Chapter 290: I need a different kind of comfort (m)
Kellen wasn’t sure how long the two of them lay there, but Kellen wasn’t counting. After all that had happened, it was nice to just...feel Rhys around him.
If he was honest with himself now, he could say that he had been a little scared. He had worried about what the outcome of today could have been, but honestly, this was probably the best he was going to get. He was lucky, but he’d never been super lucky. Getting shot while wearing several layers of protection was probably the best he could ask for.
Kellen continued running his hands through Rhys’ hair, thoughtful as the man slowly stopped crying. Kellen didn’t mind, especially since he held him so tightly against him. He would admit it in a heartbeat if Rhys asked him about it. He liked feeling their skin rub together, and he wanted to be able to comfort him.
Kellen always had.
The Captain had always looked so lonely before. When they had been on the front lines together, Kellen often would see him standing alone after he had sent everyone else running around to do his bidding.
And now, he had that man wrapped around him as he found comfort in him. Kellen knew that this probably wasn’t the right time, but he felt satisfied with this outcome. What he had wanted, what he had dreamed of, had come true.
He was there for Rhys to find comfort in. Now he just needed to get his act together and do some more research about relationships. He doubted that what Hill gave him would help him anymore. Maybe now he could ask his Mom or Dad about it. Or maybe there were more books he could read.
A sniffle from Rhys, and a shift in his weight had Kellen’s thoughts turning back to the man pressed against him. Rhys raised his head slowly, his face looking awful and puffy, his yellow eyes making everything pop in contrast and Kellen smiled softly, his fingers gentle in his hair.
"How are you feeling?" He asked and Rhys sniffled.
"Like a big baby. I can’t believe I cried like this." Rhys murmured and Kellen leaned forward to press a kiss against his forehead.
"It’s okay. I didn’t mind. You can cry like this whenever you want. Tears are usually all about pent up emotions." Kellen told him with a grin. "Or, am I not allowed to tell you to rely on me to cry? Would that ruin your hardass image?" Kellen teased and Rhys sniffed.