In the End ~ Wednesday x Xavier ~ SLOW-BURN

Chapter 19

She sat beside him, caressing his hand with her thumb as she watched his resting form. 

He had suffered from heavy smoke inhalation and a minor concussion, but was expected to wake any moment. She hadn't slept all night, choosing to come here first thing in the morning. She had gotten Ajax to drive her there, along with Enid. They had stayed awhile before going, but Wednesday insisted on staying by his side. 

Her body felt sore, figuring it was from her previous injuries. She was sure the adrenaline had covered the pain last night, but it hit her nonetheless.  Her body ached, but nothing hurt more than her heavy heart.

She squeezed his hand, silently begging for him to wake up, and for her to see his eyes again. For her to see him alive and full of emotion again. Her warm hand met his cold one, and she wished for it to be the opposite. She probably seemed crazy, to the doctors and nurses at least, talking to him as if he was wide awake. She wasn't sure if he could hear her, as he wasn't exactly in a coma. It had only been one night and part of the next day. She refused to eat, her stomach refusing any intake as she might throw it up from the guilt she felt. Her heart longed for him, calling to him. She had done some internal work throughout the night, coming to terms with her feelings. Her break down was a result of bottling her emotions, and the second she had someone who she would be able to emotionally open up to, they betrayed her in a sense, not fully intending to. That was the last thing she needed for her heart to crumble, the old walls, the memories of what plagued her heart came crashing down as new walls were built up. She guarded her heart, closing out anyone who might have been able to hurt her. But in the end, she only hurt herself. Now Xavier was hurt, and she couldn't help but feel the guilt deep in her soul, her worst fears coming true. When the time came, she wasn't able to protect those she loved. And this had proven her point. She weeped bitterly on his bedside, pouring out all her fears and problems with the tears that stained the sheets. 

She was past that bitter weeping stage, now staring at the wall. She was void of emotions, as she had strived for for so long. But now that she actually felt nothing but heartbreak, she regretted ever striving for that. She was glad she hadn't fully rid herself of her emotions, because in this moment, where she couldn't feel a single thing, she hated the silence it offered. This was what she wanted, after all. To be alone, and left alone. But now she saw past those silly ways of hers, now realizing she felt stronger with her family and friends behind her, but there was only one who she wanted to stand beside her.

She glanced back over at him, and he was watching her. She jumped, smiling before she springing on him, grabbing his face and kissing his forehead. She hugged him, and he laughed. He coughed a little and she pulled back, muttering an apology for her reaction. He opened his arms for her, and she quickly found her refuge in them. She cried happy tears, letting them flow freely down her face as she squeezed him. Wednesday Addams was changing, and she wasn't sure if it was a bad thing this time.

"Wednesday."

She pulled back, allowing him to sit up straighter in the bed. 

"I'm so sorry. I was caught up in my emotions, and I wasn't thinking about yours," he looked down, trying to conceal his emotions as he spoke about the thing that had afflicted his soul.

"Xavier, I know. Sometimes we can't control what our brains come up with, but establishing what is true from what isn't is something everyone struggles with. I forgive you, please forgive me for my words and actions too. I know what I did-"

He shushed her, shaking his head.

"No, you already apologized for your past actions. But your forgiven, even though I was the one that evoked those things from you. Thank you, for forgiving me. I was so scared..."