Work Text:
Waverly Earp always loved spring, the feeling of its warmth slowly enveloping the town, its fresh breath briefly giving hope of new beginnings. The universe knows how much she used to want things to change, for her life to be different, to not just let things happen to her, but be part of the happening. It was purely poetic that her wedding had taken place in early spring.
Now it is summer and Waverly has been the happiest version of herself anyone has ever seen. With the whole supernatural debacle of the last few months, Purgatory was left an absolute mess. Their local government basically rested on the Sheriff’s department, which was understaffed and overwhelmed, even with Nicole actively working to score some recruits. A certain half-angel would never hesitate to lend a hand when she could, so of course, she set out to help in any way possible. The government was just now aiding in the restocking of supplies, and food for the town. So many people had struggled to find food at the local stores for months, and leaving hadn't been an option. A soup kitchen was a way to get food to people that had not come from a can or a booze bottle.
Waverly immediately wrote herself down as a volunteer - and Rachel.
“It will be good for her to volunteer- it will get her off her phone….and it looks good on university applications!” She reasoned with her wife who had given her an intrigued look.
“I’m sure she’ll love it, baby,” the angel’s shield exhaled softly before going in for a kiss, still amazed that Waverly was her forever and always.
“Please do NOT use the table cloth as a post-sex blanket again- burning them can’t be good for the environment!” The teen had taken up the mantle of her pseudo aunt and quite quickly became an expert at interruptions.
Nicole rolled her eyes but only faintly hid her smirk, “I can’t kiss my wife in the privacy of my own home?” Seeing the teen raise an eyebrow, unimpressed by her ginger mom’s response, she quipped, “Relax kid, nothing is gonna happen- I have to leave for work anyway. And I believe Waves has a...very beneficial and educational activity for you to do today.”
“Which would be?...” The girl was already not impressed with whatever Waverly had planned. The uniformed redhead chuckled, “I have to get to the station, baby- hopefully I’ll be back before dinner,” and walked towards the door putting her stetson on in one swift motion.
Waverly took a moment before responding to Rachel’s earlier question to enjoy the view, “Me and you are going to volunteer at the new soup kitchen! It’ll be at the school’s cafeteria and everything so you’ll get to see it before the school year starts- see a double win!” The teen groaned in annoyance, for one she wasn’t too happy with the idea that all her parentals were suddenly making her take part in her senior year this upcoming fall, and two, she had other plans for the day. “Okay for starters, school-lame, and second, I’m meeting up with Billy today.” Arms crossed and legs shoulder-width apart, classical teen defiance, not that Waverly even registered it considering she had lived with Wynonna for so long.
“Oh, that’s great! Bring him along, the more volunteers the better, and I’m sure he wouldn’t turn down a warm meal either.” She had a point, it wasn’t like Billy was exactly eating homemade meals every night all alone at the Clanton Ranch. Sure, Nedley checked up on the kid often, but Billy didn’t want much help, and only a few months from turning 18 there wasn't much of a point in getting child services involved.
With a Wynonna-esque eye roll, Rachel acquiesced,” Fine. I’ll ask Billy if he wants to come- but I’m pretty sure unpaid labor is considered child abuse.”
“Well good thing the sheriff is my wife then- now go get ready, and by that I mean take off Wyn’s jacket- she’ll kill you if you get food on it,” shuddering from the thought she grabbed her planner from the table as the teen walked away muttering something about how the jacket was basically hers now since she may have sort, of kind of stolen it from Wynonna’s packed suitcase last time she came to visit.
Some time later they arrived at the school with the jeep full of food. “Alright let's bring this food in and meet the other volunteers. You and Billy can be on table cleaning duty, I’ll help serve the food.”
Rachel shrugged looking over at Billy, “Well at least we’re together, huh?” and then walked ahead into the building with Billy close behind. Waverly smirked as she watched the two from the side, they were cute together, and she was glad they had both found each other, whether they stayed friends or started dating it was good the teens had someone they could relate to. She knew from experience how lonely it felt when no one truly understood you. That had been her reality for way too long, thank the universe Nicole came along.
The brunette shook her head, snapping out of her thoughts, “Ooooh right, I’m on a mission- well kind of- not a mission- more like,” an older lady walked past a bit puzzled as to why Waverly was rambling to herself in the parking lot,” -a quest or maybe- Oh hi Mrs. O'leary, how is Mr. O’leary? Good I hope!” she facepalmed, “Okay new plan, stop rambling to myself in parking lots.” Luckily the clumsy half-angel managed not to trip or slip on her way into the building while carrying two trays of various vegan items. Once she set them down on the food table she went to greet the other volunteers and thanked them for coming- ignoring the fact that most of them were only there as a way to avoid tickets or jail time for minor infractions.
After all the tables were set up and all the food from Waverly’s jeep was safely placed on them, the line started to form, and Waverly was glad she had prepared extra because there were more people than she had anticipated. She texted Nicole just to update her that the food resupply situation was worse than they had expected. There was no time to think about that at the moment though, there were people to feed. Putting on some gloves she started greeting people, with the classic million-watt Waverly Earp smile. The line was too long for any meaningful conversations, but she did manage to say hello to everyone she saw. She even got a few hellos back- and of course a few huffs from some of Purgatory’s grumpier citizens.
“Hi, hope you like your food- it’s vegan!”
“You’re the sheriff’s wife aren’t you?” The old man looked at her quizzically while Waverly answered, trying to remain polite but also move the line along.
“Yes! The sheriff, Nicole, is my wife- aren’t I lucky?” Instead of replying the old man turned around with a tap of his cane and murmuring, “I got to give it to her-that lesbian cop does have a pretty little housewife.”
Waverly heard, but honestly didn’t know what to say to that and she didn’t have the time in all the chaos, but it did stick at the back of her mind during the entire event. And the longer she thought about it the more it bothered her. “A pretty little housewife?” She wasn’t a pretty little housewife, she was a researcher- she went on dangerous missions- she was a fully grown half-angel hero woman! Then doubts set in, Purgatory had calmed down a lot the last couple of weeks, and there hadn't been much hero-ing about or even much research to do. The more she thought about it the more she realized her work life had started to disappear. Did she technically still have a job? When had she even received her last paycheck? Oh gosh, it had to have been pre-garden now that she thought about it. In all of the chaos of the previous hell-birthed months, she hadn’t even thought of her employment status, much less paycheck.
A good poker face was something Waverly had not yet mastered since the teen seemed to catch on that something was up once they were back home.
“Yo, you okay? You didn’t even sing along to your corny music on the ride back.”
Back from her trance, she replied, “Oh uh- yeah everything is fine- I’m just tired, we had way more people than expected. Speaking of which, thanks for helping out-and for recruiting Billy too.” Rachel rolled her eyes, “Sure ‘recruited’ more like was roped into not having a choice.”
“Alright, alright- I may have...strongly encourage your participation but still I appreciate it. Now, do you think I could convince you to help me wash all the pans and trays?”
“Ooof- yeah that’s gonna be a hard no- see you later Haught Earp.” Waverly rolled her eyes playfully at the nickname- ever since Waverly took Nicole’s last name Rachel had started calling her the “Haught” Earp. Waverly just rolled her eyes each time, but Wynonna took personal offense saying that if anyone was the hot Earp it was her, and not her sister who had “abandoned ship” by changing her last name. Of course, none of this was a deterrent to Rachel.
“Wait, where are you going, Rach? It’s getting kind of late- Nicole is gonna be home soon.”
“Oh I’m just gonna go to the barn and listen to some music- maybe put some itching powder on Wynonna’s bed for next time she comes back.” Waverly raised an eyebrow at the last part which caused the teen to grin, “Okay fine- I’m not gonna do that, I’m just going for a quick walk, I’ll be back for dinner- scout’s honor and all.”
“Okay, okay, just be careful- and text if anything comes up.”
“Always do!” The teen half yelled as she was already halfway out the door.
Inside, Waverly was already back in deep thought, not having been able to shake off that comment from earlier. Was that who she was now? The sheriff’s pretty little housewife? She grimaced, thinking about how for a while that was how she envisioned her future with Champ- eventually having to quit bartending and popping out three, maybe four of his kids. She shuddered, definitely wanting to shake that horrible thought from her mind. At least Champ was a long often forgotten memory she did not need to waste any time on. Still, even as she started preparing tacos for dinner, her mind replayed the thoughts over and over again. So much so, that she didn't even realize Nicole had gotten home until she was right behind her.
“Woah tacos baby? How did you know I’d need them after the day I’ve had? Hmm?” Waverly only jumped a little, being startled but quickly calmed down when she realized it was Nicole, and she was going in for a kiss.
Nicole raised an eyebrow,” You okay there Waves, I didn't mean to startle you. You usually hear the door open- which reminds me, I should oil the hinges.”
“Yeah, sorry baby, I was just a bit distracted. Now tell me, what happened at work that made my best baby all stressed?” With practiced ease they settled on one of the dining table chairs, Waverly comfortably sat on Nicole’s lap. The redhead smiled as she wrapped her arms around Waverly’s waist, “Just a lot of paperwork from the government meant to slow us down, and the usual bureaucratic nonsense- basically the feds want to be stingy and think that if they backlog us with paperwork we’ll settle for less money. Enough about me, how was your day?”
“Oh- it was good- nothing too exciting, served food and hopefully helped people so that’s good.” She tried to hide her frown by looking away, but Nicole knew her too well to not catch on, “Baby, what’s wrong- you’d usually be super excited about this kind of thing. Did something happen?” Waverly stood up from Nicole’s lap and walked over to the oven to check in on the tacos- and to avoid the question. “I’m a bit tired-” Nicole raised an eyebrow that told Waverly she knew better, “Fine- someone said something that’s been bothering me. It shouldn’t but it does- and I feel stupid that I’m even letting one small thing someone said ruin my day.” Her shield was quick to close the gap between them and envelop her in a hug, “Waverly, you are anything but stupid, and your feelings are valid- always. So what did this person say, do I need to arrest anyone tonight?” Waverly broke out into a small smile, “No one needs to be arrested tonight- it wasn’t even that bad- I’ve been called a lot worse- It’s just- okay so someone asked if I was the sheriff’s wife, and I obviously said yes-”
“Oh, great” Nicole closed her eyes and then opened them again, a bit tense getting ready to hear any of the multiple slurs they had occasionally been called by some of the older, more close-minded people of Purgatory.
“-and then he turned around- and he said- well, he called me your pretty little housewife!” Waverly’s eyebrows furrowed, clearly a sign of how much the comment had shaken her up. Nicole looked at her wife, shifting gears from what she had originally thought the comment would be.
“Oh”
“Oh?... Is that all you’re going to say?”
“No...I...it’s just not what I had expected. I’m sorry that person said that, Waves. I can definitely understand why it’s upsetting. You’re a badass genius researcher who kicks some serious butt when she needs to. You’re no one's pretty little anything.”
“Am I though- I mean sure I’ve done those things but now- well I don’t even know if I technically still have a job, Nicole. And I haven’t done any useful relevant research since before the wedding- not to mention with nothing supernatural going on- it’s like I have no purpose- again.”
“Again? Baby, you’ve always had a purpose- you’re the most determined person I know-”
“-No.” Nicole was a bit surprised by Waverly’s interruption but mostly confused.
“No- I wasn’t always like this- I didn't always have a drive, a purpose, not before- not when I was with...Champ. With him, there was no point, you know? No matter what, I would end up pregnant and trapped- trapped by society- by finances- by the multiple kids he'd probably wanna have. Before I met you, that’s how I thought my life was going to turn out. I was just going to go from being one man’s daughter to another man’s wife. I- don’t ever want to go back to that Nic, to that feeling of not having any real control over how my life turns out-or that feeling of being owned by someone. I know that you’d never make me feel like that, but-”
“-But the comment from earlier brought those insecurities back, huh?
Waverly sighed, as the tears that had been on the verge of falling finally lost their battle against gravity, “I’ve always felt the need to prove I’m good enough, and our supernatural missions gave me that- and now I feel lost without them, Nicole. Gosh, I’m sorry this is all so stupid.”
“Shhhh, no baby, never apologize for your feelings, especially not with me. And let me tell you something- Waverly-,” smirking the redhead continued, “Waverly Haught, you are worthy of everything this world has to offer. You don’t need to prove you’re good enough for anyone, it’s everyone else that has to prove they’re good enough for you. And Champ? Come on- me or no me you would have left him eventually, because all the things you have done- everything you accomplished isn’t thanks to me baby, it’s because of you.” With a slightly tighter hug, the redhead brought Waverly back onto her lap on the chair.
“Nicole- you always know what to say, thank you. Not just for this- but for everything. Guess you really are my shield, hmm?”
“I even have the tattoo to prove it- and for what it's worth Waves, I’m sure you’ll find something soon that will give you a sense of fulfillment again. Maybe you could work at the station in some capacity, or call Jeremy and see if you can research BBD remotely. Heck, you could even do volunteer stuff, the world is your oyster. Okay, maybe not the world, but anything within the triangle certainly is.”
“Ooooh, I have wanted to do more community improvements...there's so much to do- I could even form a community service club! Just think about everyone working together for once!” The excitement quickly faded from her voice, “But volunteering doesn’t pay, and we have bills- and lots of renovations around the homestead we need to get to.”
Nicole smiled, “Waverly, that’s a bit materialistic of you, stressing over money and home renos.”
The smaller woman raised an eyebrow, “Nicole.”
Nicole laughed softly, “Alright, alright sorry- you know we’ve been fine on my salary the last couple of months and I still have family money in the bank so I’m not too concerned.”
“Nicole-”
“Waves, I’m serious. I think you need this time to explore what you want to do, you know? Research if you want to research- plan...community stuff- or even start a vegan bakery, I don’t know- but I just want you to find your place again, even without supernatural events going on 24/7.”
Wrapping her arms around the sheriff’s neck and moving her face closer to hers, the smaller woman teased, “Really? Even if that meant being your pretty little housewife?” Waverly smirked as Nicole's cheeks began to match her hair.
Nicole’s only response was to kiss her, and beam, “Whatever you decide, you’ll always be a hero, you know?”
“Good thing I can be a pretty little housewife and a hero too.”
The tacos had long since cooled and the resident teen finally had made her way home, “Okay- I know I told you I was going for a walk- but I found this little kitten that I - SERIOUSLY, IN THE KITCHEN AGAIN???”