinched the bridge of her nose with a deep sigh.

Chapter Text

The rainfall of the day before turns into a raging storm the following morning and yet, despite the storm, and the lack of sleep, Enid couldn't wipe away the silly smile on her face.

She had a date with Wednesday.

Not a quasi-date like they had before Wednesday's duel with Weems, but a bonafide date. Enid could barely shut her eyes as scenes of what their date could be like flashed through her head throughout the night. She literally calmed down enough to sleep three hours before her alarm blarred.

She was a little bummed to discover that Wednesday was not in their room when she awakened, but that didn't matter because Enid knew that the small blood witch would return at the end of the day. Sure, that would spell trouble because her heat was near the apex where she could lose control at any minute, but she wouldn't let that ruin her day.

"Girl, look at you replacing the sun today," Yōko quipped when Enid plopped down beside her in the fencing hall. "You are absolutely beaming."

"Am I?" Enid asked, her face hurting from how wide her smile was. "I guess I am."

Yōko tilted her head and slyly asked, "Did a certain wolf finally lay claim to the little dark cloud?"

Enid blushed and said, "No! But she did ask me out on an official date last night."

"Whoa! Congrats, girlie. I'm happy for ya," Yōko said with a genuine smile. "This is literally what you wanted before you knocked her up."

Enid lightly shoved Yōko as her face burned. "I'm not going to knock her up, Yōko," Enid hissed. "I'm not even thinking about any of that right now!"

"That's not what mini-you is saying right now," Yōko pointed out as she pointed down to Enid's lap. Enid looked absolutely mortified as she grabbed her bookbag and covered her lap. "I mean, I certainly don't blame you. Addams is quite the catch."

"Yōko…" Enid warned.

Yōko laughed and playfully nudged Enid. "Relax, Pup, I'm happily content with Divina and Bianca. A girl can still admire. I'm not going to step on your toes," Yōko told her. "But, you may want to get some control of your heat. You know the aggression it brings."

Enid grunted and nodded.

"Speaking of small, short, and bloody, have you seen your little bloodling?" Yōko asked. "Thanks to the rain, I can't catch her scent at all."

"I don't know," Enid frowned. "I thought that she would be here. I don't think it's like her to miss class." Enid crossed her arms in thought. "I wonder where she could be…"

"Wednesday. You look positively exhausted," Morticia commented as Wednesday sat on the other side of Larissa's desk. "Did you not rest last night?"

"Unfortunately, I did not," Wednesday answered. "My rest was…interrupted." Wednesday looked away from her mother and Larissa, hoping to keep her annoyance at bay. While Wednesday was quietly thrilled that Enid had accepted her request to court her, she was still irked that she had failed in being successfully ravaged.

Was it poor of her to still harp on this? Perhaps, but she had spent the majority of her time after speaking to Lena building the wherewithal to even confront Enid with her desires and properly seduce her. She even spent time doing her proper research, poorly written as they were.

To have her plans of quelling the inferno within her soul dashed by Xavier and Lucas' brush with death did not sit well with her. But perhaps, this was a blessing in disguise, as her first attempt at seduction had given her ample information for additional research.

The next opportunity she had, she would be ravaged until she begged for a respite.

"Interrupted?" Larissa questioned, causing Wednesday to turn to her principal.

"Yes. Xavier and a normie, Lucas, were attacked last night," Wednesday revealed. "I used the magic I had built up to heal them."

"And where are they now?" Larissa asked with interest.

"After I healed them, I instructed Kent and Ajax to bring them to the nurse's office," Wednesday answered.

"Why did you not reach out to us?" Morticia asked. "I could have healed them instead."

Wednesday did not miss the small look Larissa gave to her mother.

"I was told by Tanaka Yōko of their injuries. I…admittedly was not of sound mind when I was given the news," Wednesday admitted.

Larissa leaned back in her chair and furrowed her brows before she asked, "Wednesday, do you think that our target is the cause of their injuries?"

Wednesday nodded.

"While I healed them, I spotted some blood that did not belong to either of them. This blood matches the scent of that beast," Wednesday confirmed. "But, I'd rather confirm my suspicions than automatically assume that we have identified the culprit."

"Where is your mind, my daughter?" Morticia inquired.

Wednesday leaned back in her chair and let out a breath. "Mother, while I healed the majority of their wounds, I am sure that they will need further assistance. Are you willing to complete their healing so I can question them?"

"Of course, anything I can do to bring you and Larissa's case to a close, I shall," Morticia answered as she stood from the edge of Larissa's desk and glided toward the door. "Shall I stop by your dorm room once I've healed them? Assuming you will be there, of course."

Wednesday opened her mouth, only for Larissa to answer, "Yes. She will be there to properly rest for the day." Wednesday turned to Larissa in surprise. "I will inform your classes of your excused absence for the next three days. That should give you ample time to recover, correct?"

Wednesday frowned but replied, "Correct."

"Good," Larissa nodded. "Once the normie and Xavier awaken, I will question them in your stead and pass the information over to you. For now, you're on a temporary leave of absence. Do enjoy it."

Wednesday wanted to object to this but an image of Enid flashed in her mind. "Larissa," Wednesday started. "I am aware that Enid is still forced to remain on the premises as punishment but is it possible for the last day of my absence that I take Enid to Jericho?"

"Enid? That sweet young werewolf we met on your first day here?" Morticia questioned.

Wednesday stiffened for a brief moment but then relaxed and nodded.

"I will allow a brief respite in her punishment to allow this," Larissa answered. "You've done good work. No sense in denying you a simple request. I will inform her at the end of the day."

"Much obliged, Larissa," Wednesday murmured with a bow of her head.

"Now that this meeting is adjourned, Wednesday, may I walk you back to your dorm?" Morticia inquired. "It is the perfect weather for mother-daughter walk."

Wednesday grunted.

She'd rather walk with Lena than endure the torture that was her mother.

"If I must," Wednesday replied.

Something in the air was off.

Kara could smell it.

Despite the heavy storm going on outside, Kara could smell the pungent scent of blood in the air.

"Alex, you smell that?" Kara asked her older sister as she turned to face her. Alex, who had the edge of a large steak in her mouth, mumbled something before she took a bite and swallowed the piece of steak.

"What?" Alex asked.

"Do you smell that?" Kara repeated.

Alex sniffed the air and immediately, her eyes went wide. "That's a lot of blood in the air…Someone has to be dead…" Alex replied.

Kara grunted and tilted her head. Lena was thankfully still in the shower, so she wouldn't need to be put in any sort of danger. "Alex—"

"Yeah, yeah, go handle it, Kara. I'll chill here and watch after Baby Luthor," Alex interrupted with a knowing grin. "Go kick some ass. I'll keep breakfast warm for you."

Kara nodded, took a deep breath, and proceeded to leave her living and her home, entering the cold, pouring rain. Kara sniffed the air and growled before she got down on all fours and ran after the scent. In a normal situation, Kara wouldn't dare run on all four like this as it runs the risk of triggering a change, especially while she is in heat.

But the wolf in her desired to be closer to their primal side and deep down, Kara desired it too. It felt sublime to be able to feel the wind and water against her face, through her hair, and on her body. It felt freeing to shrug off humanity, just for a little bit, and embrace her wolfish nature.

Kara dashed through the trees, allowing the scent of blood to lead the way until she skidded to a stop. In the distance, she could see the outline of a massive beast that she had never seen before. It was tearing through the body of two people.

And from the sounds of the pained whimpering, one of them was still alive.

And that's all Kara needed to hear to throw caution to the wind and charge toward the unknown beast.

Chapter Text

Blood splashed against the grass as the strange creature fell to one knee, its body littered with deep gashes and its left eye hanging from its socket while Kara flexed her claws with a confident smirk on her face.

Kara's tank top was completely torn apart, leaving her scratched-up chest bare, her right pant leg was torn from the knee down and her left shoe was ripped to shreds. Despite the ferociousness of the strange beast, it was woefully unequipped to fight a seasoned werewolf in Kara.

It didn't have a chance.

"You've been beaten," Kara told the beast, who struggled to rise to both feet. "Now change back, reveal your true form, and surrender."

The beast weakly snarled at her before it launched itself at her.

Kara narrowed her eyes, jumped into the air with a twirl, and delivered a brutal axe kick to the beast's head, sending it crashing face-first to the ground. Kara then landed on its back, peeled its face from the ground, and held her claws to its neck. "Surrender," Kara insisted with a low growl. "You're beaten."

The beast growled and attempted to struggle, only for Kara to ram its face against the ground and then hold its head back up. "Surrender or I'll have to put you down," Kara urged. "I don't want to have to take your life so please stop!"

The beast snarled and struggled harder, which caused Kara to slam its face back against the ground, where its struggle got weaker. Slowly, its body began to shrink, prompting Kara to release its hair…Only for her body to be forcefully repelled off of its body and through the forest until she crashed to the ground.

She growled and attempted to force herself free from the invisible force pinning her to the ground but she couldn't get free. Instead, she was forced to watch as another figure picked up the shrunken form of her opponent and quickly fled.

Wednesday felt….strange walking with her mother back to her dorm. If she could properly word the feeling, it would be…antsy. She knew why she felt this way. Somewhere in Nevermore, her Dolce Nemico was running about and her mother was here. She didn't understand why she felt this way, as her mother had already met Enid during their first day.

But that was as strangers.

When Morticia would meet her again, she would be Wednesday's inamorata.

Wednesday's foolish heart fluttered at that word.

Inamorata….

Wednesday never knew she could find someone more fitting of that word, but somehow, Enid had done it and hadn't even known. Wednesday would have to bed her soon to make the werewolf hers for two lifetimes at least.

"Wednesday, you are absolutely glowing," Morticia commented with a pleased tone in her voice, snapping Wednesday back to reality.

"Cease your foolish comments," Wednesday muttered, her cheeks burning at being caught thinking about her werewolf. "When do you return home?"

"I figured you would ask such a question," Morticia chuckled. "I will be here until you have fully recovered. And who knows how long that will be?"

Wednesday grunted.

"You and Larissa Weems seem to be closer," Wednesday noted. "You were sitting on the edge of her desk earlier…And her eyes were locked on your backside before we departed."

"Were they?" Morticia questioned with a small smile of amusement.

"Is this something I should worry about?" Wednesday questioned.

"No, Larissa and I are friends," Morticia calmly answered. "Nothing more."

Wednesday furrowed her brows. While she loathed to admit it, she took quite a bit after her mother, so it made things easier for her to slip through her mother's thick emotional wall. While it was faint, she noticed a faint glimmer of shame and disappointment in her mother's eyes.

"Nothing more?" Wednesday repeated.

"Nothing more," Morticia assured.

'Then why do your eyes reflect shame and disappointment?' Wednesday wanted to ask her mother but she bit her tongue. There were lines a child should not cross with their parents and while Wednesday knowingly toed that line whenever she spoke to her parents, this felt like something that she shouldn't intrude on. Instead, she would focus on Larissa Weems and get to the bottom of why her mother felt shame.

Wednesday nodded and then asked, "Mother? Before you escort me back to my room, may we visit Xavier and the normie?"

"I do not see why not," Morticia answered. "But may I ask why?"

"I would like to question them before Larissa does. While I am her right hand, I do not want to miss out on any information, especially if she feels like she must hide it from me," Wednesday explained.

"I doubt Larissa would hide any important information from you, Wednesday," Morticia softly defended. "She's more open than you think."

Wednesday hid her surprise.

Her mother seldom defended anyone outside of their family and her sister. Why would she defend Larissa Weems?

"With that said," Morticia continued. "I do understand why you request this and I will be more than happy to escort you to them before I escort you back to your room."

Wednesday nodded but worry filled her stomach.

She would need to discuss this new development with Lena as soon as possible…

When Wednesday and her mother entered Nevermore's med bay, Wednesday was quickly met with annoyance. She had hoped that Xavier would be awake but instead, the normie, Lucas, was the one who regained consciousness first.

But her annoyance was softened when she noticed that the bravado he had shown when they met was long gone, replaced with a somber and apologetic look toward Xavier's sleeping form. "Oh, it's you…" Lucas greeted. "Hey."

"Luca Walker," Wednesday greeted. "You're the last person I would have expected to be anywhere near Nevermore, let alone with an Outcast like Xavier."

"Yeah, well…When a freaky monster decides to chow down on that outcast, who quickly saves your life, those types of prejudices tend to die a death," Lucas sighed. He then turned to Morticia and mumbled, "Hello ma'am…"

"Good morning," Morticia greeted. "How are you, dear?"

"Sore…tired…happy to be alive," Lucas replied. "But I owe that to this guy."

"What happened?" Wednesday questioned. "How did you wind up in such a situation?"

Lucas ran a hand through his hair. "I was driving around. Dad and I got into an argument and needed to clear my head. I was driving when I saw him being chased by this… freaky-looking monster. And when I say freaky, I don't mean your type of freaky."

Wednesday hummed her displeasure at the comment but decided to let it go.

"It was like a…deformed, monstrous version of a dead Quasimodo," Lucas explained. "He was about to cut the guy in half. I ran him over with my car. Wrecked it too but it didn't do any damage to the monster. I barely managed to grab onto him before the monster smacked me into a tree. Xavier then made these admittedly badass ink monsters and distracted it enough for us to get away," Lucas then made a face. "Which is weird…I should be more hurt than sore. I got my ass whooped."

"You can thank my daughter for that," Morticia said. "She was the one that healed both of you of your more grievous injuries."

Lucas looked confused as he turned to her. "Wait…You saved me?" Lucas asked. "Even after all the bullshit I put you through?"

Wednesday hummed in confirmation. "I did not wish to see any more death. That's all," Wednesday explained.

"Still…thanks for the help," Lucas said with an exhausted smile. "If you need anything, anything at all, I got your back. And a Walker always repays their debts."

Wednesday opened her mouth to deny this before she closed her mouth and then nodded. She would never know when she might need a favor and having the son of a rich man could be advantageous for her. "As I doubt you won't allow me to deny you, I accept your thanks and your debt. I hope to never use it but if I do, I hope you repay it," Wednesday replied.

"Dear, perhaps we should allow young Walker here to rest," Morticia suggested. "He looks dead on his feet."

Wednesday nodded and said, "Lucas, when Xavier awakens, have him reach out to me, alright?"

"No sweat," Lucas answered. "The second he wakes up, I'll have him reach out to you."

"Thank you," Wednesday said before she motioned to her mother, who nodded at Lucas before the two left the room. Once the mother-daughter duo left the building, Wednesday turned to her mother and said, "I am ready to be escorted back to my dorm ro—"

"Wednesday!" Enid's excited voice greeted, causing Wednesday's heart to flutter…

…Only for it to drop when she noticed Morticia's amused expression.

It was so painfully easy to be attracted to Kara Danvers.

Lena had known that from the second she met the blonde woman. She had a smile that could brighten up even the darkest day, a laugh that could make even the more dour person crack a smile, and a…childish wonder about the world around her that made everything feel more magical.

Every day in National City, Lena felt like she was experiencing it with open eyes when with Kara. Throughout the years they were best friends, even when things got harder, Kara remained a constant source of warmth in her life.

Something Lena had deeply lacked up to that point in time.

But since reuniting with her, Lena noticed that that blonde woman was more subdued with the sunshine she used to exuberate. Lena didn't blame Kara for this. So many things have happened between the time Lena burned the bridge between their hearts and now.

Kara was once again a mentor, but this time to a teenage girl versus a girl in her early twenties, she was now living her truth as a werewolf and thus exhibiting more werewolf qualities, and she seemed more…on edge.

Lena had to wonder if it was because of her. She didn't have a basis on how Kara acted before she came back into her life. What if she was the cause of Kara being on edge like this? Lena hoped it wasn't true but if it was, she could hardly blame her.

She had hurt Kara so much with her betrayal. The fact that Kara even wanted to extend an olive branch, as violent as it was, to her meant that Kara wanted to resolve the feelings she felt and gain closure. But what would happen to them once their duel concluded? Lena shook her head and switched off the hot shower.

Kara Danvers always found a way to confuse her.

Lena stepped out of the shower, dried herself off, and then grabbed the large sweatshirt and sweatpants that she grabbed out of Kara's room before she walked downstairs to the living room, where Alex sat munching on some food.

"About time," Alex teased. "You get lost up there?"

"I decided to have a shower before changing," Lena answered. She then looked around when she didn't notice Kara. "Where is Kara?"

"…I could lie to you but I'd rather not," Alex sighed. "Kara smelled blood in the air outside and went to go check it out."

Lena stilled.

"Blood?" Lena repeated. "She smelled blood? From who?"

"I don't know," Alex answered. "But you know her. She has to be the one to check it out."

"How long has it been?" Lena asked.

Alex glanced at the clock and answered, "It's been twenty minutes since she left."

"Twenty minutes?!" Lena repeated, aghast at the answer. "She went to investigate something and has been gone for twenty minutes? She could be in danger!"

"She's fine, Lena. She's a werewo—" Alex must have seen the horrified expression change into a determined one because she quickly said, "Oh no. Lena, we are not going out there. Kara has it handled."

"She may be a werewolf but werewolves have weaknesses and can be matched," Lena retorted with a pained expression. "I should know…I will not allow Kara to face something dangerous alone. Especially now that I know what she truly is."

"Lena, no," Alex firmly said. "She'll be fine."

Lena narrowed her eyes until the front door opened and a shirtless Kara entered her home. "Kara…" Lena exhaled in relief as she placed a hand on her chest. "You're alright…"

"See? You worried for nothing," Alex told Lena before she turned to Kara and said, "Though you don't look happy, Kara."

"Lena? Can you call the police?" Kara asked. "We have victims."

Chapter Text

"Come."

Kara looked up at Lena's stern expression from her position on the couch, the other woman's hand held out to her. It had been ten minutes since Jericho's Sheriff and the ambulances had left and all of the adrenaline had flown out of Kara's body faster than a cut could bleed.

She knew that eventually, the sheriff, as well as Principal Weems, would call upon her about what happened, but for now, she couldn't think about any of that. Her exhaustion couldn't let her. All she really had left was hope that the victims would survive their wounds.

Kara nodded and with all of her strength, she lifted her hand and placed it into Lena's, allowing for the other woman to hoist her up. Kara stumbled but Lena's steadied her by holding her arms. Kara could see the concern in Lena's eyes but nodded her head with a small smile, wordlessly telling her that she was ok.

Lena nodded and then turned to Alex. "Alex, I'll take Kara upstairs so she can rest," Lena informed. "Can you—"

"I'll hold down the fort," Alex interrupted. "Just take care of her…and her wounds. Our healing takes longer when our adrenaline runs out."

Lena nodded her thanks and understanding before Kara was helped upstairs. "We will have to work and bandage your wounds first, will that be alright?" Lena asked her.

Kara hummed her answer, her eyes drooping halfway. Kara was helped into the bathroom, where she sat on the edge of the tub while Lena searched around for standard wound care products such as alcohol, bandages, and the like.

Once found, Lena kneeled on both knees and asked, "I know you only just put it on but can I remove your shirt?"

Kara was far too exhausted to be embarrassed by Lena seeing her bare chest and nodded her consent. Lena nodded, lifted Kara's arms into the air, and removed her shirt, leaving Kara bare to the world.

Lena eased Kara's arms down and began to apply dabs of alcohol onto the various scratches on Kara's chest and shoulders. "To think you got out of such a situation with only scratches is impressive, Kara," Lena softly complimented.

"As fearsome as that unknown monster was, it fought like a mindless beast," Kara tiredly answered. Kara then narrowed her eyes. "Actually? No, there was intelligence in the way it avoided certain attacks and retaliated but…It fought more like a cub than a full beast…It was childlike…"

Lena furrowed her brows. "So…you think that beast you fought was a mere child?" Lena asked.

"I do," Kara answered. "Which is foreboding…Had I fought a more experienced opponent, I doubt I would've walked away with just a few cuts and bruises." Kara sighed. "I don't know what force pushed me away from it, but I should have killed it."

Lena frowned before Kara winced at the sting of the alcohol. "You would kill a child?" Lena asked.

Kara grimaced and answered, "I don't want to, but if it refuses to back down again, I just might have no choice. Especially when it's killing others." Kara narrowed her eyes. "I hate that I'm back at this choice. It always comes down to killing…"

"You've made such a choice before?" Lena softly asked.

Kara bowed her head, keeping her eyes on the ground, fearing how Lena would look at her.

"I've killed. Many times," Kara softly revealed. "But I could never bring myself to harm a child. It's not their fault that they can't control themselves, y'know? Nia was like that. When she first came into her abilities as an Outcast, A Dreamwalker, she was all over the place. She wasn't aware that she could harm, or even kill someone, in their dreams. Everyone at the D.E.O. thought I would need to find and kill her. But I didn't, and it worked out. But there were others I gave that same chance to that refused, that wanted to harm others. Those were the ones that I had to kill…after a few more chances."

Kara sighed once again.

"When it came to kids, it was the same. Some understood and wanted to learn to control their abilities. Those that did, we actually brought them to Nevermore. The D.E.O. had a deal with them. I've even seen a few there. But for others who continued their chaos, I would advocate to keep them locked away until we figured something out. Some weren't as kind as me. It was all so exhausting…" Kara let out a shaky laugh. "When I first started at the D.E.O., I actually loved to fight, y'know? Aunt Astra always said I had anger issues and fighting tended to let me cut loose. It made me a "Claw first, ask questions later," type of gal. But the longer I worked there and put myself through constant battles, I grew sick of it all and did anything I could to end the bloodshed. I thought a day was good when I could convince just one person to stand down. And when I couldn't…Like with Astra, Non, Rhea…" Kara paused for a moment. "Like with Lex…it would feel like I was a failure and I…I couldn't face it…"

Kara braved a look at Lena, only to see the other woman staring in the direction of Kara but not at Kara. "How long did you do this before we met?" Lena asked.

"About a year," Kara answered.

"How long after we met?" Lena continued.

"…Until the incident in your lab…" Kara hesitantly answered. "So about—"

"…Three years," Lena interjected.

Kara then noticed that Lena's hands were trembling. "Lena?" Kara voiced.

"Those days when you would lock yourself in your apartment…the days you couldn't eat or sleep…Those were the days you weren't able to talk anyone down, that you were forced to kill…" Lena spoke. "You would always make up such lame excuses for it too…I would rant to you about the problems at L-Corp or with my mother and yet, you were dealing with something so much hard—"

"Don't do that," Kara gently interrupted. "Don't minimize what you were going through. Your job was hard. Being the person everyone had to go to…and your mom was a real piece of work who emotionally abused and neglected you. My problems don't outweigh yours."

Lena shook her head.

"No, it just tells me how selfish I was," Lena said. "I never prodded too deeply into your mood. Just often letting you brush it aside instead of getting to the bottom of it."

"Because I didn't want to talk about it," Kara informed.

"But you often drew the problems out of me, even when I didn't want to talk about it, and I felt worlds better about it once you did," Lena argued. "While I failed to even get to the first layer of your distress. What kind of friend does that make me?"

"Lena," Kara breathed.

"Why couldn't you have just told me, Kara?" Lena asked her, her eyes finally locking onto Kara's, where Kara could see the depth of emotion in them. "To know that you were dealing with so much while I blithered away…I wouldn't have pushed you away or betrayed your trust. I could have been there for you. I could have helped you through it all instead of you thinking that you had told something like this inside. Why couldn't you just let me in?"

"I…." Kara attempted to speak before her shoulders slumped and she fell silent.

"I know that you don't want to explore this until after our duel," Lena continued. "But I just need to know why. Why bottle that all up?"

Kara took a deep, shaky breath. She really didn't expect to go down this route but she was so exhausted, not just from the combat but from so much more…And judging from how hurt Lena sounded, maybe Lena was tired of this too…"I wanted to protect you…" Kara softly answered. "Not just from the danger of it all but…but from me…" Kara glanced back at the ground. "From who I…" Kara huffed, unable to get the words out. "I…I couldn't save my parents from death, I couldn't save my aunt, my first and second crush, or even my boyfriend. I was so used to losing everyone that I thought of myself as a Jinx…a curse…When we became friends and then best friends, I was scared…I was scared that you would just be another name, another ghost…Whether that was by my actions…or even just by showing you who I really am…"

Kara sucked in a breath, needing to keep her emotions in check. If she was going to do this, she would need to keep herself under control. "You didn't need someone like me, Lena. You needed the bubbly blonde whose smile could light up a room. To bring you out from the darkness you often put yourself in. You didn't need someone like m—"

"Stop," Lena murmured. "Kara, I didn't need the manic pixie dream girl that you often portrayed yourself as. Nor did I need the hero who would whisk me off my feet and save me from danger. I knew there was more to you than both of those façades you often put up. What I wanted was you and what you were willing to give me. And if you gave me the darkness that you held within yourself, then I would have gladly taken it…I still would…"

Kara's head whipped up to look at Lena and within the other woman's green and blue eyes, she saw compassion and warmth within them. "Kara…You were there for me through so much. Through Rhea, through my mother, countless attempts on my life, and then through Lex…let me be there for you now, in whatever capacity you want me in…"

Kara blinked and then a gentle smile formed on her face.

"Thank you, Lena…" Kara whispered.

"No need for thanks. None at all," Lena replied. "Now…Let's get your wounds bandaged so you can properly rest…"

Kara nodded.

Chapter Text

On the outside, Wednesday Addams was the face of aloofness but inside, she was horrified as she sat at a table in the Weathervane, watching as her mother let out a gentle chuckle as Enid explained the events that led to their first duel.

Well, she tried to be horrified.

Instead, Wednesday's soft eyes examined the animated way Enid moved and found herself unable to look away. It amazed Wednesday how every aspect of Enid was so expressive. Wednesday couldn't be so expressive even during electro-shock therapy and yet not only was Enid easily capable of being so emotive, but she was so charming while doing so.

And what made it worse(?) was how her mother was sincerely enjoying Enid's regaling of their first bout.

Wednesday didn't know how she felt about such a development.

"To think, my darling Stormcloud would assist you after besting you in battle," Morticia commented with amusement dancing in her eyes once Enid concluded with her tale. "How unlike her."

"Unlike you and Father, I do not need to crush everyone," Wednesday stated. "Just my enemies."

Morticia chuckled and replied, "So, you did not count Enid Sinclair as your enemy?"

Enid turned to her with a wide smile and asked, "Even back then?"

Wednesday hummed and answered, "The moment our first duel concluded, I couldn't see you as an enemy. I thought this was clear by my actions afterward."

"It was, but it's always nice to hear," Enid replied, her eyes sparkling in delight. Wednesday huffed and turned away, forcibly crushing the blush that wanted to rise to her cheeks. Enid then reached over and lightly brushed her index finger against Wednesday's cheek. "Ómorfi (pretty)."

Wednesday's battle with her body concluded here as a blush appeared on her cheeks. "Disengage with your touching, Enid Sinclair, or I will claim that finger."

Enid removed her index finger but her smile remained in place while Morticia let out a soft laugh. "Such an adorable interaction. It reminds me of the warmer days in my life," Morticia commented.

"When was the last one?" Wednesday prodded.

"Right before your father went on his hunt," Morticia replied with a fond smile.

Wednesday was both sickened by this but also relieved. It didn't fully calm her racing thoughts about her mother's relationship with Larissa Weems, but she could see the deep love she held for her father in her mother's eyes, and for now, that would be enough.

Some overly loud music blared from Enid's pocket, prompting the rainbow wolf to dig into her jacket pocket to pull her cell phone out from it. "Oh! It's Kara. I'll be back," Enid said before she hastily left the table and made her way outside the Weathervane, leaving Wednesday alone with her amused mother.

"Enid Sinclair is certainly a vibrant soul," Morticia commented as she lifted her teacup and observed the contents within it. "I can see how she claimed your heart so easily."

Wednesday furrowed her eyebrows. "Calling her "Vibrant" is quite the understatement, Mother," Wednesday told her. "She is as bright and radiant as the sun itself. No, she surpasses the sun. Describing her as anything less is a disservice to her."

Morticia chuckled.

"And here I thought you would deny such a claim," Morticia said.

"Why would I deny the truth?" Wednesday questioned. "I refuse to lie to myself or anyone when it comes to my feelings for Enid Sinclair. While we have not had our…date quite yet, I intend to claim her as mine and mark her as such."

"Oh, how bold," Morticia murmured. "Should I tell your father to expect a new daughter-in-law? Or perhaps a grandchild?"

Wednesday refused to answer. Instead, she took a sip of her quad over ice, sat the cup down, and said, "I am not becoming a mother anytime soon. That I can promise."

Morticia quirked a brow. "Duly noted," Morticia concluded. The two sat in silence once again as Enid walked back into the Weathervane with a distressed expression on her face. Wednesday was immediately on her feet at the look.

"What is wrong?" Wednesday gently asked.

"Kara got into a fight with a strange monster," Enid answered.

Wednesday was immediately on edge.

Surely, this couldn't be the same monster she had encountered, right?

"Is she alright?" Morticia asked with genuine concern while Wednesday narrowed her eyes.

"She's alright. She's just really exhausted," Enid answered before she turned to Wednesday. "She wanted to let me know…Wednesday…I can't go visit her because of…reasons…B-But I don't want to just…not go and see her…what do I do?"

Wednesday stared at her worried werewolf and became incensed as a tear fell down her cheek. Wednesday swiftly wiped the tear away before she turned to her mother. "Mother, please escort Enid back to Nevermore and remain by her side until I return," Wednesday instructed. "I shall seek out Kara Danvers and make sure she is well."

"Wednesday!" Enid gasped. "Y-You don't have to do that!"

"I will not allow anything to distress you, Dolce Nemico," Wednesday told her. "Not while I am breathing and able to soothe that distress."

"Wednesday, do you think it is wise to leave on a trek alone while a fearsome creature is about?" Morticia asked.

"No, but I will not allow Enid to stress over the condition of someone she holds dear to her," Wednesday calmly argued.

"Wednesday…" Enid sniffled.

"Then perhaps you shouldn't go by yourself," Morticia told her as she pulled out a crystal ball. "I shall contact Larissa and explain the situation."

Wednesday frowned and insisted, "I'd rather do this as quickly as possible. I cannot afford to wait."

She knew it was foolish to rush off head-first into something, especially as her blood-witch abilities were dormant but seeing Enid distressed had lit a flame in her that was rapidly growing into a raging inferno. Plus…Wednesday didn't feel comfortable with Larissa. Not because of her defeat at the hands of Nevermore's principal, but because of how close the woman and her Mother seemed to be.

It…worried her.

It shouldn't worry her as it was none of her business, but it did. And the more Larissa interfered in her and her mother's life, the more that worry could fester into something violent.

"Do you even know where she resides?" Morticia inquired.

Wednesday opened her mouth to answer, only to falter. "I…do not," Wednesday softly admitted.

Morticia let out a serene laugh. "You are so much like your father. It is rather adorable, Wednesday," Morticia commented. "But rushing into something at the distress of your Inamorata will only bring unnecessary chaos and pain should you be attacked while in your weakened state. Besides, this creature could still be roaming the area where Ms. Danvers was attacked. Unless you want me to accompany you, something you clearly do not want me to do, allow me to have someone escort you there."

Wednesday was displeased but she could see the genuine concern for her in her mother's eyes and despite her uneasiness about her mother, she knew it was one of the rare times that she would bend to her mother's whim. "Very well," Wednesday acquiesced.

Chapter Text

The ride to Kara Danvers' home was filled with an awkward silence as Larissa drove down the dark road and Wednesday knew that the energy she was exuding was the cause of it. While she didn't previously before her duel with the older woman, Wednesday did respect Larissa Weems.

Sure, her defeat at her hands left her shamed before her Inamorata, but that incident caused her image of Larissa to increase dramatically. But when Wednesday saw how close and comfortable her mother was around Larissa and vice versa in her office today, along with that look in her mother's eyes, Wednesday felt on edge around her.

Something was brewing between Larissa Weems and her mother and while Wednesday loathed to admit it, she was…satisfied to know that her parents were madly and deeply in love with one another. To see that another person could leave her mother relaxed could spell danger for her parents' relationship.

She had to put a bud in it.

"You've been quiet, Wednesday," Larissa noted. "Is something on your mind?"

"Quite a bit," Wednesday answered.

"Is there anything I can do it alleviate it?" Larissa questioned.

Wednesday remained silent.

"I suppose I can accept that silence as your answer," Larissa said. "I will not pressure you to answer, Wednesday. You've already given quite a bit for our partnership. You deserve privacy when it comes to your thoughts and feelings."

Wednesday was slightly surprised by this statement but she didn't allow this to show on her face.

"But, when you feel the time is right, my office door will be open," Larissa concluded as a large cabin came into view. "For now, we have arrived."

The car slowed to a stop and soon, Wednesday and Larissa stood in front of the front door. Larissa knocked on the door with her middle knuckle twice as hard as possible, only for a woman unfamiliar to Wednesday to appear when the door opened.

"Can I help you two?" the woman asked with an apprehensive edge in her voice.

"Hello, my name is Larissa Weems, and this is my right hand, Wednesday Addams," Larissa introduced.

"We came to check on Kara Danvers at the behest of her student," Wednesday swiftly continued.

The woman's eyebrow rose in interest only for a familiar voice to speak up a little ways behind the woman. "Let them in, Alex. I can vouch."

The woman, Alex, snorted and turned her body and Wednesday's eyes connected with Lena's. Wednesday would never admit this to a living soul outside of her beloved rival but seeing Lena Luthor brought a certain…joy in Wednesday. Something she had never gotten with any other adult. Even her parents rarely sparked such a feeling.

Curious.

"Who died and made you boss, Lena?" Alex teased as she motioned for Wednesday and Larissa to enter Kara's home.

"Kara did before she went to sleep," Lena replied as she moved toward Wednesday, a hint of a smile on her face.

"Barely back in her life and already she's giving you special privileges above her own sister. It's like I never left National City," Alex said but Wednesday could hear a mixture of teasing, relief, and happiness in the woman's voice.

A faint streak of red crossed Lena's face before it evaporated with a clearing of her throat. Wednesday then watched as her therapist's eyes moved from Alex to her and for a moment, Wednesday could have sworn that the woman's small smile grew at the sight of her. "Isn't this a wonderful surprise? Hello Wednesday."

"Hello, Lena," Wednesday greeted with a nod, unable to stop the small smile that formed on her face. "I am…surprised to see that you are here of all places."

"You can blame Kara's sister for that," Lena explained with a look toward an amused Alex. Lena then turned to Larissa and added, "Hello, Miss Weems. This is also a surprise."

"On that, we agree, Dr. Kieran," Larissa stated as Larissa and Lena engaged in a handshake. "We heard about Ms. Danvers' actions against a mysterious monster. As you know, Wednesday and I are investigating this beast. However, you stated Kara was resting?"

"Yes," Lena confirmed. "She was exhausted after her bout with this nefarious foe. So, I advised her to rest."

"Understandable," Wednesday said. "Fighting that monster was an experience that could leave even an experienced hunter weakened."

"Was there anything more that Ms. Danvers told you, Dr. Kieran?" Larissa inquired.

"Whatever this monster is, it may have an accomplice," Lena revealed.

Both Wednesday and Larissa's eyes widened. "What?" they simultaneously asked.

"Kara was moments away from defeating this monster," Lena explained. "However, some unknown force shoved her away before she could deal the final blow."

"Unknown force?" Wednesday repeated as her eyes narrowed. "It couldn't be…"

"Something on your mind?" Lena asked while Larissa turned to glance down at her.

Wednesday opened her mouth to answer, only for Lena's phone to ring. Wednesday watched as Lena looked at her phone and squinted her eyes before she answered. "Dr. Kieran speaking."

Wednesday then watched as Lena's eyes narrowed further before she held out her phone to Wednesday. "It's…for you," Lena explained.

Wednesday stared at the phone with suspicion before she took the phone and asked, "What is it?"

"You're on the right track," Alice's voice chirped.

"Ah, Cullen," Wednesday said.

"Don't sound like you're not glad to hear from me," Alice teased. "But you're on the right track. It's a few miles from where you are now. Just follow the broken trees and claw marks. You may want to hurry before the rain destroys their scent…Also…Have fun tonight. Toodles."

The line went dead before Wednesday could respond.

How annoying but she didn't have time to dwell on it. "I must go before my lead fades away," Wednesday announced as she handed Lena her phone. "Come, Larissa Weems."

"I'm coming with you," Lena announced.

Wednesday nodded.

"Alex," Lena started but Alex lifted her hand.

"Say no more. You two really are alike. Just come back safely," Alex told the woman.

Lena nodded.

"Let's move," Wednesday said.

"What in the heck?!" Enid screamed as she stared at her and Wednesday's dorm room with Morticia standing behind her.

Their room was completely trashed. From her decorations to Wednesday's bedding, it was all wrecked. "What has happened here?" Morticia asked in concern as she stepped past Enid, who continued to stare at the horror of her home with Wednesday.

Whoa.

This was a dorm room, not her home. Especially not her home with Wednesday. She had barely stayed in the dorm room since Wednesday arrived. If anything, Kara's home felt more like home to her. Even more than her own home.

'But that doesn't mean we won't ever share a home…' she thought to herself.

Enid shook her head.

No, she needed to focus on their room being violated, not u-hauling with Wednesday. Enid stepped deeper into the room and sniffed the air.

Snow.

Lots and lots of snow…

Sure, there were other scents she could smell but they were very faint compared to the smell of a fresh snowfall.

Vampires.

Vampires had been in their room…and not the vampire she gave explicit permission to be in their room at any point in time. "Vampires…" Enid whispered. "It was vampires that did this…"

"Ah, is that because of your relationship with Kara Danvers?" Morticia questioned.

Enid blinked. "H-How did you know that?" Enid stammered.

Morticia gave her a gentle smile and replied, "I would normally tease you by answering with "Mother's intuition" but this is hardly the time. When we met for the first time, I saw a vision of you and Kara together. Simple as that."

"A vision?" Enid repeated. "You have vi—" Enid shook her head. Not the time for questioning her beloved rival's mother…Even if she had tons of questions to ask her. "Nevermind. This is such a disaster. Wednesday is going to be so mad."

"I truly do not believe Wednesday has it in her to be angry with you, Enid," Morticia's soothing voice said but Enid shook her head.

"But she is…" Enid insisted as a pool of red-hot anger filled her gut. "Because I'm going to tear them limb from limb before she even gets the chance to."

Enid's anger was swiftly wiped away when she heard Morticia's gentle and pretty laughter.

She wondered if Wednesday's laughter was the same….

"Oh yes, I am quite sure my earlier question to Wednesday has been more than answered now," Morticia continued to laugh. "Come, child. Let us gather what can be saved and then move back to Larissa's home."

"Wait…what?" Enid asked.

From the minute Lena described what Kara had experienced near the end of her hunt against the mysterious beast, Wednesday knew who was behind that forceful push but as she knelt in the middle of a large opening with the fading scent of Dead Weight's blood lingering from the end of a branch, it was confirmed.

The idiot she had gone out of her way to save and been the creature's savior in return.

"No good deed…" Wednesday mumbled under her breath as she stood up. "Larissa, Lena…Rowan was the one responsible for ending the bout between Kara and our hunt."

"Rowan? Rowan Laslow?" Larissa repeated.

"Curious," Lena muttered. "He was one of my patients…Wednesday, you saved him from being this beast's victim. Why would he work with it?"

Wednesday frowned and answered, "Either they've always been working together or he was coerced into working with the beast to kill me."

"Kill you?" Larissa repeated. "Why would he do such a thing?"

Wednesday turned to Larissa with a questioning expression and asked, "Did you not read my report?"

"I…I hadn't had the chance to, admittedly," Larissa answered.

'Why, because you were too busy looking at my mother's backside?' Wednesday wanted to say but she bit her tongue. No need to overplay her hand just yet. "I see," Wednesday replied. "The report explains everything. I would advise you to review it." Wednesday turned to Lena. "You said he was your patient?"

"Yes," Lena answered. "Larissa sends me a list of Nevermore students who require mental assistance. He is one of them."

Wednesday narrowed her eyes as an idea began to form in her mind. "Lena, did you meet with Joel Glicker by chance?" Wednesday asked.

"How were you able to remember that so quickly?" Larissa asked with narrowed eyes before her cell phone chimed.

As Larissa pulled out her phone, Lena answered, "I have an Eidetic memory. But to answer your question Wednesday, he was seeing me as a patient."

"Larissa, I'll need to see your folder of missing and slain students. Lena, I am aware this will break confidentiality but I will need your patient list," Wednesday commanded. "If my theory is correct, then not only do we have a lead, but we have potential victims we will need to protect."

"Consider it done," Lena promised. "I can get that to you tomorrow."

Larissa slipped her phone in her pocket and let out a small sigh. "That can be arranged when we arrive to my home, Wednesday," Larissa said.

"We? Elaborate," Wednesday said.

"Your dorm room was ransacked by a bunch of vampires. You and Enid will be staying at my home."

Wednesday frowned.

Chapter Text

The drive from Kara's cabin home to Larissa's mansion took a little over thirty minutes but it felt like a lifetime for the exhausted Wednesday. She was so drained from the day's events and really all she wanted to do was rest.

However, when Larissa escorted her into the mansion (after taking Wednesday to her destroyed room to grab some clothes that weren't shredded) and her eyes fell upon Enid's face, that exhaustion seemed to evaporate like water hitting molten steel. "Wednesday!" Enid exclaimed as she rushed to her and stopped just inches away. "How is Kara? Is she—"

"She is being taken care of," Wednesday interjected. "Lena and her sister are making sure of that."

Enid sighed in relief after placing a hand on her chest. "Thank Inuyasha," she murmured. "Thank you for going out of your way to check on her. I don't know how to repay you, Wednesday."

Wednesday gave a tired shake of her head and replied, "There is no repayment needed, Enid, as long as it soothed your nerves."

"It did," Enid confirmed with a nod before her expression changed from relieved to concerned. "Oh, Wednesday…You look so tired."

Wednesday wanted to stop a smile from forming on her face but her exhausted state and the closeness of the werewolf left her walls lowered enough for a small to grace her face. "No need to be concerned, Dolce Nemico, I'll be okay. I just need a shower and a place to lay my head…Since our dorm room is no longer hospitable."

Enid growled and Wednesday felt moths fluttering within her stomach at the sound. "I'm sorry they destroyed our room. I'll make them pay for everything of yours that they damaged. I promise," Enid said.

"And what of the things they damaged of yours?" Wednesday inquired.

"Doesn't matter," Enid instantly answered.

"I think it does, Enid Sinclair," Wednesday shot back. "That room—"

"All of my stuff is replaceable," Enid gently interrupted. "A lot of your stuff looked old and man-made. That stuff can't be replaced easily, I bet."

Wednesday faltered.

Enid was right in her assumption. A lot of the things damaged were passed down from matriarch to matriarch of the Addams clan. A lot of it was irreplaceable. It had angered Wednesday when she saw the result of what those vampires had done to her lodging. Thankfully, her hunter uniform and blood dagger had been placed in a safe location, otherwise, she would have been devastated.

"…You would be correct," Wednesday softly confirmed as she glanced at the floor. Strange. It didn't bother her that Enid had beaten her in a disagreement.

She was truly enamored with her.

Wednesday felt Enid's hands slide to her cheeks before her gaze was placed on Enid's bright eyes. "Then let me handle those jerks, okay?" Enid asked.

"…Very well," Wednesday acquiesced.

Enid beamed in response. "Perf!" she chirped.

"Now that your conversation has concluded," Larissa's amused voice cut in, prompting Wednesday to turn to the woman. Beside her, Wednesday noticed that her mother had a faint knowing smirk on her face and it made her face heat up in annoyance.

How she loathed when her mother was amused because of her.

"How about I show you both to your room?" Larissa offered.

"Room?" Wednesday and Enid asked in unison.

Enid stared at the large guest bedroom with a look of dread. There was only one bed.

One.

Bed.

"This is the only guest bedroom I have available," Larissa explained. "I wasn't expecting to have any more guests so I didn't clear out any other rooms. Do forgive me."

Enid wanted to scream.

How could Weems do this to her?!

Didn't she know that she was on the razor's edge?

Having Wednesday so close to her during this time was basically asking for trouble!

"This is acceptable," Wednesday answered. "Thank you, Larissa Weems."

"You are welcome. If you need me, I'll be in my office. Until then, make yourselves at home," Larissa informed before she left, leaving Enid and Wednesday inside the guest bedroom.

"Well, I guess it's just the two of us…In a room…with one bed…" Enid said.

"Yes. A king-sized bed at that," Wednesday said. "It will be large enough for us to sleep in the bed without giving up any space."

"Yeah," Enid agreed, her voice a tinge higher than she wanted. "Yeah."

Wednesday turned to her and asked, "Are you alright, Enid?"

"I'm fine," Enid answered. "I'm just living out one of the biggest fanfiction cliches of all time, that's all."

Wednesday raised an eyebrow questioningly. "I…see…" Wednesday started. "Would it be alright for me to use the shower first?"

"Oh no, go ahead," Enid smiled. "It'll give me time to…um…do something."

"Thank you," Wednesday murmured before she made her way to the bathroom. However, she didn't enter it. Instead, she turned her head to look at her. Enid could see something flicker in Wednesday's eyes and for a moment, she wasn't in the guest bedroom of her principal's room.

She was back on Crackstone's crypt on Raven Island, watching as Wednesday's tongue deftly licked at the blood on her dagger, and along with the scene, a familiar ambrosial scent, Lily of the Valley, filled her nose.

Enid was struggling to keep her arousal at bay but the more the scent swirled around her, the weaker her will became. The vision faded and Enid found herself back in reality, with Wednesday's eyes locked on hers. Her reddish-brown eyes seemed to glow with something primal. "…Enid? May I ask for your assistance?"

"You need my help?" Enid asked with a strained voice.

"I have not washed my hair recently and my side is still giving me enough issues to make doing it a hassle on my own," Wednesday began. "Will you…help me?"

Enid swallowed but summed up her courage and nodded.

Five minutes later, Enid found herself standing behind Wednesday, slowly and carefully undoing her long twin-tailed braids.

"I appreciate you doing this for me," Wednesday stated as she placed a hand on her stomach. Enid caught this. Was Wednesday as nervous as she was? "I know that with you beginning your cycle, being near me could be stressful for you and yet you have pushed that aside to assist me."

"You don't have to thank me for that, Wednesday," Enid replied with a strained voice as she finished the first braid and began on the second. Something was clawing at the back of her mind, awakened by Wednesday's thick scent permeating the air around them.

It was excruciating.

She felt like she was drowning in Wednesday's essence.

And yet, it was such a pleasant scent that she would gladly do anything Wednesday wanted to experience it.

"I'd do anything for my rival," Enid continued "Especially one as pretty as you."

Wednesday's cheeks reddened slightly at the compliment and Enid inwardly cheered. "Then I hope you don't mind me asking for one more request," Wednesday said. "Though, it might be very challenging for you."

Enid could hear the faint flicker in Wednesday's voice and immediately, her blood began to race. Once again, she was reminded of their first duel but this time, she knew how she felt about it. That flicker in Wednesday's voice elicited an increasingly less forbidden feeling within her.

Enid swallowed and whispered, "Try me…" as she finished the second braid, leaving Wednesday's hair flowing down her back.

"My blood magic may have been weakened but I can still tell that your blood is racing," Wednesday whispered as she turned her head, looking at Enid out of the corner of her eye. It was then that Enid could see that Wednesday's pupils were dilated. "It always races when you are near me…"

Enid sucked in a breath as her arms lowered.

"My blood is racing as well with feelings that I am still coming to terms with having in the first place," Wednesday continued. "I want to explore this feeling with you…" Wednesday reached back and guided Enid's hands to her hips. "But I do not wish to cross the boundary you gave me yesterday night…So I am giving you a choice. A choice that you are free to refuse as I am planning to wait for you regardless of your choice…."

"Okay…" Enid murmured.

"Good," Wednesday replied. "After this conversation, I will be taking a shower. I loathe showers as I prefer to sink beneath the surface of a hot bath to test my heat resistance but my side is still giving me issues….I wish for you to join me."

Enid's eyes widened.

"Y-You…" Enid attempted to say only to lose her voice.

"How precious…I have stunned you into silence," Wednesday softly noted. "As much as I dislike repeating myself, I shall for you, Dolce Nemico…I hope you will join me in my shower. I wish to see all of you and for you to see all of me."

"Y-You're just saying that without hesitation," Enid replied. "How can you be so bold about it?"

Wednesday briefly moved Enid's hands away from her hips and turned around to face Enid before returning Enid's hands back to her hips. "When an Addams desires something or someone, we do not hesitate nor second-guess. We strive for it with nothing held back. And if I haven't made it painfully clear, I desire you, Enid Sinclair," Wednesday answered. "Whether it's tonight or not, that will not change."

"…Oh," Enid breathed.

"So…I will give you a chance to join me or not," Wednesday continued. "I will take my shower and if you wish to join me…." Wednesday pressed a hand to Enid's chest and lightly pushed her back, which Enid easily allowed. "Then I'll leave the bathroom door unlocked for you. If not, I will join you in bed, alright?"

Enid nodded.

"O-Okay…"

"Thank you for allowing Wednesday and Enid to stay here."

Larissa looked up from the desk in her home office to see Morticia darkening her doorway. For a moment, Larissa was taken by how the light seemed to hug Morticia's curves, making the mother more enticing than previously possible.

Larissa buried those thoughts.

That time of her life was over.

"Wednesday is my right hand and it's clear that she's chosen Ms. Sinclair to be her…what was the word?" Larissa posed. "Ah, yes, Inamorata."

She watched as Morticia adjusted herself, a flicker of shame flashing across her face at the word. Larissa knew that word all too well….She doubted that she could ever forget it.

As it was a word that once was attributed to her.

Morticia Addams was always the type to keep her emotions bottled away, only letting a sliver of it show. Her daughter was the same way. However, Larissa could cut through the dark veil that Morticia often cast on her emotions. However, the emotion was swallowed by the mask of aloofness that appeared on Morticia's face. "Having Wednesday on your side is far more beneficial than making her an enemy," Morticia stated. "She is a skilled huntress and a skilled detective. Everything you need to unravel the mysterious foe you face."

Larissa hummed in agreement. "That she is. I wonder how long that will last, however," Larissa admitted. "Considering my thoughts about her therapist…"

"Oh?" Morticia questioned.

Larissa eyed the other woman. "You surely know who I am speaking of, yes?" Larissa questioned.

"I do," Morticia answered. "Lena Kieran Luthor. Heiress to the Luthor dynasty and former CEO of L-Corp. Why are you concerned with her?"

"If Wednesday's hunch is correct, all the victims of these monster attacks were on the list I gave Dr. Kieran," Larissa revealed. "Which means she is an official suspect in my investigation. And considering how close she and Wednesday seem to be, I worry that Wednesday will be harmed again, along with the others on that list…"

"If you are truly concerned about my daughter, what shall you do?" Morticia asked. "Go behind her back and investigate someone close to her?"

Larissa narrowed her eyes and answered, "If I must."

A frown graced Morticia's face. "Wednesday doesn't trust often, Larissa," Morticia began. "And despite her adversarial attitude towards you, I've seen that she does come to trust you, Larissa. But I know that she comes to see Lena Kieran Luthor as her kin. If you are to go down this route for her sake, then secrecy will be your most important ally." Morticia then approached Larissa's desk and sat on top of it, causing Larissa to look up at her. "I will assist you."

"You will?" Larissa asked, alarmed.

"I shall," Morticia answered. "I can only see the light, never the darkness. I do not know how dark things will get and after nearly losing my raincloud, I would rather err on the side of caution when it comes to her safety. If we are to do this…then I will assist."

Larissa nodded.

"Then…I suppose we shall begin," Larissa murmured.

Chapter Text

It had been ten minutes since Wednesday permitted Enid to join her in the shower, and she was silently pleased with how she handled the situation with the blonde werewolf. Not so much because she could see how her words enticed Enid, if the bulge she felt against her backside in the brief moment their bodies were close was anything to go by.

No, she was pleased because she was able to battle against her nerves while proposing such an offer. Wednesday was loath to admit it, but interacting with Enid Sinclair always left her on the back foot, forcing her to channel her mother's confident and soothing nature.

She hated that she had to rely on her mother's personality for anything, but Wednesday knew how dangerous Enid Sinclair was to her emotions. Had she not been able to channel her mother, Wednesday wasn't sure if she would have been able to do anything more than look like a fool in front of the girl she needed to seduce.

The question now was if Enid would take her up on her offer.

It truly didn't matter to Wednesday if Enid did or not. She meant what she told the werewolf before. Whether Enid succumbed to her desires or not, Wednesday was willing to wait for her. But for the sake of Wednesday's mental state, she hoped Enid would see things her way.

She needed to get this…primal urge for Enid Sinclair's body out of the way so she could focus on her investigation.

However, it seemed that fate was on her side because she heard the bathroom door open, swiftly followed by the soft sound of clothes hitting the floor.

Wednesday smothered the smirk that wanted to form on her face.

The shower door opened behind Wednesday, briefly letting a rush of cold air into the steamy glass chamber before the door closed. Wednesday turned her head to stare at the werewolf with an expectant look. "I see you've—"

The escalation from Wednesday opening her mouth to looking up at the blonde's face, half of which was hidden by her now wet hair, with her arms pinned above her head and her back against the wall, was something that she would have to study in the future.

It was here that she realized two things.

One: Enid was as naked as the day she was born.

And Two: She could feel Enid's penis pressing and rubbing against her stomach.

All of these things combined made Wednesday's head spin.

This situation has quickly escaped her.

"Enid Sin—" Wednesday's words were cut off when she felt Enid's body trembling against hers, but Wednesday could tell that it wasn't out of fear; it was as if she was holding back.

"Being in Heat as a werewolf is one of the hardest things that we go through…" Enid whispered in a low, husky tone that Wednesday didn't recognize, but it made the moths in her stomach flare up something fierce. "If we do not mate, it is weeks of unending torture…"

Wednesday remained silent, allowing the space for Enid to air out her thoughts.

"I tried to be good," Enid continued. "I really did. I wanted to take things nice and slow. Wine and dine you and then see where we go from there…But no matter how hard I tried, you made it so hard." Through the strands of wet blonde hair, Wednesday could make out the fierce glow of Enid's blue eyes.

Seeing Enid's eyes like this made Wednesday's hair stand up on the back of her neck. This wasn't the look of the goofy but endearing werewolf she knew.

This was the look of a predator.

"Your scent, your touches, your words, your body…Everything about you just sends my instincts into overdrive," Enid continued. "You're driving me crazy, Wednesday."

"Do you wish for me to apologize?" Wednesday finally spoke up, her voice matching Enid's.

"No…" Enid answered, her face inching closer to Wednesday's. "No…because I realized that being patient has never been my strong suit."

And like that, Wednesday found her lips captured in a kiss with Enid Sinclair.

Wednesday never cared for romance. She never shied away from letting any moronic person with a crush on her know. But Enid was different. She was the first person to ever challenge her, the first to ever wound her, the first to capture her attention.

Wednesday wouldn't say that it was love at first sight if she believed in that rubbish, but it was something close to it. But at this moment, as she plunged headfirst into the taste of marshmallows, she wished that she did partake in an earlier romance, just so she could have some experience in matters of this sort instead of hastily relying on literature she had once read about it.

Through the running water and the sounds of their panting in the brief moments their lips disconnected before reuniting, Wednesday could hear a low rumbling emitting from Enid's throat.

Wednesday While Wednesday was familiar with werewolves due to her extended family, but Enid was the first werewolf that Wednesday had spent extended time with, and never, in her wildest dreams, could she anticipate such a sound coming from the blonde.

And never could she have anticipated that such a sound would further sink her into such a passionate state. To Wednesday's dismay, Enid's lips finally separated from hers but that feeling quickly fled when Enid's lips found their way to her neck in deliberately slow, light pecks. Wednesday let out a moan and wished that her hands weren't pinned against the wall so she could draw the werewolf closer.

"I hate that I tried to wait for this," Enid mumbled against her neck as Wednesday felt the grip on her wrists tighten. "That I tried to rob myself of this." Wednesday then felt Enid's knee slot in between her legs and press up against her quim, summoning a sensation she had never experienced before, which only increased when Enid began to grind her knee against her.

Wednesday closed her eyes and let out a sound that startled her.

Although she doubted Enid could tell due to how strangled it sounded even to her ears, she knew what she said.

She had moaned Enid's name.

It wasn't like she could help it. The friction from Enid's knee against her quim was the same as the kisses on her neck, slow and deliberate as if trying to drive her mad. And yet it was a madness that Wednesday wanted more of.

Wednesday bowed her head and shuddered Enid's name as the werewolf's knee continued its teasing movement while introducing two new torture devices to Wednesday that was her teeth and hand, with the former nipping at her neck and the latter fondling her right breast.

Wednesday bit her bottom lip, overwhelmed from the assault of Enid's knee, teeth, and hand on her person, but she dared not ask Enid to stop. This is what she started with her proposal and she would gladly suffer this sweet punishment.

"Your scent is so strong, Wednesday," Enid whispered as she cruelly moved her head and knee away from her, leaving Wednesday winded but wanting. "I wanted to take things slow, but I don't think I can." Wednesday watched with half-lidded eyes as Enid grabbed the base of her penis and guided it at the opening of her quim. "But I don't want to o-overstep. T-Tell me to stop before I lose all control…"

Wednesday looked into Enid's eyes and could see how hard she was fighting her desire,s and something in Wednesday was thrilled that Enid was not only in the throes of her own madness, but it was Wednesday that was causing it.

"I refuse, Dolce Nemico…." Wednesday responded, her voice flickering with deep desire. "…I want you to ravage me until I can't think of nothing but you."

Enid had tried to keep her wits about her.

After ten minutes of suffering in the bedroom, Enid decided to take the plunge and do the deed with Wednesday. She had gone into this with a plan. She was going to start with a bit of foreplay and then ask one more time if Wednesday was sure that she wanted her.

Unfortunately for her, Wednesday's scent had plunged her mind into chaos. She had barely gotten her plan into action when it had become too much and on the verge of begging to enter Wednesday, her pretty raven said something that finally made Enid surrender.

"…I want you to ravage me until I can't think of nothing but you."

She not only had permission to lose control, but Wednesday had given it with a smile.

"I can do that," Enid told her as she released Wednesday's wrists. "T-Turn around…hands against the wall…"

Enid watched as Wednesday, whose brownish-red eyes glowed red with desire, turned around and placed her hands on the wall, her long, wet black hair clinging to her back, painting a scene that Enid would cherish for a lifetime.

"Like this?" Wednesday asked.

"E-Exactly like that," Enid rasped, her mouth feeling dry at such a sight. She took another ragged breath as she took a step forward, grabbed Wednesday's hips, took hold of her cock, and guided it to Wednesday's awaiting pussy, causing the head to brush against Wednesday's folds, causing Wednesday to shudder and press back against the tip.

As much as Enid wanted to just go full throttle, she didn't want to hurt Wednesday. While this wasn't Enid's first rodeo, she was sure that this was Wednesday's and despite the intense need to claim her now, she wanted to ease her into it.

"D-Do not hesitate," Wednesday panted, her voice flickering once more. "I want all of you…Do n-not draw this out…Take me now and take me hard, Enid."

Once again, Enid folded and without hesitation, Enid buried herself to the hilt into Wednesday's pussy, causing Wednesday to let a strangled gasp escape her lips. Since the start of her heat, Enid had envisioned this moment, and now, it had happened, she was buried to the hilt in Wednesday Addams.

And it was intoxicating.

Enid nearly melted in ecstasy at the intense heat that was wrapped around her, the rhythmic muscles of Wednesday's walls spasming around her, making her harder to a painful extent, but the fact that Wednesday hadn't moved left her concerned. "W-Wednesday?" Enid called out.

She watched as Wednesday turned her head and immediately noticed that the girl's cheeks were a deep red, her pupils were dilated, her breathing was shallow and quick, her body felt like it was on fire, and her scent had exploded.

It was then that Enid realized that Wednesday may have just come.

"More," Wednesday panted. "I-I want more."

Wednesday never understood why the French called an orgasm "la petite mort" until Enid was buried deep inside of her. It felt as if her vision had failed her, that her body weighed three times its normal weight, and her mind had shut down. That overwhelming amount of pleasure her body had undergone in just a short amount of time along with the anticipation had left Wednesday shaken to her core.

Despite the discomfort and pain of the thick object that had impaled her so thoroughly, she didn't regret ripping off the band-aid. If anything, she craved more.

"More…I-I want more."

She braced herself against the wall as Enid began to rock back and forth, shaky moans leaving her lips as the thick and hard intrusion repeatedly entered and exited her body. It started slow at first but soon, the pace of Enid's hips picked up and Wednesday found the discomfort ebb away and soon replaced by the familiar feeling of pleasure.

But Wednesday knew that Enid was holding herself back. That the restraint was still there and Wednesday needed to erase it from Enid's mind once and for all. Without warning, Wednesday bucked back sharply, not only causing a gasp to escape her mouth, but a deep groan that rocked Wednesday to her core to leave Enid's.

Wednesday looked back at Enid and shakily repeated, "Ravage me. D-Do not hold back. I will not break." Wednesday watched as the final traces of restraint left Enid's eyes and suddenly, she was pressed against the wall by a sharper thrust from Enid, causing her to let out a guttural groan of, "Yes…"

From there, Wednesday entered a new battle with Enid that was filled with gasps, groans, and moans, speeds that grew from steady to intense, and blows so hard that it left Wednesday's legs trembling. The inferno that raged in her stomach spread through her body as Enid repeatedly skewered her with her weapon, diving deep enough that Wednesday could feel the werewolf in the pit of her stomach.

When she realized she wanted to bed Enid Sinclair, she hoped it would lead to another battle between them, but this was beyond her wildest dreams. This is what she wanted, and she had found it.

But from the building pressure she felt, she knew that she could not battle against the reckless pace of her werewolf for much longer, but from the increasing pants of her rival and lover, she knew that Enid must be reaching her breaking point as well.

"W-Wed—" Enid attempted to say through her deep moans. "I—"

"Do not hold back," Wednesday urged through gritted teeth, her eyes clenched shut as her impending release chased after her. Just one more deep push, and Wednesday knew that she was going to unravel, and she wanted to stave it off just a bit to gain more pleasure.

And after another few seconds of Enid's deep strokes within her, Wednesday's orgasm tore through her but this time, she wasn't alone. Her hips were sharply pulled back to Enid's pelvis, leaving Enid fully sheathed within her. Enid let out a deep growl of her name that heightened Wednesday's pleasure as she felt Enid's seed fill her.

Without warning, Wednesday was flung back into Enid's lap as the werewolf collapsed onto her butt, ripping a surprised moan from Wednesday's mouth. "S-Sorry," Enid panted. "Just…need a second…"

"As do I," Wednesday panted back. "But…I hope you don't think this is over…quite yet…"

She heard Enid laugh.

"No…We're far from done," Enid responded. "I don't think I could stop…even if you wanted me to…"

Wednesday smiled.

"Good…"

Chapter Text

At the sound of panicked knocking at her door, Yōko tossed the covers off of her body, grabbed her glasses, and shuffled to the door to open it, only for Enid to push into the room without hesitation as she said, "Yōko, I screwed up!"

"Whoa, whoa," Yōko commented, her exhaustion subsiding at how panicked Enid had looked. Yōko closed her door and turned around to face the now-pacing Enid. "What's going on?"

"I slept with Wednesday!" Enid hastily spilled.

Yōko blinked.

"Oh…Oh…" Yōko responded.

"Not just once, not twice, but five times!" Enid continued as if Yōko hadn't said anything. "Five times! Yōko. And not only five times, but I did it unprotected! I screwed up so many times, even my idiot big brother would be impressed by my track record!"

"Okay, let's timeout a sec," Yōko halted as she made a "T" with her hands. "Back up and take a breath. What exactly happened?"

Enid sucked in a deep breath and said, "I slept with Wednesday five times last night/this morning…unprotected…and my heat is gone…"

"Okay, so forgive me but I don't know the significance of your heat being gone," Yōko said. "What does that mean in this context?"

"When a werewolf enters into heat, our minds are preoccupied with mating until we successfully knock up our partner," Enid explained. "Yōko…My heat is gone. Which means…"

Yōko stared at Enid until a piece of the puzzle slotted into place in her mind. "Oh shit! You mean that you knocked up Wednesday Addams?!" Yōko screeched.

Enid crouched and held the sides of her head. "How could I have been so stupid? Why couldn't I have waited until after it passed?" Enid asked.

"Well, maybe you're jumping the gun a bit?" Yōko offered. "I mean, maybe your heat is gone because you had sex. Not because you put a bun in her oven."

"But that's how Mom explained it," Enid argued.

"She could be wrong," Yōko shot back. "You're super panicked over something that may not be true."

"But what if it is?" Enid asked. "Kara—I mean…my mom would kill me for having a pup while still in school! She'd cut off all my resources, strike my name out of the family book, and leave me on the street!" Enid's shoulders dropped. "And what about Wednesday? I mean, I know she wanted to have sex with me, I did too and Yōko, it was fantastic. So fucking fantastic! Like, I can't even begin to explain it—"

"I'd rather you don't," Yōko swiftly interjected.

"—but I don't want her to regret it," Enid concluded with a sigh.

"Enid," Yōko started as she walked up to her distressed best friend and clapped her shoulder. "Addams doesn't strike me as a person who does anything half-assed. She probably assessed the risk and figured it was worth it. Besides the girl is down horrendous for you. She doesn't strike the type to run away from you."

'Not twice at least,' Yōko thought but opted to keep it to herself. "You should be there with her now. Not all here being freaked out."

Enid seemed to brighten at her words. "You're right. Yeah, of course, you're right Thanks Yōko," Enid thanked with a bright smile.

"Anytime. Now why don't you head on back to your girl and relax," Yōko advised.

Enid shook her head. "I can't…Not yet," Enid said.

"Why?" Yōko asked.

"I just…have to be sure. And I have to hurry before Wednesday wakes up," Enid said.

"Hurry where?" Yōko asked.

"Hey, sleepyhead. How was your beauty sleep?"

A grumpy-looking Kara shot her sister a glare as she moved to her counter. "I couldn't sleep," Kara explained as she poured herself a cup of coffee, silently grateful for Alex making the coffee at some point in the morning. "Lena's scent was driving me crazy all night."

"Oh?" Alex questioned. "She stay in the room with you?"

"She fell asleep while watching over me," Kara answered. "The downside is, she still sleepwalks, and well, she walked right into my bed and slept there. I didn't have the heart to wake her."

"Oh, Kara," Alex sighed. "It's like you two never left National City."

Kara grunted when her nose picked up a familiar scent. It was faint but it was rapidly getting stronger…strong enough for Kara to pick up another scent overlapping the first one. "You smell that?" Alex asked as Kara sighed and sat her coffee mug down on the counter.

"Yeah," Kara answered.

"Seems your kid got busy," Alex announced as she stood up and stretched as the scent became even stronger. She was mere seconds away now. "I'm going on a run. I'll swing back when you're done with Mother-Daughter time."

"She's not my…"Kara drifted off and then waved her sister away.

No point in clarifying.

Kara watched as Alex made it to the door and opened it to see Enid on the other side. "Hey, Kiddo," Alex greeted as she ruffled Enid's hair. "Kara's awake and free to talk. Good luck." Alex sprinted past Enid before the teen stepped into the home.

From the second Kara looked at her and got a stronger sniff of her scent, she knew that Enid was not only no longer in heat, but she definitely had that post-sex glow on her. "G'Morning En—"

"I slept with Wednesday!" Enid blurted out.

Kara let out a small chuckle. "I kind of figured, Kiddo," Kara revealed. "I can smell her scent all over you."

"I really wasn't trying to, Kara, honest!" Enid defended. "But I…I cracked. I couldn't say no to her."

"Hey, hey, hey," Kara softly consoled as she crossed the kitchen and living room to console the pup with a hug. "It's alright. It's alright." Kara pulled away from Enid as she crouched down to cup the pup's cheeks., "I was seventeen too, y'know? Things like this happen all the time. Did she force you to do it?"

"Rao, no," Enid replied. "I practically jumped her after she gave me the green light."

Kara's heart fluttered at hearing birth religion's God leave Enid's lips.

"That's good….Did you at least use protection?" Kara asked.

Enid's wince told Kara everything she needed to know.

"Well, that is one thing to worry about," Kara murmured. "Was it at least one time?"

"…Five," Enid mumbled.

Kara bit back her shocked reaction.

That was way more than she had anticipated.

"O-Okay," Kara replied. "That's a lot of times to have sex without protection…I can see why your heat is gone now. But why did you rush here?"

"My mother told me that once someone goes into heat, it doesn't go away until their partner is pregnant," Enid said. "Y-Yōko said that I might have jumped the gun, so I wanted to…ask you."

Kara frowned to herself. "Truthfully, I…I've avoided sex every time I was in heat, so from a personal experience, I couldn't tell you," Kara admitted. "However, from my studies in werewolf mating practices, it doesn't mean that Wednesday could be pregnant, but, like Normie's, it is possible. If Wednesday were a werewolf, it would be easier to keep an eye on since there are tells as to when a female werewolf is pregnant. However, since Wednesday is human…I'm not sure if the methods of discovering if she is pregnant would work the same way."

"It's better than nothing," Enid said. "What are the tells?"

"The biggest would be her meat intake," Kara said before her eyes bugged out. "FOR FOOD! FOOD! LIKE STEAK AND STUFF! FOOD INTAKE FOR BEEF!"

Enid's cheek reddened as she murmured, "We didn't do all of that…Do you thi—"

"Enid, this is tough enough," Kara grumbled with scarlet cheeks.

"R-Right! Right!" Enid exclaimed. "Okay. What else?"

"The second is sensitivity at the moon in general, no matter the phase of it…Um…additional bulk. Like, more muscle so her body could withstand the pregnancy….I'm not sure of the rest, but I can lend you a book that has all of the tells," Kara offered.

"I'd like that," Enid smiled.

Kara grinned and ruffled Enid's hair. "Good. I do want to say this. In the future, please use protection, alright? Maybe she's not pregnant today—" 'Rao willing. Five times?!' "—but you run the risk every time you make love to her without one. So if the mood strikes, I can lend you a few werewolf-proof condoms. Got it?"

Enid nodded. "…Kara?" Enid softly called out.

Kara eyed the shorter blonde and replied, "Yeah?"

Enid toed the ground as she played with her fingers. "What if Wednesday is pregnant?" Enid quietly asked.

Kara placed a hand on Enid's head. "If that happens, we'll face that storm together, alright?"

Enid looked up at her with surprise.

"R-Really? You would stay with me?" Enid asked.

"I'd be disappointed that you didn't use protection or wait until after your heat had passed, but like I said, I was seventeen years old too," Kara softly informed. "You're my student, Enid. A student I'd be willing to do anything for…Did you think I wouldn't stick around to help you?"

Enid ducked her head.

"Thanks, Kara…" Enid whispered.

"Anytime…" Kara replied. "Now come on, the sun is rising, and I bet you have a sleeping Wednesday to get to. I'll give you a ride."

Chapter Text

Morticia stared at herself in the mirror with a faint frown of disapproval on her face. Instead of the familiar black dress that she normally adorned, she wore one of Larissa's pristine white suits with black heels and black leather gloves.

While she wasn't allergic to color like her daughter, she still disliked bright-colored clothing. And yet, here she was, wearing Larissa's clothing, with a dark, forbidden feeling ebbing in her heart.

"It's not the first time we've done this, Morticia," that pesky voice within her mind teased. "We used to borrow each other's clothing all the time. What makes this so different?"

"The aspect of me being the Addams Matriarch," Morticia effortlessly answered as she slid the tie from around her neck and gingerly placed it on her bed. "I suppose going tieless will be best," Morticia murmured to herself as she observed her reflection.

The one time she opted to not bring her business outfit was the time she truly needed it. Perhaps she should reach out to her elder sister to retrieve her so she could purchase clothing more her style for this little…mission. She lived two hours away. It wouldn't take her that long to reach her.

"True, but can you truly leave Wednesday behind?" that pesky voice asked. "Especially after what she's been through?"

Morticia stared at her reflection.

That question didn't deserve an answer.

Morticia decided then and there that she would reach out to her sister to come to her with a new outfit instead.

Morticia then heard the doorbell chime, snapping her from the staring contest with her reflection. "I suppose I should see to that," Morticia said to herself as she adjusted her blouse. After leaving the guest bedroom and giving a quick check-in on Wednesday, Morticia made her way downstairs to the front door and opened it to reveal Enid and a face she had only seen in her visions but never in person.

Kara Danvers.

The Night Slayer, the heroine to all Lupine kind, and Nevermore's resident werewolf gym teacher.

"Mrs. Addams?" Enid gasped. "I…wasn't expecting you to answer…"

"I typically rise with the sun, Enid," Morticia chuckled before her eyes met Kara's. "The Night Slayer, as I live and breathe." Morticia extended a hand. "Morticia Addams. The matriarch of the Addams clan."

"Erm…Kara Danvers is fine," Kara introduced as she accepted her hand and—

A flash revealed an image of Kara wearing a flowing white wedding dress with a beaming Enid standing beside her.

Another flash and this time, the image showed Wednesday standing beside a raven-haired woman with a very familiar face, wearing a tuxedo and a watery smile.

A final flash revealed The raven-haired woman slipped a ring on the crying Kara's left ring finger.

"—left that name in the past," Kara concluded.

Morticia blinked a few times before a graceful smile appeared on her face. "Kara Danvers, a wonderfully soft name for a rather remarkable woman," Morticia noted. "A pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise, Morticia," Kara replied with reddened cheeks.

Morticia nodded and slid her hand from Kara's grip as Enid tilted her head to look behind her. "Um, is Wednesday awake too?" Enid asked as she pulled back to look at Morticia. "And…Those clothes. They look like something Principal Weems would wear."

"That is because these items belong to her," Morticia easily informed. "While I should wait until school starts, I suppose I should inform you both, considering you go to this school, Enid, and you are a teacher here, Ms. Danvers, that I will be taking over as Nevermore's principal as Ms. Weems will be going away for some time."

Enid's eyes widened. "Rao, really?" Enid asked. "I wonder how that will work with Wednesday being her right hand and all…"

Morticia let Enid's comment hang in the air before she continued, "As for Wednesday, she's feeling under the weather, so I advised her to remain here for the day."

"Oh no," Enid gasped. "Um, please excuse me!" Without waiting for a response, Enid raced past Morticia and entered Larissa's mansion, leaving Morticia alone with Kara.

"Of course, that girl runs with purpose when Wednesday is involved," Kara said with a lighthearted smile. "Could never get her to move like that otherwise."

Morticia chuckled and said, "Yes, it seems Enid Sinclair makes my daughter do foolish things as well…" Morticia stepped to the side. "Please, come in. Perhaps I can make you some coffee?"

Kara's smile deepened as she replied, "Coffee would be great."

Wednesday Addams was a ball of confusion.

After suffering through the sweet release of la petite mort several times throughout the night, Wednesday had hoped that the inferno that was her desire would have died once she was properly satisfied. Instead, it burned hotter than Lucifer's flames.

It was almost unbearable how much her body yearned to be ravaged once more. But thankfully, her body was far too sore due to using muscles she was unaware of to even attempt to walk to Enid's room to soothe the flame within her.

But that didn't stop her from rubbing at her quim beneath her covers.

How agitating.

The door to her room opened and at first, she assumed it was her mother to check on her once again, but when she lifted her head from beneath the covers, familiar glowing blue eyes caught hers. Before Wednesday could utter a word, Enid sniffed the air and Wednesday watched the blonde's pupils dilate.

"—I kind of had to become a teacher so I could properly mentor Enid," Kara explained as she sat across from Morticia in the kitchen. "Thankfully, my teaching only happens during a full moon, so that leaves my schedule clear to—" Kara suddenly stopped as the muffled sound of Wednesday's gasp, along with a peculiar scent, reached her.

'Oh Rao…' Kara helplessly thought.

If five times wasn't enough….

"—to train her," Kara finished before she took a sip of her coffee.

"I see," Morticia replied. "That explains the special privileges Larissa granted you. To think Esther would seek you out because her daughter is a late bloomer. It's distressing to see what limits she is willing to reach to keep up the lupinnormative timeframe."

"Yeah," Kara sighed as her wolf thrashed within her mind with both impatience and hunger.

'Snowbird, please calm down,' Kara pleaded with her wolf while keeping a smile plastered on her face.

Her wolf, Snowbird, snarled in response, causing Kara to wince in response. "Are you alright?" Morticia questioned.

"I-I'm fine," Kara sheepishly answered. "Just werewolf things."

"Ah, I see," Moritica said. "Is your inner wolf causing you discomfort?"

"A bit," Kara once again answered. "It's having a hard time with the…scent around here."

Morticia took a sip of coffee and then said, "I can understand. I had a lot of trouble sleeping last night due to—" Morticia was interrupted by a louder moan, this time being Enid's. "—certain creatures of the night," Morticia concluded.

Kara winced and then let out an uncomfortable laugh. "They aren't particularly secretive about this change in their relationship, are they?" Kara questioned.

"No, they are not," Morticia answered with a sigh. "I was always aware that once Wednesday found someone worthy of her, the curse would strike. What I wasn't aware of was how powerful it would be to break her vow of celibacy."

"She had a vow of celibacy?" Kara inquired.

"Yes," Moritica answered. "Wednesday made it quite clear that she would never bed anyone after her father and I sat aside to explain certain urges. It seems Young Sinclair has made her break it. Ah, young love, am I right?"

"I wouldn't know," Kara replied. "I never dated when I was younger."

Kara could feel Morticia's eyes on her for a moment before the older woman sat her cup down and asked, "Tell me, Kara Danvers, you haven't met someone that makes your heart sing with joy, desire, and sorrow?"

"I-I have," Kara stammered. "It's just…I was the weird foreign exchange student from a small village in Kaznia. I just…opted to stay out of the way of all of that."

"And now?" Morticia asked.

"Now…I…" Kara drifted for a moment as images of Lena crossed her mind. Images of Kara fighting to push back down while talking to this rather intimidating and attractive woman across from her. "…Why do you ask?"

"That smile on your face is strong, but your eyes tell me so much about your heart," Morticia explained. "A heart that beats for Lena Luthor."

Kara's eyes widened.

How did she know?!

"You know Lena?" Kara asked.

"Not personally, but I knew someone who knows her," Morticia answered.

"Who?" Kara asked.

Morticia smiled.

"Her mother."

Chapter Text

Wednesday always abhorred stories of women who easily submitted to their partner after a night of passion. She felt that it was unrealistic for intercourse to radically change everything about the woman, and so whenever a novel she was reading even hinted at sex between its two leads, she would discontinue reading it.

It was why she made Viper De La Muerte aromantic and asexual. This way, her character would avoid the fate that many heroines suffered through.

Unfortunately for her, she understood how several heroines fell under such a spell.

"W-Wed…" Enid gasped out as Wednesday's hips repeatedly rose and fell at a slow, rhythmic pace, a soft gasp escaping her lips each time Enid's long, thick length became sheathed within her.

From the moment she laid eyes on Enid, the hunger that sat within her overwhelmed her.

But while Wednesday thought she was alone in this want, she was pleasantly surprised when Enid acted on her animal instinct and pounced on her, smothering her in so many kisses that it was dizzying. Unfortunately for Enid, Wednesday wouldn't allow herself to submit to such a ravenous beast, leading to Enid being pinned to the bed, with her arms pinned above her head and both of Wednesday's hands trapping them in place.

"Do you see how good you make me, Enid Sinclair?" Wednesday taunted with half-lidded eyes, her slim hips moving firmly, repeatedly jamming Enid's thickness deep into her core. "Do you feel how good you make me?"

Wednesday closed her eyes and bit down at her bottom lip to smother the whimper that tried to escape when she felt Enid's tip strike at her weak point. She opened one eye to see Enid staring at her with pure lust in her eyes and Wednesday felt her body burn. She didn't know if she would ever get used to being on the other end of such a look.

"Wed…Fuck…You're so t-tight," Enid whined. Wednesday felt Enid's nails dig into her hips.

It was…hard to have such a slow, almost taunting, intercourse with Enid after the furious pace they had gone through throughout the night, but seeing Enid squirm beneath her, seeing her breath hitch, her face redden, and hearing her shaky moans and pants awakened something within Wednesday that made her want to see how far she could take it.

"Look down between us," Wednesday panted out as she drew her hips up, her voice taking on a hint of a whine as her ravenous quim attempted to keep Enid's thick length within her by squeezing down on it tight. She could see Enid's eyes look down in between them and judging from how dilated Enid's pupils became, Wednesday knew she had seen what Wednesday desired her to see.

"Wednesday…T-This is torture," Enid whimpered.

"I may favor you, Dolce Nemico, but I am still an Addams," Wednesday whispered. "And torture is in our blood…even if it is as sweet as this."

Enid's eyes flashed back up at her and once again, Wednesday melted at the naked desire in Enid's eyes. "Wednesday…Please," Enid begged.

Wednesday's arousal peaked at the need she heard in Enid's voice.

She had tortured Enid long enough.

She needed Enid back inside of her now.

Wednesday's hips suddenly dropped, fully impaling herself onto Enid, causing Enid to let out a sharp groan that was barely heard over Wednesday's loud gasp. The move was reckless, and it knocked the breath out of her to go from empty to full, but the pleasure that rippled through her far outweighed the pain that joined it.

Her body hunched over until her face was inches away from Enid's as her hips eagerly rolled against Enid's before she pushed herself up and began to ride Enid in earnest. It was a little difficult to move at such an eager pace as Enid's size was formidable and despite their previous encounters, her body was still not used to taking it but she would not allow it to defeat it.

Wednesday rode Enid with a fervor that she had only experienced when she was on the precipice of victory against a particularly annoying foe. With each quick and deep swallow of Enid's length, Wednesday could see Enid getting closer to the edge and it only made her quicken her pace.

"Wed—I'm gonna—" Enid could barely get the words out of her mouth before Wednesday claimed the werewolf's lips in a searing kiss. She understood the risk that Enid climaxing within her would bring but just like the previous encounters they had, she didn't care.

She wanted Enid.

She wanted everything that Enid could give her.

No.

It was more than that.

She craved her.

Firm and fast, Wednesday doubled her efforts and kept the pressure on Enid, repeatedly inviting her rigid member deep into her core until the final descent caused Enid to gasp against her lips and buck up into her as hard as possible, hitting her weak spot with a force that left her breathless.

And right alongside Enid, Wednesday unraveled.

Enid's hips fell back on the bed and Wednesday collapsed on top of Enid. The adrenaline that Wednesday had built up throughout this little duel of theirs left her body with each tired pant. The hunger within her had been sated but for how long, she didn't know…

"T-That was…Wow…" Enid panted out

"Surely…there are more words to describe what we have just done," Wednesday murmured, her eyes drooping.

"There is," Enid confirmed. "But it's all jumbled up in my head right now…Give me a few hours…"

"You get five hours. After that, I expect a letter telling me how much you truly enjoyed it…" Wednesday grumbled as she buried her face into Enid's neck and placed a kiss against it.

She grinned when she felt the girl beneath her shiver in response.

"Gotcha," Enid breathed. "I'll write you the best letter I've ever written. I promise."

"Very well," Wednesday mumbled.

The two fell into a peaceful silence, with only their soft breathing filling the air.

"Hey, Wednesday?" Enid softly said.

Wednesday hummed.

"I still want that date, y'know…" Enid reminded.

Wednesday let out a gentle laugh.

"Hush…"

"About time you came down. You were up there for…a while," Kara greeted as a refreshed Enid stepped into the kitchen. It was hard to pull herself away from Wednesday after such a…explosive meeting but Enid had informed Wednesday that Morticia was keeping her home.

Wednesday didn't argue it, thankfully, but Enid promised that she would bring Wednesday any homework that she would miss due to being absent.

"How is my daughter, Enid?" Morticia added. "Has she recovered somewhat?"

Enid's face reddened.

"She still needs a little bit of time," Enid sheepishly answered as she rubbed the back of her neck.

Enid didn't like the look Kara and Morticia gave one another but thankfully, they didn't comment anymore on it.

"Well, we better get going," Kara announced as she finished her coffee. "Thanks for the cup of joe, Morticia. It was delicious."

"And thank you for the company," Morticia replied. "Do think about what we discussed."

Enid watched as a strange expression filled Kara's face. "I will," Kara replied. "Come on, Kiddo. Let's go."

Enid nodded and with a goodbye to Morticia, the two left the Weems Mansion and got into Kara's car. The two sat in there for a few seconds before Kara said, "I know that you and Wednesday have entered a new step in your relationship but do my favor and not have me awkwardly sitting in the kitchen while you…explore that relationship. Especially while I'm still in heat"

"I'm sorry, Kara. I don't know what happened," Enid admitted with a bowed head. "One minute, I opened the door and the next, we—"

"It's alright. I forgive you," Kara told her. "Just…give me a heads-up next time. And try not to take forever." Kara then turned to Enid and a grin appeared on her face.

"Nice Hickey," Kara teased.

Enid squeaked in surprise.

"You didn't have to come back with me, Alex," Lena commented as Alex pulled up to Lena's home. "I was perfectly capable of returning here without an escort."

"I know," Alex replied. "But we both know that you're a danger magnet. And this place is reeking with danger."

Lena rolled her eyes at this but she knew that Alex had a point.

Things were pretty dangerous and she would be a fool to not see that. Especially since everyone that has been targeted was potentially patients she had/has seen.

The pair got out of the vehicle and made their way to her front door, but before Lena could touch the doorknob, she heard Alex growl.

"Lena, get behind me," Alex advised. "I smell someone's scent."

"You do?" Lena asked as she heeded Alex's words and stepped behind her. Alex grabbed the doorknob, only for the door to crack open and the doorknob to come off in Alex's hand. "My door…Someone broke in…"

"Stick close," Alex told her before she entered the house. Lena followed her inside and immediately, her eyes swept over her living room.

Everything was ransacked.

Chapter Text

Hey gang, I hate for this to be one of those ANs but it is. My twin sister, Elika aka Vi aka VioletheCutieGrimReaper has passed away. She's been gone since Sunday and I'm not okay. There are a lot of things me and my family are going through and right now, Ao3 will need to wait for a long while. I want to thank everyone who has enjoyed all of her works. She really loved to create and being able to make so many people happy was something she really longed to do. 

I'm sorry if this is all messy but I've been so busy with the funeral costs and contacting her friends and it's all just to much. I made a promise that I would see the works I adopted to her through and I will. It's just right now, I have to focus on getting her forever home ready. So, this is not goodbye. It's a "See you later" type of deal. I will be back. It'll just be a little while. 

Take care.