(BL) Hunting The Field Guide - Chapter 162

Chapter 162: Bedtime Rituals Chapter 162: Bedtime Rituals His arms still firmly wrapped around the Esper, Kellen nuzzled into his skin, fighting tears.

This silly, stupid man.

“I don’t understand how you see yourself, and all the things you do, and still call yourself a monster.” Kellen whispered.

Rhys went rigid.

“But it doesn’t matter.

If you want to tell me I am the one who holds your leash, I guess I am.

But I do not consider you a monster at all.

You are such a kind and caring person.

You do so much for me, Rhys.

Honestly, I’m worried I don’t deserve you, given how I lashed out at you today, and in the past.

I ran away from you for seven years, and you still decided you wanted me.” Kellen squeezed him tightly.

“So, please don’t say I don’t have to do anything in return.

It fills me with a sense of guilt if you do.” Rhys shook.  “But I-” “Hush.

I am aware we both probably have our own issues when it comes to accepting help, and other things, but at this point, I am tired and I don’t want to argue with you all night.

I just want to go to sleep in your arms tonight without having a sour taste in my mouth.” Kellen said, serious.

Rhys shuddered, nodding, before Kellen felt his shoulders shake.

“I could…leave a different kind of taste in your mouth if you’d like.” His voice was soft, and Kellen felt his face heat at his unexpected words.

He pulled away from him to stare into his face, only to find his yellow eyes dancing.

“I apologise, but I couldn’t help myself.” He muttered, trying to sound repentant, but his eyes gave him away.  Kellen shook his head with a sigh, before finally getting out of his lap.

Rhys frowned, but let him extract himself from him.

Slightly embarrassed, Kellen hadn’t realised that his cock had been out the whole time, and he tucked it back into the waistband of his underwear.

Rhys watched his movements, and Kellen noticed how his eyes deepened in colour.  “I’ll have to pass on that for now.

As I said, I’m tired now that we’ve seen each other and talked it out.

Plus, I’m now going to be busier since I’m taking on the task of gathering more Guides for the Guild.

You’re always so busy, so you should just come to bed with me.

I don’t mind if you use me like a body pillow.” Kellen tried to sound serious, like he wasn’t nervous, and put on a smile.

Rhys stared at him, surprised, and Kellen worried for just a second he was going to leave.

He watched instead as Rhys’ expression relaxed and he got to his feet.  “I hear you sleep naked.

Is it really alright for you to invite me to your bed, Kellen?

I have been told I have wandering hands.” Flushing at what he implied, Kellen nodded.  “I wouldn’t make an offer and then take it back if that bothered me.” Kellen muttered, dropping his gaze.

All the confidence he had vanished after he proposed to him spending the night.

Rhys made a soft noise and Kellen glanced up at him.

Rhys was covering his mouth, his eyes dancing.

Kellen felt his gaze wander down his chest, before he blinked, and flushed again.

Rhys shook his head.  “So you intended to quietly seduce me.

I am now onto your tricks, Kellen.” Kellen opened his mouth to protest, before he shut it, shook his head, and headed for the stairs.

He could worry about the clothes tomorrow.  “I didn’t consider the fact that I sleep naked as a seduction.

The last time we shared a bed I wore underwear.” Kellen said it quietly to himself as he stomped up the stairs.

“Besides, it’s just sleeping.

That is not a seduction.” Kellen didn’t know why his tone sounded so bitter, but focusing on where that was coming from was enough distraction that he hadn’t realised that Rhys had followed him up the stairs.

He didn’t speak up until they were on the landing.  “Why do you not consider that a seduction?

And if it isn’t one, what do you consider a seduction?

I’m curious to know how that mind of yours works.” Kellen’s foot caught on something near the door of the bedroom, and he caught himself on the doorframe so he didn’t fall.

Turning, he spotted that Rhys was smiling at him, and Kellen found himself scanning him.

He had grabbed both of their shirts, having draped them over his right arm.

His broad chest was a nice distraction, along with his pecks, and abs, and… Kellen jerked his gaze back up to his face to find his eyes sparkling like golden coins, his smile slightly wicked now.

He swore the man did it on purpose.

Kellen was never going to be a walking, talking seduction.

The Captain already had that trophy.  Turning so that he could cool his warming face, Kellen headed for the closet.

Slightly nervous, since he hadn’t had time to clean up everything in here, he just made sure not to move too many things.

When he had some more free time, he would put everything back into its box.

The Captain would never find out about it.  Trying to smooth out his movements, since everything felt stiff and jerky, Kellen realised he didn’t have to undo his belt, and pulled it out.

Instead, he worked on pulling his pants down without making it obvious that he was half erect.

He should have known better.  He had his back turned to Rhys, and only got the warming bells when it was too late.

His hands sneaked around his body, dragging across his skin and leaving a trail of heat where they passed.

Kellen had been going through his top drawer for a fresh set of underwear, and found himself yanked against the warm skin of the Captain.

Gasping, he felt his hands wander all over him before he found what he was looking for.  “Have I ever seen a seduction as lovely as this?” He murmured, and confused, Kellen looked back at him.

He had a flush on his cheeks, his eyes deepening in colour by the second.  “What?” Kellen asked, clearly not understanding what he was meaning.

He grinned.  “Anything you do I find seductive, Kellen.

You could get a tea and I would find it hot as hell.

But you, trying to hide the fact that looking at my naked body made you erect?

Adorable.

Dangerously so.

It makes me want to reward you for your efforts.” Having a feeling that Kellen knew where his mind was going with this, Kellen went to protest.

“No, we really should-” Kellen cut off as he, without hesitation, gripped his cock in his hand and gave it a squeeze.

“Rhys!” Kellen protested loudly and he laughed.

He released Kellen’s cock, but kept his hands on him, wrapping his arms around Kellen.  “Sorry, sorry.

I noticed you were trying to hide it from me, and I wanted to tease you a little.” Kellen sniffed, and looked away from him.

He knew what expression he’d have right now, and he didn’t want to see that smug, pleased expression right now.

He’d crumble in a heartbeat.

When he got like this, he reminded Kellen of a cat who’d gotten the cream.  Going back to the task at hand, Kellen found a fresh set of underwear and offered them to Rhys.

Tossing them over his shoulder, Rhys had to let him go to grab them.

“How kind of you.

I didn’t think you were grabbing them for me.” Kellen sniffed.  “You are still a guest in my home.” Kellen said quietly, even as he pulled his underwear down and tossed them into his hamper.

He took off his slippers next, and tucked them into their spot before pulling on the fresh set of underwear he’d grabbed for himself.

He’d teased him saying he slept naked, but it did feel a little safer this way.

He had expected Rhys to laugh at him, and when he didn’t, he glanced back at him.

He was in the underwear that Kellen had given him, and that was it.

He also had a thoughtful expression on his face.

“What?” Kellen asked, and he shook his head.  “Nothing.

I just like watching you move.” Flushing, Kellen pushed past him, hoping he didn’t linger in there and headed for the bathroom.

In the two weeks that Kellen hadn’t seen him, he hadn’t gotten rid of his toothbrush here.

He had contemplated it several times, before talking himself out of being so petty.  Now, even after confirming that they had feelings for each other, Kellen worried what it would say about him when Rhys saw that it was still here.

Pushing that thought away, he started brushing his teeth, and avoided eye contact with him in the mirror when he joined him.

Kellen noticed that he’d stuttered in his steps when he saw that the toothbrush was still there, and even when Kellen felt him looking at him, he kept his gaze forward.

He was focused on his back molars.  Kellen finished brushing his teeth, and headed for the bed first this time.

He was already tucked into the bed with his back to him when he came out of the bathroom.

Kellen knew it told him everything that Rhys needed to know, but he couldn’t help it.

He was nervous.

His heart was going what felt like a thousand beats per minute.

All he could do to protect himself from Rhys’ seduction was feign sleepiness.

If that man put his hands on him again, especially after opening up to him, Kellen was a goner.

CREATORS’ THOUGHTS CalyB Thank you so much for reading!