Kellen’s Dad did eventually listen to his children, agreeing that he would try to speak to them more about his issues. It wasn’t completely convincing since his eyes were swollen from his tears and he was shaking slightly, but Kellen would believe him. Trust him.
Kellen bid his family goodbye and goodnight, escorting them to the door with Rhys as a shadow behind him. His body heat radiating into his back was comforting, a niceness that Kellen found he had easily adjusted to, and when Rhys wrapped his arm around Kellen’s waist, waving to his family with him, Kellen felt like this was normal.
Kellen was having a hard ti rembering anything before Rhys. It just felt so natural that he was there, beside him, holding him.
"Your Dad looked a lot better after he was able to talk about it." Rhys whispered to Kellen once the door was closed and the lock slid ho. Kellen nodded, his head still focused on his thoughts as he stared at the door.
"Yeah. I hope the weight has been lifted from his shoulders." Kellen murmured quietly, thoughtfully. Rhys chuckled.
" too. We have so ti before bed. Is there anything you want to do?" Rhys asked and Kellen shrugged. He turned to look back at him, scanning Rhys’ face.
"Nothing really cos to mind. Do you have sothing you want to do?" Kellen asked and Rhys smiled.
"No. Want to make so tea and cuddle on the couch while we watch t.v.?" He asked and Kellen felt a smile touch his lips.
"I would love that."
~
Rhys didn’t rush getting the Guides and Espers back from the front lines. In fact, everyone behaved as if they hadn’t gotten any news. The rotations changed, but there was a relatively reasonable reason that was given. Rotations had changed in the past, and they used Uncle Tom’s na to say that he thought it was ti for another switch.
No one was going to question that, and no one did.
Gates were still being worked on, explored, and it was now the day before his class was supposed to co back. Brent was keeping an eye on everything, along with the others who were in the know. Captain Sergei was keeping Kellen up to date with the movents on the front line, sa with Hill and Rhys. Brent knew he didn’t have to because everyone else was sending him updates, but he was still chatting with Kellen like everything was normal.
They couldn’t let the E.A.G. know that they were on to them. That they had been warned. To counteract that thought, Lieutenant Fisher back in the city was also changing tis for rotations in certain areas, and increasing them.
Even though everyone had been working hard before, they were now working harder, but spreading it out. Tis were shorter, but faster. Kellen wasn’t fully in the loop, but it appeared to be working. People were more on their toes, and the temperant in the city had shifted.
Fear wasn’t subsiding, but the city could feel that the D.E.C. and the police were taking this issue very seriously, and the Guilds in the city were voluntarily helping out as well.
That ant more movent, more Espers leaving the Guild on a daily basis, and more strain on all Guides.
Kellen was constantly checking in with the Guiding Centers around town, building connections, making sure that everyone was doing okay. He even reached out to the heads of the Guiding Divisions of the other Guilds, making sure that everyone knew that they were a united force against the E.A.G.
It was subtle, but Kellen could begin to feel a shift in how the city was feeling. The bond between everyone was feeling tighter, more secure. Whatever damage the E.A.G. was hoping to inflict would either bounce off of the new net that they were building, or tear it to shreds.
Kellen was going to do his best to make sure it bounced off.
Kellen was in his office, finishing up after his class when Rhys ca in, a spark in his eyes, barely even knocking on the door. Kellen glanced up, his heart in his throat as Rhys closed the door behind him.
"W-What?" Kellen whispered, worried, and Rhys shook his head.
"Nothing. Hopefully nothing. A large group of Espers just applied to co to the front lines. A Guild we’ve never heard of. Through the proper channels. Should be fine. Normal. But as a safety precaution, the Guides are leaving tonight. Dead of the night. No one knows except Esper Morrison, Brent, Hill and Sergei. Esper Morrison’s already on his way. The Espers are going to leave in the morning as planned." Rhys spoke quickly, as if he was worried Kellen was going to panic or interject.
Kellen just sat there, hands on his keyboard, processing what was being said.
A large group of Espers. Coming through the legal channels. It had been approved.
"Did Uncle Tom say yes?" Kellen asked and from the look on Rhys’ face, he already knew the answer. "Why? We’re already up to our necks in dealing with weird shit, and he said yes?" Kellen could feel the anger rising. Was he a fucking idiot? Stupid? Kellen had never thought of him as unintelligent before now, but maybe he had to reevaluate what he’d thought of the man. Cruel, sure, but an idiot?
"I know. The man clearly either accepted a bribe to bring them onto the front lines, or there is sothing else we don’t know that’s going on. If he gives the la excuse of ’well, they ca through proper channels’ I’m going to lose my shit on him. He’s the one who is refusing half of my people from going to the front lines just because they are civilians. I agree that right now isn’t the ti, but I’m not talking about just right now." Rhys growled, reaching up and jerking his hand through his hair.
Kellen watched as he was the one who ssed it up, and a small, warm feeling filled his chest. He didn’t hate it when he did it either. He just looked sexy with slightly disheveled hair. Very roguish.
"I think there’s sothing else going on. Have you spoken to Lieutenant Fisher?" Kellen asked and Rhys shook his head.
"Told him to call . He appears to be in a eting. I’ll hear from him soon, I hope. God, he’s such a fucking-" Rhys cut off, his fist clenched. "Anyway, I thought I’d let you know. Green is going to try to remain in the tower until they arrive so that she can give them their checkups then, and then go to sleep. I told her that was fine. She was allowed to sleep in tomorrow if she did that." Kellen nodded at Rhys’ words.
"Makes sense. Brent’s coming back with them?" Kellen asked and he shook his head.
"Brent plans to stay behind with Hill and co back with the Espers. Make them think that everything’s normal." Kellen sighed at Rhys’ response. Of course.
"Alright. Thank you for letting know. I know you probably have a lot to do to get ready for that. Co here." Kellen held out a hand, turning in his chair as Rhys approached, seeming to be a little confused. "Bend down." Kellen ordered and Rhys did so, bending until he was closer to Kellen.
"What are you-" Rhys shut up as Kellen’s lips found his own, giving him a hot, wet kiss that had both of them blinking slowly as Kellen sat back in his chair, licking his lips.
"Do you feel a little more level headed?" Kellen asked as he stared up at the hair that he had ssed up with his own hands. Hmm. Maybe he still preferred it when he did it.
Rhys looked dazed, slightly confused, and Kellen could see the bulge in his pants. Rhys cleared his throat, reaching down to adjust as Kellen smiled.
"Sure." Rhys murmured, staring at Kellen intently. Kellen laughed.
"That’s all you’re getting. I just wanted to take the edge off, but it seems I went a little too far." Kellen teased, smiling as Rhys slowly stood up, wiping his bottom lip with his thumb.
"Take the edge off? All you did was give more of an edge. You better make so ti for after dinner. We have a few hours to burn while we wait for everyone to co back. We need to continue your guiding sessions, right?" Kellen felt a shiver run down his spine at Rhys’ words.
Guiding sessions. They certainly didn’t feel like any guiding sessions he’d done with anyone else before. That didn’t an he hated them. Instead, it ant that Kellen appreciated them more.
Kellen let out a soft noise, before he turned back to his computer. He wasn’t going to adjust himself until after Rhys left.
"Alright. I’ll schedule you in for a guiding session." Kellen said, trying to sound normal. Rhys chuckled, before he bent, reaching across the desk and grabbing the back of Kellen’s neck, holding him firmly, but in a comforting way. His thumb drew shapes against his skin, making Kellen shiver as he t those slightly gold-tinged eyes of his.
"Schedule in? You better make sure you double my ti slot. I’m going to be taking my ti with you for that comnt." Rhys warned, his voice deepening and Kellen swallowed. He really liked the sound of that.
"Get back to work." Kellen tried to sound powerful, forceful, but instead he sounded a little raspy, wispy. Rhys grinned. "You’re distracting ." Kellen warned and Rhys chuckled before he leaned in, kissing Kellen deeply before pulling back.
Damn it. Kellen wanted him to kiss him more, but like Kellen had done, Rhys pulled away, a wicked grin on his face.
"I’ll get back to work now, Mr. Woods. Don’t forget, you’re mine after dinner." Rhys’ voice held a promise to it, and Kellen let out a soft, fluttering sigh after the door closed behind him.
He was in trouble after dinner.
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