Chapter 55: A trio of Captains
The Captain took the two of them to the basement level below the lobby, where Hill had pulled in when Kellen moved in. There, taking Kellen’s hand, he led him around the large garage until he got to a row labeled Captain Thatcher. It was full of luxury cars, and quite a few Kellen recognised at least the type of car because his Dad owned the same one, but in a different colour. It was actually a fleet of cars, and Kellen felt his head swim. He hadn’t thought that his Dad had a lot of cars before, since he had a garage he rotated them out of when he wanted to use them. The Captain kept them all in one place, obviously showing them off. Oh god, I really do come from money.
The Captain stopped at a sleek black car that Kellen recognised because he was pretty sure his Dad had it in red. The Captain took him all the way around, even opening the door for him. His smile was soft, and his eyes were a warm, yellow shade. "Hop in." He told him, and Kellen nodded and got in. The Captain then reached across him and buckled him in, much to Kellen’s surprise, before he closed the door and got into the driver’s seat. He spared Kellen one more glance before he zipped out from under the Guild. Kellen found the handle, grabbed it, and held on. A sinking feeling accompanied by a deep sense of worry filled him. Maybe the Captain and my Dad have the same need for speed.
Leaving the Guild building, the Captain brought the two of them rather quickly to the front of the D.E.C. and the Center. Even with the roadblocks still in place since reconstruction and search and rescue were hard at work, it took them maybe 10 minutes. The Captain also seemed to be having fun as Kellen went whiter and whiter. He even laughed joyfully as he pulled into a near impossible spot, forcing Kellen to grip onto his arm tightly. Kellen’s heart was in his throat as the car rocked to a stop. He wanted to scream at the Esper but knew it would be a pointless endeavour. The Captain was enjoying himself too much.
Legs shaking, Kellen opened the car door and threw his legs out onto the pavement. He didn’t get out of the car, and instead took a minute to breathe in the fresh air. The Captain was laughing at him as he got out and came around to Kellen’s side of the car. He leaned against the open door frame as Kellen gathered his wits about him.
"Did that scare you, Kellen?" Kellen’s cheeks heated and his heart thumped in his chest at the intimate way the Captain called him. It was the first time he’d used his name in public like this. Kellen gulped. His fingers clung like claws to the side of the leather seat while the Captain’s gaze roamed him. He was sure the man wasn’t missing a thing with that piercing gaze, and giant grin on his face.
"I-I-" Kellen started, his throat dry, before swallowing and trying again. "You are never allowed to race my Father." Kellen told him, trying to sound stern. The Captain threw his head back and laughed at his statement, and Kellen glared at him. The Captain reached his hand out, tentatively cupping Kellen’s face in his hand. When Kellen didn’t reject the touch, the Captain’s eyes softened. He began to rub his thumb across Kellen’s bottom lip in a slow, soft motion.
"Not sure who you would root for? I understand. I wouldn’t want to divide the family." His cheeky grin made him look younger, and it stirred something in Kellen’s chest. It reminded him of some of the photos he’d taken when he was quite a bit younger, in his teens. Swallowing, Kellen raised his hand, cupping the Captain’s cheek as well. The Captain leaned into the touch, closing his eyes as if he was savouring it. Then, he turned his head and kissed Kellen’s palm, his eyes still soft. "We should go, before I give the press following us something to take a picture of." He told Kellen, and Kellen’s eyes widened. There was no warning signs blaring in Kellen’s mind. He’d had no idea he was in danger, or maybe...Kellen didn’t consider it a dangerous situation anymore?
The Captain offered to help Kellen out of his car, but stepped back when Kellen shook his head. He did close the car door and take Kellen’s hand in his after though, and took the lead, moving them towards the Center. Kellen could feel his hands beginning to sweat, and worried that the Captain would find it gross. The only saving grace Kellen could think of was the fact that they were not going into the Center proper, and instead were going to the D.E.C., which occupied the upper levels of the building. The Captain gave Kellen’s hand a squeeze, opening the front doors for him before briskly leading him towards the elevators. He hummed a tune as the two waited, before practically dragging Kellen inside and hitting buttons. Kellen knew it wasn’t good for him to be so distracted, but he was too busy trying not to fall into a panic attack.
The elevator doors opened, and the Captain let Kellen get out first before directing him down the long hallway in front of them. It felt like an office building, but it opened up slightly as they rounded a corner. The space had a few desks, and at the end a set of large, double doors. At the desks were two ladies who seemed quite busy. They glanced up, before doing a double take at the sight of the Captain. They began to panic, and Kellen had no idea why. The Captain quickly fixed that for him.