Chapter Text
With large arms wrapped around you, your sobbing subdued. You felt the pain in your heart as Joseph held you. Nobody had offered comfort to you like this in a long time. Yet, the enemy was always waiting with open arms. Joseph hadn’t said a word since you broke down in front of him, He simply glided over to you, kneeling in front of the chair and wrapped his arms around you. He knew not to speak. He simply knelt there quietly, gently rubbing your back now and then as you buried your face into his neck. His scent was sweet, a slight musk that brought you comfort. It calmed you mind, but your heart whirled on.
Joseph
He knew not to speak. or to comfort you with words, but he knew you needed someone. So he quietly wrapped his arms around your weeping frame and held you until you decided otherwise.
He had never seen you so vulnerable and it almost made him question everything he thought he knew about you. It made his heart squeeze with pain for the broken Deputy before him. He knew that there was actually someone human behind the wrath. He rested his head gently against yours and hummed soothingly. You needed him.
Deputy
You’d been sat in Josephs arms for what seemed like hours.. You had used this time, the time you spent in the arms of the enemy. Your heart pounding but your mind soothed. Your torn mind had been debating with itself the entire time.You thought about everything carefully and decided what you wanted.
“Joseph... I.. need to talk to you...”
You pulled away from him slowly, your face close to his, your noses almost touching as your sighed and looked him in the eye. Those striking eyes that both terrified and comforted you.
Joseph
Joseph moved back a little as you pulled away and spoke, his eyes catching yours. The most beautiful sapphire eyes caught his own. They were like his... They caught anyones attention who looked into them. Giving off a warm, trusting gaze that made people believe everything you say. He had been told a few times in his past his eyes would make the world follow him. And yours would make his world collapse.
Your face was close to his, he hardly picked up what you said. His mind was screaming at him, to pull away, to run away... but his body moved without listening.
He leaned in and pressed a chaste kiss to your lips. Savouring the feeling before he pulled back suddenly...
“Deputy, I- I’m so sorry...”
He shook his head and sat back on his knees, feeling embarrassed.
Deputy
The actions were so sudden and it ended so quickly that you hardly had chance to react. He moved away and apologised and your heart was going wild.. unsure how to feel. You couldn’t deny that you’ve wanted this..
“Don’t apologise Joseph... I’m sure that would have been your reaction to what I was going to say anyways..”
You smiled at the prophet in-front of you before reaching your hands out and grasping his, rubbing your thumb across the dry, scarred skin.
“For some time.. I have been thinking about everything here. From the moment I came to Hope County I was told I had to do this... do that... Follow orders. I had to... I had to protect the resistance. I had to kill cult members...”
You lowered your head and let go of Josephs hands.
“I never wanted to... I was made to.. If I didn’t I would have been killed by both sides. I have thought long and hard about what i’m going to say. Please don’t overreact, don’t preach to me...I need a bit of time... my choice comes with some conditions.... but they’re fair...”
Your heart was thudding out your ears
“Yes...”
You muttered, hoping he’ll understand but the puzzled look on his face said otherwise.
“Yes... I will atone... I will join you. I will join Edens Gate... but I have requests..”
You looked into his eyes, wide and blue. It was terrifying.
He didn’t hear you right. He must have been wrong... His eyes shot open but his mind couldn’t confirm what you said.
‘Yes...’ the rest was muffled out ‘i will join Edens Gate....’
“I’m sorry, Deputy... I think I heard you wrong.”
He quickly stood and took a few steps away from her, his mind whirling.
“I said.”
You cleared your throat,
“Yes.... I will atone... BUT.”
You looked at him sternly,
“I have conditions Jose-“
You were cut off as a loud squeak left you. Joseph had almost tackled you out of the wheelchair in a hug. He squeezed you tightly and you gasped
“J-Joseph... Can’t breathe... My injuries...”
You wheezed out, the world becoming dizzy around you. That’ll be one way to go... After your helicopter crash, your trials, being blew up. You were hugged to death by Joseph Seed.
A new beginning —— addition added 16.06.2021
A few moments passed and you will still crushed in Josephs tight embrace. You wanted to pull away, your injuries making you silently scream. You had to push him away eventually as the pain made you see double.
“Oh Deputy, you don’t know how much this means to me!”
He stood excitedly, if he had to walk away now you were pretty sure he would do a skip. His expression changed when he thought about your words
“Conditions? What is it you’re asking?”
Joseph walked around you, wheeling you back to the bed and guiding you to sit down. He took the stool he had placed beside your bed weeks earlier to guide you in your recovery.
You felt relief as he let go, even more so as you finally got out of that damn wheelchair.
“My conditions are not extreme, but they mean a lot to me. If you don’t accept them, we can compromise… but if you reject them fully I will walk away and never return. I will leave you and your family alone and will leave hope county. Never to speak a word of what happened”
You spoke from your heart. You couldn’t stay here if it didn’t work out. You just couldn’t fight anymore
His eyes showed the pain or your words. He didn’t want you to leave clearly, but it was a choice he had to make.
“Okay… what are your conditions.”
He spoke quietly, almost as if he was nervous for your requests.
You shuffled back onto the bed letting out a gasp as your injuries keep liking to make themselves known.
“Okay…
Number 1. I want to be the peace keeper. I don’t want to take a side fully. I will be a member of Edens Gate, but I will work with the other side and keep them calm.
Number 2. I’m not… religious, Joseph. I never have been and I never will be. I do not want to be pressured into taking in the word of god… I am joining Edens Gate for you… your words. Your passion and your goal. I have read the book of joseph. Its what made me question everything….
Number 3. I will fight for Edens Gate. Protect you and its people… but I will not support attacks on the people of Hope county or its land… i can’t see my friends die… I…”
You whimpered as your eyes began to well up. You couldn’t take the fighting.
Josephs had quickly took yours, using his thumb to wipe away the tears in your eyes.
“It’s okay…. Continue my angel”
You smiled at the comfort he gave you. It made your heart swell.
“N-number 4. I am here to help you and your brothers in any way needed… I can scout, I can do a lot of things. My skills are valuable for all of you. I can help train people to fight..
“Last but not least….”
Your heart pounded at this one. Its something your mind and heart had fought over for a long time. You knew it had to be said. If it led to rejection, you would still work with him. On the condition all terms were met.
“Number 5…. When I say I am giving myself to Edens Gate…”
You took a shaky breath, his hand still in yours. You shuffled back to the edge of the bed, still holding his hand as you painfully knelt on the floor in front of him. You pushed away his attempts to help and stop you. This was important.
His expression was one of worry and confusion. You were knelt before him despite your obvious pain. His hand squeezed yours the entire time as you gritted your teeth. Looking up into his beautiful eyes you finally admitted
“I am giving myself to you… heart, body and soul.. I can no longer deny the feelings building up for you, Joseph. I will not share you, and I will not be shared. It is something I’ve struggled to accept for some time and I need to get it off my chest. This is the only condition that i’ll accept rejection on… I will still work with Edens Gate no matter the decision.”
Your heart was beating a million times a second. Joseph simply stared at you, his mouth slightly open and his eyes wide. You felt a sting in your chest, causing you to look away but as soon as you did, his hand moved from your own and turned your face to him. His eyes had changed from shock to a softer expression.
Without further notice, he leaned forward and captured your lips in his. The kiss was soft but demanding, your hands came up to hold his wrists as he supported your face.
You’re glad you were on the floor or else you were pretty sure you would have collapsed.
He pulled away without a word, the sweet sound of your lips parting filled the room and his forehead pressed against yours with affection.
“I accept all of your conditions, my angel”
He purred softly,
“No compromises needed.”
Joseph moved and kissed your forehead
“My Peacekeeper”
He moved to kiss your cheek
“My salvation”
He moved to the other, the kiss lasting longer
“My gift”
He kisses your lips with passion, his tongue slipping past your lips.
How sinful.
As he parted he let out a happy noise
“Mine”
He said with confidence, a slight possessive tone which made your heart skip a beat.
“Yours, Joseph. For as long as you’ll have me….”
You said in a soft squeak, nervous but your heart full of love and acceptance.