When Kellen woke up, he had no idea where he was. Everything was blurry, soft, and felt far too lonely.
The last ti he’d rembered falling asleep he’d had Rhys wrapped around him from behind. He had gotten far too comfortable for that kind of sleep posture for this to be the outco. Where was he? Where was his man?
"Love?" It was the soft call of a man who he expected to be beside him, not calling from his bedside like he was so sickly city Guide. He’d had enough of that for a while.
"Where are we?" Kellen asked, his throat feeling dry. Rhys, as if able to read his mind, ca into view with a cup and a straw. He gave it to Kellen before carefully helping him up into a seated position.
"Do you rember where we are? What we did?" Rhys asked. He sounded very scared and Kellen had no idea why he was so worried. Kellen gave him a strange look as he pulled the orange juice up the straw and coated his slightly sore throat.
"We arrived in the city, we were talking about how to get back at the E.A.G. when I had a vision. Where are we, Rhys?" Kellen repeated and Rhys’ face relaxed from the panic and worry into an expression that felt like Kellen had told him the sky was blue.
"We’re upstairs in your Aunt’s place in one of her spare rooms. We thought it was best given everything that had happened." Rhys told him, sounding rather strained. Kellen tried to sit up on his own but Rhys stepped forward and helped him. Kellen didn’t feel as bad as he thought he would. The previous tis he’d felt a little rough after, but now? He was actually doing pretty okay.
"Is everyone else still here?" Kellen asked. "How long have I been out?" He was more worried about that part. Rhys’ expression softened.
"Barely 15 minutes which ans yes, everyone is still around. I’m sure your parents can hear us talking and are on their way up." Rhys scanned Kellen, taking in the way he was sitting, his eye patch, everything. "Are you okay, Kellen? Truly?" Rhys asked and Kellen could hear the sound of people approaching. He wasn’t able to pinpoint how many yet, but he knew that Rhys was right.
"I’m glad it wasn’t that long. Isn’t that the shortest ti that this has happened?" Kellen asked, sounding proud. Rhys did not look amused.
"That is not sothing to be proud about." Rhys warned as the door opened. His Mom opened it with too much force, the door slamming against the wall but thankfully not harming it. She winced, but swept into the room with his Dad. She moved towards him, reaching for him and wrapping Kellen up in a hug that made Kellen’s bones ache.
"You keep on scaring ." She muttered, sounding upset. Kellen patted her back soothingly, apologetic. He really didn’t an to.
"I’m sorry. I didn’t an to." Kellen told her honestly and she huffed, shook her head and held him close for a little longer. When she was done it was Kellen’s Dad’s turn and his grip was just as tight.
"You are going to send us to an early grave." He muttered. Kellen winced.
"I promise I’m not trying to do this." Kellen told them and they sighed.
"We know." They said in unison, which only made the mont worse for Kellen. Kellen looked towards Rhys for help, but the man was avoiding eye contact with him. Kellen felt betrayed by his boyfriend, and also a little proud of him at the sa ti? It was complicated.
"Rhys dear, can you give us so ti with Kellen for a mont? Also, Vance is wanting to speak to you about how this normally looks for Kellen in case this happens again while we’re here." Rhys’ expression grew serious at his Mom’s words and he nodded. He got to his feet, glancing at Kellen but knowing that he was safe with his parents. Rhys reached for Kellen, giving his shoulder a gentle squeeze before he left the room.
They all watched the door, listening to him leave before Kellen’s Mom went to the door and shut it. Then she turned to Kellen, a sparkle in her eyes. Kellen had no idea what they were up to until his Dad unzipped the sweater he was wearing and pulled out a tiny box.
Kellen knew what those boxes were ant to be and Kellen felt his heart stop.
"We didn’t look at them." His Dad whispered quietly. "Intentionally. I knew you’d be upset but I wanted to be here when you checked on them. Taylor looked at them to make sure that they were good. She even called Brent to confirm the design." His Dad’s eyes sparkled. "I heard you did sothing interesting." Kellen stared at the box.
"You weren’t...worried about ?" Kellen asked, confused. Both of his parents stared at Kellen for a long mont before his Mom sighed. She then groaned, putting her head in her hands.
"Are you serious, Kellen? Of course we’re concerned about you! This is only being brought up because we know you’re okay. You wouldn’t have this much colour in your face if you weren’t okay." She pointed out and since Kellen couldn’t see himself in anything nearby, he just nodded.
"Oh. Okay. I’m just...a little surprised and confused." Kellen admitted and his Dad smiled.
"Understandable, really. Now co on, open it." His Dad encouraged. His Mom ca closer too as Kellen took the box from his Dad. He was surprised to realise that his hands were shaking as he held onto the box. He didn’t expect that he would tremble like this.
Kellen took a deep breath before he opened the velvet box and stared down at the two rings inside.
They were practical, no nonsense, and the stones were implanted into the rings themselves. They were flat, smooth, and so pretty that Kellen was a little surprised that he was going to give sothing like this to Rhys. Kellen didn’t realise he was holding his breath until his Dad clamped his hand down on Kellen’s shoulder and squeezed.
"Breathe, Kellen." He encouraged and Kellen nodded, sucking in a deep breath before slowly letting it out. Holy. This felt real now. He was planning to give this to Rhys and while it was a sign of possession, it was also a sign that Kellen couldn’t see himself with anyone else. He knew that he had kind of told Rhys as much so far, but this was the real deal.
Kellen’s parents were grinning like fools as they watched their son grapple with the reality of the situation. What he was planning to do. Kellen raised his gaze up to his parents, his eye watering.
"This is real, isn’t it?" Kellen asked quietly and his Dad gave a wet laugh.
"It is, son. It is real." He whispered and Kellen swallowed thickly. He stared at the two-toned gem, a twist of blue and yellow, and Kellen felt emotion choke him.
"Gwen found this gem." Kellen told them softly. "I wanted her to be a part of it even if she couldn’t be here." Kellen admitted. That made the air feel hot and heavy for a mont as all three of them tried to keep their composure. Kellen stared at the rings for a long, serious mont before he let out a shaky breath.
"Okay. I’ll tuck this away now before I lose it." Kellen muttered, shutting the box and tucking it into a side pocket. It was already holding sothing pretty bulky so the box wouldn’t be noticed. His parents nodded as they watched Kellen, their expressions soft.
"You look good, Kellen. Much better. Taylor warned us that you might have another vision since it had been a while. I just wasn’t expecting in the middle of a eting." His Dad admitted and Kellen shrugged.
"Maybe I should be keeping track of them. All the data is probably a good thing." Kellen admitted. A soft knock on the door announced him before he opened the door. Rhys was on the other side carrying a few cups of tea with one hand and his other was free.
"Taylor has already asked that of . I was doing that while I was waiting by your side to recover." Rhys told him as he handed out the cups of tea. Kellen was impressed that he was caring for Kellen’s parents like this, but then again, he was probably viewing them as an extension of his other Saturn Guild mbers. Kellen smiled as he took the cup from him, the little box pressed against his side burning.
"Oh good." Kellen told him and Rhys chuckled.
"I knew you would say that. Anyways, now that you’re awake and looking much better, I have a few questions about your vision." Rhys said, pulling Kellen back into work mode. Kellen didn’t mind and answered all of his questions easily.
Then it was ti for Kellen to ask a few of his own. It was probably a good thing that it was just the three of them there too.
"In the vision you put this neck thing on him as well as two wrist cuffs. They didn’t look like the normal gear used on Espers, Guides or even civilians who are being arrested. They were thin, black and seed to snap into place. Do those ring any bells for you?" Kellen asked and watched the three of them share a look. Rhys sighed.
"They are...usually used when one thinks that an Esper is going to flee. You saw that we used three?" Rhys asked and Kellen nodded.
"Yes. I think it’s because he teleported in. The biggest concern would be that he would teleport away again." Kellen added and Rhys frowned. HIs Mom was also frowning.
"Did you pack any of those, Rhys?" His Mom asked and Rhys sighed.
"No, but I’m sure I’ll be able to grab a few at the eting. We normally wear base level C Class protectors to mute our powers. I’m sure they’ll have higher level ones there. They’re all freaks, anyways." Rhys muttered, sounding offended, disgusted and annoyed. Kellen had no idea what he ant by that but his parents did.
They snorted, his Mom in particular, turning her head away from Rhys.
"Most of them are from a different ti, Rhys. Try to be a little understanding." She couldn’t even say it with a straight face. Rhys scoffed.
"Yeah. Sure. As if I have no understanding in my body." Rhys said dryly while Kellen was still a little lost. He glanced between them but it was clear he wasn’t going to get a straight answer from any of them. Kellen just sighed, shaking his head.
"Anyway, we’ll need them to keep him in one place. I didn’t like the look of him, and I’ll need body paint. I am essentially going to be Brent’s shadow. That’s what had a good outco, with the help of the other S Classes." Kellen told Rhys and while Rhys looked unhappy, he also knew that he wouldn’t be able to talk Kellen out of this.
He knew these kinds of powers best. He would do anything to see the best outco, and Kellen would too. Rhys sighed, shaking his head, but pulling out his phone as he began to make a list. Kellen smiled, pleased that he didn’t have to worry about too much right now.
This was a good day.
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