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Waverly was lying on the couch with their head in Nicole’s lap. Jeremy and Damon were sitting on the floor across from them and Rachel and Billy were cuddling together in a chair. The group had been hanging out for the past few hours, dancing, talking, and laughing, and were now all very tired, so they decided to end the night in the living room.
The group was sitting in comfortable silence, with Nicole having zoned out, running her fingers through the short hair on Waverly’s head. After coming out as genderqueer, Waverly decided to shave off all of their hair and let it grow depending on how they liked it. So far, they loved the way it looked, so they had just continued to shave their head whenever their hair started to get longer.
Waverly had been out to Nicole and the rest of the group for about three months now, and they were happier than they had ever been before. Finally having everyone use the pronouns that made them comfortable, and wearing clothes that felt right without getting strange looks from people, everything felt right. Just one thing was still bothering them.
“What do you guys think Wynonna will say?” Waverly asked the group.
“About what?” Jeremy asked as he rested his head on Damon’s shoulder.
“You know, me...being genderqueer,” they responded.
“I think she’ll love you no matter what,” Nicole said to her spouse.
“Ya really,” Rachel said, “Wynonna’s weird and all but she won’t have a problem with it.”
“Ya, I know that logically, but what if she does think it’s weird. Honestly, I doubt she even knows what genderqueer means. Or non-binary, or gender-fluid for that matter,” Waverly said.
“True,” Nicole started, “but she loves you. All she cares about is you being happy.”
“Ya I guess so,” Waverly said.
Nicole sighed. She loved her spouse so much. She loved how happy they had been recently. It just made her so sad to see how unsure they were about coming out to their sister. They had said themself that the reason they had been unhappy for so long was because all they wanted was Wynonna’s approval. She wished they could see that all they needed to get Wynonna’s approval was to be themself. Even if Wynonna didn’t really understand.
“When’s Wynonna coming back again?” Billy asked.
“Next week,” Waverly said, “she and Doc have had so much fun travelling around with Alice, but I think they both miss being home. They’re looking forward to having Alice meet everyone and showing her around Purgatory.”
“Well I’m very excited to meet her,” Rachel said.
“Ya me too,” Damon started, “I know I haven’t been a part of the group for very long but I really appreciate you all welcoming me with open arms.”
“As long as you treat Jeremy right you’re a part of the family,” Nicole said as everyone agreed.
“Thanks,” Damon said with a shy smile.
“I think we’ve rested enough, let’s dance some more!” Rachel said with a whine as she started pulling Billy to his feet. Everyone resisted at first but as soon as Rachel started the music back up everyone excitedly joined in.
Only a few songs in and Waverly had already forgotten about their anxiety. Just being with their family and being themself was all they really needed. Sure they still missed their sister, but they weren’t even thinking about that. That is, until they heard a car pulling up outside.
“Wait wait, everyone be quiet!” Waverly whisper yelled, “Stop the music.” Rachel went to mute the music as Waverly made their way over to the window and pulled back the curtain. They were horrified to see Charlein, Doc’s car, pulling up to the homestead.
“Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck.”
“What? What is it? Is it a demon?” Nicole asked.
“No! It’s Doc’s car!” Waverly said.
“What? I thought they didn’t even take his car!” Nicole said.
“No, Wynonna told me they got a tow truck to deliver it to them,” Waverly said.
“Well shit!” Jeremy said, “you got your “I’m coming out” speech planned?”
“Not at all!” Waverly responded, “what the hell do I do?”
“Say what’s in your heart?” Jeremy said, extremely unsure.
“Great thanks for the help,” Waverly said sarcastically. Nicole quickly made her way over to her spouse, putting her hands on their shoulders.
“Hey, I know this is scary, but no matter what happens, we’re here for you okay?” she said.
“I know. Thank you,” Waverly said as they gave their wife a quick peck. They turned their head as they heard footsteps from outside approaching. “Shit shit shit. Let me stand in the back.”
Wynonna and Doc came bursting in just as Waverly made it to the back of the group.
“Well hello shit heads!” Wynonna yelled as soon as she stepped inside.
“Momma that’s a no no word,” came a small voice from behind Doc. He turned around and lifted up the small adorable three year old Alice Michelle Earp.
“That’s right sweety,” Doc said, “shame on Momma.”
“She was gonna hear it eventually,” Wynonna said quietly to Doc, “You’re right honey, I’m sorry for saying a no no word,” Wynonna turned around to face the group. “Okay, you all look like you just pooped yourselves. Why do you all look so scared?”
“Sorry!” Nicole said as she quickly jumped to the very real excitement of seeing her best friend, “We’re just so surprised! You said you were coming back next week!”
“Ya, well, we lied,” Wynonna said with a laugh as she went to hug Nicole.
Wynonna and Doc went around the room hugging people and introducing them all to Alice. Everyone had been expecting Alice to be shy and quiet, but Wynonna and Doc were happy to see that she was actually very excited, and happy to meet everyone.
Wynonna hadn’t been paying attention to who came after who as she went down the line of people. All she was focussed on was seeing the people who she loved and missed so very much. So when she finished saying her hellos to Billy, she was shocked to turn to see her sibling with a shaved head.
“H-hey baby girl,” Wynonna said, now sounding incredibly scared. Shock, Waverly was prepared for, but fear? They hadn’t been expecting that.
“Hey Wynonna,” they said as they went to hug their sister. She was alarmingly tense, “I’m so happy to see you. And I’m very surprised!”
“Ya, that uh...that was the plan,” Wynonna said. Waverly was so alarmed. They were not expecting a reaction like this from Wynonna. They had to put up with it for now though. They quickly turned to greet their niece.
“Hey there sweetie!” Waverly said.
“Hi Aunty Wavy!” Alice said excitedly. “Waverly” was a little too hard for her to say at the moment so they all let her say Wavy. Waverly excitedly took their niece into their arms.
“I’m so happy to finally meet you!” they said.
“You don’t have any hair!” she said looking confused, making Waverly laugh.
“That’s right I don’t,” Waverly said.
“It looks soft!” Alice said.
“It’s very soft,” Nicole said with a soft smile. Little did Waverly know, Nicole had many thoughts in her head about babies seeing Waverly interact with Alice at the moment.
“Can I touch it?!” Alice asked excitedly. Waverly laughed again.
“Of course,” Waverly said as they ducked their head a little to make it easier for Alice.
“It is really soft!” Alice said excitedly, and then suddenly turned her head to look at Wynonna and Doc, “I’m tired now.”
“Okay honey,” Wynona said, “where should we put her?”
“You guys can use my room for tonight,” Rachel said.
“Thanks,” Wynonna responded as she took Alice from Waverly and she and Doc made their way over to Rachel’s room.
Waverly slowly made their way over to Nicole and buried their face in her neck, just wanting Nicole to envelope them with her love. Nicole did what she could, wrapping her arms around Waverly as tightly as she could and kissing the side of their head.
“You just took her by surprise,” she said softly.
“Serves her right, she took me by surprise,” Waverly said, earning a chuckle from Nicole.
“I bet you she just looked scared ‘cause she’s worried people are giving you a hard time,” Nicole said.
“God, I hope so,” Waverly said as Wynonna and Doc reemerged.
“She basically fell asleep the second her head hit the pillow,” Wynonna said with a chuckle.
“Well she’s absolutely adorable,” Jeremy said as the rest of the group agreed. They all stood in uncomfortable silence until Damon broke it.
“Well I’m pretty beet, Jeremy do you wanna take off?” he asked.
“Ya sure,” Jeremy said, “I’m so happy you guys are back,” he said as he went to hug Wynonna and Doc.
“We’re happy to be back,” Doc said, “and it’s good to see you guys again.
“Ya I should probably take off too,” Billy said to Rachel, “would you guys mind giving me a ride?”
“Sure,” Damon said.
“It was great seeing you all,” Billy said as he, Jeremy, and Damon all made their way out to Damon’s car.
Wynonna, Doc, Waverly, Nicole, and Rachel all continued to stand in uncomfortable silence for a few minutes until Rachel spoke up.
“I think I’ll head to bed,” Rachel said.
“Okay,” Nicole said, “goodnight.”
“Goodnight,” she said as she started making her way to the back door.
“Are you sure you’re okay sleeping out in the barn?” Wynonna asked.
“Of course, it’s totally fine,” Rachel said, “besides, we renovated a couple months back so I won’t get frostbite.”
“Good, cool. Goodnight!” Wynonna said.
“Goodnight,” Rachel responded as she made her way outside.
Wynonna, Doc, Nicole, and Waverly all, once again, stood in uncomfortable silence.
“So it’s just us now I guess,” Waverly said.
“I guess so,” Wynonna responded.
“Should I stay?,” Nicole quietly asked Waverly.
“Yes please,” they quickly responded.
“I would like to stay but would you like me to leave?” Doc asked Wynonna.
“No you can stay,” Wynonna said, “Besides, we both deserve to know exactly what’s happening here.”
“Should uh, should we all sit down?” Waverly asked.
“Sure,” Wynonna said as they all made their way to the living room seats. Once they were all seated, Waverly and Nicole on the couch and Wynonna and Doc in separate chairs, Wynonna spoke first.
“So is this why you stopped FaceTiming with us?” she asked.
“Ya, it is,” Waverly responded.
“But why exactly?” Wynonna asked.
“I thought it would be better to talk about it in person,” they said.
“I see,” Wynonna said, nodding her head, “So uh...what is it?”
“What?” Waverly asked.
“What type of cancer is it? Did you have to start chemo? Could you have operated? What are your chances?” Wynonna started ranting before Waverly cut her off.
“Woah woah woah! Wynonna, I don’t have cancer!” they quickly yelled over their sister.
“You don’t?” Wynonna asked.
“No, I don’t,” Waverly said, now smiling a little bit, relieved that their sister wasn’t actually upset for the reason they thought after all.
“Oh, okay good,” Wynonna said, “so what do you have?”
“No, Wynonna, I’m not sick,” Waverly quickly said.
“You’re not sick?” Wynonna quickly clarified.
“No,” Waverly said.
“So you shaved your head on purpose?” Wynonna asked.
“Yes,” Waverly said.
“Oh thank God!” Wynona said, now laughing as she threw head back into the chair.
“You fuckin’ scared me you asshole!” Wynonna said as she took off her shoe and threw it at Waverly.
“Hey!” they said as they dodged the shoe, “I’m sorry, I should have thought that through,” Waverly said.
“If I may, can I ask why you decided to shave off all your beautiful hair?” Doc asked. He was trying to be respectful, but Nicole could see that the question had triggered Waverly a little bit.
“Ya baby girl, your hair looked so pretty! What did it ever do to you?” Wynonna asked. Of course, Nicole and Waverly both knew she was kidding, but the question still triggered Waverly to no end. They had struggled accepting that they didn’t need Wynonna’s approval for so long, so hearing those words was extremely difficult.
“W-well, I did it because…” Waverly started before trailing off.
“Waverly cut off th-Waverly’s hair because sh-Waverly can do whatever...Waverly wants with...Waverly’s hair,” Nicole said, stumbling over her words, attempting not to out Waverly while simultaneously trying not to misgender them either. All this accomplished was receiving a confused look from Wynonna.
“You’re weird,” Wynonna said, “of course I know that Waverly can do whatever she wants with her hair,” that earned a cringe from Waverly, “I just wanna know why she decided to do it.”
“Please stop calling me she,” Waverly quickly said before it became too much to handle.
“What’s wrong with she? That’s what you are, baby girl,” Wynonna said.
“No, actually, it’s not,” Waverly said, pulling at a thread in their sweater.
“Oh” Wynonna said, sounding equal parts surprised, but also loving. She saw that her sibling was avoiding looking up so she went to kneel down in front of them. “Are you a he?” she asked. Waverly shook their head. “Well what else can you be?” Wynonna asked with a small smile.
“I’m a they,” Waverly said quietly.
“I’ve never heard of that before,” Wynonna said, “can you explain what that means?”
“It means I don’t feel like a boy or a girl. To be exact, I feel like I’m a bit of both,” they said.
“Okay,” Wynonna said, “do you only want to wear masculine clothes now?” she asked. Waverly nodded their head. “You never want to wear feminine clothes?”
“No,” Waverly started, “in fact I’ve always hated wearing feminine clothes.”
“So why did you do it for so long?” she asked.
“Well, for such a long time, all I ever wanted was the approval of my family, and after a while, you were the only family from my childhood I had left. When I was a little, whenever I dressed super feminine, you always seemed to approve, so that’s what I kept on doing. I’m not saying that it’s your fault at all, I just think it created some sort of complex in my head. It wasn’t really until I met Nicole that I started feeling like I was allowed to be myself. And then after you left-”
“No one was around to approve of what you did anymore,” Wynonna finished for them.
“Ya,” Waverly said.
“Oh God baby gi-...Waverly, I am so sorry. I never wanted you to feel like you had to be like that just because I said you looked pretty,” Wynonna said.
“I know Wynonna. And you don’t have to apologize, okay? It’s no one’s fault. Well, it’s society’s fault. But it’s not the fault of anyone in our circle, I promise,” Waverly said.
“Okay,” Wynonna said as she went to give Waverly the most crushing hug she could. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too,” Waverly said as Wynonna went to sit back in her chair.
“So,” she started, “they/them,” Waverly nodded, “still want to be called Waverly,” they nodded, “sibling?” they nodded again “and you’re Nicole’s…”
“Spouse,” Waverly said.
“Spouse,” Wynonna said, “got it. And what should Alice call you?”
“Just Waverly is fine. She’ll be confused at first but she’ll be totally fine. Kids are some of the most accepting people on the planet,” Waverly said.
“That’s true. When I told her about you two and Jeremy and Damon, she said, “okay, can I have a cookie?” and left it at that,” Wynonna said with a laugh.
“That’s exactly what I’m talking about,” Waverly said as they laughed too. Then they remembered that Doc was in the room as well, “Oh, Doc, I’m so sorry, do you have any questions?”
“I don’t believe I do. I think I got the gist of all of your titles. Of course, I don’t quite understand. Nobody ever talked about this kind of thing when I was younger, but I assure you I shall do my best to get everything right, and you have my undying support,” he said, earning a grateful smile from Waverly.
“Thank you Doc,” they said.
“You,” Wynonna said as she pointed at Nicole, “thank you for supporting my baby sis-sibling.”
“I’m happy to do it,” Nicole said as she put her arm around Waverly’s shoulders and kissed them on the forehead, “I love them so much and no pronoun change is ever gonna change that.”
“Thank you baby,” Waverly said as they gave their wife a quick kiss before turning back to their sister, “now, tell us everything about your travels!”
As Nicole and Waverly cuddled on the couch listening to all the crazy stories Doc and Wynonna had, Waverly smiled happily. Everyone knew. Everyone in the town, and more importantly, everyone in their family. Everyone knew and most of the people in town accepted it. For the first time in a while, they felt like they could breathe. And of course, some new demon had just arrived in Purgatory to make everyone’s lives a living hell.
But no one was worried about that right now.
And no one was going to die anyway so all was well.