It was an interesting possibility.

With a lengthy explanation, Charles shared some of the actions he was entertaining to help his colleague Richard. From Charles’s perspective, it was important to protect Richard. He felt that his colleague was in danger and that it was his responsibility to take action.

None of these actions involved to engage his colleague into being protected or in verifying if Richard wanted protection.

Charles was trying to control a situation he perceived as dangerous.

A detail Charles hadn’t thought of, was that Richard had started to make himself helpless.

It might not have been comfortable for Richard, but being helpless enabled him to get what he wanted from Charles.

From there on, I wasn’t sure anymore who was controlling whom. Which then opened up the question if Charles was actually seeking to protect himself.