(BL) Taming the Field Guide

Chapter 218: Who would ever say no?

Kellen knew he was a damn nervous mess as they arrived at their dinner reservation. Kissing Rhys had helped him get his head on straight, but the travel from the aquarium to here had given him enough time to start to feel nervous again. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

He knew that it wasn’t because of his powers, that much he could pick up on. This was just his own nerves. He had checked the box subtly, made sure it was still there. He would excuse himself to go to the bathroom to really make sure that nothing was out of place once they got to their table.

There was a small line of people waiting to be seated. After all, Brent had chosen one of the nicer restaurants in the town and they had chosen a peak seating time. Kellen didn’t mind, but he could tell that Rhys did.

Kellen didn’t understand the reason why until he looked around.

They were on the sidewalk, out in the open. There weren’t a lot of trees to hide them and they’d had to reveal that Kellen was a Guide earlier. Kellen felt his shoulders relax and went to soothe his Esper.

"I’m okay. It’ll just take a few minutes." Kellen told him and Rhys grunted, heard him, but didn’t change. He wasn’t quite glowering at others, but he wasn’t exactly calm, either.

Kellen was right though. They only had to wait a few minutes, the hosts doing their best to get everyone seated in a timely manner and when they got to Kellen and Rhys and Kellen offered up his name, the poor host looked panicked.

"M-Mr. Woods, you could have come right to the front of the line when you arrived. I am so sorry that we delayed taking you in." The host looked horrified and Kellen wondered if Brent had told them that he was a Guide. Kellen shrugged.

"It’s alright. I’m not upset, but I wasn’t aware that was the case. My friend who is a local made the reservation." Kellen said with a Guide smile. The host blinked, flushed, and then quickly escorted them into the restaurant.

It was a nice place. Dark, but warm, the restaurant was huge. It had three levels once you entered into the building, with a main dining room in the front, behind which was the open kitchen. Food was being made before people’s very eyes and Kellen was a little disappointed that they weren’t nearby to watch, but he also didn’t want a huge audience for what he was about to do.

There were two sections on either side of the main dining room that overlooked the area, and then a path that led past the dining area, past the kitchens and into a more private area. They passed the bathrooms on the way in, and Kellen was thrilled to notice them.

The doors were thick, dark wood but there were little signs in the middle of the doors that told them what rooms they were passing. They were named after flowers, and Kellen had apparently booked the orchid room. He had no idea what that meant, but the host opened the door and escorted them inside.

It was a regular booth table. It was circular, opened on one side and could probably comfortably fit about four Kellens. The room smelled nice, the table was already set, and candles decorated the room.

This was a good place, Kellen thought, and he gave a small nod of approval.

"Your server will be right with you." The host told them with a professional smile. "I hope you are able to enjoy yourselves." They said, showing themselves out. Rhys gave a spin once the door was closed and whistled.

"Wow. This is a fancy room." Rhys said, raising an eyebrow at Kellen. Kellen shrugged.

"Brent and I looked at a few sites and we decided on this one." Kellen said and Rhys seemed pleased.

"Why?" He asked and Kellen didn’t hesitate to answer.

"They seemed to have more foods that you would like." Kellen told him easily and Rhys sighed. He reached for the man, pulling him close and pressing a soft kiss against his cheek.

"I’m behaving myself because the server is coming. Come on, let’s sit down." Rhys suggested and Kellen hesitated. He halted, looking back at Kellen in confusion. "Is something wrong?" He asked and Kellen nodded.

"I just have to go to the bathroom. I was going to ask where they were until we passed them coming in. I’ll be back soon. If you see something that interests you on the wine list, get it, alright? I’ll probably like it if you do." Kellen told him, turned towards the door before he paused. He turned back to Rhys, giving him a serious look with his one eye. "Don’t care about the price, alright? We’re both rich." Kellen warned seriously and Rhys tossed his head back and laughed.

His bright yellow eyes were warm when he looked at Kellen, shaking his head.

"Go pee, Kellen."

Kellen left, nearly running into someone on the other side. They were coming in with some fresh bread and butter that smelled delicious and Kellen apologised immediately.

"I’m sorry." Kellen apologised, holding open the door with his hand. "You go on in. My boyfriend is inside, I’m just slipping out for the bathroom." Kellen told them and the server nodded, smiled and let Kellen hold the door open before he left.

Kellen then made a beeline for the bathroom.

He wasn’t lying when he told Rhys that he had to go to the bathroom, so he took his time and checked the ring box after.

Everything was in place, his hands were washed, his heart was ready. Now it was just finding the right time. Knowing Rhys, he should wait until the end of the meal. Otherwise, Kellen might find himself swept away before then. He knew the man, hopefully he did, so he would have to wait as well.

He would just focus on the fact that they were having a nice meal together. He could do it. He messaged Brent and his parents and let them know that they were at dinner now. He didn’t say anything else, just in case Rhys saw his phone.

Brent sent him a text right away telling him not to fuck it up. Kellen grumbled. He hadn’t fucked it up so far, he could make it a few more hours at most. It was very rude of Brent to not have faith in him.

Kellen took a few deep breaths, got his shit together, and headed back to his room with Rhys.

~

Kellen was so glad that they had gotten a private room. He didn’t think he could allow many other people to see how happy, drunk, and lovely his Esper was. God, if Kellen wasn’t planning to propose to him already, he would have been kicking himself about it.

Rhys was happy, tipsy, and so sweet he could melt anyone. He could make anyone fall in love with him, and as he waved around his wine glass, all smiles and laughter, warmth and light, Kellen just wanted to smother him with his affection.

Dinner was going well. Very, very well. The bread had been delicious, as had their appetizers and mains. They’d gotten two bottles of wine so far, with Rhys drinking more of them. Kellen was nervous, yes, but he was going to keep a cool head. Rhys also didn’t seem to mind. They had ordered dessert, it was on its way, and Rhys was leaning against Kellen’s shoulder, soft, handsome, and content.

"Today’s been a great day." Rhys told him for the fifth time. Kellen nodded, running his gloved hand through his hair.

"It has been." Kellen agreed and Rhys nodded. Kellen kept an eye on the door, waiting. Finally the server arrived with dessert, all smiles and Kellen gave them a smile in response. When they left, Kellen finally took a deep, steadying breath. He’d been thinking about what to say for days, weeks at this point, but now that he was in the moment he wasn’t sure if anything would be right. "Rhys, I need you to sit up for a sec." Kellen said softly. The drunk man did, his gaze growing confused as he saw how serious Kellen was.

"Is something wrong?" He asked and Kellen shook his head.

"No, nothing wrong. I just have something I want to say and I want to look into your eyes as I do it." Kellen told him. Rhys shifted, even more confused as Kellen stared into his yellow gaze. "Rhys, when I first became a Field Guide I thought I was going to have to give up a lot of my dreams. It was foolish, I know, but I was young and dumb and had a chip on my shoulder. I didn’t know better back then." Kellen swallowed. "One of the things that I thought I might have to give up was my own happiness." It was a soft admittance, something that Kellen rarely did when it came to this topic. "I won’t lie and say that every time I was tested against other Espers I felt a part of my body freeze while I waited for the results. I was ready to give my body over for my job, and that included ignoring my own personal feelings, like love and affection because I didn’t think I needed them. Not if I could be useful." Rhys sobered rather quickly, his expression dropping into one of sadness.

"Kellen..." He started and Kellen shook his head. He reached for Rhys’ hand, giving it a squeeze.

"It has a good end, I promise." Kellen told him softly. Rhys swallowed.

"Okay." He still seemed a little confused, was very concerned, and Kellen continued.

"That changed as I kept running into you." Kellen said. "I wasn’t aware of it, not really, but over time I realised that giving so much of myself to others wasn’t worth it if I was away from family, friends and...people who could mean more." Kellen smirked. "Did you know that I moved back to the city to buy a house, maybe get married and settle down?" Kellen asked and Rhys flinched.

"...I did." He muttered and Kellen laughed lightly.

"Well, I didn’t buy a house, and I haven’t really settled down but I did find someone who means more than breathing does." Kellen told him carefully. Rhys squeezed Kellen’s hand. "I always had a crush on you. I realise that now, but I was an awkward teenager and that would have been very illegal." Kellen laughed. "I, uh, sorry, I’m a little nervous." Kellen admitted, licking his lips.

"That’s okay." Rhys whispered and when Kellen glanced up the man’s eyes were watery. He might not know exactly what was going on, but it was clear it was something emotional. Maybe he thought Kellen was giving him something else to mark him? Kellen shuddered quietly.

"I always liked you, but we both knew for a while that it wasn’t the right time. We were both too immature, too volatile. It would have probably only ended in tears. We needed time to grow." Kellen muttered. "That doesn’t mean that I don’t regret growing next to you at your side." Kellen told him fiercely. "Rhys, you are one of the best men I’ve ever met. Your people respect you, you work tirelessly to help others, you want the world to be a better place. You’re smart, handsome, and you work hard to make sure that others aren’t afraid of you. There are very few S Classes who do the same." Kellen told him.

Kellen felt his eyes water as he sucked in. "I love you. You have my whole heart. Having to make the choice that I did when it came to the poison gate gutted me. I don’t ever want to do that to you again, but I don’t want to let you go either. We’ve already made a promise in regards to that, but as my own S Class powers have awoken and my foolishness has faded, I’ve realised that I’m not going to be able to fight the S Class possessiveness that you’ve worked so hard to do for my sake." Rhys gave a soft, wet laugh.

"I’m glad you understand that I have worked hard." Rhys muttered softly. Kellen found himself smiling even as he fiddled with the box. When he pulled it out, Rhys let out a gasp.

"I would never deny something like that." Kellen whispered as he watched Rhys stare at the box, tears spilling over as his bright gaze darted to Kellen’s. The power there, the wave that slammed into him of raw, shocked power made Kellen laugh.

He was so shocked he wasn’t even able to control himself properly. Kellen opened the box, his hands shaking slightly as he showed off the two rings inside.

"Rhys Thatcher, will you do me the honour of wearing my ring and marrying me?" Kellen asked lowly. Rhys gasped and he reached for Kellen. He was laughing as he pressed his lips against Kellen’s, over and over as he continued to cry.

"Are you serious?" Rhys asked, desperation mixed with joy. Kellen laughed.

"More serious than anything else." Kellen told him and Rhys laughed. Really laughed.

"I would never say no to you. I love you. I love you so much." Rhys kept kissing him until Kellen couldn’t help but smile. A weight was lifted off his shoulders.

"Can I slide it on your finger?" Kellen asked and Rhys pulled back immediately.

"Of course. Please do." Rhys was jittery, all over the place. Tears and happiness covering him and Kellen had never seen a more handsome man in his life. He’d said yes, thank goodness.