Chapter 231: Words of encouragement with a hint of regret
"So? When did all of this get planned?" Kellen asked, turning towards Hill and Gunther as Rhys fled. The warm smiles on everyone’s faces never left, showing off just how happy they were for them. Kellen could feel it through the cameras and Kellen was glad.
Uncle Parker was one of the camera carriers, along with the youngest Lieutenant, Zaria and Uncle Vance. Zaria had Hill’s camera, Uncle Parker was carrying Gunther and Uncle Vance was carrying Taylor. It was...a rather equal line up. Kind of. Kellen also couldn’t see anyone else carrying the cameras anyways.
"The two days that you two left ahead of your parents." Taylor told him honestly. Kellen nodded, thanking Rhys when he came back with two mimosa flutes and handed one to Kellen. He wrapped his arm around Kellen’s shoulder again, raising the flute to his own lips.
"Ah. Understood. So you weren’t completely in the dark then." Kellen countered and Gunther gave a sheepish grin.
"Well, I was until I caught your parents trying to sneak in a ring box and Green was sweating like she was up to no good. She’s not good at keeping happy secrets, Kellen." He scolded and Taylor flushed.
"Oh, hush! I can too! It’s different when it’s something like that!" Taylor defended, glaring at him as if he was in the same room as her. That was when Kellen realised something and it all clicked. They had the same background.
They were in the conference room.
Kellen blinked.
"Why are you all on separate tablets if you’re all in the same room?" Kellen asked, confused, and Hill smirked.
"We thought it would be better if you saw us individually. Casper’s here too." Hill turned her camera and showed Casper, next to Gunther. He looked a little awkward to be revealed but Kellen smiled at him.
"Nice to see you here, Casper. How are the new team doing while we’re gone?" Kellen asked and Casper’s expression softened.
"Honestly? They’re doing great. I’m...a little embarrassed that I didn’t ask for a system like this before. Of course, I’m not allowed to work, but they do come to me for questions and the like. It’s...It’s a load off to know that the Guiding Division is in good hands until I’m back." Not when he was better, but when he was back.
Kellen noticed the little change and nodded.
"Right? They were very worried about you and conscience of what they would want in your shoes. They’re good people, Casper, and I’m glad that they’re doing well." Kellen said, nodding. Hill cleared her throat loudly.
"We are not discussing work right now, Kellen. Now, show me that twerp’s face. I need to see it. He’s been hiding away since we were summoned." Hill pointed a finger at Kellen before she began moving her head around as if that would give her a better view of the others around her. Zaria snickered, turning to give Hill a full view of Brent.
Brent, for his part, was pulling on a great show. He made it look like he got caught making out with Sergei, making Hill give a loud shout as he turned and smirked at the camera. He’d even raised his leg, making Sergei hold it stiffly as he pretended to kiss the other man.
Sergei was stone-faced, his expression stiff as Brent laughed, his green eyes glittering.
"Great to see you two, Karen." Brent said, flipping her off. She let out a snort.
"Oh hush. I’m not the one with my tongue down a rival Captain’s throat." Karen shot back and Brent slid his gaze from Taylor to Hill and watched as Taylor stiffened. He snorted, loudly.
"Oh, that might be true, but you certainly have your tongue down our Healer’s throat, hmm?" That brought the room alive, everyone chattering and speaking on top of each other as Kellen’s parents and Aunt Dina helped put food on the table behind them. It was...warm.
Kellen didn’t think he’d want a party to celebrate his engagement but now that they were here...he liked it. Kellen caught Gunther’s gaze, saw how he was watching everything with a deep satisfaction on his face and Kellen knew that this was the right thing.
Everything was going in the right way, and unlike when the poison gate showed up Kellen didn’t feel this looming fear and discomfort in the back of his mind. Kellen’s shoulders relaxed and he took a sip of the mimosa.
He nearly coughed, the alcohol content inside of the tiny glass nearly making his eyes water. Rhys glanced at him, chuckling. He leaned in close, his lips brushing Kellen’s ear.
"I can finish it, love. Don’t drink it if you don’t want to." He was being considerate of the moment and Kellen warmed. He sighed, his eyes scanning the room full of people who cared about him, and a very pregnant woman who Kellen had seen only a few times. She was being fussed over by her husband, a flute of what had to be juice in front of her. Brent would never serve a pregnant woman alcohol.
Kellen grinned, his own eye warm with a deep satisfaction.
"I’ll take you up on that offer." Kellen whispered back and received a warm peck.
"Oo! They kissed! They kissed and they thought we wouldn’t notice!" Suddenly attention was back on them and Kellen felt his face warm as that seemed to stir the whole room. Chanting began to fill the room, demanding that they kiss again and while Rhys seemed ready to calm them down, Kellen saw no reason.
He had every right to kiss Rhys, and every desire to do so too. He was his. Rhys’ shocked expression followed by the riotous whooping that filled the air after was something worth taking a photo of. He was glad when he realised that a camera had caught it, the sound of the lens shuttering filling Kellen’s ears.
In some ways, he was very happy that his hearing had heightened more. He knew that he was going to come to regret that thought at some point. He knew that gifts usually came with downsides, and he’d also known a few S Classes that got a little snippy when things got a little overwhelming for them.
The attention changed again and Kellen let out a soft breath.
He then felt a gentle tap and he turned. His Aunt Dina was there, her hair all over the place and her eyes kind. Kellen went into the hug willingly.
"Congratulations, Kellen. I’m so proud of you for having the courage to take the next step." His Aunt whispered and Kellen felt her words hit him and slide down into his gut. He knew that she meant them, that she wasn’t trying to be pessimistic, but Kellen knew the secret meaning behind them.
She was glad that he had done it because she had been unable to.
Kellen took them for what they meant instead of reading too deeply into the words. He hugged her tightly, sighing softly.
"Thank you, Aunt Dina. I’m glad that I didn’t hesitate." He told her. She laughed warmly, pulling back and placing a hand on his cheek, her smile from her heart.
"You were never the kind of boy who would, sweetheart. Even as a child you were always the firmest in your beliefs. You never hesitated and I am glad that has translated into the kind of man that you are now." Her eyes watered and she let out a low, shaky breath. It sounded like she was trying to get a hold of her emotions. "A strong, confident man who will help lead the future of S Classes, Espers and Guides into the future." She slid her gaze to Rhys, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "With a man who is head over heels for you at your side."
"As I should be." Rhys said with force and Kellen chuckled.
"We both are." Kellen corrected and his Aunt smiled.
"Good." She said, glad that Kellen didn’t reject any of her other words. She turned to Rhys next, hugging the other man who seemed surprised that she was being this physical. He hadn’t really known his Aunt before her sadness and rage, but she had been a very lovely lady who liked hugs, gave them often and would give Kellen imaginary hugs through their video calls.
Seeing her like this made Kellen hope that she was going to be okay. She had to be. He could not lose another Aunt right now.
She spoke to Rhys as well, not as quietly as she hoped but thankfully Brent made a racket with Zaria and Hill that had the room loud enough to cover most of what she was saying to Rhys. She was also cupping his cheek and Rhys, for his part, was listening intently.
Kellen watched them, smiling. Older generation to newer generation, and then they had Charlie back home as well. Three generations of S Classes and Kellen just knew that there was something more to it, but those big thoughts? The wondering and pondering? That wasn’t for him.
That was for Rhys. Kellen was here to make sure that the plans got executed after the dreaming and worrying and plotting. Collect data and move, that’s what Kellen liked to do.
Kellen’s Dad clapped his hands, drawing everyone’s attention to him. He stood near the fully set table, platters of food, pancakes, bacon, eggs, waffles, spreads, syrups, and fresh fruit decorating the table. It looked amazing and the photographer took several photos of it as well.
"Alright! Breakfast is ready!" His Dad called, grinning from ear to ear. "Your spots are over here, you two." That was when Kellen realised that they had sashes to put on and Kellen’s mood dipped slightly. Kellen’s Dad laughed at his expression. "Be glad that Gwen isn’t here. She would have you wearing all sorts of things today. She’ll probably do something absurd for the bachelor party." His Dad warned, a sparkle in his eye.
Kellen laughed, knowing it was true. His chest ached slightly that she wasn’t here, but it was okay.
They would take enough photos that it would feel like she was here. It was then that Kellen realised that that was exactly why the photographer was here. Yes, they would want to look back on the photos, but they were actually for Gwen. Kellen sighed, shaking his head.
He would never be able to scheme over his Dad. It was a good thing he was on his side.
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