Chapter Text
“My good girl.” Waverly whispered into Nicole’s hair as she rocked her on the couch in her lap. “You did so good, baby. You were so good for me, Nicole.”
Nicole sniffled occasionally, but seemed to have calmed down and was now trying to burrow as close to the brunette as she could get. The redhead certainly had a tendency to be cuddly during aftercare, but Waverly had to admit that she seemed a little more clingy than usual tonight. Though, that made sense, considering that they’d done something so new that had no doubt left Nicole feeling very vulnerable. So, Waverly resolved to just follow Nicole’s lead on what she needed for the rest of the night, and keep their communication as open as she could while she navigated these new waters.
Speaking of which.
“Can you raise your head up for me, baby?” Waverly asked as she reached over to grab the cool washcloth from the coffee table. With a sniffle, Nicole looked up at her, causing Waverly’s heart to skip a beat at the naked vulnerability in her eyes. She swallowed down the surprise and tempered her face to be gentle and soothing. “There’s my pretty girl.”
Nicole blushed and almost ducked her head back down, but Waverly pressed the washcloth to her face before she could hide again. The brunette hummed softly as she wiped Nicole’s face clean before folding the washcloth and laying it over the redhead’s eyes.
“That better?” She checked, smiling in response as Nicole nodded and rested her head back on Waverly’s shoulder, breathing the smaller woman’s scent in. Waverly giggled at the ticklish sensations as she rubbed Nicole’s back. “Want some water, baby?”
Nicole shrugged, her face not moving from where it was planted into Waverly’s shoulder. Waverly’s brow furrowed, now a bit concerned with how quiet Nicole was being. She wasn’t the most talkative during aftercare, but she would typically respond verbally when asked a question.
Maybe this was too much…
“Hey.” Waverly gently coaxed Nicole from her hiding place again, looking down at the redhead. “Are you okay, Nicole?”
Nicole nodded mutely and tucked herself back into Waverly’s neck, clinging tightly to the brunette. Waverly didn’t have any reason to believe that Nicole was lying, but she was still unsettled by the silence from the redhead.
“Nicole, can we use some words, please?” Waverly gently coaxed. “I believe you when you say you’re okay, but you’re not normally this quiet during aftercare. It’s…worrying me. Can you tell me how you’re feeling?”
Nicole shifted in Waverly’s arms to pull her face from the brunette’s shoulder. She licked her lips and after a few false starts, finally croaked. “Vulnerable…hard to talk…”
Waverly nodded and kissed Nicole’s cheek before guiding her head back to its hiding spot. “Thank you for sharing that with me, baby.” She thought for a moment then, hit with an idea, she slipped her hand into Nicole’s. “How about this: I’ll ask a couple things to make sure you’re getting what you need tonight, and you squeeze my hand one time to say yes, and two times to say no. Does that sound good, baby?”
Squeeze.
“Okay, good job baby.” Waverly praised. “I was planning on giving you a bath and some water and chocolate, then putting your salve on you, and then wrapping you in your blanket and holding you until you fall asleep. Does that sound good?”
Squeeze.
“Alright, is there anything you want me to add?”
Squeeze. Squeeze.
Waverly kissed her temple. “Gotcha. You’re doing so good, baby. Do you wanna stay here on the couch with me for a little longer?”
Squeeze.
“Okay, sweetie, we’ll stay here a while longer.” Waverly promised, setting herself in for a long cuddle session. “You just tap me when you’re ready for your bath, okay?”
Squeeze.
Waverly dropped another kiss to Nicole’s scalp and trailed her fingernails up and down the curled woman’s back as they snuggled together. Nicole melted into Waverly’s arms with a contented little sigh as she turned the feelings swirling and churning in her body over and over in her head.
She felt so…small. So vulnerable. So easily broken if Waverly so wished it. And yet, Nicole felt an overwhelming sense of safety. She felt the realization that she was completely helpless to Waverly’s whims and desires, yet fully secure in the knowledge that the brunette who held her heart would never use that power to hurt her.
Nicole wondered if this was what it felt like to be loved.
Rather than dwell on it any more, Nicole reached up and tapped Waverly’s shoulder three times, indicating that she was ready for her bath. Waverly stirred as if roused from a light nap, and slipped her hand into Nicole’s.
“You ready for your bath, sweetie?” She checked.
Squeeze.
“Okay, baby, let’s get you cleaned up and into bed.” Waverly cooed, nuzzling Nicole’s cheek in a way that made the redhead sigh happily before awkwardly raising them both off of the couch.
Nicole leaned on Waverly’s impressive strength to get her to the bathroom, burying her face into the brunette’s neck and breathing her in when they paused by the guest bedroom so that Waverly could open the door to let Calamity Jane out. The big orange tabby merely looked up from her spot in the windowsill before laying her head back down to continue her nap, but at least she wasn’t trapped in the room anymore. With the mighty lion freed, Waverly continued leading Nicole to the bathroom and gently deposited her on the toilet.
“I’m gonna start running the bath and then go get some water and our bath kit.” Waverly said as she knelt in front of the quiet woman and held her hands. “Will you be alright for a few moments?”
Squeeze.
“I’ll be back in just a few minutes.” Waverly promised, dropping a kiss on Nicole’s cheek before turning to open the bath faucet and then hurrying out of the room to grab what she needed for their aftercare.
Nicole shivered a bit as she sat slumped against the wall beside the toilet and listlessly watched the water run. A part of her registered Waverly coming back and checking the temperature before adding some vanilla bubble bath and plugging the tub to let it fill, but the only reaction the redhead gave was a soft hum when Waverly laid another kiss on the top of her head before heading back out to grab some chocolate and water. Finally, Waverly stripped and gently removed what remained of Nicole’s clothes before guiding the taller woman into the warm water and sliding in with her.
“I’ve got you, baby.” Waverly murmured as she guided Nicole’s head to rest on her shoulder. “I’m here. You’re safe.”
Nicole just snuggled in closer as she felt the brunette run a wet washcloth over her body before adding some body wash and cleaning the redhead that had maneuvered until she was curled in her lap.
“You’re such a good pet.” Waverly said. “You did such a good job tonight, baby.”
Nicole closed her eyes and felt herself floating in her subspace as Waverly spoke and ran the cloth over her body. She melted into the brunette’s lap and arms and only the gentle reminder from Waverly that she needed to stay awake a bit longer kept Nicole from just drifting off into a peaceful sleep. She heard the sound of the chocolate wrapper opening and a piece being broken off before she felt something very gently probing against her slack lips.
“Baby, can you open your mouth for me?” Her Mistress patiently coaxed her into accepting the sweet treat. Waverly kissed her temple as she chewed. “Good girl.”
Nicole was able to blink her eyes half-open in time to see Waverly reaching for the water bottle and offering her the straw to drink. After the crying fit earlier, the cold water felt heavenly against her dry throat, and Nicole drank eagerly from the straw as Waverly watched with an indulgent smile.
“Alright, you greedy little pet, slow down.” Waverly gently teased as she pulled the straw away. “Don’t make yourself sick.”
Nicole grumbled a little, but was quickly placated with another piece of chocolate.
“Shhhh, I know baby.” The brunette cooed, running her fingers through Nicole’s hair as she settled back down.
Waverly just watched as her girlfriend cuddled up against her, occasionally rubbing her face on the brunette’s chest.
“My goodness, you’re affectionate tonight.” Waverly laughed as Nicole just burrowed closer and hugged her tighter. “Guess you’re really taking me up on that ‘all the hugs and kisses’ offer, huh?”
Nicole just nodded against Waverly’s chest, a peaceful expression on her face and her eyes half-lidded with exhaustion. Waverly just smiled and kissed her head again.
“That’s fine, pet.” She whispered into Nicole’s hair. “You can have all the hugs and kisses you want tonight.”
‘Tonight, and every night.’ Waverly thought to herself as she relaxed into the rim of the tub and settled in for a long cuddle session.
As she trailed wet fingers up and down Nicole’s spine, Waverly took a moment to take stock of herself and how she was feeling. Since she’d used the hairbrush, her palm wasn’t sore like it sometimes was after a spanking, though her shoulder felt like it’d had a decent workout. Nicole’s weight on top of her felt grounding and warm in the bath, and the feel of the redhead’s skin pressed against her own left Waverly feeling like they were in an intimate little bubble, blocked out from the rest of the world. Nicole’s breath flowing over the crook of her neck tickled a bit, but Waverly was able to resist the urge to squirm and giggle, not wanting to disturb the woman curled so peacefully and happily in her lap.
Waverly’s eyes roamed over Nicole, taking in the way her hand rested on the smaller woman’s chest as if to ground her and the tiny smile that was tugging gently at the corners of the deputy’s lips. She seemed happy and secure, which did a lot to ease the worries that Waverly had admittedly felt going into this. She knew Nicole was a grown woman and the redhead had proven before that she knew how to set boundaries and use her safeword if she wasn’t comfortable with something, but a part of Waverly was still adjusting to having the kind of power that Nicole trusted her with, and the brunette knew it would take some time for her to get used to being in this kind of position with another consenting adult. She knew that at least for a good long while, a part of her would be worried about crossing a line. Of stepping out of consent and into abuse. Of becoming Ward Earp. He may not have been her father, but Waverly knew it would be foolish to discount what being in his home and in his crosshairs had done to her psyche.
A part of her worried that she would become to Nicole what Ward had been for her, and Waverly couldn't say for certain whether that anxious voice in her head would ever be silent. With Nicole curled up in her lap, purring contentedly, Waverly wondered if maybe it was for the best that she fretted over taking advantage of the deputy's trust. When she'd had Nicole over her lap tonight, she hadn't felt any of the typical thrill and arousal that she would normally feel when she was spanking the redhead. Instead, she had felt a sense of responsibility while doing it, and an overwhelming wave of relief when it was over. Her body, mind, and heart had seemed to recognize that this wasn't a normal spanking, and it was entirely unable to respond to the redhead being over her knee like it always had before. Maybe that was a good thing, all things considered. Maybe if Waverly recognized on such an instinctive level that this was completely different from their playtime, then it would help the brunette avoid being too rough or going beyond the boundaries of consent if Nicole wanted to do this again.
And Waverly had a pretty good suspicion that Nicole would want to do this again.
The question was, would Waverly want to do this again?
Sitting in the tub, with the woman who just might be the love of her life curled in her lap, Waverly stared at the water and wondered. Could she handle doing this again? Could she be the person that Nicole needed when she was lost in her guilt spirals? Could she be strong for the redhead in her arms?
Nicole hummed and burrowed closer, her lips gently brushing along the line of Waverly’s jaw, and the younger woman knew the answer.
She could be strong for Nicole.
She wanted to be strong for Nicole.
Because most days, Nicole was the only one who would let her be the strong one. And while the desire to never truly harm the redhead still overrode everything else, Waverly couldn't deny that the addictive nature of being in power still carried over into this aspect of their relationship that was clearly making itself at home. Waverly wanted to be the person that Nicole trusted to hold her accountable. She wanted to take care of Nicole in a way that no one else had ever taken care of the redhead.
She wanted to be Mistress , in whatever form that would take as their relationship evolved.
Waverly felt the burden and the joy of being trusted, and she was determined and eager to be worthy of that trust.
She kissed the top of Nicole’s head, letting her lips linger there and breathing in the woman curled against her. She hoped that Nicole could hear everything her kiss and embrace said. The things that Waverly still had trouble verbalizing.
‘I love you.’
‘I’m here for you.’
‘I will always take care of you.’
‘You are mine.’
Nicole sighed and nuzzled into the hollow of Waverly’s throat, a big yawn breaking through her attempts to stifle it.
“Are you tired, pet?” Waverly’s voice was soft and knowing, and Nicole sheepishly nodded in response. “Alright. Let’s get you dried off and into bed.”
Waverly gently maneuvered Nicole out of her lap, softly hushing the redhead when she whimpered in protest, and pulled herself out of the bath. The brunette quickly dried off before pulling the plug on the tub and helping Nicole to her feet and onto the fluffy towels spread out on the floor. Nicole stood, docile and drifting in her subspace, as Waverly dried her off. Waverly let her stand in the middle of the bathroom and quickly slipped her sleepwear on before returning her attention to her pet.
“Do you want some pajamas, baby?” Waverly asked, holding up a pair of Nicole’s flannel pajama bottoms and one of her sleeping shirts in a silent offer. Nicole just stared at the floor and shrugged, inching her way over to cuddle back into Waverly.
Waverly blinked, still not quite used to this quieter version of her pet, and nodded decisively. Nicole seemed to need to be allowed to not make any of the decisions, so Waverly would roll with it.
They were definitely talking about this in the morning, though. When Nicole felt a little less vulnerable and a little more verbal.
“Let’s get you into some pajamas, pet.” Waverly said, a gentle but clear order in her voice, and Nicole nodded and allowed herself to be moved and her arms raised as needed to get her dressed. Once Nicole was dressed, Waverly took her hand and led her into the bedroom before guiding her to lay on her stomach.
The redhead hugged her pillow with a satisfied groan as her body melted into the mattress, her exhaustion suddenly hitting her like a freight train. She felt weightless and yet like firm arms were tethering her to the bed, and she only had the wherewithal to whine in confusion as she felt her pajama bottoms being pulled down and her bottom being bared for the second time that night by her Mistress.
“Shhhh, you’re okay pet.” Waverly reassuringly patted the prone woman’s back. “I’m just putting your salve on you. You’re not in any trouble. Your punishment’s over, you’re my good girl, and I’m gonna take care of you.”
Nicole relaxed under her hands as Waverly rubbed the salve onto her red and sore bottom, hissing a little at the initial contact but sighing in relief as the medicine soothed her skin.
“Good girl.” Waverly cooed as she worked, recognizing how Nicole seemed to calm and react well when she was being praised. “My good little pet. I’m so proud of how well you took your spanking tonight. You were so brave and so good for me.”
If Nicole had previously felt like she was floating in her subspace, Waverly’s words had gently taken hold of her and submerged her so deeply in the relaxing sensations that she couldn’t tell which way was up and which was down. And Nicole loved it so much. She just wanted to be wrapped in Waverly’s care and affection like the universe’s most comfortable bonus blanket and left to bask in it for the rest of her days. Whatever worries or fears Nicole had felt going into this, they were like little drops of water against the tidal wave of safety and comfort that she felt now. Feelings that were made even better by the utter lack of the guilt that had twisted in the redhead’s gut for the last twenty-four hours. She felt so light, so free, so precious in her Mistress’s embrace, that Nicole never wanted it to end.
“Such a sweet pet.” Waverly’s words were whispered against her temple as she leaned down to give Nicole a gentle kiss before turning to put the jar of salve away.
That done, she pulled Nicole’s pants back up, covered her with the blanket, and crawled into bed beside the happy little pet that was currently burrowing even deeper into the pillow beneath her. Waverly’s eyes crinkled in a smile at Nicole’s behavior. A giddy little spark of unbridled joy that made the redhead wiggle cutely under the blankets before shuffling over to tuck herself under Waverly’s chin. A tiny, very scared part of the brunette had admittedly wondered if Nicole would feel resentful of being punished, even if it was something the redhead had asked for. But if anything, the deputy somehow seemed even more affectionate than she normally was, which was a hell of a feat.
Waverly closed her eyes and basked in it. Every snuggle, every kiss, every contented little sigh that came out of the pet curled up on her chest. It all served to reassure her that Nicole still felt safe. Still felt comfortable.
Still felt loved.
“My good girl.” Waverly murmured as she kissed the top of Nicole’s head yet again and let her adjust until she was settled and ready for sleep. “Sleep now, pet. We’ll talk in the morning.”
Nicole hummed in acknowledgement and it wasn’t long before her breathing evened out as she fell into a deep sleep, snuggled into Waverly’s chest and being soothed by the brunette’s heartbeat in her ear. Waverly laid awake for as long as she could, wanting to just feel Nicole’s weight on top of her, before she finally gave in to the call of sleep.
The shrill noise of her phone alarm woke Waverly, and she groaned before reaching over to blindly turn it off. She sat up and stretched her arms high, cursing the darkness that still permeated the bedroom. Winter sucked so many balls.
Waverly’s hand came down to rest on the bed, and she jolted a little when she found Nicole’s side of the bed empty. The redhead must have already gotten up and started the day, a suspicion that was confirmed when the smell of tofu scramble finally registered with her nose. With a little grin, Waverly flung the covers away and swung her feet off the bed to get up. She paused to throw on some wooly socks and then made her way out of the bedroom towards the kitchen.
Standing with her back to the brunette, Nicole was focused on the pan in front of her as she finished cooking breakfast. Waverly smiled affectionately as she listened to the redhead muttering to herself as she worked.
"Then add nutritional yeast…salt…turmeric…garlic powder…" Nicole recited the recipe quietly as she added the seasonings. "Cook five more minutes…then milk…"
Waverly settled backwards on the couch, her chin resting in her hand as she watched her best baby. It was adorable, seeing her all focused and fretting like the perfectionist she was. She probably had her little "worry wrinkle" going full-force, and it was all Waverly could do to keep herself from squealing and tackle-hugging the poor oblivious woman. Nicole continued to stir the tofu, entirely unaware that she was being watched.
After a few minutes, she pulled the pan off of the heat and grabbed the almond milk, adding in a splash and stirring it with the wooden spoon that sat on the countertop.
"I…think that looks right…" Nicole said as she tilted the pan this way and that to inspect her creation.
"Well, it smells amazing." Waverly said, opting to finally make her presence known.
"JESUS CHRIST!" Nicole jumped and spun around, somehow managing to keep the pan firmly grasped in her hand. "Fuck, Waves, I'm getting you a bell for Christmas."
Waverly's laughter was entirely unrepentant. "Sorry! I wasn't trying to sneak up on you, but you looked so cute I couldn't bring myself to interrupt."
Nicole blushed and shuffled her feet a little in embarrassment, before holding the pan out like an offering. “Um. I made you, uh…at least, I hope it’s okay…”
Waverly stood and crossed to the kitchen, resting a loving hand on Nicole’s cheek. “I’m sure it’s delicious, sweetie-pie. Do you mind getting me some tea?”
“Yes, Mis-erm, I mean, yeah baby.” Nicole, somehow, became even redder as she ducked around Waverly to set the pan on a heating mat on the table and turned back to the stove to focus on getting the kettle warm.
Waverly’s brow furrowed at her girlfriend’s behavior. Nicole had occasionally called her “Mistress” outside of playtime, usually jokingly, but she’d never seemed embarrassed by it before. In fact, now that Waverly took the time to really look , everything about how the redhead carried herself seemed to hold an air of uncertainty. The way she fidgeted as she stood at the stove, staring at the kettle like that would make it heat faster. The way she couldn’t meet Waverly’s eyes earlier. The way she kept glancing over her shoulder at Waverly.
Almost like Nicole was checking to make sure Waverly was still there.
Waverly’s look became thoughtful as she moved to grab a couple of plates and the toast and almond butter sitting on the countertop. As she set the table, her mind drifted to last night, turning Nicole’s behavior over in her head as she tried to puzzle out this far more bashful side of her pet. Thinking on it, she recalled the way that Nicole stayed so close to her, curled in her lap or on her chest or just holding the brunette’s hand. Like she was desperate for any kind of reassuring touch from the younger woman. It didn’t come across like Nicole was worried Waverly was still upset, but more like she was taking what she needed to feel secure while in her subspace.
So, if that was how Nicole reacted while in her subspace after discipline, then why was it carrying over into this morning? The redhead had always been affectionate, but this seemed almost…clingy. Like Nicole didn’t want Waverly to leave.
Hazel eyes widened in realization. Or maybe like Nicole was making sure Waverly didn’t think she wanted her to leave.
Waverly sat in her usual seat at the table, a fond smile slowly stretching across her face as she watched Nicole finish making tea and setting out each of their mugs. Maybe that’s what Nicole was doing; reassuring Waverly that she didn’t want her to go anywhere. Promising Waverly that she still felt safe and loved with her. Maybe Nicole’s clinginess right now was her way of making Waverly feel secure.
Nicole sat at the table and spooned out some tofu for them both, placing a slice of buttered toast on Waverly’s plate and setting it in front of her before grabbing her own slice. While biting into her toast, Nicole’s eyes drifted over to Waverly, who was still sitting with a soft look of adoration on her features.
Nicole’s brow furrowed. “Whuh?” She said, toast still hanging from her mouth.
Waverly giggled and patted her lap. “Come here, pet. I think I want you sitting a little closer, this morning.”
Nicole stared for a moment before she realized what Waverly was wanting from her, and her eyes lit up as she leapt to her feet and hurried over to perch on the brunette’s lap. Waverly’s arms snaked around the taller woman’s waist and she placed a gentle kiss on her neck, causing Nicole to shiver in delight at the sensation.
“My sweet little pet.” Waverly murmured against Nicole’s pale skin, one hand gently stroking her stomach while the other grabbed a forkful of tofu. As enjoyable as it was to coddle and fuss over her girlfriend, Waverly wasn’t lying when she said that the food had smelled amazing.
Also, she was just really freakin’ hungry.
They ate their breakfast in near silence, the only sound being the occasional hum of contentment from Nicole as Waverly gently stroked her back, her neck, her stomach, and along her leg, keeping constant contact with the woman in her lap. When Waverly finished, she sat back in her chair and interlocked her fingers over Nicole’s stomach, a warm tingle running through her when she felt one of the redhead’s hands rest over top of her own. Once Nicole’s plate was empty, Waverly released her grip and let the taller woman take their things to the sink to wash up.
“I’ll be on the couch when you’re done.” Waverly said, standing and stepping behind Nicole to move her hair and place a tender kiss behind her ear, delighting in the little shiver the deputy gave in response. She stepped out of the kitchen and relaxed on the couch, half propped up on the arm and grabbing the remote to lazily flick through channels until she found a calming nature documentary that she watched as she listened to Nicole putter about in the kitchen. Finally, the redhead finished tidying up and had made her way into the living room to curl up beside Waverly on the couch.
“Come here, baby.” Waverly muttered as she patted her lap and pulled the taller woman into her arms and nuzzled her neck with a few soft kisses. She buried her face into the crook of Nicole’s neck and breathed in deeply. “You feel so good.”
Nicole hummed in response as she snuggled in and slid her hands up Waverly’s back to rest on the back of her shoulders. “Right back at ya, cutie.”
Waverly laughed and kissed whatever bit of Nicole’s skin she could reach for a few more moments. Then, face still buried in the redhead’s chest, Waverly spoke.
“Do you feel up to talking about last night?” She asked.
Nicole fidgeted a little, but when Waverly looked up at her face it seemed to show a little more shyness than discomfort. “Yeah, I guess we probably should, huh?”
“It would help me get an idea of how you’re doing if we did.” Waverly said. “You seem a little more…affectionate than usual. I just wanna make sure you’re okay.”
Nicole blushed, loosening her hold on the brunette and almost trying to shift away a little. “Sorry…”
“No, no, baby, it’s fine.” Waverly pulled her back into her hold and squeezed her firmly as if to emphasize her point. “I like it, I just want to be sure that you feel safe.”
“I do.” Nicole nodded, her face absolutely certain of her words. “I promise, I do.”
“I believe you.” Waverly assured, kissing Nicole’s cheek. There was a moment of silence before Waverly voiced her suspicions. “And I also believe that you’re doing this to make me feel safe.”
Nicole’s eyes widened and Waverly couldn’t help but grin in response.
Busted.
“I…erm.” Nicole stammered and blushed. “I just…I don’t want you to feel like a bad person.”
Waverly’s eyes softened even more. “I genuinely don’t think I could ever feel that way when you’re around, sweetie.”
Nicole sighed in relief and burrowed closer. “Good. Do you promise to let me know if you ever do?”
“I promise.” Waverly nodded. “Do you promise to let me know if you ever feel unsafe? Even the slightest bit?”
“I promise.” Nicole murmured into Waverly’s chest.
“Good.” Waverly felt warmth spread through body as the redhead snuggled in and continued to shower her with kisses and nuzzles.
Gods, the way Nicole never hesitated to show her affection made Waverly’s heart ache, sometimes.
What was that line from the Edgar Allen Poe poem?
‘But we loved with a love that was more than love.’ Waverly’s mind helpfully supplied, bringing a smile to the brunette’s face. Because if there was ever a line in literature to describe Nicole Haught, it was probably that one.
Well. That, and she was sure there were some great lines in smut literature about beautiful leggy redheads that could also apply to the deputy.
But, back to more innocent thoughts.
Waverly knew that Nicole wouldn’t ever say the word “love” until she was sure the brunette was ready to hear it, but she’d be lying if she said she didn’t feel the taller woman’s love in everything that she did. In the way that she left a thermos of tea on the nightstand when she was called into work at an obscenely early hour. In the way that the deputy always set her lunch breaks aside for Waverly if they were both at the station. In the way that Nicole tirelessly and unflinchingly gave her space to complain about her sister, to fret over the curse, to be imperfect.
“I would never ask you to be something you’re not.” Nicole’s past words came to the forefront of Waverly’s mind, and she had to admit that like just about every other promise she made, the redhead treated that one like precious glass to never be chipped, scratched, or broken.
Indeed, Nicole Haught showed Waverly Earp her love in a myriad of different ways.
In the way she would ghost her fingertips across Waverly’s nipples just the way the brunette liked. In the way Nicole would whisper sweet nothings into her ear while her hand worked slowly and methodically between her thighs. In the way the deputy pressed her lips against Waverly’s cunt as though it were the only source of oxygen in the world, and stayed there tirelessly as though bringing the smaller woman pleasure was Nicole’s sole purpose in life. In the way that the redhead unflinchingly surrendered her body, her freedom, her pleasure, to Waverly’s eager hands and curious mind.
Waverly wondered what things she did every day that Nicole saw as an expression of her love.
She certainly hoped that Nicole saw the love in her actions, at least.
Waverly tilted her chin upwards and enjoyed the sensation of plump lips kissing and sucking along her skin. She sat, eyes slid closed and reveling in the feeling of being worshiped, before Waverly reminded herself that they still had a little more to discuss about last night.
“Sweetie, this kills me to say, but we really do need to talk a little more about last night.” Waverly said with no small amount of regret in her voice. Nicole whined in response, but sat back in the brunette’s lap and looked at her with those big brown eyes.
“I know.” Nicole admitted. “I guess I was kinda acting different.”
“Just a bit.” Waverly’s soft smile took any potential sting from her words. “You were really quiet and clingy last night. Not that I’m ever gonna complain about getting snuggles, but I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“I was.” Nicole said, her voice certain. “I am. I didn’t feel unsafe or anything like that. I just…it just made sense to stay close to you. I felt vulnerable, but in a way where I knew that it was okay for me to be vulnerable, so long as you were with me.”
Waverly felt the breath leave her body. A part of her had long suspected that Nicole saw her as a sort of “guardian” when the redhead was submissive or in her subspace, but to have it confirmed felt so vindicating.
“Is that why you were being all cuddly last night?” Waverly asked, a fond look crossing her features. “To make sure I was still there with you.”
“That, and…” Nicole blushed a little, but pressed on. “And I also wanted to make sure you knew that you didn’t need to feel bad. I know that part of you worries about being as bad as…him…”
The pause and the following silence left no doubt for either of them who Nicole was referring to. Mercifully, Nicole continued speaking to force the moment to pass.
“So, I wanted to make sure you knew that I wasn’t scared of you.” Nicole said. “That I didn’t resent you for punishing me. I wanted you to know that you didn’t do anything wrong, and that I still saw you as my Mistress.”
Waverly smiled and kissed Nicole’s lips.
“Thank you, baby.” The brunette whispered against her lover’s mouth. “You did all that, and more. I don’t think I realized how much I needed that until I got it.”
“So, you don’t feel bad?” Nicole checked. “You don’t feel like…”
“I don’t.” Waverly said, her voice certain. “I know I’m not like him. You made sure I never felt like a monster at any point last night. That means so much to me, I dunno if I’ll ever be able to put it into words.”
“Not even with all those languages you know?” Nicole teased with a cheeky grin.
“I think I could learn all the languages in the history of the human race, and I still couldn’t describe how much you mean to me.” Waverly said earnestly. “You really are one of a kind, Nicole Haught.”
Nicole blushed in response and tucked her face into the crook of Waverly’s neck.
“You’re amazing, Waverly Earp.” The deputy finally said, drawing a hum of delight from Waverly’s chest.
Waverly glanced at the clock. “We got a couple hours until we need to be at the station.” She noted, a sly grin stretching across her face. “You wanna show me just how amazing?”
Nicole’s only response was a heated kiss.
“You’re in a chipper mood, today.” Wynonna muttered as she perched on the desk of a humming Nicole.
The redhead just shrugged. “It’s a nice day. Sun’s shining-”
“It’s cold enough to freeze a witch’s tit off.”
“Things are calm.”
“Two bitchy witchy Widows are actively trying to resurrect some kinda being of pure evil.”
“Everyone just seems to be in good spirits, today!”
“Dolls has been stomping around like he’s trying to pass a kidney stone made of LEGOs, Jeremy actually snapped at me over moving his stupid coffee mug-”
“Well, you know better than to touch Optimug Prime…”
“And I’m seriously considering chasing down that dickhead that walked in here earlier and introducing him to Peacemaker for what he called you when your back was turned.” Wynonna glared at the open door where said dickhead had left earlier.
Nicole just shrugged nonchalantly. “It’s nothing I haven’t heard before. And besides, this is still my town, and I promised to protect everyone in it.” Her eyes drifted sideways and she muttered, “Even the ones who slice their grilled cheese down the middle…”
“Oh God!” Wynonna jumped up from the desk with a horrified look on her face. “You’re all perky today because you boned my sister!”
“That’s not-” Nicole stammered, her face turning red. “No! I’m just-”
“Nope!” Wynonna covered her ears as she barrelled out the door towards the Black Badge offices. “Not listening to this! You and your perverted cop ways!”
Wynonna just barely missed bowling over the mailman walking up to the front desk, and Nicole lowered her head into her hands in mortification as she listened to the BBD office door open and slam shut.
“For the love of…” Nicole huffed in embarrassment, before turning her attention to the man standing awkwardly at the desk. “Sorry! Hi, can I help you?”
“Uh, just some mail here.” The postman said as he held up a stack of envelopes, big and small.
“Right.” Nicole stood and moved to the desk to take the stack from him. “Thank you.”
“Yeah, have a good one.” The man said before hurrying back out of the station, no doubt wishing to get as far away from any building with Wynonna Earp in it as quickly as possible.
“You too.” Nicole called after him, spinning on her heel to return to her desk and sort through the mail, the smile slowly returning to her face as she thought about this morning.
Nicole really felt like she was making strides with Waverly. The way they talked so frankly this morning after everything last night left the redhead with a warm feeling in her chest…not quite as warm as her bottom, but pretty close. The deputy had to struggle to keep the smutty grin off of her face as she thought about what happened after their talk. The way Waverly had raked her nails down Nicole’s back and gasped into her mouth as the taller woman thrust into her. The way the brunette had flipped them and kissed her way down Nicole’s body with a devilish grin. How they held each other afterwards and basked in the afterglow before they had to force themselves out of bed.
It was perfect.
It was healing.
It was-
Nicole’s train of thought screeched to a halt as she reached the last envelope in the stack.
A large, brown envelope.
Addressed to Waverly.
Later, Nicole would question and agonize over what in the name of God had possessed her in that moment, but before she even realized what she was doing, the deputy had already opened the envelope and pulled the papers out. The bottom dropped out of her stomach and her heart stopped as she felt a lump swell in her throat until she was almost certain she was choking.
“... Fuck .” Nicole whispered as she looked at the results of the DNA tests.