Chapter Text
It felt like a fever dream. Her voice cracked as she screamed the last line of their final song, trying her best to meet the crowd's thunderous roars. Thousands of wide eyes, from the people standing at the barrier fence, to the ones in the far back reserved seating, met her own. Their screams and shouts rumbled deep in her soul. The multi-colored stage lights hit the dust in the theater, reflecting off to create a show all on their own. They cheered and shouted as she made her way off the stage, her hand raised high in the air, devil horns proudly on display. The ringing in her ears outweighed the beating in her chest, as the adrenaline from their performance dwindled out. This moment had been years in the making. They weren't even the main act, yet the audience seemed to feed off their energy and they had gained a small following over the past couple months they had been touring. There was nothing in this world that could compare to the high she had while on stage. Every day brought a new venue in a different city, but in a crowded theater filled with excited faces, she always felt like she was home.
***
2 years later
"No, no, no just stop. Rosita, your pitch still seems off, can you go any higher with it?" Nicole interrupted Rosita for the fifth time today. She usually sang the simpler back up vocals on their tracks, but was struggling with hitting the notes Nicole wanted for this song. They were in the middle of recording their sophomore album and Nicole needed everything to be perfect. Over the past couple years, since the release of their debut record, the ragtag group had gained what some would call a cult following. Whether it was due to their status as a concept band or their insane progressive musical style no one was really sure. What they were sure of was that the band had something to prove and Nicole was desperate not to fizzle out as a one hit wonder.
"Jesus Fucking Christ, are you serious! No Nicole, I physically can't go any higher with this shit! I am a bassist, not a fucking singer! Will you please for the love of god just hire a fucking back up singer like I've been asking since we started this shit." Rosita ripped her headphones off and stormed out of the recording booth in a huff. "I'm taking a break before I actually lose my shit. When I get back you best be looking into it." Jaw dropped, Nicole nodded at a loss for words. Rosita was usually very agreeable and sweet, but if you got on her bad side, could open the seven gates of hell on you.
Wynonna was snickering next to her with a stupid "I told you so" look on her face. "You know she's right. She's been telling you for what, like seven, eight years now? Pretty much since we decided to band up and make a serious run at this.” The two had known each other almost their entire lives and decided to start the band for fun at the start of their junior year. With Nicole on guitar and vocals and Wynonna on drums, Black Badge Division was established and named as an homage to the supernatural stories Nicole wrote and based nearly all of her lyrics off of. Wynonna had initially teased her about it, but once she listened more thoroughly and Nicole explained how the music related to her own experiences and life she had swiftly agreed to continue the project. After a few months of writing and playing just the two of them, they realized if this was something they were serious about pursuing they needed to add a few more players to the team. They added in Wynonna’s then boyfriend Doc, to man the second guitar and the new transfer student, Rosita followed on bass soon after. They were outcasts and a motley crew, but they made it work and Nicole wouldn’t have changed anything even if she could. That was part of the reason she was so hesitant to add someone else into the mix. What if they threw off the entire vibe of their band? Together they had worked so hard to get where they were. Years of playing near empty gigs and being turned down by recording labels at every turn had created a bond she had no intention of straining. Through thick and thin they had persevered and finally after all they’d given and all they’d sacrificed they were gaining the success they had been striving for since the beginning.
Nicole sighed, despite her prior protests, maybe it was time to stop fighting it. Rosita would never be able to take them where they needed to go with the song and everyone knew it. If Nicole really wanted to create a masterpiece she would have to put aside her reservations and figure something else out.
“I know, Wy. I’m just worried about bringing someone new on and screwing everything up. Remember all the shit we went through after you and Doc broke up?” Nicole reasoned.
Wynonna scoffed, “The only reason that was the fiasco it was, is cause he decided to sleep with Rosita right after we broke up.”
Nicole laughed remembering back on that day. “God Earp, I seriously thought you were going to murder both of them with your daddy's shitty old gun. Thank god it was too rusted up to shoot.”
“Hey now, it’s not my fault I had the biggest gay crush on Rosie ever and was too dumb and confused to realize it. She was just so cool and hot as hell when she showed up in that crop top tank and those ripped jeans the first day of school. I knew she was going to destroy me the second I laid eyes on her. I just didn’t know how yet.” A sly smirk made its way to Wynonna’s face as the nostalgia flooded over her. “Good times Haught Sauce, good times indeed.”
Nicole fake gagged, her face twisting up in disgust. “Yeah yeah, I get it you’re all happy and in love and it’s gross so just shut up about it, so we can figure out what we are going to do about the singer situation.”
“No need to figure anything out Haught. As your best friend of your entire life, I already have everything handled. Let me just call her up and we will be good to go. I was honestly just waiting for you to give me the okay.” Wynonna shot a couple of finger guns at her best friend, pulled her phone from the pocket of her trademark fringe leather jacket and started to make a call.
“Who the heck you calling anyway, Earp? I’m pretty sure everyone you like is in this studio today?” She nudged Wynonna's shoulder looking for some answers. Wynonna held up a finger as the person on the other side answered. Nicole couldn’t make out the conversation, but was able to piece some of it together from what Wynonna was saying.
“Yeah, can you head down today?” Pause. “Well we were really hoping to get it finished by the end of the week.” Pause “Yeah, I know you’re busy.” Pause “We'll pay you whatever you want” Nicole kicked her friend's leg at that. “Ow… and by that I mean we’ll pay you appropriately for the amount of work you do.” Pause. “Yes of course she’s gonna be here, she is co producing the thing and I mean she does write the music.” Pause “Baby Girl, I promise Haught will be on her best behavior. No need to worry.” And there it was. Nicole cringed hearing the last sentence, her eyes widening comically at Wynonna. She had just invited her baby sister to record on their album.
It was a well known fact that Waverly Earp hated Nicole Haught. She was 4 years younger than the two band mates, and practically grew up before their eyes. “Great, we’ll see you tomorrow. 10am sharp. Don’t be late, kid. Love ya.” Wynonna hung up the phone with a guilty look at Nicole.
“What the fuck! Did you seriously just invite baby Waves to come record this very adult song with us!” Nicole dropped her head down, running her hands through her long red hair, trying to figure out the situation. Wynonna’s eager smile and nod wasn’t helping Nicole’s anxiety. This is exactly the opposite of what she wanted. “Wy, you know Waves hates my guts. Why the fuck would you do that?” She whined.
Wynonna sighed, she knew this was a likely possibility, but she also knew it was their best shot at getting the record finished on time. “Look Nicole, I know you’re not aware since you haven’t interacted with her since she was like 14, but Waverly ain’t a kid no more. She’s almost 21 years old and she’ll be graduating college next year. Besides she has an amazing voice and we’d be hard pressed to find anyone better on short notice. So suck it up Buttercup, it’s happening whether you like it or not.”
“Noooo” Nicole groaned, throwing herself to the floor like a toddler having a tantrum. “You know I actually hate you right?”
“Shut up, Haught, you love me more than you have loved any woman in your entire life. Now get up off that dirty ass floor and get your shit. These vocals were the last thing we had left for today and seeing as we can’t get that done now, lets get high as fuck and go to the aquarium to look at the jellyfish. I have some edibles so if we eat them as soon as we get home they should be in full effect by the time we get there.” However odd it was, the activity had become one of their favorite past times and ways to blow off steam. Any other time, Nicole would have jumped right on that train, but it was already after four and by the time they got home and changed the aquarium would for sure be closed.
“Wy, as much as I would love that, we’ll never make it there in time. Let’s just go to the bar or something. With the new album and everything, it’s been a while if you know what I mean.” Nicole winked at her best friend and laughed when she visibly cringed at the thought. Nicole had been notoriously single throughout the entirety of their adult years, besides the few month stint with Shae that ended when their first big tour started a couple years back. Nicole didn't want to be tied down and miss out on any of the road experience by being in a relationship she knew was never going to work in the long run. She had spent her last few years enjoying the perks of single life, living how she wanted without judgment or responsibility to others. It had been a while though. Over the past few weeks everyone was hard at work getting the finishing touches of their new album up to par. The long days and difficult work, left little time for any sort of fraternization and she was starting to miss the simple comforts of a warm body next to her own.
“Yeah fine alright, but I’m still gonna eat that edible. Get up and get your shit. I’ll meet you outside with Rose.” Wynonna threw a light kick at one of Nicole’s downed legs, in an attempt to make her move. She did not. There was a high probability that she was physically stuck to the sticky carpet at this point.
“Yeah, Yeah, Yeah. I guess I better enjoy my last night of excitement before Waverly the fun sucker comes around.” Wynonna snorted at her friend.
“I’m telling you Nic, she’s really not that bad anymore. I think college taught her to loosen up some. Now get up so we can go. You probably need to shower to get that dirty carpet off your face, before we go out so you can get some actual dirty carpet on your face.” Nicole scrunched her nose up at Wynonna. She wasn’t wrong about her intentions, but god damn that woman could be crude.
She pulled herself from the sticky studio floor and punched her friend in the arm. “Gross Wy, I mean you’re not wrong, but still.” She laughed. “Now go grab Rosie and we’ll head out. I’m still scared she’s gonna come at me right now, so maybe mention the good news while you’re at it.”
“Fo sho Haught Cheeto. Let’s blow this popsicle stand.” Wynonna winked shoot another set of finger guns at her.
“Something is seriously wrong with you. Now go get your girlfriend and I’ll meet you at my car.” Nicole snorted as she grabbed her keys from the desk. After a few minutes of waiting in her car, Wynonna and Rosita slid into Nicole’s 1969 lime green Plymouth Roadrunner and they drove off to her and Wynonna’s cabin. Hidden in the forest on the outskirts of town, the cabin was the first big purchase Nicole and Wynonna had made following the start of their success. It was a bit too big for just the two of them, but Rosita was over regularly and they planned to convert some of the extra space into a recording studio all their own after they got back from their next tour in the fall. They had big plans for it, but for now at least, it was a place to call home.
***
Their night out had gone off without a hitch and by closing time, Nicole found herself bringing home her favorite bartender Eliza. She was easy going and understood that whatever they had between them was casual at best. She never cared if Nicole came and went or if she didn’t speak to her for months on end. They were friends and occasionally they’d satisfy each other in ways that went a little above and beyond the normal friendship. The four girls shared an uber back to their cabin, going their separate ways once they got into the house.
Nicole lost track of time, her head buried between the bartenders thighs. Remembering her and Wynonna’s conversation from earlier, she laughed to herself. Well she certainly called that one. She was exhausted and as the night drew into the early morning hours, she felt the heavy pull of sleep call her name. She didn’t bother moving, neither of them did. They were more than satiated and too tired to care.
The sun peeked through the window, some quiet rustling downstairs drifted through the silence, but didn’t quite penetrate Nicole’s groggy mind. She grumbled and pulled Eliza’s legs tighter around her shoulders, not fully awake enough to comprehend the position they were in. Her eyes still closed tightly, she inhaled deeply and nuzzled her face deeper into the base of the other girl’s pelvis. Somewhere along the line, they had thrown all the covers off the bed and were now both laying completely exposed, tangled up in each other.
She heard the bedroom door swing open and aggressively slam against the wall before she had any time to react. "Wynon- Holy shit balls!" The voice shouted.
"Shit! What? What the fuck?!" Nicole shot up faster than she even believed possible, eyes feral and confused, giving the surprise guest a full view of her naked body. Well this was not what she expected. The girl was beautiful, angelic even and familiar in a way Nicole couldn't put her finger on. But her breath still caught in her throat as she took in the sight before her.
Frozen in the moment, hazel eyes roamed Nicole's body against their will, until they locked with a pair of fiery brown ones. Nicole straight up snorted at the look on the intruder's face. "You trying to join us, or is there a reason you're still staring? Not that I would mind, that’s for sure." She said, raising an eyebrow, with a shit eating grin plastered to her face. She was never shy about her body, especially not in the presence of a beautiful woman.
The girl turned bright red, mortified by the situation. "Oh my God, shit, sorry!” The brunette shouted, turning and running out of the room, slamming the door behind her. “I thought this was Wynonna's room!" The high pitched voice screeched through the otherside.
Oh shit, Nicole knew she looked familiar. If this woman was looking for Wynonna, there was only one person this could be. She finally connected the pieces, realizing who actually just walked in on her in a very compromising position, she jumped out of bed and scrambled to find something appropriate to put on. "Waverly? Jesus Christ kid, is that you? The fuck you doing here? We were supposed to meet you at the studio at ten!" This was the last thing she needed. Her heart was beating wildly, threatening to break free of its cage as she tried to figure out what the hell was going on.
Aloof as ever, Eliza seemed completely unfazed by the whole situation, and was still yawning and stretching the sleep from her muscles completely naked in Nicole's bed. "Put some clothes on damn it! You need to go." She whisper-yelled at Eliza, who just shrugged and started to get dressed.
Nicole could hear Waverly thumping her head on the closed door out of embarrassment. "Yes, you were, but you two assholes never freaking showed up and Wy wasn't answering her phone, so I got worried and she gave me a key in case I ever needed it for anything! I knocked a bunch, but no one answered, so I just let myself in! It's already almost noon Nicole! You missed our meeting! I thought something bad happened, but you were out gallivanting about, and sleeping around like always!" Waverly was shouting from behind the door, her eyes still shut tight afraid of what else she might see. It was the situation that frazzled her more than anything. It definitely was not the soft curves and pale skin she had just got an eye full of. It had been years since she had seen the carefree redhead and this was not exactly how she imagined her reunion. The two had a tense relationship in the past, and no matter the circumstance, Nicole always seemed to get under her skin. She was irresponsible and reckless, hopping into bed with any pretty girl that gave her the time of day. She lived fast and wild. Waverly hated everything about her, from her cocky dimpled smile, to her stupid laugh, to her big dumb brown eyes that looked like they held the warmth of a thousand suns.
She couldn't believe she completely missed their meeting after Wynonna had practically begged her for this favor, just to have another random hook up. Actually, thinking about it she most certainly could. This really was typical Nicole Haught behavior. Waverly should have known this would be a waste of time, but she really did need a bit of extra cash to get her through her last summer before her final year of college. Reluctantly, she had agreed when Wynonna promised enough money to make it without having to get another job for the entirety of her break. All she would have to do is sing some lines for a few songs and she would have the rest of her summer to do whatever she wanted.
"Shit, are you freaking kidding me?! I thought I set an alarm. It must not have gone off. Go wake up Wynonna and Rosita, we gotta go! We still have the booth until five." Nicole yelled, throwing on some old jeans and grabbing a cut off t-shirt.
Waverly let out an exaggerated "fine" and banged her head one last time before she turned down the hall to Wynonna's room.
Nicole popped her head out the door, "Oh and little Waves? Make sure you knock or you’re likely to relive this situation except with your sister and her lover instead. And though I'm quite sure you just enjoyed every inch of the free view you were just awarded, I don't think it'll be nearly as enticing seeing your sister like that." Nicole winked, before tossing the old Rush t-shirt so threadbare it was practically see through over her head, giving Waverly another free view of her bare stomach, but now bra clad chest. If Waverly could have been redder she would have. Stupid Nicole, she most definitely did not enjoy even one second of that encounter. If she could have rewound time and never have had to see that, she would have… probably. For the sake of decency and all that. And while Nicole did have a very nice body, that was beside the point. She was a cocky, smug asshole and Waverly was not having any of it.
Nicole chased Eliza out as quickly as she could. She had places to be and she didn’t have time for any lollygagging. “Okay, you really got to go Liz. I’ll uh see you around kay.” She said, practically shoving her out the front door.
“Fine, I was hoping to have another round, but I guess I’ll see you later Nic. Hit me up next time you want to have another go at it.” Eliza, unrelenting as ever, pulled her into one last searing kiss before she left with a slap to the ass from Nicole, just as Waverly entered the kitchen.
Waverly scoffed at the interaction, making Nicole turn in question. “You got something to say, Waverly?” Nicole asked with a sigh.
“Nope, not at all.” Her head was turned and she was refusing to make eye contact with Nicole. Obviously there was nothing at all bothering her.
Nicole took a few steps closer to close some of the distance. “Seriously kid, if you-”
“I am not a kid!” Waverly shouted. “I am a fully grown adult lady! Maybe you'd know that if you hadn't completely avoided me the past six years!” Crossing her arms in front of her chest, she was visibly vibrating with tension.
Nicole took a step back and looked down at her hands, rubbing them together roughly. “I, uh… I know. Old habits and all... I’m sorry I missed our meeting if that’s what this is about. I know it was super unprofessional. Apparently Eliza felt the need to shut my alarm off, without me knowing.” Waverly was glaring at her, the fire in her eyes, starting to make Nicole in all her gusto, uncomfortable. She shifted in her spot, rubbing the back of her neck.
“It was super unprofessional Nicole! I took time out of my day to come do this favor for you, just to find you wrapped up between some random girl's thighs.” The foot stomp at the end of her rant accentuated her point.
Nicole smirked at her. Something about Waverly in that moment, with her arms crossed, pout on her face and little stomping foot made her smile. All the times she and Wynonna would take off on their bikes leaving a sad little kid in their dust flashed back to her in a wave. She was never outright mean to the kid, she did occasionally tease her, and her and Wyonnna would regularly ditch her to do their own thing; they were older after all. Thinking back, she always knew she was kind of punk and maybe a little bit of a jerk, but she had her reasons. She was so incredibly different back then; broken and damaged in all the worst ways. Ways she worked so hard to fix. She remembered all the times little Waverly caught her drinking and hooking up with different girls. Not to mention the time she and Wynonna were supposed to take her to middle school cheer tryouts, but instead got drunk and high then ended up hooking up with each other. Waverly skipped into their room happier than could be, in her cute cheer get up, only to be shot down not a second later, by two irresponsible idiots. They were always into something back then. Two broken teens just trying to hold it together with alcohol, drugs and sex. She cringed at the thought. It was really no wonder Waverly didn’t like her. She couldn't even blame her really. She was definitely a grade A asshole.
At the time it felt like they were decades apart, but now, now she was looking at a grown ass woman scowling at her and for some reason, she couldn’t help but think what if. What if she hadn't been so terrified of herself and hadn't left Waverly behind? What if she knew how to be a better person from the start? What if she could have been the person Waverly needed all those years ago?
“I know Waverly. And, I know you don’t think it means much coming from me, but I’m sorry. Big time sorry. Not just for this morning, for everything we put you through as kids. You were such a sweet kid and I was an ass. And, I know it’s not an excuse, but I was messed up back then. Wy and I both were. But I've changed a lot since those days. I've grown up and I'm not claiming to be the best person ever, but if you give me the chance, I’d like to make it up to you." She gave Waverly a genuine smile, not a cocky grin or smirk, just a warm, kind, from the bottom of her heart smile.
Nicole’s dimple popped, tugging at Waverly’s heart strings and she had no choice but to forgive her. For that day at least. “Fine Nicole, but I'm out at the first sign of funny business, deal?” Waverly held out her hand for Nicole to shake.
Nicole smiled and met Waverly in the middle, the callus tips of her fingers wrapping around delicate skin. “Deal, but define funny business. Is it the sex, drugs or rock and roll? I just want to make sure we’re on the same page. Or maybe the alcohol, let's not forget the copious amounts of alcohol.” That soft smile turned back to a smirk in the blink of an eye, and just like that, smug, asshole Nicole was back.
Dropping her hand in defeat, Waverly sighed. Why was Nicole like this? She really thought she was getting through to her. She was always like this though. One second she was the sweetest, most considerate person in the world and the next she was the biggest ass Waverly had ever encountered.
“Oh come on Waves, I’m joking. Whatever you want I’ll do it. You’re the one doing me a favor, remember. I’ll be good, I promise.” Waverly looked at her through squinted eyes, Nicole's puppy dog peepers in full effect. She was making it really hard, but also really easy to hate her at the same time. Luckily, it would only be a few days, maybe a week at most and she’d take her money and enjoy her upcoming summer break. Hell, maybe she could even travel a bit. As much as she’d wanted to, she'd never had the chance.
“Alright jeez. Just keep yourself in check. I know random hook ups are your thing and all, but I really don’t want a repeat of this morning.” Nicole put her hands up in mock defense.
“I would never.” Gasping, Nicole feigned offence. “Besides, Eliza is hardly random. We’ve known each other for years and we get reacquainted at least every couple months when I’m not on the road.” Maybe the comment was in poor taste. Maybe the fact that she wriggled her eyebrows when she said it was even poorer, but she couldn’t help herself and it slipped through her mouth anyway.
Waverly sighed, that was as good as it was going to get she supposed. “Please just shut up Nicole. Why can’t you just be normal?”
“Hey! I’ll have you know normal is overrated. Now, where’s that hot mess you call a sister? We need to get going if we want to make at least some progress today.”
At that, Wynonna stumbled down the stairs, in a crop top and some leather pants, Rosita hot on her heels. “Ask and you shall receive. One hot mess at your service. Now let’s go dweebs, I need some breakfast and I know they got free donuts and coffee for us down at the studio. You driving Haught?” Wynonna said, picking her leather jacket up off the back of the couch. It was already too hot to be wearing it, but Wynonna absolutely refused to take it off, even in the late spring heat. Something about keeping up her aesthetic.
“I was gonna ride my bike, but sure, Wy, if you want to ride in the ol’ beast, anything for you babe.” Nicole winked at her friend, before running upstairs to get her keys out of yesterday's jeans.
Waverly's face was all squished up again and Wynonna wasn't having it. "Spit it out Baby Girl. You look like you sucked on a lemon."
"Hey." She said weakly. "So I guess you and Nicole are still sleeping together then? What is this, some weird thruple or something."
Wynonna choked on air. "Wha...what? That was like a couple times when we were teens. Not that there's anything wrong with that." Rosita was snickering next to her girlfriend like it was the funniest thing in the world. Wynonna elbowed her in the side and gave her a "shut the fuck up look."
"Oh come on Wy, you can't seriously think it's not at least a little suspicious that two bisexuals and a lesbian are all living together. And there was that one ti-."
"Rosita shut the fuck up!" She screeched, her voice a little too strained and definitely way too high pitched. Waverly gave her sister an incredulous look, prompting her to continue. "We're just friends Waves. Best friends, but nothing more. Promise. Not that there is anything wrong polyamory but I'm, I'm in lo- love with Rosita. And the only person Nicole is in love with is herself."
"Hey fuckers, quit talking shit about me and let's go. We're already late enough as is." Nicole skipped down the stairs, hopping over the banister on the last few. "Waves, you riding with us, or taking whatever you arrived in?"
"Well considering I arrived in an uber, I guess I'm stuck with you three idiots." She sighed.
"Cool. You can ride in the front, with me. Let's go." Nicole ignored the scoffs coming from Wynonna and they made their way to the classic car. "Ma' Lady. Your chariot awaits." Nicole smiled as she held the door open for Waverly, trying hard to win her over.
"Thanks." Waverly said in an almost monotone voice. As much as she was trying to hide it, Nicole could make out the faint curve of her lip, from the smile she was trying to fend off. Hopefully Waverly loosened up some or this was definitely going to be an interesting next few days.