Black Horse (John Seed x Reader)

chapter thirty four

You stood in the church with fresh clothes on, your stomach finally full from one of John's bowls of soup. He had sat by you on the living room couch and practically spoon fed you, reminding you again and again how hard it was for your stomach to digest properly after a week of starvation. As much as you wanted to gulp it all down to ease the pains of hunger, he restrained you.

There were goosebumps littering your skin, and you knew it wasn't from the cool draft of the old building. You were breathing the same air as Joseph Seed, who was sitting by the podium a few feet away from you on the stage where you first encountered the treacherous family. His head raised in alert when you and John entered the church, his intense blue eyes landing on you through yellow-pained glasses.

"I believe you know why you are here," the Father's condescending voice booms down the isle, making you flinch. You swallow hard before shaking your head as a response of denial. If you spoke, your voice would surely falter. You would rather save yourself from the embarrassment.

"Don't play the fool," he stands up, "You have seen my brother's sin intimately by now. I know that for a fact." You froze along with the blood in your veins, the memory of John's new scar burned through your mind. Rage slowly began to rise within your core as you continued to stare at the middle Seed brother.

"I'm here to talk about John's sin?" You arched a brow, sucking on your teeth, "I thought confessions were supposed to be private." John flinches at your attitude towards his brother, part of him slightly offended that you would show such disrespect to his family. Yet, the other half felt an overwhelming sense of pride over your confidence.

Joseph's eye twitches in irritance at your snarky tone, the rosary in his right hand swinging by his side when he clenched his fists, "That's correct... Which is why John will wait outside until we are done talking." You watched the beads sway in the air, noticing the connection they had with the man's hand.

"Joseph, I-" The Baptist moves to hold up a hand in protest, but his brother quickly shuts him down with a dismissive tone, "That will be all, John. Thank you." The blue-eyed man quickly drops his hand as well as his rebuttal, feeling shunned.

The last thing John wanted was for you to be alone with Joseph. A list formed in his brain about all of the horrible things that could happen without him present in the room. He wouldn't be able to protect you from his brother's actions or words, and he wouldn't be able to protect himself either.

If Holly was mentioned...

John shook the thought out of his head. He gave you one last glance before turning around to leave, his head bowed like a scolded dog. His eyes intensively scanned the wide chapel, searching for the duffel bag that the twisted strawberry blonde woman had brought earlier. As long as there wasn't a tattoo gun in the room while you two were alone, his mind would be slightly eased.

The Baptist almost sighed in relief when his gaze was not successful in finding the bag, finally pushing open the large doors of the church and welcoming the cool night air. You gulped after hearing the entrance shut, a deafening silence settling between you and Joseph.

"I'm not blind to attraction when I see it," the Father pursed his lips. "I'm not blind to manipulation when I see it," you hiss pure poison, forming a scowl. Joseph simply blinks at you, unfazed, "Is that what you think this is? A ploy? In that case, John was wrong to assume you were truly accepting our beliefs into your heart."

"Is this not enough for you?" You yank down the top hem of your t-shirt, relieving the scribbled lettering of WRATH underneath your collarbone, "Or would you like my liver as well?" Joseph takes a moment to smile at your sass, the grin obviously fake, "My decision is becoming even more justified, thank you."

"Your decision?" You lift a brow in question. "Yes, for John's confession as well as atonement," the Father hums, happy to have your full attention, "It's obvious now how little he taught you. Apathy can be a very haunting thing, you know. Always lingering like a shadow."

"And that's my fault, somehow?" You cross your arms, narrowing your eyes in a glare at the man. "John is responsible for his own actions, which is why this is so disappointing," Joseph clicks his tongue, "But, sin is contagious. I want to make sure you aren't tainting my brother's recovery."

"With all due respect, you were the one who pulled me aside and told me that John was capable of loving," you gawked, your hands waving in demonstration as you talked, "And now you're telling me to back off?"

"That is correct, and I stand by that statement until your sinful actions stray him from the Path. His mind needs to be on the Project right now, not you," the Father spoke in a calm yet grated tone, distain present in his gaze. "Will he ever be able to focus on anything else?" You bark, "Or will he continue to be your slave for the rest of his life?"

Joseph visibly tenses at your words, his jaw locking with anger. "Go ahead," you lean forward dramatically, turning your face to show the man your cheek, "Hit me. That's how you resolve your wrath, is it not?"

The Father's chin lifts as a sort of flinch, a knowing hum leaving his throat. You weren't sure if it was intentional or not. His fists were clenched once again, this time the rosary getting snatched up by his fingers. You glowered, "You must be so disappointed that John is nothing like you."

"Your disrespect is disgusting," Joseph spat through gritted teeth. "Are we done here? I'm pretty sure we both get the message," you cross your arms and lean on your left hip in a sort of sassy way.

"I hope John understands the jeopardy in which he is putting all we have worked for in," the Father sighs heavily, returning to his once calm tone. "First, he's too cynical. Now, he's too soft," you scowl, "Will you ever be satisfied with your brother? Will you ever not doubt him? Even after everything he's done for you?"

"Leave," Joseph hisses, turning his back to you and bowing his head. You scoffed as you overheard soft mumbles from the man, not in the least bit interested in what he was busy praying about. You immediately started walking towards the entrance of the church, only stopping when his volume raised to preach one verse.

"...For all who draw the sword will die by the sword."

oooo what do you think joseph means by that?? also, congrats on having the courage to be sassy to the father himself. what do you think will happen next? ((be prepared... in the next few chapters, shit gets CRAZY))