(BL) Hunting The Field Guide - Chapter 201

Chapter 201: A complicated past, but bright future Chapter 201: A complicated past, but bright future “How is he?” Kellen asked once the elevator was moving and they were in the enclosed space.

Sakura’s happy facade dropped as well and she sighed.

She ran her hand over her face, her foot tapping in annoyance.  “He’s been himself, which means difficult.

I’d say he’s gotten two degrees more difficult, but it feels like more than that.” She said grimly as the elevator came to a stop.

When the doors opened, Kellen came face to face with a hallway that felt eerily similar.  Then again, all research wings look vaguely the same.

White walls tended to do that to spaces.

The hallway felt like it stretched on forever, but Kellen could see the end of it.

He glanced towards Sakura.  “Did you try to make this into a horror movie?” He asked, and she rolled her eyes.  “I didn’t try to do anything.

They said this was best for security purposes, and so I went with it.

You’re the first person I know to refer to it like that.” She told him.

She began to walk with a brisk pace down the long hallway, and Kellen quickly followed after her.

In her heels, she was almost a full foot taller than Kellen, and her legs went on for days.  Kellen had to jog to keep up with her.  “I can’t be the first person to say something along those lines.

Surely the researchers who work here said something similar.” Sakura shrugged at Kellen’s words.  “If they did, no one said it to me.” She said, and Kellen nodded.

She was the Captain of the Guild.

He was sure there were few people who would have the balls to do so.

Too bad Kellen didn’t care about that since the length of them exceeded her length as a Captain.

It was also hard to give someone the same level of respect when you had walked in on them changing several times for gym and found them in a matching duck bra and panty set.  Not that he was complaining, but there were some things that just took away some of your credibility.

Kellen knew he had some, but he just hoped they would never be brought up.

He would never, ever say what he’d witnessed out loud, but it did mean that Kellen felt comfortable saying certain things to Sakura.  “Fair enough.

I would have some problems saying it to my Boss if I had one.” Sakura snorted, her shoulders shaking.  “You do have a Boss, but you also sleep with them.” Kellen smacked her shoulder.  “I do not.

We live in separate apartments.” Kellen scolded, and Sakura rolled her eyes.  “You know what I mean, Kellen.

Don’t play dumb.

It does not matter where you sleep at the end of the night.” Sakura said, and Kellen frowned.

He felt his cheeks puff up slightly as he looked away.

He did know what she meant, but that hadn’t happened either.

At least, not fully.

Kellen wasn’t an idiot.  He knew what he and the Captain were doing was on a slippery slope downwards into sleeping together.

He also hadn’t been an idiot before he’d realised his relationship.

Intimate skin relations were just a part of being a Guide.

At least, that was what he had always been told.  Granted, after what he had just witnessed at Guiding Center C, Kellen was beginning to doubt if that should be the case.

If people became so blinded by what was normal and acceptable, but it still hurt people, was it the right thing to do?

Kellen wasn’t one to have these kinds of thoughts, but he knew that the Captain was.

He also knew that the Captain was going to be furious when he found out what had happened.  And that Kellen and the Captain’s sway was probably going to get that woman fired.

He honestly didn’t feel bad about that, but again felt bad for the Guides that were going to suffer.

It wasn’t as if there were a lot of A Class Guides around in the city, but she was a danger to keep in that position.  And what the fuck was up with that…gross puss-filled bog that had been inside of that Esper?

On later reflection, Kellen should have had Esper Blake stop that man and guide him back to the Guild for examination.

His story was also fishy.

But it wasn’t his place to do so.

He didn’t have that kind of authority.

Fuck.

This was hard.  “Kellen, we’re here.” Kellen jerked, surprised that his thoughts had taken over him enough that he had forgotten where he was.  Sakura had stopped at one of the several plain, white doors.

The only thing that marked this door as slightly different from the others was a plaque on the door that stated this was the Poison Research Department.

Kellen chuckled.  “Ah.

I’m sure he chose that?” Kellen asked, gesturing to the title and Sakura sighed.  “He did.

He wanted it in green font but I decided that was too…ominous.” She muttered and Kellen shook his head with a smile.

Sakura stepped back several paces, her face grim as Kellen readied himself to knock on the door.  Knock knock knock “Fuck off Willow.

I want nothing to do with you.” Came the hoarse, growl from the other side.

Kellen glanced at Sakura to find her clenching her fists.

Not many called her by her last name, a choice she had made rather young in her career.

It was a sign of disrespect on his part, and Kellen rolled his eyes at his pettiness.  “It’s not Sakura.

It’s me.” Silence, before several loud bangs and screeches before the locks were fumbled with on the door and it was flung open.

Kellen came face to face with the man he had stood up for, defended, and kept alive for a few weeks on the front lines as he was on the run.  He hadn’t changed much in the years he hadn’t seen him, but he did look like he’d filled out a little more.

Looked healthy.  Carlos was a man who it had taken several days to even get his first name.

Even after Kellen had safely guided him without pain.

The man had a distrusting personality, and Kellen had a feeling he knew why.

Carlos had been a part of a terrorist organisation, but he’d bailed at the last minute on an important mission.  What had that mission been?

Kellen had no idea.

And it wasn’t Kellen’s duty to find out.

Him not asking further after Carlos had finally admitted why he was on the front lines meant that he trusted Kellen enough to let him protect him.

And show Kellen his powers.  Carlos had the ability to manipulate, control, and detox poisons.

Any and all, he was the reason Sakura had such a chokehold on the market, and the man knew it.

There was a reason he was in hiding.

If his old group found out where he was, he would be killed, no questions asked.  So he had some rights to be paranoid, and turn Sakura away, but Kellen wasn’t going to stand for it anymore.

Not after the gate continued to expand, and there was another poison gate hurting others.

Kellen was a firm believer of the ‘we need to close gates at all costs’ camp.

So as much as he respected Carlos’ wishes and personal beliefs, he was not afraid to get pushy.  The worst he could do was poison Kellen, but Kellen also knew that despite his hard exterior, Carlos cared deeply about the people who were loyal to him.

He just had a hard time showing it after years of whatever he had lived in before he’d met them.  His jacket was in pristine condition, his curly black hair well taken care of, and his dark, brown eyes narrowed as he stared at Kellen from the doorway.

Kellen waved at him with a smile.  “What the fuck are you doing here?” He demanded.

“And how did you know where I was?” Carlos’ voice was hoarse from an injury.

The injury besides his dangerous power levels that Kellen had healed him from.

It was a permanent mark that scarred the skin of his neck.

Carlos wouldn’t let a healer close enough to his neck to heal it.  “Carlos, you should know better than that.

I’ve known where you’ve been this whole time.” Carlos went white, before sliding his gaze to Sakura.

She raised her hands.  “I had no idea he knew who you were until this whole fiasco with the poison gate.” She stated, defending her honour.

Kellen smiled.  “She actually was quite protective of you until she found out how I knew about you.

How is your Guide?

Do you treat them well?

Is their guiding good?” Carlos’ mouth opened, before he closed it and he jerked his head to the side.

His jaw was working, and his hands were opening and closing.

Kellen knew he was probably working through quite a few emotions, but he was on a timeline.

“I…why is it important?

Why are you here?” Kellen chuckled at his brutish attitude, but it benefitted him this time.  “Well, I don’t think it’s wrong to be concerned about you.

I thought we got quite close while we were together?” Carlos jerked his head forward, opened his mouth, but he shut it and turned away again.

Kellen’s smile deepened.

“But you are right to assume I’m here for a reason.

Carlos, I want you to help out with the poison gates.

Both of them.

If we don’t deal with the consequences of them now, who knows what could happen in the future?” Carlos glared at Kellen, his brown gaze lighting with the sickly bright shade that indicated his powers.  It mimicked the colour of the poison gate itself.  “You want to use me?” Kellen shook his head.  “Not for free.

I would never want to do that to you.

If you do help, I’ll make sure to grab you samples that wouldn’t be disclosed to the public or anyone else.

I’m part of the first scouting team, or at least I’m supposed to be.

I know you’re always looking for more.

I can also do some international espionage if you need too.” Kellen smiled at him and Carlos’ jaw dropped.

“I know you’re curious, but you don’t want to risk Sakura and the life you’ve built here.

I’ve found my pair, so I have a bit more freedom.” Kellen’s eyes widened.

“Oh!

And I’ve jumped in Class since we last met, so I’m more sturdy now.” Kellen gave him a thumbs up and Carlos remained silent.  Kellen wasn’t sure why for a moment as the silence drew out and it became slightly awkward.  “Carlos?

Are you going to answer him?” A soft, wispy woman’s voice spoke over his shoulder and the Guide that Kellen had suggested Carlos go find poked her head out from behind him.  She was a small woman, smaller in height than Carlos and Kellen by quite a bit.

If Kellen had been standing next to her she would have come up to maybe his chest, while on Carlos she only came up to his shoulder.

She had a similar complexion to Carlos, but her hair was a lighter brown and straight.

She had it long.

It rolled down her back in a silky, brown wave, and her deep, almost black eyes watched everything and everyone.

She wore some makeup to make her eyes pop more, and even Kellen had to admit she was enchanting.  This was the Guide that others said ‘felt the same’ as Kellen.

Isabella Martinez was a woman who had been recruited into Sakura’s Guild from the beginning.

She had the ability to calm any Esper.

It had been a big compliment when others had compared them to each other, and she was the first person Kellen had thought of when he’d met Carlos.  He just had no idea that they were going to hit it off so well as he watched Isabella put her hand on Carlos’ shoulder and watched as colour touched his skin.

Carlos rarely turned this colour, and Kellen nodded, impressed.  “Guide Martinez.

It’s wonderful to see you in good health.” Kellen told her, meaning it, and a small smile touched her lips.  “Thank you Guide Woods.

Carlos and I heard about your paring.

Congratulations.

I had no idea you had also jumped in Class.

When did that happen?” She asked softly, and Kellen flushed.

Sakura cleared her throat loudly.  “It was around the same time.

Some things…happened, and that’s how we found out we were a pair.” Kellen muttered quietly, and Sakura snorted.  “Ah, so what you told the public was partially true?

How cute.” She teased and Kellen shot her the finger.

She chuckled while it seemed Carlos was getting whiplash from their behaviour.  “Wait wait wait.

How long have you two known each other?” He asked, clearly upset about something and Kellen furrowed his brows.  “Gosh, how long?

We went to the same elementary school I think?

I know Taylor and I did.” Kellen muttered, and Sakura shrugged.  “I wasn’t too interested in you back then, so I’d say we’ve known each other since high school for sure.” Sakura grinned.

“Before anyone had awoken, Kellen was the strongest in the school.” She bragged, and Kellen waved his hand.  “It was no big deal.

Civilian strength cannot be weighed against an awakener’s strength.” He dismissed easily, while Carlos seemed in shock.  “So you sent me to your friend’s Guild?” He asked, incredulous and Kellen laughed.  “No, I sent you to the Guide who I thought could help you the most.

They just so happened to be in the Guild of someone I knew would look out for you.

I would have sent you to an enemies Guild if I thought it would have kept you safe.” Kellen told him without a hint of a lie.

Carlos swallowed thickly.

He looked away, clearly embarrassed by Kellen’s no nonsense words.  “I…Fuck.” He exclaimed and Kellen watched as the grip on his arm tightened on Guide Martinez’s side.

He chuckled.

Clearly, she didn’t approve of him swearing.  “It’s okay.

I’m not upset.

Take your time, but I do have another meeting after this.” Kellen told them with a smile, and Carlos’ face fell.  “Ah, I see.

So I’m just a stop along the way?” He asked bitterly and Kellen laughed.  “Would you have liked it if I insisted we sit down and have some tea and chat?

You didn’t strike me as that kind of person, Carlos, and I also know you’re the suspicious type.

If I didn’t get down to the nitty gritty of it all, you would have been on high alert the whole time.” He clenched his jaw as Kellen read him for filth.

Guide Martinez was smiling softly.  “He’s right.” She said quietly, and Carlos looked at her as if betrayed.

CREATORS’ THOUGHTS CalyB Carlos has a rough past, but he’s not a bad guy.