Chapter 157: Totally not engagement rings. These are just…possessive rings

“Dad, Taylor. What are you two doing together?” Kellen greeted as they both approached. Kellen’s Dad gave a soft snort, reaching out to push Kellen’s hair back from his face, his smile tender as he came to a stop before his son.

“Am I not allowed to come see you after you went through another medical treatment? Am I banished? I went to check on you only to find you are up and moving, and that you put your foot down while I wasn’t looking.” His Dad said, raising an eyebrow slightly. Kellen frowned.

“Rhys stayed by my side during it. I wasn’t at risk.” Kellen protested. “Plus, it was in the Medical Bay. I was safe.” Kellen told him. His Dad’s expression warmed, but Kellen knew that could either be a good or a bad thing. His Dad’s expression didn’t change much when he was mad. It was part of his charm as a Guide.

“Funnily, Taylor told me the same thing. You two are like two peas in a pod. It’s hard to get you to rat each other out.” His Dad accused, ruffling the hair he had just pushed back. Kellen protested, while Lieutenant Fisher watched fondly.

That was when his Dad noticed the Lieutenant, and both men greeted the other professionally.

“Well, I had only stopped to check on Guide Woods. I’ll see everyone at the funeral. Have a good day, Guide Woods, Guide Woods and Esper Green.” Lieutenant Fisher said with a smile, making sure that Kellen had his phone again.

“Bye, soon-to-be Captain Fisher!” Kellen called, waving and heard the other man chuckle.

Taylor wasted not a second to shove a reusable bag from a big box store into Kellen’s lap, a smirk on her lips.

“If you need more tomorrow, I’m going to put you on bedrest.” She warned and Kellen stared at her. They both stared at each other, in a contest for a long moment before Taylor looked away, scoffing after a while. “I’m serious, Kellen.” She put on her serious voice, and Kellen sniffed.

“Who said they were all for him? What if I need them so that I don’t hurt him?” Kellen countered, and Taylor scowled at him. The two friends scowled at each other, making faces as Kellen’s Dad watched on, a content smile on his face.

“Kellen, I’ll get upset if you use all of the condoms in that bag.” His Dad said, and Kellen froze. A shiver went down his spine.

How did he-?

Why did he-?

His Dad began to laugh at the face that Kellen gave him. He leaned in, pushing back his son’s hair from his forehead and giving it a kiss. Kellen was staring at him, shocked, and even Taylor looked a little spooked. The man gave a smug smile, his eyes warm as he looked over his son and his son’s best friend and Doctor.

“Do you two take me for a fool? I am not an idiot, and while it might be nice for you to live in ignorance of the fact that your Dad knows what you are up to, I’m not stupid. My son is my son, after all. You two have a lot to celebrate, but keep it to a minimum. We have a lot we need to do together tomorrow, Kellen. My sweet, kind son. You deserve moments of happiness, but please remember that we have a lot to do as well.” His eyes were full of mischief. “You are also lucky your Mom hasn’t caught on. She still has a bone to pick with Rhys over his most recent stunt.” He said.

Kellen blinked, glancing at the doorway, before he swallowed. Kellen stood, surprising both of them before he began moving down the hall, then motioned for them to follow him.

“We’re just going to chat in the other conference room!” Kellen yelled, knowing that with the door open, Rhys could hear him. Hell, the man was able to hear the whole conversation he’d just had.

“Okay!” Rhys’ call confirmed that for Kellen. He had heard everything, and damnit, Kellen felt his face warm as he realised that his Dad had told both him and Rhys to not use all of the condoms in the bag. At least Kellen hadn’t opened the bag to check the contents yet.

His friend and Dad followed him into the other conference room, both looking a little confused as Kellen made sure the door was locked and that they had moved far enough into the room that they couldn’t be overheard at the door.

Knowing Rhys, he had to be cautious.

“What did you need to suddenly talk to us about, Kellen?” His Dad asked. “Did you dislike my teasing? I’m sorry, son. I was just having a little fun.” His Dad said with a small frown. Kellen shook his head.

“It’s nothing related to what you just did. Er, it might be, but not really.” Kellen told him. “It just reminded me of something I wanted to ask you, or I wanted to ask several people and you two just happen to be here now.” Kellen said. Taylor and his Dad looked at him, interested and curious.

“Ask both of us? What is it?” Taylor asked, shifting to stare at Kellen properly. Kellen put the bag on the table beside him, wanting his hand free for this conversation.

“Uh, well, I’m noticing that I’m feeling more possessive of Rhys.” Kellen admitted. Both Taylor and his Dad nodded, like that was an obvious outcome.

“Okay. I don’t think that is a bad thing. Are you thinking that it is?” His Dad asked and Kellen flushed.

“Um, sometimes. I don’t want to burden him.” Kellen admitted shyly and his Dad’s expression softened.

“You know he doesn’t consider it a burden, right?” His Dad asked and Kellen flushed more.

“I think it’s the emotions from the Class change that are making things that I knew to be true before become a little more…unclear.” Kellen said carefully. Taylor and his Dad shared a look. It was full of affection for Kellen and amusement, and made Kellen squirm.

“Oh sweetheart.” Kellen’s Dad said with a sigh. He reached for his son, giving him a tender hug that had Kellen’s nerves relaxing.

“I’m not doubting anything, I just-I’m not used to feeling like this.” Kellen admitted. His Dad’s arms squeezed him tightly.

“I can tell you that it will probably be overwhelming sometimes, but there are ways to mitigate it.” His Dad told him. Kellen gave his Dad a squeeze with his one arm, before pulling back, glancing between his face and Taylor’s.

“Which is why I called you two into a room privately.” Kellen admitted. “I also want to talk to Hill and Mom, so I guess I’ll just have to pull them aside when I have a chance tomorrow.” Kellen said. “I…I know I’m getting more possessive of Rhys. I’m aware of this, and I want to think of something to help deal with that outside of causing him bodily harm all the time.” Kellen said.

The two paused, staring at Kellen for a long moment as they grappled with Kellen’s use of ’bodily harm’.

It was Taylor who got it first, her eyes going wide.

“Oh. Oh! You’re talking about hickies.” She said, sounding minorly relieved. Kellen’s Dad stepped back from Kellen, giving his hand a squeeze as he did so, relief on his face as well.

“I understand. So you are looking for a more permanent way to mark him then.” His Dad said, and Taylor gave a soft gasp. Her eyes went wide, a flush covering her cheeks.

“A more permanent mark? Are you thinking-” Kellen’s Dad hit Taylor’s stomach gently, or as gently as an A Class Guide could. Taylor stopped talking, bending at the waist slightly. Kellen’s Dad gave a Guide smile.

“Is there a reason you aren’t speaking to Rhys about this?” He asked and Taylor groaned, but nodded. Kellen felt his cheeks warm.

“I, well, I think we’ve talked about it before and…something in my gut is telling me that I should keep this a secret. That this isn’t…a bad secret to keep.” Kellen mumbled. Kellen’s Dad’s expression softened to almost mush.

“Oh, how very smart of you, Kellen. So, you’ve spoken about a mark of some kind? What did Rhys suggest?” He asked and Kellen sighed.

“He suggested a collar.” Kellen told them. There was a pause before Taylor turned, gripping onto the edge of one of the chairs in the conference room as she burst into laughter. Kellen’s Dad closed his eyes, sighing heavily as he shook his head.

“The damn Esper.” His Dad’s soft mutter had Kellen’s lips curling up slightly.

“No?” Kellen asked and his Dad’s eyes flashed sky blue.

“Absolutely not! No son of mine, or daughter, will be giving out a damn collar to their partner. I was thinking a necklace would be nice, or a bracelet or a ring. What do you think?” Kellen’s Dad asked, his tone even as he mentioned each option and Kellen hesitated slightly.

“Is that…going to be obvious enough?” Kellen asked. Kellen’s Dad’s eyes widened slightly at Kellen’s innocent look.

“Alright, so not a bracelet then. That will be covered by his uniform so he won’t be able to show it off. You could also suggest earrings, but he’d have to get his ears pierced, but I think a ring would be the better option, or a tight necklace that can be seen. Not a collar.” His Dad clarified gruffly, and Kellen nodded. Taylor finally composed herself enough that she could contribute to the conversation.

“If you’re asking our opinion, I think that the Captain would be head over heels with anything that you got him, but I think he would particularly like it if you got him something with a gem set with your eye colour. Maybe something with his eye colour as well.” Her blue eyes sparkled for a second as she clapped her hands together. “Maybe you could get Miro or a different Earth Esper to find one that’s enchanted or something! With like a protective aura or something! That’s all the rage right now, and I just know that would make the Captain happy, especially if you got a matching set.” Kellen stared in confusion.

“A matching set?” He asked and Taylor and his Dad shared a look. His Dad leaned forward, placing a hand on Kellen’s shoulder, smiling.

“Sweetheart, if you’re going to get something for Rhys, why wouldn’t you get something for yourself? To prove that you are no longer single either? Are you going to soothe your own worries while making his worse?” Kellen swallowed. This was why he needed to speak to others about this. His mind was muddled with thoughts of his own insecurities right now that sometimes it was hard to consider Rhys’.

Kellen sighed, shaking his head.

“No, you’re right. That’s…on me.” Kellen muttered. “Okay, tight necklace, earrings, or a ring…” Kellen trailed off, frowning. The tight necklace was essentially a collar, which while Kellen liked, his Dad was right. That wasn’t something that he should wear, especially since Kellen didn’t own him. He was his, but he wasn’t his owner. Rhys was a living being. He also didn’t want to ask Rhys to harm himself, plus, that could cause problems when it came to his powers. What if the earrings got pushed out when he reset himself? Or they grew over?

It seemed the ring was the best option.

“Do you two have any suggestions for jewelers or something similar?” Kellen asked and watched as his Dad and Taylor grinned joyously.

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