The Aftermath {A Wenclair Story}

You'll Know When

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Since she was going home for the holidays, it was only rational for Enid to invite her boyfriend to join her and meet her family.

Her mother was ecstatic that Enid had wolfed out and found a boyfriend. "You're finally normal, honey. I told you those camps would rub off. And you've found yourself a potential mate!"

Enid had to walk away after that.

As Ajax chatted and played with her erratic siblings, she walked off away from the noise and sat on a fallen log, pulling her knees to her chest. I wish she was here...

"Hey, kiddo." Enid's thoughts were interrupted by her father's soft voice. He came up behind her and sat next to her, resting his arms on his bent knees. Enid said nothing and instead buried her face into her crossed arms. They sat in silence for a moment. "Before I met your mother, I thought I would never find a mate."

Enid glanced up at her father with perked ears. She loved when he told her stories. "For a long time, I had no one by my side. I was too quiet, too calm-tempered. I didn't like loudness or roughhousing. I would always be alone. But then came your mother." A spark lit his eyes as he talked about her. "She didn't judge me because I was different. She liked me for who I was. Then, I knew without a doubt that she was my mate." He turned towards Enid who had a small smile on her face. "What I'm trying to say is, don't try and force it. If you have to think about it, if you have to try and make yourself become someone's mate, they aren't the one."

Enid felt her heart lift a bit as her dad stood, patting her head. "You'll know when it's time, kid. Trust me." She watched as her dad walked away, passing by Ajax who had come out looking for Enid. They nodded at each other before the boy took her dad's spot on the log. "Hey, are you okay?"

She swallowed, her father's words running through her head. You'll know when it's time. Time for what, exactly? He wasn't very specific.

Ajax reach out and lightly touched Enid's shoulder. Her claws extended for a second as she stood up, instinctively jumping away. He pulled his hand back with a hurt look, turning his head away from her. "I'm sorry, Ajax. I'm just not feeling very well." He nodded but didn't look satisfied, chewing on his cheek before joining her in standing. "Hm... you aren't sick of... us... right?" Enid snapped her head towards him but he wasn't looking at her.

"W-what? No, no. I'm never sick of you Ajax." He lifted his head and took her hand in his, smoothing his thumb over hers. "You're with me, right?" Enid looks at their joint hands, hiding the shake in her fingers by squeezing his with a shaky smile. "Yeah, I'm with you."

She felt as if her heart stayed behind as they walked back hand in hand.

Now, coming back from orientation, Enid stood awkwardly to the side as she watched Wednesday lay out comfortable clothes to sleep in. Her father's words came back to her again, and she thought of the text Ajax had sent her earlier.

How's the reunion?

Wednesday lifted her hands, her lips turning down the slightest in disgust. She picked at the old paint in iteration, muttering about how she would have to repaint them tomorrow.

"Can I do it?" Wednesday looked up, brows raised as if she were surprised at Enid's absurd question. "What?"

"I said, can I paint your nails?" She walked forwards and Thing jumped from the dresser onto her shoulder. "Thing has been wanting me to repaint his, so let's just do it all at once." Enid smiled cheerfully, clasping her hands in front of her and making her eyes big. "Please, Wednesday. I promise I'll do good." Wednesday of course kept her face neutral and Enid was sure she was about to say no. But something seemed to churn in her eyes as she sighed and looked up, breathing deeply. "Fine."

Enid gasped and clapped her hands together, bouncing on her heels. Thing did a little dance on her shoulder in victory. "Yay!" As Wednesday went behind her changing board, Enid couldn't help but feel the slightest bit of guilt. She still hadn't answered Ajax, who had sent her more messages asking if she wanted to hang out and if she was settling in. She didn't answer any of them.

Should she be with her boyfriend instead of spending time with Wednesday?

In her head, she didn't see a problem. She was getting to know how her roommate's break was, innocently painting her hand in the process.

There was nothing wrong with what she was doing. Nothing. She shouldn't feel guilty.

As Wednesday came back out in her nighttime cotton shorts and long comfy sweater, Enid's heart squeezed and it felt as if someone had stolen her breath.

That ink of guilt grew and spread like a disease.

Shit.