#BUT YES. BBD WILL RETURN | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

earpdearp · 7 years

Text

not just a long day

Wherein Waverly and Nicole deal with a delinquent Doc, a grumpy Calamity Jane and a very hectic evening. A few moments of peace in an otherwise crazy day. At least Nicole is in a good mood.

Takes place at the end of 1x10 to showcase what the heck Waverly and Nicole might have been doing while Wynonna/Dolls/Willa took care of business.

Also on AO3. Approximately 8,007 words.

Other WayHaught “not just friends” fics in this series: not just any first date | not just a secret | not just heavenly

A tired ache rippled down Waverly’s spine, the result of too early a morning and too little sleep fretting over her absent sister. She stifled another yawn.

Drumming her fingers on her laptop, Waverly worried at her lower lip with her teeth. A handwritten note sat next to her bearing a list of 10 names underscored by a big bold “HELP“ at the bottom (a “gift” from the recently returned Wynonna).

Wynonna paced the small office, her haggard blue eyes making her look like a caged animal. She sighed in anger as she put her (brand-new) cellphone to her ear again. “Voicemail,” Wynonna scowled. “Which Dolls never listens to because he says it’s antiquated.”

That’s… a rather specific thing to know about Dolls, Waverly thought with a nose-wrinkle as she cross-checked the next name on the list. The sinking feeling in her chest was growing with each hit to the police database.

“Yo! Dummy! Stop being a dingus and call me back!” Wynonna barked into her phone. “…and please be okay, also…” She trailed off with an eyeroll and an awkward hand-wave before throwing the phone down.

Jeez she’s bad at this.

“Are you all right there?” Waverly asked softly. She dragged a finger down her cheek to mimic the pair of angry black lines around Wynonna’s right eye. “What is that?”

“It’s like Sharpie, it won’t come off.” Wynonna whined as she wiped at her eye again then checked her fingers (still no residue). She poked Waverly in the shoulder. “Find anything?”

Nothing good.

Sighing, Waverly tapped her finger on her laptop. “Every single girl on this list? Found dead. Scattered around the Ghost River Triangle.” She pushed open one of Nicole’s files where ugly photos showed gore and meat and little else. “Autopsies say that they were ‘toyed with and then killed by animals that had gone rogue,’” Waverly quoted from the topmost report.

“Rabies?” Wynonna asked, eyes narrowing in worry.

“No, just… torture.” The wording alone was starting to make Waverly a little sick to her stomach. “Like, every single bone in their body broken, their skin licked off.”

Wynonna’s face contorted in exhausted defeat. “This is why I don’t do pets,” she said simply.

“Have you seen the last word on the list?” Waverly asked with a point to the scrap of paper bag the names had been written on.

“Yea. ‘Help.’ Eve and the rest of those girls are still out there.” There was a tired determination in Wynonna’s voice.

“Yea. With Lunatic Lou,” Waverly agreed.

Shaking her head, Wynonna looked over the girls’ photos and reports spread out on the table. Her eyes were hooded. “Delinquents and runaways. I mean, it could have just as easily been me back then that got sucked into this asshat’s scheme.” She frowned.

Waverly reached out and patted Wynonna’s thigh propped up on the table edge.

“Whiskey Jim said he has a weapon…” Genuine worry crossed Wynonna’s face.

“So do you,” Waverly said encouragingly. “A big gun.” Her eyes flicked to Wynonna’s belt.

Wynonna cringed, her eyes deliberately not meeting Waverly’s. “Which I lost. In the Pine Barrens.”

“…What?!” Waverly’s voice was a squawk of outrage.

“Along with my partner,” Wynonna continued. “…why is he not back yet??” She slapped her thigh impatiently and glanced around the office with a huff.

“Maybe they didn’t drop him in Purgatory,” Waverly suggested.

“Which means he’s alone. In the woods. Which he hates.” Licking her lips in a scowl, Wynonna jumped off the table and scooped up her phone before hauling ass out the BBD office door. A loud, deadpan “Shit!” echoed down the hallway.

Waverly started to follow, but made eye contact with Nicole at the police desk. Plus, part of her was—frankly—pissed at Wynonna. Especially after being sick with worry for the past day (a worry that turned out to be well-founded, since there was a frickin’ cult in the woods kidnapping girls).

And to make matters worse, Wynonna had lost Peacemaker: the one thing that could break the curse. And the Pine Barrens were a big place. A needle in a haystack made of needles.

Waverly felt a tremor of despair join the tired ache in her shoulders. She let Wynonna tear off down the hall and instead leaned over the desk in front of Nicole to brace herself.

That exhaustion lightened a little when Nicole smiled at her, brown eyes sparkling with eagerness.

“Okay,” Nicole murmured as she set down the clipboard she’d been working on. “So where were we? Because I seem to think it was something about, like, candles… you trying to get me into a sexy… black… dress…” Nicole trailed off when she noticed Waverly’s withdrawn expression. Her eager grin sobered to concern. “…Something’s wrong.”

Oh shit. Shit! We were supposed to go out!

But Peacemaker! And Dolls! And those girls!

Shit!!

Groaning inwardly, Waverly’s eyes searched the desk as she pensively clasped her hands in front of her. “A lot of things might be wrong. Dolls and Wynonna and her gun…”

Nicole, still on the chipper side, furrowed her brow in confusion. “Okay, what is the deal with that gun, anyway?”

The dispatch radio at the end of the desk crackled to life. The female Ghost River Triangle operator sounded bored. [“We have reports of a pink, four-door sedan driving erratically on Highway 81. Please respond.”]

Waverly’s head shot up to glance at Nicole. She felt a brief twinge of anxiety. “…did she say pink?”

Oh God, he had to do this now?

…this is all my fault.

A tight frown accompanied Nicole’s confused look before she arched her eyebrows in question.

Face scrunching with apology, Waverly offered a pleading, toothy grin. “Please? Can we go check it out? It’s important.”

Nicole squinted back, but Waverly could see her resolve weakening. After a few seconds, Nicole rolled her eyes good-naturedly and sighed (with a small smile). She reached over, grabbed the radio and clicked the call button. “10-4. Officer Haught responding.” She nodded at the exit for Waverly to follow as she gathered up her jacket, gloves and Stetson from the coat rack (after telling Phillips she would be out on an 11-95).

Bundled in a brown jacket, scarf and ear muffs, Waverly met Nicole out front of the station. That tired weight still lingered in Waverly’s shoulders, but being with Nicole woke her up with a familiar, giddy feeling in her chest.

“Just so you know…” Nicole muttered quietly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “…it’s not really standard operating procedure to bring a civilian for a ride-along on a traffic stop.”

Offering a wide, crinkling smile, Waverly skipped slightly as she teased back with mock-confusion, “And here I thought this was a date. Is it not?”

“God I hope not,” Nicole smirked with a breathy laugh. “It’s definitely not what I, personally, had in mind? Unless there’s something you’re really not telling me.”

Chuckling, Waverly nudged at Nicole’s shoulder with her own. “Buy you lunch on the way over and I’ll explain?”

Pulling off her Stetson and holding it to her chest, Nicole raised an eyebrow. “This is a date. Or else you’re bribing an officer, Waverly Earp. Tsk.” She shot Waverly a dramatic frown before stepping into her cruiser.

Getting into the passenger side, Waverly brought up her phone to try and formulate an intercept strategy. “Less of a bribe, more of a—just that this is… kind of… sort of… probably… my fault?” She cringe-smiled, brows furrowing in apology.

Nicole squinted back at Waverly with skepticism but angled her cruiser down the main thoroughfare. “Somehow I doubt that. …Drive-thru Sam’s Samwiches okay?”

Waverly nodded as she studied her phone. It only took about 5 minutes to hit up the deli sandwich drive-thru and be on their way to I-80. A light snowfall sprinkled on the windshield, which sent a pang of worry through Waverly about where Wynonna (and Dolls) had run off to. She crunched on a salt-and-vinegar potato chip as she thumbed around the map app.

Where are you going, Doc Holliday? You big dummy.

Taking a sip of her steaming coffee, Nicole asked, “So what’s the deal? Who’s in the pink sedan? …Can’t be Wynonna, cuz I saw her with you five seconds before the call came in. …how’s she’s doing, by the way?”

“She’s okay… for Wynonna. She lost Dolls in the woods so she went to go look for him,” Waverly said with a worried frown.

“Oh dang. Does she need some help canvassing?”

The thought of Dolls throwing a fit over Nicole bringing the cavalry to track him down in the woods almost made Waverly laugh. It’d serve that big, lone-wolf stiff right.

“I doubt he’d appreciate the fuss, but… you never know. Maybe be on standby? Is that a thing you guys do?” Waverly wrinkled her nose.

Nicole repeated the question back, “Is that a thing the Purgatory Sheriff’s Department does? Not usually.” Drumming her gloved fingers on her steering wheel, Nicole turned on to the I-80 on-ramp. “…is that something I’d do because you asked? Of course.” She winked at Waverly.

That giddy feeling lurched slightly. Waverly smiled back. “Thank you. And thank you for those files from yesterday, by the way. I think we mighta cracked that case. More or less.”

Mouth tightening into an impressed line, Nicole started to say something before the police scanner crackled to life.

That same bored, female dispatcher. [“Another sighting on the pink sedan, this time northeast just past FM 4592. Staties clocked the vehicle going 140 in a posted 50. Officer Haught respond.”]

Yes! And we’re heading in that direction! Waverly tugged at Nicole’s sleeve, who nodded back. The cruiser sped up slight with a thrum of the throttle. Dusty snow billowed around them on the near-empty highway.

Pulling up her radio, Nicole brought it to her mouth with a click. “10-4, Haught responding and in pursuit. Did they get a license number on the vehicle?”

[“Vanity plate. Sierra-Tango-Oscar-November-Echo-Charlie-Oscar-Lima-Delta.”]

“Copy that. Haught out.” Nicole’s brow furrowed as she put the radio back. She glanced over at Waverly. “’STONE COLD?’ Seriously? Who is this?”

Waverly just grimaced. “So, um… yea. It’s—it’s Doc.”

“Doc? Doc-Doc. That guy living on the Homestead that looks like he fell out of a Western? The one Wynonna is… you know…”

“Banging?” Not anymore.

“That’s the one,” Waverly agreed with a sigh.

Nicole’s fingers splayed on her steering in an attempt at an exasperated hand motion. “…I have so many questions, I don’t even know where to begin.” She chewed her cheek a moment, her neck stiffening. “…are you gonna ask me to go easy on him? Or sweep this under the rug?”

“What?” Waverly tilted her head, semi-offended. “Oh! No! God no, Nicole! Doc definitely deserves whatever it is you’re gonna do to him. And then some. No, I just want to be able to yell at him when you do.”

A breathless exhale of a laugh as Nicole grinned back. She narrowed her eyes for a second. “Wait, I thought you said this was ‘sort of’ your fault? But you’re going to yell at him?” Her head bounced back and forth as she digested that thought.

Waverly played with another potato chip in her fingers before slowly replying. “I’m the one who suggested he… learn how to drive yesterday. And I definitely didn’t teach him, and Wynonna wasn’t around. Sooo…” Popping the chip in her mouth, she crunched with a sheepish smile.

“Ohhhhhh.” Nicole drew out the word with pursed lips. “Wait, he doesn’t know how to drive? Then why—how does he have a—?”

“Oh! There it is!” Waverly shouted as she saw a pink speck in the distance. She patted at Nicole’s elbow in excitement.

“I see it,” Nicole said as she put the call in over the radio. A flick of her thumb on the dashboard turned on the lights and siren.

Admittedly, this was actually kind of exciting for Waverly. It drowned out the gnawing anger she was feeling towards that stupid cowboy for a minute or two.

That pink speck grew to a distinct Cadillac backend with the red glare of taillights. Nicole did have to come up alongside the sedan, which was thankfully no longer going 140 but still weaving erratically on the snowy surface. She had Waverly lean back so she could point an emphatic finger to the side of the road, which Doc did manage to oblige.

The Cadillac slowed down and pulled off to the side (Doc probably didn’t know how to use his hazard lights). The cruiser came to a stop just behind the sedan, the noisy siren turned off while the red and blue flashers remained. Powdery snow swirled around them in heavy gusts.

Sliding a ticket pad out of her center console, Nicole glanced over at Waverly (who was glaring at the other car, her anger rekindled).

“Stay here?” Nicole asked as she snapped the pad into her metal clipboard. “I need to do my job.”

Waverly just nodded, still staring ahead.

There was a click of a door latch as Nicole stepped out of her car. She set her white Stetson on her head before adjusting her gloves and coat. Waverly admired the view for a moment. There was a calm confidence to Nicole’s walk, and she could practically hear the woman’s soothing voice when saw Nicole’s head tilt as she approached the driver’s side window.

Watching the two exchange words made impatience build in Waverly’s chest. She chewed over her family’s dealing with that Goddamn Doc Holliday since he’d showed up. Most of the time, he’d been trouble.

But he’d been our kind of trouble… Wynonna’s kind at the very least. And he seemed sort of loyal, at least to the Earp name? What the hell, Doc?? One little spat with Wynonna and you just bail?!

Unable to take it any longer, Waverly popped out of the passenger side. She wasn’t gonna stop Nicole from giving him a ticket (oh please arrest him please please pleeeease), but she was gonna give that flighty hustler a piece of her mind.

Waverly stomped towards Doc, fire in her eyes. She saw his terrified expression in the side mirror as she approached. Her voice was an indignant, high-pitched shout. “How about a frickin’ explanation, huh?!”

Nicole shrank back slightly at Waverly’s rage, but a please smiled curled her lips. The Officer just continued writing her (very straightforward) ticket and stayed out of Waverly’s way.

Waverly heard Doc’s soft Southern drawl from inside the car. “If there is any kindness in you: you will arrest me, and quick.”

“Sorry there, Stone Cold. Not getting off so easy,” Nicole drawled back as she ripped out the ticket from her pad. A long list of fines was spelled out on the paperwork (failure to have valid ID, failure to have valid registration, speeding 90 miles above posted speed limit) for a grand total of $630 and a court date for late December.

Serves him right.

Nicole stepped away and gave Waverly a cringing smile (and a wide berth). She whispered, “I’ll give you two a minute” before crunching back in the snow to her cruiser. Through the windshield, Waverly could see Nicole taking a bite of her sandwich and a sip of her coffee. The woman tipped her hat in acknowledgement.

Setting her arm on the driver’s door, Waverly ground her teeth as she studied the man. Doc sat back in defeat as he examined the strip of carbon-copied paper. His moustache twitched in confusion before his eyes sheepishly glanced over at Waverly in his periphery.

“So where do you think you’re going?” Waverly asked sharply.

“Well, I thought I’d visit my Mama’s grave in Valdosta. ‘Bout time, I reckon.” Doc’s gaze was far-off and fond. He almost sounded sincere.

Waverly didn’t buy it for a second. “…Bullshit, you’re headed northeast.” She pointed down the highway. Valdosta was southeast.

Those blue eyes softened as Doc shrugged back at Waverly. “I have vanquished my enemy. I have taken her horse. I am finished here, Waverly.” He gestured with an apologetic hand.

“This was your plan the whole time,” Waverly said, voice hard with accusation.

“No, this was your plan,” Doc retorted with a familiar, smug smile. “You told me to learn how to drive.”

That made Waverly scowl, mostly because it flared up the guilt already rattling in her chest. “I didn’t mean ‘leave Purgatory without a word!’”

He wasn’t wrong. She could have put off going to the library yesterday. She could have stayed and taught Doc how to drive. He was hurting over Wynonna and she knew it (even if he’d never admit it). But part of Waverly had wanted to punish him for sleeping around with her sister, for always keeping secrets… For always being so full of bullshit.

“I do hate goodbyes.” There it was. For just a second, there was a flash of heartbreak in Doc’s eyes. He gave an acknowledging nod before his gruff façade returned.

“Look… we need you, okay?” Waverly pleaded. When Doc gave Waverly a scoffing smile, she continued, “She needs you.”

Doc rolled his tongue over his teeth, his tone laced with bitterness. “Well, she has Dolls.” He arched his eyebrows significantly at Waverly before his eyes returned to the road.

Oh shit… really, Wynonna?!

Waverly was running out of steam… and solid arguments. “…can’t you at least try?” she asked softly. Her eyes flicked back to the cruiser behind them. A visible Nicole had her radio to her mouth, though she waved a finger at Waverly with a smile. “…I mean, I’m trying with Nicole.”

It was the first time she’d actually told another person, out loud.

“I’m with Nicole.”

And of all people, she chose Doc. She couldn’t trust the man as far as she could throw him… but This… she knew he understood This. And she knew he understood This wouldn’t always be easy, but you still tried anyway.

Please try, Doc. For once in your miserable, selfish life. Try to be something better.

Doc managed an appreciative smile… before his expression hardened. “Difference is: she adores you back.” With a tilt of his black hat, Doc turned the ignition. The engine sputtering to life, that pink Cadillac struggled with the icy road for a second before it rumbled off down I-80.

Waverly stared off after Doc, her anger cooling to a sense of loss. She wished she knew what to say. As much as Doc frustrated her, Waverly knew deep down there was a good man in there. She’d seen it. He was a part of this whole Earp Curse mess—a part of Wynonna—no matter how much he tried to run away.

If only he knew it.

Shivering in the snow, Waverly slipped and slid her way back to Nicole’s cruiser. As she settled into the blessedly warm car, her phone pinged with a text message.

[Unknown says: “found dolls & peacemaker!! going after that shitstick lou. wish me luck babygirl! …….christ I need a drink or ten when this is over”]

Adding Wynonna’s new number to her phone, Waverly texted back a fond good luck. She could tell her sister about Doc later. Hopefully the man would come to his senses on his own.

“Everything okay?” Nicole asked with a final bite of her sandwich. She eyeballed the retreating vehicle. “Technically, I probably should have had him impounded. Serious lack of ID.”

Waverly shot Nicole a sad smile. “If he comes back, I’ll make sure he gets a license and stuff.”

“’If’ he comes back?”

Nodding, Waverly buckled herself in and dug into her own sandwich (she’d been too filled with rage to eat earlier). She wrapped one hand around her own cup of coffee and savored the warmth.

Nicole tilted her head. “Do you mind if I ask: what is Doc’s deal?”

That’s a big question.

“What do you mean?”

Gesturing wide with her hand, the woman gave an exaggerated head shake. “Like his whole deal? He dresses like a card shark from the 1800s. He’s also got no ID, no prior record, no hint that he even exists. …And is Doc short for Doctor?”

“Yes,” Waverly confirmed with a suppressed smile.

Trust me. I went through this whole gambit of emotions when I first met him.

Nicole made a soft sputtering noise in the back of her throat with dismay. “What in God’s Name is he a doctor of?”

Waverly had a brief mental image of all the Earp history she’d absorbed over the past decade. The file on one Dr. John Henry Holliday was quite extensive. “He was—is a dentist, actually.”

Like 145 years ago, but still.

“That Gambler rip-off is a dentist??” Nicole made a horrified face. “I’ll stick with my bi-annual cleanings in the city, thank you.”

“Probably for the best,” Waverly confirmed with a chuckle, as the mental image of Doc trying to use modern dental tools was priceless. She waved her phone at Nicole. “I heard back from Wynonna. She found Dolls. And her gun.”

Laughing lightly, Nicole agreed, “Well as long as she found her gun.” She winked at Waverly as she shifted the cruiser into drive and made a U-turn back towards Purgatory.

“So I—I don’t think we can go to the city tonight. For ice cream and… stuff.” Waverly winced with apology, fretful that Nicole would be upset. “I’m really sorry. It’s just—I don’t know. I just don’t think we can.”

A worry settled in Waverly’s stomach like it always did when Wynonna went out. She had escaped Lou before, though. But Waverly didn’t know how taking down Lou might impact Wynonna. Wynonna seemed to take those kidnapped girls pretty hard, so it was a 50/50 chance she’d either want to talk about it or just drown her sorrows in a bottle all alone somewhere.

And she was already promising needing a drink or ten… Ugh, I can feel the hangover already.

Waverly wanted to be there for her sister, regardless. That was what family did, after all.

But… it meant disappointing Nicole. That Wynonna Worry was mixing together with the fear of screwing up her new relationship. Bailing on dates, lying about the Earp Curse, hiding things… what if—what if it became too much to deal with? She chewed her cheek in consternation.

Looking over at Waverly, Nicole’s brow furrowed as her lip jutted out in sympathy. Nicole cooed with a slanted smile, “Oh, baby. …you have been dating too many shit-heads.” Her tone was mirthful with an almost patronizing understanding.

Sucking in an angry breath through her teeth, Waverly opened her mouth to protest… then stopped. She then snapped her mouth shut and her cheeks puffed out from a defeated exhale. Scowling, Waverly gave a weak nod. “No, I—Okay… Maybe?”

A hand found Waverly’s wrist and stroked it reassuringly. “Waverly, you—and Wynonna and Dolls—your work is complicated. And I’m a cop. We don’t always get to pick a good time for stuff. We just… make it work when we can and hope for the best when we can’t. That’s all we really can do. Okay?” Nicole’s smile was gentle.

“Okay,” Waverly agreed softly. She placed her other hand over Nicole’s on her wrist. Her thumb traced along the back of the woman’s hand. “…just so you know, I was really looking forward to it.”

“Yea?”

“Yea.”

“Me too,” Nicole replied with a warm smile. “Though I’ve gotten spoiled seeing you pretty much every day this week since we started… all this.” She gestured between them with her other hand. “Which is pretty amazing.” Nicole gave Waverly a determined look. “But I’m not in any hurry. I just… want you to know: there’s no hurry. Okay?” Nicole looked like she wanted to elaborate, but she just waited.

Maybe… maybe I want to hurry, Waverly thought with a wicked smile. But she just nodded back in acknowledgement. “Okay.” She gave Nicole’s hand a firm squeeze before releasing it.

“I know we can’t go like out-out, but… would you be free later? Just dinner?” There was a hopeful lilt to Nicole’s question.

Just then, Waverly’s phone rang. She held up a hand with a “Hold that thought.”

Aunt Gus?

[“Waverly! Are you at the Homestead?”] The older woman sounded out of breath.

“Nope, I’m… out.” She glanced over at Nicole whose cheek twitched with a smile.

[“Okay, well I’m comin’ by later with some stuff. The tools for your shed we discussed and some of those books and things you picked out yesterday at the house.”]

“Okay. Did you need me to let you in?”

[“Nah, don’t fuss, girl. I’ve still got your spare key that I’d best be returnin’. …Wynonna around?”] There was some worry in Gus’s voice. Even after all these years, those two still had trouble getting along.

Waverly peered out the window to look at the cloudy afternoon sky. “No, she’s… out on a case. Probably won’t be home ‘til real late. If at all.”

[“Still can’t believe someone saw fit to give our Wynonna a badge and a gun.”] Gus gave a disbelieving chuckle.

Well, just the badge. The gun came with.

“She’s pretty dang good at it, Aunt Gus,” Waverly reminded the woman.

[“I’m sure she is. You eat yet?”]

Squinting with one eye in a wince, Waverly said, “I, uh… was gonna have dinner with someone. But I can meet you at the house after? If that’s okay?”

Nicole looked over, eyebrows arched. Her lips formed a little line of suppressed joy.

[“That’s fine, honey. Don’t fuss. I can keep myself busy. I was gonna bring by some leftover stew I’d made. You should have some… You’re lookin’ like skin and bones these past few weeks. You eatin’ enough, girl?”]

Waverly sighed in exasperation. She looked down at herself, insecurity flaring up. “I don’t think I’ve lost any—I don’t look that bad, do I?” She shook her head, not waiting for an answer. ”…I’m fine, Aunt Gus. I’ll see you at the house, okay? Pick you up your favorite beer. …and don’t say ‘don’t fuss’ cuz I’m gonna fuss,” Waverly warned in a severe tone.

[“Okay okay.”] Gus relented with a dry laugh. [“See you at the Homestead, kid. Love you.”]

“Love you too,” Waverly replied then swiped to disconnect the call.

When she glanced over at Nicole, the woman seemed to be smiling to herself about something. “…What?”

“I—nothing!” Nicole said as she cleared her throat and shifted in her seat. When Waverly glared at her expectantly for a few seconds, she opened her mouth and licked her lips in an awkward stall tactic. “I was—just… I don’t think look you bad.”

Squinting at how terrible that sounded, Nicole tried again (very slowly). “I… just meant… that… I think… you look… good. …Amazing, actually.” She glanced back at Waverly with a cheesy grin.

“Oh!” To say Waverly was pleased was an understatement. She grinned back. “Thank you. You look pretty amazing yourself.”

Clearing her throat again, Nicole asked, “So… um… I’m off at six. If you wanted, you could hang out at my place til then? If you’re not busy?”

“Oh, that’d be great! I definitely don’t wanna go home yet. Knowing Gus, there’s a million things in the house we didn’t fix right and she’s gonna tell me every. Single. One.” Waverly smiled to herself at the thought of hanging out at Nicole’s. “And! It’d give me and Calamity Jane a chance to bond.”

“Good luck with that,” Nicole quipped with an eyeroll. “I’m not saying it’s impossible. I’m just saying you’ve got your work cut out for you.” She winked. “But if anyone can do it on the first try, it’d be you.” Her smile was small and unreadable.

Nicole had to address a few radio calls on their return to the station, which gave Waverly time to think. She kept stealing furtive glances at the woman, who was still cheerful despite everything. Even the dispatcher’s needling or the threats of more desk duty didn’t dampen Nicole’s mood.

How was she so effortlessly sweet?

It made Waverly ache a little in her chest. She was used to Champ’s brand of sweet that accompanied a pause to have it acknowledged. Like a “I did good, huh?” type of attitude.

It was like… Nicole just was. Without any hidden motive or expectation. It was comforting.

Thanks… baby.

When they returned to the station, Nicole turned over her set of house keys to Waverly. Nicole thanked her profusely for taking care of Calamity Jane til she got home. With a small kiss, they parted ways just outside Nicole’s cruiser. The snow finally started to lighten up, too.

Waverly made a very long detour to the liquor store near Nicole’s house after coming up with an ingenious idea. It took her about two minutes to find a six-pack of the seasonal Molson that Aunt Gus loved, but about twenty minutes to gather the other items on her list. Luckily, she did eventually find everything she was looking for, all wrapped in a decorative bag. She clutched both tight as she made her way back to her Jeep.

And no tiny whiskey bottle this time. No jangled nerves. Just that giddy happiness in Waverly’s chest.

She managed to make it to Nicole’s on the first try, remembering the weird, hidden side road leading to the small blue house. With a click of the deadbolt, Waverly headed inside after kicking the snow off her boots. She stowed away her gifts in the kitchen for later.

The house was a little cold for Waverly’s liking, but she didn’t want to be a rude houseguest and start messing with the heater. She did remember where Nicole’s side closet was that held spare blankets, though, and grabbed a couple. The blanket she’d used a couple nights ago still sat folded on the couch arm. Just waiting for her to return.

Before building a blanket nest on the couch, Waverly walked a circuit of the house and cooed for Calamity Jane. The ginger cat was nowhere to be found, and Waverly had a brief stabbing worry that she was missing or had escaped.

Squinting her eyes in consideration, Waverly made her way back to the kitchen and started a sweep of pantry and cabinet doors. In the lower pantry, she found an open bag of dry cat food and a small stack of tins.

I… probably should have asked how much to give her.

Oh well. This is a goodwill ambassador mission. Gotta build that trust with the lady of the house.

Grabbing a handful of dry food and one of the flat cans, Waverly made a repeat of that cooing noise.

She sprinkled the pellets loudly into one end of the dual food bowl and waited a moment.

Nothing.

Waverly slowly tapped the top of the can before giving the lid a slow peel. The metal creaked loudly as a weird, heavy salmon smell hit her nose. By the time she finished removing the metal lid, there was a hopeful meow at the entryway.

Calamity Jane stood just at the corner’s edge, staring back with honey-colored eyes. She watched Waverly very carefully as the woman upended the can before surging forward to start eating. She allowed a tentative stroke of her fur before swiveling around to glare when Waverly tried again. A paw was readied to swipe.

“Okay, you big grump. You will love me, eventually. You’re just delaying the inevitable.”

Only a glare in response as CJ went back to eating.

During Waverly’s sweep she also found an opened bottle of zinfandel which made her smile. Waverly knew they’d finished off the one she’d brought the other night, which meant Nicole had picked this up on her own. She poured herself a small glass and went to work building her blanket nest on the couch.

It felt weird, being in Nicole’s house without Nicole. Waverly wasn’t sure where she belonged, or if she was messing anything up. Leaning over, she scooped up the copy of Little Women she’d loaned Nicole.

Based on the bookmark, Nicole was nearly done already. Waverly smiled and opened to see what part she was at before tucking it back into place. It couldn’t hurt to reread it again. Maybe they could talk about it when Nicole finished.

Settling into her pile of blankets, Waverly stretched out on the couch with her book and took a deep sip of wine. She started to read.

Chapter 1. Playing Pilgrims.

“Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents,” grumbled Jo, lying on the rug.

“It’s so dreadful to be poor!” sighed Meg, looking down at her old dress.

The front door opening awakened Waverly, followed by a soft “Hey, you.”

Bolting upright, Waverly looked around. It was dark outside. The house was dimly lit except for her reading lamp. A ginger cat was perched at the end of the sofa back, stretching lazily as it looked up at Nicole.

“Hey! …What time is it?” Yawning, Waverly stretched. Her little nap had been rather refreshing.

“After seven,” Nicole said apologetically as she slid her jacket onto the wall coat rack. “Judge Cryderman’s secretary just loves to talk.”

“Dolores? Oh yea, you’re lucky you made it out alive,” Waverly agreed with a chuckle. She stretched out her hand to Calamity Jane, who sniffed her fingers. After a moment, the cat gave her hand a brief face-nuzzle before jumping off the couch. “Did you see that?!”

Nicole laughed as she reached down where Waverly couldn’t see. The motion of her arm indicated she was giving the cat’s thick fur a good scratch. “I did! You worked a miracle.”

“And you doubted me,” Waverly said seriously, feigning offense.

“I said you’d have your work cut out for you,” Nicole reminded her with a wink. “And I was rooting for you.”

Smirking smugly, Waverly stuck out her chin. “Mmmhmmm.”

Waverly beckoned the woman over with a finger, who eagerly obliged as she made her way around the coffee table. After patting the blanket pile to figure out where Waverly’s legs ended, Nicole flopped down on the couch with a grin. “You look very comfortable.”

Not saying anything, Waverly pulled Nicole into a deep kiss. Her hand trailed around the back of Nicole’s now loose French braid. She felt a hand search around her side for the edge of the blanket before slipping underneath to her bare abs with a gentle stroke.

Running her fingertips along Nicole’s jaw, Waverly flicked her tongue over Nicole’s lips with a wicked grin. The woman exhaled in a light laugh through her nose before responding in kind. Nicole leaned into Waverly which pushed her back against the couch into her blanket pile. Their heads had to switch tilt for a better position, their noses bumping along the way. It was Waverly’s turn for a breathy laugh just as Nicole pulled at her bottom lip with a nibble.

They pulled apart for a second, eyes searching the other’s face. Waverly saw quiet wonder in Nicole’s eyes. She wasn’t sure how she looked, but whatever Nicole saw made her smile wider. They dipped back together for a slow, soft kiss. That hand at Waverly’s side shifted and stroked upward, tracing its way up her ribs.

With an impatient whimper, Waverly dropped her hand down and tugged at Nicole’s uniform shirt. The button-down pulled loose from Nicole’s belt, giving Waverly free reign to slip her own hand to find bare abs. Her skin was so soft and warm. The was a slight flinch and a brief chuckle when apparently Waverly hit the wrong (right?) spot.

So. She’s ticklish.

Nicole pushed back with a deeper kiss, tongue flicking along Waverly’s upper lip and teeth. She felt an answering whimper from Nicole as the woman’s head dropped. That hand roaming her ribs ghosted over a breast before sweeping up to her neck. Lavishing kisses down Waverly’s jaw, Nicole trailed down her neck before that hand started to push her green top’s shoulder down. She started sliding Waverly’s bra strap down with it, a kiss in place of the elastic.

Fumbling with Nicole’s shirt, Waverly’s thumbs picked at the bottom-most button. She couldn’t seem to undo it, especially from such a low, sharp angle. She let out a light hiss of frustration. Instead, Waverly let her fingertips wander to Nicole’s belt and attempt to work there.

A sharp, judgmental meow made Waverly open her eyes. Glancing over at the coffee table, a ginger cat sat pompously swishing its tail. Just past Calamity Jane, Waverly’s eyes caught the time on the DVR.

8:10PM.

Shitballs!

Clearing her throat, Waverly smiled sheepishly. “I should… probably get going. Aunt Gus is waiting and she usually goes to bed early.”

Nicole’s head tilted with a frown of apology. “Aw, no time for dinner? Well shit. I’m sorry, Waves,” she replied, rolling off of Waverly’s hips.

…That’s it? No argument? No convincing me to stay?

It felt unfair to make the Champ comparison, but he was Waverly’s most recent frame of reference: Champ would have begged and bartered and guilted for her to stay. She was so used to that sort of pushback that Waverly wasn’t sure what to do about this.

Was she offended by how quickly Nicole had conceded? Or was it refreshing to make a decision and not have to spend the energy rationalizing it?

“Are you… okay with that?”

Nicole shot Waverly a wide-eyed, tender look. “Of course! I just feel bad that you didn’t get to eat first. Since you’re wasting away to nothing, apparently.” Her gaze lingered downward, but her appraisal was nothing but complimentary. Brown eyes snapped back up to Waverly’s with an accompanying smile. “I should have picked something up on the way home. Sorry.”

I guess I have been dating a lot of shit-heads.

“It’s okay. I’ve still got stew waiting for me at home. Gus’ll be thrilled. …What are you gonna do?” Waverly asked.

Just as she was about to reply, Nicole’s phone rang.

The woman scowled, but when she checked her phone her eyes widened in shock.

Waverly nodded at Nicole’s phone. “Who is it?”

Nicole tucked a loose strand of red hair behind her ear. “Nedley.” She shot Waverly a worried look before answering.

The man’s voice on the other end was far too low for Waverly to pick up. All she caught was Nicole’s side of the conversation.

“This is Haught… …Just got home… …What’s going on? …Yes, sir. …Yes, sir… Okay, sir… I’ll be up there soon. Okay.”

“That doesn’t sound good,” Waverly commented as she adjusted her shirt and bra back into place.

“It is, actually,” Nicole said as she stood up. She started to tuck her shirt in. “They found a whole slew of girls in some crazy cult. Mostly runaways from around the Ghost River Triangle.”

Wynonna!

Nicole continued, “I guess the Feds took down the leader in a sting, so now they need help getting the girls back to their families. Be more comfortable with a female officer present to help process and take statements.”

“Oh, uh… that’s great! I mean, it sucks you have to go back to work, but that’s great you get to be a part of it.” She chewed her cheek and avoided eye contact.

God, I hate this. Am I allowed to talk about this, Dolls? I didn’t get a frickin’ rule book.

Nicole stopped getting ready and tilted her head at Waverly. “…this is what you were talking about earlier, isn’t it? When you said you cracked those cases I gave y’all. This wasn’t ‘the Feds,’ this was Wynonna and Dolls,” she stated.

“Um…” Waverly trailed off. She shrugged with a cringing smile. “…Kind of. Probably. …Yea.”

Nicole stared at her phone for a moment. “I don’t know how Wynonna did it. I don’t understand how she does what she does… and I know you know more than you’re letting on, Wave.” Nicole’s eyes flicked up to Waverly’s, her expression slightly wounded.

A pang of guilt stole the air from Waverly’s lungs.

Then Nicole’s gaze softened with a smile. “But… please keep doing what you’re doing. I’m glad there are people out there like Wynonna… like you.” She leaned over to rest her forehead against Waverly’s. “Just maybe let us cops help every now and then, okay? I promise we’re good at it.”

“Okay… I mean, I’d have to ask Dolls… it’s kind of his show,” Waverly said with an apologetic wince.

A breathy laugh in response. “Right.” Nicole leaned forward to kiss Waverly before heading for the kitchen. “Well, I see you found the wine. I think I still have some leftovers. Sure you’ll be okay?”

Before Waverly could answer, she heard a distinct crinkling of a bag. Nicole called over, “Hey, what’s this?”

Grinning, Waverly stood up and leaned against the kitchen door frame. She nodded towards the bag. “Just a small gift. You can open it.”

Nicole’s mouth tightened to an impressed line. “Wave… you didn’t have to…”

Reaching a hand in, Nicole pulled out the largest item first: a bottle of moscato. Nicole turned to her, raising a suspicious eyebrow. “How did you know?”

“You’d be surprised what Mickey over at Lucky Liquor remembers. I did some asking and found out that ‘that red-haired lady cop’ buys a lot of this moscato. And I found out your other favorite ice cream to boot.” Waverly tossed her head in the direction of the refrigerator.

“You didn’t…”

“Oh, I did.”

Nicole yanked open the freezer door to find one pint of chocolate chip cookie dough, one mint chocolate chip, and one Cherry Garcia stacked neatly in a row. The woman made a deep, appreciative exhaling sound. “This is dangerous to leave alone with me.”

“Next time, then,” Waverly said with a grin. She stuck her chin out at the bag again. “There’s more, too.”

Digging at the bottom of the bag, Nicole held up a pair of dangling charms: a unicorn and a cowboy hat.

Leaning over the kitchen table, Waverly rested her head on her hands. “I thought they were cute! For our wine glasses!”

Nicole nodded, her smiled slanted and pleased. She pulled an empty glass out of the cupboard and snapped the cowboy hat charm on hers and set it next to the moscato. “For next time, then.”

The last item in the bag had been extremely difficult to find at a liquor store. Luckily, it shared space with a small general store that had a seasonal discount section. A small glass jar containing a dark gel and a wick: a candle.

Her mouth an intrigued line, Nicole brought the candle to her nose for a sniff. She nodded in approval. She turned to Waverly, lips parted in question. But her eyes suddenly widened before she spoke, “…Is this… what I think it is?”

Waverly bit her lower lip and smiled through her eyelashes. “It’s… a promise.”

“Waverly… you don’t have to promise me anything. We just… see what happens.”

“I know I don’t have to. I still want to.”

“…Okay.”

“Okay.”

Leaning over the other side of the kitchen table, Nicole captured Waverly’s lips in a gentle kiss. “Call you tomorrow?”

“You better.”

A light laugh. Nicole straightened and grabbed a Styrofoam container from the fridge. They left Nicole’s house together. Waverly locked up and tucked the keys back into Nicole’s pocket. Sharing a goodbye kiss, they parted ways in Nicole’s driveway.

Waverly opened her front door with a sliding click. Following a suspicious rattling sound, Waverly made her way to the kitchen where Aunt Gus hovered over a steaming stewpot on the stove. She was picking through their upper cabinets. Her neck turned when Waverly knocked on the doorframe.

“Just giving you girls some better pots and pans. The good stuff, not this new plastic shit that doesn’t last a year.”

“Okay, Aunt Gus,” Waverly said distractedly as she set down her purse and coat.

Standing upright, the woman’s dark eyes looked her up and down. Gus asked, “Where were you?”

Waverly smiled to herself. “I was… unsticking my wings.”

A nod of approval from Gus. She flicked her tongue over her teeth with a sucking sound before narrowing her eyes. “…is she worthy of you?”

Waverly tilted her head thoughtfully, a slanted grin pulling at her cheek. “I think so, yes.”

A different nod, an impressed one. Gus gave Waverly a soft smile. “Hopefully she does, too. Otherwise…” That smile hardened to a stern glare.

Chuckling lightly, Waverly went over and kissed her aunt’s cheek. She accepted the bowl of stew offered in exchange for the six-pack of beer under her arm. Gus made an intrigued hum sound in the back of her throat when she saw the label.

The two women traded stories about the Homestead for the next few hours. Wynonna’s talent for breaking things, Waverly’s short-lived hobbies, even some of Willa’s scuffles with the neighbor boys.

Gus didn’t ask any more questions about Nicole, but Waverly was still pleased. This was the second person she’d more or less told: “I’m with Nicole.”

All that was really left to tell was… Wynonna.

Maybe after the stuff with Doc blows over?

Hearing the crunch of tires on the gravel driveway, Waverly leapt up from her spot on the couch. She’d been mentally preparing for how to explain to Wynonna that Doc had skipped town. And again, didn’t have a great answer. She had settled on softening the blow.

She was relieved to see to see her sister, though her odds on Wynonna’s mood were way off. She had hoped Wynonna would be her usual snarky (but upbeat) self, maybe with a celebratory drink in hand.

Except the elder sister was anything but.

Wynonna jumped out of her beat-up blue truck with a clouded expression. Her posture was stooped from a long couple of days. The black smudges over her right eye were mostly gone and Peacemaker sat on her belt, at least.

God, she looks tired.

Shivering in the night chill, Waverly stuttered out, “Hey… so… listen, you gave Doc a car, and… well… the thing is that when you give someone a car—“

“Not now,” Wynonna interrupted, holding up a hand.

Tired and grumpy.

Her sister gestured to the other woman who stepped out of her truck, an imperious figure laden in a white dress and furs. Wynonna waved her forward. The woman had a familiar look that Waverly couldn’t place.

Wynonna’s tone was soft and uncertain. “This is one of the women we helped today. I said she could crash here for awhile.”

Nodding, Waverly offered her most welcoming smile. She started mentally calculating how the Homestead could accommodate (since Gus was also staying over).

Spare blankets? Check.

Pillows? Probably gonna have to move some around.

She looks like Wynonna’s size, so maybe they can share pajamas. Ooh! Or maybe some of the clothes Gus brought over might work!

I could probably bunk with Gus and she could stay in Wynonna’s room if Wynonna slept on the couch? It seems wrong to make someone living under a Revenant for years sleep on a couch…

Do we have enough food? I think we have enough for breakfast and maybe lunch. If I go to the store early, we should—oh I should ask her if she has any dietary restrictions. She lived in the woods, right? I wonder what kind of stuff she—

Wynonna approached with her hands in her pockets. She gestured with her shoulder. “Waverly, this is—“

The screen door flew open with a bang as Gus strode outside. “Would you girls kindly get your butts in here and—and—“ The older woman ground to a halt, the beer bottle in her hand shattering on the front porch.

Her face ashen, Gus stared past Waverly at the new arrival. “Willa.”

#wynonna earp #waverly earp #nicole haught #wayhaught #fanfic #wynonna earp fanfic #1x10 #gus maccready #willa earp #calamity jane #doc holliday #canon dialogue #canon adjacent #headcanon #fluff #dorks in love #not just friends #but what i want most

23 notes · View notes

takadasaiko · 7 years

Note

38 & 40? Bobo & Waverly? thank u

FFN I AO3

Summary: Waverly just needs a little hope that her childhood friend wasn’t completely a lie. Prompt #38: “Everyone keeps telling me you’re a bad guy.”

Who He Was (Fallen Series)

She hadn’t told anyone where she was going. Not Wynonna, not Doc, and not even Nicole. They would have wanted to go with her. To protect her, but this was something she had to do alone. This was something she needed to face alone, and as those gates pulled open and she saw them watching her warily, she knew they wouldn’t touch her.

No one harms the baby. My word. My law.

For those that were there in the trailer park, Bobo Del Rey’s law still stood and they wouldn’t risk his wrath by harming a hair on Waverly Earp’s head.

She’d been there before and she thought she remembered there being more people. The humans must have left the park and between how many Revenants Wynonna had put down so far in her tenure as Heir and those that had fled to Bulshar’s side, there weren’t many of those left either. Fewer than she had assumed, at any rate, and while she knew Bobo had said that he’d bring as many to the fight against the demon that had cursed them all as he was able, the Call had taken many away.

“Lost, little Earp?” a voice asked and Waverly spun, wishing now that she’d brought her shotgun with her. No. She was there in peace. This one was just trying to spook her.

“I’m looking for Bobo.”

“She’s looking for Bobo,” another Revenant chuckled, pulling Waverly’s attention in the opposite direction. “You’ve got guts, Little Sister, coming here.”

“That’s enough.”

Both Revenants shrank back at the deep, snarling voice and Waverly saw Bobo Del Rey rounding the corner, his eyes flashing red as he looked at them both. “Go.”

One word was all it took and they ran, tripping over each other to get away. She watched red fade back to blue, the darkness around his eyes easing back to his natural pale, and there was something almost worn about his expression. Like he was being stretched in too many directions these days.

He turned those tired blue eyes on her. “I told Wynonna to be patient. Not in her vocabulary, is it?”

It took her a moment to realize what his immediate thought had been. It made sense. It wasn’t like she’d gone out of her way to seek him out a great deal since he’d joined their side. “Wynonna didn’t send me. I came to see you.”

That startled him and his gaze shifted, sweeping the area. When those blue eyes came back to meet hers she saw him tilt his head, motioning to follow. She did, and as she had to quicken her own pace to keep up with his long stride a flash of memory broke loose to the front of her mind of a little girl skipping to keep up with her large, fur coat-clad friend that everyone else thought was imaginary. Her secret best friend.

Bobo led her to a trailer with a canopy stretched out from it, a foldout table and a couple of lawn chairs next to it. She saw maps of Purgatory and the surrounding area on the table, pencils lying next to them and it looked like he’d left his work very suddenly. He’d heard her voice and come running. Probably without even stopping to think about it with as quickly as he’d covered the space between the trailer and where she’d been.

“What’s so important that it’d bring you here?” he asked, his voice gruff and irritable.

“Should I not be here?”

He quirked an off-colour eyebrow at her. “Ain’t the smartest move you’ve ever made.”

“They won’t hurt me.”

“What makes you so sure?”

“You won’t let them.”

His expression was guarded, but there was a flicker of something just behind it and he pushed a short breath out through his nose, bending back over his table and his maps.

Waverly waited a long moment before walking over to one of the chairs and taking a seat, sinking down lower than she had expected in it. Silence stretched between them and he seemed content enough to let it as he studied whatever it was that he was studying, her eyes fixed on him. “I’ve been… thinking a lot about my childhood recently. About you and me and our friendship and… exactly what that meant. You were one of the most important people in my life when I was little.” He didn’t look up, but he didn’t tell her to shut up either. “You were this… giant that would chase away everything scary. Even though you never came to the house - I guess you couldn’t, could you? - I used to think that you would come scare off any monsters under my bed. They wouldn’t dare come for me because I was your angel and you would protect me.” His scribbling had slowed, so she knew he heard her, even if he was doing his damndest not to respond. Waverly pursed her lips together. “Who are you really, Bobo?”

The pencil finally stopped and she saw him hunch just a little more. “You know what I am.”

“I didn’t say what. Who. Who are you really? Wynonna told me what she saw in her vision quest. Robert Svane was a good man. He was friends with Wyatt Earp-”

“Keep your voice down,” he growled.

“- and knowing you like I did as a kid, I can believe that now. I just… everyone tells me you’re a bad guy. And you are, but you’re not. Who are you really?”

Bobo sighed, straightening and running his hand through across his now white mohawk, smoothing the wild hair down a little, and Waverly waited as patiently as she could. Finally he set his pencil down, turned, and took a seat in the chair next to hers. “Fine,” he said at last. “What do you wanna know?”

There it was. The opening she really needed. Waverly found herself smiling and she opened her mouth to let the first question tumble out, closing it again as she realized that she couldn’t ask them all at once. She had to choose one. Should she start small and work her way up? That really depended on how many questions he gave her. If he got frustrated or bored he might cut the conversation short. She had to be careful. She had to choose wisely. “Why me?” Or just ask the one that burned the deepest. That worked too. “If you’re not my father, why me?”

“I never said I was your father.”

“That doesn’t answer the question.”

“You’re kin.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means you’re kin.” He reached a hand up, his thumb working at the inside of the bridge of his nose. “It’s not a simple question. Not a simple answer and… There are bigger things to focus on before I can tell you. You ain’t a Revenant, if that’s what you’re scared of.”

“I’m not scared.” He snorted a laugh and she shot him a glare. “Fine. Why’d you stop coming to see me when Daddy died?”

She watched the very subtle changes in his expression and there was a hint of sadness there. “I was… trying to do right by you. Angels don’t need to live in a demon’s shadow.”

Her lips curled just a little at the corners and she caught his gaze. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re kinda a drama queen?”

“There’s that judgy Waverly again,” he teased, and there was something about it that felt right. That hint of a smile that made it to his eyes, the way his tone lightened. She remembered it. She had held onto it for a while, hoping that he’d come back for her. He’d told her once that he’d thought about saving her too. If he’d asked her then, she would have gone willingly. She would have lived out her childhood with her Bobo, hoisted up on his shoulders and sleeping curled up in his coat. She could have very easily have told him yes. She would have told him yes.

Waverly blinked, a tear slipping down her cheek and she sniffed hard. Another question. She needed another one that wasn’t quite as close to home. Her thoughts about what he’d said in that treehouse led to the next one. “Willa. What was the deal there?”

“The deal?” he echoed.

“Did you love her?”

There was a long pause and he refused to meet her gaze. “Yeah.”

“Did she love you?”

“Sometimes.”

“How did that… work? You have to see how creepy that was, right? I mean, I get that everyone’s really young compared to you, but, I mean, you stole her away at thirteen.”

“I didn’t steal her anywhere. I saved her when the others wanted to do…” He stopped, his teeth clicking together and he looked like he was considering his phrasing. “Wanted to do terrible things,” he finished slowly. “Everything else came later. On her terms. It was always on her terms.”

Right up until the end, Waverly thought as she watched him. He looked so beaten down, so hurt, and she wondered if he’d heard the words Wynonna had told her that Willa had said. She’d left him to die. She’d been willing to leave him to die to get free. He had been collateral damage just like she and Wynonna had been.

She reached forward on impulse, her fingers touching the back of his hand and pulling his attention. “You put on a really good act, but I think they’re wrong. You’re not as bad of a guy as you want them to think.”

He blinked and she could see the way his eyes glistened just a little, trying very hard to hide those emotions. It was dangerous for him to show them, surrounded by the other Revenants like they were. These demons that he had to earn the respect of to make sure they didn’t desert them all for Bulshar.

Waverly gave his hand a quick squeeze before releasing it. “It’s okay. Your secret’s safe with me. I won’t tell.”

Bobo huffed and stood, gathering up his maps and rolling them. “C'mon.”

“Are those the coordinates that Jeremy’s been waiting on?”

“Who?”

“Jeremy. You know, about this tall, totally geeky in all the best ways? Used to work for BBD.”

“Oh. Junior.”

“You didn’t know his name, did you?”

He shrugged, the glint of a smile back, and Waverly rolled her eyes theatrically as she followed him towards the gate. Things weren’t going to somehow return to the magic, woodland princess fairy tale games of her childhood, but there was a chance they could find something new. He’d been her dearest friend once, then gone, and then her enemy. Sometimes things came around full circle. They took time, but she’d gotten what she had come there for. Hope. Hope that he hadn’t used her and hope that he wasn’t lying to them now. Hope that the man that Wynonna had met in her vision quest was the same one that had pulled her out of the icy waters as a little girl. Hope that she could know who he was, not just what he was.

Notes: I’ve been having trouble with a Bobo and Doc fic I’m working on, so I decided to dabble in some Bobo and Waverly feels. That always seems to help.

#Wynonna Earp #Wynonna Earp Fanfiction #Bobo Del Rey #Waverly Earp #Fallen Series #Anonymous

8 notes · View notes

fyeahwynonnaearp · 7 years

Text

Wynonna Earp Questions I Want Most Answered (UPDATED)

I shall keep a running list of questions throughout the season and I have a feeling it will get extensive. There’s a good chance that there’s gonna be spoilers so everything will be under the cut.

As usual, if you got answers/opinions, leave a message or let’s discuss over at https://discord.gg/yaAdGGT

UPDATED: 02 August 2017, 17:23 EST

From S1

1. Gooverly: Evil or Nah? I’m still NOT completely sure, but The Goo™ wants to have fun (S02E04). Evil, pretty sure. Because how can it be so freakin’ mean to Nicole?!? (S02E05). 2. Is Waverly really an Earp (or will she be a Haught instead **wink**wink**)? 3. Does Waverly tell anyone about her being “not an Earp”? Yes. Nicole :) (S02E02). She sent DNA sample but no confirmation seen yet (S2E08). 4. Where did Peacemaker send Willa? 5. Juan Carlo, what art thou? Who art thou? STILL don’t know but he helped bring Dolls to the Earp Homestead (S02E04). He also has been helping/guiding The Order™ (S02E05). A priest in Purgatory who helped capture the Widows the first time and one of the seal keepers (S2E08). 6. Dolls, what art thou? Some type of human/demon hybrid created by Black Badge (S02E01). He can breathe FIRE!!! (S02E04). Is he a dragon? 7. Who and WHERE is Mama Earp? According to Waverly’s old scrapbooking gone wild board at her old Shorty’s apartment, Mama Earp’s name was Wendy Rosie (Thanks, @cm0999). But where did she run off to?!? 8. So, Constance the Stone Witch is just chilling in the salt flats? She’s coming back isn’t she? NOPE. That little Tucker found the Stone Witch and beheaded her (S2E06). 9. So...the whole “Keeper of the Bones” thing is done right? Because Waverly done destroyed the skull and Constance’s sons are dead-dead? 10. Who did Waverly shoot at? The new creature, Hala, a Bulgarian devourer of souls (S02E01). 11. What will happen to all the revenants now that Bobo is gone? Not at trailer park anymore. They’re all scattered. (S02E02).

Start of S2

12. Will Doc get a new hat? Yes. He stole one :) (S02E04). 13. Wynonna, how are you really feeling? Well, crappy enough that The Goo™ was able to possess her pretty easily (s02E04). 14. Dolls. Are you gonna be okay? Well, he’s breathing out fire. So, yes? (S02E04). 15. So...are Chrissy and Waverly still friends? (Kinda want a Waverly-can’t-help-but-gush-about-her-girlfriend-to-her-friend-who-is-clearly-over-and-tired-of-this-coversation scene) 16. Gus, where art thou? 17. What is up with Black Badge? Are they still doing human experiments? They’re not the totally good guys anymore...are they? So Black Badge Division, Ghost River Triangle branch is no more. According to Moody, it wasn’t even a government agency in the first place (S2E06). 18. Lucado is definitely getting demoted, right? Yup. She’s stuck at Purgatory until they collect every last supernatural entity that entered the Triangle. (S02E02). 19. What does Nicole think about her girlfriend’s new voice? Did she hear Waverly say “At least, not today”? She didn’t know Waverly was possessed, but will shoot anybody for her. Should I find that sweet and adorable? (S02E05). 20. Does Jeremy question how Waverly scared the “devour of souls”? NOPE. As of S2E06, it never came up. Doubt it ever will since Mictian/Mikshun is gone. 21. What did Dolls tell Doc? To create his serum? Not, entirely clear on that, but I think it is (S02E03/4). 22. Does the BBD blood oath/contract come into play later? TBD as of S2E06. 23. When does Nicole get a new uniform and why? (based on S2 pictures) Because she hates khakis and Nedley wants her to be sheriff when he retires. (S2E03). It’s gonna happen on Episode 5, based on promo pictures. THIS IS NOT A DRILL. 24. When does Wynonna find out about Gooverly? S02E04. OH S H I T. 25. Why does Waverly take the bell from the police station? Gooverly is hoarding shiny things. (S2E03). 26. Dementors in Purgatory? Or Willa is somehow back (again)? The two Women in Black were the ones that escaped from BBD when it blew up; Lady Gaga hand. (S2E03). 27. Hellmouth?! Well, some asshole broke through the asshole-of-a-seal (S02E04). Well, there are three seals and two are broken by the Widows/Ladies in Black (S2E06). Keeping Sheriff Clootie locked away (S2E08). 28. Does Doc know where Dolls is? Making preparations to create his meds (w/ Rosita)? No. Doc didn’t know where Dolls was but is working on making his serum. (S2E03). 29. *whispers* Could Nicole be supernatural as well? Because I have theories that I will not get into and I still don’t know how I feel about the possibility of non-human Haught. 30. “I like you”?!? Waverly, what happened to “I love her?”? Everyone is just casually saying that they love each other but WayHaught hasn’t said it to each other (S02E05). 31. Shouldn’t Wynonna know whether or not Waverly is biologically related to her? Because she’s six years older and would remember if Mommy was preggers. Or does she call Waverly “baby girl” because when baby!Waverly came to live with them she didn’t have a name yet and Wynonna being the Earp girl who didn’t hate the new child took care of the baby and (due to lack of name) just called her “baby girl”. Remembers when they brought Waverly home from the hospital (S2E08). 32. When did Doc have time to meet people (i.e. Rosita)? Wasn’t he stuck in a well for like...forever? 33. So...any more future private shows for Officer Haught? I need to know, for science. And, role playing? 34. What came first: the trophy or the Marzaniok? Or did Wynonna just assume that it came from the trophy because Perry never said that it did, just that it came out of the trophy case and that they were pretty high when it happened. 35. Why or what does Rosita need protection from? 36. Why do they need ‘pure’ demon blood to make Dolls’ serum? Apparently, Doc’s blood doesn’t work? 37. What was Lucado’s ‘personal matter’? I’m guessing it’s trying to get back to BBD HQ’s good graces (S02E04). 38. How many times have Waverly ‘gone on patrol’ with Nicole? Just, for science, again. 39. What’s with the random snacks Gooverly?!? IDK but based on a promo, Goononna is worse. We’ll probably never know... (S02E05). 40. Why did Mama and Papa Gardner leave most of their fortune to the town? Yes, they’re rich. But, is that all why the Gardners are a big deal in Purgatory? 41. Because Waverly doesn’t remember when she’s being Gooverly, does Gooverly implant memories when taking over? Because I think Waverly would be concerned if she’s blacking out. Finally acknowledged that she’s missing time (S02E04). 42. “Not in uniform, okay? Not in public.” Will we see more sexy times in uniform in Officer Haught in private? 43. “Not good enough.” Does that mean Waverly just wants to jump Nicole every time she’s in uniform or does Gooverly have a crush on Nicole? Because Gooverly does kinda come in defense of Nicole when Tucker was being his creepy, homophobic self. Fandom things The Goo™ was trying to possess Nicole, but didn’t work. Though, I strongly believe (and it’s my headcanon) that The Goo™ has a crush on Nicole (S02E04). 44. And what is up with Tucker Gardner, Town Pervert? Tucker “wants a girl”. It could either be Waverly or Nicole. I think he wants Nicole because he’s starting to be fixated on her. Thin line between hate and obsession? (S02E04). Why did Nedley compile a confidential file on him? Because Tucker has always been protected by his parents/money and has past criminal behavior (S02E04). 45. Will Wynonna and Nicole be bros again? Wynonna apologized to Nicole (S02E04). They both acknowledge Waverly is being weird but Nicole might think it’s the whole “not being an Earp” because she immediately tells Wynonna she won’t betray Waverly’s trust. But I’m gonna need some bro scenes in the future. 46. Where did Waverly disappear to when the gang went to contain the Marzaniok? Next we see her is in Shorty’s and then at the barn. Even Nicole pointed out, “I thought she was with you”. Must be important if it was mentioned. 47. How did Tucker know where Waverly would be when he cornered her? 48. Was Tucker’s bracelet that Gooverly take important/significant? Probably not important, but the metal was for a DIY lightning rod (S2E05). PS: It looked like a medical bracelet. 49. Will there be no consequence with Wynonna’s wish because it was the demon that made the deal with her and not the other way around? 50. Why did Nedley try so hard to specifically recruit Nicole to work in Purgatory? I double that it was just because she was “top of her class”. 51. “Non-werewolf” citizens? 52. Nedley said “they could use your instincts” to Nicole. So, does Haught-stuff have really good instincts (maybe almost supernatural levels)? She does heal rather quickly....(jfc, these non-human Nicole theories, I’m torn about it). 53. Nicole from the Big City? When will we have more Nicole-backstory? Ooh...Nicole-flashbacks? 54. Why were the Women in Black at the Gardner residence? (and RIP Mercedes?) They STOLE Beth and Mercedes’ faces!! (S02E04). They were attracted to Tucker’s darkness...his “prowess”. ew. 55. Gooverly doesn’t seem to hurt Dolls, based on Dolls being okay in the promo for episode 4? (See Question #1) Well, we don’t know what Gooverly was gonna do with that knife (S02E04). 56. Where’s Nicole’s hat?!? New uniform. New hat, apparently. She now wears a baseball cap (S2E06). Will the stetson make a return appearance though? 57. Why does Wynonna smell Mommy’s perfume around the Women in Black? 58. Doc’s horse, where art thou? (anon asks) 59. Dragon!Dolls?!? According to Wynonna: tiny, sexy dragon (S206). 60. Is Jeremy torn between Doc and Dolls? Will we get a flashback of Dolls helping Jeremy with that one chin-up? What is the connection between Jeremy’s mom and Dolls? 61. Will Tucker go after Nicole? Perhaps. But his obsession with Waverly reached new heights (S2E06). 62. Does Nicole have a gluten and lactose problem and that’s why Waverly is excited about being “this close” to getting that vegetarian restaurant for her girl? Asking, for science. 63. Will anyone tell Nicole about Gooverly? Sorta? They don’t really go into the whole “BTW, Waverly has been possessed for the past few weeks”. I really hope Waverly talks to her about it in future episodes (S02E05). 64. Rosita/Doc, is that gonna be a thing? Confirmed sexual relations (S02E06) but not in a relationship. Lovers (S2E08). 65. Will anyone find Waverly’s hand in Ba-Ding Ba-Ding? Probably not? But now we know you can get The Goo™ by severing it’s host and melting it down (S02E05). 66. What is up with the Purgatory Fair commemorative plate? Is Edwin Earp gonna be relevant this season? Why is it so important? So, it’s important to The Order™ dudes and it had their sigil. This will probably play out in the future and may have connections to the asshole seal (S02E05). 67. GOONONNA?!? Well, that was scary and short-lived. But damn! Goononna is uber mean to Nicole. Can we stop being so mean to Nicole? #StopBeingMeanToNicole2k17 (S02E05). 68. (Based on promo pictures) When/Why/How does Gooverly come back? Plus, Andras had said in an interview, we will see more The Goo™/tentacle powers. Waverly being a self-sacrificial cinnamon roll (S02E05). 69. (Based on promo picture) Is Officer Haught protecting Gooverly in her new outfit?! Does she know?!? Protective!Girlfriend!Haught will still love you and shoot anyone for you (S02E05). 70. What is coming?! Are the Women in Black connected to it? BIG MAYBE. We know the Widows are after the seals and probably will unleash something (S2E06). Widows breaking seal to release their husband Clootie demon (S2E08). 71. Are real!Beth and real!Mercedes just faceless, but alive? Because at least one of the bodies were still wiggling. Safe to assume they’re dead (S2E07). 72. Where in the world did Officer Nicole Haught get a gluten-free, lactose-free pizza in almost-have-a-vegetarian-restaurant Purgatory?!? 73. What’s with The Goo™ hoarding all the metal? Does Nicole get her utensils back? The Goo™ made a lighting rod to fuse more permanently to Waverly. Like...that’s super-extra. Does The Goo™ know you can just order one online? (S02E05). 74. Why was Waverly hit with a tranq dart on her way to band? And bandnerd!Waverly?! Yes. What instrument did she play? 75. Pregnant Wynonna! This is NOT a drill! Who is the father? Everyone pretty much accepted that Doc Holliday is the biological father (S2E06). 76. Goocado. Where did the body go? OFFICIAL: Lucado is RIP (S2E06). 77. How will The Squad™ and The Order™ team up? Isn’t The Order™ just focused on The Goo™? 78. WHAT IS WAVERLY? The Goo™ teased that she had ‘dark corners’. Somewhat hinted she is part-demon/part-Revenant (S2E07) and the theory is believed by many Earpers. 79. How does Waverly feel about Nicole’s new outfit? She likes it. Very much so. (Based on Purgatory Case Files text) 80. How does Wynonna really feel about Nicole? ‘Queen Brisk of Bossy Town’ (S2E05). Hang out at strip club, Pussy Willows, and talked about effects of The Seven (S2E07). 81. Is Wynonna’s baby okay? Because, yes she’s been drinking and eating rats and has been possessed?!? It has a strong heartbeat and grew during sleeping spell despite the fact that it shouldn’t have done so (S2E06, S2E07). 82. The Plate™, The Women In Black, The Order™, The Asshole Seal™ are they all connected? How are they all connected? The Widows are after the three seals to break it (S2E06, S2E07). 83. WTF Happened to Black Badge? The place is now empty?!? They’re ghosting the Ghost River Triangle and apparently isn’t a government agency, never was (S2E06). 84. When will we see where Nicole lives? I hope it’s not a motel room. 85. And what about Nicole’s cat? 86. Is Wynonna’s pregnancy supernatural/paranormal-related? Is it human? It grew even though it wasn’t supposed to (S2E06). Possibility of baby being half-Revenant (S2E07). 87. The Ghost River Triangle is also called The Sanctuary, what is it actually protecting? 88. What are the (three) seals for? To keep Sheriff Clootie locked away (S2E08). 89. Is Doc now mortal since the Stone Witch is dead? He was shown coughing; he had tuberculosis and the curse ‘stopped’ it (S2E07). Juan Carlo also assumed to be dying from gangrene (S2E08). 90. Is Baby Donut/Earp affected by the curse that was placed on Doc by Constance? Doc might not be the biological father (S2E07). 91. Where is Tucker now? What is he planning? Tucker is MIA (S2E07). 92. Being Hypno’s daughter, is Poppy fully demon or a hybrid? Will she also have time manipulation powers? 93. Jeremy brings up an important point, who is paying The Squad now? Will Waverly need to work at Shorty’s again? 94. Would Doc continue having sex with Rosita? Yes. They’re “Lovers” (S2E08). 95. Will Jeremy and Nicole be gay BFFs? 96. Do the Widows and Constance Clootie share a husband? YES (S2E08). 97. Are the Widows witches? 98. Why does Widow!Mercedes hate Wyatt Earp? Was he the one who killed their husband? 99. The Widows and The Squad are both after Tucker, as a police offer, will Nicole have to protect him from the Widows? 100. With Doc being “I am all in”, how will the Wyndolliday dynamic change? Dolls and Doc are supporting Wynonna/helping her out. They kidnapped a doctor for her (S2E07). 101. Who are the Powers To Be™ in Black Badge Division? 102. Why does Moody say BBD was never a government agency? 103. Is the rumor of a Revenant/Human hybrid baby true? 104. Since Wynonna is moving on and not planning to do genetic testing (based on interview by Emily Andras), will we ever find out who the bio baby daddy is? 105. The Ghost/Phantom Marshals, do they exist to police humans turned supernatural based on treatment of Doc? 106. Are the Phantom Marshals under Black Badge or just regular law enforcement? 107. Is Rosita from Doc’s past? If so, she isn’t a mortal human. What is she? 108. Why did Nicole have to build a temporary shelter in a flood zone? What the hell was her life? 109. Waverly’s origin story? Wynonna remembers when she was brought home from the hospital (S2E08). 110. Based on S2E08 sneak peek, why does Wynonna have trouble remembering her childhood? Waverly may have thought it was Wynonna that pulled her out of the water, but it was really Bobo (S2E08). OR (if the vision quest does affect the timeline), it was Wynonna originally. IDK. Who knows. 111. Based on S2E08 sneak peek, Wynonna says they were going to name her ‘Welcome’ and Waverly said that Wynonna gave her her name. Willa’s diary also mentioned “why does she get the pretty name?”. Because Time Travel is apparently possible based on the sneak peek, did Wynonna give them the name before returning to proper timeline? Wynonna gave the name ‘Waverly’ to Bobo when he asked for his angel’s name (S2E08). 112. How was Dolls able to touch/punch Ghost Marshall Reeves considering he just said he can’t be touched by something in this earthly plane? 113. Did the vision quest change the current timeline? Specifically, will Bobo and Wynonna’s relationship be different now? 114. Will the Clootie demon need to be re-sealed? If so, will the keeper of the seals also have immortality as a side-effect? 115. Is there anything supernatural about the Purgatory Sheriff’s Department? 116. Who tasked The Order to protect the Triangle from demons? 117. How does Ewan know about BBD? 118. What makes Wynonna special/different from past Earp heirs? 119. How did the Widows end up with Black Badge? 120. Why is Bobo the only revenant back? 121. Wayhaught angst. It’s not a question. Jk. Would they finally have a serious talk about protecting each other? Also, Nicole backstory needed...so much. 122. Earp baby’s accelerated growth. Why? 123. Will Bobo’s obsession/relationship with Willa come up again? 124. While dying, Robert Svane says “...I’ve caught glimpses of you my entire life”. Hallucinating (because, you know, dying) or Wynonna goes on future vision quests? 125. Robert rang the bell in the past/vision quest. Why did it happen in the present?

#wynonna earp #questions i want most answered #wayhaught #waverly earp #doc holliday #Xavier Dolls #gooverly #nicole haught #sheriff nedley #juan carlo #constance clootie

78 notes · View notes

the-battle-lesbian · 7 years

Text

Stars

The third and final part of what became a short 3-part angst series “Do Ghosts Cry?”. This part actually has a happy ending but you’ll still probably cry. I try my hand at fluff in an angst context.

I lit a fire with the love you left behind And it burned wild and crept up the mountainside I followed your ashes into outer space I can't look out the window, I can't look at this place

“Baron Samedi is the chief Loa of death and resurrection in Haitian folklore and Vodou beliefs. He is often depicted dressed in a black top hat, black suit, and smoking a cigar with a glass of rum in his hand. His face is either painted white like a skull, or sometimes is shown as a skull itself. He is the patron of death, tombs, gravestones, obscenities, dead relatives, healing, smoking, drinking, and disruption.”

Sounds like him and Wynonna would get along.

Waverly chuckles a little to herself as she closes the book. Interesting information, sure- but not what she needs. She places the old volume at the top of a stack that has formed on her coffee table. She leans back on the couch and rubs her neck that’s gotten stiff from bending over, staring at scribbled words on pages for- 3 hours? 5 hours? She can’t remember.

I can’t stop until I figure this out.

Nicole had been investigating a case involving this Baron Samedi. Why she hadn’t told her she can’t understand-

Yes she can. She would have shut Nicole out of the case as soon as a whiff of the supernatural came up-

-but she needs to know how far she got. This Baron was all she had left, and everything Waverly had read so far on him pointed at one certainty:

He can resurrect the dead.

“Hey Baby Girl.”

Waverly jumped at the sound of her sister’s voice, and turned to see Wynonna standing at the base of the stairs. She looked at Waverly with soft, sad eyes, and something about that look- was it pity?- made her scoff.

“Hey to you too- little asshole not letting you sleep?”

Probably a bit harsher than necessary.

Wynonna gave a small smile.

“No. I actually slept great- for once. You, on the other hand, don’t look like you’ve slept for days. Can you even tell me what time it is?”

Waverly rolled her eyes. “Of course I can- it’s probably 2 or 3 am right now.”

I’m not in the mood for this Wynonna.

Wynonna raised an eyebrow and walked over to the living room curtains, and when she pushed them back some weak rays of sunlight entered the Homestead.

“Kinda bright for 2 or 3 am don’t you think?” She paused and sat next to Waverly on the couch, “Waverly it’s 9:30 in the morning. You need to sleep. Dolls can take over with this case-”

“No! No no I’ve- I’ve got it Wynonna I can handle it it was Nicole’s and..now it’s mine and I have to finish it for her. You- you don’t understand I have too.” She felt her voice breaking and the tears coming.

I have to bring her back, Wynonna, I wish you could understand.

Wynonna wrapped her arms around her sister and held her close.

“I know you miss her Baby Girl. Hell, I miss her too. So damn much. But you know she’d want you to take care of yourself. Can you at least promise me you’ll eat some breakfast and sleep before you continue with...this?”

Waverly looks at the stack of books. The scattered files. The portable whiteboard she’d nabbed from the BBD office to sketch notes. Her only hope of saving Nicole. All she has left.

“Yeah. Sure.”

It’s almost too quiet to hear, but Wynonna gives her a final squeeze and gets up to head for the kitchen. “I’ll make some pancakes. I’ve been improving, you know- even Doc can eat them without wishing he was back in that well.” She smiles with her joke, hoping for at least a chuckle from her baby sister. When all she gets is Waverly staring at the now open window with a distant look on her face, she sighs and turns to head back into the kitchen. But she stops short and turns back to Waverly.

“Waves?”

“Hmm?”

“I asked Dolls about this Baron Samedi and...I know what he can supposedly do. But he’s dangerous, Baby Girl, even Dolls says he’s not worth messing with. It’s just...please, please don’t do anything you’ll regret.”

“I won’t.” Maybe she says it a little too fast, But Wynonna seems to accept it and leaves the room. It wasn’t a lie anyways.

I will never regret saving her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I can't look at the stars They make me wonder where you are Stars, up on Heaven's boulevard

She fidgeted in her seat at the table in Purgatory’s only tiny coffee shop, twirling her necklace between her fingers. She shouldn’t even be nervous.

It’s just a thank you coffee. With a woman. You hang out with lots of women and there’s nothing different about this.

But there was. And a small part of her already knew that. She found herself staring at the door every time she heard the bell ring as someone entered the cafe. And with each ring her heart skipped a beat with anticipation.

This isn’t a date-geez. Calm down.

But when Nicole finally walked through the door, she couldn’t hold back the wide grin from her face. And she found it returned with the smile she had already grown so fond of as the deputy walked over, clearly just having gotten off of work. She took off her stetson as she sat in the chair across from Waverly and placed it out of the way on the table.

“Hey Waves. Sorry I’m late we got a call in at the station 20 minutes before I was scheduled to leave and since Wilson was already out on a welfare check I had to take it. Luckily it was pretty short though so I don’t think I’m too late. Hey, you good?”

“Uh- w-what?”

Waverly was startled back into reality and when she realized the whole time Nicole had been speaking she had just been staring. Her face turned red with the realization she had been imagining what the officer’s hair would look like out of that french braid. She was positive it would look beautiful, because how could the woman in front of her be anything but.

“Oh I’m fine. I’m fine. I just...guess I had another crazy day.”

Act cool.

Nicole smiled. If she had noticed Waverly’s blush she chose to ignore it.

What a gentleman...woman? Gentlewoman?

“Well, Waverly Earp, it sounds like crazy days are just an everyday thing with you. Should I be worried that coffee will take a turn for the worse?”

And there was that smile.

Put those damn dimples away.

“Oh no no no. Coffee will be totally, completely normal. Promise.” She tried her best to give a calm smile back but she found herself feeling lost again.

Get it together.

“Sooo....you gonna get us some coffee? You did promise the cappuccino would be on you. Not actually on you though we don’t need a repeat of the bar tap incident.”

“Right! Right, I’m sorry I just seem to be out of it today. Umm..I’ll go get that for you.” She started to get up to head to the register when Nicole’s hand on her arm stopped her. It was gentle, and she felt herself freeze.

Not a date.

“You know, you don’t have to worry about being awkward or anything. It’s honestly pretty cute, and I’m just glad I get to have coffee with you.”

Waverly let out a sigh or relief, “Yes of course. I mean, I’m not awkward because of you, just so you know. I’m just...for some reason really awkward today. But um, I’ll go get your cappuccino and I’ll be back in a minute?”

“I’ll be waiting.” And another smile.

Waverly turned and walked up to the counter, a small smile creeping up on her face.

You know you’re pretty cute yourself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Waverly marched into the BBD office and as soon as he saw her Dolls knew why she had come.

“Waverly-”

“Dolls don’t you dare tell me not to. You said I should have made the deal with Widow Beth and don’t you dare tell me this Baron Samedi is any more dangerous than the demon Clootie.”

Please understand.

Waverly could tell Dolls was choosing his next words carefully. But before he could speak she continued.

“I know you miss her too. I know you know she didn’t deserve to die and she shouldn’t be dead and Baron Samedi is the only one who can fix it. Dolls this is her only chance.”

More silence. A few moments passed, and he finally spoke.

“Does Wynonna know?”

Waverly shook her head. “She suspects, of course. But no, she thinks I’m just trying to finish up Nicole’s case.”

You must understand.

Dolls sighed, “Waverly, Baron Samedi won’t resurrect someone out of the goodness of his heart. He’s a Loa- thousands of people have called on him over the years to do exactly what you’re asking, and it never comes free. He will want something in return and it won’t be anything good. I have to agree with Wynonna on this one.

No you don’t.

“Except I have something to trade, Dolls. Something he wants. What Theodore Roosevelt stole from him- his hat.”

At this Dolls’ eyes widened. “Where did you find it?”

“My secret. But I bet he’d resurrect anyone to get it back.”

Waverly held her head up. She knew she’d won.

“Jeremy!” Dolls called behind him.

The young scientist jogged up to his superior, “What’s up? Oh- Waverly.” His demeanor changes when he sees the younger Earp. She must have had tears forming in her eyes because his nervous rambling started.

“Waverly, I am so so sorry. You know Nicole was-”

“Jeremy I need you to help Miss Earp research summoning Baron Samedi. I have some notes from my time with him back in the office.” Dolls interrupted.

Jeremy stopped with his mouth still open. “Summoning Baron...Samedi? Wait are you sure?”

“Positive.” Dolls said with a curt smile, “But let’s keep this on the down low why don’t we?”

“Oh you bet Dolls I will keep this soooo low on the down low,” Jeremy laughed awkwardly, bending his knees slowly to emphasize just how down low.

“Okay Jeremy come help me. Please?” Waverly interrupted this time.

“Right! Yes- this way.” He gestured towards the back of the room where an office was situated and headed in that direction.

Waverly started to follow him but first turned to look back at Dolls.

“Thank you,” she mouthed with a small smile.

Dolls nodded, “Go get her, Earp.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

All those times we looked up at the sky Looking out so far, we felt like we could fly And now I'm all alone in the dark of night The moon is shining but I can't see the light

“Waverly wait up!” Nicole yelled from behind her as she ran away from the road and out into the open field.

“Hurry up slowpoke! You’re gonna miss it!” she yelled over her shoulder.

They were running out into the middle of a field well away from Purgatory, and far away from the town lights. Waverly’s jeep was parked alongside the road, where she had stopped abruptly, proclaiming to a startled Nicole “This is it! It’s perfect!” And subsequently she had jumped out of the parked car and took off running with the bewildered officer not far behind.

Waverly stopped and fell to the ground, spreading her arms and legs in the soft grass like she was making a snow angel, though it wasn’t quite snow season yet. Nicole came to a stop and looked down at her winded friend.

“What are we doing here, Waves? It’s the middle of nowhere.”

“Exactly. Now get your butt down here, Officer Haught.” She patted the grass next to her body.

Nicole smiled and rolled her eyes, but she fell to the ground as well, spreading her arms and legs like Waverly had. And since her hair was out of its professional braid, it went everywhere just like Waverly’s.

“So what are we doing here?”

“Shhh!! Look!”

Waverly pointed up at the sky and for a moment, Nicole couldn’t tell what she was pointing to. But then she saw it. A streak of light flit across the black sky. And then another. And another. And another.

And with each passing meteor Nicole’s smile grew wider.

“A meteor shower? Waves I had no idea.”

“Oh yeah? What do you think?”

Nicole turned her face towards Waverly, where she found the other woman already staring at her with a soft, but expectant smile.

“Beautiful.” Nicole breathed. And silently, they both knew she meant more than the meteors.

Waverly grinned and scooted closer to Nicole, close enough that she could nuzzle her head into the other woman’s shoulder. Nicole wrapped her arm around Waverly in response, and for a time, they just were.

After what seemed like an eternity of quietly watching the meteor shower, Nicole broke the silence, “You know, I was always told growing up that stars are angels. Little angels who were your loved ones on Earth. And when there’s a shooting star, it’s an angel coming to Earth to grant a wish for you.”

Waverly looked up at Nicole as she spoke. They were so close now. Almost impossibly close. So close Waverly could feel Nicole speaking. Could feel her heartbeat.

And damn does it feel right.

“Well, it feels rude to not give them a wish to grant, especially when there’s so many angels coming to Earth tonight.”

“Well I don’t know about you, Waverly Earp, but I have definitely already given them a wish to grant.”

Waverly smiled, “And now I have too.”

“What was it?”

“Don’t you know, Nicole? A girl never wishes and tells. I want it to come true after all.”

“Aah right. My bad.”

“It’s okay. You’re forgiven.”

And I wish you’ll wait for me. Because I know I want you to be mine.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The meteor shoots by in the night sky as Waverly walks up to the barn on the Homestead land. It catches her eye and she stops, wishing almost on instinct:

Come home, baby. I’m coming to get you. Hold on.

When it disappears into the inky black again, she continues to the barn door and pulls it open. The old wooden door groans in protest but she squeezes her way through into the old building. Dust is visible floating in the moonlight, but she barely registers it.

Waverly heads straight for an old chest in one corner of the old barn. Lifting the lid she gets a face full of dust and coughs, wiping her face. The chest is full of old garments and fabric scraps. It was the dress-up chest from her childhood. She remembers putting on one of the little blue dresses to play tea party with Wynonna.

But that’s not what I need now.

She digs down through the old, moth- eaten clothes, searching for a familiar shape.

“Aha!”

She pulls out a black top hat from the pile of clothes. It has a few holes where the bugs got to it, and a thick layer of dust coats its felt, but it’s still recognizable.

“Funny to think I was using an ancient Loa of the dead’s top hat to dress my snowmen,” she murmured to herself, brushing the dust off carefully and inspecting the hat. And on the inside of the brim she found what she was looking for: a small, intricately embroidered veve in bone white thread. The cross made it unmistakable:

Baron Samedi’s hat.

Waverly smiles and places it gently back in the chest.

First he resurrects Nicole. Then I show him the hat. But for now, it’s safe here.

With finality, she closes and locks the chest.

You’re coming home tonight.

She adjusts the ring on her finger, its blue stone glistening in the rays of moonlight. And as she got up she picked up a backpack heavy with everything she needed. Everything she and Jeremy could find that was needed to summon a certain Loa of the dead.

Making one final check that the lock was secure on the chest, Waverly turned and left the barn.

Last stop, the graveyard.

And if I know you at all, I know you've gone too far So I, I can't look at the stars

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She fidgeted with the ring in her hand. It had only been a week since that day in Nedley’s office. The day when she had put herself out there and everything had been perfect. Scary, but perfect. And today was another scary day, but she hoped it too would be perfect. She sat at their table in Purgatory’s only tiny coffee shop. Spending Nicole’s lunch together their had quickly become a tradition, one Waverly wanted to continue for a very, very long time.

The door rang as Nicole walked in and she immediately spotted Waverly at their table. Waverly balled her left hand into a fist in her lap, hiding the ring. Nicole sat across from her at the table and gently held her right hand.

“Hey Waves. How has your day been? I hope not too crazy.”

Waverly smiled, “No, not crazy, luckily. It’s been pretty normal, actually. But...I’m hoping it’s about to become a lot more special.”

The last part she said on a whisper, and Nicole’s smile faded into a look of confusion.

Just do it.

Waverly put her left hand on the table, and between her fingers she held a silver ring anointed with a round, blue stone. It looked antique, but the care it had been given gave it the shine of a ring brand new.

Nicole’s eyes widened and jaw dropped when she saw it, and that’s when Waverly felt the panic hit her.

“I’m not proposing, just so you know. No, that’d be a little too fast I think but...but I want you to understand that I’m serious. I mean, we both know I’m new to all of...this,” she gestured between them with her right hand, still holding the ring up in her left, “I’m new to it but I’m serious. This isn’t me..experimenting or, or having some fling, Nicole, I really, really want to have a..a relationship with you. And I thought, you know, I wanted to have some way to show you that and I thought, why not give you something you can wear whenever you like. So you can always remember that I’m here. For all of it.”

When the words finally registered, the smile returned to Nicole’s face.

“You know it’s really hard for me to be serious when you keep flashing those cute dimples,” Waverly pouted.

Nicole laughed and grabbed Waverly’s right hand again.

“Waverly Earp, are you giving me a promise ring?”

“Well now when you put it that way I feel like a teenager. But...yes I guess you could call it that if you want.”

“Well in that case, I do.”

They could barely contain their giddiness as Waverly slipped the ring on Nicole’s right index finger, and even once it was in place, they held on a few moments longer.

I promise I’m all in.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Stars Stars, they make me wonder where you are Stars up on Heaven's boulevard And if I know you at all, I know you've gone too far So I can't look at the stars

“Baron Samedi mwen konvoke ou pou sa a grav tonm aswè a pou monte yon nanm tort pran. Mwen vle pou fè pwi ak tou sa li pran. Foseyè detere sa a nanm aswè a.”

Haitian Creole was not one of her strong languages, but she hoped it was good enough.

She was standing in Purgatory Cemetery, next to a new grave bearing an all too familiar name:

Nicole Haught

On the grass next to the grave she had drawn in chalk the Baron’s veve. The outlines of the veve had then been soaked in rum and a single cigar was place in the center. Only once everything was in place did Waverly begin the incantation.

For a few minutes, nothing stirred.

Where are you?

Starting to panic she looked down at the ancient volume in her hands and began again. Maybe her pronunciation was off or she spoke to quickly-

“Your pronunciation was atrocious please don’t say it again.”

Startled, she looked up across Nicole’s grave to see a man standing there. He was tall, Haitian, wearing a dark suit and smelled of tobacco and rum. Two cotton plugs were up his nostrils and his face was painted white like a skull. His voice was higher pitched, almost nasally, and not at all what she expected.

That didn’t mean her knees didn’t tremble at the sight of him.

“B-Baron Samedi,” she began, taking a breath to regain her composure, “I summoned you here to resurrect the wrongfully taken soul of Nicole Haught.”

He blinked slowly.

“Well I figured as much from your terrible summons. So what? Why should I? Do you know how many people pray to me a day to resurrect their loved ones? If I answered every prayer, the graveyards would be empty! Death happens, little girl. I find it helps to embrace it. Now get out of my sight.”

Oh no you are not doing this.

“You didn’t even ask what I’m willing to bargain. Cause I bet this is an offer even you can’t refuse, no matter how jaded you are.”

“Oh really? And what on Earth could you possibly offer me that would make the whole fiasco of resurrection worth my time?”

“Oh, it’s not something of Earth. A little birdie told me you’ve been looking for your hat that lets you travel freely between the worlds of the living and the dead. Without it you’ve been stuck, and from the looks of it, that has not been agreeing with you. I only knew about your hat because of Nicole’s work. And I found it. I have it hidden somewhere safe. So my terms are this: Nicole’s life for your hat. What do you say?”

At the mention of his hat the Baron seemed to grow taller, and the sky a bit darker.

“You would dare use my hat, my rightful property stolen from me by your ancestor’s friend, as a bargaining chip for one woman’s life? Tell me why I shouldn’t just dig your grave to lay beside her as punishment for the mouth on you?”

Her heart beat rapidly with fear and she felt her hands tremble but she continued.

I’m coming for you.

“Yes. Yes I do dare. And kill me if you want but with me goes all knowledge of your hat’s location. So guess you’ll just have to wander in this world until someone else this crazy finds it and summons you. How long do you think that’ll take?”

The Baron’s eyes narrowed.

Waverly allowed herself the smallest smirk.

Got you.

With a heavy sigh and a shake of his scowling head he answered, “Kontra a te asepte. The deal is accepted. Now stand back and let me work.”

Waverly took a few steps away from the grave and watched as wispy shadow figures, almost like dogs, separated from the Baron’s shadow. The hounds circled Nicole’s grave and began digging. In no time they had uncovered the dark brown casket. A few lifted the lid with their muzzles and threw it open, so Nicole’s body was once again exposed to the world. With the digging done they retreated into their master’s shadow once again.

The Baron looked down into the casket.

“I need something that ties her to this Earthly. It’s the only way I can call her spirit back.”

Waverly began to panic.

I didn’t read about an earthly possession.

She rubbed her hands together in the nervous habit she’d had since childhood, and upon feeling the smooth stone under her fingers, an idea hit her.

She took the ring off and handed it to the Baron, who took it delicately in his long, skeletal fingers.

“This will do.” He nodded, and began in incantation of his own.

“Syèl la pi wo pase mwen sipliye ou, kò sa a yo te pran tou Talè. Mwen fouye leve l’fòs. Men kò li bezwen Lespri Bondye a. Mwen rele lespri Nicole Haught tounen pou domèn terrestre a ak mèt letanp sa a nan posesyon.”

He bent down into the grave and slipped the ring onto Nicole’s finger. He then ran his hand over her eyes, from her mouth upwards, and with his hand her eyes opened. She gasped and clutched at the sides of the casket.

“Oh my god, baby!” Waverly ran forward and sat where the Baron had been. He had already left, presumably still close by waiting for his hat. Nicole had been buried in her uniform, per her request. Her short hair was disheveled and dirt smeared into her skin from where it had seeped through the casket corners.

Before she could process what had happened, Waverly pulled her into a long kiss. When they parted, it finally dawned on Nicole where she was.

“Wait, Waves. Why- why am I in a grave? Did I...oh my god I died. Waves I was dead! How..how am I here?”

Waverly just smiled because it was hard to speak through her tears. She held Nicole’s face in her hands and gently rubbed the graveyard dirt away.

I said not today.

And she kissed her love again.

Not today because we have so much left to do.

“Waverly how did you do this? Please tell me you’re okay aren’t you? You didn’t..you didn’t hurt yourself getting me back did you?”

Waverly laughed through her sobs. “Still trying to look after me huh? Even when you have been dead for weeks. But no, I didn’t hurt myself. I just traded a hat for you.”

Nicole’s brows furrowed. “A hat?”

“Don’t worry you are worth so much more than a hat to me. And hey-” she held up Nicole’s hand with the ring once again placed on it, “I told you I promised to stay by you, for all of it. And I wasn’t about to let Widow Mercedes change that. Not now, not ever.”

I promise to be here forever.

And with the sun starting to rise on the new day, Waverly looked up at the sky and knew that, for the first time in weeks, tonight she could look at the stars again.

#earp #wearp #wynonnaearp #wynonna earp #waverly earp #nicole haught #wayhaught #wynonna earp fanfiction #wearp fanfiction #xavier dolls #jeremy chetri #baron samedi

7 notes · View notes

gosatsuvns · 4 years

Text

SHINRAI Anniversary Update

Today marks the 4th anniversary of SHINRAI's release and, in celebration of that, we've just released a little update for it!

Although no new major content (such as additional scenes or diary entries) has been added, this update applies a number of tweaks and changes to the game, which will definitely provide a better experience. From simple bugfixes and typo eradication to the addition of new music tracks, as well as a much desired checkpoint system for the final chapter.

But let's have a closer look at the changelog, shall we?

General Fixes: As mentioned above, a number of minor issues such as typos, bugs and visual errors have been fixed (like Henjin's arm being cut off on his profile page or the characters' legs being hidden behind the black bar on their intro cards).

GUI Adjustments: The textbox design has been updated to better fit with the rest of the GUI.

Sound Adjustments: With the help of our new composer, Solo Acapello, we've tackled a number of sound-related issues. BGM/SFX loops are now seamless, the volume for various sounds has been adjusted, and some have even been redone.

Music Addition: Since some players found the occasional (rather long) stretches of silence to be awkward, new ambience and music tracks have been added to fill the auditory void. In total, there are four new BGMs, one of them being a variation of an already existing track, whereas the other three are completely original compositions*.

Notebook Update: The text size for the notebook content has been slightly increased (yes, it was even smaller before). As a result, all "Diary", "Trivia" and "Clues & Evidence" entries, as well as all character profiles have been revised. In some instances, new tidbits of information have been added, along with references to our new projects. Since some players have gotten confused by it, the "DD/MM/YYYY"-format for D.O.B. information has been changed, as well.

Script Changes: A bunch of dialogues and narration segments have been revised for better readability and structure, as well as to make them more concise and thus improve the pacing a little. Some parts have even been rewritten, while others were elaborated on. This mostly affects the first two chapters and the game's extra content.

Checkpoint System: If you pick the wrong culprit and end up getting a bad end, you will now get a choice between going to the title screen, or returning to an automatic checkpoint that will let you try again. Thus, players who don't save often or overwrite their save files a lot will not run the risk of locking themselves into a bad end anymore.

Code Cleanup: Natsu has taken the time to optimize the game's script, getting rid of thousands of unnecessary lines of code. Honestly, this is something that you, as a player, won't notice. Nevertheless, it makes us feel pretty good!

*(If you've bought the OST on Steam, they've been added to it through an update. Itch users will have to download the new zip.)

There are a number of reasons as to why we've decided to update SHINRAI now, four years after its release. Some of the changes are tied to something we can't quite divulge yet, but it will be unveiled within the next two months.

What I can already tell you, however, is that this was also done in preparation for our next two projects: GENBA no Kizuna and SHINRAI - Withering Without Hope.

As some of you may know, SHINRAI was originally written as a short novel in 2011, never intended to be a VN until 2013. So it's actually been nine years since its initial conception, and ideas for a sequel have been gathered ever since.

Naturally, these ideas have greatly evolved over time, especially during these past four years, while we've been busily working on GENBA and WWH. Thus, I wanted to take the opportunity to update SHINRAI with these developments in mind.

There is also the fact that, back in 2016, when I decided to add some extra content to the game, hinting towards the sequel, it was done pretty much last minute. As a result, it ended up being a little rushed, which is probably why we've found most of the typos in there. Some minor things also didn't quite make a lot of sense, so I wanted to fix that as well.

If you've already beaten the game, there may not be enough new stuff here for another full playthrough, but you might at least want to check some of the extra content again, particularly Kamen's secret diary entry. She now elaborates more on her feelings towards a certain someone, which will naturally play a big part in the sequel.

So, how is development going on our next project anyway, you may wonder...?

Well, we've made some major progress on GENBA this year, which is still scheduled to be released first. Although it chronologically takes place 'before' SHINRAI, it further sets up WWH by introducing characters, themes, relationships and important plot points.

As of right now, I don't want to make any promises. I can tell you for sure that it won't be out this year, but we have a release date for it in mind, which we'd really like to meet. So keep your eyes peeled for more information towards the end of the year, I guess!

I will talk more about this update, the BBD changes, GENBA's and WWH's development, as well as our plans for the upcoming months in our next weekly blog post. However, before this one gets any longer, I should better wrap it up.

We know that a lot of you guys are eagerly awaiting our next projects and we're really sorry for the long wait. Which is why we appreciate your patience and continued support all the more! Believe me, no one wants to finish these games more than we do!

It's been four years now, and we still receive messages of new and old players on a regular basis, telling us how much they enjoyed our little murder mystery and that they're looking forward to what's next. However, even though we'd love to release something ASAP, we also don't want to disappoint you. So, while it is taking quite some time, please rest assured that we keep working as hard as we can to deliver something that will live up to your expectations!

We're sincerely grateful for all the positive feedback and reviews, the kind comments and messages, and the exorbitant amounts of motivation your support has supplied us with over these past four years!

As developers, we couldn't ask for more!

0 notes

aion-rsa · 4 years

Text

Wynonna Earp Season 4, Episode 4 Review: Holy War Part One

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

This Wynonna Earp review contains spoilers.

Wynonna Earp Season 4, Episode 4

“Destiny is what we are drawn towards and fate is that which we run into.” Waverly needs to embroider this onto a pillow to have around the homestead because it’s not a half-bad motto for the Earp family, nor for the show itself. We know from the glimpses we’ve had into Waverly and Wynonna’s childhood, as well as from the information we’ve gathered about the history of this town and the Earps’ place in it, that The Family Earp has not always been the bastion of support and togetherness that it is today. Each generations of Earps has responded differently to the curse, some more healthily than others. The Earp heirs have had a heavy destiny placed upon their shoulders, one they do not get to choose. Fate, however, at least in Wyatt Earp’s interpretation of it, has some measure of free will about it.

For Wynonna, destiny, in the form of the curse, has been, until recently, one of the major forces in her life. It has been a burden she’s chafed against, but it has been a choice made for her, and there can be a kind of comfort in that. Without the burden of the curse, Wynonna is only left with fate, something she is far less practiced in maneuvering. Interestingly, Wynonna has been able to quickly clarify if not her purpose then her process: fighting alongside her people, which now includes the recovered Jeremy, and, destiny-willing, with Peacemaker (in whatever form it may take) in her hands. She has taken to her post-curse life like a sweary duck to water, and it’s been a pleasure to see in a season that has seen Nicole in such pain.

For Nicole, who has had the best storyline thus far this season, the long 18 months without Waverly or the rest of her found family was a time of stagnancy and trauma, of doing what she had to do to keep her and Rachel alive, of holding down the fort until her family returned and she could start living again. If that doesn’t sound like running towards something, it’s not. “I knew you could handle yourself,” Jeremy tells Nicole when she not-so-subtly (and understandably) accuses him of abandoning her during her time of need. “That’s not what I did,” Nicole tells him. Later, she admits to Wynonna that she gave up hope on them coming back to her. She gave up on fate and surrendered to destiny. (Wonderfalls reference, anyone?)

Depressingly, Nicole’s struggles didn’t end when she got her family back. Her life continues to be driven by forces outside of her control. For 18 months, her life was defined by an absence she felt she had lost control over. In this episode, her body is literally controlled by some kind of supernatural force set on her by Margot Clanton—an unjust consequence for the one time in those 18 months when Nicole tried to run towards something. And it totally backfired.

I love how supportive Waverly is when Nicole is literally too sick to tell her the horrible thing she has done. We don’t know what Nicole promised Ma’am, but it is something she doesn’t believe Waverly and the others will ever be able to forgive her for. As of right now, we don’t know what that is, and I love that Wynonna Earp is keeping this a mystery for now. It’s hard to believe that there is anything that Waverly and the audience wouldn’t forgive Nicole for, especially given that it was offered when Nicole was at her lowest, when she was alone and terrified that she would never see the love of her life again. Still, I’m on the edge of my seat.

“Holy War Part One” works to restore some of the pre-time jump status quo. BBD has appointed Jeremy as the captain of the local Purgatory branch, and the crew has moved back into their old offices in the town police station. Nicole might not have her sheriff position back (another role of control and security that was taken from her during those 18 months), but the gang has their BBD hangout, and it feels like coming home. Perhaps more importantly, it is a symbol that the Clantons don’t have complete authority over Purgatory, which initially seemed to be the case. While the logic may be too vague for my tastes, Black Badge has a power that the Clantons can’t touch and, at least for now (until we meet Naomi’s bosses), BBD is more or less on Team Earp’s side.

One element of the status quo that has yet to be restored is the return of Peacemaker. Wynonna and Doc follow the trail that Aimen claims will lead them to the missing weapon. For now, it just leads Wynonna to the home of a bunch of judgy nuns and, eventually, to “Steve’s Gulch,” where Wynonna and Doc find Rosita. Yes, Season 2 Rosita, the ex-revenant who we last saw when she was making plans to trade Baby Alice for safe passage out of Purgatory. How is she still around if the curse is broken? And how might she lead Wynonna to Peacemaker? All questions we don’t yet know the answer to as this episode has not one, but two juicy cliffhangers…

The other cliffhanger is yet another situation that puts poor, tortured Nicole Haught in danger. (These kinds of scenes are so much less stressful for a show that we know will never Bury Their Gays.) In an attempt to get whatever is possessing Nicole and making her all stabby out of her, Jeremy and Nedley are trying to temporarily kill Nicole by drowning her in a tub of water while Nedley dons a wolf head hat and chants from a book of magic. (You know, the uzsh.) This is the scene that Waverly, who Nicole had handcuffed to their bed to keep from witnessing this, walks into. Yeah, it looks pretty traumatizing, and is not dissimilar to what Wynonna did to Nicole and others when she drugged them in the Season 3 finale so that she and Waverly could go face Bulshar alone. Nicole got pretty understandably pissed at Wynonna for this, which is why it’s disappointing to see her take a choice like this away from Waverly. Nicole is not the same person she was 18 months ago.

“Holy War Part One” was a subtly strong episode. Last week, we got the first signs that we would be tapping back into Earpian mythology this season, and this week’s episode continues that trend in both philosophical and logistical ways. It’s been a while since we had an episode that so draws on the Old West history of this family and this town, and I am eager to see what happens next.

Additional thoughts.

OK, where the f is Robin tho?

“It’s not a war, Holliday. It’s just a town.” I kind of… like Sheriff Holt?

Nicole is pissed at Jeremy for abandoning her during those months. I hope they don’t drop this.

“Gold. Frankincense. Tickets to Lizzo.” I want a ticket to Lizzo! And a world where concerts are still a (safe) thing.

I also want to go to the Ghost River Triangle Museums! I miss museums, especially small, eccentric ones like this one.

I continue to have… so many questions about Wyatt and Doc’s relationship.

Is it too late for Billy? I liked this kid.

“Some people deserve to be shot.”

“Whatever side we fight on, the blood we shed to win the war, will damn us all.” Honestly, Doc is filled with ominous quotes this episode. Another highlight: “I’ve often been left to ponder, Wynonna, whether or not this legacy of bloodshed will be the ruin of everyone we love.”

“How? When the monsters keep coming and coming, how am I supposed to live a normal life? And why the fuck would I want to?” Love this.

“Just because you’re rejecting your legacy doesn’t mean I have to reject mine.” Seriously, in a season that sees so many characters struggling with their fates and/or destinies, it is nice to see Wynonna so sure about hers.

“Well, it would take a lot more than Egyptian plagues to keep me from wanting to marry your sister.” <3

“It was the Old West. The only difference between them and us were the stars pinned to our chest.” Seriously, Doc is so reflective this episode.

Petition to have a whole episode that shows us what Doc is up to while everyone else is sleeping. Has he picked up any new hobbies? Are there town insomniacs he has befriended? Does he enjoy the sunrise? So many questions.

Also, petition to have a whole episode that flashes back to Nicole during those 18 months.

The post Wynonna Earp Season 4, Episode 4 Review: Holy War Part One appeared first on Den of Geek.

from Den of Geek https://ift.tt/3aShqJa

#aion-rsa #Den of Geek

0 notes

fantasydaydreamers · 3 years

Note

Tbr pt.3 was sooo good! Just wondering if you’re gonna make behind brothel doors pt.5? It’s my favorite mha series ever! 💓

I'm assuming you meant pt.2? Pt.3 isn't out yet-

Yes!! BBD will be returning after TBR on AO3💕 I have some ideas for BBD, because it's a series I really want to focus on but ideas aren't set in stone yet🤔🤭

#💕💕💕#ask miss fantasy

4 notes · View notes

earpdearp · 7 years

Text

not just a secret

Wherein Waverly helps out on an actual BBD operation before enjoying an ordinary, home-cooked meal with Nicole in their otherwise chaotic Purgatory life. Part of an on-going exploration of how WayHaught is both friendship and relationship.

Takes place during early 1x10, pre-Willa. Mentions events in the show, Road to Purgatory, and one of my previous Just Friends fics, “just coffee.”

Also on AO3. Approximately 7,492 words.

Other WayHaught “not just friends” fics in this series: not just any first date

Walking the familiar hall on the way to the BBD office, a gruff stage-whisper jarred Waverly Earp out of her daze. She had been following close behind Wynonna, but slowed her gait so that she could backtrack to the Sheriff’s Department double doors.

“…Hey!” Nicole Haught whisper-yelled again from her seat at the front desk. The corded desk phone was held to the woman’s ear, her hand covering the mouthpiece. Nicole’s dimpled smile was nothing less than radiant.

Waverly chewed her cheek as she eyeballed her sister’s retreating back.

Just one minute couldn’t hurt.

She sidestepped over to the front desk with a small finger-wave. “Hey,” Waverly whispered back. “What are you doing?” She made a thumb-and-pinky phone pantomime at Nicole.

An eyeroll as Nicole held the phone a little further from her ear. “Oh, I’m just on hold with the county trying to get some files sent over for Nedley… I’ve seen those archives. I think the last time that place was organized was when Wyatt Earp was still around,” Nicole deadpanned with a mock-scowl.

But Nicole brightened as she nodded in the direction of the Black Badge Division office. “Y’all workin’ on a case today? I was gonna go for a coffee run in a minute… if I ever get off the phone.” She made a dramatic, wide-eyed frown and tapped at the notepad in front of her. A short list of coffee orders was already started for Sheriff Nedley, Officer Lonnie, and a few of the courthouse clerks. Question marks could be seen next to “Waverly, Wynonna, and Grumpy.”

Waverly exhaled an excited breath. “Ohhh! That would be amazing! Yea, we’re… in the middle of an operation.” She threw a sly grin with a cocky eyebrow. “All very hush-hush.”

“Uh huh,” Nicole rolled her eyes good-naturedly this time. “The usual…(s)? I saw Wynonna go by. Is Dolls in, too?” She gestured with her chin after stumbling over the plural of “usual.”

Minute’s probably up.

“Yes please! And I’ll go check!” Waverly backed away from the desk with a two-fingered salute, but not before Nicole reached out and ran her fingers down Waverly’s wrist.

Nicole’s eyes sparkled back before she returned to the other end of the call with a series of slow, professional “Yes… yes… yes” responses.

Waverly couldn’t help but sigh and smile as she jogged back down the hall to catch up to Wynonna. Her fingertips subconsciously mimicked the gesture Nicole had done on her wrist, relishing the rekindled goosebumps.

Scurrying, she managed to slip inside that glass door just as Wynonna was chastising Dolls about his attempts at being cool. The Deputy Marshal was leaning back in a swivel chair, fat headphones balanced over his temples, a wide grin on his scruffy face.

“Are you saying we’re in?” Waverly interrupted, her fists balled with hope.

After a few theatric taps on his laptop, Dolls spun back towards the two Earps with a flourishing hand motion.

The low, menacing voice of Bobo Del Rey came in over the laptop speakers: [“…Those Earp sisters may be bangable, but they’re a boil on my scrotum…”]

“Hey!” Waverly squawked, offended, before rushing forward and claiming the headphones from Dolls. “…we’re in!”

The prospect of surveillance was actually exciting for Waverly.

Finally: a change of pace from research or translations. Plus, it had been Waverly’s quick-thinking in the bar to use the bronze boot tip jar to place the listening device, so she’d already claimed dibs against Wynonna on the walk over to the municipal building.

“All yours, sis,” Wynonna had said flatly, hands raised in mock-surrender. “I’d rather be shooting the Revs than listening to them yammer about whatever it is they yammer about, anyway. Who’s the ugliest, cooking recipes and the latest spring fashions, I’m sure.” Rolling her eyes, she had made a jerk-off hand motion for emphasis.

Hmph.

Fortunately, Dolls didn’t fight Waverly for control of the headphones.

Unfortunately, what amounted to Revenant surveillance ended up being a bunch of unflattering one-upsmanship among the other Rev-heads about what they were gonna do about the Earp Heir and her Goddamn gun. (And, thankfully, just some mild talk about Waverly’s boobs; she managed to escape their more graphic/hostile scenarios.)

Ugh. Not any less disgusting knowing they’re not human, though.

While Dolls and Wynonna quietly argued over the Earp Sister Joint Operation at Shorty’s, Waverly snuck out her phone to confirm in a text to Nicole that Dolls was indeed in attendance.

[Nicole says: “Got it. And I finally got off that call. Next time I need to bring a book”]

[Waverly says: “I can lend you one when I get a break! I always keep one handy”]

She eyeballed her large purse hanging on the coat rack and tried to remember what all she had tucked away.

A Wyatt Earp retrospective about his early years? Ehhhh, maybe.

A demonology book about cult symbols? …Probably not what she’s looking for.

Oh! What about that trashy western from Gus’s old shelves?

Aw… Gus… God, I’m gonna miss her.

Another incoming text made her phone vibrate on the table.

[Nicole says: “That’d be wonderful. Goin for a coffee run now, should be back in 30 with something tall and caffeinated”]

Waverly resisted the urge to text back “You mean you?” But she just bit her lip and set her phone aside after a brief thank-you. She returned to her headphones and notepad, jotting down any significant names or places the Revenants discussed.

The Heir debate eventually decayed into just the clank of pool balls and the scraping of stools along with what the Revenants had been up to the night before. There was a brief mention of the Sheriff’s Department that piqued Waverly’s interest.

Apparently, someone had called the cops when the Revs first moved in and started ripping down some (of Waverly’s!) Wyatt Earp memorabilia. But it was Lonnie who had responded to the call, and thankfully that sweet man had accepted Bobo’s bullshit excuse that “the new owners were just doing some late-night renovating” without incident.

I wonder what Nicole would have done?

There was a gentle rapping of knuckles at the office door that Waverly heard through the lull in conversation. Dolls and Wynonna, who had been studying a pushpin-laden cork board of known Revenants spotted at Shorty’s, closed the doors to their little cabinet before Wynonna opened the door.

Speaking of Nicole, the young Officer smiled broadly as she brandished a drink carrier holding three tall to-go coffee cups.

Wynonna was baffled but grateful as she accepted the tray. “Damn, Haught. You’re a mind-reader. I was jonesing for a coffee fix.” She pre-emptively slapped Dolls on the arm. “And don’t be a dick this time.”

The man’s back was to Waverly, but she heard Dolls sigh. “…I literally didn’t say anything.”

Nicole said jovially, “Hey, don’t worry about it. Was just in the neighborhood and thought I’d hook y’all up.” Her eyes only flicked to Waverly, but she gave a significant glance at one particular cup.

The elder Earp squinted at Nicole with a smirk. “I can’t speak for the Boss Man here, but you’re damn well in my good graces. And we need to have another drink again sometime. Tie one off for the Serial Killer Survivor club.” She offered an outstretched fist, which Nicole bumped back with an airy laugh.

“Again?” Waverly tilted her head, but chewed her cheek against the question.

Clearing his throat, Dolls grabbed a cup. He said pointedly, “Thank you, Officer Haught.” Then stood impassively waiting for Nicole to leave.

At his side, Wynonna shot him a disapproving glare and sighed. Waverly heard her sister mumble a faint, “So close, Dolls.”

Taking the hint, Nicole retreated back behind the glass door. But she managed to shoot Waverly a small smile at the last second when Dolls and Wynonna returned to their corkboard.

Waverly leaned over to reach for the last cup that bore her name surrounded by a pair of small stars. Curious, she returned to her work station, but not before she popped off the top to inspect the coffee.

Inside, on top of the thin layer of cappuccino foam, was a small star etched in cocoa powder.

Waverly had to bite her lower lip hard, which her sister noticed. But Wynonna wasn’t as perceptive as she thought she was. “Did she—they—screw up your order?”

“Huh? Oh! No, it’s perfect,” Waverly said as she replaced the lid and took a deep sip.

Really perfect.

She waited a few minutes for Wynonna and Dolls to continue studying their hit-list of Revenants before sending a pair of texts back to Nicole: the first was a single gold star, the second a red kiss.

A moment later, an answering red kiss emoji. She smiled to herself and settled back into her headphones.

Hours ticked by, as did the fast food bags and takeout coffees. Surveillance was such tedious, boring work. Waverly massaged a crick in her lower back. She could really go for some yoga stretches, but didn’t think Dolls would be too keen on either the interruption or the display.

And Waverly wasn’t sure what she had thought century-old undead demons would talk about all day, but how much they drank and who sucked the worst at cards was not in her top five. No master plan soliloquies from Bobo, no exciting in-fighting they could exploit, no discussion of setbacks or weaknesses or fears (other than their hatred of all things Earp).

Scowling, Waverly threw the headphones down in disgust around Hour 6 at the latest dick-measuring banter. “Literally all they’re talking about is how many pints they can chug. …Ugh. Men are all the same, even the demonic ones.” When she leaned up to finally stretch, she felt a fullness in her belly that she had been struggling to ignore.

Ugh.

Heading for the door, Waverly said, “Surveillance: mucho taxing on my bladder.”

Wynonna slapped her ass as she went by, muttering a soft, “You did good, kid.”

After exiting the restroom refreshed, Waverly shot a glance over at the BBD office. She decided against returning right away.

I’ve earned a little break, considering I had to listen to a bunch of grown men bitch about my sister for like six hours. …It’s like junior high all over again.

Waverly stole a glance in the Sheriff’s Department, which was almost empty. Only Nicole sat at her desk, an older Purgatorian that Waverly didn’t recognize sitting across from her. Checking her watch, it was indeed once again Happy Hour At Shorty’s for Nedley.

I can wait.

Striding through the desk divider like she belonged there, Waverly went over to the supply shelf to grab a large yellow notepad. She began jotting down a list of research topics she planned on hitting up later. Some of the Revenants mentioned during surveillance were new names to add to Waverly’s master rolodex. Family histories, past crimes, how Wyatt killed them… the usual rabbit hole(s) for research gathering.

Nicole’s polite, professional voice jarred Waverly from her thoughts. “Can I help you?”

She started to grin in response, but Waverly reigned it in when she noticed a) the strained look in Nicole’s eyes and b) the older gentleman still sitting at her desk.

Waverly settled on clearing her throat with a demure glance downward. “Oh, uh, yes. Yes, Officer. I was—I was hoping to fill out a police report? Something was… stolen?” Her hand went subconsciously to her bare neck.

Willa’s favorite necklace. I can’t believe Bobo took that from me.

And Shorty’s. And all the Wyatt Earp stuff I’d collected. I stuck out so many bidding wars for some of that stuff! And that sonofabi—

“Of course,” Nicole replied, warm and cordial. “Let me just finish up with Mr. Hamilton here and I’ll be right with you.”

“I’ll wait!” Waverly trilled a little too cheerfully. But it worked: Nicole smiled widely before returning to the older man. Her eyes had a frustrated glaze to them and her smile got noticeably tight.

Keeping it super casual, Waverly resumed her focused note-taking for another minute. Though she did steal occasional glances over at Nicole, who finally seemed to be wrapping up her conversation.

“I’m sorry you feel that way, Mr. Hamilton, but you’ll have to take it up with Judge Cryderman.”

Mr. Hamilton scowled, indignant. “I dunno why you can’t let this slide this time.”

“It’s a fourth strike on a DUI, Mr. Hamilton,” Nicole reminded him as she slapped the file folder shut on her desk.

But the man finally—finally—got up from his seat. The moment his back was turned, Nicole mouthed at Waverly “Oh my God save me he’s been here for over an hour” before standing up with Mr. Hamilton. “…I promise I’ll let Sheriff Nedley know you were here, sir.”

Mr. Hamilton pulled on the scuffed blazer that was slung over the chair back. “Hmph. Randy needs to relax. Ward wasn’t nearly such a stickler about this shit. …Just let a man drink in peace.”

“It’s not the drinking in peace, it’s the driving,” Nicole muttered.

“What was that?” The man’s head turned, but his expression was disinterested.

“Nothing, I was just showing you out, sir.”

Another sullen “Hmph” from Mr. Hamilton as Nicole escorted him through the divider and pointed him to Judge Cryderman’s door.

It took all of Waverly’s willpower not to snicker. Instead, she continued on her page of notes, hip pressed against the small conference table. Out of the corner of her eye did Waverly keep watching Nicole.

Not saying a word, the other woman swept back over her desk and scooped up the file folder. As she approached Waverly, she added another file from the conference table to her collection. Nicole continued past Waverly and she felt a warm hand circle her wrist. Letting her notepad drop, Waverly shot a wary eye to the empty station as she followed.

Allowing herself to be pulled over to the Sheriff’s open office door, Waverly smiled as she felt Nicole press her against the door frame. A broad smile and brown eyes filled Waverly’s vision as she started to melt into Nicole’s warm breath. She felt lips brush hers and—

An explosive sigh from the entrance made them both jump away.

Wynonna appeared, scowling and drumming her fingers on the counter. Her blue eyes narrowed in confusion. “…Are you guys in Nedley’s office?”

Waverly hugged one side of the door frame while Nicole leaned against the opposite side, the file folder held to her chest in defense. Waverly felt heat on her cheeks and neck. Struggling for words, she gestured aimlessly with her hand.

Nicole exhaled through her cheeks and started stuttering, “Uh… cause when—I…”

“…Yes,” Waverly finally answered with an awkward smile.

But Wynonna didn’t even seem to notice, her eyes shifty and glancing behind her.

She took a deep breath. “OK, here she blows…” The older Earp slapped her open palms on the counter, shoulders twitching awkwardly. “Uhhhh…. Doc and I slept together.” The words fell out of Wynonna’s mouth in a rush, accented by the toss of a hand.

Waverly’s jaw dropped in shock.

“And that’s news? …Really?” Nicole replied with knowing sarcasm.

When she locked eyes with Waverly though, her expression changed to sheepish. “…to you…” Nicole mouthed an expletive just as the department phone rang. She resigned herself to answering it with a grudging “OK” before shuffling back to her desk.

Part of Waverly wanted to grab Nicole for support, but instead she stalked towards her older sister.

Wynonna seemed to sense Waverly’s mood, her glare a half-hearted challenge. “Really? …we’re both grown-ups.”

Waverly sniped back. “Yea, well, one of you is a little more grown-up than the other, don’t you think?” There was so much more she wanted to say, but not with Nicole present. Part of her hated the need for a filter.

Especially considering how badly Waverly wanted to yell at Wynonna right now.

Wynonna’s mouth hung open before she muttered in agreement, “…Little bit.”

“So why are you telling me this now?” Waverly asked.

“Because it’s out there. …Thanks to Bobo.”

“Bobo knows?!”

Shitballs.

“Yes. …and Dolls.” Wynonna trailed off with a scowl.

Oh shitballs.

“Uh-ohhh.” A question crossed Waverly’s mind. “Well… do—do you love Doc?”

Her sister rolled her eyes before turning on her heel to retreat from this conversation. “It was just sex, Waverly. God.”

“That’s not a no!” Waverly called to Wynonna’s departing back.

Waverly stood in the middle of the station, just dumbfounded and hurt and trying to process all this new information. She glanced over at Nicole, who was still on a call. Apologetic brown eyes met Waverly’s. During a break in phone conversation, Nicole mouthed, “I’m so sorry.”

Sighing, Waverly padded back to the BBD office with her yellow notepad in hand. Which… was empty. She returned to the laptop where the transcription software had captured Bobo’s last words to Wynonna before a very abrupt [“Connection Terminated”] error message.

Ah.

Always the dutiful Earp, Waverly decided to enter all her notes into the BBD database before calling it quits. Her mind was craving the distraction, otherwise she would start to dwell on how much it hurt that Wynonna still kept secrets from her.

…Though technically Wynonna wasn’t the only one keeping secrets: Waverly hadn’t told her about Nicole yet. And Wynonna had almost found about that all on her own because they were careless.

She pulled out her phone and sent over a text message.

[Waverly says: “oh my god”]

An almost instantaneous response.

[Nicole says: “Oh my god”]

[Waverly says: “OH MY GOD”]

[Nicole says: “Oh my god”]

[Waverly says: “I thought for sure we had been busted”]

She grinned, her cheeks flushing again at the close call. One of the few times Wynonna’s obliviousness worked in her (their?) favor.

[Nicole says: “Dude also your sister banged Doc”]

Ughhhh.

[Waverly says: “I can’t hear you. LA LA LA LA LA LA LA”]

Working for a little longer, Waverly managed to log the rest of her notes and rip off the page of names. She had a date with the city library in the morning.

Or… I could have a date right now?

[Waverly says: “…Are you free tonight?”]

[Nicole says: “I’m free right now. Finally. Shift is over”]

Waverly bolted upright from her chair. She opened the door just as Nicole had her arm raised to knock on the glass, phone in her other hand. The woman held her Stetson under one arm and a familiar smile on her face.

“Hey,” Waverly said.

“Hey yourself.” Glancing around the hallway, Nicole leaned over to give Waverly a quick, chaste kiss. “…I was gonna head home.” She glanced around the empty BBD office. “You off soon?”

“I’m off now. Walk you to your car?”

Nicole smiled and nodded, holding the door open as Waverly snatched up her own jacket and purse. Flicking off the lights, Waverly locked the door with Wynonna’s spare key.

The distance between them as they trekked down the municipal building hallway was painful for Waverly. She kept stealing glances over to Nicole, who wasn’t helping because she was doing the same damn thing and they were both smiling like idiots.

Nicole started, her tone dry. “So, not that the movie wasn’t great the other night…”

“Whaaat? It was amazing,” Waverly trilled with irony, eyes twinkling.

“Uh huh…” Nicole raised a skeptical eyebrow.

Smiling insincerely, Waverly asked, “What was your favorite part?”

Nicole wrinkled her nose. “The… part—the part where… uh… Just… all of it. It was all so memorable I couldn’t possibly pick.”

“Mine was when the movie ended,” Waverly said with a smirk.

An explosive sigh of relief from Nicole. “Oh thank God, me too.”

Both women chuckled as they crested the front doors into the cold Purgatory evening. The sun was still barely up, but the cloudy sky was darkening into nightfall soon enough.

As they approached the small side parking lot, Nicole turned on her heel to face Waverly.

“What would you say to dinner? My place? I could cook… You could come inside and meet Calamity Jane for real…” Her expression was soft and hopeful.

Waverly smiled. “That… sounds great, actually. Yes, please.”

Nicole gestured with her white cowboy hat. “You’re a vegetarian, right?”

“Yep!” Waverly chirped, but then furrowed her brow. “…wait, how did you know that?”

Tilting her head, Nicole was confused. “You mentioned it? When we had coffee at Shorty’s the first time?”

Waverly’s voice got small. “You remembered that?” A weird, dizzy feeling started rolling around in her chest.

A dimpled smile. “Of course.” Placing her hat on her head, Nicole didn’t seem to notice Waverly’s dazed look. “Pasta okay?”

“It’s—ah—pasta’s perfect.”

“…are you okay?” Nicole asked as she dug out her car keys, hat tipping with her head.

Clearing her (suddenly thick) throat against that dizzy-chest feeling, Waverly nodded. “…Yea. Should I get some wine? Do you have a preference?”

“Whatever’s your favorite,” Nicole replied warmly, eyes glittering. “I’d love to know what it is. …plus, it’ll give me a chance to change outta work clothes.” She tugged at her uniform collar.

That… was not helping. That weird, heavy feeling lurch harder all of a sudden.

Waverly made deliberate motions to pull open her map app for a refresher on how long it would take to get to Nicole’s place. “…Okay, I’ll head to the liquor store. See you in a bit?”

A cloud of vapor surrounded Nicole’s gentle smile. “I’ll be waiting.”

Her brown eyes scanned the parking lot, but Waverly impatiently surged upward with a deep kiss. She felt Nicole taken aback, but return in kind after a moment. That taste of vanilla was worth it.

The drive to the liquor store gave Waverly a chance to swallow down whatever that tight feeling was. It also gave Wynonna the chance to start texting her.

[Wynonna says: “u @ homestead?”]

Chewing her lip, Waverly debated how much she should tell Wynonna… she settled for vague.

[Waverly says: “No. grabbing dinner. You?”]

[Wynonna says: “almost. goin 2 talk 2 doc”]

She wrinkled her nose.

[Waverly says: “good luck? Go get you some?”]

[Wynonna says: “…..gross, sis. c u @ home later. Love u”]

Short and concise, just like Wynonna always was.

Waverly sighed and scooped up her favorite zinfandel. She also slapped down one of the mini “airplane” bottles of whiskey on the cashier counter, too… something to help calm her agitated nerves.

It was stupid. Wynonna sleeping with Doc shouldn’t bother Waverly… but it did.

Because she should know better? Because there’s something off with him—other than the fact that he’s, y’know, immortal?? I mean, it would actually be par for the course in the weird shit-show that was our lives now…

Her jaw set, Waverly started grinding her teeth. She could feel herself nurturing a bout of little sister spitefulness: she wanted to keep her and Nicole a secret from Wynonna.

See how she likes it.

Plus, Wynonna had made fun of literally everyone Waverly had ever dated… she didn’t want Wynonna poking at this one. This was… special.

And Waverly knew it was childish to feel this way. But part of her liked the intrigue… like maybe if they kept it a secret, everything that was Purgatory and being an Earp wouldn’t/couldn’t touch Nicole. Like it was noble. …Right.

Everything was just… pushing in on Waverly. She didn’t even reach her parking space before she had downed that little 2-ounce whiskey bottle and chucked it into the outside trash.

Bobo taking over Shorty’s. Gus leaving. Wynonna keeping secrets.

Ugh. Why is Purgatory like this?

Before Waverly could start debating if she should bail on dinner to nurse her souring mood, her phone pinged. A new SnapChat message from Nicole.

A tap opened on an image of Nicole, hair down, a ginger cat pressed to her cheek while a wooden spoon balanced in her hand. In the background was a pair of steaming pots on a small stove.

The text overlay read: [“Just started! Can’t wait to see you!”]

Well, that did it.

Waverly sent back a SnapChat of herself holding the brown-bagged wine bottle, her lips forming an “O” of mock-intrigue. [“On my way! Hope you like it!”]

She smiled the entire drive to Nicole’s, which got harder to navigate after the sun set. Because, like most of Purgatory, there weren’t any street lights to help out over those lonely dirt roads. But Waverly’s red Jeep was up to the task and she finally found the right path. There was a light outcropping of trees before the road opened up on a well-lit house alone on a small plot of land.

Headlights swept over Nicole’s familiar white police cruiser, but also her SUV covered in a tarp (with fat snow tires in place). The vehicle’s outline suggested maybe a Tahoe or an Expedition, Waverly couldn’t remember which.

Crunching through the still remaining patches of snow, Waverly approached the house, wine bottle in hand. Nicole’s house was a blue, two-story ranch-style with a broad front porch. On either side of the low porch steps were fallow patches of dirt for flower beds (or maybe a garden?).

Waverly felt a surge of anxiety as she reached the front door. Something about this was… hard to describe.

Big, maybe? Significant? She wasn’t sure, exactly. Something she had to swallow down the nervous knot in her throat against.

After her fingertip found the doorbell, the heavy wooden door opened a few moments later. Dressed in a maroon knit sweater and jeans, Nicole welcomed her with such a crinkling, delighted grin… The knot loosened, letting Waverly breathe.

Nicole beckoned Waverly inside. “Hey! You found me. Did Google Maps take you down that dead-end at Faulkner again?”

“Oh yea, I thought I was gonna drive across someone’s crops. Remind me, Officer, is that like an arrestable thing or more of an apology-slash-fine thing?” Waverly teased, shaking out of her jacket while offering Nicole the wine.

“Depends on who’s farm you drove through,” Nicole retorted dryly. She tucked her hand against in her mouth for a conspiratorial whisper. “Between you and me, someone like Mr. Hamilton probably would have had you shot.” Her smile was apologetic.

Waverly laughed as she wiggled out of her boots and placed them on the mat by the door. “Oh my God what was that about at the station? …or is that like a cop/perp confidentiality thing?” An uncertain see-saw hand motion from Waverly. “I don’t know the rules for that.”

Shaking her head, Nicole inspected the bottle of red wine. “Not a perp… though still probably confidential. We’ll just say he was not a happy camper… especially after he was caught a little too happy… wrapped around a light pole.” Wrinkling her nose for a moment, Nicole then winked at Waverly and changed the subject. “This wine looks great. Wanna break into it now or save it for dinner? Which should be ready in—“ A check of her watch. “—15 minutes.”

“Oh God, now,” Waverly replied a little too quickly. “Er… now. Now would be fine.”

“Okay.” Nicole smiled softly and leaned forward. Brown eyes flicked to Waverly’s lips before returning to her eyes.

Waverly gladly took the hint.

It was a different kiss than most of the ones since the Couch Incident.

Those were always rushed. Stolen. Hidden.

This one was… simple. Patient. Honest.

They both inhaled slightly at the outset, allowing a second for a smile. With a brush of tongue, Waverly savored a much deeper drink of that heady vanilla gloss. Her hand went to the back of Nicole’s neck as she felt a matching hand on her waist, ticklish fingertips skimming her abs. Waverly pulled away with a bashful exhale-laugh.

Nicole just smiled and tucked a loose strand back behind Waverly’s ear. “Welcome to my house. Want a quick tour?”

“Sure.”

Popping the cork off the zinfandel bottle in a smooth motion, Nicole poured them both glasses then clinked hers against Waverly’s.

“A toast?” Nicole asked.

“To?”

Nicole bit her lower lip, thinking a moment before grinning. “To… not being scared anymore?”

Waverly’s answering smile was a wide, slanted, nose-crinkling thing that made her cheeks ache. “To not being scared of us.”

They enjoyed a few slow sips together in silence, the semi-sweet wine (and company) doing much to calm Waverly’s nerves.

Or maybe it was just the whiskey kicking in.

Nicole’s house was cozy. Hardwood floors. Walls awash in blues and lined with shelves. A small desk nestled next to the staircase. Central living area had a small reading chair, a loud-patterned couch (“It came with the house!”), a small wooden coffee table and an entertainment center with a TV. The kitchen was around the corner from the doorway, bubbling stove on one side and wide counter on the other with a small breakfast table in the center. Waverly recognized a few IKEA pillows sprinkled around the room.

Calamity Jane lurked inside a low, boxy shelf. The ginger cat was bigger than Waverly thought she’d be. Honey-golden eyes peered suspiciously at Waverly, but the cat only patiently sniffed her outstretched fingers.

“That’s a warmer welcome than Sheriff Nedley ever got,” Nicole said, favoring the cat with an insincere glare. “Yowling and hissing and wouldn’t get out from under the bed.”

“I’m honored, CJ,” Waverly cooed in a low voice.

Upstairs was a brief glance at Nicole’s room(!), guest bathroom and a study lined with criminal justice books and police procedure manuals.

Waverly’s eyes kept seeking out picture frames, eager to find clues about Nicole’s past. Several smiling graduation photos (university and police academy, respectively). In another she was waving a piece of paper around, victorious over passing her police entrance exam. A smattering of her linking shoulders with fellow academy trainees in various settings (bars, shooting ranges, obstacle courses, etc).

One large frame staggered with photos seemed to be a timeline of some sort of survivalist camp; Nicole alternated between being covered in mud, drenched to the bone, covered in sticks and burrs, bundled and barely recognizable, armored in padded riot gear (red hair poking under a helmet), or clad in a wetsuit surrounded by scuba apparatus.

The air was noticeably colder on the second floor, and Waverly felt her arms pebble with goosebumps. A ringing kitchen timer brought them back downstairs, though Waverly noticed the chill lingered, her discomfort increasing. But Waverly was desperate to make a good first impression and not complain, so she attempted to muscle through it.

“So, what is the chef preparing this evening?” Waverly asked, head tilting in formality.

Nicole emptied the large stockpot of noodles into a colander and Waverly inched closer to the billowing steam to savor the heat. The woman smiled as she gave the second pot a rigorous stir. “Special Haught recipe. It’s a Mediterranean pasta dish, totally vegetarian. And I’ve also got garlic bread in the oven and a small salad.”

Eyeing the saucepan, Waverly made note of a hearty red sauce where mushrooms, artichokes, onions, tomatoes, olives and even capers roiled to the surface.

“Ooo, special recipe. Is there a story behind it?”

“Would you like an epic lie or the more boring truth?” Nicole asked as she mixed in the sauce with the spaghetti noodles and let them simmer together in the stockpot.

“Uh… let’s start with the lie.” Waverly leaned against the breakfast table, arms crossed attentively.

“There I was, in the wilderness, alone, trapped by a sudden thunderstorm…”

Waverly interjected. “Why were you in the wilderness? Which wilderness?”

Nicole made a light-hearted shushing noise with a dismissive hand-wave. “Not important. …Survivalist training for emergency management… So anyway, there I was… so hungry… my food pack had been swept away when I crossed a river. And there, in the middle of a nearby field, I spotted a small house. I could see smoke coming from the chimney. I practically collapsed at the door, cold and freezing. An old woman there made me this very meal. I recovered instantly and made it back to basecamp before the other rookies. Got a medal.”

“Fascinating,” Waverly replied dryly as she sipped her wine. “…and the truth?”

Chuckling, Nicole began doling out portions into oval pasta bowls. “…my grandmother was obsessed with Food Network and HGTV and pretty much spent all day every day trying out recipes from cooking shows. And she made me help when I came over to visit. She called this one ‘Second Date Pasta.’”

“Are you serious?”

A sober nod from Nicole. “I am 100% serious. I already told my lie, remember?”

Waverly made a tight-lipped smile of approval. “How convenient. Is there a Third Date Pasta?”

“I think that’s more of a lasagna. Or maybe a casserole. I don’t know, I’ll have to check the manual.” Pulling out a bundle of foil from the oven, Nicole placed the small loaf of garlic bread into a straw basket. She gestured for Waverly to sit as Nicole finished setting the table.

“There’s a manual?? I’ve been doing it wrong this whole time?” Waverly feigned offense.

Nicole laughed as she settled into the opposite chair, clinking her glass against Waverly’s again. “Well… probably not this whole time…”

“Gee thanks.” Waverly winked back before digging in.

It was delicious. The rich sauce worked well with each bite of vegetable, occasionally a burst of salty or sweet breaking through.

Nicole smiled, watching Waverly eat while taking a slow sip of wine. “So? Was Nana Haught onto something?”

“She was. It’s very good,” Waverly smiled back. She paused a moment before asking, “So how much of the epic lie was true?”

An embarrassed, dimpled grin. “I did have to ford a river during training… and I did lose part of my food pack in the process. Got points docked for that… and dropped a few pounds.” A headshake. “But I made it back to basecamp in the top 3, so I did actually get a medal.” She gestured to the wall near the stairs where a small certificate was framed beside a little golden coin nestled in felt.

For the next half hour, they dined at Nicole’s kitchen table. They laughed. They burned through most of Waverly’s wine. Calamity Jane made a brief appearance, deigning Waverly worthy enough to rub against her shins (but not worthy enough to allow her to pet her).

It was… nice.

Stories of their childhoods flowed; skinned knees, embarrassing moments and class subjects (Waverly favored history and literature, Nicole excelled at math).

Waverly found herself avoiding talking about Wynonna… or Willa. Nicole seemed similarly evasive about her own family, her parents a mystery. So, there were still some secrets. But Waverly found herself not feeling too terribly guilty or nosey.

It was more of a sense of… they had time. Time to learn those details. Not everything right this second.

Waverly offered to help clean up, but Nicole refused. She offered her a spot on the (ugly) couch and the DVR remote. They still had wine left… still had time left in the evening.

The chill returned outside the warm kitchen, forcing Waverly to request a blanket. A trip to the hallway closet revealed a stack of various styles, flannels and throws and fleeces. She selected a particularly warm, worn fleece to drape around her shoulders as she sat on the couch. It smelled faintly of Nicole.

Remote in hand, Waverly sifted through Nicole’s DVR, a hallowed window into the woman’s world. What would she find? Trashy reality TV? An obsession with QVC or house-flipper shows? Awful comedies? Horror movies?

There were some sci-fi documentaries about space or the ocean. Another section of police shows like Law & Order and True Detective (of course). A familiar staple in Heartland and Dragon’s Den, though she appeared to be several seasons behind in both. And Waverly was tickled to find old reruns of Street Legal, Due South and The Littlest Hobo in particular saved. She remembered watching some of these episodes on the Homestead next to Wynonna and begging Daddy to let them have a dog.

A few thumb-presses of the remote started a random episode of The Littlest Hobo, the signature German Shepard star appearing in the opening credits.

“Oh, I loved this show. I usually put on reruns when I’m stuck catching up on paperwork to make it more bearable,” Nicole said as she settled in next to Waverly, pouring the last of the wine into their glasses. “This might sound stupid, but as a little kid I wanted to be Hobo and just go around helping people. I guess in a weird way that translated to becoming a cop.” She smiled sheepishly as she took a deep sip of wine.

“How little a kid?”

“Really little,” Nicole confirmed. She made a height-motion with her hand around waist-level. “Like six years old.”

It was unbearably cute.

Waverly snuggled deeper into the blanket. “Whereas I wanted a dog so badly, but Daddy refused. Momma always said ‘someday’ though. Someday never came.”

Thinking of Momma reminded Waverly of the book she’d pulled from her car.

“Oh! I said I’d lend you a book!” She sprang up, leading the blanket along like a bridal train. Her large purse sat in a chair by the front door. Only a moment of digging before Waverly returned to the couch, worn paperback in hand.

She presented “Little Women” to Nicole through blanket-wrapped hands. “It was my absolute favorite growing up. Momma used to read it to me. One of the few things I have of hers. …have you read it?”

Nicole chewed her cheek a moment before answering. “I—I have actually read it, yes.”

“Oh,” Waverly said, disappointed but not that surprised (it was a classic, after all). She started to stand up again and gestured at her purse. “I have a couple others, actually! A Wyatt Earp memoir, if you’re into that sort of thing, and my Aunt Gus has this collection of—“

A hand on Waverly’s arm stopped her. Nicole tilted her head and asked quietly, “Could—could I still borrow Little Women?”

“Why?”

“Well… it’s been a long time so I don’t remember it completely. So I’d… like to read it. If that’s okay. But I don’t want to borrow something if it’s too valuable.” Nicole’s expression was soft.

Smiling, Waverly shot her a suspicious up-and-down glance. “Can I trust you? Promise to give it back?”

“Promise.” A warm, firm vow.

Waverly set the book on the coffee table and drained the rest of her wine. “Then it’s a deal!”

She snuggled against Nicole as they watched the show. It was just as cheesy as she remembered. Waverly felt an arm tighten around her shoulders. She walked her fingertips out from her blanket to rest on Nicole’s thigh.

At some point during the episode, things changed. Nicole’s hand cradled her head before leaning into a kiss that became two and then a dozen. Waverly allowed herself to be pushed backward against the couch arm as she threaded her fingers through Nicole’s loose hair. One episode blurred into another, tinny background sounds of barking or squealing tires faded as they kissed.

Waverly gasped at the sucking kisses against her lower lip, struggling to keep up. The hand at her waist pushed its way under the blanket until she felt Nicole’s fingertips against her side, stroking gently.

A cell phone rang. A loud, unfamiliar ring tone.

She felt Nicole jerk back with an explosive sigh.

“Who is it?” Waverly asked softly.

An irritated grunt of a word. “…Lonnie.” Nicole’s wide pupils focused on Waverly’s before she frowned in apology. “It might be important.”

Nicole pulled away from Waverly reluctantly as she reached for the phone in her pocket. The woman leaned in for one last kiss, then helped Waverly right herself on the couch as she answered.

Waverly raked fingers through her long hair, smiling bashfully as she eavesdropped.

It was hard to tell what Lonnie was saying. Nicole’s face started to scrunch up more and more the longer Lonnie talked.

Right when Waverly was afraid Nicole was going to burst with an expletive, instead she just sighed. “…Yea. I’ll cover you.” Nicole’s voice got stern. “But you owe me one, Lonnie. And not ‘I’ll save you the last donut’ owe me, neither. An actual favor.”

There was a pause on the other end, but a mumbling assent.

“Good. Say hey to Marlene for me. …and remember: you owe me one.”

Nicole sighed again as she hung up.

During that conversation, Waverly decided to check her own phone on the armrest next to her. She missed a text from Wynonna.

Shit. Shit! What time is it?

11:03PM.

Shitballs!

[Wynonna says: “hey, where r u?”]

Waverly made a tight, cringing smile. This time, she settled for lying.

[Waverly says: “homestead”]

[Wynonna says: “ok”]

Whew!

[Waverly says: “How’d it go with doc”]

[Wynonna says: “not good. told him there was no we and he got all quiet. whatever”]

She sighed. God, her sister was bad at this.

The only small comfort Waverly took was that Doc would probably be going drinking, so she wouldn’t have to deal with his questions when she got home. …not that he ever had any anyway. He was actually a pretty decent tenant…

…And obviously he was good at being discrete, she thought with a scowl.

[Wynonna says: “i went out. don’t wait up”]

[Waverly says: “OK be safe. Love you”]

“Wynonna?” Nicole asked as she nodded towards Waverly’s phone.

“Of course.”

A nod of acknowledgment from Nicole.

Which reminded Waverly of something earlier at BBD.

Tilting her head, Waverly asked, “So you and Wynonna went drinking?” She wasn’t accusing, more just… curious. And also trying to decide if this was another secret to be mad at Wynonna about.

Nicole’s brow furrowed for a moment before smoothing. “Go drinking? Oh! No, we didn’t like… go bar hopping or something. I was clocked out at the station one night and she showed up with a bottle of Jack.”

“When was this?”

“Uh… well… So… it was the night of the engagement party…” Nicole started to look decidedly uncomfortable.

“Oh yea?”

A sigh before Nicole continued. “We parked under my desk and passed the bottle around. She was drinking because I guess Dolls got pulled back to D.C.? …or wherever it was he reports to? I don’t know. She seemed distraught and needed someone to talk to. And I was—well…”

“You were what?” Waverly reached out to touch Nicole’s hand.

“I was… just… kinda bummed? So, it was nice to have someone to hang out with. And Wynonna is pretty cool, when you get past the occasional attitude.”

Ain’t that the truth.

That gave Waverly pause. “Why were you bummed?”

Nicole’s expression was pained. She started to speak slowly. “Well… if I’m being perfectly honest… because I—I wasn’t invited. To… the party.”

Waverly felt a distressed panic rise in her throat as words tumbled out of her mouth. “Oh gosh! I’m sorry! I didn’t—I wasn’t thinking and it was just a little thing for Stephanie and she—and I…”

“Wave,” Nicole said as she squeezed Waverly’s hand. “You didn’t owe me an invite. I get it. You’ve lived here your whole life. You know everybody. You have your own friends. I wasn’t bummed because I felt entitled to going to a party and got left out.”

Nicole took a deep, pained breath. “I was bummed… because… I wanted an excuse to see you. Outside of the station or a crime scene. Outside of uniform, cop or Shorty’s.” She shrugged. “I just wanted to see you and I wished I could. That’s all. Selfish moping. No one’s fault.”

A pause. “And then I wished I could have helped, seeing what went down later.”

Waverly wrapped Nicole in a tight hug that lasted a long time. “Me too.” Pulling back, Waverly kissed Nicole’s nose with a smile. “Well, now I know better. Next time I have a house party with psychos, you’ll be first on the list.”

“Good! …I think.” Nicole gave a small laugh before an apologetic smile. “I guess I should let you get home. And I now have an early day tomorrow.” She scowled.

“Me too, actually. Heading to the city to the library.” Waverly stood up to gather her jacket and purse and step into her boots. She shot Nicole a sly grin. “Want me to go to the county courthouse and yell at the archive clerks for you?”

“Nah,” Nicole replied as she kissed Waverly’s cheek goodbye. She was holding the paperback of “Little Women” in her hands like a treasure. “I’m good.”

#Wynonna Earp #wayhaught #waverly earp #nicole haught #xavier dolls #gap filler #second date #dorks in love #1x10 #some recap #headcanon #not just friends #but what i want most #fanfic #wynonna earp fanfic

53 notes · View notes