(BL) Taming the Field Guide

Chapter 213: Dates are meant to be planned together

Kellen knew that it was only a matter of time before Rhys came back to the room. He knew that, and yet he was still working away on the small details that Brent had snuck him while they had a ’private conversation away from the Espers’.

Kellen had already moved to tuck away the ring properly. Keeping it on his person wasn’t a smart idea, not when Rhys was so handsy. Brent had helped him find a spot.

It was in Kellen’s things, but Rhys was surprisingly rather strict about not going through Kellen’s things. Ever since he’d found the box of Kellen’s things, twice, Rhys told him that he would stop doing that. Especially since Kellen was so open and honest about most things.

He didn’t want Kellen to hate him, so he had stopped. Kellen thought it was sweet, while Brent pointed it out for what it was. Strategic. That didn’t mean that Brent didn’t also think it was sweet, he was just warning Kellen that the man could ruin his own surprise by poking around in Kellen’s things while he was asleep.

Kellen was aware, and knew they had a very, very small window to get this done now that they had the rings.

Thankfully, Brent had come with a plan and Kellen and Brent had made reservations under a false name with the help of Kellen’s Dad at a restaurant that served mostly vegetarian dishes. They had even booked a small, private room for Kellen and Rhys’ privacy and comfort.

Brent wanted to tell the restaurant what they had planned, but Kellen wanted no one to know. He wanted it a secret even from the staff. What if, for some absurd reason, Rhys said no? What if he didn’t like the ring?

These doubts and concerns hadn’t even crossed Kellen’s mind until this moment, and Brent had looked at him like he had two heads when he’d said it out loud.

"You’re a damn fool." That had felt worse than Brent actually swearing at him. Kellen had wilted like lettuce on a hot summer day and Brent had shaken his head, snorting and rolling his green eyes. He actually looked thrilled to be having this conversation with Kellen.

He’d even gone through Kellen’s clothes that he’d brought over, scoffed at everything, and then told him that he would make sure that Kellen would have an appropriate outfit to wear that night, as would Rhys.

Brent would handle that part, Kellen just had to make sure that Rhys got to the damn restaurant and that he had the ring with him when they got there.

Kellen was then left alone because Brent had to go meet up with his ’boo’ as he called him, and Kellen sat on the edge of the bed in his and Rhys’ room, his mind blank.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow he was going to mark Rhys as his. Forever. It wasn’t imprinting, but it was just as important. Kellen did not want Rhys to go to that damn meeting without others knowing how much he meant to Kellen and that he could not belong to another anymore. It had drove him mad that they had left their city and he was unmarked. Unbranded.

Kellen groaned, putting his head in his hands. Was this a symptom of being an S Class? This crazy possessiveness? This felt ridiculous, and now he understood on a personal level how hard it was to fight this impulse. He’d have more compassion for them going forward.

Or...was this because Kellen had never given himself a chance to be possessive over others and now that he had the chance to...he was going all out? He wasn’t sure. That didn’t quite feel like it fit, but he couldn’t exactly say that the first theory fit either.

Kellen let out a low, heavy breath, shaking slightly. Well, it wouldn’t matter much if he worked himself up into a fit and wasn’t able to do it tomorrow. Kellen had to make sure he had money on him, enough to cover the meal, the ring, the outfit that Brent was going to prepare for him, and the small, thoughtful speech he’d made for this occasion.

He’d looked up what proposals were supposed to be like, and then had asked his Dad about it too. He wanted to be certain, and his Dad had beamed back home when he’d asked. Kellen was sure he wasn’t going to lead him astray in this regard, after Kellen had given him an earful for the jewelry debacle.

It would have been very, very mean to Rhys if Kellen hadn’t understood the importance of what a ring would mean to him and Kellen had given it to him haphazardly. His Dad had apologised, but Kellen wanted him to apologise once Rhys had accepted Kellen’s ring too. He owed that much to the man.

Without him, Kellen was fairly certain he never would have gotten married. Once it was put into that context, his Dad was far more apologetic. Even Kellen’s Mom had sided with him instead of her lovely husband. That told him how much in the wrong he’d been.

"Kellen? Why are you sitting on the edge of the bed in the dark, love?" Rhys asked, flicking on the light as he leaned against the edge of the doorway, staring at Kellen with a rather worried expression. "Did you not have a good conversation with Brent after we left?" He seemed genuinely worried but Kellen just sighed, shaking his head and body to get himself out of his head and into the moment.

"No, we have a good chat. I was just thinking it over and processing everything we discussed." Kellen told him, giving Rhys a small smile. He hesitated, before patting the bed next to him. "Can you come sit down?" Kellen asked and Rhys’ brows drew together. He looked wary, confused.

"I can, but why are you asking? You never behave like this." Rhys said slowly and Kellen winced. Brent was right about Kellen asking the night before if this was how Rhys reacted. Kellen knew he wasn’t traditionally romantic, but he didn’t think it was this bad.

"Well, it’s nothing bad." Kellen said quietly, flustered. Rhys watched him for a few long, heavy seconds before he moved and sat down next to Kellen. Their thighs touched, the fabric rubbing against each other. Kellen liked it. He thought it was sweet, their differences and how they could still work together. Fit together.

"Can I be honest?" Kellen said carefully and felt Rhys’ thigh tense against his own before he forced himself to relax.

"Of course." Rhys said hoarsely. "I would hate it if you weren’t." Rhys sounded gutted and Kellen let out a soft, soundless laugh.

"Brent was ripping into me about how I haven’t been that romantic." Kellen didn’t think he should lie. He was telling the truth and he felt how Rhys jerked at Kellen’s words.

Kellen glanced at him and found Rhys staring at him, shocked.

"Kellen, we’ve essentially been at war. How could you be romantic during that?" He asked, horrified. "If that’s the case, I haven’t been romantic either." Rhys was defending him against a man that wasn’t even in the room. Ah, what a sweetheart. A lovely Esper.

Kellen’s smile was full of sweetness and made Rhys pause as he scanned Kellen’s face.

"It’s alright. It was just...jarring to hear him of all people point it out. He even gave examples of what he’d done with Sergei on the front lines and vice versa. He suggested that before people really knew who we were here and why, that we should go on at least one date. I agree with him." Kellen told Rhys, staring at him.

Rhys scanned his face, taking in soft smile and the kindness in his eye as he stared at Rhys. He also took in how Kellen’s hands shook on his knees, and the nervous way he was holding him. Rhys let out a slow breath.

"You’ve...never really asked me on a date before." Rhys muttered quietly. Kellen let out another laugh.

"I haven’t. I’ve just taken you up on dates you’ve suggested." Kellen said and Rhys seemed a little shocked, before a slow, pleased smile crossed his lips.

"Are you sure it’s safe for you to do this?" Rhys asked and Kellen shook his head. Of course the man would worry more about Kellen then he would worry about the date. That was so like him.

Kellen tentatively reached towards his boyfriend and placed a hand on his knee, giving it a squeeze.

"If Brent is saying that now is the time, he’s being serious. We probably only have a day or two before things get a little hectic. That’s when the other S Classes are going to start arriving and we’ll have to start being cautious. We have now, and after Brent suggested it I want to take advantage of it." Kellen hesitated. "Only, I didn’t plan for us to go on a date so everything I brought with me isn’t exactly...date worthy. Brent’s already planning to get us some outfits that will work. As long as you’re okay with it." Kellen said, giving him an out. He didn’t want to force Rhys into this. If the man said no now, that was fine.

Kellen would go insane, but he’d wait.

Rhys shook his head and Kellen thought his heart was going to freeze.

"No, it’s okay. I don’t think Brent has anything mean in mind, and I do trust his fashion sense to some degree. So...tomorrow? Are we going to go out the whole day, or just half of the day?" Kellen had never felt such relief in his whole life.

Rhys was getting excited. He could tell by the way he shifted on the bed, a sparkle behind his yellow gaze. He was so cute that Kellen couldn’t help himself but reach up and cup his face with his gloved hand. He leaned in, kissing the man tenderly on the lips.

Rhys blinked, surprised but clearly not upset by Kellen’s actions.

"What was that for?" Rhys asked, mumbling slightly but Kellen just smiled at him, his body feeling lighter now that they’d had this conversation. He was telling most of the truth, just not all of it. He didn’t like lying to Rhys, even for a second, but this was a good lie. A nice one. A nice surprise.

"I just think you’re cute when you’re excited like this." Kellen told him and Rhys blinked. Kellen watched as he blushed, embarrassed by Kellen’s words.

"You’re cuter for being nervous to ask me out on a date." Rhys complained and Kellen just laughed. He leaned in closer to Rhys, resting his head on his shoulder. Kellen let out a sigh, grabbing Rhys’ hand and weaving his fingers through his own. Rhys squeezed his hand tightly, the two of them sitting on the edge of the bed in comfort.

"I was nervous, I won’t lie. I was just worried you were going to say no. I wasn’t sure how to convince you to agree." Kellen admitted, and Rhys squeezed his hand.

"You could have just seduced me, Kellen." Rhys pointed out and Kellen blinked. "You could have promised me something like a hand job and I would have said yes." Rhys told him bluntly and Kellen blinked a few times.

"Just a hand job?" Kellen asked, turning to look at the other man. Rhys stared at him.

"Just a hand job? It’s a hand job from you, Kellen. There is nothing ’just’ about it. That’s a big deal for me. Any time you want to touch me sexually is a big deal." Rhys told him seriously and Kellen couldn’t control his laughter.

"See? Adorable. Do you have anything you want to do tomorrow?" Kellen asked and the two spent the evening discussing what they were going to do tomorrow. Kellen’s chest felt lighter, and heavier all at once.

Tomorrow was going to be a big, big day.