Free Web NovelChapter 217: No one is allowed to treat you like that
The aquarium, at least at the entrance, was more of a concern. Kellen was glowering as they got through, Rhys smoothing over the awful interaction while Kellen steamed.
He even covered his eye so that it wasn’t glowing in the dim lighting of the lobby, but damn it, how dare they treat his soon to be husband like that!
They had called the police, no hesitation. Kellen and Rhys had to explain that they were visiting Espers and Guides more than once until Kellen got so frustrated that he almost reached for his gun. Rhys was kind and thoughtful, something no fucking S Class Esper normally was so they tried to take advantage of him.
Kellen was the one who was belligerent and indignant. He was also the one who monitored Rhys, kept him safe. He had to explain more than once that Rhys was healthy, guided regularly, and no fucking Guide was allowed to touch him to check that.
They eventually relented, mainly because while Kellen was the emotional one right now, Rhys was the wall. He was not backing down, they were here on a date of all things, and Rhys got this scary look on his face and asked them if they wanted to know how they died.
After that, the police believed them, but only after Uncle Parker showed up. It was embarrassing, but Kellen and Rhys were also trying their best not to make a scene. Having Uncle Parker essentially act as their chaperone meant that Kellen would not forget this slight.
He could only imagine the shit they were pulling with Brent.
Uncle Parker sent the police truly on their way and apologised to Kellen and Rhys for their behaviour. He looked seriously apologetic, and Kellen, being the good man that he was, offered to buy him lunch before he headed back. He was going to refuse when Rhys stepped in and clarified they meant for the whole office. He even gave Uncle Parker his credit card and told him there was no limit.
Kellen had no idea what that was about, but something seemed to pass between his Uncle and Rhys. He accepted it, very thankful, and wished Kellen and Rhys a good time. The staff were severely apologetic and the manager bowed their heads and explained that they had strict orders. Rhys said he understood. After all, a surge in a place like this? Which was normally full of children and tonnes of water? He understood better than most what kind of damage that could cause.
He was just sorry that they didn’t speak to him first. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
He also clarified that he didn’t want them to change their policy. Those with his powers were few and far in between, but he did wish that they wouldn’t have been so trigger-happy.
Kellen was still steamed until Rhys pulled him into a bathroom stall to hug him, calm him down, and maybe steal a few kisses. Kellen eventually melted against the man, but was still muttering curses under his breath even as Rhys grinned.
Rhys’ hands were careful on Kellen’s hips, Kellen in his lap as Rhys sat on the lid of the toilet. His expression was bright, his smile blinding as he continued to kiss Kellen’s soft lips.
"You are so damn precious." Rhys whispered. "You got so angry for my sake." Rhys sounded surprised, and that bothered Kellen more.
"Of course I would get mad for your sake. Are you serious? That was the most ridiculous treatment I’ve ever seen! Even the cafe workers didn’t treat you like that!" Kellen knew that he wasn’t being completely reasonable, but Rhys didn’t seem to mind. In fact, he seemed thrilled.
"I know I shouldn’t be so happy that you’re showing off your new Class characteristics right now, but damn it. I know I should be calming you down, soothing you, telling you everything is going to be alright, but I just want to watch you get angry for my sake over and over." Rhys let out a shaky breath that Kellen recognised in a heartbeat.
Kellen stilled, his body going on high alert and realised what was going on. Rhys was turned on. Really turned on. Kellen could feel it awake against him even as he raged. Kellen blinked, his gaze sliding down to the spot between them and Rhys squeezed his hips, laughing.
"That seemed to work, didn’t it?" He teased, his voice dipping as Kellen felt his face warm. This was the least private place that Rhys could have said that. They were lucky that the aquarium wasn’t full since they were the only ones in this four stall bathroom.
"Rhys Thatcher." Kellen said, scandalised. "What are you going to do walking around with that?" Rhys gave a shrug, smiling.
"What else can I do? My boyfriend is too damn hot for his own good. I’ll have to learn to manage this on my own. It also wouldn’t be my first time getting hard at something you did for my sake, and it won’t be the last if I’m lucky." Rhys winked and Kellen felt his chest tighten. He stilled, the anger, the rage disappearing from him as he stared at the handsome, relaxed face in front of him.
"I adore you." Kellen whispered, barely even aware he’d spoken. Rhys froze and his whole face went red. He looked so incredibly flustered and surprised, but in a cute way that Kellen felt his mood brighten instantly.
He considered offering to suck him off, but heard the door open and the sound of little feet entering the space along with a louder, more authoritative male voice. This was not the place, nor the time.
Kellen bent, giving Rhys a tight, warm hug.
"You’ll have to suffer." Kellen told him, pulling back with a smile as Rhys stared at him, his face flushed. He nodded slowly, swallowing before he closed his eyes and groaned.
"Are you feeling better? Calmer?" He asked, not keeping quiet because why would he? They weren’t doing anything wrong.
"Much calmer. Shall we go? I think there is a 12:15 showing where they feed some animals." Kellen told him as he crawled out of Rhys’ lap. Rhys chuckled.
"You looked up the itinerary?" He asked and Kellen gave him a strange look.
"You didn’t?" Rhys just smiled at him and that was answer enough.
~
After their terrible first impressions, Kellen wasn’t sure if the aquarium would be able to redeem itself. He was very pleasantly surprised. He wasn’t one who liked confined places like tunnels and hallways underground, but he found that he did like them when they were filled with small, pretty little creatures that flitted about.
Kellen had never really thought about fish, if he was honest. He liked how they tasted, but he didn’t consider their growing environments nor what the gates would do to them. Kellen felt that was a bit of a loss now, since lots of the little plaques talked about where the fish were found, what gates, and who had helped gather them.
Kellen made a note in his phone to add it to his list of things he needed to teach his Field Guides.
He did notice the higher Esper presence here and it was because of the danger of some of the fish. Even Rhys was mildly impressed that they had such dangerous creatures here.
There were some C Class monsters here, dangerous if in the right circumstances, but they seemed to be kept as research subjects. Kellen wouldn’t dare say that the aquarium was keeping them as pets with how heavy the Esper presence was around those tanks.
That didn’t mean that Kellen and Rhys didn’t enjoy themselves. They did make it to the feeding event and Kellen even made Rhys go up and feed the animal when they were looking for volunteers. He even paid for the photo package so that he could get it. He was going to brag about it to everyone.
They toured the whole aquarium, ate interesting fish-based food in the restaurant attached to the aquarium which felt a little strange, but the food was good. The company was good, and they stayed almost until closing looking at everything.
Kellen kept an eye on the time, knowing that it would take a bit of time to get to the restaurant from here, but they had enough time that when Rhys and Kellen left the aquarium they could go for a little walk nearby.
Kellen liked being able to hold Rhys’ hand in public, he liked the way that others did a double-take when they saw him with the handsome man, and he liked the way that Rhys relaxed whenever Kellen stuck closer to him.
"We would have never been able to keep anything a secret if we had tried to on the front lines." Kellen told him. Rhys paused.
"Where is that thought coming from?" He asked. Not upset, but curious. The light filtering in through the leaves on the path they were walking made this moment even sweeter. Kellen sighed.
"I was just thinking about it. I was angrier back then, kind of like how I am now but with an even sharper edge. I also couldn’t pick up on things as well back then. I wouldn’t have known ’subtle’ if it hit me over the head." Kellen admitted. Rhys laughed, loudly.
"You know what subtle means?" Rhys asked, teasing, and Kellen reached over and jabbed him in the side. Hard enough to make a point, but not hard enough to leave a bruise. Rhys grinned.
"Shut up. I’m being serious." Kellen said and Rhys chuckled.
"Sorry, sorry. I just couldn’t say nothing to that." Rhys was quiet for a second. "I agree with you, though, and not for the reasons you’re saying. I wouldn’t have wanted to keep up a secret either. I would have wanted to do it to mark you, brand you." Rhys winced. "I was a bit uh, less civilized on the front lines." Rhys admitted. Kellen blinked.
"I wouldn’t have noticed, nor would I have minded. I like your wild side." Kellen told him simply. "I love all of you, actually." He clarified and watched as Rhys turned bright red once more.
"Kellen, you can’t just-" He exhaled sharply. "Is this a new kind of torture? We have plans after this, right?" Rhys asked, his eyes when he glanced at Kellen golden. Kellen blinked before he smiled slowly.
"You’ll like dinner, I promise, and I’m not trying to torture you. I just want you to know how I feel." Kellen told him and Rhys flushed. He squeezed Kellen’s hand tightly.
"Can we at least go behind that tree and make out a little bit? I need to kiss you right now." Rhys asked, his eyes frantic. Kellen let out a low chuckle, his stomach twisting, in a good way. He was the one who tugged Rhys over. freёwebnovel.com
"I thought you’d never ask."
