Chapter 79: Hard negotiations

“Could you tone it down? I know you’re trying to be quiet, but I can still hear you.” Came Sergei’s dry reply. Rhys’ smile didn’t diminish, but the light in his eyes shifted. He turned and glared at the other Captain’s head, and Kellen chuckled.

“Don’t be a party pooper, Sergei. I’m working on healing to go break out your…what do you mean to Brent, anyway?” Kellen asked bluntly. Hill’s jaw dropped, her expression going blank. Every one of the other people in the room stiffened and Sergei?

He froze, turning slowly in the chair to meet Kellen’s gaze. His gaze was calm, far calmer than Kellen would have given him credit for given what he was going through. His expression and face however? Kellen could tell that the man was not doing well on a greater scale. He had deep, dark circles under his eyes. His skin looked sunken, sallow. He looked even more pale than usual, to the point that Kellen was actually worried for the man.

His Captain uniform, which normally clung to him a little bit, hung loose. Kellen flinched. The man needed tlc, and right now. Kellen felt bad for asking the question, knowing that it could come across as rude. From the reactions of the others, they thought so. Even Hill looked aghast.

Rhys? His shoulders were shaking with silent laughter. His yellow eyes bright.

“I would like to think that he at least thinks of me fondly. If he doesn’t, well, I am going to do my best to change that.” Sergei told him softly. That answer from his lips told Kellen a few things. One, he wanted more from Brent. That was obvious when Kellen had watched how they treated each other on the front lines before Brent had been stolen. Made even more obvious when he had put himself under to keep his sanity.

Two, he knew Brent well enough to not put a label on their relationship. He knew Brent enough to know that the man was a runner. He was stalking his prey. Brent wasn’t like Kellen. Kellen had been dense, yes, but he’d jumped into the relationship with Rhys head first once he’d realised his feelings.

Brent?

Brent ran at the sight of anything serious. He was afraid of people treating him well. Kellen wasn’t even certain if it was because he thought he didn’t deserve it, or if he worried that he would hurt the other person. Kellen was sure that his past family bonds were a part of it, but they hadn’t talked about them, and honestly?

Kellen was a little upset that he hadn’t poked a little more now that Brent had been kidnapped by his family.

“From how he treated you and spoke of you, or the lack thereof of your name during our chats on the frontlines before all hell broke loose, I’d say you stand a pretty good chance, Sergei.” Kellen told him. “I was just curious if you had solidified anything before this moment.” Kellen said. Sergei’s expression shifted slightly and he let out a heavy sigh. Slowly, he raised his hand and covered his face and Kellen waited for a moment. He was on edge, Kellen didn’t need to be able to sense powers to know that. S Classes were their own beasts, each different, but all Espers showed similar signs to stress.

Sergei was showing the classic symptoms.

“It is a genuine relief to hear that from you, Guide Kellen. Truly. To know that his best friend thought that? It brings my racing mind relief. I’ve been worrying that it was all in my head, but to hear it from you? It was honestly one of the reasons I wanted to come back into the city. To check on the others here, and to hear any words of comfort from you. Of course, I also want to punish those who think they can step all over our city and taint it with their disgusting darkness, but…selfishly, I wanted to speak to you.” Sergei said, revealing his tormented gaze. Kellen’s heart squeezed.

Glancing at Rhys, Kellen decided to move towards the group, grabbing one of the rolling chairs as he moved by so that he could join them for a moment while they were waiting for Lieutenant Fisher to arrive.

“I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been doubting yourself. That’s a rather difficult thing to deal with, and I can understand it.” Kellen said, full of sympathy. Rhys cleared his throat, causing Kellen to look up at him while he sat down on the chair.

Rhys was still standing, his hands now on the back of Kellen’s chair as he sat near Rhys’ empty chair and Sergei. His jaw was a little tight.

“What do you mean by that? Why can you sympathise with him?” Rhys asked and Kellen furrowed his brow.

“Rhys, I was a C Class, remember? For years, actually. You do remember why we didn’t approach each other, or at the very least, why I didn’t?” Kellen reminded him, softening his voice when he caught how tense Rhys was. “At least in Sergei and Brent’s case, Brent’s just afraid. You would have eaten me alive.” Kellen reminded him. Rhys grumbled, squeezing Kellen’s chair until he heard it creak before he released it and joined them. He sat down heavily in his chair, not looking entirely happy.

Sergei watched them, and Kellen could see the longing in his gaze. That tugged at Kellen’s heartstrings, before Kellen felt his lips curl up slowly.

“We’re not giving you Brent without a fight.” Kellen told him seriously. Sergei blinked, slow at first before he turned his gaze to Kellen.

“What do you mean?” He asked and Kellen grinned, tapping the fingers of his free hand on his armrest.

“I mean, Brent signed a contract. He can be your lover, but he belongs with the Saturn Guild.” Kellen told him. Sergei stared at Kellen, blinked, and when he opened his gaze, Kellen could feel the life stirring in the other man. He shifted in his seat, and Kellen could feel the Captain in him awakening.

“Now Guide Kellen, that’s not exactly fair. You cut your allegiance with Guiding Center B when you began your partnership with Captain Thatcher, so it is fair to say-”

“-They took over the contract that I had signed with Guiding Center B without any fighting on their side, since it looked good for them if I, a Guide affiliated with Guiding Center B, became the partner of a Captain. That’s not the case with Brent, and I worked hard to get him into the city too.” Kellen told him, smirking. “I’m not going to give him over easily, and frankly, he’s pretty expensive to take as well. He’s worth a lot, and I know he’s worth more because he’ll be the partner of a Captain too.” Kellen told him.

Sergei’s jaw was tight as Rhys watched the two speak. Rhys looked positively delighted, while Sergei’s Lieutenants seemed…hesitant. They knew Kellen, knew that Sergei and Kellen knew each other as well, but this? This was practically an act of war from a Guide to an S Class Esper who was already not doing too well.

Sergei sighed.

“What do you want, Kellen?” He asked, defeated, and Kellen grinned.

“Well, I don’t think it’s too much of a demand. It’s not hard, at the very least.’ Kellen said, and watched as Sergei flinched. “I want you to agree to guiding, basic of course, from someone here who is…special. It’s not me, because I’m benched right now.” Kellen raised his arm in a sling slightly and Sergei’s gaze darted to the movement. “They have been helping Rhys while I am unable to do so. They’re kind, and when I brought it up to them, they were happy to help. They love love, you see.” Kellen’s smile was cheeky while Sergei stiffened.

“You want me to be guided? Are you fucking serious?” The man was pissed, but that didn’t mean Kellen backed down. He’d argued with Espers before about guiding. He was no spring chicken.

“Do you want to hurt Brent when you see him?” Kellen asked pointedly. Sergei flinched. “You will in your current state. You’ll drain him dry and you might even kill him.” Kellen was blunt with his words. It wasn’t for a cruel reason, but because Sergei wasn’t well, and this was the way that Sergei and Kellen spoke to each other on the front lines.

Not holding back the truth, being honest, but not cruel.

Kellen softened his voice when he spoke next. “You know that Brent, of all people, would hate to see you not taking care of yourself. He would be the first one to yell at you about it because I taught him everything he knows.” Sergei frowned, pissed, but he didn’t get up. He didn’t storm out, but the temperature of the room was cold. Off.

Finally, after what felt like forever, Sergei let out a rough sigh. He uncovered his face completely and stared at Kellen, impressed and pissed all at the same time.

“You’re good at this.” He muttered, clearly impressed and Kellen gave him a bright, Guide smile.

“I trained hard, and honestly. Brent’s better at it.” Kellen told him and Sergei smiled.

“Thinking on it, yeah. He got me into guiding easier than I realise now. Alright. Who is this person who helps out this monster that you’re so eager to introduce me to?” Sergei asked and Kellen smiled.

“They’re shy and don’t like to guide in front of others. They’ll be free when you finish up your meeting. I’ll join them for everyone’s peace of mind. Don’t worry, I think you’ll recognise them.” Kellen said with a smirk and Rhys sighed, shaking his head.

“I hear Lieutenant Fisher arriving now.” Rhys told the room and Kellen nodded.

“I’ll leave you then. We can chat more after the meeting, Sergei. Rhys? Be on your best behaviour, will you? Don’t antagonise the man too much. After all, you also went under during the same time.” Kellen told him, getting to his feet and cupping Rhys’ cheek with his hand. Rhys leaned into the touch, unrepentant as he smiled.

“I won’t make any promises that I can’t keep.” Rhys told him cheekily and Kellen, feeling playful, pulled his hand back slightly and smacked his cheek. It was only a light tap, but Rhys reacted as if he had fully struck him. He pulled back, his yellow eyes going big and wide.

Kellen would almost have believed he was actually hurt if it wasn’t for the comical smile on his face.

“You hit me!” He cried and Kellen scoffed.

“Don’t pretend like you didn’t like it.” Kellen told him seriously and Hill burst into laughter, unable to contain herself. This all happened just as Lieutenant Fisher knocked on the doorframe to the door, pausing in the doorway. His wheelchair filled the bottom half, his expression confused.

“I didn’t miss the meeting, right?” He asked, glancing between the rest of the members there. Kellen smiled.

“No. I was just popping in after my meeting to say hello to Sergei. Have a good meeting, Lieutenant Fisher.” Kellen said, nodding to the other man as he entered the conference room proper. He nodded back to Kellen as Kellen laughed.

“He got you good.” Hill said to Rhys while he was leaving. Kellen wasn’t able to hear Rhys’ response, and he had a feeling he was happy about that.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep