'enough!' the baptist stood, barefoot the mat bent below his weight. strands of hair out of place before slicking them back and he stood at arms length from karter. angry, frustrated, embarrassed. 'enough karter, it's done. i don't need to know this when i have you. when i have my men willing to DIE for me.'
“I know you’re frustrated.”
HE PAUSES what he’s doing, clad in a tank top and sweat pants with his hair done up to keep from getting in his face as he’d taken on the task of teaching John how to fight in hand to hand combat. Not an EASY task for certain given his ward’s innate tendency to let his temper get the better of him but as he knows, Karter refuses to allow John to be exposed to an attack EVER.
He approaches, letting out a quiet sigh of slight exhaustion himself as he crouches down beside the other man, something akin to tenderness and worry crossing his features as he speaks candidly for a moment. MORE SO than he usually does when it comes to reservations.
“…but you know as well as I, that this LITTLE resistance and the deputy alike will stop at NOTHING to see you fall. They think you’re a weak link in the chain. You must teach them otherwise John, and what better way to do so than not only showing force of will, but force of person as well. Picture the look of shock and awe on the deputy’s face when he attempts to subdue you only to find that you’re the one subduing. Would it not be a MARVELOUS spectacle?”
He grins wide just thinking about it, SIGHING softly as he gently holds a hand to John’s cheek, the prickle of his beard like a comfort he never knew he needed before he speaks again, this time a bit more somber in his turn of phrase.
“Just think of it––––once you’re able to defend yourself you’ll not only be impenetrable but you’ll be able to teach the Deputy the true power of yes. Not just in words but in action. Make no mistake, I will be at your side until my last breath. I am yours without doubt. Think of this as a surplus. How satisfying will it be to put the Deputy back in his place with your own two hands. Not only to get him to confess but to be the righteous hand by which he was forced into submission.”
He smiles now, SOFTLY, a private display of emotion that only John ever saw as he locks eyes with John for a moment before rising back to his feet and stretching himself out a bit.
“One more time? Give it your best, act as though I’m the deputy. Put me back in the place I belong. Feel the strength that everyone knows…that I know you have, and use it to remind me that there is ONLY one way to salvation.”
AS HE turns on his heels, starting the music once again, he readies himself with a small grin, a little extra touch to get John’s fervor out as much as he can. John’s temper would be the death of him, but perhaps Karter could assist in redirecting it to something that might one day save his life.