Chapter 448: A strong man crumbles
He woke up when strong, warm arms wrapped around him, pulling him up and into the lap of another man. Kellen didn’t need to guess who it was, and threw his arms around the other man, burying his head in his shoulder.
"No news." Rhys whispered, his voice broken. Kellen just nodded, knowing that Rhys was there, here with him. Telling him that he was keeping an eye on this while Kellen crumbled. "Pamela’s gone. Left an hour after Sakura had gotten everything to her. Lieutenant Fisher sent his own people as well. Everyone’s going. They’re going to make sure everyone is alright. We’ll find out who’s missing." Rhys promised and Kellen swallowed.
"Morrison didn’t mention Brent." Kellen whispered, broken and Rhys let out a shaky breath.
"I know babe, I know. We’ll find him. He’s Brent. There’s no way he’s..." Rhys wouldn’t even say it, and Kellen appreciated that. "He’s fine." Rhys promised and Kellen just nodded. "What do you need, Kellen? What can I do for you right now?" Rhys asked. Kellen swallowed.
"I want a bath. With you." Kellen told him and Rhys nodded. He didn’t hesitate to pick him up, carrying the man upstairs. Rhys kept him with him as he turned on the taps in the tub, filling it up. Once that was done, he took Kellen to the bedroom, placing him gently on the bed and undressing him.
His way of caring for him, stripping him bare of his clothes felt like he was stripping away all of his boundaries as well. Kellen felt his throat tighten, his body shaking. He felt weak. Rhys’ gaze alone kept him strong.
The man wasn’t looking at him with pity. He was just looking at him with worry and understanding. There was a strength in Rhys’ eyes that kept Kellen together. Stable. Rhys stripped as well, tossing all of their clothes into the dirty hamper before he picked Kellen up again and gently placed him in the water. He added salts, bubbles, anything he thought would help before he too got into the water. Behind Kellen, and pulled the other man against him.
They sat there, Rhys waving a hand to turn off the tub before the water overflowed and Kellen just sat. His body against Rhys’, so tense he felt like a muscle might snap.
It took ten minutes before his shoulders relaxed.
"Why is this happening now?" Kellen asked finally. "Everything finally felt like it was falling into place." Kellen whispered. "It’s Gwen’s first fucking time on the front lines. Why now?" Kellen’s throat was thick with grief. Rhys wrapped his arm around his shoulders, pulling him against his back.
"I...don’t have an answer for that. I don’t...there wouldn’t ever be a good time for this to happen." Rhys whispered. "I...I will do everything I can." Rhys promised, but Kellen knew it wasn’t just up to him.