Chapter 451: I’ve never wanted to change you
Rhys dragged Kellen across the hall to the guiding room there. Kellen, without much thought, checked to see if it was booked for any time coming up and found that it wasn’t, which settled some of his concerns. The room was small, quiet, and you couldn’t hear the noises from outside.
Rhys sat down on the bed, looking stricken, and Kellen closed the door gently behind him, locking it just to make sure. The feeling was still there, the worry churning his gut.
Kellen stood by the door, giving them some space as Rhys bent further, dropping his head down as he rested both of his elbows on his knees. The sigh that left his body had more of Kellen’s hair standing on end.
"Kellen." Rhys began. Hearing him say his name didn’t bring him joy. Something was about to come out of his mouth that Kellen knew he wasn’t going to like. He could already imagine what it was, but he didn’t want to hear it. Things were going well for them. He didn’t want anything to throw that off. They were good.
Kellen could feel his breath hitch. His body knew. Rhys knew. He knew. He was just in denial.
"Don’t say it." Kellen found himself saying quietly. "Don’t say no." Rhys let out a sigh. It was heavy, and the whole room felt weighed down by it. Kellen’s breathing grew harsher.
Rhys raised his head and Kellen met his gaze for a second before he had to tear it away. His eyes were wide, panicked. The brief second he’d met Rhys’ gaze had made this only worse.
He wasn’t mad. He wasn’t upset. He was sad. That only made this worse.
"Kellen. I’ve been the one avoiding it. I know. I know who you...are." Rhys let out another breath, and it sounded like he was restraining himself. Kellen swallowed. Rhys sounded like he was on the edge. Like he was about to cry.
Kellen didn’t know what to do with that information.
"I am me." Kellen agreed. He was still by the door. Still awkward. His chest was still tight, his breathing still compromised. Why was this so hard for him? Why was this so hard for both of them?