Archive of Our Own

Since Cooper had come back from The Black Lodge, strange occurrences had followed him. Nothing dangerous, but odd.

Harry had seen a few instances of this since then; lights flickering, doors slamming, and other standard paranormal themes. He had never had the special touch that Sarah Palmer or the Log Lady had with these things, but sometimes when people around him were affected, Harry was as well.

The first time he noticed it was when Agent Cooper, now Deputy Cooper, had started working at the station again. They had been working closely together on yet another drug smuggling ring that passed through Twin Peaks. Back in the swing of things, planning drug busts late into the night, everything started normal.

Cooper had maybe one too many cups of coffee for how late it actually was and had been planning excitedly on the blackboard. His speech was fast and nearly impossible to keep up with, but Harry just watched.

Gesturing wildly while explaining his plan to cut off the convoy in traffic, Harry was reminded how well and truly gone he was for Dale Cooper. It had been a while since Coop had first arrived and the whole of Twin Peaks was changed forever, but the Sheriff got butterflies like he did then all the same.

It wasn't that he didn't want more from Cooper, it was that Harry wanted too much. It hadn't been easy coming to terms with being in love with a man, but he had dealt with it internally. He was in love with Dale, but in order to keep their friendship and his life intact, it would stay internal.

So he just watched, then sorted through emotions and needs on his own time. Harry grinned watching Cooper drawing on the board. The smaller man had gotten chalk dust all over his flannel button up and on his cheek.

The lights in the hall flashed, but they often did. Cooper shifted to the next part of his needlessly detailed plan. “Then once everyone is on the side of the road, you and I- assuming you want to join-”

“Of course, Coop.”

“Excellent.” The former agent smiled that wide grin that made Harry melt. Cooper, turning to continue again in earnest, gave his signature thumbs up.

Suddenly, Harry felt his nerves light up. He could follow the sensation of electricity moving through his nervous system, making the hair on his arms and neck stand up, and coincidentally he jolted up out of his seat too.

Dale looked surprised and was grabbing his hand as if he had hurt himself. Harry felt disoriented and leaned against the table for support. Cooper moved towards him, concern painting his face.

“Harry, are you alright?”

Harry wasn't quite sure. He felt fine now, but his fingers still tingled. “I think so? What was that?”

“I am not entirely sure.” Cooper said pensively. “My hand was shocked.”

“That felt like a super-charged static shock.”

Cooper stepped closer again and touched a single digit to Harry's bare arm. The shock was small and not the same as whatever they had just experienced.

Harry jumped when it happened and Cooper grasped him quickly by the upper arms. He still looked so intense. “Sorry, Sheriff.”

Harry's mouth felt dry. “It was nothing, I'm fine.”

They got back to work and the weird experience left their minds shortly after.

In hindsight the shock in the conference room was not the first time they had a strange encounter. It was the first time Harry had made a mental note of it.

Since then it had happened again at the diner when Cooper had been talking about a flock of birds he had seen. Then once more on the dock they were fishing on as Cooper had thanked Harry profusely for inviting him.

Maybe Harry should have been more concerned about this, but in all honesty he had let it slip his mind. But after what had happened on their hiking trip earlier today, he didn't think he could ignore these occurrences any longer.

Cooper had wanted to hike a nearby trail to see a view from atop a waterfall. They made the trek deep through the thick woods and made their way along the river. Eventually they made it to their destination and made themselves comfortable at an overlook.

The view was incredible. Harry had been here before, but it had been years. The hike was on a poorly upkept trail, not long but a bit overgrown. He was glad they did it though, and Cooper was a good companion on the trail.

The overlook they stopped at had a few rotting posts and some large stones for seating. The waterfall dropped and opened into a great, green valley below where a small lake held water and wildlife beneath.

Dale loved it. He continuously pointed out birds as they swooped by. The wind sipped by tussling his greased hair. It looks a little silly, a thick strand dislodged perpendicular to his head, but the look made him endearing.

Harry just took in the surroundings. Air fresh and rushing water beside him with Dale chattering nearby. It was peaceful. He closed his eyes and just existed.

When he opened his eyes again, Harry realized he had dozed off. He sat up and stretched his back, the rocks were not great for naps. Not too much time could've passed because the sun was still relatively close to where it was when they got there. Coop was carefully peering below to the lake.

A foot scraped nearby, Harry hadn't realized someone else was at the overlook with them. Cooper must have heard it too because he turned around to check back on Harry.

As if out of thin air, a pale silhouette stood directly in front of Cooper. He looked taken aback by the closeness, or perhaps the appearance entirely, of the phantom, but made no move.

The ghost raised an arm and stuck its fist through Dale's head, slightly above the eyes. And as quickly as it had appeared, it walked straight through Coop and through the fence. Vanishing into the spray of the waterfall, it was gone.

Harry stared at the spot where the person walked off the overlook. The gears in his brain turned with little success at understanding what had actually just happened. His heart was pounding though.

“Harry, did you just see that?” Cooper asked, dazed as well.

Harry didn't respond verbally, but felt his head nod for him. Cooper took several large strides over to stand right in front of him.

A hand firmly held Harry's shoulder. Dale's voice broke through again. “Harry, are you alright?”

The Sheriff looked up, Dale looked worried. “I'm fine, just confused. Are you fine? A -a ghost just walked through you I think.”

Relief spread across Coop's face. “Yes, Sheriff, I do think something like that just occured. I am fine. I do wish contact could have been held longer.”

Harry couldn't help but just stare at Cooper. Only he would have wanted this spector to stay around for a chat.

“I was simply meditating, attempting to ground myself in this beautiful new place. The waterfall spoke to me Harry, how magnificent is that?”

He wasn't sure how to reply again, it all seemed like it could be an elaborate joke. With Cooper though, anything was possible. Harry croaked, “The waterfall?”

“Precisely! And I believe that silhouette we saw was a physical embodiment of it!” Cooper looked ecstatic. “How incredible. Just when I thought Twin Peaks couldn't improve any more.”

They eventually made their way back down the trail after Coop realized Harry was pretty stunned by what he saw. Their return was in mostly silence until he spoke again.

“Harry, would you tell me what you are thinking? I can tell today's experience has you… concerned.”

His chest felt full and fluttery at the concern for him, but Harry tried to focus on the question. After finding his words, Harry replied.

“I am just confused by what I am seeing. I guess I never put much thought into spiritualism until you came to town. Nothing weird ever happens to me. At least not until-”

Harry stopped mid-sentence, trying to find the right words, but Cooper already knew. “Until you met me.”

It was not a sad statement, nor realization. Part of this was relieving for Harry, as he didn't want to hurt Coop's feelings, but mainly now he wanted to know what Cooper knew that he didn't.

“I do not know exactly what it all is, Harry, but I have had a direct connection with a greater spiritual world for years. It expands and contracts depending on the place or people I am with, Twin Peaks has really brought it out more than I have ever experienced, however.”

At this point they had reached near the start of the trail and were slowing down. The sun was still streaming through the trees, but they only had an hour or so left of daylight.

“I think you knew that in your own way though. It seems like you have not had this connection before though which I could see being cause for nervousness. I am not sure what change has occurred for you to experience this as well, but you will be the first I share with shall I find out.”

They reached Harry's truck and he pulled off his hat, running his hand through his hair. He was tired. From the trail, from the supernatural experience.

“You hungry, Coop?” Harry asked, already knowing the answer.

“I think I have an idea about what is going on, Sheriff.” Dale said one evening in the diner.

Harry, without looking up from the menu, replied. “Yeah, it seems straightforward. Milner's kid is the one hitting mailboxes.”

“No, no, no.” Dale countered. “Not the mailboxes, although I do concur. The strange experiences we keep having together! Or you keep having with me, I guess.”

This caught Harry's attention. They hadn't had another incident since their hike up to the falls, but it had weighed on his mind nonetheless. Harry gestured to proceed.

“I believe I am projecting my experiences onto you. Why you? I don't know for sure, but you said yourself it never happened before you met me.”

“How would that be possible?”

“How is anything possible?”

Harry shrugged in response. He supposed that made as much sense as anything. “Any predictions on why me?”

“I have a few, but they are as incomplete as my theory of projection is.” Coop looked a little distracted. Their conversation lulled off as the food arrived.

Harry turned over the idea of projection in his mind. Like an overhead projector in school, could Dale really be shining into Harry's head. And the physical experiences that came with it, how was that explained.

This was all too advanced for him, and he tried not to dwell on it too much. Harry's mind often did return to the idea that they were linked in some way. It was exciting for him, but he tried not to fuel that excitement too much. It could only end in heartbreak.

Weeks went by and the seasons changed. Harry had planned a camping trip for the two of them. Coop hadn't been camping since he was a teen and Harry couldn't abide by that.

Getting Coop to agree to outdoor excursions was usually very easy, but he showed hesitation at this. Harry asked if there was something wrong but Cooper dodged the question in his masterful way.

In the end, he had agreed to go if only for the weekend trip. Harry was very excited about this, planning to go to his favorite site with a large lake for fishing and a small river for kayaking.

Packing the truck full of equipment, Harry followed his mental checklist. Tacklebox, hiking boots, cooler and food, sleeping bag, blankets, chairs, tent. Tent.

This was another point of contention in their discussions of the trip, whether or not to buy another tent. In the end he decided that only one was needed. If Dale ended up being less nervous about camping, then they could shop for one in the future even though Coop seemed eager to purchase one.

Harry felt warm at the idea of sleeping so close to Cooper, but they each had their own sleeping bags and Harry had camped with friends before. He knew what the difference was with Dale, but he was determined to make sure his coworker and friend didn't know.

On queue, Cooper pulled up to Harry's house and hopped out. The man looked excited and smiled widely. His hair was loose and without product, it looked soft but still managed to sit neat on his head.

“You ready, Coop?” Harry asked, letting his eyes wander a bit.

“As I'll ever be, Harry! Despite my reservations, I am excited for our weekend getaway.”

Harry hauled Cooper's sleeping bag and other items out of his car and into the truck. He couldn't stop himself from grinning at the smile Cooper had on.

They were on the road shortly after and reached the campgrounds two hours after that. It was somewhere Harry had been many times, but not in the past several years.

The site they got was secluded in a clearing of trees but had a small trail to the river nearby. The water rushing could be heard once the truck was flicked off and they shuffled out.

Cooper sucked in a deep breath and said, “Harry, this is just what I needed. Thank you.”

Harry smiled and didn't feel the need to reply. They set up their site and then spent the rest of the daylight fishing. Once the sun set, the two of them wandered back to their camp and cooked the fish they caught for dinner.

Sitting around the fire as the forest grew darker around them, Harry felt at home. Cooper was explaining how incredible the lures the Harry made were, and it made him feel embarrassed at the compliments.

Soon after the day caught up with them. Working a partial day, driving several hours, and fishing had them both tired so it was decided they would get some sleep.

Individually they dressed and prepped for bed. Once they both had crawled into the tent with only a flashlight between them, Harry realized the extent of his miscalculation.

He would be sleeping a foot away from Dale who was in nothing but boxers and a white undershirt while Harry himself was in nothing but the same. He tried not to watch the lean muscles of Coop's legs flex as he crawled into his sleeping bag or the way his neck and shoulders caught the small amount of light they had. This may be torture.

Harry took a deep breath to ground himself but all he could smell was Dale. A deep, clean scent that Harry felt intimately familiar with.

“Night, Harry.” Coop said, yawning. “I look forward to what the day has in store.”

Harry was able to squeak out a goodnight, but laid in his sleeping bag awake for a long while listening to crickets chirp and the deep breathing of his love next to him.

Blackness all around combined with the crushing pressure of the surrounding air gave Harry reason to be scared. He couldn't see anything or feel anything, other than the sensation of space closing around him.

Harry tried to take a breath, but nothing seemed like enough. He felt up to his throat and face to see what was restricting airflow, but nothing was there.

Fading away into red, Harry could breathe normally again. That wasn't the end of his problems though, a heavy weight sat on his chest. With newfound vision, Harry couldn't see anything on him but he couldn't move from the floor of this red room.

He wasn't sure how long he laid like that, time passed strangely. A clock ticked loudly from somewhere but it was inconsistent and invisible.

After some time, Harry became aware again. The ticking was still going but there was someone curled up in the corner of the red room now. They were in a tattered white shirt and black pants in the fetal position.

He tried to speak but nothing but garbled noises came out. The figure in the corner perked to life and peered through beaten hands. It was… Cooper?

“Oh my god.” He scrambled up and moved as quickly as he could to Harry. Coop was clearly injured, bleeding and bruising.

Harry tried to speak again, but still no coherent words came out. Bubbly noises instead of his questions.

Cooper shushed him and pulled Harry into his lap. The movement hurt, but Harry wasn't sure why. He was still unable to move, this time as if his limbs weighed tons.

“Don't speak, Harry.” Cooper's voice was hoarse and broken, but he was still more concerned with Harry. His warm hand came up and cradled The Sheriff's head. “Don't move. Don't- you'll make it worse.”

Make what worse? Harry could not figure out what was going on. Before he could attempt to speak again, another person was in his peripherals.

A second cooper, this one clean and put together, moved towards them deliberately. He was in all ways identical to Dale, but was so obviously not him. A wild smile stretched across his face in a painful looking way and a dark reflection in his eyes.

“Stop!” The Coop holding him cried out. It was a horrible noise, desperate and terrified. He was holding onto Harry so tight it was hurting him.

The doppelganger lunged at them. Harry woke up with a start.

He was drenched in sweat and breathing heavily. The tent was dark, but the noises outside indicated it was very early morning. Beside him was a murmuring; soft noises from Cooper that sounded like whimpers.

Harry grabbed around for his flashlight or his canteen, he needed something. Finding both next to each other, he twisted off the cap and chugged half of the water. Chest heaving breaths from inhaling the water, Harry flipped the light on and saw Cooper was sweating too. The smaller man was in the position he was in Harry's dream, still mumbling.

Should he wake Coop up? Why? He wanted to but wasn't sure why he should. The dream was lingering still. The horror of the darkness and the panic of not being able to move still floating in his chest. Cooper's voice ringing in his ears. The terror.

Cooper screamed. Harry could see tears streaming down his face. He had to wake him up.

Shaking Cooper didn't seem to do much of anything and the man was now thrashing as if he was being assaulted and trying to fight back. In a moment of quick thinking, Harry dumped the remainder of the water in his hand onto Dale.

The other man's eyes shot open and he was gasping for air. He looked manic and wild, like the Cooper that held him in his dream.

“Coop, Coop.” Harry said, still trying to get his attention. Cooper struggled against the sleeping bag trying to crawl away. “Dale!”

He finally paused, chest still heaving. Their eyes met, and Harry knew Cooper was back in reality.

Cooper looked like a mess. Hair everywhere and sweaty, white shirt sticking to him and covered in water. His eyes were still slightly red from tears. Most of all he looked ashamed. Like a puppy in trouble. It made Harry's heart break.

Trying to talk softly and gently, Harry asked. “Dale, are you okay? It was just a dream.”

He averted his eyes, clearly not wanting to be acknowledged by Harry but he would have none of that. Coop opened his mouth to talk but nothing came out.

The hair on Harry's arms was standing up. He wanted to hold Cooper. The other man picked at his fingers and continued to look away.

“Hey, hey.” Harry tried to get Cooper to look at him again. He reached for his hand and Coop allowed it. “Come here.”

Cooper's eyes flashed with something, but returned to shame quickly, however he didn't shrink away. Harry pulled him by the arm closer to him, holding Dale against him. “It's okay, it was just a dream.”

Dale let himself be maneuvered and leaned into the touch. He didn't say a word for a long while until he apologized.

Pulling away, Harry moved so they could look each other in the eyes again. “Please don't ever apologize for something you can't help.”

“Harry, I woke you up screaming.”

“You didn't wake me up. I had a nightmare, I was already awake.”

“You had a nightmare? Are you okay?”

Although Coop sounded genuinely concerned, Harry couldn't get derailed. “I am fine. Are you okay?”

Running a hand over his face, Coop looked tired. Sighing, he spoke again. “Yeah. I just- This is what I was worried about. I don't have nightmares every night anymore but they are still somewhat common for me.”

“This is why you didn't want to come on the camping trip?”

“Yes, Harry.” Dale averted his eyes again, staring at the empty bottle of water lying nearby. “They used to be worse, hard to believe, but I have had them since leaving The Black Lodge.”

“Why didn't you tell me?” Harry regretted the question as soon as he asked it. He knew that it was shame that stopped Coop. The same unwillingness to ask for help that Harry had in him. If he had night terrors like Dale, would Harry have told anyone? Unlikely. “Does anyone else know?”

“Doctor Hayward knows. Diane.” Cooper wiped his face and rolled his neck. “I - Can we talk about this later, Harry?”

The Sheriff sat on that question for a moment, then relented. “Of course, Coop.”

Hours later, after they had fished and eaten, they rolled back onto the shore wrapping up their afternoon of paddling on the water.

It had been pleasant with some chatter between them. Coop had not brought up the terror that awoke him earlier, but Harry could tell it was heavy on his m8nd still.

The sun was beating down on them, warm but not exceedingly hot. They sat on the beach and soaked it in.

“Do you like to swim, Harry?”

“Uhh, I guess. I don't do it very often.”

“Will you swim with me?”

Harry found over the past year that he could not say no to Dale for just about anything. “Sure, Coop.”

A grin spread across his face and Dale hopped to his feet. The vest he had been wearing was discarded behind them already, but he whipped the shirt off he was wearing quickly.

The expanse of pale skin that met Harry's eyes was a work of art. He had seen Dale shirtless a handful of times. Twice while he was recovering in the hospital, and a few times since he had joined the force in the changing room. This felt completely different.

Outside the context of recovery or work, his smooth chest was even more distracting. His clavicles were defined and his shoulders broader than Harry recalled. Cooper's figure was distinctly masculine in a way that was classic Hollywood. And it made Harry's head spin.

Forcing himself to look away, Harry stripped himself of his clothes. Harry felt self conscious in a small way when he turned around and realized Dale was watching him. His gaze was not judgemental in the slightest, but one of adoration. Both clad in only their boxers, they waded into the water.

It was cold, but refreshing. Coop dove in after he made it up to his thighs. Of course he was the type to immediately acclimate, rather than dance around getting warm. Harry kept moving further in until he was up to his waist. Coop came up for air with a wide smile on his face.

“Now this is what the doctor ordered.”

Harry smiled in return and watched Dale float around. Rotating and lounging in success, Coop resembled the ducks he had gushed over earlier in the day.

“You're like a duck, Cooper.”

“That is the highest compliment a man like me could receive, Harry. Thank you.” Coop flipped back under water.

Upon resurfacing, the dark hair on his head clung to his face and around his ears. Coop looked a little silly but in an endearing way. Harry had to stop staring.

The Sheriff dunked himself, falling to his knees under the water line. When he came up for air and opened his eyes, he could feel his curly hair drip with water; wicking it away as quickly as he wetted it.

Coop was crouching in the water now too, shoulders just visible above the dark water. They watched each other for a beat, then Dale broke the silence.

“Thank you. Harry S. Truman, you are my favorite person.”

Stunned into further silence, Harry wasn't sure what to say. From anyone else this would have been a weird thing to say. From Dale Cooper, it was a confession of love. Harry could feel his face flush, feeling even hotter in the cool water.

“The feeling is mutual, Dale Cooper.” Harry's tone was playful, but he knew Dale knew he was telling the truth. Full name and all.

They splashed around for a long while, but eventually the cold water caught up with them. Making their way back up to their discarded clothes, they shared a singular towel to attempt to dry off. Harry was toweling his hair with his tee shirt when Dale spoke again.

“I am sorry, Harry.” Cooper said with a small, sad smile. “I was scared to tell you about my nightmares. And honestly I'm still ashamed, even if I know I shouldn't be.”

This confession felt heavy especially given the lightness that Dale spoke with. He decided to stay quiet and just listen.

“I didn't want anyone to know. Dr. Hayward asked as a medical practitioner and recommended I tell someone. Diane is privy to my stream of consciousness, and I wanted to tell you. I really did but-”

Coop's voice hitched and he was staring across the lake into the trees. “I couldn't. Somehow I know you'll understand.”

Harry nodded without making a mental effort to do so. He did understand.

“They really have gotten better, but they can be fully paralyzing for me. Unfortunately, you caught me in a repeat sequence.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” Harry simultaneously wanted to know what could cause someone as steadfast as Cooper to scream like that, but also was horrified by the possibilities.

“I think so. I also don't want to… make you uncomfortable.”

“Please, Coop, I want to help. I won't be- I-” Tripping over his own words frustrated Harry, but he needed Dale to know he was there to help.

“It is about you, Harry.” Cooper did not look away this time. He stared into Harry's eyes making it clear he was serious; a flicker of apprehension still peaked through.

Harry was near whispering. “Okay.”

“I know I have mentioned my doppelganger in The Black Lodge before. Well, I often dream, relive, my time with him in The Black Lodge. I saw him kill many people; people from my past and present. He would beat me then beat them.”

Coop kept speaking in a slow, steady tone. “At the time I thought it was real, even if the people he killed had long been dead. Once I was thrown back into reality, I continued to be haunted in my dreams.”

“As time passes, I have fewer of these visions. Obviously, I love this change, but the subjects have changed too. It used to be a mix, but now it’s just you. Every time it is you.” With the last word, his voice cracked.

Throat tight and eyes burning, Harry fought the urge to cry. He felt like he was breathing too loud, encroaching on Dale's space. They were an arms length from each other in the sand, but Harry wanted to hold him as he did this morning.

Looking for words to say was difficult. Harry's brain could only supply ‘I love you’. No matter how true, that was entirely inappropriate at this time and most any time.

“I'm usually back in the red room, where I saw Laura Palmer. Never once has it ended well, but sometimes I wake up before anything happens to you.”

Harry felt his mind roar to life and the blood drain from his face. How could he have been so dense? Of course his nightmare last night was a projection of Coop's own.

“Hey, what's wrong? You don't look so good.” Cooper leaned toward Harry, looking him over to find the ailment. “Too much information?”

“No, no, Coop. No.” Harry started. “I think you projected your dream last night. What you're describing is exactly what I dreamt and I have never had a nightmare like that.”

After getting this information, Cooper went still. Harry knew he was thinking through it all, but it still scared him.

A hand shot out and grabbed his own. Harry squeezed back. “Shit, Harry, I'm so sorry.”

Cooper looked horrified and genuinely apologetic. Harry knew Coop blamed himself. “You know what I'm going to say, Dale.”

A pink flush rose onto his high cheekbones. “Yes, I know. But I wish I could stop it. It has to be distressing.”

“It is, but nightmares are. More distressing for me is that you suffer like this every night.”

“It's not every night.”

Harry squeezed the hand in his own again. “Yeah, but still.”

They fell into a silence, thoughtful and loving. Hand in hand.

“Thank you. I am glad you told me, Coop.” The love he had for Cooper was nearly too much to keep in. A man so brave and so feeling as him should have dreams of ducks and waterfalls. Cooper deserved adoration.

Harry curbed the idea of spilling his love for the other man again, it still didn't seem very appropriate. But the idea of telling Coop at all no longer seemed so horrible.

The sun was lowering and the day was behind them. It was a good day, all things considered.

“I'm glad I told you, too.” Cooper smiled, bashful but full. Joking now, he continued. “I will try to keep my dreams to myself.”

Dragging themselves off the beach was easier said than done, but as the sun dipped below the treeline they made it back to their site.

Dinner went off without a hitch and their conversation seemed somehow even easier than it had ever been. Cooper could not stop talking about the ducks and how he wanted to carve more duck calls. Harry knew little to nothing about those, but he could listen to Coop read the phone book.

Now they sat on either side of the fire. Harry had had a single whisky with their dinner, he brought the bottle with him as a treat. He had tried to lay off significantly after he made a fool of himself too many times after Josie had died. Then again when Coop had vanished. Today, it felt deserved.

The deep, woody flavor swam on his lips and made his eyes feel warm. The light of the fire flicked along Dale's face and made the rest of Harry feel hot, unrelated to the fire.

Their eyes met across the flames, Harry took a deep sip. Cooper, having moved on from the ducks, was now monologuing about the trees. It made Harry think of the first time they met.

“Harry?” His name in Coop's mouth drew the Sheriff out of his pining.

He raised his eyebrows and cocked his head back, listening for a request. He would do anything for Coop. Harry had known that for a while.

Cooper then asked. “Are you willing to share?”

The question caught Harry off guard. “You want whiskey?”

Cooper nodded, his signature grin splitting his face. Harry had never seen Dale drink. He wasn't sure that it was something the man was capable of. Harry considered it a messy habit in general, but even more so because Coop never drank.

“Of course. Let me- one sec.” Harry got to his feet to find a second cup. He was using a metal camping cup, and there was definitely another one floating around somewhere.

His foot caught on a weird piece of ground and it took all of his effort to not fall in his face. Harry didn't think he was drunk, but he certainly was tipsy. Finding the cup and pouring two fingers, Harry carefully brought the drink over to Coop.

Taking the cup gingerly, their hands brushed and Harry knew he was blushing. “Thank you, Harry! Cheers?”

Clinking the metal together, they toasted. “Cheers, Coop.”

Making his way back to his chair, Harry felt like a teenager at a party. He felt giddy and wasn't sure why. Maybe it was the whiskey? Maybe it was just the joy of being in love?

“I didn't know you drank.” Harry teased, lightly. He wondered if it was obvious that he was flirting.

Coop laughed and Harry got butterflies. “I don't usually because it makes others uncomfortable and then myself uncomfortable. Clouds my mind and I talk too much.”

“You could never talk too much.” God, Harry felt like an idiot for being as silly as he was off of a drink and a half. “To me.”

“Oh, Harry, you're gonna make me blush.” Coop shot back, teasing as well. Flirting back? “It felt fitting to wrap today up with a toast to us.”

Harry held his tin up again. “Aye, I'll drink to that.”

The pair babbled back and forth about everything and nothing. It had been a long day and the whiskey was making him sleepy, and he could tell Dale was in a similar boat.

They crawled into their tent after changing, giggling as their shoulders bumped. It took them a second to situate themselves into their sleeping bags, but they were able to settle in. Inches apart.

Harry still felt the warmth of the whisky coursing through him. Despite the sleep attempting to overtake him, he still felt electric. Today had been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, but not in a bad way. Dale's sharp, sweet features were dim in the tent but Harry could still stare. His thin lips curled into a gentle smile.

“Sleep well, Harry.”

“Sweet dreams, Dale.”

Dale was wearing that suit. The one he wore to One Eyed Jack's all that time ago. This time though was different, they were in Harry's office at the station.

The real difference was Harry was pinned against his bookshelves as Coop kissed him as if that was the only way he could breathe. Harry was kissing back too, grasping at the front of the black suit jacket to keep the other man close.

It was a whirlwind. The metal frames Dale wore were digging into Harry's face in a way that would be distracting if they both were not aroused and grinding into each other. He could not think, couldn't remember what had transpired for them to be in this position. He wasn't sure he cared.

The burning need for air broke them apart and Harry let his head hang back to rest on the wood behind him. Neck now exposed, Coop leaned forward to kiss it. The sensation was foreign, nobody had ever given much attention to his neck, but it made him squirm with arousal.

Cooper was talking into the skin there and keeping up the kisses. His words were muffled but some still came through. “Yes, yes. You're perfect.”

Harry needed the other man closer. The need felt like he wanted to consume Coop, he had to have them intertwined in every way.

Hands lowering, Harry got a hold of Dale's ass and forced them together waist down. Now there was no extra space between them except their clothes, Harry moved them against each other. Hardness against hardness.

A moan ripped through Cooper and vibrated against Harry's neck, it gave him goosebumps and made him feel even more desperate. “Coop, please.”

“What, Harry? I'll do anything for you, what do you want?” The smaller man, who didn't feel that much smaller, sounded out of breath too.

“Anything. Just touch me, or I'll-”

“Shit, Harry.” Dale's voice sounded just as needy as his own. In a flash, Dale was on his knees. Harry still was leaning back against the bookcase, now using the shelves for support. He was feeling dislodged from reality as if in a dream.

His pants were undone and the wet heat of a mouth wrapped around his cock. When looking down to see Dale, all that was visible was his sleek black hair. Harry wanted to see his face, but his own head kept rolling on his neck and resting on the wood behind him.

Again he tried to look at Coop on his knees, this time only succeeding in raking his hands through the gelled locks, making them completely out of order.

“Dale, I-” Harry started, but never got to finish.

Blinking awake, Harry felt annoyed. Of course a dream like that was cut off. He could feel the fact he was very erect still, which was honestly better than the alternative of cleaning himself up from coming in his sleep at a campsite.

His neck still tingled, as if the touches had just happened. The women he dated in the past had never shown as much attention to his neck as he had to theirs, but he liked it in his dream. A lot.

Sneaking a glance over to Cooper, Harry was met with a messy head of hair. The image of Coop's mussed hair from his dream flashed in his mind's eye. It was like a shock to the system remembering the contents of the dream and looking at the object of that desire asleep next to him.

The two of them had shifted dangerously close through the night, and as much as Harry loved the domesticity of it he had to get up. Carefully shifting away from Coop, Harry moved to get up.

Coop made a noise awfully similar to one he had made in Harry's dream, a breathy moan. It did not help the persistent situation in Harry's pants at all.

He was able to step out of the tent without waking Dale, but the dream simply wouldn't leave his mind. It felt distinctly different than his other dreams.

Harry wandered to the remains of the fire and rooted around for various supplies. Mak8ng his way to the nearby woods to relieve himself and gather kindling for their last morning camping.

It wasn't that Harry hadn't had sexual dreams of Cooper, he certainly had. The dream was more… he wasn't sure. It was certainly staying in his memory longer than usual.

After a short walk through the wooded area nearby, Harry made his way back to the clearing and saw that Dale was still not awake.

Building up a small fire, Harry got to work on their breakfast. He had packed some farm fresh eggs for their last day, he thought a classic breakfast item would be up Dale's alley.

Once the fire had gotten to a good level, he put the kettle on for coffee and began to fry the eggs. This is when Coop finally came out of their tent, hair just as messy as when Harry left.

“Goodmorning, Harry!” Coop said cheerfully.

Cooper hadn't gotten dressed yet so was still in boxers and a white tee with an oversized flannel on top. He looked a little goofy in the socks and shoes, but simultaneously Coop was just so effortlessly attractive Harry couldn't help but stare.

Harry's brain helped him fill in the blanks with Dale's messy hair for the fourth time that morning. “Morning, Coop. Coffee is ready.”

“Coffee!” Cooper was beaming, always genuinely excited about mundane things. “Hot, black coffee in the morning dew, fresh air of the morning is incomparable.”

Pouring the other man a cup, Harry handed it to him as they discussed their final morning.

Their drive back to Twin Peaks was mostly unnotable. They chattered back and forth about mostly nothing until the last leg of the drive.

“Thank you, Harry. This weekend was fantastic in more ways than one.” Coop was speaking as watching the forest whiz by outside, it had started to rain as they made their way back. “I started this weekend very anxious, scared of what you might think of me. Despite everything I am, I find myself wanting you to understand and not judge me.”

He knew Dale wasn't done speaking, he wanted to reassure him immediately, but held off in favor of listening.

“You do though. My doubts were all internal and will still be an issue, but… I loved our trip and hope we can do it again.” Cooper has turned his attention back to Harry, a shy smile expressing his gratitude.

Harry got that full feeling in his chest again. A feeling of pride and affection. “I'd love nothing more than to camp again with you, Coop.”

They drifted into a companionable silence for a short while longer until Cooper inhaled to speak again. Initially, he sounded hesitant but ultimately Coop's usual steadiness came through.

“I do have a question for you though.”

That caught Harry's attention. “Sure, Coop. Fire.”

“Harry, did you have a dream last night? Something specific and private?”

Harry felt his face flush instantly. His stomach dropped and he felt faint. He could feel Cooper's eyes on him, he kept his eye trained forward on the road. How did he know?

Fuck. The dream sharing? How could Harry have forgotten that their dreams weren't entirely private. His mind worked through the possibilities of what Coop could say next.

“That's what I thought.” Coop said, still staring through Harry. “This morning you have seemed distracted at random points, specifically while talking to me. Maybe it is something else, but I have my suspicions.”

Harry swallowed and he knew Dale could see it, let alone probably hear him. He took in a deep breath to begin speaking, but was cut off by Cooper again.

“Once again, I'm sorry.” Harry sneaked a glance at Coop, who had a light pink dust of embarrassment on his cheeks. “I don't mean to project my own- fantasies- onto you, but I don't know how I am doing it or how to stop. I have a plan to work on it, probably starting with meditation…”

Cooper's voice faded as Harry could hear his heartbeat through his ears. His mind was still working overtime to keep up. It wasn't Harry's dream, it was Dale's. Dale wanted to- too?

His voice started to become audible again. “...I'll try to keep you updated on my progress, but I also understand if you don't want to go camping anymore. As much as I don't want our relationship to change I hope you can understand, you are so good at that. A lot of men aren't very understanding of my bisexuality, and even less would be okay with my affection for them.”

Affection?! Harry's hands slipped on the wheel and the car jerked. He quickly readjusted himself to focus on safely getting them home again.

Cooper's hands gripped the dashboard, long fingers distracting Harry. “Harry?”

Harry searched for the words that followed him all of yesterday. He needed Dale to know the sheer extent of his love for him. He was driving on autopilot, they were only a few miles from Harry's house. He wanted to stop driving, but at this point he needed to make it home.

“Harry? Are you okay?” Cooper was sounding more worried every time he spoke. Harry could see his knuckles were white grabbing the steering wheel.

“I-” Harry wanted to shout, he was so happy but he was struggling to find his voice. “I'm okay.”

Harry was speeding the truck up. They were in Twin Peaks again, the afternoon sun streaming through the trees just right. “I just want to get home. I-”

Cooper still was staring at him but didn't say anything. His nervousness was permeating every part of the car. Harry knew he was freaking out and freaking Coop out in turn. He let words spill out of his mouth.

“I am in love with you” He nearly shouted. “I- I was- I thought that dream was mine. But it was yours?!”

No reply came from Cooper and Harry knew he couldn't look at the other man until he was out of this vehicle. He whipped the truck around the last turn onto his road.

“I just need to get home.” Harry explained. “I have dreamed of you since we met Coop. I didn't know what to do with that for a while, but I have been in love with you for months now.”

Cooper was smiling wide now, Harry could see it out of his peripherals but still refused to look. “Harry, this is wonderful. The feeling is very much mutual.”

“I wanted to tell you yesterday, but it didn't seem like the right time.”

“Harry, if you told me yesterday, at any point, I would have fallen to my knees and sucked you off right then.”

His mind went blank, a white hot emptiness. Drifting into his driveway and throwing the truck into park, Harry launched himself out of the driver seat. Exiting and rounding the front of the truck, Cooper barely had a chance to unbuckled his seat belt before Harry was tearing the door open and crowding his space.

Leaning into the cabin of the truck, Harry awkwardly held Cooper close. He needed any contact and breathed in the other man's scent.

Breathlessly, Cooper made a small noise and spoke in a near whisper. “Oh, Harry.”

Face in the crook of Coop's neck and shoulder, Harry gave a small kiss to the exposed skin. They held each other as close as they could until Harry felt Coop moving them out of the truck.

“Kiss me, Harry.” The request was quiet and simple. Harry was absolutely pleased to give him whatever he wanted. Pressing Dale into the side of the truck and cupping his face, Harry pressed their mouths together.

He couldn't help but consume Cooper. Harry had a way of wrapping his partners in his arms and surrounding them completely, an old Hollywood way of kissing that had caught people off guard. Dale melted into it immediately.

Dale was not much smaller than Harry, which made kissing him different than his previous partners. He was different from Harry's previous partners. Dale actually cared about Harry, he took interest in Harry's life and interests. He was a man, a fact that Harry had sat with after meeting Dale for a while and then came to the realization that he wasn't even Harry's first male crush. Dale was outspoken and opinionated. He was so himself.

They both had slight stubble from the lack of shaving during their trip, so the sensation of kissing was heightened with the scratch. It was not off putting, simply different again. Harry had long imagined what it would be like to kiss the ex-agent, and it far surpassed his expectations.

Dale was not a passive passenger, he was an enthusiastic participant. Pulling Harry closer by sliding his fingers into his belt loops, then grasping at his lower back. The firm hand was warm and encouraging, and Harry could barely contain his excitement.

A giggle spilled out of his lips, then he could feel Dale smiling against his mouth. The kiss concluded with them nose-to-nose, grinning at each other.

Harry stumbled on his words, but could feel their mutual arousal through their pants which allowed him some confidence. “Do y-you want to, um, come inside?”

Cooper kissed his mouth chastely, still with a gentle smile. “Honestly, Harry, I want a lot more than that. Yes, I'd love to step inside.”

They decide they should at least take care of unpacking from the trip a little bit. Harry brought the tent and other bags up to the door, bringing the appropriate items inside. Dale began to clean their food items and utensils, and that was where he was when Harry came back in.

The whole time he unpacked, Harry had felt giddy. The waiting had him a little impatient but he could wait a few more minutes. Collapsing into the couch, he just watched the other man clean each item diligently.

Cooper caught his eye, then asked. “Just to confirm, Harry, you have never had sex with a man?”

Embarrassment hot on his face, HArry chuckled. He should've expected such a straightforward question. “I have not, that is correct.”

“And you want to have sex with me?”

“Ahh, yes. Yeah, Coop, I do.” Harry still felt flustered.

“I really don't mean to embarrass you, Harry, I just want to make sure.” Cooper had finished washing the last dish, the cast iron pan, and was drying it. “You see, I wanted to tell you my feelings sooner, but I was nervous about your reaction. I'm glad I was wrong.”

“I had made my mind up yesterday to tell you. I'm not sure when I would've done it, but…” Harry trailed off, though incomplete.

Coop finally turned and made his way towards Harry. “Well, I'm glad that we got here at all.”

Nodding in agreement, Harry watched as Dale moved towards him. Sipping a glass of water then setting it on the end table, Dale made his move. Harry thought the other man would sit next to him on the couch or nearby in the recliner, but Cooper, always deliberate, climbed onto the couch to straddle him.

“I hope you don't mind but I'd really like to pick up where we left off.” Coop was so close again.

When Harry spoke again, his voice cracked. “Yeah, I don't mind.”

“Perfect.” Coop ran his hands into Harry's curly hair, nails scraping gently as he did. The Sheriff got full body chills from that and with no time to recover, Coop was kissing him again.

This kiss was not so desperate and closed mouthed as their first, it was deliberate and filthy. Harry immediately allowed Dale access to tongue into his mouth. The slick slide of the tongues brought back the faded erection from earlier in full force.

He grabbed Dale's slight but still muscular waist and ground the other man down into him. The groan Dale let out gave Harry flashes to his dream. Their dream.

“Fuck, Dale.” He said against his lips. Harry felt like he may have died and gone to heaven.

Dale sat up straighter again, and began to remove his flannel. “As much as I would like you to fuck me, that will require more preparation and teaching. I am happy to provide it but I think I would rather chase my dreams at the moment.”

Picking up on the suggestion and feeling hot under the stare Coop was giving him, Harry's hips jerked and a noise left his throat he had never heard before. The look on Cooper's face was one he hadn't seen before. The man looked hungry like he did before he tore through multiple slices of pie, but also affectionate and content. The directness of the gaze made Harry want to shrink away, but more overpowering still was his want to bathe in it.

“Coop, you could kill me right now and I'd probably thank you for it.”

This caused the man on his lap to throw his head back and laugh heartily. Still laughing after gaining a bit of composure, Dale began to unbutton Harry's shirt. “I don't think I'll be doing that, but let's start with losing some of these layers.”

Harry took over with unbuttoning, watching intently as Cooper shook his arms from the flannel and pulled the white undershirt over his head. Harry's hands lost what they were doing and moved to grope Dale.

The skin on display was pale and clear with an exception of a handful of scars. It was a little embarrassing how turned on he was by them. Bullet wounds and knife wounds, smaller unknown scars, Harry wanted to know them all.

Coop leaned into the touch as Harry explored his torso. The bulge in the pants below made Harry feel a little apprehensive but mostly excited. Coop saw the flick of his eyes and then shifted his hips to grind their erections together again.

Harry eventually got his shirt off, and once he did Coop gave his broad chest attention. Wandering hands left a trail of warmth across Harry's body.

“You're very handsome, Harry.” Coop leaned down and tongued at a pink nipple. The larger man squirmed and his voice got caught in his throat.

Cooper's hands continued and so did his mouth. He kissed and sucked at Harry's chest in a way Harry had never experienced before. He loved it. Leaning into Harry space again, Dale latched himself onto his neck.

A moan tore through Harry. Memories of the dream last night and the tingling feeling left behind in waking had nothing on the real life thing.

“You're so sensitive, too.” Cooper said between his ministrations. It was not a tease but an observation.

What was a tease was the light scrape of teeth against his clavicle. Harry gasped and grabbed a handful of Coop's ass.

Coop licked over the spot and then sat up. Giving one last kiss on Harry's mouth he stepped off of him and removed his pants and underwear in one move. His red, neglected cock popped out and Harry just stared. The view didn't last for long but Harry didn't think he would ever forget it.

Already kneeling on the rug in front of the couch and working on Harry's pants, Coop looked determined. A glint in his eye. Harry lifted his hips to help get the pants off and his own dick was twitching in the cool air.

Cooper still had that look on his face, and his eyes had grown wider. He palmed it and then gracefully wrapped his fingers around it. Finally receiving touch was making Harry feel wobbly. Paired with Dale kneeling in front of him, it was entirely intoxicating.

A brief surge of deja vu coursed through Harry, the dream dim in the back of his mind. This was better than the dream though because Harry could see. He could watch as Dale opened his mouth and took in the head.

His hips bucked again at the contact, just the smallest amount because Harry was trying to control himself. Dale looked up at him through those long eyelashes. He couldn't help himself. “Fuck.”

Coop either didn't hear him or didn't care, he proceeded to swallow more and more of Harry. He let his head lay back onto the back of the couch. Right now if he watched Coop he would cut immediately.

A hand wrapped around the base of his cock which helped ground him back into reality. Lifting his head back up, Harry watched the other man bob up and down on. Dale was still watching him, cheeks now becoming redder with exertion.

“Coop, you look so good.” Harry's voice was hoarse. The hum as a reply felt foreign but delicious reverberating through him.

He let his hands wander again and they found their way into the dark hair. Coop hadn't brought any product on their trip, so it was loose. Harry loved it this way, as a contrast to the clean, sharp Coop that he also loved. Dale didn't stop but pressed his head into Harry's hand.

He swallowed around Harry and as a response Harry held on for life, grabbing a fistful of the hair he had been running his fingers through. Dale moaned at the pull. It wasn't hard, but firm. Harry did it again, and Dale made the same noise and his eyes fluttered.

This man might kill him, and Harry told him so. “You're gonna kill me, I'm not gonna last much longer.”

Coop pulled off breathing heavily, lips red and wet. He looked obscene and Harry knew he was mouth breathing.

“The point isn't to last, my dear.” Cooper said cooly, voice wrecked. Harry had never imagined the Agent could sound like that and now he would never forget. “Now you can move me more if you'd like, I am not fragile although I love that you're as gentle as you are kind. I am going to finish what I started.”

Harry was nodding dumbly as Dale spoke. As a note on the end, Coop added. “Also, you can finish in my mouth.”

The Sheriff had never been with someone so direct, so intentional with their every move and it was making him feel electric. Coop swallowed him down again, still watching as always, this time more aggressive. The last phrase and the abruptness that the other man had dove back onto his cock made Harry cry out.

He was determined to listen though. He slid his other hand around to the side of Dale's face. Dale controlled the speed, but Harry supported and guided him. He was done for.

Harry's hip thrust upwards again, out of rhythm to how they had been moving. Dale made a choking noise and Harry held on tighter. A sob came from Cooper, something between a moan and a cry.

It dawned on Harry that Coop had liked that. He filed it away for later because he was much too close to be in control of his movements at the moment. It also crossed his mind that Dale's hand was moving between his own legs.

Dale getting off at Harry accidently fucking his face. Getting off at getting Harry off. Harry forced himself to speak. “I'm going to- I'm-”

Coop nodded slightly and moved his tongue in a way he hadn't before. Harry held on tight to Coop’ head as if it were a lifeline. The eye contact was a lot, nearly too much, but he couldn't bear to look away.

A long guttural moan and Harry was coming harder than he had in a long time. Maybe ever. Dale worked him through it, slowing down his movements and running his hands up and down Harry's thighs.

When Harry had ridden through it, Coop swallowed once more and carefully pulled away. He felt wrung out, as if all his muscles had been removed. All Harry could manage to do in the moments after was to stroke Dale's face.

Eventually, Dale leaned away and grabbed the long forgotten glass. Or at least Harry had forgotten it. He took a long drink and swallowed it all.

Grinning and his usual self, Coop asked. “How are you doing, Harry?”

Harry was surprised at how natural it felt for Cooper to talk as he usually did even after sex. He wondered if Coop's mouth wasn't busy what he would be like during sex. Smiling at the idea, Harry replied.

“You just gave me the best blow job of my life. I think I'm doing just fine.”

Dale's cheeks tinted just a slight bit at the compliment despite still being naked on the floor. God he loved him.

“I love you too, Harry.” Dale said cheerfully. Harry hadn't realized he had spoken out loud, clearly his mind was still catching up.

“Can I return the favor? I'm new to, uh, the equipment, but I'd really like to try.”

“I would love that, Harry, I really would. Maybe later or tomorrow though.” Coop replied.

“No seriously, I want to help.” Harry insisted.

“I wanted that too, but I couldn't help myself. You sounded too good, Harry.”

Harry sat up. He hadn't even noticed that Dale had also finished. On the floor with a cock in his mouth onto a discarded tee-shirt. That reality was so sexy to Harry that his cock flexed once more, unable to gain any traction though.

Coop stood and pulled in his boxers, then Harry pulled him onto the couch with him. He draped the muscular legs over his lap and pulled Coop in close. His lips were red and swollen. Harry craved to kiss them so he did.

The room smelled of sex, but all Harry could smell was Coop. They nuzzled closer to each other, as close as they could get. Harry's neck still felt tingly. Coop pressed his face there and placed another kiss.

They held each other like this until Harry realized he was cold completely naked, even with Cooper as a heater. Dale let out a chuckle as they moved apart finally.

“What?” Harry grinned back.

“I just have new plans of experimentation for my dreams now. Might need some help with it, Sheriff.” Cooper looked pleased with himself.

“Anything you need, Dale. Anything at all.” And Harry meant it.