Chapter 368: We just show it differently
The rest of the day passed in a blur, and Kellen really only came back to himself when Rhys came home.
Kellen found himself sitting on the couch in his apartment, his legs pulled up and his arms wrapped around them. The t.v. was on and he had a channel on that was playing the news of the areas across the water. He had no idea where they were going to land, so it was just a network that played a bunch of news stories from there.
Rhys had to stay behind, more work on his plate now that Hill and Gunther were gone. He had been training up some people to step in once they were gone, but it was the first day. Kellen and Rhys both didn’t expect much.
Brent was gone. Along with Hill. Gwen wasn’t going out yet, the older group getting priority first. They were going to spend the first three weeks out, Hill was going to come back with them, touch base with Rhys, and then turn around and take the second group of new recruits out.
Kellen stared blankly at the man who had entered his home. Rhys had glanced at Kellen, before he took his time taking off his shoes and jacket before he slipped his feet into his slippers and joined Kellen on the couch. He wrapped his arm around Kellen’s shoulder, pulling the other man against him. Kellen’s head fell against his, and Rhys sighed.
"You look horrible." Rhys muttered. "Are you doing okay?" Rhys asked and Kellen shook his head.
He wasn’t doing okay. He was worried. The nagging feeling in his chest was strong. A warning in his guts that told him that something was going to go wrong, and he just didn’t know where.
"I’m worried." Kellen said out loud. It didn’t feel like those words held enough of the concern that was actually filling him. He wasn’t just worried. He was terrified. Afraid. Something was gnawing at him now that he’d sent them away.
"Of course you’re worried. You aren’t with them to get them out of trouble if they are in it." Rhys said. Kellen thought he was making fun of him, so he turned his gaze towards him. When he met Rhys’ gaze, he found that the other man was sincere. "I understand that fear. I have the same feeling every time I send anyone away. Have I set them up enough? Have I looked enough into the future to see if they are on the right path? Can I give them any last minute warnings?" He gave Kellen’s shoulder a squeeze. "It’s normal. That doesn’t make it any easier, though." Rhys sighed.
Kellen turned, resting his head against Rhys’ head and shoulders, thinking. He hadn’t considered that this was a normal feeling, but if Rhys felt it regularly, that brought him some comfort.
He hesitated for a moment, before he spoke.