Insomnia was no joke- Wednesday knew all too well. Perhaps if she got more than a couple hours of sleep, she wouldn't have such harsh, dark bags under her eyes. Or maybe she wouldn't be so cranky- or so bitter and cold. But the fact was, she did suffer.
Throwing her bare feet out of the relative warmth of her blankets and covers, she touched down on the rough wooden ground with a shudder- the only sound that was audible was that of Enid's subtle pur-like snores- which must have been a side effect of being a werewolf.
With her hands gripping the edges of her bed, she took in the brisk, cool air which was now reaching her pale skin. As goosebumps began to plague her shoulders and neck, she pushed herself to her feet. She needed to take a walk.
Digging through the pile of fresh clothing on the chest at the end of her bed, she picked out a pair of black sweatpants and a dark grey sweater- both of which she changed into along with a pair of socks and a set of shoes.
Throughout her years of suffering from the inability to sleep, she found the best remedy was a walk. It didn't have to be a hike through the mountains- or a trek along a dam, the academy grounds worked just fine. It gave her the chance to really wind down- let her mind shut off and her legs wonder.
Making her way silently out of the door and down the winding series of stairs- she was met with the inevitable harsh midnight breezes. Without fail, it was enough to make her shudder and her hairs stand up. Despite always feeling as cold as the iceberg that sunk the Titanic, she despised the cold. She found it needlessly harsh. Still, her legs pushed on- ignoring her desire to return to the comfort of her bed.
Wondering along the cobbled paths on the academy grounds was undeniably relaxing- whispering trees, creaking branches and hooting night owls were just a number of alluring sounds that embraced her when sleep wouldn't. Moving along the uneven cobbles, Wednesday became lost in the sounds that amused her so much, completely unaware of the watching eyes before her.
"Its too late for a pretty girl like you to be out." A tired voice spoke out.
Stopping in her tracks, she watched as a grey mass of smoke billowed before her face. Coughing lightly and wafting her faint hands in front of her face, she cleared a way to spot who it was speaking out in the dead of night. Cocking her head, a slight smirk pulled at the creases of her lips.
"Its too late for an idiot like you to be left unsupervised." She retorted softly as she approached Y/N and the picnic table he was perched upon. "May I?" She asked. In response, Y/N nodded with a slight smile, gesturing with his left hand to the space beside him on the stained pine tabletop. "You still smoke, huh?" She observed judgingly as Y/N took another drag of the cigarette between his fingers before climbing up next to him. Her and Y/N had been close in their earlier years- coming up to her final year at Nevermore, she would guess that it had been nearly five years since the two met. In fact, she was fairly certain they were sat together again for the same reason.
"Still can't sleep?" Y/N shot back- matching her judging tone as he nudged his shoulder into hers.
Letting out a snort mixed with sarcasm and disbelief she nudged him back. "By the looks of things, neither can you." She fired.
He grimaced and nodded his head slowly. "You got that right." He answered before yet again bringing the cigarette to his lips, drawing the smoke into his lungs once more- Wednesday watched- it seemed like he sucked in forever- her own chest hurt watching him, holding her own breath until he released a billow of smoke from his lips again.
Spotting her gaze lingering on him, he offered the cigarette over to her. After a moment of hesitation, she shook her head. Shrugging his shoulders, he faced the black void in front of him again. The first time the two met was not to dissimilar to this very moment. When seeking a way to lure sleep in, she had snook out of her family home and went wondering through the long country roads that spanned miles like a spiders web. Somewhere along the way she stumbled across a number of small smoke clouds and a boy around her age sat on a tree stump. Y/N's parents were far from similar to Wednesday's- they didn't seem to care where Y/N was, what he was doing or who he was with- which inevitably resulted in him forming bad habits from a young age. She soon, however, discovered that they both suffered from insomnia's disease when she found him again on the same road the next night. Come rain or clear skies, it seemed that the two were drawn to one another.
"You should really stop doing that, you know?" Wednesday spoke up as she eyed up the orange and red embers.
Scoffing, Y/N rolled his eyes. "That's something my mother should be telling me, not you." He retorted, his words almost bitter as he spoke them. She could see the anger in his features before he took a deep breath in- this time taking in the crisp, clear air before his features moved from angered to downcast. He ground the burning tip of the cigarette into the wood- burning a dark ring into it before he flicked the stub left in his fingers down to the ground.
A moment of silence between them grew into existence as for a moment, the trees and owls took over once again while the moon emerged through the dense clouds.
"She's getting more sick." Y/N spoke up. "That's why she sent me here." He huffed as his head rested into the palm of his hand, propping it up..
"I can't blame her." Wednesday joked, trying to lighten the mood, but this only earned her a stern look to which she soon quietened down again.
"I can't wait until she's gone." He muttered as his gaze settled down at the hands in his lap.
Her brows furrowed as she shook her head. "You don't mean that."
Quickly, the silence ensued again- a flock of crows fluttered over head as a fox ran after them- only focused on its prey.
"I don't, you're right." Y/N confirmed as he sighed. "She's just... Caused me so many problems... She's frustrating and stubborn- and harsh." He ranted. "Sounds like someone else I know, now I think about it."
Wednesday caught on and raised a brow, glairing at him lightly as she shook her head. "Very funny." She sarcastically uttered with a shake of her head. The pair locked eyes for a moment and again- the silence grew. It had always been like this between them- neither were particularly outspoken, neither had very much to talk about. Instead, they took friendship from what they knew they had in common. Releasing a sigh from her blue lips, she tucked her hands into the lengths of her sleeves. "How are you settling in?" She questioned. "Do you get along with your roommate?"
"So-so." Y/N answered as he signalled with his hand a 50/50 balance. She noticed the ends of his fingers as he did so. They seemed scratched up- the ends of his nails were rough. One would assume he had been in a scuffle, but judging by the scuffs on his clothes, Wednesday guessed that he had climbed out of his dorm window. "Dorian is an odd character." He expanded as he reached to his side, pulling up his bag from the bench his feet rested on.
"He surely cant be any more odd than you, Y/N." Wednesday challenged.
Unzipping it his bag, he picked out what appeared to be a rat. Leaning closer to get a better look, she noticed a metal zipper up the rats stomach. Furrowing her brows, she opened her lips to speak. "Is that a-"
"Pencil case? Yes." He answered, finishing off her sentence. "Dorian's idea of a welcoming gift."
With her brows bouncing in surprise, she sat straight again. "He might be more odd than you." She admitted. "Though, that is fascinating..."
He puffed out his cheeks in response from her statement. "Have it." He muttered with a small grin, handing it over to her.
A smile also grew on Wednesday's features as she took the rat, cradling it in her arms as she admired it. Stroking it's fur, she noticed how soft it was. It's eyes were still glazed and it was oddly warm.
Y/N shook his head, watching the small figure beside her admire her new pencil case. The feelings he had for her were complicated. The two weren't extremely close- at least he didn't feel they were. But he did understand the pair had a connection and one he valued highly. He couldn't deny her beauty either- her pale, growingly blue skin. He reached into his bag again as he pulled out his coat. A blue puffer jacket which he slowly placed over Wednesday's shoulders.
She finally took her eyes away from the pencil case to look up at Y/N. Her lips were still curled up in the form of what was her best smile. She placed the pencil case on the edge of the table as she pulled the coat tighter around her shoulders. Again their eyes locked. His coat was warm- impossibly cosy in the freezing night air. She could feel her body etching closer to his - just as he could feel his frame towering further over hers. Soon enough their eyes broke apart and instead they staired at one another's lips. Her's were so miscoloured. Neither blue nor purple seemed to be the correct colour for what he could see- but he could certainly gather she was cold.
Y/N's heart pounded in his chest. It abandoned its regular rhythmic beat as sweat formed at his temples and in his palms. Time seemed to stop and in a long moment of panic, he quickly pulled away, clearing his throat. He reached into his backpack again and pulled out a long flask.
Flustered, Wednesday looked away. Just like him, her chest was like a cage, and her heart was the nightowl trying to break out. Though she couldn't help but be disappointed, no mater how nervous the prospect of kissing Y/N made her feel. She also cleared her throat, playing off the moment just as he had. She looked down to her side to find the pencil case had disappeared.
With furrowed brows she looked down to the floor to check if she had knocked it off the table but saw nothing. She felt Y/N's knee knock against hers. Her head swung in his direction to find him pointing out into the distance. Following his direction, she squinted. It soon became clear that the fox the pair had seen just a few minuets ago had stolen the rat. Clearly it had given up chasing the flock of birds. Grimacing, she watched has the fox tore apart the pelt of the case- throwing it around like a ragdoll until it realised there was no meat or sustenance in the carcase. She sighed. "I was looking forward to taking that to class tomorrow." She muttered.
"I'll get you a new one." Y/N spoke up beside her. He had always been generous- his family seemed to have a bottomless pit of resources, whether that be money or contacts. they had a way through anything. Y/N used to joke that his father sold himself to the devil to give his family whatever they wanted. Wednesday believed this for a while- that was until Y/N's mother became ill. It seemed their family could have anything but good health and a good relationships.
On the odd occasion that Wednesday met Y/N's mother, she could never say she was fold of the woman. She was cold, brash and harsh. Perhaps somewhat like herself in many ways. But what really put her off was the way she treated Y/N- she would never bat an eye in his direction- even when the two were in conversation. It angered Wednesday. How could anyone treat Y/N that way- he was so easy to talk to- which was a lot coming from Wednesday. He was so kind and honest and sweet.
A scent drifted under her nose. She sniffed a few times- sweet straw and apple. She knew that smell. Turning to look at Y/N, she found that he was already looking at her. He offered his flask out. "Camomile tea?" He asked.
A smile grew on her lips. When the pair used to meet up in the dead of night, without fail he would have a flask of camomile tea which he would always offer to her. Of course, she always denied- but tonight, she felt differently. Nodding her head softly, she took the flask and brought it up to her lips. Careful not to burn her tongue, she took a sip- testing the heat. Even the few drops she couldn't deny the explosion of flavours on her palette. It has mellow hints of honey and a subtle taste of apple with floral undertones. It was an addictive flavour- and not too hot either. Opening her lips a little wider, she left the liquid fall like a dam.
She savoured the flavours bouncing around in her mouth. Swallowing, she went in for another taste.
"Y'know there's whiskey in that, right?" Y/N asked, but smiling- it was clear he already knew the answer. He watched as her eyes went wide- then he watched as the liquid burst out from her nostrils as she choked on what she had just begun to swallow.
Falling onto his back in fits of laughter, Y/N tried to subdue the bouts of joyful sounds to no avail. He surely woke up his peers who had doormrooms that overlooked where the pair sat with his cackles and snorts.
Angered, Wednesday balled up a fist, bringing it down on Y/N's stomach. She watched as he curled up with a sharp breath- attempting to roll onto his side but running out of space on the table, plummeting off of it- though his laughter did continue.
Wednesday's nose burt- either from the alcohol or the hot liquid or maybe both. She turned back to see a number of lights turn on behind closed curtains. For a moment, she almost felt guilty- then again, if they couldn't sleep then it was only fair that no one else could either. A smirk grew on her features as she set the flask down before hopping off the table.
Stalking to where Y/N was lay, still giggling away, she held out her hands. While she did not condone his bad habits, she did love him for who he was- and what he was, was pure and wholehearted. That she couldn't deny.
Y/N looked up to see Wednesday smirking down at him. Watching as she offered a hand to help him up, he saw his opportunity. He reached out his hand to hers and they grasped one anothers wrists before he tugged hard.
With a yelp- Wednesday fell onto Y/N and soon became trapped in his engulfing embrace. Clearly not noticing what he had done, he laughed away where she lay red faced. Her hands were either side of his head and her legs lay nestled between his. She was enamoured.
Overtaken by the moment- she seized her opportunity, just as he had. She lunged her head forward and locked his lips shut, causing the end of his laughter. She closed her eyes shut tight- as if it would protect her from any rejection he might give out- but it never came. Instead, his grip around her tightened as he kissed her back.
Tasting of camomile, smoke and whisky, Wednesday couldn't get enough. He was like nothing she had ever experienced before.
Her blood hot from both embarrassment, joy and perhaps lust- it was near impossible for her to be cold in the night time winds. Not wanting to push her luck, Wednesday prised her lips away from Y/N's and let her brown orbs escape her pale eyelids. His eyes fluttered open too.
The pair just stared at eachother, perhaps for a whole minute before they each grew small grins, then wide smiles. The two burst out into fits of laughter as Wednesday rolled out of Y/N's arms onto the grass beside him. Both held their stomachs as their muscles spasmed with bliss and joy.
A window far above them swung open as a head hung out. Wednesday and Y/N grew quiet. "Would you two shut the hell up! Some of us are trying to sleep!" An annoyed boy called out. It was Dorian. Y/N could tell just by his obnoxious tone. Without thinking, Y/N reached his balled up hand in Dorian's direction before his middle finger stuck up, flipping him off.
Dorian's scoff was audible as the window slammed shut and the curtains followed suit. The pair laying on the ground locked eyes once more before again, bouts of laughter followed.
They had surely woken up the entire academy but neither of them cared much for anyone else. Perhaps it was the cold weather, or maybe the whisky, or maybe what they had just done had settled in- but neither of them felt tired anymore.