Long Haul
Wednesday could appreciate that she had been gifted two wonderful though sometimes overbearing parents. Some people in this world certainly were not as lucky. Her father is affectionate and kind. He’s always been a good listener and an even better fencing partner. Her mother is compassionate and empathetic. She’s also fiercely protective and intelligent. So, in the grand scheme of things Wednesday lucked out and she knows it.
She was never made more aware of that fact than when Enid first disclosed the shortcomings of her own parents. Esther is a narcissistic, uptight, selfish bitch and her father is compliant to his mate's abuse. It took extra big puppy dog eyes, a pout, and a hand on Wednesday’s shoulder to keep her from enacting some form of torture or another on the miserable wolves who brought Enid into this world.
So naturally when Enid began to grumble about going home for the summer, Wednesday, like always, had a solution. It came after three days straight of Enid complaining about how her mother is now insistent on finding her a mate. Now that Enid has shifted for the first time she apparently needs to be thinking about her future. Wednesday thinks this is ridiculous of course with marriage being not much more than a patriarchal tool to further control women.
Still Wednesday can’t help the jealousy that boils in her stomach at the thought of Enid spending time with anyone other than her. Especially her sorry excuse of a mother. So, the answer is simple really Enid would spend the summer in the Addams family mansion.
With her mind already made up Wednesday sits at her desk and pulls forward her crystal ball. A clear image of her parents is visible within minutes. They are sitting entirely too close together, matching smiles in place. “Hello, my little storm cloud. Are you almost done packing?” Her father's voice is enthusiastic and familiar.
“Yes, but that's not the reason for this house call. I thought it would be best to inform you both of the possibility that I could be bringing a guest home for the duration of the summer break.” Her mother stares at her inquisitively through the crystal ball. Before she can ask any questions Wednesday glares a little harder than usual. “The guestroom across the hall from mine should be adequate.”
It is obvious to her that her parents are trying to contain their excitement. She had never invited anyone to her home. Mostly due to the fact that she had never liked anyone enough to prefer their company over solitude. “That’ll be fine, but did you get their parent’s permission?” Curse her mother’s need to be thorough to a fault. The raised eyebrow she receives is identical to her own. “I will get it by the time we leave.” It’s best she remains as vague as possible.
“Lurch will be there around noon to pick you up, see you soon my little scorpion.” Her father waves a little before the image of her parents' dissolves. She contemplates her next move for what can’t be more than five minutes when the door to her dorm goes flying open. Enid really needs to get used to her strength before she breaks something. But a small part of Wednesday, a part that she needs to bury, is thrilled by the show of sheer power from her usually gentle friend.
“Hey Wednesday.” The greeting is paired with a wave and a grin that nearly takes over her face. Enid closes the door much more softly than when she opened it and makes her way to her side of the room. She immediately begins packing what is left of her belongings, more stuffed animals than anything else. She does so quietly, most likely out of respect for what would be Wednesday’s writing time. Wednesday watches her for a moment, the way she haphazardly puts things away in whatever suitcase is closest.
“Enid?” The girl hummed in response confirming she heard her roommate.
“Have you ever been to New Jersey?” The question is close enough to what the novelist really wants to ask.
“Nope but my family did go to Maine once on vacation. It was charming.” Enid turns slightly to face Wednesday, her packing momentarily put on pause. “Why do you ask?” Her roommate's eyes are full of curiosity and her attention is solely on the young writer now.
“I think I may need an extra pair of hands in torturing my brothers this summer, Pugsley is getting older and I’m afraid that in my time away he and Pubert may have formed an alliance.” It’s not a complete lie, she always knew the day would come when her younger siblings would unite against her.
“I’d love to, but I doubt my mom would let me, she’s been so persistent about setting me up with one of her friend’s sons. She kept going on earlier about how smart he is and how he shifted when he was only ten.” Enid’s grin is gone now, replaced with a grimace of sorts that causes her nose to scrunch. Wednesday tries not to outwardly react at the mention of boys and Enid in the same context.
“Who said anything about her letting you?” Wednesday’s usual monotone has more of an edge to it, annoyed at the thought of Enid’s mother being the one to ruin her friend’s summer. The only person who should be ruining Enid’s summer is Wednesday.
Enid rolls her eyes in what the goth thinks must be affection or some other positive emotion. The blondes' lips upturn slightly, and she turns to fully face her roommate, crossing her arms over her chest. “What’s your plan then?” Wednesday is tempted to smirk but controls herself.
“I could always kidnap you.”
W&E
Enid had laughed it off but true to her word the raven had indeed kidnapped her. Wednesday had conspired with Thing to distract the bubbly blonde while Lurch packed all of her own and her roommates' belongings within the family car. She then informed Murray Sinclair of the fact that Enid would be accompanying her and her family for the duration of the summer. She left quickly to avoid questions and to allow Murray to deal with his wife.
Getting Enid into the vehicle would be the tricky part. Wednesday had to swallow her pride a bit to get Enid close to enough without being suspicious. “I thought that it was customary to bid farewell to one’s friends before they parted ways?” Enid’s head tilted not unlike that of a confused puppy. “Did The Wednesday Addams just call me her friend?” Wednesday suppresses her groan and opens her arms just enough to get the implied message across.
Enid wastes no time in crashing into the dark-haired girl’s arms. Wednesday tightens her arms around Enid’s middle taking in her unique scent of fresh rain and something almost sweet like vanilla. The taller girl practically decompresses into the embrace, relaxing fully. It almost makes Wednesday feel bad about what she’s about to do.
Lurch opens the car door behind them and with all the strength she has acquired from graving digging she lifts Enid just enough to throw her in the car. Wednesday quickly gets in behind her shutting the door and within a couple of minutes Lurch is guiding them away from Nevermore.
“What the hell Wednesday?” Enid looks annoyed rightfully so, but not nearly as angry as Wednesday thought she’d be. “I did tell you I could kidnap you.” Enid shakes her head in disbelief, moving to get more comfortable next to the mischievous raven.
“I can’t believe you actually did that. Actually, scratch that I can believe it. Thing did you know about this?” The dismembered hand in the seat across from them scurries to the front of the vehicle, eager to get as far away from the werewolf as possible.
“You should settle in. We have a long drive ahead of us and I’m sure my parents will want to interrogate you as soon as we arrive.” Enid looks at her for a moment, her facial expression unreadable. “If it brings you any sort of comfort, I did inform your dad that you’d be staying with me.” Wednesday can’t help her sudden need to appease the blonde girl.
“Thank you Wednesday.” She doesn't say anything else, leaving Wednesday to wonder exactly what she’s being thanked for.
W&E
About halfway through the drive Enid had dozed off, her head hitting Wednesday’s shoulder. The novelist usually would’ve pushed anyone else off, but she could tell Enid needed the rest. She slept nearly the rest of the way there, only waking when Wednesday started to firmly poke her in the ribs.
“Enid we’ve arrived.” The mansion looks the same as always, dark and intimidating. Her parents and brothers are standing in the door anticipating Wednesday’s arrival. “Whoa.” She’s still wiping the sleep from her eyes. It’s kind of endearing in a way that makes Wednesday’s heart pick up just enough to be bothersome. Wednesday looks away from Enid hoping to get the blood that has rushed into her face under control before she has to greet her parents.
The car stops and Wednesday opens the door waiting for Enid to exit before closing it. She clasps her hands behind her back and makes her way up the front steps. “My little viper, it is so good to see you.” Her father envelopes her into a quick hug before releasing and moving onto her cheery friend. “Enid so good to see you again. We cannot show you enough gratitude for saving our little scorpion from that Hyde and your scars are so magnificent. A true badge of your bravery.”
Her father just can’t help himself from gushing over the werewolf. Lifting her chin in one of his big hands to get a better look at Enid’s scars. Enid is blushing over the attention, probably more than a little embarrassed. Her mother shoots her a look and steps closer to give her an air kiss on each side of her face.
Her brothers stand off to the side watching the interaction go down. “Hey Wednesday.” Pugsley is enthusiastic to have his older sister back home. She joins her brothers to get a better view of her parents with Enid. Morticia is holding her by the shoulders now whispering something in her ear. Whatever it is has the young girl grinning from ear to ear.
Wednesday files away a mental reminder to ask her mother about what she said later. Enid looks over and makes eye contact with Wednesday, grin more subdued now. “This must be Pugsley and Pubert.” Enid stretches out a hand towards the older of the two, Pugsley looks at it for all of a second before ignoring it and going in for a hug.
Wednesday watches as Enid hugs her brother back with just as much force and decides that she might put off his torture until tomorrow. When she is released Pubert grabs one of her hands looking closely, inspecting. “How do you control your claws and how big are you when you transform? Do you eat raw meat and how many animals have you killed?”
The questions are rapid fire and Wednesday feels a sudden urge to rescue her friend but Enid holds her own answering just as quickly. “Hard to explain, pretty big, yes and none that I know of.” She finishes with a smile sending her youngest sibling a wink and withdrawing her hand. Wednesday is slightly impressed with her friend's conciseness. Enid makes her way to Wednesday’s side and bumps their shoulders together.
“I’ll show you to your room, Lurch will bring all your bags up.” Wednesday turns on her heel not waiting for Enid's response. “Wednesday maybe you should give Enid a tour. It's much too easy for guests to get lost in the walls, remember cousin Mavin.” Wednesday does chance a look over her shoulder at where Enid has now gone pale. “Very well follow me.”
Enid rushes a bit to catch up to Wednesday and after a moment grabs for her hand. “I won’t actually get lost right?” The novelist has to shake her head slightly in an effort to remain focused but it's hard to think about anything else when she has such a warm and soft hand enveloped in her own. “I believe you are much more intelligent and capable than you give yourself credit for.”
Enid is blushing again, a pretty red that compliments the paling marks on the side of her face. She offers no further comment, just squeezes Wednesday’s hand in her own.