Chapter 271: Good times and guilt
Kellen needed to work on his own personal control. He felt like he was drowning in his feelings for Rhys, but that wasn’t what Rhys needed at the moment. He needed comfort, not Kellen having his hands all over him. Kellen felt a little guilty for his feelings, but at the same time, Rhys didn’t seem to...mind?
It didn’t ease the feeling inside of him, but with the way that Rhys held him, fed him, and cared for him, Kellen wondered briefly if this was a good distraction for him. To forget the thoughts and worries he had for Gunther.
Kellen didn’t mind being a distraction, but at the same time, he wanted to be able to care for Rhys while he was feeling this way.
He needed to put his own feelings to the side.
That was hard to do after their conversation, and Kellen’s threat, but at the same time, Rhys seemed...better. Soothed in a way, and Kellen was finally able to convince him to eat for himself. Kellen was even able to feed him in the same way that Rhys had fed him, without the comments.
Kellen wasn’t quite to the same level as Rhys, and from the way those damn yellow eyes glittered, Rhys knew it too.
It was an enjoyable moment. An enjoyable time for the two of them. Kellen was happy that they had this time with each other, even if it was because of such an awful thing. He actually felt guilty for thinking that way. It was at the cost of Gunther’s misfortune, or more accurately, Casper’s misfortune since Gunther didn’t even know what was wrong yet.
Kellen even forgot that he was injured since his legs were across Rhys’ lap, elevated, and Rhys was stroking them without agitating his injury. They just...enjoyed each other’s company. Kellen didn’t think about how much Rhys was drinking since Rhys had told him not to worry. It was actually quite nice to watch as Rhys slowly got more intoxicated.
The light flush on his cheeks, the easy way he smiled and the dilation of his pupils told Kellen that this Rhys was getting to the first edge of intoxication. Rhys also got more touchy-feely. Kellen was still nursing his first cider and couldn’t help but giggle as Rhys kissed his neck, blowing raspberries against his skin as he murmured sweet nothings to him.
Kellen felt guilty for how full and happy his heart was. The only comfort he was able to give himself was that he wasn’t going to let Gunther live the rest of his life, now that he knew the issue, without feeling like this.
Love was so much more than what he’d believed. What he and Gunther had believed.