Chapter 159: An anticipation weeks in the making
Rhys was all for it, happy to do anything that Kellen suggested if it meant that they were alone and Kellen wasn’t angry at him.
Their duties for the days were done, and now it was time for them to actually relax. Kellen felt like his body was going to vibrate out of his damn clothes, his eye focused on each step as he climbed it, and the warmth he felt in his hand as Rhys held it.
Then, they moved as a unit into the hallway, the door closing behind them. They passed a few people who didn’t stop them, but did wave and smile. They probably knew better just from the way Kellen was walking and glaring at everyone. He would not let anyone stop them.
There was only two things that would prevent him from doing what he wanted right now, and one was across the ocean, and the other was still in a coma for the time being.
The elevator ride up to the apartment was quiet, and Kellen watched as Rhys shuffled the bag into his wrist as he pulled out his phone. Kellen was curious what he was doing, but he just let Rhys do what he wanted. Hopefully he was telling everyone to leave them alone. That he was unavailable unless the city was falling into ruin.
The funeral could wait, saving Brent had to wait, and everything else was under control.
"Two meals?" Kellen repeated, his mind not following where Rhys was going. Rhys’ eyes curled up at the corners as he smiled.
"Oh. Um, I don’t know. I’ve put on a bit of weight, so maybe just two." Kellen told him. Rhys clearly took exception to Kellen’s remarks about his own body as he turned his gaze back to his phone.
"Then I could say the same thing back to you." Kellen told him and Rhys’ responding smile was bright.
Kellen had to turn his face away, his emotions making his heartbeat loud in his ears.
"Mmm, I can only see it as a plus. You would never have to worry about anything if our compatibility was 100%. I wouldn’t have to worry either." Rhys’ gaze shifted, gold turning his yellow gaze a brilliant hue as the elevator doors opened on the empty hallway of their level. "That way no one else would be able to claim you either. You’d be mine for sure." Rhys told him.
Sure, Espers and Guides would know, but others wouldn’t. Kellen swallowed.
"That sounds like...you have a plan." Rhys said, sounding surprised. "Give me one sec to send our dinner plans." Rhys said, halting them from moving as he quickly typed away at his phone and then hit send. "What are you planning, Kellen?" Rhys asked and Kellen narrowed his gaze. He didn’t think that this was the time that he should tell him everything.
"I just...I think the possessiveness that you normally feel is rubbing off on me." Kellen told him, not lying in the slightest. Rhys’ expression was a little shocked, but melted into a warm smile that made Kellen’s insides feel funny.
"I was told that I’m not allowed to get you a collar, and I don’t even like the idea that much. You aren’t a monster who needs me to hold your leash. We’re both monsters, so that wouldn’t really work by their standards anyways." Kellen muttered. He was flushed as he began to tug Rhys towards their apartment. "Come on. We need to shower first." Kellen told him while Rhys was busy processing all that he had heard.
"I’m thinking that when we expand the apartment that we switch to the biometric scan that I have to get into my own apartment. We’ll have both of our DNA hooked up to it. Are you okay with that?" Rhys asked as they stepped into their home. Kellen nodded.
He didn’t pull Kellen against his chest, tucking him in, and instead held him from behind, tucking his chin against Kellen’s shoulder. His hands rested on Kellen’s stomach and Kellen slid his hand on top of Rhys’. Rhys sighed, relaxing against Kellen’s back.
"I did." Kellen said, feeling a bit defensive. "I normally only order the ones that I have for my emergency kit online, and I didn’t have enough forethought to order ahead. I didn’t know how many you had, and I knew Taylor would have a bunch." Kellen froze, remembering a conversation he’d had with Brent before. About men having preferences. "I’m sorry. I didn’t consult you on this. Brent told me that some guys have specific types that they like and types that they don’t. Are you going to be upset about that?" Kellen asked, turning his head to look at Rhys. It was particularly hard since Rhys was resting on the shoulder that had the eyepatch. Rhys smiled.
"I don’t regret sleeping with you before going into the gate." Kellen said. Rhys tensed at the sudden direction Kellen’s mind had wandered.
"I don’t regret it," Kellen continued, "because I would hate to not know how good it feels to be connected to you when we’re having sex. I wouldn’t be this frustrated that we had to wait this long to do it again. I wouldn’t understand a fraction of the desire you’ve always felt with me and I think that is a bigger loss than not waiting until you had me begging under you." Kellen said, remembering what Rhys had said to him. Kellen squeezed his hand on his stomach. "But now we have time to do it again. Who said you only had to do it once? What if I was the one who had you begging under me?" Kellen hinted, chuckling and Rhys let out a gentle sigh.
"Shower. Now. I need you naked before I can think straight." Kellen told him and Kellen found himself off of the ground, Rhys lifting him up and into his arms.
