Chapter 262: A dangerously good actor
"How is everyone doing?" Kellen asked as he opened the door to his Dad’s room.
Kellen wasn’t surprised when he found that his Mom had been let back into the room and Casper and the new Guide were near his Dad’s bed making arts and crafts projects. Casper had glue in his hair, his brows furrowed in concentration, while the younger Guide held up his string of misshapen creatures up for his Dad to see.
Kellen’s Dad’s complexion looked better. His eyes weren’t as stressed, his shoulders were relaxed, and the large, awful bandage around his neck was on full display. Kellen swallowed thickly as everyone turned their gaze to look at him.
His Dad broke out into a large smile, pulling down his own craft project and held out his arms, asking for a hug. Kellen couldn’t resist him, and made his way over, wrapping his arms around his Dad delicately, much to his laughter.
"You are about as bad as your Mother. At least your sister hugs me like she means it." He grumbled, but clearly didn’t mean it. Kellen pulled back, checking him over with his gaze and watched as his Dad did the same. His Dad gave him a squeeze. "Kellen, stop it. I’m fine."
"Then stop checking on me in the same way." Kellen replied and his Dad laughed. Kellen was glad to see that he was in such high spirits after everything that had happened, but he also knew the secret ingredient.
Kellen glanced at the two damaged Guides next to him before meeting his Dad’s gaze. His Dad gave him another squeeze until Kellen pulled back, worried he wouldn’t be able to hold the position for long with his injured leg.
"You look okay for someone who is basically holding this Guild up by its bootstraps." His Dad joked, and Kellen flushed.
"There are so many people involved in this Guild. I’m barely doing anything." Casper gave Kellen a look, and Kellen felt the warning before the Captain’s arm wrapped around his shoulder.
"Don’t sell yourself so short, Mr. Woods. Who knows how we would have handled everything up until this point without you here? I honestly can’t even imagine it." Rhys told him, pressing a kiss against Kellen’s cheek. Kellen made a face, and his Dad laughed.
"Oh, openly showing affection now huh? Did Rhys wean you down?" His Dad teased and Rhys grinned proudly, pushing out his chest.