Chapter Text
Not only a few more days later, Cooper’s lying in bed. He'd just got done eating some soup and cleaning his stitches when the door to his bedroom opens and what he sees is a sight for sore eyes. The massive form of the Judge just waltz into his room. Silent as usual, just barely creeping open the door to see if he's awake, then swinging it open the rest of the way to come in.
The smile that lights up Cooper’s handsome face is precious. Surprise written all over it and smiling so hard he's showing teeth. The Judge stopped at the foot of his bed, not wanting to intrude on his personal space unless told to do so.
Those blue eyes look up and down the leather clad man, then settle on the white mask. “Judge! You are a sight for sore eyes!” He says enthusiastically. “Come here big guy, have a seat.”
The Judge does as he's told and sits in the chair directly beside his bed. The Judge is frustrated. He's always frustrated. He can't speak. He can't express anything. No one can see his face, no one will ever hear his voice except for his constant grunts and growls. It pisses him off to no extent, sometimes he's in a constant state of irritation due to this. The only thing he can do is accept it.
So then begins the guessing games. Really the Captain is the one who has adapted to the Judge. He asks questions until he gets a grunt that sounds like an affirmative. He's very patient, the Judge accepts it because this is the closest way they’ll be able to have a normal conversation.
“So,” The Captain begins, sitting up more in the bed. He's shirtless and bandages wrap around his forearm and abdomen. “Obviously you saved my ass. The ride back was pretty fuzzy, but I woke up and you just weren't anywhere to be seen. Where'd you go?” He says it and looks at the Judge like he expects him to answer. Then he asks, “Did you go back to Joseph?”
The Judge leans on the back of the chair, still sitting straight up, legs apart, and his arms crossed loosely. He nods a yes to both the statement about saving him and confirming he did go back to Joseph for some time.
“How come you left?” Already, that is a question the Judge knew Cooper wouldn't guess. But the Judge sees the curiosity in this ocean colored irises staring back at him.
It's odd to see how much they've actually bonded even though the Judge can't speak. Really it's mostly because the Captain talks way too much, so he makes it up for the both of them. He's an extrovert, outgoing too; likes to express himself. The Judge wasn't exactly that, but he wasn't like he is now. Even then, Cooper isn't really the type of guy he'd intentionally hangout with. He's always been a lone wolf so to speak, but he still had an extravagant personality that had Joseph, John, and Jacob spinning their heads a whole 360.
In another world, he'd be the one to tease Cooper. Try his nerves a little, mess with his head in a flirtatious and obscene way maybe. Of course, things have changed. Not only did the Seeds and the situation at Hope County change him but what really did him in was all those years spent with Joseph. He successfully broke him, he's not proud of it. Ashamed really. He's ashamed of what happened, what Joseph did to him.
The Judge only has a connection to a few people here in Hope county and almost all of them don't know what or who he is. They don't know that their beloved Deputy is the Judge now. They speak about him like he's not here, to them he's not. His old self is hardly there anyway, he hasn't lost it, just suppressed it under a copious amount of traumatic events and experiences. He's still terrified to listen to the radio. Terrified to hear that song and have something go terribly wrong with the people he worked to protect so many years ago and is still helping protect with the Captain today.
The Captain is the new Deputy. The old Deputy is the Judge now. The pieces have fallen and there's not much else to do but help where he can. He's helping by doing all that he can for the people around him; working side by side with Cooper. The handsome, blue eyed devil is young, twenty three perhaps. How he got so high in the chain of his profession is a mystery to him but he's got some prowess.
The Judge used to be young once. He was twenty two when he was the deputy, as the Judge he's fucking thirty nine. Good lord, it really gets him when he thinks about it. So he stops thinking about it, focuses all his attention on the man he saved.
Then the Judge shakes his head, answering the blonde's previous question. He doesn't want to get into that. He left for a multitude of reasons. He left because he didn't want to be there if the Captain didn't make it. He left to repent. He left to be alone. He left to think. It's too complicated for the Captain to understand even if he could tell him.
The Cap’s face fell, not really in a negative way, just curious. “To hard to explain? Don't think I’ll guess it?”
He nods back to him. Then Cooper smiles, “Man, I don't mean to get all sappy, but I was really pissed off when you weren't here for two damn weeks.”
Under the mask the Judge can't help but furrow his brows. This guy, he makes him want to rub his temples and take a deep breath. Sometimes the Cap gave him a headache, but he gets where he's coming from; Cooper missed him.
“I had everyone coming in to see me, except you. I kept asking for you too.” Cooper chuckles. “Apparently you were MIA.”
The Judge can't stop looking at him, obviously neither can Cooper. He's unabashedly staring into the empty sockets of his mask, trying to see something. Even though he won't find anything, the action is appreciated. The Judge can stare all he wants due to the mask. He stops himself from staring too often simply because he thinks it's weird.
Even though he has restraint, he's not blind, Joseph didn't fuck him up enough to suppress his sexual or emotional urges. Well not enough anyway. He's definitely attracted to the Captain, but it's none of his business to take it that route. It's mind boggling to think the Cap has any type of special connection with him. Yeah, they have camaraderie, but the Judge didn't think it's going any farther than that, at least on the blonde's part.
McCloud stops smiling at him and grabs a small journal of the bedside table. He starts flipping through a few pages. “I've been drawing. Have to stimulate my mind some-fucking-how being in here all day.”
The Judge leans in a little closer to get a look and the blonde stops at a few pages. He's not a bad drawer, a lot of the works are more sketchy than polished. Still pretty good nonetheless. There's some of deers, cougars, other animals, and plants. Then there's some of the people he's seen around camp. The Judge puts his gloved finger to the paper when he sees a drawing of Sharky.
“Okay, I wasn't being weird. I've been asking people if I can sketch them. This is consensual I swear.” The Cap laughs whole heartedly. “Plus the guy's got a nice beard, am I right?”
The Judge agrees about the beard statement by nodding. A light tug of a smile has the corner of his lips peeking up behind his mask. Sharky really gave him a bunch of good laughs. A lot of them did. In a way he's glad he could be around them again. Work close to them and make sure they're all okay.
“I've got a few of you too big guy, wanna see?” McCloud wears a continuous smile, excited to see him the Judge guesses. Maybe he just likes showing people his art. Why can't it be both?
So, of course he wants to see, the Judge grunts and looks up to the blonde. These better be good. He flips through a few pages again. Some are blank, he's that guy who’ll write or draw on a few then skip some pages. Rinse and repeat. Finally he finds them.
The first one is a bit sketchier than the others. He's just standing tall, just a broad form with his arms crossed. He doesn't let him look at it too long before he turns the page, this one’s of the Judge from the hips up nocking an arrow. It's more detailed. He does the stitching of the leather, the fur of his shoulder pads, the lines and notches in his mask. His bow isn't exactly identical, looks more like a regular bow and arrow, but it's still impressive.
The Judge grunts in approval and Cooper laughs. “I know, they're pretty good.” Cocky bastard.
When his laughter dies down, he just looks at the Judge and lets it all spill. “Why do you wear that mask all the time? Why can't you talk? Who are you? What's your name?” He asks the questions softly, slightly whiney, but still not to overzealous. “I know obviously you can't answer, but–damn–I'd like to know. You know?”
The Judge nods, almost depressingly so. Then the blonde hums thoughtfully. “Can you write?”
The Judge nods once again. Of course he can write, but whether or not he willing to give Cooper too much information will depend on how generous he's feeling today. Of course he has things I'd like to say, but he just doesn't even want to go down that route. It just pisses him off and reminds him of what Joseph did to him.
He sets him a blank page and a pencil on the bed next to him. “You don't have to say much if you don't want to. I just–“ he hesitates. “I guess something's better than nothing.”
Contemplating, the Judge forces himself to pick up the pencil and notebook. He tries to make it somewhat legible but it still holds his natural scrawl. He writes, Years ago, I was just like you. I was in the same place with the same responsibilities. It only gets harder before it gets easier. Trust me. You're going to be lucky to get out of this with all your wits. But don't be like me, be better. More importantly, don't END up like me. If I can help it, I won't let you. Stay watchful. I don't want to disclose much, but Joseph did fucked up things to me all those years I spent with him in that bunker. All of the seeds did. One is the reason I cannot speak. I'm sure you can figure the rest out on your own.
After a few minutes he hands it back. The Judge watches McCloud process the words written there, he's really thinking about it. He can see the gears turning, trying to figure out who exactly he could be. Then the the blonde looks at him. It's bordering on the edge of pity, but more like astonishment.
“I'm sorry you had to spend so much ti–“ Before he could get out the rest of his sentence a large hand clamps down on his mouth. Four of the Judges fingers on his left cheek and a thumb on the other, effectively shutting his ass up.
The Judge holds tight to his face, watching those eyes with dirty blonde lashes blink back at him. He shakes his head slowly at Cooper, almost as if he is chastising a child. The Judge doesn't want to hear that sorry bullshit, there was no other way it'd play out with the decisions he'd made. He's suppressed his inner self for so many years with so many different methods of teachings and tortures. He doesn't want to hear those words come out of his mouth. It just brings a fury that electrocutes him like he's been struck by lightening, it's better to leave it buried.
Then the Judge leans in closer and shakes his head again, just as sloth like. They're only about five inches apart and he can see McCloud’s mind racing. After a few seconds of staring to get his point across, he softly takes his hand off the others face and leans back in his chair. Cooper visibly looks astonished, staring straight back into the bone white of his mask.
It's the Judges turn to raise his brows. He watches McCloud come down from his surprise and unabashedly look the Judge up and down. He had a borderline stupid facial expression so he assumes Coops doing it as some kind of joke, but it's a little too promising for the Judge. He sees McCloud’s eyes start at his legs and up his muscled thighs. Judge knows those cerulean eyes take in the form of his bulge through his stitched leather pants. He can recognize the sudden want in the blonde's face and body language.
The Judge is interested now. He leans forward, elbows on his knees and empty eyes staring back. McCloud followed his thick arms up to his broad shoulders. In this moment Cooper McCloud decides that he wouldn't be opposed to having a piece of the Judge for himself. Of course he won't disclose such information to the man himself, but what's wrong with a man day dreaming?
A few seconds after the Judge leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees and the the blonde's eyes settled on the mask again. The total time he stared at him had to have only been five seconds but it felt way longer for the both of them. This time McCloud panicked a little, yeah it was a bit of a joke but he actually just gave the Judge, the one that ‘speaks words only of violence’, the sex eyes. Now he's having anxiety.
McCloud chuckles, more modest now, he looks away for a fraction of a second, feeling the intense gaze on him. “It's all good, I get why you don't want me to say that shit.”
Not only did McCloud open a can of worms with the Judge with that look he just gave him. Cooper gave the Judge a certain suspiciousness, or maybe a hopefulness. Cooper on the other hand feels put on the spot with that torturous empty gaze.
Since the Judge couldn't talk to break such a stifling silence, Coop did the honors for him. “Hey bud,” he starts with a light smile. The Judge tips his chin up to him and the Cap continues. “you want to help a friend walk outside for a little while? It's too fucking stuffy in here.” Or maybe that's just their heated sexual tension. Cooper isn't sure. Or maybe it's just him feeling some type of way.
Thankfully, the Judge nods and moves to stand up and Coop murmurs a “Thanks.” As he throws the blankets off and stiffly moves to the edge of the bed.
His bandages are spotted with old, rusty blood. He winces when he flexes his abdomen to sit all the way up and continue to support himself. Cooper at least has a pair of khaki shorts on so he won't have to have the poor Judge help him put pants on.
Once he finally makes it to the edge of the bed the Judge is standing but a foot away in front of him, head cocked like he doesn't believe that Coop is well enough to even be out of bed. Coop eyes the mask, “Whatever you're thinking, I'm fine. I can do this. You just need to help me get up.” He breathes.
The Judge shakes his head like ‘Oh well’ and hands him his own open palm for the blonde to take. He takes it with his right hand, his good arm, and squeezes like his life depends on it. The taller man pulls him up slowly while lying a leathered hand on his back. They're chests almost touch, but they're not quite close enough for such friction as Judge steps back a few inches to give him some room.
It's not like his legs are injured, but it still hurts to walk. He gets migraines when he gets up too fast and sometimes keeps them until he lays back down. Not just that, but since he got stabbed a few times in the side he’s been a little too stiff and inflexible for his liking. Stretching will only tear his stitches so he doesn't even get to enjoy that.
While he's stabilizing himself with a hand gripping the furred shoulder of his partner he slips on a pair of beach sandals, they're definitely made for a more feminine touch. With a white background and pink and purple pineapples all over some would be embarrassed to wear. Fuck that, Cooper strutted his ass in these sandals for over a week now, it didn't bother him. So, he begins in the direction of the door. Keeps his left arm limp at his side, it feels heavy and painful. He's trying to use it as little as possible.
Once he escapes the room, he lets go of his savior’s shoulder and walks at a slow pace with the other merely one step behind. Kim isn't in her usual spot at the desk so he goes on outside. Not bothering to pay attention to anyone else.
The moment he steps into the sun he sighs. “God, this is nice.” It's a beautiful day, the rays are shining onto Prosperity. I looks breathtaking and just so incredibly worth it.
His partner comes to lean against the steps just in front of the enormous house. Just watching as usual. That's all he can do. He feels something deep in his gut when he's watching the sun bounce off those seductive blue eyes, the shine of his blonde hair too. His toned body, not as big as his but still just as stunning. Then he sees Coopers face fall. He seems nervous all of a sudden, so he gets up to remedy the problem.
Pressing up beside him, not too close, but still not far enough, he smooths a hand over his upper back just to let him know he was there and quickly removes it. The blonde gleams a nervous smile that says trouble. “If Carmina sees me–“
“Mr. McCloud!” Sounds a females shrill voice and they both cringe. Cooper cringes more because he knows he's in trouble. “What're you doing out here?” It's Kim this time. That's not all that better.
She almost stomps over to the couple and her brows are furrowed, her face is in a frown too, she means business. “Or Kim...” he sighs. “Her too.”
She's about to rip McCloud a new one when she finally realizes that the Judge has returned. “Oh, well look at you two.” She says more cheerful then her previous statement, mood completely switching for a second. “I'm glad you're back.” She smiles at the Judge and he grunts back. “Now, why is this fine gentleman outside then?”
The Judge snaps his head in Coopers direction. A look that basically said ‘You're not allowed out here and you took advantage of me not being here by convincing me to help you outside’ The blonde laughs again and shrugs. “I just wanted to see the damn sun, is that so bad? He won't let me get hurt.”
The Judge almost shivers at those words. He already did. He wasn't able to save him from the first time and that's why they're in this situation in the first place. They're set miles back from where they should be right now in their plan to end the twins rein over Hope county. The Judge shakes his head at his own thoughts. He almost feels like he needs a quiet place to repent again.
When a hand slapping onto his shoulder snaps him out of his thoughts he jumps a little. It's just Cooper trying to snake his way out of getting yelled. “Come on. The sun is good for the body and mind. I need some outside time.” After about ten minutes of them going back and forth she finally relents.
Then a polished fingernail pokes itself into his chest. “You, could you please follow him around. Keep him on a tight leash please?”
The Judge nods and growls back at her. Of course, that's what he is doing anyway. Then she walks off back into their headquarters. The Judge looks over at the blonde, already putting the conversation in the back of his mind and soaking up the sun again.
“Help me find a beach chair big guy, I know we got one around here somewhere.” The Judge sighs and boy was that a mistake, cause Coop hears it and freezes before looking back at him.
“That's the most normal sound I've ever heard you make. Not in a rude way,” he stumbles, he doesn't want to offend him. “you know, I just uhh– I like it.” Then he squints his eyes and furrows his brows. “I mean, not like that. I just-“
The Judge waves him off with a shake of his head and starts gently pushing him off in a direction to look for a beach chair. Or any chair for that matter.