Archive of Our Own ^beta

A sharp knock at the door made Enid jump. She was so engrossed in the horror movie playing on her TV that she let out a startled yelp, sending her bowl of popcorn flying. It was a cold, late fall night, and she definitely wasn’t expecting anyone.

Heart pounding, she got up, quickly turned off the TV, and cautiously approached the front door. “Who...” Her voice cracked slightly, so she cleared her throat. “Who is it?”

“Viper.” The person on the other side responded.

That voice was unmistakable.

Enid’s breath caught in her throat. Without hesitation, she practically ripped the door open off its hinges and launched herself at the petite, dark figure that was Wednesday Addams.

Wednesday flinched and her breath hitched as Enid wrapped her arms around her.

“Enid…” she warned, voice sharp with that familiar edge.

Enid immediately pulled back, cheeks flushed. “Sorry,” she mumbled, a little sheepish. “I just…missed you. A lot.”

Wednesday held her gaze for a moment, unreadable as always. “Well,” she finally said. “May I come in?”

Enid quickly stepped aside, trying to hold back a laugh. “Omg! What are you, a vampire? Of course! Come in!” She chuckled.

Wednesday entered the apartment with her usual quiet grace. “I could be.” She shrugged, slipping off her long traveling coat and placing it neatly on the nearby rack before removing her boots.

Enid watched her, still half in disbelief that she was actually there. It had been months, close to a year, since Wednesday had left, traveling the world to gather inspiration for her latest novel. 

They lived in the same building now, but on different floors, and until today, Enid hadn’t seen her once since she’d returned.

“Did you come straight here from the airport?” Enid asked, eyes wide with curiosity.

Wednesday exhaled softly. “No. I dropped my suitcase off at my apartment first.”

Enid’s grin widened. “And then came straight here? Didn’t do anything else? Missed me that much, huh?”

Wednesday gave her a dry look, reaching for one of her boots again. “I can leave if you prefer.”

“No!” Enid jumped, blocking the door with her body. “Stay,” she said, voice a little breathier than she intended. “We need to catch up. I want to hear all about your trip.”

Wednesday studied her for a beat, eyes lingering, as if weighing something, and then calmly removed her boot again, walking towards the couch with that graceful, yet deliberate stiffness of hers.

“I just got off a fifteen-hour flight, Enid,” she finally said, sitting down with perfect posture.

“You poor thing.” Enid plopped down next to her, cheerful as ever. “That’s okay. You don’t have to talk. I can talk, and you can listen.”

Wednesday’s gaze dropped momentarily to the floor, noting the scattered popcorn. “Were you watching something, or has my absence driven you to adopt full-time slobbery?”

Enid snorted. “Dork. I was watching a horror movie when you knocked and scared the living shit out of me.”

Wednesday’s lips curled into a faint smirk. “I tend to have that effect on people. It is comforting to know it still works on you as well.”

Enid playfully shoved her shoulder, causing Wednesday’s braid to shift behind her and expose her ear. Enid froze, eyes widening.

“Oh my god, Willa.” Her voice dropped to a breathless whisper. “You got your ear pierced?”

Her fingers hovered near Wednesday’s exposed skin, and for a brief, charged moment, neither of them moved.

Enid blinked slowly when Wednesday turned to face her, one perfect eyebrow arching in that infuriatingly unreadable way. “How observant of you.”

Enid let out a breath she hadn’t even realized she was holding. “I…I’ve always wanted a piercing like that one.” She pointed toward her ear, where several shiny studs and rings glittered. “What made you decide to get yours?”

“Success,” Wednesday answered softly, voice dipped in something dangerously smooth.

“Every time I stumbled upon a new idea for my manuscript, I rewarded myself with the sting of a fresh piercing.”

Enid grimaced slightly. “See, that’s what I hate about the whole process. The pain. Thank God for piercing guns, quick and easy.”

Wednesday tilted her head slightly, eyes narrowing in disapproval. “Piercing gun? That is barbaric. I had all of mine done the traditional way.”

Enid’s eyes widened, her stomach doing a little flip. “No way.”

Wednesday’s smirk grew as she leaned in ever so slightly. “A questionably disinfected needle. A steady hand. A slow, calculated stab each time. There is no other way.” Her voice was almost a purr.

Enid gave a nervous chuckle, a shiver running down her spine. “Yeah…that’s gonna be a no from me.”

Wednesday shook her head, tutting softly. “Your pain tolerance is surprisingly low for a wolf, Enid.”

They sat there in charged silence for a moment, the air thick with unspoken things, until Wednesday spoke again, her voice lower this time.

“Which one would you get?” she asked, steering them back to the topic.

Enid swallowed, suddenly hyper-aware of how close they were sitting. She reached out, her fingertip brushing lightly over the cool metal in Wednesday’s ear. “This one. And maybe one or two more.”

Wednesday’s eyes flicked up to meet hers, dark and glinting. “My industrial arrow. One of my favorites,” she said with a small, almost wicked smile. “That one marked the day I discovered a corpse floating in a lake.” She sighed, almost wistful.

Enid stared at her, amused and weirdly charmed. “Yeah…mine would be more because it just looks badass.”

Wednesday’s expression shifted, her gaze dipping down for a beat before meeting Enid’s again. “I could do it to you.”

Enid blinked, her brain momentarily short-circuiting. “Wait…what?”

“The piercing,” Wednesday clarified, voice silky. “I could do it. Right here. Right now.”

Enid laughed, but her heart was racing. “I mean…Don’t get me wrong, I trust you, but…that would be the first time you’d be allowed to technically stab me. What if you enjoy it a little too much?”

Wednesday’s lips curled into a slow, deliberate smirk, her voice dropping into something just above a whisper. “We shall just have to find out…” Her dark eyes held Enid captive. “Although…I must admit…penetrating you with something sharp has always been a fantasy of mine.”

Enid’s breath caught, her face heating instantly. She swallowed hard, desperately trying to find something clever to say but all she could manage was a nervous little laugh.

The next thing Enid knew, Wednesday had disappeared, running down to her apartment to retrieve whatever tools she needed. She returned a few minutes later, a small black case in hand, looking perfectly composed, except for one very noticeable change.

Her industrial piercing was gone.

“I realized, as I was gathering the necessary supplies,” Wednesday began calmly, “that I lacked an extra barbell suitable for an industrial piercing. So, I have removed mine and disinfected it thoroughly for you.”

Enid’s stomach flipped at both the gesture and what was about to happen. “Aww, Wends, you really didn’t have to. I mean…” She fidgeted slightly, “I don’t want to impose, or…steal your jewelry.”

Wednesday narrowed her eyes in that signature way that always made Enid simultaneously nervous and flustered. “None of that,” she said coolly. “Consider it a welcoming gift.”

Enid couldn’t help but giggle. “Shouldn’t I be the one welcoming and rewarding you?”

Wednesday’s lips curled into a sly smirk. “Who said you would not?”

Enid blinked, suddenly hyperaware of the heat creeping up her neck. “W…what do you mean? Don’t tell me I have to…pay for this somehow.”

“Oh, you will,” Wednesday replied, her voice low, almost teasing. She stepped forward, lowering the case onto the coffee table. “By returning the favor.”

Enid tilted her head, confused. “You want me to pierce your ear too?”

Wednesday’s smirk deepened, and she leaned in just slightly, her voice dropping to a delicious whisper. “Who said anything about my ears?”

Enid’s breath caught, pulse quickening as her brain caught up to the double meaning. She wasn’t entirely sure if Wednesday was joking, but she also wasn’t entirely sure if she wanted her to be.

The tension between them thickened, unspoken but electric.

…

Enid sat on the stool in the center of her living room, her heart pounding a little harder as Wednesday meticulously prepared her tools. The coffee table had been transformed into something that looked suspiciously close to a surgical station. Every tool was neatly arranged: a sterile needle, forceps, antiseptic wipes, gauze, and the sleek, polished stainless-steel industrial barbell, shaped like a slender silver arrow.

Wednesday slipped on a pair of black gloves with deliberate slowness, the snap of the tight material making Enid jump slightly. Her dark eyes flicked up, catching Enid’s reaction with an amused glint.

“Second thoughts?” Wednesday asked in that low, unnervingly calm tone.

Enid gave a breathless laugh. “More like fifth or sixth thoughts.”

Wednesday’s lips curved ever so slightly. “You will survive…Probably.”

“Don’t…” Enid said, trying to keep her tone light, but she knew her cracking voice gave her away. “It’s just…it’s not every day you let your…bestie stab you in the head.”

Wednesday’s lips curled into a faint, dangerous smile. “You flatter me, Enid.”

She stepped closer, invading Enid’s space like it was the most natural thing in the world. The cool scent of her perfume drifted between them, something floral but dark, like midnight jasmine with a hint of danger.

Gently, Wednesday reached up and tucked a strand of Enid’s hair behind her ear, her gloved fingers cool against Enid’s flushed skin. “Hold still,” she murmured. “Precision is non-negotiable.”

Enid swallowed hard, holding her breath as Wednesday disinfected the area. The cotton swab glided over her skin in slow, careful strokes, lingering just a bit too long. Enough to send shivers down Enid’s spine.

Wednesday’s focus was absolute. She marked the piercing points with tiny black dots, head tilting slightly as she examined her work. Her voice dipped into something soft, almost reverent. 

“Perfect symmetry.” She whispered, as though admiring a canvas before the first brushstroke.

Enid’s pulse was racing now. She tried to focus on breathing, but Wednesday’s calm, clinical touch had her mind spinning.

“You sure you’ve done this before?” she asked with a nervous laugh.

Wednesday’s eyes snapped to hers, and for a second, the tension between them crackled like static. “I am good with sharp objects.” She said it so smoothly, so matter-of-fact, yet the heat behind her eyes made Enid’s stomach flip. She opened her mouth to say something, anything, but Wednesday was already reaching for something on the coffee table.

Her gloved hand picked up the gleaming arrow. “Symbolic, is it not?” She added quietly. “Two holes. One arrow. A perfect alignment of intent and penetration.”

Enid’s face flushed. “You make it sound so…intense.”

Wednesday’s smirk deepened. “It is.”

She set the arrow down and reached for the needle. Its sharpness was oddly hypnotic.

“This will sting,” Wednesday warned softly, her voice almost intimate now. “But only for a moment.”

Her free hand gently gripped Enid’s ear, steady and sure. The cool metal of the forceps pressed against her skin. Wednesday’s face was close, so close that Enid could feel the faintest brush of breath against her cheek.

“Ready?” Wednesday whispered, her lips barely moving.

Enid nodded, barely able to breathe. “Y...yeah.”

In one fluid, steady motion, Wednesday pushed the needle through the first mark. A sharp sting sliced through Enid’s ear, hot, burning for a moment, and then the second puncture came, calculated and slow. Enid gasped softly, but it wasn’t the pain that made her breath hitch.

It was Wednesday’s unwavering eyes that had locked on hers. The way she held her so gently, yet with complete control. The sheer closeness of their bodies, as if Wednesday was savoring every inch of contact.

With expert ease, Wednesday guided the arrow-shaped barbell into place, securing it with a final delicate twist. “There,” she said softly, finally releasing her hold. “All done.”

Enid exhaled shakily, heart still hammering. “That wasn’t so bad.”

Wednesday slowly peeled off her gloves and let them fall to the table. “You were very brave.” Her voice was quiet, but her eyes were burning. “Though I must admit…I did enjoy penetrating you.”

Enid’s breath caught. She let out a soft, nervous laugh, her cheeks burning. “You…you do know how that sounds, right?”

“Enid, I just slid a needle through your flesh.” Wednesday’s voice dipped, her words deliberate. “I have been fantasizing about penetrating you in some fashion for years.” She let the word hang between them, daring Enid to respond.

Enid’s mouth went dry. She tried to laugh, but it came out as a breathless whisper. “You really need to work on your phrasing.”

Wednesday stepped a fraction closer, her voice dropping into a husky murmur, deep and deliberate. “Oh, I know exactly how it sounds.”

Their eyes locked, so close now that one more step would erase the space between them.

Yet, neither of them moved.

Wednesday was the first to pull away. Making Enid almost fall over. “My turn.” She said with a mischievous smirk.

“You really meant, now?” Enid asked, her voice a little breathless, thrown off by how quickly Wednesday was escalating things. “I…we don’t even have any jewelry to pierce you with…” She glanced around helplessly, as if expecting sterile piercing to magically appear.

Wednesday’s smirk deepened into a full, deliberate smile, the rare kind that always made Enid’s stomach flip. “Oh, but we do.”

She stepped closer, lowering her voice. “While I was piercing your ear, I happened to notice…” Her cool fingers reached up, lightly grazing one of the pendants swinging from Enid’s earlobe. “You are wearing your first fangs. The ones you lost after your fight with the Hyde.”

Enid froze, like a deer caught in headlights. Her breath stalled. “You…you remember that? It’s been 10 years!”

Wednesday’s eyes darkened, voice dropping to a low, intimate tone. “Of course I remember, Enid. I remember every detail. Your first transformation, even though I did not witness it… How could I forget you fought for me?.” Her fingers brushed the smooth enamel casing of the fang. “These fell off after your victory, when your wolf first truly awakened. They are not just trophies. They are proof of who you are.”

Enid’s throat tightened, heat rising under her skin. “I…I kept them as a reminder. Of how far I’ve come.”

“And now…” Wednesday whispered, “I would like to wear one of them, you know, something more…personal.”

Wednesday’s gaze lingered on the fang for a moment longer, then lifted her eyes to meet Enid’s, blue and steady. “It is only fitting.”

Enid frowned slightly, confused. “Fitting for what?”

“For me,” Wednesday answered simply, her eyes still locked onto hers. “I gave you my arrow. It is only fair you give me one of your fangs.”

Wednesday reached out and took Enid’s hand in hers, her grip firm but gentle. “Follow me,” she said softly, her voice dropping into something dangerously smooth. “We need a more…secluded area for this.”

Enid blinked, stumbling slightly as Wednesday tugged her forward. “But…um, don’t we need your piercing supplies?” She glanced back at the black kit still sitting on the coffee table.

Wednesday didn’t even turn her head, leading Enid toward the bedroom. “Nonsense. You shall be using your fangs to pierce me. And besides,” she added with unnerving calm, “werewolf saliva is a natural antiseptic. Far more effective than anything in that kit.”

Enid whimpered softly under her breath as they crossed into her room. The air felt heavier in here, more private, more charged. Wednesday closed the door behind them with a quiet click, locking them into their own little world.

She stepped to the edge of the bed and turned to face Enid, arms folding casually over her chest. “Well?” she asked, her tone deceptively nonchalant. “Are you willing to return the favor…or shall I consider you ungrateful?”

Enid swallowed, her fingers trembling slightly as she reached for her earring. She slipped the small pendant free from her left ear, cradling it in her palm. “And…where exactly do you want this done?” she whispered, her voice barely steady.

Wednesday’s dark eyes locked on hers, unblinking, intense. Without breaking eye contact, she reached for the hem of her shirt and pulled it off in one smooth motion, revealing nothing but a black lace bra that framed her pale skin like ink on porcelain.

Enid’s breath caught as her gaze instinctively traveled downward, across strong, sculpted shoulders, the subtle curve of her collarbone, and her surprisingly toned abs. Yes, she had seen Wednesday change in front of her before, but this was different. This was deliberate. This was private. This was intimate in a way that made the air between them feel dangerously thin.

Her mouth went dry. “W…Wednesday…” she whispered, not even sure what she was trying to say.

Wednesday stepped closer, unclasping her bra on her way. Letting it slide down her arms and onto the floor.

Enid gasped, not daring to look anywhere but at Wednesday’s face. “Willa…what are you…?”

Wednesday rose onto her toes, her lips brushing Enid’s ear as her voice slipped into a sultry whisper. “You need access to do this.” She spoke like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “And to answer your previous question...”

She reached for Enid’s hand, guiding it slowly over her left breast, pressing it firmly into the soft curve. “Right here.”

Enid shuddered, a wave of heat rolling through her. Her mouth opened and closed as she tried and failed to form words.

Wednesday leaned in closer, her body pressing flush against Enid’s. “I have always wanted a nipple piercing,” she whispered, her breath ghosting over flushed skin.

Enid’s mouth watered at the thought. Her hand unconsciously squeezed, earning the smallest intake of breath from Wednesday.

“Close to my heart. Permanent. Visible only to you.” Her voice was barely audible now, a breathy whisper against Enid’s ear. “Penetrated by you.”

Enid swallowed hard. “Do…you really trust me that much?”

Wednesday’s brows furrowed slightly as she brought a hand up, tilting Enid’s chin so their eyes locked. “I would trust you with my life…always.” Her gaze burned through her. “Do you understand that?”

Enid nodded quickly, breathless, letting Wednesday guide her backward until the edge of the bed pressed into the back of her knees. She lowered herself to her knees in front of Wednesday, placing both hands on her thighs and gently spreading them to make room for herself.

Wednesday’s fingers trailed from Enid’s shoulder to her hair, threading through the strands as she tugged her closer. “Use your fangs, Enid…and make it hurt.”

Enid’s pulse pounded in her ears as she leaned forward, mouth parting as she latched onto the sensitive flesh. She ran her tongue lightly over the already erect nub, teasing it gently as she suckled, earning a soft moan from Wednesday.

“Fangs…Enid…focus,” Wednesday managed, her breath coming faster, already trembling beneath her touch.

Enid allowed her canines to elongate, just enough to brush against the tender skin. Wednesday shuddered, arching slightly.

“Ah…yes…right there,” Wednesday whispered, unable to hold back her sounds any longer.

Moving carefully, Enid let her instincts guide her, calculated, precise, fully aware of how sensitive this area was. She bit down slowly, just enough to break the surface. The faint coppery taste of blood hit her tongue, making her pull back instinctively, but Wednesday’s hand gripped her hair tightly, holding her in place.

“Do not dare stop, Enid,” she ordered, her voice hoarse.

Enid closed her eyes, sinking her fangs deeper, puncturing through the delicate skin with deliberate slowness. The guttural cry Wednesday released was raw, wild, and something about it made Enid tremble with desire.

She licked and suckled at the wound, cleaning the blood as her body hummed with adrenaline, savoring every little sound Wednesday made above her. The bleeding soon slowed, leaving just the fresh, clean puncture.

With a soft pop, Enid pulled back to inspect her work. “Perfect,” she whispered.

Wednesday looked down, inspecting the twin puncture marks with admiration. “Pierced with surgical precision,” she breathed. “I would not have had it any other way.”

Enid smiled, her heart pounding. She reached for the fang pendant, carefully positioning it on Wednesday’s nipple, securing it into place.

Wednesday flinched slightly at the chill of the metal, but her face quickly melted into a dark, satisfied smile.

“There,” Enid rasped, her voice raw and breathless. “All done.”

She moved to sit beside Wednesday on the bed, still trembling with the aftermath of what they’d just done. Her flushed face was streaked with blood, a small smear at the corner of her lips.

Wednesday’s gaze swept over her, slow and analytical. “You look…devilishly beautiful.”

Enid exhaled heavily. “I thought I was dreaming.”

Wednesday tilted her head. “What do you mean?”

Enid hesitated, her voice trembling slightly. “I’ve…I’ve always wanted to taste you, Willa.”

Wednesday’s brow furrowed as if processing her words.

Enid chuckled nervously, taking both of Wednesday’s hands in hers. “I mean…I like you, Wednesday. No, I love you. I’ve been in love with you for so long, but I was scared you didn’t feel the same. So, I stayed quiet.”

She lowered her gaze. “I’m sorry if I misread things, I just…”

Before she could finish, Wednesday straddled Enid’s lap, lips crashing against hers in a kiss that was nothing short of electric. Tongues tangled, teeth clashed, breathing fast and shallow. The taste of Wednesday’s blood lingered between them, but neither seemed to care if anything it only added to the wild urgency surging between their bodies.

When they finally parted for breath, Wednesday’s voice was ragged, her pupils wide. “Do not hold back, Enid.”

Enid’s hands slid instinctively over Wednesday’s bare back, fingers exploring every inch of newly exposed skin. She’d dreamed of this for so long, but nothing had prepared her for how real it felt.

“I…I don’t want to hurt you,” Enid whispered, trembling under the weight of her desire.

Wednesday let out a low, breathless laugh. “I assure you, I am quite difficult to break.” She leaned in again, pressing a trail of featherlight kisses along Enid’s jaw, then down her neck. “And I want you to.”

That last whisper made something snap inside Enid, the final permission she needed. Her hands slid down to Wednesday’s hips, gripping them firmly as she guided her closer, grinding their bodies together.

Wednesday gasped softly against her skin. “Good girl…”

The praise made Enid shiver, emboldening her. She leaned forward, trailing slow kisses down Wednesday’s throat, across her collarbone, and back toward the freshly pierced nipple, still warm from her earlier bite.

She flicked her tongue over the sensitive nub, eliciting a sharp intake of breath from Wednesday. The slight metallic tang of blood still lingered as she sucked gently, her fangs grazing ever so slightly, enough to tease, but not pierce this time.

Wednesday’s hand tangled in Enid’s hair, holding her close. “More.”

Enid obeyed, her confidence blooming with every soft moan she drew from Wednesday’s lips. She let her hands explore further, slipping down the curve of Wednesday’s waist, fingertips dancing along her thighs.

Wednesday arched into her touch, her breath growing heavier. “Take me,” she whispered. “I have waited long enough.”

Their eyes met, dark with hunger and overflowing with affection. And this time, neither hesitated.

Clothes were shed in hurried, clumsy motions, skin meeting skin in a rush of warmth. 

Enid placed her thigh against Wednesday’s core, feeling her warmth and wetness. Wednesday started grinding against Enid’s thigh in search of some friction. “You feel so good, Willa.” Enid moaned, placing her hands on Wednesday’s waist, helping her move along her thigh.

Wednesday groaned, wanting more. Enid got the message as if she could read her thoughts and slowly slid Wednesday off her leg, replacing it with the caress of her long, nimble fingers. “Fuck…” Wednesday cursed, her back arching slightly as Enid’s middle and ring finger rubbed her clit up and down painfully slowly. 

As she was about to complain, Enid started firmly sliding lower, straight to Wednesday’s entrance. She lingered there, teasing, not quite entering fully.

Wednesday had lost all hint of rational thought, enjoying the heat of Enid’s touch.

“Is this ok, Willa?” Enid asked in a raspy, deep voice.

Wednesday could only nod as she clenched onto Enid’s body, sucking on her pulse point, leaving bright red marks on her pale skin.

Then Enid curled her fingers upwards, moving them in her in a come here motion, alternating with wave-like movements, making Wednesday go feral with desire. “Enid…ah…don’t...stop…”

Enid felt the hot coil build up in her lower abdomen. She picked up her speed, going in and out of Wednesday's core.

Wednesday arched her back in pleasure. “Yesss….E…”

“Im not stopping until you cum for me, Willa,” Enid answered, speeding up and pumping her fingers more forcefully. She knew Wednesday could take it, as she studied her features. “God, if you could see yourself now…” 

Enid kissed Wednesday’s exposed throat, nibbling on supple flesh. She could feel their hearts pounding wildly together. There was no room for fear or hesitation, only shared desire and the overwhelming relief of finally surrendering to what had always been between them.

“I…” Wednesday moaned loudly.

“Cum for me, Willa…” Enid growled, her own orgasm approaching…

When their bodies moved together as one, it was shaky and intense. Every kiss was worshipful, every moan shared between them like a secret.

And as Wednesday cried out above her, breathless, wild, and completely unguarded, Enid realized with absolute certainty that she was in love with Wednesday Addams.

…

The room was heavy with warmth and the soft scent of sweat, blood, and satisfaction.

Enid lay on her side, propped up slightly on one elbow, her free hand lazily tracing patterns across Wednesday’s pale stomach. Their breathing had finally slowed, though the air between them still hummed with leftover passion.

Wednesday’s eyes fluttered open as Enid’s fingertips danced along her skin, her normally cold expression softened into something unguarded, almost tender.

Enid smiled, still breathless, her voice barely a whisper. “So…worth the wait?”

Wednesday smirked, though even that sharp little grin looked softer now. “Immensely.” She reached up, brushing a strand of hair from Enid’s flushed cheek. “Though I am appalled it took us this long to arrive here.”

Enid laughed quietly, letting her fingers trail lower, earning a soft, pleased hum from Wednesday. “You know…for someone who claims to have no interest in physical displays of affection, you’re remarkably…enthusiastic.”

Wednesday’s eyes glittered darkly. “I never said I lacked interest. I lacked interest in anybody that was not…you.” She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. “I now have you.”

Enid’s heart swelled again, a mixture of desire and pure affection washing over her. She lowered her head to rest gently against Wednesday’s shoulder, nuzzling into her bare skin. “I love you, Willa.”

Wednesday’s hand moved instinctively to thread through Enid’s hair, holding her close. “And I love you, Enid Sinclair.” She paused, then added in a voice softer than a whisper, “You are mine.”

Enid shivered, not from fear, but from the depth of emotion packed into those simple words. She smiled, eyes closing as she whispered against Wednesday’s skin. “Always.”

For the first time in what felt like forever, there was nothing left unsaid between them. Only the quiet hum of hearts beating in sync, and the promise of many, many more nights to come, and all because they wanted a piercing…