Fake it till you make it

Chapter 28

Notes:

Trigger Warning: Homophobia

The new couple lay contently together on the floor near the crackling fire, Enid more than happy to have Wednesday laying back against her as she quietly read her book, the werewolf silently watching videos on her phone with her headphones.

Enid couldn't help the occasional purrs that rumbled in her chest, so unbelievably happy in this moment, Wednesday sighing with content as she enjoyed the soft vibrations against her back.

By the time Wednesday finished her book, the sky outside was dark and foreboding, with promise of a stormy evening.

Perfect.

Sitting up and stretching out the slight stiffness in her joints, she turned to face Enid.

"Enjoy your book?" Enid asked with a sleepy smile.

"Yes, thank you."

"Not gonna lie, I nearly fell asleep with you a few times." Enid said around a loud puppy yawn.

"You started to snore on a few occasions."

"Cuddling you makes me relaxed. Can't help it if I get sleepy." She chuckled, pressing a light kiss to her cheek. "I think I was a pup the last time I fell asleep in front of a fire. Back when my family actually took me on camping trips. When they thought I'd wolf out with them." She admitted softly, offering the information up offhandedly.

"We can camp in the woods if you wish. You made a clearing that would be ideal for such an event." Wednesday suggested, chest constricting, aching uncomfortably hearing of little, neglected Enid sitting alone at home on full moons, wanting to comfort her beloved wolf, a hint of emotional distress seeping through their bond without realising it.

"Hey, I'm okay. Don't worry." Enid soothed gently, pressing her forehead to Wednesday's as she tried to soothe her visually hidden distress. "Thanks, baby." She whispered, nuzzling in against her hair, moving down to kiss her mate mark, sending a big, soothing blanket worth of calming feelings and reassurance through their bond, enveloping her in it as she purred harder with Wednesday in her arms. "But if you want to camp in the woods, that could be something fun to do."

"You do not need to minimise your feelings on the matter to protect mine, Enid." Wednesday stated determinedly, threading her fingers through Enid's, squeezing her hand firmly. "You may also rely on me for comfort if you need to do so. I may not be particularly skilled at it, but I am willing to try. For you. I know I have relied on you for my own comfort more times than I care to admit during this stay." She admitted with a bit of embarrassment. "Coming to terms with my feelings for you was... difficult for me. I..." Wednesday swallowed hard in a rare moment of vulnerability. "I was petrified of losing you in my life if confessing my affections had gone... less than favourably. I admit I likely would have retreated further into myself and shut myself off from the possibility of friendships completely. Perhaps unintentionally hurting you in the process, as I would have also pushed you away in an attempt to protect myself." Wednesday continued, sitting up completely, distancing herself from Enid slightly, the loss of the warmth against her back almost enough to make her shudder.

"I was scared too." Enid murmured. "I was certain that there was no way you could ever want me like that because you'd been so vocal about it in the past with Tyler and Xavier. And I was really scared that if I said or did anything, I'd lose you too. I was so effing scared that first night I touched you that I'd effed things up beyond repair. And by then, I already knew you were my mate, which kinda made everything so much harder." Enid continued with a half-hearted chuckle.

Wednesday still had yet to meet Enid's eyes, working her jaw, opening, and closing her hands in anxious fists.

"What's wrong?"