Kell likes to think that Tieren cared for him. Genuinely cared, not in this is a magical time bomb that could potentially go off at the most inopportune moment if I don't take care of it right now way. He tolerated, and covered up, so much of their teenage stupidity. Hid them, vouched for them, patched them up whenever they both got in trouble. He prefers to believe it wasn't all for Rhy's sake. That some of it was really for him. But Tieren was a priest not a magician, and definitely not an Antari, and Kell learned so quickly he outpaced other kids his age almost immediately. So maybe some of it was just Tieren's way of keeping his most problematic student busy.
But it doesn't matter. Not really. Because he always had Rhy. Kell can't imagine how it must feel to not have anyone like that. He can't imagine himself without Rhy. They don't have to be in the same room even. He feels better simply for knowing Rhy exists. That he's somewhere where he can always come back to. To never have someone like that? It's cold, lonely world. It's terrifying.
"I'm happy you two found each other. I ... "
Kell stumbles for words and on his feet with Istredd abrupt stop that's well matched by his own growing terror when he realizes what Istredd is looking at. Vivid memory of that one scene he stumbled upon in the mountains flashing before his eyes, silent plea to the Saints on his lips even if Kell is that further from being religious. Begging Kyle to please don't stab Lucifer in front of everyone at the official gala. Before the reality of what is truly happening gets to him leaving him more confused than relieved.
He has at least enough sense in him left to steer the away from the center of the ballroom. For all the distress he feels radiating from Istredd, Kell decides it's better they take a break. It will give Istredd some time to calm down. A clearly very needed time. Otherwise someone might just cause a scene. The evening is already memorable without it.
"Are you sure?" It's not even a question.
Somewhere underneath his own shock and confusion is tiny sting of inappropriate and completely unfounded envy that Kell is very quick in burying as deep as he can, so he doesn't have to think where it came from. Instead, he takes it upon himself to make sure Istredd is really doing fine as he says.
no subject
But it doesn't matter. Not really. Because he always had Rhy. Kell can't imagine how it must feel to not have anyone like that. He can't imagine himself without Rhy. They don't have to be in the same room even. He feels better simply for knowing Rhy exists. That he's somewhere where he can always come back to. To never have someone like that? It's cold, lonely world. It's terrifying.
"I'm happy you two found each other. I ... "
Kell stumbles for words and on his feet with Istredd abrupt stop that's well matched by his own growing terror when he realizes what Istredd is looking at. Vivid memory of that one scene he stumbled upon in the mountains flashing before his eyes, silent plea to the Saints on his lips even if Kell is that further from being religious. Begging Kyle to please don't stab Lucifer in front of everyone at the official gala. Before the reality of what is truly happening gets to him leaving him more confused than relieved.
He has at least enough sense in him left to steer the away from the center of the ballroom. For all the distress he feels radiating from Istredd, Kell decides it's better they take a break. It will give Istredd some time to calm down. A clearly very needed time. Otherwise someone might just cause a scene. The evening is already memorable without it.
"Are you sure?" It's not even a question.
Somewhere underneath his own shock and confusion is tiny sting of inappropriate and completely unfounded envy that Kell is very quick in burying as deep as he can, so he doesn't have to think where it came from. Instead, he takes it upon himself to make sure Istredd is really doing fine as he says.
"Come, sit down with me for a bit."