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“Wednesday, why won’t you let us put the beds together?” Enid whined. “My wolf is desperate to curl up around you, I really want to fall asleep next to you, and you’ve even admitted that you sleep better when we cuddle too!”
“My sleep is interrupted less, not that I necessarily sleep better,” Wednesday corrected, glaring down at her typewriter.
Right, this was Wednesday’s writing hour. Perhaps not the best time to be having this discussion. Wednesday always got testy when her hobby time was interrupted, but this was important too. Enid’s wants and needs mattered and this was the biggest need her wolf had ever expressed!
“Same difference,” Enid huffed, sitting down on the corner of Wednesday’s desk. She was being a little bratty and she knew it, but this was a critical issue that could drastically improve both of their lives. She didn’t get why Wednesday would fight her on this. The very fact Wednesday simply glanced at her before resuming her typing showed how much closer they had grown—in the past Wednesday would have shoved her off the desk, skewered her with a cutting remark, or actually cut her with a knife.
“There are marked differences in your definition of better and mine.”
“Elaborate,” Enid said. She wanted to be sexy and seductive, winning over her girlfriend’s attention. However, that would require she not be a klutz. Her looming resulted in a loss of balance and Enid fell not only across Wednesday’s desk, but also her typewriter, punching several keys in the process.
“Enid,” Wednesday sighed, ripping her half-written page out of the typewriter and crumpling it into a ball.
“Sorry Wednesday.”
“If I elaborate as you requested, mi loba, will you stop pestering me on this topic?” Wednesday asked, cupping Enid’s cheek.
“Of course!” Enid squawked, feeling mildly outraged. “When have I ever pushed you into doing something you didn’t want to after you explained your position?”
Wednesday silently conceded the point. She remained quiet, but Enid could tell that she was thinking, trying to order her explanation into concise points for Enid’s edification. Enid could be patient.
“As previously reiterated, my sleep cycle is less disruptive when I slumber beside you, though I still enjoy the occasional nightmare. That is not my issue with bed sharing,” Wednesday began, steepling her fingers. “My issue is your excessive color.”
“My color?” Enid snorted.
“Your belongings are as if a rainbow vomited over your half of the room,” Wednesday said flatly, “and I am allergic to color.”
“Is it really that bad?” Enid asked, cringing.
Wednesday had received special accommodations in the form of a greyscale uniform and bedding. End had simply been under the impression Nevermore had granted the accommodation because the Addams family were wealthy and it made Wednesday easier to be around. Wednesday regularly picked up her colorful plushies, moved her pastel blankets, and ran her fingers through Enid’s vibrantly dyed hair. She had no idea the allergy was real.
“While my previous suggestion that flesh would melt from my bones upon contact was hyperbolic, I do have physical reaction to prolonged exposure,” Wednesday clarified. “Primarily hives and blood boils, but pus and infection are a common co-occurrence.”
“Oh my god,” Enid said, covering her mouth with a hand in horror. She had no idea it was that bad.
“Brief contact is a nonissue and the irritation from moderately long exposure can be enjoyable. I’m not sure if I derived more satisfaction from Yoko’s obvious frustration at my lack of reaction when she placed that flamingo feather on the back of my neck for the duration of our zoology lesson or from the feather itself slowly abrading my skin,” Wednesday continued, referring to an incident that had happened last semester. “However, exposure will ultimately worsen my condition and if I choose to indulge, I must self-monitor the side effects. I cannot do that while asleep.”
“Of course not,” Enid agreed, still feeling aghast by the revelation.
“Enid, while I gladly live with my heart constantly aflame for you, alas I cannot do the same with my skin,” Wednesday continued. “When we sleep together you cling and shift. I frequently wake with lilac sleeves across my torso under my pajama top and a pink duvet attempting suffocation while your colorful creatures press against every side of my neck. The pain is exquisite and takes over an hour to doctor well enough for me to function for the day.”
“I am so sorry,” Enid apologized, feeling more guilty than she had about anything else in their relationship.
“Do not apologize, quierda. You torment me so rarely I appreciate the treat, even if it is unintentional,” Wednesday said. She leaned forward to lightly kiss Enid. “Honestly, I am more embarrassed to admit my skin is not thick enough to withstand your expression of personality on a daily basis. It is… unbefitting of an Addams.”
“Let me see if I have this right; I’m not the problem nor is the bed sharing, but my colors are,” Enid said, tapping her claws against her skin. If that was the problem, she was sure she could create a solution.
“That is what I just said.”
“I’ve got it!” Enid exclaimed, leaping off Wednesday’s desk and rushing to her bed.
Wednesday raised an eyebrow, unwilling to ask what Enid was doing.
In the end, Wednesday didn’t have to, as Enid violently swept everything off the top of her bed. Stuffed animals and pillows went flying, while her blankets ended up in a crumpled heap in front of the footboard. Then Enid nearly tore off her fitted sheet in her fervor to strip the bed. Once her bed was devoid of personality, she kicked it hard enough that it skidded across the room until it collided with Wednesday’s bed. Giggling excitedly, Enid flopped onto her bare mattress.
“There. No color, so we can sleep together, right?” Enid said, grinning widely.
“I thought you could not sleep without your plethora of creatures,” Wednesday said.
“Right.” Enid got up and went to her plushie pile to pull out Zack the Zebra, Po the Panda, and Mrs. Wiggins the Cow. “These’ll do for now and if I need more, I could get some black or white kitties. We can pick up new sheets this weekend in Jericho and I’m sure I can order some aesthetically acceptable PJs online.”
“And in the meantime?”
“I sleep nude?” Enid offered. Clothing was frequently optional in wolf packs and she didn’t have a problem with it in the privacy of their room.
“You will borrow mine,” Wednesday firmly corrected, the faintest hint of rose dusting her cheeks.
“That means you approve!” Enid squealed, rushing over to pull Wednesday into a hug. Her girlfriend did not resist and in fact returned the gesture after a minute. This already wonderful school year was going to be so much better now that Enid almost didn’t want to graduate at the end of it.
She didn’t let go of Wednesday until she heard a knocking on the door. Figuring it was Yoko or Divina, Enid went to answer the door. Instead, it was Thing standing on a rather large elegantly wrapped package. Enid picked up the parcel, which was covered with rice paper dyed black and a matching ribbon. Even before glancing at the familiar script Enid knew who the senders were.
“Oh, thank you, Thing. It was thoughtful of you to bring up Wednesday’s present from her family,” Enid said, beaming. She was sure she hadn’t missed any important dates, but Gomez and Morticia sometimes sent presents just because.
Thing shook and pointed at her. Enid blinked, surprised because they rarely sent her gifts. Wednesday’s arms wrapped around her waist and she felt her pointy chin dig into her shoulder.
“Open it,” Wednesday demanded, glaring at the package as if she wished to set it alight with her mind.
Enid didn’t need to be told twice. She gleefully ripped it open then laughed at the contents. King size midnight colored silk sheets and half a dozen matching pillow cases. Clearly, Morticia must have had a vision. At least Enid’s plan had parental approval.
“Mother,” Wednesday growled in disgust, pulling away.
“Oh Wednesday, don’t be like that. This is a thoughtful and useful gift. We are 100% using them tonight,” Enid said.
Wednesday didn’t respond; choosing instead to retreat to the balcony and play her cello. Enid couldn’t be bothered by her poor response. She’d had an honest conversation with Wednesday and received a thoughtful gift. Now she was due for a busy afternoon of laundry and remaking their bed. Their new shared bed. Enid couldn’t wait.