#wefanfic

[haughtbreaker]

Can Nicole and Waverly be rescued before it's too late? Will the arrival of Prince James help or hinder?

Yeah so... surprise. I told y'all I wasn't giving up on this fic. Thanks for sticking with it. Thanks to @jaybear1701 for the beta help.

It was dark, but Waverly didn't care. Nor did she care about how filthy the ground was as she sat, leaning against the stone wall beside the secret entrance. She didn't dare look to her side where Wynonna was sitting.

"This is what's best for your kingdom, Ward." A voice came through the door.

"She's far too young. She's not even of child-bearing age." Their father's voice sounded tired, having been arguing for over an hour now.

"We don't mean right now," came the indignant response. "He won't be king for years still…" The sound of a goblet clinked against the table. "And when they are wed, our forces combined would be unstoppable. You cannot afford to decline, Ward. Not with no son of your own and your absolutely insane idea of training your oldest to lead."

"Wynonna is perfectly capable of leading."

"No one will believe a girl is capable," the visitor protested. "Your kingdom will be shown as weak and easy for the taking." There was a pause and they heard their father sigh. "Look Ward, you are free to do as you wish, but do you really want to risk the lives of your kingdom? Think of it as… a contingency plan. This is for the best," was the last they heard as Wynonna pulled Waverly to her, standing and leading her away from the door.

Wynonna massaged the bridge of her nose, trying not to destroy a truce, that had been existing between their kingdoms for the better part of a decade, with a punch to the face. "Prince James, I completely understand what you're saying, but we cannot just go barging through the forest with an army without planning." If it weren't for his royal status, she would have tossed him from the throne room long ago. Hell, she might not have even let him in in the first place.

"Well it would be more progress than just standing around. This is useless," James huffed, pacing back and forth. "What are we going to do? Just sit around until we get an update? We don't know when the next update might come, or if even there will be! We need to strike first."

Wynonna could feel her temper flaring. She was tired, worried, and trying not to panic herself. Without Waverly, she was feeling a bit fraught, barely containing her worry to hold up a facade of control. "Strike against who? You have no more of an idea of who took her than we do."

Prince James gave her a long look, one bordering on hatred. "So let us all just sit around, wait for a message containing a severed finger, asking for ransom. Is that what you're suggesting?"

There was a knock on the door and Wynonna felt relief surge through her as Xavier stepped in. "Xavier. Approach."

Xavier did as he was told, his walk as official as ever as he approached and took a knee before her. "My Queen."

Rolling her eyes, Wynonna cleared her throat. "Report."

"The men are searching but we've yet to find any further sign. With your permission, I would like to take a handful of our best trackers to branch into the forest."

"You do not have to ask permission," Wynonna leaned forward, her eyes meeting Xavier's. "I don't care what you have to do. Take as many men as you need. I want her found."

"Of course, My Queen."

"Your Majesty, if I might." James stepped forward. "I wish to be a part of the search."

"Prince James." Wynonna saw Xavier cringe at the thought. "We cannot risk losing another royal member."

"Nonsense," Prince James huffed, puffing out his chest as if to enhance his manly prowess. "I excel at tracking and I believe I would be nothing but a benefit in the situation." He gave Xavier a dismissive look. "And if your men are afraid of having me out there with them, I will bring my own guard. They do, after all, have a better history of keeping their charge guarded."

Wynonna saw the way Xavier froze, could see the vein starting to pulse at his temple and contemplated calling out the disrespectful comment. But the prince was getting on her last nerve and she welcomed the chance of ridding herself of him for the time being, even if it meant saddling her personal guard with him. "Xavier…"

"My Queen…" Xavier's tone was almost a whine.

"Just," She rubbed her temple, feeling a headache approaching. "What harm can another set of eyes do?"

Xavier just sighed before nodding, turning to leave the room.

Watching as the room emptied, Wynonna did something she rarely did, and prayed for her sister's speedy rescue.

"Nicole?"

"You should rest, Your Highness." Nicole was leaning her forehead against the bars, facing away from Waverly. The minutes had turned to nearly an hour that Nicole had been quietly looking around the cave, supposedly trying to find an exit.

But Waverly could see the way the knight struggled to breathe, occasionally releasing a muffled grunt. Waverly was getting frustrated. Nicole's ire was definitely directed at herself and she could not locate the source of such discontent. It had been as if a lever had been pulled, an instant change in the knight's demeanor after Waverly explained her unavoidable fate. But that couldn't be the reason. After all, everyone in the kingdom knew that she was to be married.

And why would it even matter to Nicole? Nicole had been trying to get away from her from the beginning, as if she was a burden for the knight. She would think that Nicole would be happy to be rid of her eventually. She would be able to get back to the barracks and back to fighting or whatever she did.

"What do you think they'll do with us?" Waverly spoke softly. She had heard stories of kidnappings before, stories of women being sold for the amusement of men, forced into servitude and abused.

"I won't let them hurt you. They'll have to kill me first."

Just the thought of Nicole dying struck a strange note of panic in Waverly. "Um, hello. That's probably quite high on the list of things that would hurt me, Nicole." Waverly huffed in frustration. She hated how easily Nicole would just… the idea of the knight getting hurt again because of her was making Waverly sick to her stomach. "This is all my fault." She sat on the ground beside Nicole, leaning her back against the bars so she could see Nicole's face and the eyes that refused to look at her. "I swear, I wasn't trying to be difficult this time. I truly just wanted to get away."

"This time," Nicole repeated, her eyes finally looking at Waverly and the corner of her mouth tipping just slightly up. "Are you saying you were trying to be difficult every other time?"

"Well…" Waverly looked away, straightening her dress to be a little more presentable despite the fact that it was now ruined from sitting on the dirt floor… and being kidnapped of course. "I cannot say I enjoyed being followed around at my sister's command." She crossed her arms over her chest. "But, I also cannot say I found no joy in it some of the time." When she looked up again, she saw Nicole looking at her in surprise. "Do not look at me that way." Waverly tried to hide her smile.

"Sorry, but forgive me if I find that hard to believe considering you did poison me."

"Oh, don't be so dramatic." Now Waverly smiled freely. "It was just a bit of sleeping tonic. Although I will admit, it was a bit rude."

"A bit rude?" Nicole scoffed, but even in her mock disbelief, she didn't seem able to hold back a smile.

"Ok, maybe more than a bit rude," Waverly conceded. "I'm sorry. This wasn't your decision and I punished you as if it were."

Nicole looked away, taking a ragged breath. "Well, it hasn't been all terrible." Her voice was soft, as if she didn't want to say it too loud. "And maybe you and Wynonna weren't wrong about me not taking my injuries seriously."

"So," Waverly moved a little closer to Nicole, feeling the warmth of her body. "Maybe when this is all over, we can start over again?"

"No."

Waverly leaned back, the breath robbed from her lungs. "No?"

Now Nicole looked at her again, a soft smile on her face. "I don't want to start over again." She leaned a little closer. "I think we've learned too much to start over." Nicole shifted slightly, her hand coming up to move a lock of Waverly's hair behind her ear, the touch far too gentle for someone who fought for a living. "Maybe we just agree to go forward as friends?"

Waverly swallowed audibly, trying not to think too much about the sensation that still lingered on her skin after Nicole pulled her hand back. "Friends then." Waverly nodded, turning away from the eyes that were almost too intense to look into. She pulled her knees up, hugging them to her chest as she allowed a blanket of silence to fall over them.

"We've already searched the immediate area, your Highness." Xavier stood at attention, trying not to reveal the ire he felt. This was not Wynonna. This was just another privileged royal who expected everyone to bow before him.

"Obviously you're not looking close enough," James spoke with indignation. He released a heavy sigh as he slipped from his horse.

"Your Highness, maybe you should return to the castle. We'll find them." The last thing Xavier wanted was to watch after some pretentious royalty.

"Nonsense." Flipping his cape over his shoulder, James stepped into the forest, unsteadily stepping between roots. "I'll have you know I am the Champion tracker in my kingdom."

Xavier held back the comment he wanted to say, but it didn't stop him from thinking that the prince saying that was only an insult to the other trackers of his kingdom. Especially as he stumbled over a root and Xavier quickly reached out to help him. "Easy there, Champ. The roots are treacherous around here."

James straightened his cloak, pulling away from Xavier without so much as a thank you.

Xavier looked at the position of the sun. It was getting late and they would lose the light soon. He was not going to be the one to go back to Wynonna to tell her he couldn't find her sister. He thought about bringing out more men with torches for the evening when a yell pulled him from his thoughts.

"Ah hah!"

James's voice drew a few soldiers to his side, including a reluctant Xavier.

"Your men must be tired," the prince pronounced, his voice tinged with accusation. "I've found signs of movement."

Xavier frowned as he knelt down. Sure enough, there were scuffs that seemed to be moving away. There was no way they would have missed this. Looking closer, he noticed the green around the edges, felt the way the scuff was still damp as if brand new.

"Let's go," James called out, already heading into the forest, his personal guard surrounding him.

Xavier's eyes narrowed. It was the only lead they had, but it was the last one he wanted to follow.

There was a scream and the sound of metal clashing against metal. Waverly looked up nervously as Nicole stood unsteadily. "Stay behind me," Nicole demanded, her one instinct kicking in to protect her charge.

Waverly felt like protesting, knowing Nicole was injured. She didn't want her to get injured any further because of her. "Nicole…" The knight had no weapon, could barely stand, and yet she stood bravely, preparing for whatever was coming for them.

The sound of fighting drew closer. There was yelling between men and a loud bang that made both Nicole and Waverly jump. "Waverly, please." Nicole's voice had a tinge of desperation in it.

Waverly just nodded, reaching out to grab Nicole's hand in the briefest of touches. "Don't do anything stupid… please." She was rewarded with a light squeeze to her hand and Nicole looked over her shoulder to give her the briefest of smiles.

There was another scream but this one was cut off with a wet gurgle and Nicole reached for her belt, as if forgetting she had no sword. She made sure Waverly was behind her, that there would be no way an errant crossbow bolt would be able to slip past her to hurt the princess. She didn't expect to see a single person stepping into the secluded area.

His armor was clean, as if she hadn't just heard the heavy combat. His sword still had a shine to it and his brown hair was combed neatly to the side. His baby-face was clean shaven as he stepped up to the cage.

"Princess Waverly."

Nicole tensed and Waverly set her hand on the knight's shoulder. There was something familiar about the voice and Waverly took a step to the side, out from behind Nicole. She recognized the crest on his armor, polished to a shine and trimmed in gold. Her eyes took in the small indicators of his status. Waverly looked at his face, recognizing the features that had matured since she'd last seen them. "Prince James?"

"I knew we would find you." He sheathed his sword as he waved another man forward. "I will get you free. You might want to cover your ears, my lady."

Instead Waverly turned to Nicole who had a confused look on her face. "They're here to rescue us, Nicole." The suspicious look didn't leave Nicole's face and Waverly had to smile. "It's Prince James." They both flinched as something hit the lock of the cage door.

"The one you're…" Nicole's voice was soft, obviously trying to keep the conversation between them.

Waverly swallowed before nodding. She hadn't seen him in years, since before her father had died and they'd started the official courting. "Yes. I have no idea why he would be here, but I am glad for it." She saw Nicole relax slightly, a pained expression coming over the knight's face for the briefest of moments before fading away. Waverly wanted to reach up, to move Nicole's hair away from the wound at her temple but there was another hit and the lock was broken, the door opening.

"My Beloved." James stepped forward and pulled her into an embrace.

Waverly winced, not expecting the physical contact as she was hugged against cold armor. She heard Nicole shift and Waverly very gently pushed him away. "Prince James, did you bring a healer? Lady Nicole is in need of assistance."

James paused for a moment as his eyes looked over Nicole before he smiled at Waverly. "Of course. Whatever you desire." He turned to one of the men that were securing the area. "Get a healer to attend to the guard." He unhooked his cloak from his shoulders and wrapped it around Waverly's shoulders. "Let's get you out of here. The queen is quite worried." He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and began to usher her out. "Of course, she's not as worried as I was when I arrived at the kingdom to learn my betrothed had been abducted."

Waverly shifted uncomfortably. The cloak was heavy and overly-warm. She barely heard the words he was saying as she looked over her shoulder at Nicole who had turned away. There was something in her telling her to turn around, to at least wait for the medic to care for Nicole but instead she allowed James to lead her towards the exit.

#wayhaught #wynonna earp #wefanfic #we fanfic #at her service #ahs

[haughtbreaker]

New chapter for Pour Me More ch 9

#wynonna earp #wayhaught #wefanfic #we fanfic #pour me more

[haughtbreaker]

Random Pour Me More sneak peek

Spending today finishing this chapter

#wynonna earp #wayhaught #pour me more #wefanfic

[haughtbreaker]

Summary: Nicole has a crush on her best friend's sister who couldn't possibly like her, could she?

Occasionally I write individual scenes and I'll later shove them into a fic and this one has been sitting in my docs for a while so I kind of polished the endings and decided to just send it out into the universe.

Nicole sighed heavily, resting her chin in her palm, her elbow propped up on her knee. She smiled as the sun reflected off a bracelet as she watched a compact body being tossed into the air, the school colors of her cheerleading uniform just a blur and testament to the speed of her flips.

"Bitch, I need you to stop staring at my sister like that."

Nicole jumped as the bleacher bench she sat on bounced slightly under the weight of a visitor plopping down beside her. "Wynonna…" She cleared her throat, straightening her back as she let her eyes drift to her friend dressed in torn jeans and a sleeveless band shirt. "Hey."

"Don't Wynonna, hey me." Wynonna tipped a coke bottle back to take a long sip before looking over to where her sister was practicing with the squad. "When are you gonna stop being creepy and just ask her out?" She offered her bottle to Nicole with a raised eyebrow.

Nicole began to reach out before stopping. "Is there…" Nicole shook her head before pulling her hand back, remembering the last time she'd blindly accepted a bottle from the Earp. "Of course there is. No thanks." She looked back out at the field where it looked like the cheerleaders were standing around just talking, obviously having a small discussion. "And I'm sure Champ would protest me asking out his girlfriend."

"Wait…" Wynonna laughed. "You don't know?"

"Know what?"

Wynonna shook her head, taking another long pull from her bottle and wincing. "Dude. They broke up like a week ago."

Nicole froze, her brows furrowing. "What?"

Wynonna snorted before standing up, taking a deep breath.

"Wynn… what are you…"

"WAVES!" Wynonna screamed across the field.

Nicole's eyes widened in surprise as Waverly spoke a few more seconds with her squadmates before smiling and jogging across the field towards them.

"God dammit, Wynonna." Nicole ran a hand through auburn hair nervously, smoothing down her own jeans with a steadying breath.

"Please, you can only be an improvement over that shit ticket." Wynonna plopped back down, raising a hand towards Waverly when she finally neared "Lookin' good, Shrimp."

Waverly grinned, her nose wrinkling as she took the bottle from her sister and took a quick sip before wincing. "Someone's getting a little heavy handed with the Jack." Handing back the bottle, she looked towards Nicole, the light flush in her cheeks darkening just a shade. Or maybe Nicole had just imagined it. "Hi, Nicole." Her hands on her hips, she rocked innocently on her heels.

"Hi, Waves." Nicole couldn't stop the grin from spreading across her face. "I saw you finally nailed that kick-kick double basket."

Waverly's eyes lit up. "I did." Her head tilted to the side in question as her arms moved to cross over her chest. "Were you a cheerleader at your old school?" There was an amused doubt in her expression.

Nicole laughed. "No. I'm way too tall for that." She looked away, feeling a slight hesitancy before responding, the voice in her head that always reminded her of her grandparents reaction when they found out the truth about her. But, something about Waverly's honest eyes made her feel safe. "I um… dated a cheerleader for a month or two." She wasn't sure what to expect, certainly not the demure smile that spread across Waverly's face.

"So… you like cheerleaders?"

Nicole felt the heat rising to her own cheeks and she looked down, taking a steadying breath. "Well, it's certainly not a requirement, but… it doesn't hurt." When she looked up, she saw Waverly's smile widen into something less than innocent. "It's a shame no one at the games actually get to see you do that stuff."

Waverly laughed softly. "A little hard to get thrown around like that on ice." She shrugged. "I just like to keep learning, even if I never get to use it."

"Well," Wynonna pushed herself up. "I'm just here to tell you I've got plans with Henry and Nicole here was nice enough to offer you a ride."

Nicole whipped her head to the side to look at Wynonna who gave her a very non-discrete wink.

Waverly must have noticed because she quickly spoke up, "you don't have to. I can get a ride from…" She was about to turn back towards the other cheerleaders when Nicole spoke up.

"No!" Nicole winced at the volume of her voice before getting a reign on herself. "It's no problem."

"Really?"

Nicole nodded quickly. "I'd love to." Watching Waverly's eyes turn into crescent moons as her smile grew impossibly wide, Nicole felt her heart skip a beat.

"Cool." Waverly seemed to hop in place. "I'm gonna get my stuff."

When Waverly headed off towards the locker room, Nicole turned a glare on Wynonna. "I hate you."

"You love me." Wynonna snorted, pushing herself off to a stand. "And you're welcome, Haught, but don't forget she's my sister and I…" she paused and gestured to herself, "am mentally unstable." She made quote marks in the air before beginning to move away. "Hurt her and I'll skin you alive." She called over her shoulder before hopping down the bleachers.

Nicole swallowed audibly, wiping her sweating palms on her jeans. She was completely fine admiring Waverly from afar, but she hated the fact that she had this ridiculous crush on the junior. Having moved to Purgatory at the tail end of her own junior year, Wynonna had been the first friend she made which was strange considering the brash teen had no friends of her own, having apparently antagonized most of the small town after a short stint in an institution. She really didn't want to lose that friendship, and dating a friend's sibling was the quickest way to do that.

But Wynonna seemed intent on pushing her that way and well, Waverly was…

"Ready?"

Nicole jumped slightly, seeing Waverly with a backpack slung over one shoulder, the letterman jacket covering most of her cheerleading uniform. "Yeah, totally." Nicole stood up, grabbing her own bag. Waverly was Waverly.

They walked to the parking lot in silence. Nicole had to stop herself from asking to hold Waverly's bag for her, her hands twitching just slightly but Waverly didn't seem to notice. She seemed lost in her own world, eyes unfocused as she walked beside Nicole.

Nicole tried to remember if her car was in one piece, hoping she didn't have too many empty coffee cups strewn all over the backseat floor. The SUV loomed in the distance like a death sentence and they were there way too early. "Sorry if it's messy. I…"

Waverly laughed as Nicole unlocked and opened the door on her side first, taking in the sight of the near pristine interior. "If this is what you call messy, I'd hate for you to see my jeep." Waverly cleared her throat. "Whenever it gets fixed."

Nicole slipped into her side of the vehicle just in time to see Waverly picking up a book that sent a wave of embarrassment through her. "Um…"

Raising an eyebrow, Waverly held it up for Nicole to see. "Haunting Muses… lesbian ghost stories?"

"Haha." Nicole grabbed the book that was being presented to her, tossing it over her shoulder to the back seat. "Ignore that. Put your seatbelt on."

Waverly laughed, doing as she was told. "Yes, Sheriff."

Nicole rolled her eyes as she backed out of the stall. "Yeah right. Do I look like an old man in a cowboy hat?"

"Far from it." Waverly turned towards Nicole, eyes narrowing as she grinned. "I think you'd look great in a stetson," she paused before nodding. "Yeah. A white one… straw. You'd look stunning." Clearing her throat, she turned to look out the window. "Not that you don't always..."

Nicole swallowed audibly. She didn't want to risk thinking about that too much, lest she drive right into a brick wall.

It was a bit of a ride and Nicole let Waverly mess with the radio. It took everything in Nicole to keep her eyes on the road as Waverly sang along to Spice Girls. She tried not to focus too much on the words "if you want to be my lover" passing through Waverly's lips.

It was a pleasant yet excruciating ride and Nicole wasn't sure if she was happy or disappointed as she pulled up to the McCreedy farm. "Finally, I get my radio back." She commented with a chuckle.

"Shut up. You loved it." Waverly grinned before clearing her throat. "Hey, um," she began, taking a moment before continuing, "Can you help me with something inside?" She sniffled, playing with the edge of her sleeve.

Risking a glance to her side, Nicole took a second to process the request before nodding. "Yeah, no problem."

She wasn't actually sure what was going on, just that she was gladly following Waverly up the stairs and to the room that was right next to Wynonna's. She noticed Waverly was checking the house, as if looking to see if anyone else was home before she was pushing Nicole into her room.

"Waves… what," Nicole turned when she heard the door click shut.

"Sorry." Waverly leaned back against her bedroom door, watching Nicole. "It's not something that I needed help with per se, so much as something I wanted to ask you."

Nicole froze, feeling a wave of nervousness rush through her. "Ok." She looked around. "What did you need to ask?"

"Well…" Waverly pursed her lips, as if trying to decide what to do. "I had a tiny bit of a revelation over the Summer and my brain has been going around in circles trying to find the best way to bring this up and...well…"

"Whatever it is, Waves, you can tell me."

"Will you go to the pre-season party with me?" Waverly blurted out suddenly.

Nicole blinked. She couldn't have heard what she just heard, but the impact of it shook her to the core and she took a step back in reaction.

"Shit, you're freaking out." Waverly took a step forward. "I just… I wanted to tell you the truth and I just…"

"I'm not freaking out." Nicole blurted out. "I just… you can't possibly mean me…"

Waverly's eyebrows shot up. "I mean… sure it could just be a coincidence that as soon as you showed up in town, I started questioning everything I knew about myself and what I thought I wanted and needed to be happy." Stepping closer to shorten the space between them, Waverly gave her a smile. "And I'm sure it's a coincidence that someone as amazing as you appears and I realize that the relationship I'd been in for almost 2 years was complete trash…"

"Waves…"

"Unless what you're saying is you want to be the only special unicorn in school…"

Nicole blinked. "What? That's not what I mean, it's just…" She shook her head, unsure of what exactly to say. "We're just so different and I… I just…"

Another step forward and Waverly let her hand fall on Nicole's wrist. "Different isn't always bad, is it?"

"Well… I mean… you wear short skirts and I wear t-shirts… you're cheer captain and I'm," Nicole pursed her lips, "I'm on the bleachers."

Waverly's body tensed and she took a step back, eyes narrowing. "Did… did you just quote Taylor Swift?"

Nicole dipped her head, unable to stop the grin from taking over. "I plead the fifth?"

"Well," Waverly stepped forward, this time fully invading Nicole's personal bubble. "You can't. This is Canada."

Nicole felt the blush rise in her cheeks as a fingertip curled under her chin, drawing her face up to look into a curious gaze. "Waverly…"

Waverly gave her a small smile before pushing up to the tips of her toes, meeting soft lips for a kiss.

Nicole's breath caught in her throat in surprise, but she only allowed it to control her for a brief second before she let her eyes slide closed and her arm wrapped around Waverly's waist. She felt Waverly press close just as the door burst open.

"Hey W...haat the hell are you doing to my sister?" Wynonna's hands went to her hip.

Nicole jumped back almost instantly, her hand coming up to cover her mouth. What the hell had she been thinking?

Waverly, on the other hand, looked beyond irritated. "God dammit Wynonna. Aren't you supposed to be with Henry?" Her hands were balled up into fists at her sides. "Maybe knock next time?" She was pushing her sister backwards.

"Hey!" Wynonna stumbled backwards and Waverly closed the door in her face. "Make sure to use protection!" Wynonna screamed through the door.

Nicole felt like she was going to throw up. Waverly had kissed her, and God it was a kiss. She could still feel the warmth of the body that had been pressed against her, but then Wynonna had come in and the guilt began to compound. She'd kissed her best friend's little sister. Oh God.

"Hey." Waverly's hand cupped Nicole's jaw, worried eyes capturing Nicole's gaze. "She's just messing with you."

"Waverly I…" Nicole swallowed audibly. "I didn't mean to…"

"Well I did." Waverly interrupted her. "I know you two are friends but, that doesn't mean we can't…"

Nicole looked down as Waverly's free hand closed around her wrist and lifted her hand up to rest on Waverly's waist. There was a tiny voice in her mind telling her she had to stop and a pounding in her chest that seemed to interfere with her ability to breathe. "I just…"

Waverly brushed her lips along the edge of Nicole's jaw, her hand sliding behind Nicole's neck. "I just wish you would stop worrying about anyone except the two of us."

That seemed like the best course of action, Nicole thought as she felt the pressure applied to the back of her neck and she allowed herself to be pulled forward, her eyes fluttering closed once more. She was a little more prepared for the kiss this time and felt herself sinking into Waverly's embrace. With the shock fading away, Nicole found herself melting, never having imagined anything could be as soft and delicate, but also the warmth of Waverly pressed against her was indescribable. She could barely believe it was happening, even as the kiss broke off and she was pressing her forehead to Waverly's, she still couldn't believe they were sharing such a small space of existence.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?" Waverly laughed softly.

"No." Nicole shook her head, leaning back a bit. "Honestly, I've been wanting to do that for a while now." She brought her hand up to caress Waverly's cheek - felt the pressure in her palm as Waverly leaned into the touch.

"So…" Turning to press her a kiss to Nicole's palm, Waverly looked up with a small smile. "The party?"

"I don't know, Waves." Nicole swallowed. "Do you think it's a good idea?"

Waverly stuck her tongue out. "Don't make me have to Taylor this up for you." She wiggled just slightly, a grin on her face. "I mean... You will be the prince and I'll be the princess. It's a love story, baby, just say yes." She sung along jokingly.

"Shhh. Ok, just no more Taylor." Nicole laughed, leaning forward for another kiss.

#wayhaught #wynonna earp #wefanfic #we fanfic #ficlet

[haughtbreaker]

Since Waverly and Doc disappeared into the garden, even the simplest of tasks can be an issue

So I wrote this thing for the efaficchallenge and whatever... Sorry.. 

There was a soft whoosh as the automatic doors opened, a blast of heat clearing away the slight frost that clung to Nicole's jacket. A quick glance around showed no other customers or people in general, except for the young woman sitting on a stool at a register, her bright pink hair pulled up in a bun. 

"Hey Connie," Nicole raised a hand to the clerk skimming through a tabloid magazine. Her greeting, as always, went unanswered as it couldn't be heard over the metal music that poured from the buds jammed in each of the clerk's ears. Sometimes, Nicole feared for the college student's safety. Purgatory wasn't exactly the best place to be nonchalant about one's safety.

With a shake of her head, Nicole picked up one of the plastic baskets near the front of the store, making her way down the aisles without much thought. It was three in the morning and she had finally left the station. She was exhausted, but at least half the massive pile of paperwork had moved from her "to do" box to her "completed" box on her desk.

That, of course, was after hours of research and brainstorming. Which of course was after two hours of training with Wynonna. She hadn't exactly been keeping up on her own hand-to-hand skills as much as everyone else, a fact that was becoming clearer with every sparring match. Her shoulder still ached from where Wynonna had managed to land a roundhouse kick. Training had been a necessity to keeping the heir on track - keeping her focused on the end goal and not just a drunken mess, staggering around town and picking fights.

Nicole rubbed her exhausted eyes, the pale yellow glow from the fluorescent lights putting her in an almost hypnotic state. Her work boots squeaked just slightly with each step as she made her way down the aisles, detouring to the frozen section before heading to the self-care aisle.

Once she stopped walking, the buzz of the flickering lights was the only thing that broke through the silence, a dissonance of electricity making its way through cheap fixtures and even cheaper bulbs. At three in the morning, there was no one around to disturb the stillness. It was too early for the stockers to begin filling the shelves - too early for patrons to fill their baskets with whatever was on sale for the week.

Nicole stood frozen, halfway down an aisle, one hand hovering in mid air as her mind blanked. Brown eyes moved over the thin, long boxes with sudden indecision. She had been in mid-motion to grab the white toothpaste that she'd used as long as she could remember when her eyes fell on another brand. Nicole's hand was drawn to the sparkling image of a green and white stripe across a fake toothbrush. It was something so simple, just a household item, yet the hold it had on her was a green and white steel chain of despair. It was a spearmint flavored prison of memories that pulled her back into the grief she'd been doing her best to cram down.

"Good morning."

Nicole's eyes remained closed as soft lips moved over the curve of her jaw.

"I know you're awake." Even with her eyes closed, Nicole could hear the smile in Waverly's voice.

"I'm not," Nicole responded in defiance, refusing to open her eyes. Waking up meant work. It meant putting on the uniform and responsibility of her newly appointed position of Sheriff. Buckling her sidearm to her hip somehow weighed her shoulders down with the burden of keeping Purgatory safe.

There was a soft chuckle that sounded right into Nicole's ear, a warm breath against her earlobe. "Come on, Baby. I made you pancakes." Teeth gently bit her earlobe. "Evil non-vegan pancakes. Just how you like them."

Nicole shook her head, reaching out and finding the warm body that was kneeling on the bed beside her. Nicole pulled her close until she felt the length of Waverly's body stretch out against her own. "Sleep good," she said as she blindly wrapped the blanket around the both of them. She could feel that Waverly was already dressed, ready for the day that would possibly be filled with revenants, or demons, or whatever scum had made its way across the town's line when Willa had brought the barrier down.

"You're making it really hard to be an adult."

Nicole couldn't tell if that was a complaint or just a statement. "Good," she responded, feeling the arm wrap around her waist.

"You know we can only stay in bed for a few more minutes."

"Doesn't being Sheriff mean I can make my own schedule?"

Waverly laughed. "Or you can set a good example."

Nicole smiled, feeling the familiar press of a forehead against her own, a hand cupping her cheek. She was more than ready for the lips that pressed against her own. She hummed softly as the hand cupping her cheek moved to the back of her neck, pulling her closer. She was aware of the taste of spearmint toothpaste for the briefest of moments before the kiss broke off.

Nicole finally blinked her eyes open, seeing Waverly's bright smile. "I love you."

"Uh huh." Waverly rolled her eyes before tapping Nicole on the nose with a fingertip. "Don't even try to butter me up. You need to get up and ready for work." She commanded, rolling out of bed and straightening her clothes.

"After pancakes?" Nicole called out, slipping out of bed with a yawn and heading to the bathroom.

"Of course, Sheriff."

Picking up her toothbrush, Nicole ran the bristles under the water before reaching for the half-rolled tube.

Nicole picked up the small box, cradling it for a moment as if it was too delicate to handle with anything but care. The 5.1 oz box found its way into the basket she held in her other hand, adding to the single serving pizza, gluten free and vegan in all it's cardboard-flavored glory. But the weight it brought with it was enough to pull the basket to the ground, taking Nicole with it as her knees buckled.

For the past two months since Waverly and Doc disappeared into the garden, she'd been the epitome of strength. She kept the weight of her badge in her pocket, hoping to gain the power of authority and comfort through osmosis. Epitome of strength… more like the epitome of fake it till you make it.

At three in the morning, with no one around to ask her if she was okay, or if she was able to find anything in her search for answers, Nicole found it easiest to fall apart. Being at the homestead, she'd be forced to deal with a drunken Wynonna, messily throwing knives or shooting bottles without aiming. Returning to her own home, she'd be assaulted with memories of a time when it wasn't so desolate. The shelves were littered with photos and nick knacks that hadn't existed a year ago.

At three in the morning, standing in front of dozens of boxes of toothpaste, she was the safest to experience being alone. She was able to fall apart without the weight of everyone in town needing her to be made of stone. People didn't look to her with questions she didn't know the answers to, drunken brainstorming of how to penetrate the garden, or cries for help. At three in the morning, there was only the buzz of the fluorescent lights flickering to accompany the sound of her near-silent sobs.

#wayhaught #wynonna earp #wefanfic #we fanfic #efaficchallenge2019

[haughtbreaker]

Pour Me More - Chapter 1: Slow Time

Summary:  Nicole Haught had the perfect life in California. Surfing before school and parties on the weekend, a beautiful girlfriend, and friends she would die for. That is, until her girlfriend dies. With Nicole plagued by depression, grief, and a failed suicide attempt, Nicole's father sends her to live with family in Purgatory, Canada. Sharing a house with the orphaned Earp sisters, Nicole must learn to adjust to a whole new life of snow, rodeo jocks, and a girl with the smile of an angel that brings up the question of whether she can ever love again.

TW: Mention of past suicide attempt, depression, grief

Available on AO3

I'm going to apologize in advance. When I started writing this fic, I was writing it for myself. Writing has always been my solace in life and once I started writing this, I couldn't stop. It grew into a monster and now I'm unleashing it upon you the readers. Please do not feel like you have to read this. While the suicide attempt is in the past, it does come up often in the story. Thank you to @jaybear1701 for being the primary beta and my other writing buddies including @trylonandperisphere and a bunch of others my brain isn't working right now.

(**the song mentioned in this chapter is called Slow Time by Go Jimmy Go and is available HERE on Spotify**)

 It was early morning, the sun just breaking over the horizon and illuminating the long stretch of beach in tones of yellows and oranges. The soft hiss of the sea filled the air, the tide moving out bit by bit with each rush of water and foam.

Nicole stumbled onto the shore, water dripping from shoulder length auburn hair and down slightly tanned skin. She swallowed loudly, her chest heaving from the exertion of her morning surf as she took one slow step after the other, the whites of her brown eyes stained red. It wasn't hard to find the spot she'd marked for herself, a small green and white cabana towel tousled slightly by the wind in the sand near the grassline.

To anyone who didn't know her, she looked like a wayward teen, trying to get a few waves in before school started. She was as wayward as they came, and maybe six months ago the situation would have applied to her, but not anymore.

Six months ago, Nicole would have been far more careful with her board, placing it on the sand with calculated intent, but at that moment, she dropped it on the ground, kicking it mindlessly to at least face the top towards the rising sun. Less than carefully, she yanked at the velcro securing the leash to her ankle before dropping to the towel, struggling against her emotions. A bottle laid tilted in the soft sand and she reached for it, taking a quick pull of the clear liquid that burned all the way down her throat to her belly.

"You shouldn't surf drunk," Shae's voice whispered in her ear, dancing on the seabreeze and testing the limits of her resolve.

Nicole sniffled, feeling the warmth of a tear slipping down her cheek in stark contrast to her chilled skin. At her hip, she untied the net bag that had one object in it, a small metal canister that slid easily into her hand. Unscrewing the airtight container, she expected empty space, but still her eyes filled with more tears, her lip trembling uncontrollably as she let the cap fall from one hand, reaching again for the bottle and messily filling her mouth with vodka before gulping it down with a gag.

"This is what she would want," she told herself as she capped the bottle, setting it aside. She couldn't bear to think of the canister being empty when what remained of her love was now spread between the waves, to become a part of the beach and coral. With a heavy heart, she filled it half with sand before she connected the two parts of the canister once more, setting it aside as she took a minute to look over the beach. Her fingers trembled as she pushed her wet hair behind her ear.

The shoreline was the same as it had been since she was a child, from the time she'd caught her first wave to the time she'd captured her first kiss. But, looking over the light sand and the greenish blue water, it was no longer the paradise it had always been. The cove hadn't changed, but she had. While the tide came in and headed out on schedule, washing away any marred surfaces and leaving behind a fresh shore, she hadn't been so lucky.

Nicole remembered sitting near the shore-break, long tapered fingers drawing hearts in the wet sand as she pressed kisses along dark skin. She remembered whispered words of love and promises of the future that were to be whisked away like the crash of waves washed away the ridiculous hearts.

And now, the water couldn't remove the scars that had been left behind, emotional or physical. Nicole's eyes drifted over the barely healed marks, remembering how the vodka had tasted on her lips as her hands trembled. She didn't remember feeling the physical pain as flesh parted, or maybe it just couldn't combat the hopelessness she felt. Instead, she remembered the beat of music that poured from her speakers, the reggae-soul song that had once brought a smile to her face now bringing nothing but tears. She remembered somehow hearing the familiar singing voice that death had taken from her months before, one that was as real as the sound of her father pounding on her bedroom door.

When you are here, it's the right time. When you're around, it's a nice time. When you are gone, it's a rough time. When you stay away, it's the toughest time. So come back home, Miss Wonderful So time and time and time, time can slow down.

Nicole blinked away another wave of tears as she shook her head, taking a deep breath. Pulling over her board, she tested the surface, finding the wax soft and pliant before covering it with sand, beginning to scrub away the coat with experienced fingers. She tried not to think about this being the last time in a while, how the beach that had held so many treasures in the past would only be a memory in the days to come.

Another tear fell, splashing against the sandy surface that Nicole worked with her hands, making sure to clear away as much wax as possible. She lost herself in the work, feeling like layers of herself were being scrubbed away with the layers of wax. Despite her earlier negligence, the board had been good to her. She couldn't dream of leaving it in storage in poor condition, not when she didn't know when she would pick it up again, or if she ever would. For now, this was the least she could do for the part of her that had been so important.

When she felt she'd done all she could, Nicole gathered her things into her small bag and stood. She picked up the now sand-filled canister once again. It was strange to think about how much heavier sand was than ashes as she moved to the nearby grass. She set it on the ground beneath the familiar coconut tree before pulling out the new blade she'd purchased that morning.

Slowly, she began to scar the bark, being far more careful than she had been three months ago with her own skin. She didn't wipe away the tears that fell as she worked, cuts turning into carefully formed letters. Her own initials were easier, nothing but straight lines, but Shae's were curved, difficult, just like Shae. Nicole finished relatively quickly, running her fingers over the NH + SP in one of those ridiculous hearts that Shae had loved so much before tucking the knife away.

"I'm sorry, Baby." She whispered, pressing her forehead to the rough bark. "I'm sorry I couldn't join you," she added before hefting up her board and turning her back on the beach and the soft hiss of waves breaking on the shore.

This time tomorrow, she would be in Canada, trading sunny beaches for harsh winters to live with an aunt she barely knew, far away from a life she had barely survived.

 The rising sun slowly peaked through the patterned curtains as Waverly Earp huddled further under the blanket, trying to block out the light. She was given another two minutes before the alarm went off. With a huff, she let the alarm ring for a bit before she pushed back the blanket and quickly rolled out of bed. She snatched the hoodie from her bedpost and slipped it on as she sleepily headed towards the bathroom. Waverly had never really been a morning person, but was anyone really? She was almost to the door when a flash of color dashed in before her, the bathroom door closing just as she got there. "God damn it, Wynonna," she cursed, hitting the door with a quick punch before rubbing her eyes. She was glad her sister was back, but sometimes... "You're such an asshole."

"Gotta move faster than that, Waves." Wynonna called from the other side of the door as the toilet flushed and she heard the sink running.

"You don't even go to school anymore." Waverly's voice was a defeated whine as she leaned against the wall beside the door, her foot tapping on the floor to distract herself from the screaming of her bladder.

The door opened suddenly and Wynonna straightened her leather jacket, running a hand through her long brunette waves. "I'm taking your Jeep today, remember?"

It took a minute before Waverly recalled, realization dawning on her face. "Shit buckets. Right." How could she forget? She looked over at the room that had only recently been cleaned out. It had been a storage room for as long as she could remember, since the morning they moved in after their father had died… since Wynonna had accidentally killed him. She smiled at her sister who had only been back in town for a month now. "Give me a few minutes and I'll be ready."

"Take your time. Gus made pancakes." Wynonna was a little too giddy as she pushed past her, heading down the stairs.

Waverly shook her head. She knew by the time she got downstairs, her sister would have worked her way through most of the food. She settled for skipping breakfast as she splashed cold water on her face. Whatever kept Wynonna even close to happy, she was okay with it.

She couldn't bear to think of spending another three years without seeing her only close relative. Gus was great and all, but having her sister under the same roof almost reminded her of… before. She tried not to think about it, that night on the homestead when men had broken into their house. She'd only been six, but she understood the screams as her sister was killed, and her father was being dragged out of the house. Wynonna had shoved her in a closet, told her to cover her ears and close her eyes, not to cry, try not to breathe too loudly. But she hadn't listened. She remembered opening the door to watch Wynonna take their father's gun and…

Well, Wynonna had never been the best shot. Not like their sister Willa.

Another splash of freezing water from the faucet against her face and Waverly brought herself back to the present."Stop being so darn morose," she sighed heavily, looking at her reflection. She forced a smile onto her face, taking a deep breath. "Ok, Waverly Earp. Get your hiney in gear." She took another breath before nodding and starting her daily regimen. "You are surrounded by a sphere of positivity," she told her reflection, beginning to apply makeup as she repeated her daily mantra. "Negativity cannot touch you but your positivity can flow out and affect the world around you." She closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath, imagining herself breathing in the light of goodness. She held her breath, willing herself to absorb the positivity until her body was too full, her lungs screaming with the strain. Slowly she exhaled, expelling the darkness and negativity from her body before continuing. "There are blessings everywhere, you just have to open your eyes to see them."

By the time Waverly was ready, her hair pulled up into twin buns and makeup freshly applied, she escaped the bathroom and the negativity she had left behind to quickly dress and grab her book bag, a small skip in her step that hadn't been there moments before. She was flipping through her folder as she entered the kitchen to find Wynonna eating a whole pancake speared on a fork. "It's easier to eat if you cut it," she commented as Gus handed her a glass of orange juice. "Thanks, Gus."

"I saved you some fruit." Gus set the bowl down on the table as she accepted a sheet of paper. "What's this?"

"Emergency contact and doctor info for cheerleading." Waverly smiled before picking a few blueberries out of the bowl.

Gus slipped her glasses on, eyeing the document. "As if there were more than one doctor in Purgatory." She pulled out a pen and began to fill in the boxes and lines before pausing, her eyes narrowing. "When did you join the varsity squad?"

"They let pipsqueaks on the varsity squad?" Wynonna mumbled around a mouthful of pancake.

"Don't be rude." Waverly felt a flare of anger at her sister. "I'll have you know I have the perfect stature for cheerleading."

"Tiny Amazon: perfect stature to get railed by every jock that..."

"Wynonna!" Gus's hand smacked the back of Wynonna's head as she gave her a look of distaste.

Waverly didn't let it phase her as she chewed on a strawberry. Considering just a few months ago she'd been dating Champ, one of the school's best cattle wranglers in the last Purgatory Rodeo, she didn't really have much room to argue. At least she'd come to her senses when he tried to convince her not to take the college course she had enrolled in, saying she didn't need to be so smart because she was pretty enough.

"I've sworn off of all jocks, thank you very much." She stuck her tongue out at her sister. "Besides, I don't really have time for dating. I'm taking that extra class in ancient history and I'm going to be swamped if I'm going to graduate this year." Well, that and she was self aware enough to notice that lately it wasn't just the boys she'd been watching at school. She needed to take some time to figure things out and overanalyze everything as she normally did.

Wynonna shook her head as she pushed up from her chair. "I don't know why you're in such a hurry to graduate."

"Someone in this family should graduate high school." Waverly sniped. She knew it was mean, but still the words slipped out before she could stop them.

To her credit, Wynonna just raised an eyebrow before slinging an arm over her shoulder. "Well… then let's get you to school, Nerd."

Bundled up and prepared for the day, Waverly slipped into the passenger side of her red Jeep. She'd worked at the local pub, Shorty's, all summer, sweeping floors and washing dishes, not only because employment looked great on a college application, but it also allowed her to scrape up enough money to buy what she considered her own bit of freedom. Wynonna didn't drive it often, but after she dinged up Gus's truck something fierce, Gus had been more likely to having Wynonna ask Waverly first.

Wynonna hopped into the Jeep with a grin. "You know, for someone who gets cold easy, you sure picked the worst vehicle possible."

"She may be cold at times, but she's got heart…" Waverly commented, not following up with the silent kinda like you she thought instantly.

"That has got to be," Wynonna started the jeep easily, "the lamest thing I've ever heard you say."

"Haha," Waverly buckled her seatbelt firmly. "Just be careful and keep it...Wynonna!" She screamed as her sister punched the gas and the jeep's tires spun in the snow for a good second before lurching into movement.

Wynonna only laughed.

#wynonna earp #wayhaught #wefanfic #Pour Me More #tw: suicide mention #tw: grief

[haughtbreaker]

Nicole learns that the darkness she thought she'd left behind, would keep following her. But even in Purgatory, she doesn't have to suffer alone. TW:Anxiety, Panic Attack, Drug Use

Thanks to @jaybear1701 for yelling "You can't end the chapter there!" The companion song for this is Darkness Keeps Chasing Me - Grace Vanderwaal.

 It had been a long week of getting used to everything. Nicole had learned quickly who to avoid, which involved mostly Waverly's ex and his posse of idiots. Even Waverly's friend Stephanie was a little borderline on the avoid-o-meter.

It hadn't been too bad of a week, but when Friday came along, there was something different. Nicole knew something was wrong from the moment she woke up, but she couldn't put her finger on it. It started with a feeling in the back of her throat, or maybe her sinuses, as if she could feel tears forming but refusing to surface. She wasn't particularly sad, no more than she normally felt, but that day, it seemed to accompany a strange cloud that lingered in the background of her mind.

It wasn't until she was at school that the feeling began to catch up to her. A tingle began in her body, running just under her skin like a wave of energy that her body couldn't absorb. She was in calculus when she lost her ability to focus. Her thumb began to tap the desk, as if she was trying to bleed the energy out of her system through micro-movements. But her thumb tapping wasn't enough. Soon her foot was shaking when that feeling came back to her sinuses.

The teacher droned with her lecture, her projector shining against the pull-down screen as she showed the class through math problems that were the least of Nicole's worries, as if she could concentrate on her voice. It was noise, loud and echoing and piling onto the energy she felt.

Nicole flexed her hand, making a fist and feeling each knuckle clicking softly beneath the surface. She felt the way her skin stretched across her hand and the pain she always felt when she clenched her fist too tight. She could feel the pull on her wrists as she took deeper breaths, attempting to calm the trembling that had started.

Her eyes darted around to see if anyone had noticed and she sat up a little straighter, one hand gripping the edge of the desk. No one in the class even cared about her anyway. She was just that new kid that filled the empty desk that was in the back of the room. That girl that was such a failure she couldn't even kill herself correctly. If anyone was watching her, she knew they were only doing it to see if she slipped up, to gather ammo to use against her somehow.

Despite her best attempts, she was alive and sitting in class learning bullshit she would never use in the future. What was even the point?

Her teeth began to chatter when she wasn't even cold.

"Nicole?" Waverly's voice broke through the noise. It was a whisper in the cacophony of commotion happening in her mind but it was crystal clear.

Of course if anyone would notice, it would be Waverly. Why not just be a freak in front of the one person you see the most in the day? She swallowed audibly, feeling an itch starting on both forearms. She wanted to respond to Waverly, to tell her she was totally fine, but the words couldn't form in her mouth. Instead she clenched her teeth, feeling each of the tensing muscles in her jaw. She felt her sinuses overreacting.

"Nicole?" Waverly's voice was clearer, louder as if she had come closer.

Nicole reached up to wipe away the tears that suddenly began to slide down her cheeks and that was when she noticed the eyes on her. She'd drawn the attention of several people around her, or maybe Waverly had by calling her name.

Nicole didn't remember standing, frozen in the middle of calculus as she drew the eyes of the entire class and finally the teacher. She didn't wait for the laughter, or the whispers she knew would come, but she was running out the door, hearing her name in her teacher's voice calling after her.

The bathroom was bright, too bright, and she locked herself in the handicap stall. She was taking deep breaths but she felt like she couldn't breathe. Her skin felt hot, like it was blistering, and she pressed her cheek to the cool tile, willing herself to absorb it.

She was such a mess, a problem that was passed from person to person like she couldn't be trusted with herself. Of course she couldn't be. She swiped angrily at her eyes.

She didn't hear the bathroom door opening until a voice echoed. "Nicole?"

Fuck! Nicole closed her eyes, trying to control her breathing. She heard the footsteps approach the stall she was in and she willed Waverly to just leave.

"Nicole. Open the door."

"I'm fine." Nicole winced as her voice came out almost like a whimper. She cleared her throat. "I'm fine."

"Open the door, Nicole." Waverly's voice was stern and Nicole found her hand moving without her permission.

Waverly stepped into the bathroom stall and closed the door again.

Nicole moved to the far wall away from her, trying to hide her face. "I'm fine." Her voice was a little stronger, but still there was a waiver to it. "I'm fine." She repeated, even when it felt like anything but.

"No you're not. You're having a panic attack." Waverly hung what Nicole recognized as her own bag on the hook on the back of the door. "Where are your pills?"

"What?" Nicole blinked, her brain not really wrapping around what Waverly was saying. She just wanted to be alone. She just wanted it to be quiet and to feel the cold of the tiles against her skin.

"Just breathe, Nicole." Waverly began to breathe loudly and began rooting through Nicole's bag.

She didn't need to be told to breathe, Nicole thought. She was already breathing quickly, trying to pull enough oxygen into her body. Seeing Waverly going through her bag, Nicole wanted to protest. There were definitely things that were private in her bag.

"I want you to take longer breaths, Nicole." Waverly spoke calmly. "Not short breaths." She found the collection of pills in Nicole's bag, looking at the labels. "Do me a favor and take a slow, deep breath and hold it." Her eyes looked up and found Nicole's watching her incredulously. "Come on, Nicole. Just take one slow, deep breath and hold it." She demonstrated with her own breath, raising her eyebrows expectedly.

Nicole knew Waverly wouldn't leave her alone until she obeyed. "Fine," she huffed before doing as Waverly said, taking one long and shuddered breath, feeling her lungs filling completely.

"Ok, now hold it," Waverly said as she returned the bottles to Nicole's bag, keeping one out.

Nicole felt like her chest was going to explode, but still she held her breath. Her chest got tight and she felt like she couldn't hold it any longer.

"OK, exhale slowly," Waverly finally said as she unscrewed a bottle of water.

Nicole exhaled probably faster than Waverly wanted. "Ok there, happy?"

"No." Waverly held up a bottle. "Take one."

Nicole shook her head. "It's too early. I have…" She looked at her wrist, "another two hours."

"You're having a panic attack, and I need you to take one of these now." Waverly's voice was soft, but firm.

"They make me sleepy if I take them too close together," Nicole complained. Waverly didn't understand. How could she? She was perfect. She didn't have a fucked up brain.

"I know, but sleepy is better than what you're feeling now." Waverly reached down and took Nicole's hand and tucked the bottle of pills into it. "Take it and I'll drive you home."

Nicole sniffled, the tears still streaming down her cheeks despite her insisting she was fine. She tried to unscrew the cap of the pills but her hands weren't cooperating. Her grip failed her as her hand trembled.

Waverly gently took the bottle, unscrewing the cap. "The label says take 1 to 3, how many do you take?"

"Two."

Waverly nodded, shaking out one pill before closing the bottle. "Ok, here you go."

"Waverly, I don't…"

"Take it," Waverly said sternly, offering her bottle of water to Nicole.

Nicole did as she was told, wincing at the bitter taste the pill left on her tongue. It took everything in her not to vomit the pill back up. "There. Happy?"

"Of course not." Waverly returned the bottle to Nicole's bag before sighing softly. "But, on the plus side, you give me a reason to play hookey for the rest of the day." She smiled softly. "Take another deep breath for me."

Again Nicole did as she was told, taking a slow breath. It took another few breaths before she was hit with a wave of lethargy. The energy that had been radiating through her body began to fizzle into nothingness. Her hand was still shaking as she ran it through her hair, trying to settle it. She wiped her tears away with the sleeve of her flannel. "Shit," she finally said, her voice quiet but no longer shaking. "I'm sorry." She felt like an idiot.

Waverly, however, didn't seem phased. "Nothing to be sorry for." She reached out and pushed a lock of auburn hair behind Nicole's ear before she blinked and pulled her hand back. "Sorry. Come on. Let's go get a pass from the nurse."

Nicole felt heaviness in her limbs as she stepped out of the stall and moved to the sink. Looking at her reflection, she winced at her puffy and red eyes. "I think I just upped my freak status," she commented, leaning forward to splash water on her face. It was so much colder than she thought it would be and she gasped in surprise.

"Don't worry about that." Waverly retrieved some paper towels and offered them to Nicole.

Drying her face, Nicole sighed loudly. How could she not worry?

"Hey." Waverly put her hand on Nicole's shoulder. "It's going to be ok. Come on."

She didn't feel like it would be okay. In fact, she didn't feel like it would ever be okay, but looking into hazel eyes watching her closely... Waverly had a small smile that was warm and strangely understanding. She felt her body relaxing under the small comfort and she couldn't help wondering how the hell Waverly did that.

"How did you know I was on medication?"

Waverly looked up from the stack of records she was rooting through. Wynonna had rearranged everything and she was having trouble finding her favorite vinyl. "Deductive reasoning?" She offered with a smirk.

"What was there to deduce?" Nicole asked from the couch, her long frame taking up two-thirds of the space, her legs draping over one arm.

"Well, not to be insensitive, but considering everything I know about you, it was the most likely deduction." With a soft sigh, Waverly settled on an album, setting it on the record player with expert ease. "And I've seen you take them a few times."

Nicole snorted at that. "And here I thought I was being discreet." She tapped her toes in the air. "And the panic attack stuff?"

Etta James began to softly pour from the speakers as Waverly grabbed a small box and sitting down on the open space of the couch. "Let's just say I'm… not a stranger to anxiety." She didn't want to go further into it, how she'd had a lot of trouble dealing with the last time Wynonna left in the middle of the night. She looked at Nicole, who had grown quiet, and was about to say something when Nicole spoke.

"So… How did you end up dating Champ?"

That was the last thing Waverly expected and she laughed. "Oh geez. Well when I joined the cheerleading squad, I guess it pinged his interest, because of course that's all it takes." Waverly pursed her lips, remembering how quickly that had happened. "One day I was at practice and he was sitting on the bleachers and he held up a sign that said, Will you be my girlfriend?" She couldn't believe it had been as simple as that.

Nicole tipped her head back to look at her. "That's it?"

"Well, I was an impressionable teenager and he's one of the more popular guys in school." She felt her cheeks growing warm with embarrassment.

"That is so… 90's teen romcom."

Waverly laughed. "Yeah, well only if he's the douchebag bully that the main character dumps before finding her true love." She didn't want to think too much about it. She blew out a long sigh. "But, at least that particular movie is over."

"Does that mean you're not an impressionable teenager anymore?"

Waverly looked down at the box in her hand, her fingers picking at the edge. "Maybe not so much impressionable as… open to suggestions."

Nicole snorted. "I suppose that's an upgrade. However, not many people actually find their true love in high school," she commented before going silent.

Waverly looked to her side to see Nicole staring off at the ceiling, her thumb beginning to tap against the couch. She took it as a sign of re-emerging anxiety as they dwelled on the topic of high school relationships and decided to derail that train before it could leave the station. "Ok, I need to ask you a really serious question that I've been dying to ask you since we first met."

Nicole's eyes shifted, looking up at her. "Well… I didn't think I needed to explain but… yes… I am a lesbian."

Waverly froze, not exactly sure what to say until Nicole's mouth curled into a slight smile. "Asshole." Waverly shook her head. "Now I don't even want to ask."

Nicole laughed. It was a soft chuckle, but Waverly felt a slight warmth growing inside her. It was the first time she'd heard a real, honest laugh from her. "I'm sorry. What did you want to ask?"

Waverly thought about continuing the faux argument, but instead lifted the box in her hand. "Nicole Haught… would you like to smoke with me?"

Nicole rose an eyebrow, her lips pursing as she looked like she was trying to find the right words. "That… is nowhere near what I thought you were going to ask."

"Well, I like to keep you on your toes."

Nicole took a moment to roll over and sit up, folding her legs under her on the couch and running a hand through her auburn waves, Waverly opened the box and took a minute to choose between a few small baggies and pulled out a silver cylinder which she revealed to be a grinder. "You're going to smoke weed? In your basement?" She looked up at the basement door and back to Waverly. "What about Gus?"

Waverly laughed. "When Wynonna was a little younger, she would get in a LOT of trouble." She went through the process of grinding the weed into small bits, making it easier to load the glass pipe she pulled out. "Gus finally gave in and said, if we were going to get drunk or high, she'd rather we did it at home where it was safe and Gus wouldn't have to bail us out of jail."

Nicole looked like she didn't believe her.

"Wyn is usually the defiant one, Nicole, not me." Waverly pulled a lighter out before setting the box on the floor. "I'm not pressuring you or anything, but this strain is called White Fire. It's a hybrid, a little high on the THC but it's really great at fighting anxiety."

"You planning on being a weed specialist in the future?"

Waverly rolled her eyes. "Of course not, I just like to appreciate the more… natural things in life." She didn't waste any time before bringing the lighter to the bowl of the pipe, puffing once to get the embers started before easily breathing in the smooth, thick smoke. She held the breath in, feeling her lungs beginning to tighten before she exhaled.

Nicole licked her lips as she watched, seeming really uncertain. "You have the weirdest rules around here."

Waverly coughed out a laugh. "No peer pressure, Nicole." Already she could feel the wave of calm flowing through her, seeping into her limbs, a tingle just under the skin of her fingertips. When Nicole reached out for the pipe, she placed it in her hand. Where their fingers brushed, she felt that tingle spread.

90s teen romcom indeed, Waverly thought, handing over the lighter as well. Shit.

#pour me more #wayhaught #wynonna earp #wefanfic #we fanfic #tw: drug use #tw: panic attack #tw: anxiety

[haughtbreaker]

Special thanks to @jaybear1701​ who messaged me early this morning basically asking me what the hell I was doing with commas. Thanks to everyone who keeps reading.

** Companion song for this chapter is Lay Me Down - Sam Smith ... cause yeah I'm basic like that. I actually do have an in-progress Spotify playlist that I've been adding songs to as I post chapters**

Nicole looked around the party, feeling her body already moving slightly to the music that boomed from the speakers. She was exhausted from her shift at the shop but she was happy to be around friends.

"Nicky!"

Nicole smirked as she found Shae leaning against the couch, drink already in hand. She was waving her free hand to get Nicole's attention, even as their friend continued to talk to her. She detoured for a red cup from the keg station before moving to her girlfriend, capturing a hello kiss. "Hey." She turned to her friend. "Rosita, you're looking extra thirsty today."

"Fuck off, Red." Rosita gave her a rough shove. "You're late, as always."

"Some of us have jobs." Nicole took a long sip of the god awful beer before coughing. "Jesus, they could have at least sprung for the mediocre shit."

Rosita pulled a flask from her back pocket, waving it in front of Nicole. "It's a good thing vodka makes everything tolerable… if only I had a friend to share it with."

Nicole smirked, holding her cup out.

Holding out for just a few seconds, Rosita unscrewed the cap and poured a good helping into Nicole's cup. "You're lucky you're cute."

Shae laughed, reaching up to brush the back of her knuckles against Nicole's cheek. "She's okay." She tangled her fingers in auburn hair before pulling her forward for a kiss. It was needy and possessive, as if she had something to prove in front of even their friend. Nicole just went with it until Shae pulled away. She was used to her girlfriend's drunken shenanigans.

Some people might have been put off by it, frustrated by what seemed like a lack of trust Nicole just didn't care. She was used to it.

"I'm gonna get something else to drink." Shae commented before stepping away.

Don't let her go.

Nicole blinked against the sudden urge, reaching out, her hand closing around Shae's wrist. She felt like she was fighting against something… against instinct and fate.

Shae turned to look at her, confused.

"Here, take mine. I'm not enjoying it anyway." Nicole pulled Shae back to her. "Just… don't leave me."

Shae smiled. "Why would I ever do that?"

Nicole looked up as Rosita grabbed her arm.

"Let her go, Nicole." Her voice was stern, her grip firm.

"What the hell, Rosie, let go."

"Nicole!"

Nicole jolted up in surprise, her eyes bleary as she took in the still unfamiliar surroundings.

"Girl, you are one deep sleeper." Gus huffed as she picked up the extra blanket Nicole must have kicked off. "Isn't this Waverly's?"

Rubbing at her eyes, Nicole nodded, still slightly dazed. "She let me borrow it for now."

"Well, you best get a move on. Waverly won't tolerate being late. She cannot risk her perfect attendance." Gus's voice was thick with mockery, as if she'd heard it a million times which, having met Waverly, Nicole had no doubt about.

"I'm up." Nicole reached for her backpack, digging out her pills. Looking at the photo sitting on the nightstand, she sighed softly. "I'm up."

Nicole adjusted the bag on her back before taking a deep breath, looking down the hallway of the school. It was one building, much smaller than her old school. She looked over the schedule in her hand and the map in the other, trying to make sense of it.

The weekend had been… strange didn't seem like an adequate enough word. She'd stuck to what was now her room mostly, unpacking, avoiding the others. Wynonna had disappeared through most of the day hours, being dropped off by a red land-yacht of a car as the sun was disappearing below the horizon. Waverly stayed home most of the weekend but she had a friend stop by, a strange nerdy kid that looked like he'd been picked on most of his life. He'd stared at her with big, bright eyes the first time they met.

Jeremy.

Nicole blew out a large breath of air before returning her attention to the schedule. She had to somehow find her English class that looked like it would be her homeroom on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Canadian Geography would be Tuesdays and Thursdays.

"What's the damage?"

Nicole looked up to see Waverly standing in front of her, a big grin on her face. "Just your standard new kid in her senior year sort of damage." She'd thought, when Waverly disappeared after dropping her off at the front office, that she was going to fend for herself.

"Sounds like fun. Let me see." Waverly held her hand out, raising her eyebrows when Nicole hesitated.

With a soft sigh, Nicole handed the schedule over. If anything, at least Waverly would be able to point her to her first period.

"Oooo, we have first period together, Calculus, and Physics…" The smile turned into a disgruntled look. "And gym."

Nicole raised an eyebrow at that. "Not a fan of gym?" She wasn't a fan herself. It was usually just a place for stronger kids to pick on the weaker ones.

"I'm fine with gym, I just think it's a waste of time. I mean, I think if you're actually on a team sport, you should get credit for it." Waverly wrinkled her nose. "I'm significantly more active during cheer practice than I ever have been tossing balls back and forth in gym."

Nicole nodded. "Completely understandable." She watched as Waverly's eyes darted over the schedule. "So… we're in a lot of the same classes?"

Waverly nodded absentmindedly. "Yeah. And Jeremy too, but he has clearance from gym so not that." With a shrug, she handed the schedule back over. "It's Purgatory. Pretty much everyone in the same grade are in the same classes… with exception of math and science. We just lucked out, I guess." She smiled brightly.

Luck. Nicole wasn't sure of that yet. She wasn't sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing that she wouldn't have much of a break from the youngest Earp, but she would probably find out.

"Come on." Waverly nodded down the hall. "It's not that far down the hall."

"So… where's this American?"

Waverly rolled her eyes as she sat down between her friends Stephanie and Chrissy. Jeremy sat across from Chrissy who he considered safer. "Calm down, Stephanie. I'm sure she'll be here soon." She peeled the top off her salad and shook the small container of dressing.

"Is it true?" Stephanie asked with a smirk. "That she's a lesbian?"

"Gotta love living in a small town," Waverly commented as she tossed her salad with the small bit of vinaigrette. She'd been friends with the two girls since they were toddlers and Stephanie could be a bit much sometimes.

"Holy shit." Stephanie uttered, her eyes on the doors of the dining hall.

Waverly looked up to see Nicole entering, her auburn waves covered by a red and black toque that matched her flannel shirt, her hands tucked into her jeans pockets.

"Yeah, she just radiates gay."

"I'm pretty sure that's not very PC, Steph," Chrissy spoke up.

Waverly's brows furrowed and she stabbed at her salad as she watched Nicole follow the crowd, getting in line to collect her lunch. "She's actually really nice when you talk to her."

"Sure, in the stoic and solitary kind of way," Jeremy remarked, peeling his orange. "But I guess when you're tall and gorgeous, you can get away with it."

Waverly rolled her eyes. She didn't think Nicole was all that bad. Or maybe it was because she knew the reason behind the withdrawn temperament. She hadn't told Jeremy. She'd learned her lesson that first night and didn't intend on spilling those particular beans. When Nicole looked her way, Waverly waved her over with a smile. It looked like Nicole was going to refuse for a moment before she started heading that way.

"Hey." Nicole smiled in an obligatory way as she sat down in the empty space across from Waverly.

"Nicole, you know Jeremy but this is Stephanie and Chrissy," Waverly pointed her friends out.

Chrissy smiled and waved. "Hi, hi. Wish we could chat, but I have a yearbook meeting."

"Nice meeting you," Nicole commented as she began to pick through the hamburger and fries she'd picked up.

"Nicole, huh?" Stephanie smiled a smile that could best be described as nefarious. "The American lesbian the school is all abuzz about."

Nicole froze, looking from Stephanie to Waverly and back to Stephanie again.

"God, Steph, can you not be an asshole today?" Waverly huffed. "Sorry, Nicole. It's kind of a small town and Steph has a weird habit of perpetuating every bit of garbage she picks up."

"Rude much?" Stephanie snorted.

Nicole returned her attention to her meal, tearing open one of the small packets of ketchup. "That's me. Technically I'm only half American but I'm all gay," she responded with half a smile. Picking up one of the ketchup covered fries, she popped it in her mouth before freezing, her face twisted in disgust. "What the hell is wrong with this ketchup?"

Waverly tilted her head in question.

"It's way too sweet." Nicole wrinkled her nose, offering the small boat of fries to Waverly.

With a shrug, Waverly picked one up and tasted it. It tasted like it always did. "It's fine."

"Yeah something's not right with it." Nicole sighed softly before pulling the soggy leaf of lettuce out of the hamburger, applying a very small bit of ketchup to the bun. "Maybe it's just a Canada thing." She gave Waverly a look with just the corner of her lip curling up. "Probably all the maple syrup."

"Wow, way to perpetuate stereotypes," Waverly commented with a chuckle before jumping as a hand landed on her shoulder.

"Who's the new girl?"A boy plopped down onto the seat beside Waverly that had been emptied by Chrissy, his arm slinging over her neck.

"Ugh, get off me." Waverly shrugged his arm off, pushing away from him slightly. "This is Nicole. Nicole, this is my ex Hardy."

Nicole rose an eyebrow as she ate one of the fries. "Charmed." Her voice was flat and unimpressed, bringing a slight smile to Waverly's lips.

"Sup! Everybody calls me Champ." He nodded his head at her. "Number one steer roper in the town."

"Nicole is from California, Champ. Not a lot of rodeo," Waverly commented, trying not to push him off the bench. She wasn't sure why he was there except to bother the shit out of her.

"Cali huh? You surf, dude?" He used a horrible accent you only saw in ridiculous beach movies.

Nicole gave him a tight smile. "Yes actually, but not many waves around here." She looked at Waverly and her smile softened. "Except the Earp variety, that is."

Waverly felt her cheeks growing hot and cleared her throat. "Ha ha." She looked at her ex who was looking at Nicole suspiciously. "Champ, what the hell are you doing here anyway?"

"I just wanted to see you." He leaned closer to Waverly, his attention on her now. "I was just wondering if you wanted to come over after practice…"

Waverly grimaced. "I'm sorry, did you forget that I broke up with you?"

He gave her a confused look. "Wait… You were serious? I thought it was like, that time of the month…"

"Yeah, no. Get the hell out of here." Waverly shook her head.

"What?" Champ blinked in disbelief. "But I thought we could get back to normal.. It's Monday and you know we would always…"

"Don't even finish that sentence," Waverly cut him off. She couldn't believe him. She needed him to just leave before he embarrassed her further. "Just get the hell out of here."

"God, you don't have to be such a bitch about it." Champ growled as he stood up.

It took everything in Waverly not to just punch him in the nuts as he moved away. She felt the sting of embarrassment in her cheeks as she let her eyes drift over to Nicole who was watching Champ leave with a look that was pure poison.

"I don't know why you dumped him, Waves." Stephanie shook her head. "He's so hot."

Waverly cringed. "I just… outgrew him I guess." Scrunching her nose, she looked up to find Nicole watching her. "I guess he's just not my type anymore."

Nicole tilted her head to the side before dropping her gaze back to her lunch.

"Oh Honey… he's everybody's type." Stephanie commented in disbelief.

Nicole sighed as she sat on the bleachers, watching as Waverly and the other cheerleaders practiced on the other side of the gym. There was a time she would have enjoyed the sight, cheerleaders moving to music, flipping through the air… but instead she sighed softly, taking out her cell phone.

I dreamt of you last night. She sent the text off with a smile. Being in a new school really made her miss her friends back home. As if on queue, her phone began to vibrate with a call. She quickly hit the talk button. "That was super creepy."

"Says the person texting me saying they were dreaming about me." There was a soft laugh before she turned serious. "Was it the same dream?"

Nicole took a shuddered breath. "Yeah." She didn't need to say anything else. That was something she missed about being home. She didn't have to answer questions. No one stepped on eggshells around her because they knew where not to step. "Don't take this the wrong way, but I fucking miss your dumb face, Rosie."

There was a soft sigh that came over the phone. "That's pretty gay, Red." There was a brief pause and what sounded like a sniffle. "But… I miss you too. It's so quiet around here and I keep bringing too much booze to parties."

Nicole snorted. "No such thing."

"Yeah for alcoholics." There was another brief pause before Rosita cleared her throat. "So, you gonna tell me about your new roomies."

"Well," Nicole watched as Waverly was tossed into the air easily. "Right now I'm watching one at cheerleading practice."

"Ooo. A cheerleader? I love cheerleaders. Is she hot? Can you describe the uniform to me? Well fuck actually send me a picture."

"You're a fucking pervert." Nicole could feel the day's worth of stress beginning to bleed away. "I mean… I guess she's cute, in the way too chipper kind of way." She shrugged as if Rosita could see her. "Maybe more your type - cute, straight, and ready to break your heart. " She didn't want to go into her own type really, because that meant thinking about Shae, and thinking about how right now they'd probably be hanging out in her room back home.

"Well then definitely send me a pic later. What about the other one?"

Nicole chuckled. "Wynonna? Definitely rough around the edges. Maybe a complete opposite of Waverly. Definitely some damage there." Blowing out a long breath, Nicole stretched her back a little. "It's so fucking cold here."

Now Rosita laughed. "It's a nice 87 degrees here. A nice swell came in Sunday morning."

"Fuck off." Nicole laughed.

"I think I might have gotten a sunburn," Rosita continued.

"You don't fucking burn," Nicole snorted.

"Whoa… language Haught."

Nicole jumped as Wynonna plopped down beside her. "God Dammit, Wynonna!"

"Oooh is that her. She sounds hot. Let me talk to her. "

"Shut up, Rosie," Nicole huffed. "I'll talk to you later." She didn't wait for a response, just hung up. She knew Rosita wouldn't mind. She was the closest thing to a sister Nicole had.

"You don't have to hang up for me,." Wynonna commented as she leaned back on the bleacher behind them, her eyes on the cheerleaders. "You spying on my sister?"

Nicole rolled her eyes. "She's the one driving us home," she answered matter-of-factly.

"And how was your first day of school?"

Nicole snorted. "New place, same shit." She toyed with the edge of her phone before slipping it into her pocket. "What are you doing here, anyway? You don't even go here anymore."

"Maybe I just came to watch my baby sister?" Wynonna's gaze wasn't on Waverly tho. Instead she was eyeing up the girl that looked like she was consulting with the cheerleading coach.

Nicole had watched the older girl as she began to help with the choreography. "Who's the girl?"

"What girl?" Wynonna pulled a flask out of her pocket and took a quick pull from it, not even caring that they were in a school gym.

"Tall, dark, and smokin'...if you're into the goth scene of course." Nicole leaned back against the bleacher as well. She was glad for the interruption and distraction. As much as she loved hearing from and talking to her best friend, it was the bridge that took her back to Shae and to the place she was before. "Ex girlfriend?"

"What?" Wynonna scoffed. "God no. Her and her perfect skin and amazing dancing skills…" She cleared her throat. "She's the ex of someone I…" She waggered her hand in the air, "am friends with?"

"Friends?" Nicole gave her a wry look.

"Look… some friends you go shoplifting with, and some friends you…," she took another sip from her flask, "get naked and bump pelvises with."

Nicole cringed. "Ew. Straight people," she said under her breath as she shook her head.

"Hey now…" Wynonna glared at her. "Watch who you're calling straight," she scoffed, standing up to stretch her back out. "Waverly's probably the straightest one in the house."

Looking over at the youngest Earp, Nicole pursed her lips.

"I need a ride back to the homestead, but I can't take this high school shit anymore. I'm gonna go pass out in Waverly's jeep," Wynonna huffed.

Watching her slip away, Nicole just shook her head before looking out towards the cheerleaders. She'd thought she felt something not-so-straight coming from Waverly over the weekend, and definitely during lunch, but maybe she'd been wrong. After all, her spidey senses weren't really in top shape these days.

Wynonna hummed softly to herself as she looked through the carton of records. All through dinner she kept thinking too much about the argument she'd had earlier that day with Henry. Their on again off again thing was starting to piss her off and while she knew it was mostly her fault, she really wanted to punch him in the face.

"She was really pretty." Waverly was sitting on the floor of the basement, staring at her cell phone.

Wynonna looked up from the stack. "Who?"

Waverly pursed her lips, her face illuminated by the light of her phone screen. "Nicole's girlfriend. The one that…" She let her voice trail off. "I guess her name was Shae."

Wynonna lost all interest in the records, scooting next to Waverly on the basement floor. "Are we stalking Nicole? I'm not against it but normally you are."

"I'm not stalking her!"

Wynonna looked at Waverly through the corner of her eye, trying not to laugh. "Ok, Baby Girl." She focused on the phone instead, seeing the girl with darker skin in a variety of photos wrapped around... "Damn. That's Nicole? She looks completely different."

Waverly nodded. "Totally. I mean… she looks the same, just… happy."

"Well I guess she's got a type."

Waverly sighed, scrolling down the photo feed. "What do you mean?"

"Well…" Wynonna shrugged. "Just something she said earlier today, about Kate."

"Henry's ex?" Waverly's brow furrowed. "Like you think she likes her?"

"She said she was hot, in that angsty goth way."

"Oh I bet that went over well." Waverly laughed, but it sounded a little empty. "I mean, she is kind of gorgeous…"

Wynonna rolled her eyes. "Whatever…" She looked at the screen as Waverly seemed to have stopped on one photo.

This wasn't the Nicole that lived with them. Gone were the sunken cheeks and dark circles. In it, Nicole was in a bikini top and shorts, her wet auburn hair that was much longer was half draping in her face as she had a smile on her face that reflected... genuine happiness.

"Nicole looks… really happy here."

"They probably just had sex," Wynonna joked crudely. The look Waverly gave her could no doubt kill someone at 20 paces and Wynonna physically leaned away. "Or they're just happy..."

Waverly looked back at the phone, a troubled look on her face.

Wynonna had to raise an eyebrow as she tilted her head, a suspicious look taking over. "Why are you so interested in Nicole's girlfriend, anyway?" The conversation she'd had with Nicole was still fresh in her mind.

"What?" Waverly looked up quickly, her eyes filled with guilt. But what was the look for, Wynonna had to wonder. Guilt for prying. Guilt for something secret? Something she wasn't able to admit? "I'm not," Waverly responded with indignance as she huffed, moving to close the app and freezing suddenly. "Oh my god." Waverly looked down at her phone in horror.

"What?" Wynonna looked over to see a bright red heart under the photo. She barked out an obnoxious laugh. She wanted to say she'd never done the same, but she'd stalked enough social media in her life. "Nothing like getting notifications for photos that are a year old."

Guilt turned to horror on Waverly's face. "She's going to know I was going through her photos." Out of panic, Waverly quickly unliked the photo, as if she could take back the last 30 seconds.

"What? No! She'll still get the notification. She's going to know you were trying to stalk her secretly now…"

"Shit!" Waverly quickly liked it again.

Wynonna rolled her eyes, snatching the phone away from Waverly. Her sister was such a flustered mess at the moment. "You… are the worst at cyber stalking." With an upwards flick, she closed out the app. "Well, maybe she doesn't have notifications turned on, you never know," she commented as she tossed Waverly the phone.

Waverly looked nervously at the stairs as if expecting Nicole to come running down the stairs to yell at her.

"Waverly's probably the straightest one in the house." Wynonna's own voice echoed through her mind as she watched her sister fidgeting nervously, eyes darting from her phone to the stairs and back to her phone. Wynonna hummed to herself as she returned her attention to the records, filing the information away for later.

#wayhaught #wynonna earp #we fanfic #wefanfic #pour me more

[haughtbreaker]

Christmas time is always hard when you're missing someone, but Nicole is learning that distractions help.

Merry Christmas all. Or Solstice. Or whatever you celebrate. This chapter is 100% un-beta'd because I didn't get it finished in time to send to @jaybear1701​ so... sorry.

Ah well.

"Aren't you done yet?" Fingertips dragged along Nicole's neck, moving aside her hair before lips pressed against her skin.

Nicole sighed heavily. "Come on, Babe. I only have nine pages left."

"You can study later." Shae's voice now had a pout in it.

Nicole shook her head, her eyes skimming over the page for the tenth time. "I'm running out of later." She tried to ignore the warmth of Shae's body hugging her from behind, the heat of Shae's breath against her skin. "Can you just give me 20 minutes or so?"

Shae exhaled loudly. "I guess… You already get amazing grades. What's one assignment?"

"You are horrible." Nicole chuckled. "I need to finish this."

"Ugh! Fine!" Shae pulled away, rising to her feet. "Just meet me at the party whenever you're done studying."

"Shae…" Nicole's brows furrowed. "Come on. It's just 20 minutes." She looked over to where Shae was tugging on her boots.

"It's always just another 20 minutes. Or you're working." She huffed, pulling on her jacket. "I… am gonna go get drunk. You have fun with your reading."

Nicole closed her book with a growl.

"Hey, Weirdo."

Nicole jumped slightly, her hand holding the pencil dragging across the half scribbled across page. "What the shit, Wynonna?"

Wynonna plopped down on the edge of the table beside Nicole. "What's the matter, Red? I thought you'd be all for ogling the cheerleaders at the Christmas game, not sitting here alone doing… ew, homework…? Do they even assign homework over winter break?"

Nicole shook her head. Waverly had invited her, but in the two weeks since the party, Nicole had been doing her best to focus on her school work. "I'm just… still trying to catch up." She definitely didn't want to focus on the look of hope in Waverly's eyes as she invited her to the last game of the year, or the bottom lip that had emerged in a pout at Nicole's refusal.

Her memories deciding to detour to that night, Nicole remembered the taste of hot chocolate and vodka on her lips and the warmth radiating from the body beside her.

"Yeah I'd rather cut off my own tit than go to one of those testosterone pits," Wynonna commented with a grimace. "How about, instead of munching down on textbooks like a bookworm, we go munch on something more carbolicious like pretzels ala going to the mall for a little jingle bell cheer."

Nicole sighed, leaning back in her chair. On the far end of the living room, a Christmas tree sparkled threateningly at her with its yuletide cheer. Somewhere in the back of her mind, a deep chasm she refused to linger in, she was reminded it would be the first Christmas she'd spend with Shae being… Nicole cleared her throat. "I'm not really in the jingle bell mood."

"Well tough shit, Ginger spice, cause mamma needs a new pair of shoes," Wynonna nudged her shoulder, "and by mamma I mean Waverly."

Nicole sighed. "Isn't it a little late to go shopping? Is the mall even open on Christmas Eve?" She tapped her pencil against the table. Her father had called the week before, left a voicemail really, about her coming home for the holidays, but she'd ignored his calls. She was still pissed at him for sending her away. "Don't you have a boyfriend?" But, maybe her father had been right about needing space, a bit of time away from everything that reminded her of Shae.

"Well, nothing official anyway. I'm trying this new thing called being single since…" Wynonna shook her head as she crossed her arms over her chest, her foot tapping restlessly against the floor. "Anyway, I need to pick up a present for the tiny terror, and I need some company."

Nicole knew there was no way she was going to get rid of her. She'd done all her shopping the week before thanks to the emergency debit card her father had given her, so she didn't really have anything she needed to get, but Wynonna was persistent, and Nicole knew she wouldn't get any silence as long as Wynonna wanted something. Blowing out a long breath, she dropped her pencil. "Why not? You mentioned pretzels?"

Nicole huffed as she dodged another shopper, trying to find the Earp that had been walking ahead, the crowd seeming to just part around her. "Dammit, Wynonna." She knew Wynonna was looking for shoes, but she had no idea where in the store that section was and the crowd full of procrastinating shoppers was grating her last nerve.

It took longer than she thought and two irritated associates later, she found the shoe department. She found Wynonna staring at shoes, a vacant look on her face. "So, I don't think that's going to fit Waverly," Nicole joked, pointing at the baby-sized combat boot in Wynonna's hands.

The voice jarred Wynonna out of her thoughts and she laughed. "I was just wondering what the hell kind of parent would waste $60 on something their brat would outgrow in like a month." Wynonna tossed it back on the display before making her way to the women's section. "I tried so hard to model Waverly's style to something cooler along my line, but you get committed a few times and it's enough time for Gus to get her decked out in cowboy boots."

"Or… maybe it's her personal style shining through. I don't see Gus in short shorts and cardigans, to be fair," Nicole commented as Wynonna picked up another pair of combat boots, these more suitable in size for the youngest Earp.

Wynonna frowned."Well, to be fair," she mocked, "you've only been around for what? A month… or whatever? I'm pretty sure I know my sister better than you."

Nicole shrugged. "True," she commented, thinking back on Waverly's style and how it seemed to bounce around from Western to overly glamorous to borderline bohemian. Nicole had also noticed that Waverly's style changed depending on who she was hanging out with. "But, from what I have seen… I think Waverly's been so busy tailoring who she is to the people she's with," Nicole picked up a not that looked more like something Waverly would wear, light tan with faux fur trim, "I think she's only now beginning to figure out what she really wants…"

Wynonna rolled her eyes, grabbing the boot from Nicole "What are you, a walking bumper sticker?" She seemed to look over the boot, her face turning thoughtful. "But, these shoes are on sale and if she hates them I can blame you. Now help me find a size 8 in this mess."

And a mess it was. It took them almost half an hour of rooting around and all if Nicole's remaining patience to find the correct size. "Okay," Nicole stretched her back out after digging through the remnants left by Christmas showers. "You owe me a damn pretzel. Hell, you owe me a dozen pretzels."

"How about I get us pretzels and take you out for a drink?" Wynonna smirked, leading the way to the register.

Wynonna tipped back the flask, taking a long drink before sighing softly as they looked over the small town. "Look at all those assholes down there."

Nicole leaned against the front of Gus's blue pick-up, her hands flexing in the fingers of her bulky winter gloves as a cold gust blew through the area. This wasn't exactly what she'd thought Wynonna meant by take you out for a drink. "They're not all assholes, just a majority of them."

Wynonna offered her flask to Nicole who took it cautiously. "I wanted to say thanks, for coming along."

The whiskey burned down Nicole's throat as she took a sip. She was glad to be out in the open after she'd been bumped half a million times by shoppers, but she wished it wasn't so damn cold. They'd been almost back to Purgatory before Wynonna had turned off the road to what seemed like a popular spot for folks to pull over and hang out. It was at the crest of a small hill, looking out over Purgatory's downtown which peeked out from a blanket of snow that covered everything.. The sun had just tucked beneath the horizon and they could see the christmas lights adorned by the main storefronts. "No problem. I've got plenty of time to study I guess, although maybe next time it would be better to shop with more time than one day before Christmas." She handed the flask back to Wynonna.

"I mean it," Wynonna said, looking out over the town. "I know it's probably not the best time of year for you."

Nicole couldn't think of what to say, so she didn't say anything at all.

"It's not really the best time of year for anyone in the house." Wynonna took a swig from her flask. "Waverly usually has trouble around now so we try to keep shit light and cheerful for her."

Nicole accepted the flask. She was surprised by the honest look on Wynonna's face. "Because of your parents?"

"And Willa." Wynonna exhaled loudly. "It's usually the worst around Christmas. Gus usually helps, but… well, we lost Uncle Curtis recently…"

"Everybody's missing pieces in this household." Nicole mumbled, taking a sip from the flask before handing it back. She could feel the heat radiating from her throat and belly, spreading through her body. "What about you?"

Wynonna's brow furrowed. "What about me?"

"You talk about making sure Waverly has a good Christmas, but what about you? You lost them as well."

Wynonna snorted. "I'm right as rain." Another pull from the flask and she sighed softly. "I'm happy if Waves is happy." It would have been more convincing if Wynonna's eyes weren't glistening in the moonlight with unshed tears.

Nicole grabbed the flask from Wynonna and put the cap back on. "Okay, enough of that. No more drinking if you're going to drive us home."

"I didn't know I was bringing the booze police along with me," Wynonna growled and looked like she was about to pounce on Nicole before headlights came around the corner. "Shit."

Nicole felt a wave of dread flood through her as the area was suddenly filled with red and blue lights, the sheriff's cruiser pulling up to the area with tires crunching over ice and snow.

"Just play it cool," Wynonna whispered as a silhouette stepped out of the car and through the headlights.

"Well, I thought it would be strange for Gus McCreedy to be parked up here." A voice came from the silhouette. "Drinking in public again, eh Wynonna?" The sheriff shined his flashlight from one to the other before he clicked it off and rested his hands on his belt, the headlights offering enough light for the early twilight. "Didn't I warn you about that before?" He turned to Nicole, tilting his head to the side. "Haught right?"

Nicole nodded, feeling dread slip down her spine. "Yes, Sir. Nicole Haught." She swallowed audibly.

"Well, Nicole, I'm Sheriff Nedley." He tipped his hat. "And I'd normally give you a warmer welcome to Purgatory, but I can see, that in your short time here, you've already fallen in with the bad crowd." He reached out and took the flask from Nicole's hand.

"I know you don't get paid much, Nedley, but I thought you were above stealing liquor from teens." Wynonna remarked, the once honest look on her face now replaced with something more antagonistic.

"Funny thing about that, Earp," Sheriff Nedley commented as he pocketed the flask. "Your use of the words teens and liquor in the same sentence indicates your own understanding of just how old you are and what you're doing."

"News flash, old man. I'm 18 now so it's completely legal." Wynonna smirked.

"Well," Nedley chuckled, his hands returning to rest on his belt. "Normally that would be true, but you see, drinking in public is still a crime. And I may be old but I do make sure to know everyone that comes into town and you, Miss Haught," Nedley turned to Nicole with a chuckle. "You've still got, what, two weeks until you turn 18?"

Nicole looked down. "Yes, sir."

Sheriff Nedley tilted his head to the side. "Well, lookit that. Wynonna, you could probably learn a thing or two from Miss Haught here."

"What, like how to hand over the evidence to the po-po instead of actually getting rid of it like anyone with half a brain would do?"

"Or, how to keep your mouth shut so I don't smell the liquor on you." Nedley commented with a shake of his head. "Alright," He moved to his car, opening the backseat door. "We've danced this dance before. No matter your age, drinking in public is a very big no-no." He gestured to the open door. "You know the drill."

Nicole looked from Wynonna to the sheriff, disbelief turning to irritation as Wynonna just shrugged at her and headed towards the back of the cruiser.

"Make sure Lonnie doesn't ding the truck when he comes to get it." Wynonna commented, tossing her keys at Nedley before ducking into the backseat.

Sliding into the cruiser, Nicole kept her eyes forward, afraid she'd act on the anger that was now flowing through her veins.

"You two must be out of your damn minds." Gus stood on the other side of the cell bars, hands on hips. "It is god damned Christmas Eve and I'm here picking you two up from jail?"

"Nedley is just abusing his power as always." Wynonna was laying on the slab, her feet propped up on the wall.

"If you mean upholding the law, then sure." Nicole was sitting as far as she could from Wynonna, her head in her hands. She was weary from the constant cold, her fingers tingling uncomfortably and she'd apparently only drank just enough to trigger a headache that was slowly creeping through her skull. "I'm sorry, Gus. I thought we were just going shopping. I didn't know Wynonna was going to..."

"Now's a good time to practice that shutting your mouth skill, ya damn snitch." Wynonna cut her off.

"Both of you, shut up," Gus huffed. "You two are lucky that Randy is in a giving mood because he's decided against keeping the two of you in here for all of Christmas."

As if on queue, Sheriff Nedley came in, twirling his keys around his index finger. "Here's the deal kids. I can either a) charge you with public intoxication and underage drinking," he said with a look at Nicole. "Or, b) I don't file any charges so that maybe you two can get into a good college, and as a tradeoff… well I need someone to clear out the old storage closet in my office before the end of the year."

"That sounds a little pedo, Nedley." Wynonna shifted and to face forward as she sat up. "Getting two impressionable, young girls in your private office to clean out your storage" Wynonna made quotation marks in the air with her fingers before standing up.

"God, Wynonna, can you please just stop talking, " Nicole growled. She knew she should have just stayed home and studied. She turned to the sheriff. "Thank you, Sheriff. As someone who actually might go to college," she cast a glare at Wynonna, "I appreciate that."

Nedley unlocked the door to let them out. "As I said, Wynonna. You could learn a thing or two from this one. Miss Haught, I wish I could say it was a pleasure meeting you, but the circumstances are a bit to the contrary."

As they stepped out into the main station, Nicole didn't expect to see Waverly leaning against the front desk, chatting with the officer there. Hazel eyes narrowed in her direction, the corner of Waverly's mouth tipping up in the slightest smirk in Nicole's direction before turning towards Wynonna.

"Well, at least you guys waited until after the game to get arrested." Waverly laughed as everyone joined her.

"Waverly, could you please drive these two home?" Gus shook her head. "I've got to get back to work."

"Of course!" Waverly beamed a smile at Gus.

"Hey I need to get my stuff from the…" Wynonna started but stopped at Gus's glare. "It's cool. I can get it later." She held her hands up in defense. "Shotgun!" Wynonna called out as they escaped the building.

Getting to the Jeep, Nicole gave Wynonna a look before sliding into the front seat.

"What the hell, Haught? I called shotgun!"

"Get your ass in the back seat before I get my shotgun." Waverly yelled, sliding into the driver's seat, getting the Jeep and more importantly the heat, started.

Nicole pulled off the thick gloves and held her hands up to the vent, sighing softly, ignoring Wynonna's mumbling about selfish Americans from the backseat.

"You know, it's probably a better idea to stay in doors, especially when you're not used to Purgatory winter." Waverly commented as they began to head home.

"Yeah well you should probably tell your sister that."

"You should probably tell your sister that." Wynonna mocked under her breath, but still loud enough for everyone to hear.

Nicole turned and threw her gloves at Wynonna, hitting her directly in the face.

Wynonna shook off her surprise to pick up one of the gloves. "It seemed you have challenged me to a duel, simpleton. Well I accept."

"Well, first an arrest, then the proclamation of a duel. Must be Christmas," Waverly laughed as she turned up the Christmas music.

A knock on the door pulled Nicole from sleep. She hadn't expected Wynonna to actually want to duel her and she'd actually enjoyed the snowball fight that had ensued. But it left her exhausted and she'd fallen into bed early. Looking at the clock, Nicole was surprised to find it was just before midnight. Slipping from bed, rubbing her eyes with the heel of her palm, she opened the door and blinked in surprise. "Hey.. Um… what's up?"

Waverly stood in the doorframe, rocking innocently on her heels, definitely not looking like it was almost midnight. Her red and green Christmas pajamas were still pristine and unruffled which meant she hadn't gone to sleep yet. "Merry Christmas." She grinned.

Nicole blinked again, taking a step back to allow Waverly to come into the room. "Oh, yeah. Merry Christmas."

"I'd say I'm sorry for waking you up but… I'm not." Waverly moved over to sit on the edge of Nicole's bed, revealing a thin box that had been wrapped with silver paper and a red bow. "We have this tradition of unwrapping presents at midnight so I thought it was better I wake you up than Wynonna."

"And do you normally deliver the presents to each others' rooms?" Nicole grabbed her hoodie and slipped it on before running a hand through her hair, taking a seat back on her bed.

"Well, no." Waverly smirked. "But what can I say. I'm a rebel."

Nicole had to laugh at that before reaching under her bed and pulling out a present. "Well then, let's both be rebels." She handed the box to a blushing Waverly.

"You didn't have to get me anything."

"That would only have worked if you hadn't just handed me a present."

Waverly laughed. "Point taken." But still, her fingers lingered, moving slowly as she watched Nicole unwrapping the present. "I wanted to give you this earlier. It probably would have helped, but, alas."

Nicole gave her a curious look as she opened the box. Peeling back the tissue paper, Nicole had to laugh as she pulled out the pair of gloves. They were thinner than the ones she had been using but as she slipped them on, they were much warmer.

"I thought you could use some proper gloves."

Nicole smiled. "These are perfect." Under the gloves she found a beanie, black on the outside and rainbow on the inside. "This… is pretty gay."

Waverly laughed. "Well, it's reversible so you can choose just how gay you want to be."

Nicole couldn't help flipping it inside out so the rainbow was on the outside before slipping it on. "How does it look?" Nicole smiled, seeing Waverly's eyes looking her over.

"You know you always look good, but now just very gay." Waverly's blush darkened slightly before she looked down at the present in her hands.

Nicole felt a strange nervousness as she folded up the tissue and wrapping paper, sticking it in the box which she set aside. "I um… I hope it's okay. I'm usually pretty bad at getting people presents."

Waverly spread the tissue paper and paused, taking in the contents.

"If you don't like it, I still have the receipt and…"

"It's perfect." Waverly ran her fingertips over the softness as she pulled the scarf out. It was off white, blue, and light grey for most of the length of it with exception of sections that were blue, yellow and pink, knit of the softest yarn. She wrapped it around her neck and smiled. "How does it look?"

Adorable. Nicole blinked as she took in the sight before her. "Looks good," she settled on, offering a slight smile.

"It's so soft." Waverly smiled softly as she held the material to her face. "Thank you, Nicole."

"Merry Christmas, Waverly." Nicole looked down at her glove covered hands, feeling suddenly awkward.

"We should go before Wynonna comes looking for us."

"I'll catch up." Nicole waited for Waverly to leave before she took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "What the fuck are you thinking?" She asked herself as she pulled the gloves off. Breathing in, she could still smell the sweet scent of Waverly's perfume or lotion or whatever it was. She reached for the picture of Shae on her nightstand, tracing the lines of her face. She had spent so much time the past few months, crying and in pain, and she never thought she'd smile again…

In the reflection of the glass, she saw herself wearing the rainbow beanie and she bit her bottom lip. God she was so confused, stuck in a ball of conflicting emotions she wasn't sure what to do with.

With another slow exhale, she returned the photo to its place before slipping off the bed, heading towards the living room where she could already hear Wynonna and Waverly bickering.

#wynonna earp #wayhaught #christmas chapter #wefanfic #we fanfic #pour me more

[haughtbreaker]

Wynonna thinks Nicole needs a little bit of socialization, but will a party bring more strife than joy?

Thanks again to @jaybear1701​. Always a rockstar. This chapter gets a bit... much. Sorry. But also not sorry. I like breaking things. I'm horrible. TW: Mention of Suicide; Anxiety; Heavy alcohol use; Abortion

**Companion song: Across the Universe (Fiona Apple Cover)**

 "Are you going to tell him?"

Wynonna stared out the window, watching as the world skimmed by. She hated this town and the town hated her. "No." Unfortunately, it would always be home because it's where Waverly was.

There was a soft sigh as the SUV continued out of town, heading towards Gus's property.

Wynonna reached up to trace a path of water dripping down a window, trying not to think about the cramping, or… "It's better he not know. You know Henry. He'll probably cry or some bullshit like that." She didn't want to think about it. She needed to just lock it away. 

"And you don't think you should have…"

"No." Wynonna looked at Xavier who was behind the wheel. "Telling him would destroy him. It would literally kill him." She'd known as unfair as it was to Xavier, he would help her. He was always the most dependable of her tiny circle. She might even consider him a friend at that point, even if it was just because he was in love with her.

"It's your choice," Xavier finally said, returning his eyes to the road.

"My choice," Wynonna repeated. As they coursed down the road, Wynonna was relieved to finally see the shape of the house they'd lived in since… that night. Choice was such a bullshit word. There was no choice really. Two forms of birth control and fate still felt like fucking with her. 

As the SUV came to a stop, Wynonna put on the smile she'd been practicing, turning to Xavier. "Thanks X, you're a lifesaver." She opened the door and hopped out, turning back to him again. "You should come over Friday night. I'm gonna have a party."

"Do you really think you should?"

Wynonna rolled her eyes. "I'm fine. I just need to drink… a lot."

Xavier nodded. "What time?"

With a snort, Wynonna pulled her phone out of her pocket, swiping away a text from Henry. She was definitely not ready to see him. "I'll text you. It'll probably be 7ish but I need to convince Waves first."

Xavier nodded again. "Ok. Get some rest. Take your antibiotics."

"Thanks, Mom," Wynonna called out before shutting the door. She made sure she had her bag on her as she made her way up the front stairs. Gus was thankfully gone, probably getting supplies to prepare for her upcoming trip.

Waverly's Jeep was parked out front but when Wynonna entered the house, she only saw Nicole, sitting at the dining room table which surprised her. Over the last few weeks, it was rare that Nicole and Waverly were separate, which she found strange. Waverly had never been one to stay home all the time. At first, Wynonna had attributed it to the breakup with Champ and their overlapping circles. It wasn't until that one afternoon she smelt weed coming from downstairs that the sight she was greeted with made her think otherwise.

"Is this really your hair color?"

Wynonna stopped mid-stair at the scene she saw before her. She'd only swung by home to switch shoes when a familiar smell had brought her to the basement door. It was still early afternoon and she did not expect to see her sister sitting on the couch with Nicole's head resting on her thigh as she ran her fingers through auburn hair.

"Unfortunately," Nicole answered slowly, her toes tapping to the soft music that poured from the speakers connected to the record player.

"What in gay shit is going on here?" Wynonna asked as she walked over to the couch.

"Hey Earp," Nicole spoke in a slurred speech, on the verge of passing out.

"Shouldn't you two be in school?"

Waverly chuckled. "She had a panic attack earlier. so I drove her home."

"Man panic attacks are the worst." Wynonna picked the box up, looking at the diminished supplies. "Good choice of strains." A thought occurred to her as she looked at her sister who was way too high and seemed to be studying Nicole's face. It took her a minute to register what Waverly had said. "You drove her home? What about your perfect attendance?"

Waverly shrugged. "It's fine. I mean… I'm sure my college app is padded enough."

Wynonna blinked in disbelief at Waverly's nonchalance. From what Gus had told her, Waverly had kept her attendance spotless and now she was willing to give it up that easily? Just another thing she filed away for later.

"You know what you need, Haught?"

Nicole sighed softly, looking up from her text book. Wynonna had an excited look on her face and one of the things she'd learned over the past few weeks was that when Wynonna was excited about something, it was probably going to be chaos. "What's that, Earp?"

Wynonna slung her arm over Nicole's shoulder, leaning closer and whispering, "A house party."

Nicole sighed again. That was the last thing she wanted. In the past few weeks, school had been… strained to say the least, after her panic attack. While she'd managed to ignore most of the negativity, a party would be inviting that negativity into her after-school life. But parties weren't always bad. She didn't want to be around a lot of people, but she could really use a drink. "Aren't you a little old for house parties?"

"Haha." Wynonna removed her arm before slugging Nicole on the shoulder. "Funny. You're a real riot. Well let me tell you something about Purgatory, Cali-girl. In Purgatory, you're never too old for a house party."

Nicole winced as she rubbed her shoulder. "Sounds…" She wasn't even sure how it sounded.

"You don't have to say it, I can see the excitement in your eyes." Wynonna slapped the top of the table. "Gus is out of town this weekend with her annual tomatuh festival," she mocked Gus's accent. "So we've been tasked with, you know, protecting the house, protecting Waverly's chastity, making sure you don't off yourself…"

"I'm pretty sure Waverly is old enough to watch herself." Nicole refused to be baited.

"You're killin me, Smalls." Wynonna looked up as Waverly entered with her own stack of books. "Help me out here, Waves."

Waverly rose an eyebrow. "Experience tells me I should take Nicole's side on this." She sat down at the table beside Nicole, beginning to spread out her books in preparation for their study session, a habit they'd formed the second week of school together. After all, it made sense. They had almost all the same classes.

"So you don't want a party this weekend?"

Now, Waverly pursed her lips, looking from Nicole to Wynonna.

"See!" Wynonna laughed as she moved over and threw her arm around Waverly's shoulders. "Waverly has the true spirit of an Earp."

"I mean…" Waverly toyed with a pencil between her fingers. "I do feel like since I broke up with Champ, I've been a little isolated."

"Excellent. Hop onboard the hype train, Haught."

Nicole sighed, looking at Waverly who was watching her with an amused look. "I guess."

"Fuck yes." Wynonna yelled as she left the room, heading upstairs without another word.

Waverly seemed to be watching her closely. "Are you sure you're going to be ok?"

Nicole gave her a tight-lipped smile. "Well… I guess we'll see. I really need a drink and the people… well I can just hide in my room if it gets too much." When Waverly began going through her homework, Nicole felt a ball of anxiety beginning to form in her belly.

Nicole looked around the crowded house, trying not to let anxiety get to her. It hadn't worsened, but it hadn't gotten any better.

"What are you doing?" Waverly suddenly popped up, drink in hand.

"Just… observing." Nicole took a sip from the cup in her own hand. It wasn't too bad for a high school party.

"You're brooding."

Nicole rose an eyebrow. "I don't brood." Somehow, Waverly's sunny presence was comforting and Nicole felt herself beginning to relax. "I'm just a fan of watching."

Waverly laughed at that. "Ok. If you want to watch, you can at least be comfortable." She reached down and grabbed Nicole's free hand, beginning to pull her through the crowd.

Looking down at their joint hands, Nicole allowed herself to be pulled forward. She could have easily stood her ground, could have resisted, but she couldn't find a reason to. She was surprised as she was pushed down onto the couch and Waverly sat down beside her.

Nicole noticed that Waverly was like a beacon - a strong light drawing in her friends that appeared one by one, plopping down on the chairs, or on the floor until it seemed like they were surrounded by what felt like half the party.

"All right bitches!" Wynonna kicked a chair over to the coffee table, her hands filled with glasses and a new bottle. "Time to have some fun."

"Oh no." Waverly gave Nicole a look.

Nicole didn't move from her position, instead she took a sip of beer. "What's on your mind, Elder Earp?" She could already feel a light buzz going and she was comfortable.

"I say we play a game." Wynonna plopped down into a chair and began setting out shot glasses. "Nerd, get in here." Wynonna pointed at Jeremy as he was about to run away. "Henry, Bitchy Blonde," Wynonna slid a shot glass over to Stephanie. "Haught pants, Baby Girl." Glasses found homes to as many people could fit around the coffee table.

"Not playing, X?" Waverly called over to Xavier who was lingering always in the background, sipping from a bottle of water.

"Designated driver." Was all he said with a shrug.

Nicole sighed as she turned to face the coffee table. "Okay… what are we playing." So much for staying under the radar.

"Never have I ever," Wynonna declared, getting a round of groans. "Oh believe me, it's a lot safer than truth or dare. Ask Henry." She gave him a wink.

Everyone wanted to ask, but it was Jeremy who broke the silent taboo, "What happened to Henry?"

Wynonna laughed, but didn't answer.

As if he knew just explaining wouldn't do it justice, Henry tugged his shirt up, revealing a silver barbell that went through his right nipple.

"Nope." Waverly shook her head. "Just nope."

Chrissy was about to reach out to touch it until Waverly captured her wrist with a shake of her head and Henry lowered his shirt.

Nicole had to laugh at that. "Not a fan of nipple piercings?"

Waverly shook her head. "Nope. Just nope." She crossed her arms over her chest before freezing, turning to look at Nicole. "Why? Is it something you've…"

Nicole cleared her throat,having learned that Waverly's curiosity was immeasurable and would often take over and drive her crazy. Instead of answering, she turned to Wynonna. "So, Never Have I Ever…"

"Everyone knows the rules, but let's go over them for the nerds." Wynonna poured herself a shot just to have one. "We go around the table. One person says something they've never done, and if anyone else has done it, they take a shot. I'll start." With a smirk, she spoke, "Never have I ever gotten straight A's in a quarter."

"Asshole." Waverly laughed, setting her shot glass on the table. She was joined by Jeremy and Nicole almost laughed at the look Waverly gave her when she set her own glass down.

"What? I used to be a brainiac…" Nicole lifted her glass, mentally preparing herself for the shot. "Until I discovered alcohol and sex," she said before drinking the shot. She tried not to laugh as Waverly began coughing up her shot, her face turning bright red. Nicole reached out and gently pat her on the back.

"Well, this is going to be fun." Wynonna rubbed her hands together as she handed the bottle to Jeremy.

"Oh." He looked around in surprise before his face screwed up seriously. He looked like he was trying to conjure an entire army of dark spirits or something nerdy like that before Wynonna gently kicked him. "Okay okay. Never have I ever…" Jeremy paused, his cheeks coloring a bright red, "kissed a boy."

There was a groan as most of the glasses hit the table. Nicole knew her own glass would have probably been the most surprising if it weren't for Henry's glass sliding towards Jeremy. Jeremy's eyes grew twice as big as he stumbled with the bottle of liquor, beginning to fill the shot glasses.

"Something you wanna tell us, Hank?" Wynonna commented with a smirk.

Henry retrieved his filled shot glass with a shrug. "A gentleman doesn't kiss and tell," he commented before swallowing the shot.

They continued around the group once, each turn getting equal amounts of groans and laughter. They'd each had a sufficient amount of alcohol in their system as they began the second round.

It was her turn again as Waverly hummed softly to herself. She tapped her lips, obviously trying to think of something good that hadn't already been said.

"Never have I ever seen such a bigger waste of time," Wynonna commented, nudging Waverly with the tip of her boot.

"Okay okay." Waverly's eyes came up to meet Nicole's before quickly moving away. "Never have I ever kissed a girl in a more-than-friends way."

"Well fuck me." Wynonna sighed heavily as she set her shot glass on the table.

Nicole set her own down, a small spike of curiosity flowing through her as Waverly's eyes kept darting to her and quickly away.

Henry put his glass down and looked at Jeremy.

"Thankfully not me." Jeremy shook his head. Although he'd only had one shot, being so obviously the most innocent of the group, he was still a little more than buzzed. He didn't drink often.

Chrissy set her shot glass down and everyone looked at her. "What? Shit happens when you drink too much." She chuckled.

"Why Chrissy Nedley... as I live and breathe." Waverly laughed as she dished out the shots.

Nicole couldn't help laughing as she retrieved her glass. She was feeling significantly more relaxed and was starting to enjoy the night.

That is, until it came to Stephanie's turn for a second time.

The night had been going a little too smoothly until Stephanie, who'd obviously drank too much, lifted the bottle and pretended to think. Her smirk was thick with malice as she looked across the table directly at Nicole. "Never have I ever wanted to kill myself"

It was as if time slowed down, everyone at the table frozen in a moment of disbelief.

Surprisingly, Wynonna leaned forward to speak. "What the…" Her voice trailed off as Nicole set her shot glass on the table, one eyebrow twitching up in challenge.

Stephanie seemed to find glee in it as she began to fill up the shot glass.

Another clink made the group jump as a second glass hit the table, sliding towards Nicole's.

Nicole barely heard the gasps that went around the room as she followed the path the glass came from, her eyes locking with Waverly's. She froze, not sure if she should say something, or if Waverly even wanted her to say anything. She'd known for a while there was a sadness behind those eyes, but they'd never talked about it.

After a second, Waverly broke the eye contact and looked at Stephanie who seemed frozen in place. "Well, what are you waiting for? Fill it up."

There was another clink, and Wynonna pushed her glass towards the middle, looking at no one but Stephanie with venom in her gaze.

Suddenly there was a fourth glass, then a fifth, then a sixth and Nicole felt her eyes burning with unshed tears. She looked around to see familiar somber faces, each person willing to bring their demons to the surface at that moment.

To her credit, Stephanie didn't dare say anything as she filled the collection of glasses on the table.

Everyone retrieved theirs before Nicole but didn't drink, as if waiting for her to take the lead, each of their glasses filled with the guilt that was too hard to swallow. Nicole lifted her own glass and stared at Stephanie before quickly knocking the shot back.

Without saying anything else, Nicole set the glass down, stood up, and walked away from the table.

"What the fuck, Stephanie?" Waverly turned to her friend. She couldn't believe the girl would be so cruel.

"What?" Stephanie asked in defense. "It's just a game, Waves."

"If you seriously don't see what you did wrong, you need to get the fuck out of my house." Waverly pushed up from her seat, ignoring the shocked silence around her and walking off in the direction Nicole had disappeared. She went from room to room on the ground floor, regretting inviting as many people as had shown up. She'd thought she'd seen Nicole go into the kitchen but when she got there it was empty.

Turning to leave, she didn't expect to run straight into Wynonna.

Wynonna's eyes scanned the room quickly before settling on Waverly.

"Wynonna, I'm trying to find…" Waverly was cut off as Wynonna pulled her into a hug. She froze.

It seemed like forever until Wynonna pushed back, looking in her eyes. "You're the most important person in the world to me. I just wanted to make sure you know that."

After a long moment, Waverly nodded. "I know, Wynonna."

Shifting uncomfortably, Wynonna quickly kissed Waverly on the forehead and pushed her away. "I need a damn beer."

Watching her walk away, Waverly smiled before returning to her search. Not finding her anywhere downstairs, Waverly wound her way between the people to get upstairs. She was about to head towards Nicole's room when she felt a draft coming from under the closed door. Furrowing her brow, she opened the door to find the room empty. On the wall opposite the door, the window was wide open, letting in a gust from outside. "What the…" Rubbing her arms, she moved across the room. "Nicole?"

Nicole sighed softly as she tucked the bottle of vodka into her pocket, lifting the window open. A gust of cold air poured in and Nicole was glad she was wearing thermals under her clothes and coat. Ever so carefully, she stepped out onto the roof, making sure her boots wouldn't slip on the shingles.

The music from down below seemed to shake the house slightly, but with no neighbors for miles, it didn't matter much. Apparently the Earp girls knew a LOT of people, Nicole mused as she took a seat on the roof and pulled out the bottle of vodka, trying not to think too much about the game before.

Maybe she'd gotten used to the cold a little, but she swore it didn't bother her quite as much anymore. Taking a swig from her bottle, she looked up at the stars. She'd spent many nights under the stars back home and it was so strange for the stars to not be where they were supposed to be. Not only that, but there were so many more stars. Back home, the light pollution made it difficult to see more than the larger stars, even in the desert.

But here, on the roof of Gus's house, she could easily see an endless amount of shining pinpoints of light . She could almost see the ribbons of colors wrapped around and defining galaxies, or maybe she was imagining it. Was Shae somewhere up there, between the earth and infinity?

Her parents hadn't raised her to be religious, so she wasn't sure about the afterlife - if there was an afterlife at all. She couldn't imagine heaven or hell, but she knew her dreams were haunted by Shae's presence. She had to wonder if it was helping or making things worse. Either way, she couldn't imagine her life without Shae, even if it meant just in her dreams.

Swallowing another mouthful of vodka, she looked down at one arm, her hand pulling back the sleeves slowly, revealing marred flesh inch by inch. She could still feel it, the pull that came from within, tempting her with promises of peace. It was a strange feeling, knowing that a handful of pills a few times a day was the only thing helping her resist the voice. But now, it was like the idiotic game played by children was almost enough to break the dam of control she'd maintained.

Nicole's mind took her back to that night, when the grief had taken over. She remembered watching her lifeforce escaping her body. She'd never thought that much blood would look like that, the way the color had flecks of texture, not unlike the way metallic paint shined in the light. It was almost as if she could see the red and white blood cells spreading across the desk, watering down as it began to mix with the bottle of vodka she'd dropped when she lost strength in her hands.

"Nicole?"

Pulling her sleeves back into place, Nicole wiped away the tears she hadn't realized had streaked down her cheeks before looking towards the window.

Waverly's head popped out the window, looking around before curious eyes settled on Nicole. "Oh, you're out here…" She let her voice trail off, whether from not knowing what to say or the cold, Nicole couldn't be sure but she saw the girl wrinkle her nose, beginning to rub at her arms to fight the chill.

Nicole nodded. "Yeah, I just needed to get away from the crowd for a few," she said, as if Waverly hadn't been there, witnessing everything that had happened..

"Oh, okay." Waverly paused for a second before disappearing back into the room.

Waverly was so strange sometimes, Nicole thought as she took a drink. And yet, she wondered if she'd been a bit rude, going over her response. It wasn't rude to want peace was it? Did Waverly think Nicole was trying to get away from her to avoid talking about what had happened? That wasn't it at all.

Nicole sighed. It was just another thing she would probably have to apologize for later. Whenever she saw Waverly again. Which came a lot sooner than she thought as she heard a noise at the window and saw Waverly squirming out, this time dressed in more suitable clothes, a blanket in one hand, and a thermos in the other.

"Here, take this." Waverly didn't give Nicole a chance to protest before she handed her the thermos, shaking out the blanket and taking a seat next to Nicole.

Nicole rose an eyebrow as she handed the thermos back. "Hello."

"Hi," Waverly responded simply, uncapping the thermos and pouring the steaming liquid into the cover before handing it to Nicole, who took it more out of polite habit.

"What's this?" Setting her bottle of vodka aside, Nicole couldn't help but be drawn in by the heat being emitted from the drink.

"Hot chocolate." Waverly answered with a big smile before leaning closer.

"You…" Nicole brought the cup up to smell it, surprised by the chocolate scent. "You made hot chocolate?"

Waverly nodded with a proud smile. "Don't be so surprised. It's vegan… including vegan Bailey's and whipped cream flavored vodka."

Nicole eyed it suspiciously.

"It's not poisonous, Asshole." Waverly nudged Nicole's shoulder before taking a drink straight from the thermos.

With a soft chuckle, Nicole took a small sip. She paused for a moment to let her brain try to catch up with her taste buds. After a few seconds, she took a larger sip.

"Mmm hmm. That's what I thought." Waverly took another sip from the thermos before looking up at the stars.

It wasn't traditional hot chocolate, slightly sharper and actually silker, but Nicole enjoyed it nonetheless. "Thank you." Looking up at the stars, Nicole felt a strange shift in the environment, or maybe it was a shift in herself. She had been thirsting for the silence, away from the crowd of teen obscenity that was happening on the bottom floor of the house.

Away from Stephanie.

And yet she didn't mind Waverly's presence. She didn't take up too much space like people often did when invading your privacy.

Waverly sniffled, rubbing a bit of steam away from her face. "I um... I wanted to…"

"Don't apologize for her," Nicole quickly spoke up. She gave Waverly a tight-lipped smile. "There's enough in life we all have to apologize for. You don't need to take the weight of other people's bullshit."

Waverly paused, a pensive look on her face. "I'm not gonna apologize for her," she said softly, looking down into her thermos as she thought about her response. "Stephanie is a bitch and she shouldn't have said that."

"Oh."

Waverly sighed. "But I do want to say I am extremely sorry… from a completely not in my house kind of way… even though it's not really my house, it's Gus's."

Nicole had to smile at that. "So… is that why you came out here? To apologize for something you didn't do just because it happened in a house that's not yours?"

Canting her head to the side, Waverly shrugged. "I wanted to make sure you were okay, which you seem to be. What are you doing out here?"

Finishing the last of her hot chocolate, Nicole set the cup to the side. She leaned back until she was laying on the slant of the roof, feeling the chill of the surface even through her coat. "It's quiet and the view is nice." She pointed up at the sky. "I've never seen this many stars before."

Waverly looked up at the sky and it was quiet for a moment, with the exception of the ever present sound of bass coming from downstairs. "I suppose it would be different for a city girl like you."

Nicole rose an eyebrow as she looked at Waverly, seeing the smile in her side profile. "That's mighty small town of you to say."

"It's not even the best view," Waverly commented as she closed up her thermos, grabbing the cup Nicole had emptied and fastening it to the top. "You should see it from my old house." She sighed softly, seeming to be lost in her own thoughts for a minute. "It's further from town so there's not as much light pollution...Especially in the fall and winter when the skies light up." Her voice was soft and Nicole found herself sitting up to hear better.

"Really?" Nicole could see the emotions in Waverly's face even from the side, a bit of sadness and loss seeming to surface, but when hazel eyes turned her way, it took everything in her not to gasp. With the angle she was sitting at, she could see the glimmer of emotion and an expression she couldn't quite identify - it was like Nicole could see the stars reflected in her eyes.

"Chocolate finally hitting you?" Waverly asked, a smirk spreading across her face and washing away any bit of melancholy that might have been peeking through.

It must have been the alcohol, Nicole told herself as she found herself inspecting the features of Waverly's face. "Yeah." Nicole looked away, her mind spinning. "Must be the chocolate… and all the alcohol."

A comfortable silence fell between them for a minute until Waverly spoke once more.

"You don't really have pierced nipples do you?"

Nicole just laughed.

#wayhaught #wynonna earp #tw: mention of suicide attempt #tw: anxiety #tw: abortion #tw: alcohol #tw: blood #wefanfic #we fanfic #pour me more

[haughtbreaker]

A reaction fic to wynonna earp 3x08

#wynonna earp #wayhaught #wefanfic

[haughtbreaker]

Well, this is it guys. Thank you so much for joining us on this journey. We appreciated each and every one of your kudos and comments. Special thanks to @jaybear1701 who agreed to write this with me when I realized how much of a monster this story would be.

"It's so strange, when you're down, and lying on the floor How you rise, shake your head, get up and ask for more Clear-headed and open-eyed, with nothing left untried Standing calmly at the crossroads, no desire to run There's no hurry anymore when all is said and done."

 "Shit." Nicole cursed under her breath as she dove to the ground, taking up the space beside Waverly. She was feeling a little winded but still she smiled. The overturned table kept them protected from the chaos behind them. "You still armed?"

Waverly nodded. "Just barely." She couldn't help but smile, her eyes drifting over Nicole's form, the casual yet still elegant wedding dress she wore split up the side, revealing a very long leg that brought a flush to Waverly's cheeks. "If I don't get another chance, I wanted to say I really love you." She spoke wistfully, watching caramel eyes lighting up in delight.

"You are the love of my life, Mrs. Haught." Nicole smirked, leaning towards her new wife for a kiss.

"Earp-Haught." Waverly corrected her with a chuckle before returning the kiss in earnest. A loud crash sounded and Waverly pushed Nicole away. "Let's continue this later when stakes are a teeny bit less dire."

"You bet your ass we will." Nicole lifted her gun. "On 3?"

Waverly nodded. "3…"

"2…"

"1!" They shouted together as they popped up from behind the table together, only to find themselves staring down the barrels of two guns pointed directly at them.

Brown eyes narrowed at them, turning a lighter shade of caramel in the sunlight, blazing red hair tucked under a black stetson. "Make your peace." The 2-year-old spoke with as menacing a voice as he could before pulling the triggers, dousing the chests of both women with a fair amount of water.

"Ahhh!" Nicole yelled. "I'm hit! I'm hit!" She crumbled to the ground, holding her chest as the boy squealed in delight.

"Noooo…" Waverly crumbled beside Nicole. "We never should have taken on the infamous Billy the Kid!"

"At least we'll die together." Nicole groaned, pulling Waverly to her.

The boy laughed louder, throwing both hands up in victory until a surprising yell caused all three to jump.

"William Henry James! What did I tell you?"

Whitney stalked over with intent, taking the guns away from him. "For the hundredth time," with a smirk she aimed the guns at her mothers, "right between the eyes, Honey." She told him before pulling the triggers, hitting both Nicole and Waverly right in the foreheads just before a water balloon burst against her shoulder, dousing her completely. "Oh my god!" She turned. "Aunt Wyn... You're so dead!"

Pushing herself up to her elbows, Nicole watched as her daughter took off after Wynonna. Around them, kids were running about, shooting each other with water guns in the corralled area. On the other side of the fence, however, the adults were in varying stages of inebriation. "You think anyone would notice if we snuck off?"

Waverly laughed at the prospect, standing up and trying to dust off the dress she wore. "Sweetie, I don't think we can escape the Kiddie Corral without someone noticing." She offered her hand down to Nicole who took it more for the gesture than actually needing help up.

As if on queue, their tiny assailant ran straight into Nicole's leg with a grunt before he looked up, a huge smile on his face as his arms reached towards her. "Grandma, up?"

Nicole laughed, picking him up easily and settling him on her hip. "Kid, you are gonna be too heavy to carry soon." She kissed him on the cheek. "You wanna go get some cake?"

"Yes!" He yelled happily.

"Like he needs more sugar." Waverly commented as she followed Nicole, barely avoiding a crowd of running kids.

Nicole smirked, leading the way out of the area and over to the food tent. "You know what the best thing about being a grandma is?" She asked as Waverly's hand slipped into her own, their fingers intertwining.

"That we don't have to worry about him not going to sleep?"

"Exactly." Nicole headed straight for the dessert table, smiling at Jeremy who was expertly dishing out slices of the brightly colored wedding cake.

"Hello ladies… and gentleman."

"Jeremy, could we have the largest slice of cake you have that also has the most frosting?" Nicole asked specifically.

"I might have kept a corner piece for you specifically." Jeremy winked as he pulled out a plate already loaded with a large piece of cake. "Only the best for my special guy." He leaned forward, offering his palm to Billy.

"High five!" Billy yelled as he slapped Jeremy's hand.

"Yes!" Jeremy handed the cake out. "At least someone around here loves me."

"Awww. We love you." Waverly took the plate. "Thanks, Jer." She followed Nicole and Billy to their table, enjoying the moment to sit down and just take a minute to be calm.

"Hey Kid. Use your fork." Nicole scolded their grandson, handing him the plastic utensil. Her eyes tilting up to look at Waverly, she found her wife watching her with a sappy smile. "What?"

"You're beautiful." Waverly reached up to remove a blade of grass from auburn hair.

"You're not so bad yourself." Nicole laughed. "Actually you're gorgeous." She corrected herself, leaning towards Waverly for a kiss.

"Ewww. No!" Billy pushed them apart. "My Grandma." He told Waverly with a scowl, waving his frosting-covered fork in her direction..

"What?" Waverly laughed, grabbing the fork from him. "Don't you threaten me, Kiddo. She was mine first." Looking up at Nicole, she rolled her eyes. "This is what happens when you spoil him."

"What?" Nicole gave her a mock surprised look. "You're not spoiled, are you Billy?"

"No!" He laughed, his mouth covered in frosting.

"You spoilin' my kid?" Whitney asked with a huff, plopping down on a chair. "Oh man, how much cake has he eaten?"

Knowing exactly how much, Nicole shrugged. "We lost track."

"You're doing this on purpose," Whitney complained. "I don't know why I ever brought you two back together." She joked. "You're lucky I love the both of you. I should make you watch him so I can study for my finals."

"Oh no." Nicole laughed as she wiped a bit of frosting from Billy's cheek. "Tonight is my wedding night and it is my sworn duty to deflower your mother."

"Mom!"

"Awww, Sweetie." Waverly gave Nicole a sympathetic look, reaching up to cup her cheek. "You were too late the first time, but we can pretend if you want."

"You guys are so gross." Whitney covered her eyes.

"What's gross?"

Nicole looked up with a smile at her mother who sat down at the table with a newly filled glass of champagne. "Hey, where's Dad?"

"I don't know. Talking about hockey or politics or something with Jesse." Her mother took a sip of her drink before clearing her throat. "What's gross again?"

Nicole smirked. "Premarital sex." She answered before taking a sip from her own glass.

"Oh." Mrs. Haught sniffled. "Well, that hasn't really been a concern of yours since you were 15 now has it?"

"Wait… 15?" Whitney's eyes grew in size.

Nicole choked on her drink. "What? How the…"

"You always were as subtle as a freight train, Nicole." Alexandria gave her a straightforward look, daring her to argue.

"Ok can we not talk about this in front of my grandson?" Nicole gestured to Billy who seemed only interested in shoving fistfuls of cake into his mouth.

"Oh like you were talking about deflowering my mother on her wedding night?" Whitney laughed. "I'm sure my mother wouldn't mind hearing about your teenage conquests."

Waverly snorted. "Oh I know every single name on that list."

"Ok can we not?" Nicole felt her cheeks burning a bright red before Waverly leaned over and pressed a kiss to one of said cheeks. "Thanks, Mom." She glared at the oldest Haught.

A loud commotion from the the grilling area got everyone's attention and Nicole was surprised to see Wynonna in what looked like a heated debate with both her father and Jesse.

"Oh no." Mrs. Haught stood up, dusting her slacks off. "I should go calm your father."

"Oh boy…" Whitney stood up. "I better go too…"

"Hey." Nicole thought quickly, lifting up Billy with a huff. "Go hand him to Wynonna. She'll calm down quickly."

"Good idea." Whitney commented, grabbing her son and rushing off after Nicole's mother.

Nicole shook her head, wiping the frosting off her hands on the only clean napkin she could find. She looked up to find Waverly watching her with a soft look. "I love you."

"I love you too." Waverly moved right next to her, bumping her gently with a loving smile. "Thank you."

Raising her eyebrows, Nicole returned the smile with a slightly more bewildered one. "For what?"

"Coming back to Purgatory."

Nicole's smile softened. "Where else would I be?" Leaning forward, she pressed a soft kiss to Waverly's lips, feeling a love that had grown between them the past few years. She'd thought it was impossible to love Waverly any more than she had 25 years ago, but everyday she found that love growing just a bit more.

"I can think of somewhere else we could be." Waverly wiggled her eyebrows.

"So can I," Nicole laughed, leaning forward for another kiss just before something hit Waverly and a cold rush of water splashed over the both of them. Looking up in shock, Nicole was surprised to see Wynonna standing in shock behind a laughing Billy, another water balloon in his hands.

"My grandma!" He yelled.

"He's gonna get it." Waverly finally growled, pecking a quick kiss on Nicole's lips before she took off after the now running toddler.

Nicole could only laugh as she pushed off the seat and followed.

#wynonna earp #wayhaught #nicole haught #waverly earp #wefanfic #mamma mia au

[haughtbreaker]

Until Then

Aparently @jaybear1701 and I dedicate too much smut to each other, so I’ll dedicate this  Wayhaught “not smut” to @kind-of-always-late because she’s the only EHW logged on right now… 

“Waves…” Nicole’s voice has a warning tone before there’s a bright flash followed by a mechanical whirl, the Polaroid slipping out of the small Camera. “Come on.”

Waverly is wearing just Nicole’s old uniform shirt, only the shirt, with the two lowest buttons fastened and the sleeves rolled up to her elbows. She has the biggest smile on her face as she shakes the small rectangle, as if it would speed up the development, as if she didn’t already know it wouldn’t. “Stop being a worry wart. You can’t see anything.” She sets the camera aside before leaning forward, placing a kiss to Nicole’s bare shoulder. “And what you can see is crazy gorgeous.” She offers the picture to Nicole, lets her see just how innocent… no, how beautiful the photo is.

“Hmph.” Nicole is still laying on her stomach, the blanket just covering her up to her waist as she gives Waverly a curmudgeoned grunt but hands the picture back. “Don’t make me regret letting you keep that.”

“Mmmm, Officer Haught…” Waverly smirks. “This picture is for me and me alone. My personal spank bank.” It’s a joke… probably, she decides as she sets the picture on the nightstand before returning her attention to Nicole. It never ceases to amaze her how gorgeous Nicole is, especially naked in bed. It wasn’t sexual… correction, it wasn’t just sexual. Nicole has smooth skin that’s soft yet firm from the muscles beneath the surface. Every inch of her is sculpted to perfection from the countless hours she spent in Purgatory’s only gym.

Waverly picks up the camera and takes another photo from another angle. Nicole turns to her again to complain but Waverly is quick to cover her lips with a kiss. “I love you.” She whispers between kisses.

Nicole doesn’t waste any time, doesn’t care that Waverly had just put the shirt on 10 minutes ago, but she hooks her finger in the buttoned portion, pulling her closer before undoing the two buttons.

Waverly is quick to follow Nicole who rolls onto her back, straddling the officer’s waist as hands slide up her sides. She starts to shuck off the now unbuttoned shirt, but Nicole shakes her head.

“Leave it on.” Nicole sits up, wrapping one arm around Waverly’s waist and easily pulling her as close as possible. “You look way better in it than I ever did.”

Waverly laughs. “Liar, Liar. Pants on fire.” Looking down Nicole’s bare body, she twitches her eyebrows. “Not that you’re wearing any pants.”

“Neither are you.” Nicole made her point by grabbing Waverly’s ass with both hands.

Waverly just smiles, enjoying the close proximity. “One of these days you’re going to let me take your picture.” She says matter  of factly.

“Don’t hold your breath.” Nicole shakes her head.

“It’s going to happen.” Waverly tangles her fingers in red hair, brushing a kiss against the corner of Nicole’s mouth. “Maybe not today, but one day you’ll agree. Until then…” She kisses a path along Nicole’s jaw. “I’ll just have to memorize everything,” She explains, applying enough pressure to push Nicole back down.  

#wayhaught #wefanfic #wynonna earp #fluff

[haughtbreaker]

Summary: Waverly Earp is used to being disappointed for her birthday, but she’s never spent her birthday with Nicole Haught before.

Note: So today is Waverly’s birthday and I thought I’d post a little birthday fic.

“Wake up.”

The voice is soft and inviting, but Waverly doesn’t want to listen. She knows what today is. As positive as she tries to be on a daily basis, it’s the one day a year she normally falls into a slump, barely able to smile yet pressing on. She would rather just sleep in, shorten the waking hours that are usually filled with disappointment.

“Come on, baby.” The voice is so hard to ignore. She can hear the smile in Nicole’s voice, warm and tempting like the arm wrapped around her waist, gently stroking her back through the oversized t-shirt she wore.

She doesn’t want to subject Nicole to the self she knows she is today, grumpy and morose, easy to set off. Twenty-one… no Twenty-two years of disappointment were hard to combat. Unfortunately, her resistance to wake up results in the arm around her waist disappearing. She can’t help it but a whimper slips from her lips, unbeckoned, yet unable to stop. It’s a reflex, the way she reaches out for Nicole’s arm, wanting to be back in her warm haven.

Suddenly she feels the softest of brushes along the bridge of her nose. She twitches her nose in reflex, breathing in a sweet and slightly spicy scent she doesn’t expect and her eyes open instantly in surprise. She blinks, her vision blurred by dark red that’s so close it nearly forces her eyes to cross before she recognizes the shape of a rose.

“About time you wake up, Sleepy.” Nicole leans down to kiss her softly before leaning back, offering her the rose.

Waverly accepts the bloom without a second thought, surprised to find the stem smoothed of all thorns. It’s so Nicole to do that. “What’s this for?” Hope blossoms larger than the rose and she knows it’s a risk because she never told Nicole about what day it was.

“Well, I would think I wouldn’t need a reason,” Nicole chuckles, pressing her forehead to Waverly’s. “I could say it’s because you are radiant, and the love of my life,” she laughs a little more because she sees the grin spread across Waverly’s lips, “and I know you don’t like to celebrate it, but I wanted to say Happy Birthday.”

The tears come unbidden, a dam broken from years of disappointment and heartache. Waverly doesn’t want to cry, because Nicole is being ridiculously sappy this morning, but she can’t seem to stop.

“Hey.” Nicole hesitates in confusion for the barest of moments before pulling Waverly into her arms. “Shit I’m sorry, Baby. We don’t have to celebrate.”

“No no.” Waverly shakes her head, angrily wiping away her tears because she doesn’t want Nicole to feel bad, hates the fact that she’s letting something this idiotic have power over her. “I’m just… I’m not used to anyone remembering.” She knows she’s being silly, knows she probably looks like a blubbering child.

“I could never forget your birthday, Waves.”

“I don’t remember ever telling you my birthday.” Despite her tears, Waverly laughs as she pulls away just enough to press a kiss to Nicole’s lips.

Nicole just shrugs, a slightly guilty look on her face. “I’m a cop.” She says as though it explains everything.

And it does. Normally Waverly would be aggravated by someone prying into her personal information, but for this situation, she’s not. Having been ignored all her life, she can’t believe Nicole went to the effort to find out her birthday. “Why are you so damn perfect?”

“I’m far from perfect, Darlin’.” Nicole caresses Waverly’s cheek with a smile. “But I do love you more than words can say.”

“Well you’re perfect to me.” Waverly presses herself up into a sitting position, not expecting to see the bouquet of red roses mixed with sunflowers on her nightstand, three envelopes propped against the bottom of the vase. The sight leaves her speechless and Nicole reaches past her to gather the envelopes and hand them to her.

“I um… I wasn’t really sure what kind of card to get… and I couldn’t decide so…” Nicole shrugs. “So I just got them all.”

Waverly looks up from the small stack and she feels like she can’t survive the ridiculous cuteness that is Nicole Haught. Wanting to be closer, she adjusts her position, sitting between Nicole’s legs and being rewarded with Nicole’s arms wrapping around her waist as she leans back against the warm frame. “You are adorable.” She grins, carefully opening the first card. There’s a cute picture of two spoons with happy faces surrounded with hearts. Opening the card, she feels her heart melt at the message. “Happy Birthday to my little spoon,” she reads out loud, looking back at Nicole who has a cheesy grin on her face. “Are you calling me short?”

“Totally.” Nicole laughs. “But that just makes you the perfect size for me.” To emphasize her point, she hugs Waverly a little tighter. “You’re the small to my tall.”

“I’m going to need you to stop being so cute.” Waverly comments, turning back to offer Nicole a quick kiss before she opens the second card. She doesn’t understand Nicole hiding her face behind her shoulder until she pulls the card out. “What’s the difference between a Porsche and Super Sexy Times?” She reads, feeling Nicole’s laughter already shaking through the long frame. She’s almost hesitant to open the card but does anyway before reading, “You’re not getting a Porsche for your birthday.” She feels the blush instantly come to her cheeks and Nicole is fully laughing. “Oh my gosh. I’m dating a 12 year old boy.” She comments, feeling Nicole’s laughter double. “Are you serious?”

“I’m sorry.” Nicole apologizes, peppering Waverly’s shoulder with kisses. “I had to get it.”

“I’m almost terrified to open this last one.” Waverly flips the last envelope over in her fingers. With a suspicious look at Nicole, she opens the last one. She notices the way Nicole’s laughter fades as she reads the card. “Happy Birthday to the love of my life.” She can feel her throat tightening as she opens the card, humor slowly turning to overwhelming emotions as she notices the inside is completely hand written. “From the first moment I saw you, dripping wet and covered in beer…” Her voice trails off because she’s lost the ability to speak.

…to the first time you spoke my name, I felt every second pass. From the first time you kissed me, to the first time I felt your touch, I lived and died a million times. Every day with you is a day I never thought possible because I never thought I’d find a woman like you. I never thought I’d find a love so miraculous, I wouldn’t be able to even explain it in something as simple as words. These past months have been a blessing and I’ve treasured every single breath, every second and moment I was allowed to know and love you. I can only hope this birthday is the first of many we spend together because you deserve the world, Waverly Earp, and I want to give you that.

I love you with all my heart which is yours forever.

Nicole

Waverly isn’t sure when she started crying, but she wipes away her tears, turning to see Nicole watching her nervously. “You know…” she starts, her voice heavy with emotion. “I’m so used to everyone forgetting my birthday.” Nicole gives her a surprised look, but she continues, “I don’t need you to give me the world, Nicole, because you are my world.” She reaches up, caressing Nicole’s cheek. “I love you.”

Nicole leans forward to kiss her softly, her arm around Waverly’s waist pulling her closer.

Waverly sinks into loving kisses and gentle touches, sensing Nicole wasn’t trying to push further for more contact. When Nicole pulls away, she gives her a questioning look.

“There’s one more thing to open.” Nicole reaches for the flat box on her side of the bed, offering it to Waverly.

It’s lighter than Waverly would think a box would be and she gives Nicole a suspicious look as she unties the ribbon that keeps the box closed. Taking off the top, she’s surprised to find a simple manilla folder. “Nicole…what…?” She begins as she lifts the folder. Out pours a collection of pamphlets for what look like attractions. She recognizes a few of the locations, a building in the shape of a glass triangle, another pamphlet for a towering structure made of iron. Within the pamphlets, she finds another envelope that she opens to find two tickets. One has her name, and the other Nicole’s.“

"I know we’ve been working on the curse and I’m all for it. I’m here for you and Wynonna, but your life is more than just fighting revenants. I don’t want your life to be just one demon to the next, so I’m hoping that maybe you can take a little time off?” The look in Nicole’s eyes is so full of hope. “They say that one of the best ways to ring in the New Year is in Paris and I thought maybe we could start working on filling up that passport you’ve had tucked away in your drawer.”

Waverly can’t speak. She’s so overwhelmed with emotions that all she can do is pull Nicole to her, kissing her desperately. She can’t believe this is her life. A year ago, she was woken up to the sound of Champ loudly getting ready to leave with his friend’s for a fishing trip and now she was sitting in bed with the most amazing partner she could ever have.

Nicole breaks off the kiss suddenly, groaning. “Please tell me that’s a yes.”

Waverly can only laugh. “Do I want to go to Paris with the most amazing woman ever to spend New Years at the Eiffel Tower? You bet your sexy tushy.” She leans in for a kiss only to have Nicole lean back again.

“Is that what you want to do? I made reservations for the New Year’s cabaret show at Moulin Rouge because I know you love that movie but I can change th…” She doesn’t get the rest of the sentence out before tears fill Waverly’s eyes. “Waves?”

“I…” Waverly can’t even find the words. She can’t explain the emotions that are coursing through her, curing the pain and neglect she felt over the past two decades starting to heal. “God you’re incredible.” She finally gets out.

“This is just a ticket, Waverly. What you give me on a daily basis is more than I can ever repay you for.”

Carefully closing the box and setting it aside, Waverly pulls Nicole to her, kissing her softly at first before allowing it to deepen. Nicole’s arms are pulling her even closer. The shirt she’s wearing is suddenly too confining, too much of a barrier between her and Nicole as are Nicole’s tank and pajama pants.

Nicole pulls away once more, breathing heavily. “I should warn you that Wynonna is awake and making you pancakes for breakfast.”

“Don’t care.” Waverly feels just a little guilty saying it, but there are other emotions coursing through her that need to be resolved. “Okay I totally care but… she can wait because someone in this room promised me Super Sexy Times.”

Nicole laughs, allowing her tank top to be lifted up and off. “You’re right. I did.” She pulls Waverly’s shirt off. “The birthday girl gets what the birthday girl wants.”

Waverly’s laugh turns to a soft groan as knowing hands slide over her body. “Best… birthday… ever.” She barely gets out before lips cover her own.

#wynonna earp #wayhaught #waverly earp #birthday fic #wefanfic

[haughtbreaker]

Thank you for all the comments and reviews. 

“So I'll be there when you arrive The sight of you will prove to me I'm still alive And when you take me in your arms And hold me tight I know it's gonna mean so much tonight”

The drive from Shorty’s to the homestead felt dreary and never ending, especially when Nicole had to keep reminding herself to breathe.

She had a daughter.

Whitney.

Beautiful, intelligent, and just overall delightful Whitney.

There were so many emotions coursing through Nicole as she looked out along the empty road, completely vacant once she left the more populated streets of the town.

The truth was finally out and she couldn’t lie to herself anymore. Now that she was being honest, she could admit that she’d known that first day, those overly sharp features that looked nothing like Waverly. The tall stature and familiar dimples. God, she’d known right away but she hadn’t let herself believe it. She'd allowed dark hair and an unwavering faith in Waverly's integrity to derail her thoughts, but the moment she saw that picture, with the genetic improbability of an Earp ever having a redheaded child, it was the confirmation she needed.

In reality, she’d begun thinking about it when she’d first received the invitation, when she’d first seen the name Whitney that had been her own suggestion before all Hell had broken loose in their relationship, or at least had let herself be pulled into a world of what-ifs. She couldn't believe Waverly would name any offspring of Champ Hardy a name she hadn't been sold on in the first place.  It’s one of the reasons she’d packed her bags, headed back to Purgatory and a life she’d turned her back on long ago.

Holy shit. She had a daughter. She couldn’t believe it, but even as she continued to think about it, her emotions began to morph, turning from elated disbelief to distraught disappointment.

She’d put so much faith in Waverly, that she wouldn’t ever do that to Nicole, that such a betrayal was impossible even after everything they went through. She’d trusted Waverly and that trust had been betrayed.

God she had been betrayed beyond words and it crushed her.

She felt the immensity of it all at once, the missed opportunities she would never ever get back.

Nicole nearly laughed when she stopped at the door to the bedroom. She had thought Waverly would be sleeping, had spent the last half an hour scraping together a breakfast of banana pancakes and a bowl of mixed fruit, a freshly pruned rose laying across the top of the tray beside a cup of tea and a cup of orange juice.

She hadn’t expected to see a very awake Waverly standing in front of a mirror with her t-shirt raised, her stomach puffed out as much as she possibly could considering her usual fit physique. Waverly had the most adorably pensive look on her face as she ran her hand over her bare stomach, lips pursed and eyebrows furrowed.

Nicole couldn’t help smiling, her heart swelling larger than Waverly was attempting to force her belly to be. When Waverly had said she was ready to start a family, Nicole couldn’t have even imagined the glee she felt from such simple things like this. She’d heard a million horror stories of hormones and discomfort that led to frazzled nerves and constant arguments, but in that moment, she couldn’t wait for them because it meant they were really doing this.

They were going to start a family. Not just the rag-tag group of revenant hunters and do-gooders that they’d been a part of down at the station, but an honest-to-god family. Two moms, happily married, with a tiny daughter, or son, she didn’t really care which, to call their own.

“Nicole!” Waverly suddenly yelped, quickly tugging down her shirt and diving back into bed, as if to pretend she hadn’t been caught.

With a shake of her head, Nicole moved to the bed, sitting on the edge. “Good Morning, Cutie.” She set the tray between them, trying not to laugh at the ruby blush touching Waverly’s cheeks.

“You didn’t have to bring me breakfast. I could have joined you downstairs.”

“Well I thought you were still sleeping.” Nicole couldn’t resist poking, the blush darkening on Waverly’s cheeks.

“Sorry,” Waverly just shrugged, her finger picking at the edge of the tray with uncertainty. “Just being stupid I guess.”

“Stupid?” Nicole’s eyebrows rose sharply. “You are many things, Waverly Earp. Beautiful. Brilliant. Determined.” Waverly’s features began to soften, her lips seeming to hold back a smile. “God, just the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen in my entire life.” With that she was rewarded with a full grin. “But you will never be stupid.”

“You are so biased, but…” Waverly hesitated just briefly, picking up a blueberry and popping it into her mouth, “will you still think so when I’m like twice my size and super pregnant.”

Jesus. Nicole wanted to roll her eyes. One of the books she’d started reading had warned her  of pregnant women being insecure about their appearance, but Waverly hadn’t even started the fertility treatments yet. “Baby you are going to be the most gorgeous pregnant woman in all of Purgatory… no in all of North America!” Nicole exclaimed a little too loudly.

Waverly laughed, looking down as she rolled another berry between her fingers. When she looked up through her long lashes, purposefully demure, Nicole felt her breath hitch, her heart pounding against her chest. “I love you.”

“Oh you better.” Nicole chuckled, leaning over the tray to capture a quick kiss. “Cause I’m not raising a kid with someone who just kinda likes me.”

Waverly laughed again, grabbing the tray and setting it on the floor before wrapping her fist in the front of Nicole’s shirt, pulling her forward. “I mean… I do kinda like you…”

“Yeah?” A smirk pulled at Nicole’s lips as she moved closer, her body covering Waverly’s as she laid back, pressing her into the pillowtop mattress. “I kinda like you too.” Kissing her way down Waverly’s throat, she paused to nip at a collarbone. “I love you,” she whispered as she eased up the thin material of Waverly's shirt before leaning down to brush soft kisses along the skin she found there. “And I’m going to love every part of this journey with you, from possible morning sickness, to a swelling belly, to even you yelling at me during the delivery.” Looking up, she was surprised to find the beginning of tears in Waverly’s eyes. “I’m going to love you and our future baby every day for the rest of my life.”

Sniffling, Waverly laughed as she wiped at her eyes, pulling Nicole back up to her. “God this pregnancy is making you so sappy and I’m not even pregnant yet.”

“What?” Nicole gave her a mock hurt look that was quickly wiped away by Waverly pulling her down for another kiss.

 The road blurred just slightly as Nicole’s eyes burned with tears. She refused to cry, refused to let her emotions get the better of her even as she felt herself being swallowed by the anguish that was easily beginning to turn to anger towards Waverly.

How could Waverly have done that?

Waverly had robbed her of it all. Not just being there for the pregnancy and birth, but being there for first steps and first words. Whitney’s first day at school and her high school graduation.

Stopping at an intersection only reminded Nicole that she hadn’t been there to teach Whitney to drive and it almost broke her resolve.

She should have been there. She should have been given the chance to be there for her daughter.

The closer she got to the homestead, the more that anger and hurt began to grow.

Waverly lifted the velvety petal of a white rose and leaned down, smiling as she breathed in its clean, sweet scent. She smoothed her hands down the lacy front of her violet cocktail dress as she straightened out, feeling moderately pleased that everything seemed to be coming together despite all the setbacks earlier that day. If she left soon, she wouldn’t be too late for the bachelorette party, which would most likely rage into the wee hours of the morning knowing Whitney and her friends (not to mention Wynonna).

And then she could finally see Nicole again.

Her heart sped up as she again thought of her ex, and their dance, and that damned kiss, all three playing in her mind on a continuous loop all damn day. Waverly had tried to ignore the disappointment she felt about not going with Wynonna to meet up with Nicole at the BBD office. But it had been futile. And eventually she had given up and allowed her anticipation to build. Told herself it would be okay if she wore her new dress, the one that had been hanging in her closet untouched ever since she bought it months ago for an online date she had backed out on at the last minute. Convinced herself that it’d be fine for her to spend a little extra time primping her hair and getting her makeup just right. And if Nicole happened to appreciate it...

But first things first.

She needed to make one more pass around the wedding tent. Setting herself to the task, Waverly became so engrossed with making sure that all the flower arrangements were in their exact places that she didn’t even notice the car that crossed the old wooden bridge and pulled up to the Homestead. She double checked that the generator-powered heat was still working and was so busy draping the last of the garland on the white fold out chairs that she barely heard the soft click of boots on plywood.

Dusting off her hands, she turned and nearly leapt out of her own skin when she finally noticed the figure standing at the entrance of the wedding tent.

“Nicole!” Waverly practically squeaked, hand covering her heart. “Jesus, you scared me.”

Nicole didn’t respond. Only stared at Waverly, an unreadable look on her face, muscles taut. Her eyes traveled up and down Waverly’s length in a way that made her stomach flip.

“I thought you were going to the party?” Waverly wanted to walk toward her, but the tension she now sensed radiating from Nicole held her in place.

“I was there, but,” Nicole looked at the floor, struggling with some internal debate before she glanced back up at Waverly, “Whitney.”

Waverly’s worry skyrocketed, heart rate zooming instantly into overdrive. “What happened?”

“Nothing.” Nicole raised a hand to staunch Waverly’s oncoming panic. “Whit’s fine. She’s…” Nicole swallowed, nostrils flaring slightly, “she’s my daughter, isn’t she?”

All the air squeezed out of Waverly’s lungs and she nearly staggered backward. She had known this moment would eventually come. But nothing could prepare her for the simmering anger in Nicole’s dark eyes, or the icy dread that gripped at her heart.

“I want to hear you say it,” Nicole whispered when Waverly remained mute.

Hot tears pricked at Waverly’s eyes. “Yes.”

Inhaling sharply, Nicole turned away, eyes squeezed shut. Even with several feet separating them, Waverly could see that Nicole was shaking, hands clenching into fists and unclenching.

“Nicole…” Waverly took a step closer.

“Don’t.” Nicole’s voice wavered as she met Waverly’s eyes once again, the intensity of her gaze warning Waverly not to come any closer. “Why?”

Words failed Waverly. She didn’t quite know what Nicole was asking her. Why what? Why did she have Whitney? Why did she…

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Nicole clarified.

Waverly licked parched lips. “I tried.”

“Don’t lie to me,” Nicole bit out.

“I’m not lying,” Waverly snapped back. “I didn’t have your number. You weren’t answering my emails. So I tried your emergency contact at the sheriff’s office.”

Nicole’s eyes narrowed. “ You were my emergency contact.”

“Your original one.”

The muscles in Nicole’s jaw ticked as she considered that revelation. “Becky?”

“I asked her to tell you to call me. I even told her I was pregnant.” Waverly’s vision blurred with unshed tears. “She said she’d get a restraining order if I didn’t stop calling.”

“No.” Nicole shook her head and began to pace, agitated, two steps forward, three steps back, four steps forward, two steps back. “No, she would have told me.”

“Are you sure?” Waverly asked softly, causing Nicole to pause. “What wouldn’t she have done to keep you away from here?”

From me?

“I thought you didn’t want me anymore.” Tears spilled down Waverly’s cheek. “Didn’t want us .”

Nicole gaped at her, unblinking, ripples of confusion and fear and disbelief warring for control over her features. And pain. Waverly felt every single emotion pierce her own heart. Nicole shoved a hand into the pocket of her peacoat and pulled out her cell phone. Cradled it in the palm of her hand and looked down at it.

Waverly stilled as Nicole swiped through various screens and placed a call, bringing the phone up to her ear. She turned and left then, without sparing a single glance at Waverly, who blew out a shaky breath. Knees weak, she grabbed the back of one of the fold out chairs for balance with one hand and swiped at her eyes with the other. She knew she should let Nicole go. Give her the space and privacy she needed if she was calling who Waverly thought she was calling. But her heart spurred her forward, wobbly legs and all, and she emerged from the tent.

It had begun to snow. The air was so bitingly cold that Waverly’s skin stung almost immediately, the freeze chilling her to the marrow.

She caught sight of Nicole stalking toward the collapsed barn, too far to make out what she was saying on the phone. But whatever it was, it was heated, the cadence of Nicole’s voice rising as Waverly tentatively approached. She was only a few feet away when Nicole, without warning, pitched her phone against the still-standing barn door in an uncharacteristic fit of rage. Waverly startled at the crack of splintering plastic and glass.

Nicole stood with her shoulders heaving, her frame rigid, snowflakes dusting her hair and clinging to her coat. Waverly’s heart pounded hard as she tentatively called out, “Nicole?”

Nicole whirled on her and Waverly had to take a step back, not used to the fury emanating from the normally even-tempered woman. “How did… if you knew about Becky… then why…”

Waverly wrapped her arms protectively around herself, but it did little to ward off the bite of the subzero temperatures. “I didn’t know. Not until last night.”

“Last night?” Nicole asked incredulously, face red, cheeks glistening in the moonlight. “And you didn’t think to say anything!?”

“I didn’t know how!” Waverly answered back, desperately. “I couldn’t think. With the wedding and Whitney. It’s why I wanted to meet after…”

They stared at each other, breaths coming in harsh pants of condensing white. It felt like an eternity passed before Nicole shook her head. “I can’t.” She raised her hands, as if to ward off Waverly.  “I can’t do this.”

Nicole walked away in a rush, leaving Waverly helpless. Waverly watched her go, just like she had 20 years ago. She was halfway to her car when something snapped in Waverly. She had let Nicole walk out of her life once before. She wouldn’t make the same mistake twice. She ran after her, sprinting as fast as she could, almost slipping on the snow dusted ground, until she practically collided against Nicole’s back. Waverly wrapped her arms around Nicole’s middle from behind.

“Waverly.” Nicole reached for her wrists, but Waverly only tightened her grip.

“I won’t let you go,” Waverly said. “Not until you know.” She pressed her cheek against the wet, scratchy wool of Nicole’s coat. “When you left… when I pushed you away,” she amended. “I didn’t think I could go on. Didn’t know if I wanted to.” A frisson passed through Nicole. “But Whitney? She gave me a reason to live. Because she was ours. ”

Reluctantly, Waverly let go of Nicole and stepped back. Nicole didn’t turn around.

“Every time I looked at her, even if it broke my heart, I saw you,” Waverly continued, trying and failing to not openly cry. “I got to have a part of you, even if you never came back.”

Nicole spun on her heel then, despair etched across her tear-stained face. “Well isn’t that just fucking great for you?”

Waverly winced. “I know. It’s not fair.” She shrugged helplessly. “Unfair doesn’t even begin to cover it.”

“You had Whitney, while I had nothing… Nothing… for 20 years,” Nicole cried. “Nothing except knowing that you hated me.”

“No.” Shaking her head, Waverly ached to reach out to Nicole again, but knew her touch might not be welcome. “No. I didn’t hate you. God, I wanted to. And even when I convinced myself I did.” She held Nicole’s gaze, infusing her words with all the conviction she could muster. “I never stopped loving you.”

The confession hung suspended in the air, floating with the free-falling flakes. Waverly didn’t move a muscle, and neither did Nicole, both frozen in place, afraid to disturb the expanding stillness. Waverly blinked, and in the mere fraction of a second it took for her eyelashes to flutter closed and back open, Nicole erased the gap between them.

Hands gripping Waverly’s waist, Nicole brought their lips together with an intensity so strong, so fierce, that the kiss seared straight through to her soul. Waverly responded instantly, fingers threading through Nicole’s hair and drawing her in. She tasted salt when she kissed back. Trembled when Nicole whimpered.

“You’re shaking,” Nicole whispered against Waverly’s mouth, breath warm. She wrapped her arms fully around Waverly, one hand sliding up to a shoulder while the other cradled the small of Waverly’s back. “It’s freezing.”

Waverly almost laughed, because of course Nicole would focus on Waverly’s well being after her own world had gone topsy-turvy. No, she wasn’t shaking from the cold. Not even close. Waverly couldn’t even feel it, not with Nicole holding her so close. Her body vibrated with each beat of her pounding heart.

Waverly nuzzled the tip of Nicole’s nose. “Come inside,” she pleaded softly, hating how weak she sounded but unable to stop herself from kissing Nicole again, their lips magnetized. “Please.”

A reluctant nod from Nicole was all it took for Waverly to disentangle herself and reach for Nicole’s hand. Their fingers interlaced. Swallowing, she tamped down her nerves and led them through the snowfall, which grew heavier and heavier by the second, covering the ground in a sheet of silver. By the time they reached the old wooden porch, Waverly had to remind herself to breathe.

The front door creaked as they stepped inside, and Waverly shivered from the change in temperature. She was glad she had left the lights on and lit the pellet stove earlier, the extra warmth sorely needed in a house that remained drafty despite Waverly’s repeated attempts to improve its insulation. Nicole stood right in front of the door after it clicked shut, as if afraid to enter even further. Her eyes darted around the interior and took in all the changes, from the newer floorboards and the brighter furniture, to the dozens of framed family pictures hanging on the wood-paneled walls.

“Can I take your coat?” Waverly asked, releasing Nicole’s hand to nervously rake her fingers through her slightly damp hair.

Nicole didn’t move, instead remaining silent as she considered Waverly, eyes dark and intense. Was she having second thoughts? Would she change her mind and walk right back out? Waverly licked her lips, preparing to convince Nicole to stay once again, when Nicole began to undo her buttons, one by one. Inwardly, Waverly sighed in relief. Nicole slipped off the coat and hung it on the rack next to the door.  

When she turned back to face Waverly, another hush settled between them. Waverly was almost afraid to disrupt it, to break the delicate connection keeping them bound together even when circumstances seemed to dictate its destruction. But someone had to break the ice. Waverly, taking a deep breath and digging deep for the courage to be brazen once more, cleared her throat and lifted the hammer.

“We should talk.”

And, God, there was so much they needed to talk about. Multiple volumes worth of material that would give the Encyclopedia Britannica a run for its money. They just needed to start.

“We should,” Nicole agreed, canting her head forward slightly.

Their gazes remained fixed on each other. And then they crashed together, meeting each other halfway in a frantic embrace. Nicole’s lips were like fire, and Waverly let herself be consumed by the inferno, all thoughts of further talking and processing going up in a smoke in the heat of the moment.

Without breaking their kiss, Waverly walked backward toward her bedroom, now on the main floor, using sensory memory to lead them both. Her knees almost buckled when Nicole’s tongue dipped into her mouth, tasting as sweet and heavenly as she had remembered. Maybe even sweeter. She remained upright only by the strength of Nicole’s hands on her hips.

Waverly blindly opened her bedroom door, somehow managing with only one hand behind her to fumble with the knob. Once inside, she broke away from Nicole to kick it shut and made sure to lock it because if either Wynonna or Whitney somehow interrupted them, Waverly was sure she would murder them.

The room was nearly pitch black, with barely any moonlight thanks to the cloud cover of the snow shower. Nicole, however, easily found Waverly again in the darkness and wasted no time in reconnecting. As their lips met over and over and over again, Nicole’s nimble fingers deftly unzipped Waverly’s dress and let it pool at her ankles. Not to be outdone, Waverly tugged Nicole’s blouse up and over her head, giggling softly when it snagged briefly in Nicole’s hair.

Her laughter died out quickly and was replaced by a gasp when Nicole pushed Waverly up against the door. Static electricity arced across her bare skin where they were pressed together, settling between Waverly’s legs in a delicious ache. Nicole slid her hands down and lifted Waverly up. Instinctively, Waverly wrapped her legs tightly around Nicole, thighs squeezing Nicole’s waist, ankles locking behind Nicole’s back. Waverly couldn’t stop herself from rocking her hips, moaning as pleasure sparked throughout her entire body just from that small bit of friction.

Nicole carried her to the bed, groaning when Waverly tugged at her bottom lip with her teeth. She gently set her on the edge of the mattress. With Nicole leaning over her, Waverly made quick work of Nicole’s belt, frantically undoing the buckle and yanking the leather apart so Nicole could finally pull off her pants. Neither showed any sign of slowing down, lest the overwhelming enormity of the moment catch up to them. Next came their bras, their underwear, until finally, finally , they sunk into the mattress together, skin-to-skin, silently groaning as their bodies melded into one.

Waverly couldn’t believe any of this was happening. It all felt like a dream. How she had longed for this moment. Yearned for Nicole. And now here she was, and Waverly swore her heart was on the verge of bursting. As they continued to kiss each other deeply and marked each other’s bodies, Waverly felt herself come to life, all her senses finely honed to Nicole, and only Nicole. She nipped at the sensitive skin of Nicole’s inner wrist, felt her pulse stutter against her lips. Nicole’s hands roamed and explored and reacquainted themselves with Waverly’s body, gliding her palms down her thighs, skimming her nails up along her back. Each stroke, every caress sent tingles down Waverly’s spine. And when Nicole finally slipped inside her, Waverly’s eyes rolled shut, nails digging grooves down the tensing muscles of Nicole’s shoulders.

Sharp gasps and desperate moans soaked the air as Nicole set a fast, undulating rhythm. Waverly clung to Nicole, bliss increasing in intensity with each roll of her hips to match each thrust, every soft clap of their breasts. It had been so long since she’d last been intimate with anyone. Too long. And no one had ever known her body quite like Nicole. The sudden heat that spread throughout Waverly took her entirely by surprise, blazing from her core in scorching waves until she was breaking and shattering. All the while, Nicole held her together. Kept her whole.

Waverly was still coming down from her high when she flipped Nicole over. Her vision had finally  adjusted to the dark and she could just make out Nicole’s silhouetted features. Could see the warmth in eyes hooded with desire. Waverly kissed the tip of Nicole’s nose, the curve of her cheeks, the arches of her eyebrows, the skin of her forehead. Pressed her lips along her soft hairline, her temples, her jaw, until she reached that sweet spot, just below Nicole’s ear, that always made Nicole’s breath hitch with just the right amount of pressure.

“Waverly, please,” Nicole whimpered, trembling with barely controlled want.

Waverly slid lower. With their fingers intertwined, Waverly tasted Nicole, savoring the silky sweetness that spread across her tongue. She lavished Nicole with meticulous, but unrelenting  attention. Reveled in the arch of Nicole’s spine, the snap of her body, and the spasm of her thighs as she cried out Waverly’s name in a sharp crescendo.

Nicole quivered as Waverly crawled back up and settled on top of her, heart hammering so hard she was sure the beats reverberated in Nicole’s own chest. Nicole laid her forearm across her eyes, unable to hold back a sniffle.

“Nicole?” Waverly lifted Nicole’s arm away from her face and gently cupped her cheek. “Are you okay? Talk to me.”

“You,” Nicole took a shaky breath, “you had our baby.”

Waverly stilled. “Yes.”

“You had our baby,” Nicole repeated, voice breaking, “and I wasn’t there for you. I’m sorry, Waverly. I’m so sorry. ”

Waverly’s heart, already so swollen and tender, cracked. “No, shh, shhh,” she cooed. “It’s okay. It’s okay.”

Wrapping her arms around Nicole’s shoulders, Waverly pulled her close, eyes stinging as Nicole buried her face in her neck and succumbed to shuddering sobs. They held each other tightly, so tight Waverly felt like she could barely breathe, neither holding back their emotions, a cathartic release in the quiet nocturne of a cold winter’s night.

 The sky was just starting to peak over the horizon, workers beginning to make their way onto the homestead as they started preparing for the wedding. The house built on the homestead, however, was still quiet.

Whitney yawned as she carefully stepped around the slumbering forms of her two friends, still drunkenly passed out on the half-deflated air mattress. She scrubbed at her eyes with the heel of her hand, making a quick stop to the bathroom before beginning to descend the stairs. Her head was foggy and just twinging slightly from the alcohol. She’d managed to not get completely tanked, unlike Anna and Jenn.                                                                    

She was getting married.

Coming down the stairs, a smile on her face, Whitney didn't expect to see her aunt standing beside a window, hands cradling a coffee cup as she stared at something outside. “Good Morning.”

“For some more than others.” Wynonna chuckled, still looking outside.  

Her brows furrowing, Whitney joined her aunt by the window, taking the coffee cup from her and taking a sip.  Not surprisingly,  it was more whiskey than coffee, but she didn't mind, and certainly didn't comment on it, looking out to see what her aunt was looking at. Nestled alongside her mother's SUV was a car that screamed rental.  

Had that car been there all night? She'd concentrated on helping an overly drunk Anna in the house the night before and hadn't noticed it. “Whose…”

Taking back her cup, Wynonna turned around and pointed towards the coat rack.

Pursing her lips, Whitney took a step towards the hook, seeing a familiar pea coat hanging there. Her hungover brain put two and two together before a huge grin took over her face. “You mean…” At Wynonna’s nod, she would have jumped up and down. “Oh my god, Nicole figured it out last night and she said she was going to talk to Mom and…” She looked at the door that was suspiciously closed and leaned toward Wynonna. “Are they still in there?”

Wynonna snorted. “Well, the door is locked.”

Whitney couldn’t help laughing at that. “I can’t believe you checked.”

Wynonna just shrugged. “Okay, so… we’ve got the idiots back together, they know about you but… does your mom know you told Haught?”

“I told Nicole she didn’t know. I don’t know what they discussed last night.” She suddenly felt a bit of nervousness settling in. Would her mother be furious with her? Her mother hated secrets so much and she had kept probably the biggest secret she’d ever kept in her life.

Wynonna, as if sensing her hesitation, threw an arm over her shoulder. “How about we make some pancakes? You’re getting married today.”

Whitney smiled. “I am.” She allowed herself to be tugged towards the kitchen, casting one last look at her mom’s door.

 Nicole groaned softly as nails raked down her bare back, dragging soft trails of fire over her skin. Her body was beyond spent and her throat was scratchy but still she chuckled, hearing a noise from outside the bedroom door. “I think someone is up.” Nicole had her arms around Waverly’s bare waist as they sat facing each other on the bed, Waverly’s legs wrapped around her waist. Having been up all night, she thought she’d be more tired, but she couldn’t stand the thought of falling asleep, worried she’d wake up and it would have all been a dream.

Waverly shrugged, pressing a kiss to Nicole’s jaw. “I locked the door.” She made no intention of stopping, obviously intending on making up for 20 years worth of nights that could have been spent together. “Those assholes aren’t getting in here anytime soon.” There was a smile in her voice.

Nicole laughed at that, tilting her head down to drag the tip of her nose along the length of Waverly’s nose. “That’s not what I meant.”

“I know what you meant.” Waverly placed what had to be the thousandth kiss on Nicole’s lips since the emotional explosion the night before, her exploring hands showing no signs of slowing.

Nicole groaned. They had been up all night, trading touches that alternated from soft and delicate, to purposeful and passionate. There hadn’t been a lot of talking, not that they had avoided it, but instead they spent the night absorbing each other’s presence, sometimes laughing, sometimes crying. She couldn’t believe, that after 20 years, Waverly was in her arms, kissing her, touching her. Instinctively, she tightened her hold, bringing Waverly’s body closer. “You know… I would love to spend all day here with you…” Reaching up, she ran a hand through Waverly’s long hair, pushing it behind her shoulder and revealing more than a few marks along her shoulder that made Nicole feel about 80 percent guilty and 20 percent ridiculously proud of herself. “But your daughter is getting married today.”

“Our daughter,” Waverly corrected her, as if it were as natural as day and night.

But it wasn’t for Nicole. She swallowed, feeling the tears threatening to consume her again. As if sensing her dilemma, Waverly’s hands came up to caress her jaw, eyes filled with despair and understanding locking with her own.

“Our daughter,” Nicole confirmed, their lips pressing together once more. “Our daughter.”

Waverly nodded, kissing her deeper.

Nicole wanted to say it was like no time had passed, like they had picked up where things had left off 20 years ago, but every kiss and every touch held a history behind it. She could see Waverly’s confidence had changed, not lessened, but she was definitely more self-conscious, as if aware of every inch of her body visible to Nicole. And as much as she wanted to say she loved Waverly, to let those words spill from her lips, she was afraid of being rejected again.

The truth was they didn’t know each other anymore. There was no just… picking up where things left off. They both lived such different lives now and they weren’t the same people they were 20 years ago. They still had so much to talk about, but today was not the day. Whitney was getting married and there was something in town trying to ruin the wedding.

As if sensing their reluctance to leave the small nest of bliss, Waverly’s phone went off. Waverly seemed keen to ignore it, her hands traveling up Nicole’s sides with intent.  Nicole pulled back slightly. “Your phone.”

“Your body,” Waverly responded.

“Waves…” Nicole felt a small bit of frustration, the touch traveling down her sides to her front with more intent, “the wedding.”

Waverly groaned in frustration.  “You know what? You are making it really difficult to ignore responsibilities.”

Nicole laughed.

As if sensing they were awake, someone knocked loudly on the door.

It made Nicole laugh harder.

“You two get your asses up.” Wynonna's voice came through the door.

“Shhhh.” Waverly reached up and covered Nicole’s mouth.

It didn’t deter Wynonna. “FYI Whit wants to know whose car is parked out front. I told her it was the plumber here to check out her Mommy’s indoor plumbing.”

“Dammit.” Waverly let her forehead drop against Nicole's shoulder, could obviously feel her laughing still. “Stop it.”

Nicole leaned back slightly, curling a finger under Waverly’s chin to tilt her head up. “Hey, we should get going. It’s going to be a busy day.”

“But I don’t want to.”

“Mamma?” There was another knock, this one softer, Whitney’s voice sounding a hundred times more innocent than it normally sounded. “Are you ok in there? Aunt Wynonna said your pipes were clogged?”

Nothing could hold back Nicole’s laugh at that.

“I HATE YOU BOTH!” Waverly yelled at the door, pushing Nicole away. “You too, asshole.” With a sigh, she pressed one more quick kiss to Nicole’s lips before untangling herself and heading to the closet to find some clothes. “Can I not just have one day of unadulterated bliss with my ex-fiancee slash the most gorgeous woman on the planet?” Pulling out a pair of pants and a shirt, she carried the small stack over to the bed, handing them to Nicole.

Inspecting the garments, Nicole froze. “Waves?” She unfolded the shirt, recognizing the Purgatory SD softball design easily. It was in perfect condition, or rather the same condition it had been in when she left it… twenty years ago. When Waverly turned to her, she lifted the shirt up with a questioning look.

Waverly just shrugged, slipping into a fresh shirt and a pair of sleep pants. “You forgot it.”

“Twenty years ago?”

Waverly shrugged again, pulling her hair up into a ponytail. “It’s either that or your clothes from last night.” She spoke as if it wasn’t strange to still have Nicole’s clothes after a couple decades.

Nicole wanted to pretend that it didn’t hurt. That it didn’t re-open the wound that a night of intimacy had just barely began to heal. Instead, she just slipped into the clothes, surprised everything still fit considering she wasn’t as fit as she’d once been, now that she wasn’t battling demons on a daily basis.

“You and I really need to…” Waverly stopped mid-sentence as she took in the sight of Nicole, dressed in familiar clothes. “I…” Her eyes began to fill with tears again. “Shit.” She turned away.

“Hey.” Nicole moved to her side. “We need to talk about all this, but I’m not going anywhere.” Capturing soft cheeks in her hands, she pressed her forehead to Waverly’s, hardly able to believe she was there herself. “Not until you tell me to leave.”

Waverly sniffled, giving her just the smallest of nods.

“Now, I believe we have a wedding to make sure goes off without a hitch.”

Waverly nodded again. “You’re right. We can do this. We… Shit what am I going to tell Whitney?”

Nicole blinked, confused for a second before she remembered what Whit had said. Waverly didn’t know she knew. Once again, Nicole found herself in a bind. She’d just rekindled… whatever last night had been with Waverly and the last thing she wanted was to ruin the progress with a secret. But did she want to betray Whitney’s trust? Shit. “Waverly…”

As if on queue, there was another knock on the door. “Come on slackers! Pancakes are getting cold!”

Nicole froze. “Pancakes… Wynonna can cook?”

Waverly nearly laughed, brushing a quick kiss against Nicole’s lips. “Oh you are in for a surprise.”

Before Nicole could stop her, Waverly unlocked the bedroom door and opened it, the scent of breakfast wafting in instantly. Okay then… we’ll talk later, she decided, preparing herself for the inevitable walk of shame she knew was in her immediate future.

#WAYHAUGHT #wynonna earp #wefanfic #memories that remain

[haughtbreaker]

Haught Damn that Uniform

This is a 2x05 followup, the day after. Waverly realizes Nicole has a new uniform. because @jaybear1701 always writes about angst... I needed something fluffy.

"Baby."

Still part in her dream, Waverly groaned as she felt soft lips brush against her own. She could taste syrup on her pallet, but it was beginning to fade as consciousness came to her. She was almost reluctant to wake up, having had a decent night sleep for the first time in two months, but the now-familiar scent of Nicole's perfume pulled her from a dream about pancakes and rose petals.

"Baby, I have to go to work." Nicole's voice was soft and Waverly could hear the smile in her words. "Time to wake up."

Waking up was the last thing she wanted to do. Eyes still closed, Waverly reached out to grab the front of Nicole's uniform, her brows furrowing at the slick feel of polyester where she expected to find rough cotton. There was a moment of confusion before it came back to her, the scene two nights before in the barn, when Mikshun had been in control. Even that night, when Nicole had stripped down and slipped into bed with her, needing to be assured that Waverly was indeed ok, the last thing she'd thought about was Nicole's attire.

So now, feeling the rough texture of Nicole's belt where she expected to find smooth leather, Waverly couldn't resist getting a better look, her eyes blinking open. Nicole was already dressed minus her glock, holding herself over Waverly with an arm on either side of Waverly's shoulders.

Her attention immediately drawn to angelic features highlighted by the morning sun, Waverly reached up to trace the bruise along Nicole's temple that was already beginning to fade, the yellow edges creeping into her hairline from where Nicole had hit the wooden box in the barn… when Waverly had pushed her.

How could she have hurt Nicole? That hurt more than anything - more than the bruise on her stomach from where Wynonna had slugged her.

As if sensing her mood begin to darken, Nicole captured Waverly's hand, pressing a kiss to her palm, all while keeping herself up with the strength of one arm. "Are you going to wake up, Sleepy head?"

Waverly shook her head and let her eyes travel down the length of Nicole's body. Nicole had told her Nedley would allow her to get a new uniform, but she wasn't expecting the form-fitting top that clung to the long frame in all the right places.

"No?" Nicole laughed, leaning down to offer up another quick kiss. "Do you want to just bum around here for the day? I don't mind but I'd think you wanted to see Wynonna."

It was true. Wynonna had barely spoken since the results of the pregnancy test the day before. But… it felt so good to just be... Waverly and Nicole, just the two of them with no pregnant sisters or invading demons. No internal battle. It was selfish. It was self-absorbed.

And yet. Waverly shrugged, easing up and watching the shift of muscles beneath Nicole's top as she moved back as well. God, Waverly would pay money just to watch the tensing of muscles and confidence that Nicole exuded. Unfortunately, her bladder reminded her of just how long she'd been sleeping and she crinkled her nose in frustration. "Be right back. Don't go anywhere." She quickly slipped from the bed, wincing as her feet hit the cold floor as she rushed to the small bathroom.

"Waves?" Nicole's small sigh of exasperation came even through the closed door. "I have to go to work."

"Don't leave." Waverly called back as she flushed the toilet and quickly washed her hands, splashing some warm water on her face and making swift and efficient work of brushing her teeth with the toothbrush she kept at Nicole's. As she rinsed her mouth, she took a moment to think about the months they'd been together, a majority of the time in which Mikshun had been a part of and she couldn't help but feel cheated. These were supposed to be the best part of their relationship, the honeymoonish phase in which they spent wrapped in each other's arms exchanging kisses and other touches.

Finally, feeling a little more composed, she tugged Nicole's sleep shirt a little straighter, pursing her lips at the sleeping puppy on the front of it. Pulling her hair up into a loose bun, she shrugged. It wasn't the sexiest outfit, but she could make it work.

Heading back into the bedroom, she found Nicole standing in the middle of the room, typing into her phone. "Waves, I'm going to be…" When her eyes, highlighted to a gentle caramel in the sunlight, looked up from the screen, Nicole froze for a moment, and Waverly tried not to laugh as those eyes traveled over her body. "...late." She finished with an audible swallow.

Waverly smiled innocently, stepping up to Nicole and letting her fingertips travel up the smooth material. She traced the red and teal piping around the half zipper, noting the way Nicole had managed to find a uniform that let her keep that deep V revealed. As her hands slid down the front of Nicole's body, she felt more than heard the sharp inhale.

"What are you doing?" Nicole's voice was smaller but higher, one Waverly knew and understood deeply.

"Checking out my opposition," Waverly answered simply, slightly disappointed it would take a little more work getting to Nicole's warm skin than undoing a few stubborn buttons. She did, however, prefer the new utility belt that so easily came undone when she applied pressure to the top and bottom button, unlike the two belts Nicole had worn before, "for later."

"Later?" Nicole's voice sounded just as it did that day on Nedley's couch, full of pleasant surprise.

"Mmmhmm." Waverly smirked, finding that the new cargo pants only had one button where the khakis had had a button and a hook keeping it closed. "Purely research… for when I undress you later." She looked up through long lashes to find Nicole's eyes watching her, pupils dilated as the tip of her tongue emerged to wet her lips. "It's a shame you have to go to work." She commented, sliding her hand down the front of black pants, caressing the front of cotton boyshorts and finding a delicious heat.

"You…" Nicole curled a finger under Waverly's chin, tipping her head up, "are such a tease," she commented before capturing Waverly's lips in a kiss. It was deep and hungry, filled with a craving that reflected Waverly's own.

Waverly pressed her hand closer and was rewarded with a soft whimper, a sound she hoped she'd never grow tired of hearing. Not much later, a gentle pressure came from Nicole shifting, pushing her towards the bed. She broke off the kiss and looked down as a hand captured her around the wrist, dislodging her hand from Nicole's pants. "Baby, you're going to be late." She teased, even as a gentle hand pushed her to sit down on the edge of the bed. She rose an eyebrow as Nicole knelt on the floor in front of her.

"I guess I can be a little late." One corner of Nicole's mouth tipped up in a smirk as she eased Waverly's thighs apart, pulling her forward to the very edge of the bed.

Her nostrils flaring as teeth nipped the inside of her thigh, Waverly held back a whimper, hot hands sliding up her thighs and pushing up the shirt she wore. " A little?" She yelped as neat teeth bit a little harder, playful eyes looking up at her. She could feel the pull in her thigh muscles as her legs were spread wider. She tangled her fingers in auburn hair, leading Nicole just where she needed her, gasping as a hot tongue began to move against her. "Holy, Shitballs." She whispered, laying back, her hips tilting skyward. "Call in sick." She demanded, swearing she felt a chuckle from the mouth pressed against her.

#wayhaught #wynonna earp #wefanfic #haught damn