Archive of Our Own ^beta

When Wednesday wakes up, it’s late. 

It has to be the middle of the night. The room is pitch black except for the moonlight that’s coming in through the window. She blinks her bleary eyes, and it occurs to her that there’s something firm against her cheek. Her senses fill with the scent of coffee and something else, something more distinct. Tyler, her brain supplies, now realizing his arms are loosely around her. She considers moving away before anyone can witness this, it’s already a risk bringing him here when he’s a wanted criminal, but it’s warm and not nearly as terrible as she would have assumed this would be and a part of her is still tired, not ready to do anything other than let her eyes shut once more. 

But it doesn’t last. Just as she drops her head, Tyler stirs. 

He groans softly, a rumbling that Wednesday feels on his chest. A kiss drops on her hair, the grip on her tightens. “Hey,” Tyler murmurs, voice deeper from sleep. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to fall asleep.” 

“Nor did I,” Wednesday stifles a yawn. “Never mind that. I don’t know how long Enid intends to stay out but you need to leave before she returns.” 

“But I don’t want to leave,” he whispers. 

There’s some part of Wednesday that doesn’t want him to go either. He’ll have to find somewhere to go, to hide until they’re able to figure out what they’re going to do. About this whole situation, about them. 

He can’t go back to his own house. His father is still there, but Tyler is adamant he doesn’t want to. Not to mention, plenty of vandals have had their fun spray painting the exterior of the house, condemning Tyler and his father for his part in not dealing with the hyde. 

She twists, turns so their eyes meet. “I know,” she says after a long pause. 

“I know he’s, like, a murderer and all, but you guys are totally cute together.” 

Wednesday stares at her roommate, unsure of how she could have possibly been in the vicinity without being detected. “How long have you been here?” 

“Long enough to see you snuggling with Tyler,” Enid is far too smug for her own good. 

Enid is going to find herself going through a wood chipper if she’s not careful. 

“I was doing nothing of the sort,” Wednesday says curtly. Tyler snorts. 

“Oh, yeah?” Enid picks up her phone from her bed, waving it around. “Because this picture of you guys says otherwise.” 

Wednesday sits up straight, not even acknowledging Tyler’s complaint that follows. Jesus, Addams. Warn a guy next time. “What did you just say?” 

“I figured you’d deny it,” Enid is unrepentant. “So I took a picture to make you talk about it.” 

She nearly leaps off the bed but is held back by a strong arm that wraps itself around her. “Nobody can know I’m here,” Tyler reminds her mildly. 

Wednesday stops, letting out the slightest huff. 

All the while, Enid watches them. “Uh, why are you here? Like, no offense but aren’t you...” She trails off. “On the run or wanted, or whatever?” 

“Technically,” he agrees. She nods slowly. 

“Okay... Are you innocent or something? Is that why you’re here?” 

He laughs. “Of course not.” 

“He killed people, Enid,” Wednesday deadpans. 

“I know that! But like...maybe he didn’t mean to do it?” 

Enid crosses her arms, looking thoroughly defensive when Wednesday raises a brow and Tyler snickers. 

“Sure, Enid. I accidentally scratched them with my claws.” 

She pouts. “I was just saying. It’s a possibility.” 

“I wouldn’t have associated with him any longer if he had any regret over it,” Wednesday says. 

Enid rolls her eyes. “I don’t think this counts as you associating with him, FYI.” 

“She’s got you there,” Tyler points out and yawns right after. Wednesday scowls. 

“So, uh,” Enid scrunches up her face. “What’s the plan? How are you guys going to handle-” She loosely gestures around. 

“We don’t know yet,” Tyler shrugs. Enid sputters. 

“What do you mean you don’t know!? What if someone tries to, I don’t know, capture you or something?” 

“They will die trying,” Wednesday says darkly. She won’t allow it. No one is going to lay a finger on him if they wish to retain that digit or their life. 

“But Wednesday,” Enid says anxiously. “Shouldn’t he be in that psyche ward? They’ll tell the police! People will be looking for him.” 

“That’s likely, yes.” 

“I wonder if I have any fan girls,” Tyler muses. 

Wednesday is not amused. “You think highly of yourself.” 

“Hey, other serial killers had fan girls. Why wouldn’t I have some?” 

“Um-” Enid interjects. “Why would anyone fan girl over a killer?” 

It’s time like these that Wednesday can’t help but wonder how Enid is so sheltered. While she herself would never let herself behave in such a degrading way, she certainly sees the appeal. 

However. 

If she finds out there are other girls interested in him, they will find themselves at her mercy. 

Tyler sits up all the way, enveloping her in a hug. Wednesday doesn’t have this immediate urge to shove him away. “You’re gonna have to move,” he mumbles. “I have to pee.” 

“You’re welcome to use my lotions if you want,” Enid offers as he slides off the bed. “One of them smells like vanilla bean and it’s amazing.” 

“I’ll keep that in mind,” he says, amused, and shuts the door behind him. 

Now it’s just the two of them. Wednesday’s eyes feel heavy, but she can't concern herself with that at the moment. Tyler still has to get out of here safely and while she knows she can ensure Enid won’t go running off to tell anyone of his whereabouts, she has no idea what’s going through the blonde’s mind. 

“So...” Enid’s hands are behind her. “I guess he’s your boyfriend now?” 

Wednesday’ expression gives nothing away. 

“Look,” Enid blows out a breath. “I know you totally handle yourself and all and I get that, but is this safe? I did fight off his other half, you know.” 

“It’s fine,” Wednesday doesn’t want to talk about this. 

“Are you sure?” Enid presses. “We can always call for help-”

“We’re not going to call anyone,” Wednesday cuts her off, voice dangerous and low. Enid shuts up. “I can handle Tyler and his hyde. Nothing is going to happen. I will make sure of it.” 

“But what about-” 

“Laurel Gates controlled him, Enid,” Wednesday says. “He didn’t have a choice in any of it.” 

Enid chews on her lips, thinking it over. 

“Tyler has to be carefully hidden. There are plenty of people out for his blood. Now that you know, you can be of assistance to us.” 

“Me?” Enid squeaks. 

“We have to keep him from being seen and captured,” Wednesday says calmly. Enid groans. 

“I guess you’re not giving me much of a choice?” 

“Precisely.”

“Ugh, okay,” Enid sighs. “But aren’t you like, the tiniest bit scared of his other half? It’s a bit freaky.” 

“Of course not.” Afraid of a beast so powerful with its razor sharp teeth and claws that can slice through the thickest of trees with a quick swipe? A beast who is capable of rendering a person dead in mere seconds? 

Oh. 

She is strangely warm all of a sudden. 

Enid, who is unaware of the thoughts swarming through her head, just shakes her own head. “Okay. Well, I hope you know what you’re doing.” 

“You don’t have to worry about that,” Wednesday’s heart tugs at her when he exits the bathroom, giving her a smile.  “We’ll be fine.”