Chapter 376: A nice way to wake up
"Yeah. I just found him. Don’t worry, he’s fine." Kellen stirred, the voice sounding familiar, but he couldn’t quite place it. "I think he’s waking up. Yup. Thanks for calling." Kellen yawned, reaching up to cover his mouth as he slowly opened his eyes.
He was a little fuzzy on the details, but he was sure he hadn’t slept for long. Who had gotten into his office? He was pretty sure he had locked it. Kellen finally opened his eyes and was greeted with a smiling Rhys.
"Good afternoon sleepy head." Rhys greeted. "I saw your message and thought I’d join you, but when I got caught up in a meeting. When I realised what time it was, I decided to make sure you didn’t sleep through your next class." Rhys reached down, brushing Kellen’s hair out of his face. "By the way, your Mom just called. They made it safe and sound. No problems, and they’ve already been picked up by the Guild. The antidote is also safe, and no one was the wiser. They did say that the Guild Captain was surprised when Sakura called them and told them to head to the airport." Kellen sat up quickly, his heart in his throat.
"They’re safe?" He asked, and Rhys’ smile gentled.
"Yes, sugar. They are safe. So safe that your Dad told me to remind you to take care of Gwen." Kellen’s heart raced in his chest as Rhys continued to pet him, soothing him. Kellen wasn’t sure what kind of face he was making, but Rhys nudged him, getting him to move over so that he could sit down, forcing Kellen’s head against his shoulder. "Brent and Hill also are safe. Captain Sergei is bothering me. He’s taken pictures of Brent with the tiny new Field Guides. They are apparently following him like ducklings, and even the toughened Field Guides who remain on the front lines find it cute. They haven’t entered a gate yet, but they have been a tremendous help. Brent is also, apparently, monitoring every guiding session that they are doing, and telling them that it’s okay if they hit or scratch the Esper if they do something that they don’t like." Rhys’ shoulders shook as Kellen listened to him. "Apparently, a new phrase is popping up down there." Kellen tensed, wondering what the hell Brent came up with.
"How bad is it?" Kellen winced at how dry his throat felt. He must have snored, loudly at that, for his throat to be this parched. Rhys continued to laugh.
"WWKD. Got any guesses what it means?" Kellen leaned further against Rhys’ shoulder, nuzzling into the other man’s heat as he continued to wake up. He was still a little fuzzy. Feeling like he was walking through honey. He had been pretty tired, and probably was going to pass out when he got off work today.
"No idea." Kellen murmured, enjoying the feeling of Rhys’ fingers through his hair.
"What would Kellen do? Funny, isn’t it? Brent is using your recorded history to strike fear into the Esper’s on the front lines. They’ve all seen what you’re capable of while in gates, but now that video continues to inspire the Guides to not take their shit. Brent is making sure that they know their worth. I think it’s cute." Rhys said, sighing. "I’m glad to know that we have two, capable Field Guides teaching our Guides the rules." Kellen scoffed.