Cherry Wine // Wednesday X Xavier

Like Real People Do

The human species always fascinated Wednesday. Although she would rather not socialize, they did display interesting interactions with each other that provided her some type of entertainment while people watching. Families strolled through the park, older women jogged in oversized puffer jackets, and friends danced together with festive spirit. They all wore bright sweaters, tinsel hung from their necks and garland sat on their heads.

Her lips pressed firmly to the coffee cup in her hands, sipping the scolding hot quad. It slipped downward into her body, burning her insides perfectly all the way down. Maybe if she boiled from the inside out she wouldn't have to deal with the encroaching feelings that refused to vacate her mind.

Under the branches of a naked sugar maple, Wednesday hid away, Felipe Rodriguez singing an enchanting ballad into her ears. The ground was iced over, the grass a muddy brown color. It seemed as if everything around her was dead in the cold winter besides the people. They had all survived the dreadful night before, while Wednesday had died a little more. Something she thought was near impossible.

Wednesday flicked her eyes at the park-goers, sending invisible arrows into them. She pierced the man with his dog in the stomach and the mother chasing after her child, in the left knee. And the couple holding hands and kissing? They both got an arrow right to the skull. Her imagination flooded with blood and gore filling Wednesday with immense pleasure she almost didn't notice when the body she had been avoiding sat down beside her.

Shifting her eyes in his direction Wednesday tried not giving Xavier too much attention. He was wearing that silly Santa hat again, his hair tied in a low ponytail. They sat in silence for a long time, neither one wanting to be the first to speak. If they said anything they may spark something unutterable. Wednesday could be mad, Xavier could be in love with Narcissa. They'd rather not know.

Wednesday removed her headphones, sensual merengue spilling from the foam ear pieces. If she couldn't find the words her heart felt, music could. Slipping the headset over Xavier's ears uncomfortably, his head being filled with sultry. He didn't understand a word of it but the tango of instruments and vocals told him what he had worried about all night was unnecessary.

Wednesday wasn't mad at him. How could she be when her heart was filled with need? She knew just how Narcissa played her game, she just hoped that Xavier hadn't been played a fool, falling into her rat trap.

He answered her worry as well, pulling out his phone, earbuds attached. They couldn't share the foam headset she used but they could exchange. Xavier put on a playlist that held all of his favorite songs. Helping Wednesday put the small buds into her ears she was soon transported back into his bubble while he sat in hers. Somehow, even though the two musical compositions were complete opposites they accomplished the same thing. That mutual feeling they both had for each other, revealed under that sugar maple as snow began a new dusting over them.

When the snow became sleet and the wind became a storm Xavier and Wednesday decided to make their way back to the Addams family home. Their faces were chapped and their fingertips frost bitten but they both felt warm inside. Walking beside each other, their hands swinging by their sides. If Xavier just reached out a centimeter more he would be able to brush his hand with hers. Maybe he could even envelop her in his calloused palm.

The winter storm whipped at their necks, pushing them forward and then as easy as the wind changed they were being drug back in their tracks. Small, but mighty, Wednesday pushed through the tide. An invisible force held her back, Xavier doing his best to move forward as well. He made strides, pushing past the barrier. He looked back at Wednesday, seeing her struggle. He reached out, clasping his hand in hers. They buzzed, locking together as they propelled through until they were inside the warmth of the manor.