Chapter Text
As soon as the helicopter had landed you got a strange feeling about this place. Something drew you towards the church as you followes your team. The people watching you look both terrified and terrifying, yet you wanted to know more about their fear. The doors to the church almost echoed your name as Whitehorse opened them slowly. The dimly lit church was mysterious and intriguing. If the situation was different you were sure you would be looking at every inch of the building.
You hadn’t missed the 3 others standing around the church… but from the moment your eyes met the so called prophets, you knew there was something different to him. When you were told to cuff him… you felt a strange pain in your chest as his hands reached towards you. You wanted to take his hands and listen to his story… but you were following orders. Always following orders.
“I’m sorry”
You whispered to him as you tightened the metal around his wrists, his head tilting at your words.
The moment your gloved hand touched his shoulder he felt the electricity between you both.
He knew you were special. He knew you were his.
———————
Months of working against Edens Gate had left you exhausted. Bruised. Beaten. Broken… You felt like you had barely recovered from the helicopter crash when you were pushed to fight more. Although you had gained a lot of scars in the months you arrived, you had also gained a lot of friends.
Being a loner for most of your life before you arrived in the deputies department, you struggled to make friends but finding people with the same fire and drive as you helped.
Every Peggie killed, every silo blown up, every outpost liberated weighed heavily on your mind. The thoughts of the blue eyed prophet had clouded your judgement and taken over your mind more times than you’d care to admit.
There were nights where you’d lie awake, wanting to go back to the compound to confront him alone. To speak to him privately about everything… You decided it wasn’t good for either side to do so.
In the heat of this war you had found yourself becoming more and more bone tired. Although you’d crash from place to place. Abandoned buildings, your truck, Falls end.. hell even under the stars on most nights. You needed somewhere a little more permanent This was when you had found a small cabin hidden just as you crossed into the whitetail mountains, Right near the mountain ridge. Nice and out of the way, only accessible by foot. It was perfect. You discovered it one day whilst injured. One of Jacobs damn judges got a nice chunk from your leg and your adrenaline had allowed you to run.
You didn’t know if there was a god, but something led you into the direction of the Cabin that day.
The small wooden hone wasn’t as clean as you’d hoped, clearly visited by both sides fighting for hope county. The time after your recovered was spent cleaning the mess. You removed crates, burned the broken furniture and swept the dirt out. Making it liveable for yourself and anyone you invited back. This would make a perfect home. Temporarily or not.
The Cabin consisted of a joined kitchen-living area, a small bedroom with a broken bed (luckily being as handy as you were you were able to fixed it) and a small bathroom with a shower. It wasn’t luxury, but it was enough.
You noticed the amount of bolts and chains on the doors, enough keep even Jacob Seed out so you knew it was safe. The blood that had dried into the wooden floor clearly meant it didn’t keep the previous occupants safe… but you weren’t just anyone. Organising the cabin was a blast, allowing you to leave ammo and food here when you went on your journeys. It was always a place you could come back to and relax.
Weeks passed with the cabin being your hiding spot and no one had come to investigate so far. You’d hide here when you were being hunted by the Seed brothers, when you were being demanded and ordered around by the resistance… you’d definitely been taking more breaks from freedom fighting than you should have, but you had a home to come back to.
You were bone tired as you reached the cabin on a warm evening, looking around to make sure you were not followed after taking back the F.A.N.G Centre. As you went to unlocked the door, confusion set in. It was already unlocked? You did leave in a hurry, maybe you forgot.
Shrugging it off you entered, kicking your boots off by the door and dropping your bag. With a stretch you turned on the light. Your eyes were heavy from exhaustion as you walked through the living area, running your hand over the armchair as you passed it. With a yawn, you opened the small fridge and pulling out a bottle of water.
A small laugh caused you to freeze on the spot. For the first time ever you didn’t know what to do. Your weapons were by the door and your bones were weary.
“Don’t be alarmed, my child.”
Your shoulders dropped from their tense position as the ever so familiar voice of the infamous cult leader filled your living room.
“I didn’t mean to scare you. I just found it amusing that the ever so vigilant Deputy didn’t notice me”
He chuckled again, watching you from his position.
“Fucking hell, Joseph.”
You turned and glanced at the prophet who seemed to be making himself at home on your couch. His legs crossed over one another as he was leaned back, his arms resting on the back of the small checked couch. Your hand went over the gun on your hip just incase..
“I’m not in the mood to fight.” You shakily breathed out before letting the grip on your handgun falter. You were far to bone tired to start a fight with him. “Since you’ve made yourself comfortable, would you like something to drink? I only have water right now.”
“Water is fine”
He said camly, moving from his position ready to take it. He seemed to let his shoulders relax as you moved away from your gun.
Kicking the fridge closed, you headed over, holding the cool bottle out to him. He took it with a nod
“Thank you, my child”
He watched as you sat on the armchair opposite him the cold bottle feeling nice between his hands
“How’d you find me then? I thought this place was hidden well enough considering no one has been near here in month”
“I don’t miss things, Deputy. Especially so close to my compound. At first I thought someone new had moved into the area but after spotting you heading in one day I decided to leave it. When you continued to return, I knew god had kept you close to me.”
You forgot how close you were… a mile down the road and over the bridge sat Josephs compound. Hiding under the enemies nose clearly didn’t work. Maybe you should have just stayed at Dutchs Bunker.
“Well I don’t want to fight, and you aren’t going to convert me to god suddenly… so what are you here for?”
He chuckled and opened the bottle, taking a big mouth full. He seemed to enjoy the cold feel of the water in the hot Montana evening. You didn’t miss the bead of water travelling down his throat.
“Curiosity more than anything… I wanted to see what kept bringing your back. I had seen you entering the area often, but I will say I did fear for my life when you entered through the door, tonight but even the Deputy’s wrath can be subdued it seems”
You chuckled.
“When i’ve had a long week the last thing I want to do is kill the leader of the local cult in my clean home. You’re welcome to stay as long as you’re civil, Joseph.”
You watched the man carefully. Every encounter with him so far had been interesting… intimate.. he seemed to know what was going through your mind each time he saw you. The day he pressed his forehead to yours when John had attempted to cleanse you, your soul had changed. You wanted to know more about him. The nights you thought of talking to him one on one seemed to have paid off.
“So calm… Wrath really is subdued tonight. I didn’t plan to stay, but if I am welcome. I will.”
He paused and smiled
“Maybe I can get to know you?”
He said suggestively, the tone throwing you off slightly. Was he flirting with you? It almost made you laugh out loud. A slight blush creeping on your face.
“Well, well.”
You smirked and crossed your legs on the armchair.
“Not many people want to know the life behind the mysterious Deputy… I’m flattered you want to know. So,”
You took a mouthful of your water and sighed, leaning back.
“What would you like to know….”
A smile grew across Josephs face. He too had hoped to get you alone to learn more. God works in mysterious ways.
You both talked until the early hours of the morning. You had got to know the prophet a little more and his ways, and he’d gotten to know far too much about you. Over sharing was always a flaw of yours but you hadn’t had anyone interested in you or the person behind the badge since arriving. Even though Joseph was technically the enemy, you felt comfortable with him.
Looking at the time you almost gasped. “It’s almost 5am… we’ve been talking all night…”
You laughed to yourself, your eyes were heavy but your soul was at peace.
“Really?”
He seemed lost in thought for a moment before he reached into his jacket and pulled out a book.
“I learned a lot about you tonight, sweet Deputy. I think its only fair you learn about me…”
Joseph held the book out to you… you were hesitant to take it but the look on his face was pleading with you. You looked across the table at the book. The book of Joseph… something you’d come across many times on your travels but avoided.
Your heart was hammering as you leaned forward and took the book carefully. The cover was worn and loved. The feel of the leather was smoothed down by years of being held… there were pages folded and notes staples to each page. This was his personal copy of his book.
“Joseph… this is…”
You looked at him. His expression was soft? Loving? He was looking at you with such admiration as he had practically handed you his entire world. His lifes work.
“I will read it… and look after it..”
Joseph nodded and looked out the window to see the sun rising…
”I do have one more question for you before I leave, Deputy”
Joseph stood, adjusting his jacket and stretching from the long night. He picked up the empty water bottles and packets of snacks you’d had, placing them in the kitchens bin. You nodded a thank you as he cleared away for you, watching him the entire time before you finally stood. His heart was full as he had got to speak to you properly for the first time since you arrived.
“Hmm? Surely you know everything about me now?”
You looked cursory as he strolled to the door, turning to you as you follow, almost bumping into him. You looked up him and down as you suddenly stopped… You were dressed in nothing but a vest, having removed your red checked over shirt during the night, your ripped skinny jeans and a pair of fuzzy socks whilst he was dressed head to toe in a fine suit. You felt very underdressed.
“Whats your name… your real name. I have heard you be called by many names, mostly Rook. But I don’t think thats who you are…”
He purred out curiously.
Your real name… nobody had asked you your name since you started. It made your heart beat hard.
“Ah, well you see… I don’t trust just anyone with my name, Joseph. You’ll have to earn it..”
You winked before opening the door for him.
He exited the cabin, turning only his head as he stepped out onto the dusty track.
“Then earn it I will. Have a good rest, Deputy.”
He spoke with a tone that sent shivers down your spine.
“You too, Joseph”
You closed and locked the door behind you.
You looked down at the book in your hand and headed to your room. Placing the book carefully on your nightstand you collapsed onto the bed.
What a night.
Waking up mid afternoon feeling just as tired as you did before,Your body ached and your mind was fuzzy. You started to wonder if last night even happened or you dreamed it.
You knew that the more you hid away in your sanctuary, the more people would demand of you. Dragging yourself to the bathroom you splashed your face to try wake yourself up. As the water dripped from your face you started to recall the conversation last night. You’d opened yourself up to Joseph and in turn, damnation. You lifted your head and looked back at the door before sprinting back to the bedroom…. Yep. On your beside sat the book… If he knew that much about you, it was only fair you read up on him.
You headed to the kitchen and prepared some food, grabbing some water and heading back to the comfort of your bed. You’d taken to gathering cushions on your travels to make yourself a little nest on your bed. You pulled the radio from your bag and turned it off. If you were going to read this thing you were going to do it in peace. Hope county could survive without you for one day.
You settled down and carefully opened the book.