(BL) Hunting The Field Guide - Chapter 178

Chapter 178: We’re best friends, right?

Chapter 178: We’re best friends, right?

Kellen didn’t know what to say.

He wasn’t even sure how to broach the topic.

Taylor, knowing that they weren’t going to talk about it unless she spoke up, sighed, and ran her hand over her face before she spoke.

“I’m not mad.

I mean, I am upset, but not mad.” Kellen winced, as Taylor leveled him with her gaze.

“You told them about everything first?

After I’m the one who helped you realise what you were really feeling?

When Kellen finally met her gaze, there was a deep hurt there.

Frowning, Kellen reached out and took her hand in his.  “Hey, it was against my will.

I was excited to see you today and was looking forward to talking with you about this once our session was over.” Kellen wasn’t lying.

He had been excited to talk to her.

The same way he’d been anxious to contact Gwen and let her know what had happened too.

After their interaction at the photoshoot, he’d been afraid to reach out to her.  Taylor was the one who’d gotten him to this point.

He had a feeling that if he hadn’t had her around, it would have been months, maybe even years before he came to realise what his feelings were.

He would have had years of feeling like he was going insane, or was anxious, or even jealous of those around the Captain.

Kellen wouldn’t haven’t been able to put any of his feelings and thoughts together coherently without her.  He was pretty sure that he would have pushed everything to the back of his mind without her help.

And her diagnostics.  Unsure how to appease her, Kellen sighed, rubbing his thumb against her hand where he held it, making Taylor stare at him in confusion.

He licked his lips, nervous, and glanced at the door where Rhys was standing outside.

He inhaled, before letting out a shaky exhale.  “We talked a lot yesterday.

I learned a lot about the Captain.

Things I wasn’t sure I should say when they pestered me.

But if it makes you feel better, I could tell you what we talked about.” Her eyes widened at his words, her hand giving Kellen’s a squeeze.  “Kellen, those are personal moments between you two.

I don’t want to steal those from you.

That’s not what I want.” She sighed, closing her eyes, before she opened them again.

“You should have messaged me or something, let me know everything went well before I found out that Brent and Hill cornered you.” Her words made sense, but… Kellen’s whole face went red, and he stared down at the hand he held.  “That would have been impossible.

I didn’t take my phone with me when I went to the gym this morning, and that’s where they stole me from.” He couldn’t make eye contact with her.

“Before going to the gym…I was busy.” His voice was barely above a whisper as he admitted that.

Taylor’s hand squeezed his before she burst into laughter.  “I assume Captain Thatcher started it?” She asked, and when he glanced at her, she had a smirk on her face.

He frowned, turning his gaze back to their hands.  “Well, yeah, this morning.” Her eyes widened and she jerked.

Kellen was forced to release her hand as she huffed, before leaning in close to Kellen’s face.  “This morning-!

Kellen Woods, did you hit on the Captain?” She semi whispered, as if she was scandalised and Kellen could feel his ears turn red.

He was embarrassed to admit it, but at the same time, it was Taylor.

She might poke fun at him, but she helped him.

Over and over.  “I told the Captain that now that I have realised my feelings for him it was his turn to be seduced.

So, I’m going to try my best.” Kellen didn’t sound convincing even to himself, but Taylor covered her mouth with her hand.

She reached her other hand out to give Kellen’s shoulder a squeeze.  “Kellen!

That’s adorable!

Did you tell others?” She asked and he shook his head.  “No.

We didn’t really get on that topic.

Plus, this is something about me personally.

Maybe I should have gone to those two for help since they have seduced many people, but you’ve known me the longest.” Kellen was having a hard time saying these words, and an even harder time looking at Taylor.

He felt his cheeks heat, and he licked his lips nervously.

“Plus, you said we were best friends.

I don’t really know what that means, but-” Taylor’s hand yanked Kellen forward, and he found himself in a tight embrace.  “You damn fool.” She muttered, emotional.

Surprised, Kellen wrapped his arms around her, unsure if this was a good or a bad thing.

He wasn’t able to tell what her words meant, especially since he had been avoiding looking at her face.  “What do you mean?” He asked, and she tightened her arms around him.

It was a bruising hold, but Kellen didn’t mind it.  “Nothing.

I’m glad you came to me in the end.

I’ll give you as much advice as you need.

Forget about those two, they haven’t been in a stable relationship, ever.

You were right to come to me, your best friend.” Her voice sounded warped, and Kellen worried something was wrong and pulled away to look at her.

Her eyes were watering, and when she saw Kellen’s stunned expression, she pulled him in for another, long squeeze.  Kellen just went with the flow, happy that Taylor was happy with his words.

He didn’t like when she was mad at him, but he was also happy that she was willing to help him further.

He honestly didn’t have a backup plan if she had said no.  “Thanks Taylor.” Kellen said, happy as she pulled back and tilted her head slightly, as if she was hearing something.  “No worries, Kellen.

Anytime.

Now, it sounds like Captain Thatcher just finished his phone call, so we’ll talk later.

Don’t you two have something else to discuss?” She prompted, and Kellen gave her a confused look.  “What do you mean?

We discussed almost everything yesterday.” Kellen said and she laughed, before gesturing to her neck.  Kellen didn’t get it.  He blinked a few times, staring at her as she continued to gesture.

And then it clicked, and Kellen’s face turned red.

She hadn’t said anything, so he thought she wasn’t going to bring it up.

“That’s-” She grinned and Kellen shut his mouth.  “I already knew that the Captain was possessive, but Kellen, I saw the marks on Captain Thatcher.

You don’t have to mark your territory like that.

No one else is going after the Captain.

S Class Espers are a double edged sword that most don’t want to deal with, But, having said that, I doubt that the Captain would complain about you having your teeth on him.” Kellen wanted to bury his head into the ground, but at the same time, defend himself.  “That’s not true.

He’s been voted the most eligible bachelor for several years now, Taylor.

There are many people who would like to date him.

One of them works at Guiding Center A.” Taylor, who hadn’t seen this side of Kellen, whistled at the glare Kellen gave in the direction of Guiding Center A.

She had no doubt that it was actually in that direction either.  Kellen was thorough when he wanted to be.  “Do you really think that Captain Thatcher, of all people, would let anyone approach him when he has you?” Taylor asked, partially teasing, but at the same time, wanting to make Kellen see the truth.

Kellen was clearly upset, and wasn’t meeting her gaze.

“No, but I don’t like the thought of others trying to go after him.” Kellen muttered.

“So I bit him.

He encouraged it.” Kellen admitted softly, and Taylor tried not to laugh at him.

Her harsh exhale had Kellen looking at her, and she covered her mouth, hiding her grin.  “Again, I didn’t think he would complain about you having your teeth or lips on him, and Kellen, you dumb idiot, who is going to go up against you?

You’re a Field Guide, with famous parents, and connections others would weep to have.

You aren’t the kind of Guide many are going to try to fuck with.” Kellen mulled it over for a few minutes, before finally deciding to agree with her.  “Taylor, you aren’t going to say anything about the marks, are you?” He asked, and she chuckled, touching Kellen’s cheek with her fingers, a grin on her face.  “Oh, not today.” She said, smirking.

Her grin was wide when Kellen finally met her gaze, and he knew this was payback for everything he’d done to her when they had been younger.  Sighing heavily, Kellen got to his feet, tossing the empty shake containers into the recycling.  “Well, I doubt there would be anything I could say or do that would dissuade you from speaking of it, and I can’t say that I didn’t anticipate it.

Just, don’t do it this week, please?

I want some people to still respect me.” Taylor laughed as she watched Kellen stretch his shoulders out.

She shifted in her seat, and Kellen looked her over.  Staring at her in her Esper uniform and Doctor’s jacket, with her brown hair pulled back and her blue eyes sparkling, Kellen nodded.

It was good to see that she had some of the life back in her eyes.

Like the others, she had lost a little bit of her spark over the last two weeks.  “Kellen, I think more people would respect you because you’ve claimed Captain Thatcher as your own.

Did you forget that he was the one who wrecked havoc in his teen and younger adult years?” Kellen had not, since that was the time he had grown attached to him.

Taylor laughed at the expression on Kellen’s face.

“Obviously, he’s all tamed now, thanks to you.

Have fun.

Stay safe.

Don’t do anything Karen wouldn’t do.” She winked, and Kellen felt his face flush as his hand came in contact with the door handle.  “That leaves practically everything available.” He protested and she laughed.  “Exactly.

Have fun.” Her eyes were kind, and teasing.

Kellen sighed, before giving her a soft smile.  “Thanks Taylor.” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS CalyB Taylor just looking out for her bestie 🙂