Chapter 105: Medical professionals are human too

Kellen pulled his head from Rhys’ shoulder, glancing around in confusion. He didn’t have a view of the room, but he could tell that Rhys did. It was in the way that he tensed his body completely. As if he hadn’t realised the state of the room or where he was until that moment.

Kellen found it a bit comforting that he had been so focused on Kellen that he had forgotten his surroundings. Only for a moment though. He was an S Class Esper who was a Captain. He should be more aware of his surroundings.

“Why aren’t they in the Medical Bay?” Rhys muttered quietly. Before Kellen could answer, Hill did.

“They didn’t want to be separated, and the rooms were too small.” Kellen didn’t think that was true. The rooms were quite spacious compared to some of the rooms he’d ever been in for medical treatment, but he would never argue with Guides who’d been through hell.

“Understood.” Rhys said quietly, still holding onto Kellen tightly. “Gunther?” He asked next and Kellen felt his heart jerk.

“He’s doing well, Captain. Hasn’t woken up yet, but Casper is by his side. I made him promise to tell us if he awoke.” Hill spoke softly. Kellen understood why. Gunther was his best friend. He probably had some complicated emotions about being here then instead of at his side.

“Alright. That’s good enough for now. Kellen, are you done here?” Rhys asked, squeezing Kellen in his arms.

“Not quite. I need to check in with Taylor and the other Espers that were accepted by the Guides. Once that’s done, yeah, I can be done.” Kellen said. He trusted that the Guides would be in good hands, and it was getting late. He wanted to spend some time with Rhys.

It was a selfish desire, but Kellen felt that others would forgive him considering that Rhys had crushed a hideout of the E.A.G. today. He deserved some rest and a reward. Kellen could be that reward.

Kellen felt his face warm as soon as the idea came to him. What was wrong with him today? It was like he was a beast or something!

“Alright. As long as you’re okay having a shadow, let’s go.” Rhys said, carefully releasing Kellen. Kellen was the one who hesitated for a second, not wanting to let go of the other man but eventually relenting. Rhys gave a soft chuckle, pressing his lips against Kellen’s sweaty forehead when Kellen finally released him.

Kellen immediately cursed, trying to wipe Rhys’ lips with his sleeve. Rhys let him, his yellow eyes curling up at the corners while Hill cursed at him too.

“What were you thinking?! I’ve been sweating!” Kellen immediately was upset. He didn’t want to hurt Rhys, at all. Rhys just laughed, which had Hill groaning.

“You love sick fool! Kellen can hurt you right now, Captain! Have some consideration for his mental health if you are going to do something so reckless.” Hill chastised in full view of the Guides. The Espers who were still in the hallway knew about what had happened to Kellen, but those inside of the room had no idea.

Those who were still awake gave them confused looks, clearly not certain as to what was going on.

“Why would a Guide be able to hurt him?” One of the older Guides asked, sitting up in his bed, brushing aside the careful touch of the concerned Guild Guide next to them. “He’s powerful. We’ve seen it. How would the Guide, um, Woods? Hurt him?” The Guide asked and Hill glanced at Rhys and Kellen. It was clear she was considering what she should reveal, but it wasn’t like Kellen hadn’t done a press conference today or anything.

“My blood and sweat are currently poisonous. Actually, pretty much all of my body fluids are.” Kellen told the Guide. One of the few that Kellen hadn’t spent any time with yet because he had been making his way through the room. He had started on the left side of the room and had been working his way around. The Guide was on the right side of the room, staring at Kellen like he’d admitted something horrible.

“And you touched everyone? Knowing this?” He sounded horrified. Hill bristled, clearly not liking their attitude towards Kellen. Kellen, however, understood their anger.

“It’s reduced.” Kellen told them, and that clearly wasn’t a comfort to him. Kellen smiled. “I’ve been very careful, so don’t worry. Plus, the team here are well versed in what is going on inside of my body. They are the ones who are healing me. Slowly, since it’s a difficult process, but it’s also why I’m still injured. My body can’t heal itself while fighting the poison inside of me.” Kellen was smiling as he told the Guide that.

The Guide, who had gone through something horrific, was staring at Kellen like he should be pitied.

“How are you even still standing?” The Guide asked. “I would have given up ages ago.” Kellen wanted to laugh at the humour in this situation. A Guide who had lasted as long as he had said that he would give up if he was put in Kellen’s shoes. It was hilarious to Kellen.

“Hmm, I doubt that you would. It has some perks.” Kellen’s gaze slid to Rhys, who had also bristled at the words from the Guide. Kellen chuckled as he slid his gaze back to the Guide who was blushing slightly. “Get some rest. It’s probably going to be a long day tomorrow.” Kellen told the younger Guide, waving as he took Rhys’ hand in his own and tugged him out into the hall.

They only had a few steps to take before they were at the next room, but Kellen gave Rhys a serious look in that time.

“That was dangerous, Rhys.” Kellen warned. They were already being slightly dangerous with the actions that they had done before, but doing that? On a day where he had probably used a lot of his powers?

Kellen wanted to throttle the man.

Rhys just smiled, all warm and melty for Kellen and Kellen could feel his anger shifting. He was too handsome for his own good.

“I understand. I’ll make sure to wipe it all away before I kiss your forehead next time.” Rhys promised and Kellen wondered if he actually understood at all what the problem was. How in danger he was just being around Kellen.

“Taylor!” Hill’s call from behind them, and the way that she rushed off as soon as she caught sight of Taylor stepping out into the hallway had both men bracing for impact. She barely grazed them. Mostly due to Rhys grabbing Kellen close and yanking him into his chest. Both men watched on as Taylor raised her head, her ponytail floppy, lifeless, his clothes askew, and tiredness coming off of her in waves.

“Oh. Hi Karen.” Taylor greeted, giving a small smile at the sight of the other woman. Taylor then raised her gaze to Kellen and Rhys, her smile staying the same. “And Kellen and the Captain.” She greeted them. Rhys huffed.

“Was that greeting in order of who you like the most? It felt like it.” He said and Taylor’s eyes widened just slightly and Kellen watched as colour touched her cheeks.

“N-No!” Taylor stuttered. “It’s in order of who I spotted first. God, Captain, you’re too much sometimes.” Taylor muttered, but Kellen could tell she was embarrassed. Hill laughed.

“I would have been happy if that was the case.” There she went again. Up Taylor’s cheek went, bright red. Kellen was amazed to see it.

“Hill. She just got off work. She’s been working like a dog. Give the girl a break. At least wait until she’s had some food before hitting on her.” Rhys sounded like he was defending Taylor up until the end and Taylor turned to scowl at Rhys.

“I’ll tell Carlos what you two are up to if you don’t watch yourself.” Taylor warned. “He’s scarier than I am when it comes to Kellen’s health.” Kellen didn’t want to see them argue, so he stepped in. He put himself in between Taylor and Rhys, even if he wasn’t that much of a barrier.

“Taylor, how is everyone doing? I can see that you’re able to take a break. Does that mean everything is okay?” Kellen asked and Taylor’s enthusiasm died slightly. She reached up, running a hand over her face. She looked really, really tired.

“It was a lot. Charlie helped, quietly guiding me every now and then. It was strange, but appreciated. I made sure he wasn’t going overboard, and that he was eating the whole time. It was easy to do, and I could tell that the simple care surprised a lot of the Guides. But, it also appeared to be a good thing since they were asking if what Charlie and I were doing was normal.” Taylor’s eyes suddenly filled with tears. It was surprising enough that all three of them moved, and so did a few of the Espers nearby did too.

“Taylor?! Are you alright?” Hill asked and she covered her face again, shaking her head.

“Office.” She managed to get out and she was quickly ushered to not her office, but an office nearby with a closing door. There, Taylor collapsed. She spewed out all of the things she found. All of the things she noticed. Every little crime that she had to keep inside as she worked on everyone.

Keeping her cool, keeping everyone calm while all Taylor wanted to do was weep.

“I-I think the young girl you were talking to earlier is an S Class like Charlie.” She whispered after she’d cried most of her tears out. That was a horrifying realisation. “I hate it. She’s so young. You didn’t awaken until your late teens, most of these kids should be in fucking school!” Taylor sobbed, Hill’s arm around her shoulder, her jaw tight and tears running down her cheeks too.

None of them had a dry eye, not even Rhys. It was horrible to listen to the things that Taylor had found and knowing that someone had caused it.

“We won’t know for sure.” Rhys said carefully, but he didn’t sound like he believed it himself. He had his own theories, theories that were suspiciously being proven correct every time that they found an S Class of any kind. Kellen was not liking this feeling.

“We just have to be here for them, Taylor. They’ll get better with time.” Kellen told her softly, taking her hand in his. Taylor squeezed it tightly.

“I know. I know that. It just hurts being the one tending to them. Fuck, they are so distrusting of me. It breaks my heart. Even the Espers that they trust don’t get the same level of trust as they give other Guides. It’s only you and Charlie who get the special treatment, Kellen. They seem to trust you two on a different level.” Taylor said, before she looked ill.

Kellen didn’t notice, instead nodding slowly.

“I think it’s because I’m injured like they are, and while Charlie doesn’t show it, he’s injured too. We can soothe parts of them that the others can’t.” Kellen said and Taylor let out a low, slow breath.

“I think you might be right.” Taylor agreed. Rhys squeezed Kellen’s shoulder, his arm wrapped around him protectively.

“Taylor, why don’t you come join us for dinner? Hill, you too. In fact, this is basically an order. We all need a moment to debrief, but I don’t think doing it alone is smart.” Rhys added and Kellen couldn’t help but agree.

“Should we invite my parents too?” Kellen suggested, and that was how the dinner that was cancelled was back on, but in a much somber tone.

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