They finished chatting about plans for the new layout of the apartment that they wanted to build about the time that food was ready in Kellen's apartment. Since Rhys had brought up that the other apartment beside them was up for being added to Rhys', Kellen and Rhys had gone over to have a look at it.
Unlike Kellen's, this one didn't have a kitchen. Acting more as free room space compared to Kellen's which was meant to be more of an actual living space. In fact, while Rhys had called it an apartment, it didn't have a number next to the door, nor was it clear that it was an apartment like the rest of the rooms on this floor.
It was just…a regular door. It really was just for spare parts.
Kellen decided that they wouldn't need so much space right off the bat. They could work up to needing the extra space, and Rhys readily agreed. Kellen had a feeling that the man would have agreed to anything Kellen said if it meant that Kellen was giving a green light to his 'insane' apartment plan.
It wasn't even that insane, if Kellen was honest. Yes, it would make more sense for them to have a bigger space, and Kellen didn't want to take away Rhys' office space in his apartment for a spare room. Kellen liked to entertain. He liked how his Dad had made his home a safe space for others to come, no questions asked, and they would be able to have a safe space to rest.
Kellen wanted that too.
So, knocking down the wall was a must. They would have to consult an actual professional. Kellen made that point clear and saw the little smile that Rhys tried to hide. There was no doubt in Kellen's mind that the man had already spoken to someone and had designs, but he was going slow.
He didn't want to scare Kellen away.
Rhys had no idea it was far too late for that at this point. Kellen was now worried he was going to scare Rhys away. If the man knew what Kellen was thinking half the time lately…
~
Dinner with his family was nice. His Mom was mostly like her normal self, so was his Dad. Both were still a little…rough around the edges. His Dad was a little jumpy at anything Kellen did, his Mom growled at Rhys when Rhys went to help Kellen cut up his food. Rhys growled back for good measure, and Kellen felt like he was at a table with creatures instead of humans for a minute.
It calmed down though, and when it came time for dessert, everyone seemed good. Relaxed. Even Charlie. Kellen hadn't noticed how his Dad had brought in some treats for them to have for dessert. Kellen actually suspected that he had his Mom do it when he was looking over Rhys' apartment, but Kellen wasn't going to call him out on it.
Kellen noticed that Charlie had kept mostly to himself. He hadn't really interacted with anyone during dinner. Kellen felt that it was a somewhat worrying thing, so Kellen reached out to him first.
Kellen asked Charlie about what he had been up to while he'd been away, how he'd been spending his time, and how he was feeling. Charlie seemed a little hesitant to speak his truth at first, lying and saying that everything was fine and he was okay. He clearly knew that everyone had gone through a hard time and so he was hesitant to say anything negative, but Kellen did get it out of him.
Charlie had looked ill admitting the truth. Like he had wanted to be anywhere else. The mug in his hand had trembled as Charlie took several deep breaths, glancing around the room like a nervous animal as everyone watched him, waiting.
Charlie had been lonely.
He had been really, really lonely. He knew that everyone had been suffering with their own things and that it had been a chaotic time for everyone, but he felt like he had been pushed to the side. That he had been forgotten.
Kellen couldn't lie and say that he hadn't been. Kellen felt terrible hearing the words from Charlie's mouth.
He had nothing he was attached to here. Nothing he could really help with. Every time that he had tried to help, he was brushed off. Told that he wasn't needed. Charlie knew that wasn't the case. He had been told that he was an S Class, that he had importance, but it didn't feel like it. He felt like he was a burden already, and it became more serious when it felt like the world was ending and no one needed him to help.
Charlie hesitated saying his next words, but he needed to say them. They broke a part of Kellen's heart to hear them.
"If I knew I was going to feel this useless, I would have stayed at Guiding Center C. I felt like I had a purpose there." It was a knife straight to Kellen's heart. He could tell that it affected everyone, including Rhys.
Rhys looked about as guilty as Kellen felt, and Kellen knew it was time to explain to Charlie why they kept him back. Why they were so protective of him, even in such a serious situation. If someone had caught on that Charlie was an S Class Guide at that time? Kellen wasn't sure they would have been able to protect him.
Kellen reached out, taking Charlie's hand in his own. He swallowed thickly, his eyes watering. Damn his eyes right now, he needed to be serious!
"Charlie, how many S Class Espers do you know right now?" Kellen asked and watched as Charlie tried not to cry as well. He swallowed, glancing around the room at Rhys clearly, and then at Kellen's parents. He didn't seem to know where this question was going, but Kellen's Mom nodded encouragingly to answer.
"Uh, I think 4? Maybe 5?" He said cautiously and Kellen nodded.
"Does that include how many you know from the media as well?" Kellen asked and Charlie shook his head.
"If we include the media…probably more? Like 12? I can't exactly remember." Charlie told him. Kellen understood. Some people didn't advertise that they were S Classes even when they were. There was a reason that Kellen forgot that Rhys was an S Class.
He stopped advertising that he was.
"And…how many S Class Guides do you know of?" Kellen asked and watched as Charlie thought. He was clearly going through every memory he had before he frowned.
"I…I don't think I know any." He admitted softly and Kellen nodded slowly. He squeezed Charlie's hand.
"That's because…they are targeted." Kellen told him. Charlie looked even more confused.
"Targeted? By who?" He asked and Kellen let out a soft sigh.
"By everyone. Good people, bad people, and everyone in between. That's also the reason that very few people in the Guild know your Class level. We've officially said you were A Class to keep you safe. Or, I think we have?" Kellen glanced at Rhys who nodded.
"That's what we've put in our systems, yes. With an asterisk next to his name. Yours has one too, Kellen." Rhys told him and Kellen nodded. Charlie understood, but didn't fully get it.
"But if I'm so powerful, like you say that I am, why am I not allowed to help around the Guild? I came here to be useful. I want to help you." Charlie said and Kellen winced. He wanted Charlie to be helpful too.
"I want that for you too." Kellen told him earnestly. "And I'm sorry that I haven't been able to give you as much attention as you need. As you deserved to get, but…there are some strange things about S Classes that get the lower Classes worked up. Just being around you is…intoxicating. To both Espers and Guides alike. It makes them want to protect you, keep you safe. And they would kidnap you to make sure you were the safest." Kellen said.
Charlie's eyes were the side of saucers at hearing that.
"What?" He asked, his voice a squeak and Kellen nodded.
"That's why we've kept your contact with others limited. Why my Mom and Dad have been mostly around you. An imprinted pair is less likely to be influenced, and honestly, they were the best fit for this task anyways. Outside of Gwen being sucked into a gate and me having to go in and save everyone from it." Kellen told him and Charlie nodded, shocked.
"I-of course. They've been lovely until that happened." Charlie agreed and Kellen's Dad winced. It probably hurt to hear that. It hurt Kellen too. Charlie winced. "I'm not blaming anyone, of course! I-" Kellen squeezed Charlie's hand.
"It's okay. We aren't taking it that way." Kellen promised. Charlie looked sick suddenly.
"But you two aren't imprinted, are you? Does that mean I'm causing you problems?" Charlie asked, glancing between Rhys and Kellen. Kellen blinked.
"Uh, I mean, I feel protective of you, but I think that's normal given how I found you." Kellen told him and watched as Charlie flushed. Rhys shifted, leaning over Kellen's shoulder and reaching a hand out. He ruffled Charlie's hair. The ring of his true colour was obvious now at this point.
A pretty slate grey.
"I'm an S Class so I'm not easily affected by your powers in this situation. That, and I already have Kellen. He's got a strong enough willpower that while he might feel a tug towards you, he can correct himself. The people that we've told the truth to also have that same kind of willpower." Rhys sighed. "We're sorry that we've cooped you up like this. Truly. I never meant…I really didn't want anyone to feel like this in my Guild." Rhys' apology was sincere. Heartfelt.
Charlie dropped his head, sniffling.
"I'm sorry that you need to apologise. I feel so selfish bringing this up." Charlie whispered and Kellen's Dad snapped. He pulled the younger man, just a baby in the grand scheme of things, into his arms and squeezed him tightly.
"Don't feel selfish. We brought you out of that place so that you could live a better life. Living a life in a cage is just as bad as living a life in hell." He murmured. Then, he looked at Rhys and Kellen. "What can we do? To make Charlie feel better?" He asked and Rhys and Kellen turned to look at each other.
Did they have the resources in the Guild right now to get Charlie the help he needed? The training he needed?
Kellen felt a call to Taylor coming on.