(BL) Hunting The Field Guide - Chapter 170

Chapter 170: With friends like these…

Chapter 170: With friends like these…

Kellen was in over his head as the two people who he hadn’t expected to corner him dragged him towards a public space where he couldn’t run away.

Specifically, the coffee shop.  Even though it was early in the morning, people were still up and about.

Several of them looked like they didn’t work in this building, but that didn’t dissuade the two who had a clutch on him.

Hill hadn’t let go of him the whole time they had ridden down in the elevator.  No, all three entered into the early morning rush of the coffee shop in their workout gear, Kellen looking like he was being held hostage, and Hill and Brent very much playing their parts.

Brent had his gloves on, but you could see the rest of his prosthetic limb on display as he motioned for Hill to drag Kellen to a table in the corner as he grabbed drinks, and Hill did so with gusto.

It was one of the few tables that was near the window, but still had actual chairs instead of the soft, plush chairs.

Kellen was really regretting not spending more time in bed if this was the outcome.  The looks they were getting made Kellen embarrassed, and he ducked his head as the people who looked like regular people kept glancing and whispering about them.

Hill hadn’t taken her hand off of his arm during this time, and even sat next to him, staring at his face.  Uncomfortable, but knew trying to escape the Physical Strength Esper wasn’t going to work in his favour, he sighed heavily.

He was accepting his fate.

A small part of him thought that this was an outcome he couldn’t have avoided, while another part wondered how he’d ended up in this situation.

But, if he was honest with himself, Hill was smart to keep a hand on him.

He could have tried to bolt.  Kellen glanced over at where Brent was and found him chatting and smiling to the barista behind the counter.

He was talking to all of them, and then he glanced behind him at Hill and Kellen, and smiled.

A shiver went down his spine, and when he glanced at Hill, she had a little smirk on her lips.  He was definitely talking about him.

Fuck.

What the hell was he saying?

Soon after Brent had worked Kellen up just by smiling at him, Brent came back with three drinks.

He’d gotten a tea drink for Kellen, and something with coffee for him and Hill.

Hill took her drink gratefully, taking a sip and letting out a deep, happy sigh.

“Fuck.

Should I get a secretary?” She asked herself and Brent snorted.  “You could ask anyone to help you and they’d do it.

You’re one of the friendliest A Class Espers out there, Hill.” She smiled and shrugged, her hand still not leaving Kellen’s arm.  “Well, that could be true, but I’m not so sure.

You’d be surprised by how people react to me, Brent.” Hill said mysteriously, and both of the Guides stared at her.  “Hill, nobody has said anything bad about you near me.

And for the most part, people on the front lines are terrible gossips.” Kellen told her, and Brent nodded in agreement.  “No one has said anything bad to me, except that maybe you were the female version of me.” Brent added, and she shrugged.

Kellen sensed that this had something to do with the conversation she’d had with that other Esper after Gunther had gone off on her for no good reason in the cafeteria.

Frowning, he took a sip of his tea and nearly burnt his tongue.

Wincing, he put the teacup back down before staring at her.  “Whatever that Esper who was speaking said before, I think I agree with them.

You are too harsh on yourself, Hill.

I don’t know the reason why, but trust me when I tell you anyone would want to be your secretary.

Even a civilian would want to, and they historically have a hard time working directly with Espers.” Hill looked uncomfortable from Kellen’s words, but then Brent jumped in.

“Oh, I agree with Kellen!

When you smile your whole demeanor changes, and you soften up quite a bit.

Nice and soft, especially for a civilian.

Or hell, even a Guide.

Oh!

That would be a cute idea!

You could hire a personal Guide to be your personal secretary as well, a two for one combo!” Hill’s expression warped, and it was clear she had no idea what to say.

“Uh, I’ve never had-” “We know.” Brent and Kellen responded at the same time, sharing a look before laughing.

Hill flushed.  “You don’t strike me as the type to go around getting guiding from others if you had a personal Guide, Hill.” Brent added, and that seemed to surprise her.

“I don’t?” Brent snorted, but Kellen was the one who answered.

“Hill, you’re a severely loyal person.

In your personal relationships and in your Guild.

Why would we think any differently if it came to an intimate relationship like that?” Kellen asked, seriously wondering what had made her have such a lack of confidence in this area.

Hill bit her lip, before rustling with her pockets and pulling out a lollipop.

She peeled it slowly before putting it in her mouth.

Kellen held his tongue, waiting for what she was going to say before he commented again.

As much as it was supposed to be an interrogation of Kellen, this was too interesting for either Brent or Kellen to let it rest.  She eventually sighed, before glancing between the two Field Guides.  “I…have some family issues.” She started, and Brent snorted, but Kellen gave him a warning look.

He shut up, even as Hill’s cheeks flushed.

“A-And it makes me nervous to think about a serious relationship.

I’m worried all the time that I’m going to be just like my parents.

I’ve seen what that kind of relationship is like, and I would rather die than be in a relationship like that.” She said, biting her lip again.

Thinking better of it, she shoved the lollipop into her mouth with a sigh.  Kellen took a moment to ponder her words, before he responded.

“Hill, we are more than just our parents.” He said it for both of the people around him.

They both stared at him and he gave a bitter smile.

“Trust me when I tell you, even though my parents are lovely, they are still famous.

You have no idea, or maybe you do, what that kind of pressure that puts on you as a kid.

Who are you going to be like?

What powers are you going to awaken?

Are you team Guide or team Esper?” Kellen shook his head with a laugh.

“It was crazy for a long time, and got even worse when Gwen was born.

Dad and I did our best to protect her, but I know some of it got to her.

With that being said, as much as Gwen and I are like our parents, our appearances alone could tell you who we are related to, that doesn’t mean we aren’t our own people.

Yes, there are some things that are hereditary, but at the same time, they don’t have to be.” Hill seemed confused by what he said, while Brent seemed to be having an epiphany moment.  “What do you mean?” She asked, her grip tightening slightly on Kellen’s arm and he tried not to wince.

It wasn’t intentional.  “I’m not an exact copy of either of them.

The only interest I share with my Dad is cooking.

My Mom and I don’t really have that much in common if I’m honest, but that doesn’t make us any less Mother and Son.

That was because I am my own person, and I worked hard to be my own person.

Yes, I do want a relationship like theirs, but Hill, I fully expected not to get that.” Hill stared at Kellen in confusion, and Brent laughed.  “What Kellen is trying to say, but he’s been too nice about it, is fuck your parents, you are your own person.

You can fight against your lineage, Hill, you just need to put work into it.

Kellen had to fight against his lineage and the media.” Brent summarized and Hill’s eyes widened, before she nodded.  “Oh, okay.” She said, like it made perfect sense once Brent summarized it.

Kellen shook his head with a laugh, looking over the two that were similar, but not quite.

Enough that they had different reactions to what Kellen had said.  He thought it was fair to say they were cut from the same cloth, but were different shapes.  Brent leaned back into the chair he was sitting on, smirking at Kellen.

He rested his hands behind his head, staring at Kellen with those smirking green eyes.  “I believe, even though we are helping Hill get over some shit, that that wasn’t the main reason everyone gathered here, right?” Hill’s eyes lit up from within, the brown depths lightening as she turned her gaze to Kellen.  “Oh, that’s right.

Kellen, what the fuck happened at the photo shoot yesterday?” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS CalyB Thanks for reading!

I recently got a new laptop so if there are any spelling errors or anything like that, just let me know!