(BL) Hunting The Field Guide - Chapter 203

Chapter 203: 3 millimeters away Chapter 203: 3 millimeters away Buckling himself in, and making sure that Esper Blake had done the same thing, Kellen was driving down the road when he noticed a familiar car with a lightning bolt down the side pulling in front of the center.

Shocked, and checking his watch to see if he had time, he pulled around the corner, reversed, and pulled in behind them.  Esper Blake, who was confused, watched as Kellen barely turned off the car before he got out of it, rushing to the driver’s side of the other car.  “Dad!” He called, and the older man laughed when he heard Kellen’s voice.

His Father hadn’t even opened the door to the car yet, and instead rolled down the window so he could speak to his son.

Kellen reached in and hugged the man, much to his Dad’s amusement.  Kellen’s Father looked good.

He didn’t seem tired, and was in good health.

His frame was full, his eyes weren’t sunken, and honestly, he was glowing compared to all of the other Guides Kellen had seen.

It was nice to know that he was in good health.

It was one less worry.

“It has been a while since we have last seen each other.

How is my favourite son doing?” He asked warmly, and Kellen chuckled.

He gave him a squeeze in his arms.

“I am your only son, Dad.” He responded tartly, and his Father gently rubbed circles into his son’s back, a smile on his face and warmth in his tone.  “Well, I have a son-in-law now.

If you make me too mad, I’ll raise him up in ranks.” His Dad teased, and Kellen’s body tensed for a moment, before he relaxed his shoulders.  “I think Rhys would like that if you did.” Kellen said, and his Dad froze.  “Rhys?

Did you just call him by his first name?

Let go of me, I need to get a good look at you.” Kellen laughed as his Father pushed him away so that he could look at him properly.

He even shoed Kellen far enough away that he could open the door to his car.  Kellen stood still for his Dad’s inspection, smiling as Esper Blake came to stand at the end of his Dad’s car, a smile on her lips.

Kellen even did a spin for him.

His Dad was shaking his head, affection on his face.  “What on earth happened for this sudden change?

You two are still a pair, yeah?” His Dad demanded, and Kellen nodded.

He knew his face went red as he considered what to say.

Scratching at his cheek, he felt a slightly goofy smile cross his face.  “We…I admitted my feelings to the Captain.” Esper Blake’s expression froze, since she had no idea that the two hadn’t been romantically involved this whole time, while Kellen’s Dad gasped.

He shifted in his seat, taking off his seatbelt so that he could turn and face Kellen properly.

He covered his mouth, his eyes glittering.  “You had feelings for the Captain?

Romantic ones?” With each of his questions, Kellen nodded.

He let out a wry laugh, darting his gaze away.  “I uh, needed help realising them, but yeah.

I’ve always had a crush on him.” Kellen admitted, while his Dad seemed to be wracking his brain for evidence.  “Well, you did mention him a lot in your letters home…and you did buy a lot of his posters in your teens…Oh!

I remember a time when you waited in line to buy one of the limited edition releases of a magazine.

Was it because he was in it?” Kellen, who had had that poster in particular up in his closet until recently, felt his face turn bright red.

His Dad clapped his hands, his eyes dancing.  “I was hoping you wouldn’t remember so much.” Kellen muttered, and his Dad laughed.  “Oh Sweetie, how could I not?

You were such a quiet child unless you were up to no good.

I remember all the little weird things that you did.

So when did this happen?

Why did this happen?

And who helped you?

Was it that Guide friend you have?

Or Taylor?” He asked as he slowly got out of the car.

Kellen helped him up, not asking any questions.  His Mother would not let his Father go out if he was injured, especially alone, and there were some things he never wanted to know.  “Well, it happened recently.

We did a photo shoot for the Guild.

You know that the Saturn Guild does a charity calendar every year, right?” His Dad nodded.

“Both Gwen and I will be in it this time.

So will Brent.

They wanted…the Captain there to do some shots with me.” Kellen felt his face heat again as he explained it to his Dad.

His Dad nodded along as his son continued to talk.  He was holding onto Kellen’s arm, not for support, but for comfort.

It didn’t slip past Kellen’s mind that it had been a while since he’d seen his parents.

Or spoken to them.

Both of them had been busy helping out the Guild, and then they also had their own things they were obligated to.  Kellen felt like a bad son for not reaching out to them sooner.

It had been different on the front lines.

Phones didn’t really work, so letters were the best way to communicate there.

He had been gone for a while, but habits die hard.

Especially since Kellen had moved back in with them when he had come back, so he hadn’t needed to change them.

He could just walk over and talk to them in person.  Kellen stopped his story, looking at his Dad with a slightly sorrowful expression.  “I’m sorry for not reaching out to you sooner.

It’s an excuse, but I’ve been on the front lines for so long that communicating through text is still…strange to me.” Kellen admitted, and his Dad smiled.

Turning, he reached up and cupped his son’s face, giving it a squeeze.  “You are my son, Kellen.

I know your habits, and what you are like.

Your Mother is ten times worse, and Gwen is slowly making her way there too.

I know you care for me, as evident by the care package you sent to the house.” His eyes sparkled as Kellen glanced away.

“I appreciate all the ingredients you sent, and I know it was you Kellen, so don’t feel bad.

It’s a busy time for everyone, and I’m not upset about it.

You’re still thinking about me, and caring for me, and for me, that is enough.” Kellen turned and hugged his Father tightly.  “I do not know how you can stand it.

Being the one who is constantly left behind.” Kellen whispered.

His Dad laughed.  “I have a big heart, Kellen, and I’m stronger than my wife and children think.” His Dad teased, his gray eyes filled with warmth as he stared at his son.

Kellen’s body relaxed, warmth filling him just being near the man.

If he could become half of the A Class Guide his Father was, he would be an amazing Guide.  “Why are you stopped at the Center anyways?” Kellen asked, the two of them standing in the cement circle filled with benches and like, three trees.

His Dad smiled.  “Well, I’m actually here to speak to the D.E.C.

They needed some information from an old case, and as I was a witness, they requested I come in.

I had no reason to turn them down.” He told Kellen.

Kellen frowned.

An old case?

What could that mean?

“Is it something to do with your old partner?” Kellen asked, curious, and his Dad shook his head.  “No.

A Guide related issue.

I can’t tell you specifics, but it did involve a Guide being abducted.” Ah.

One of those.  Kellen nodded, understanding washing over him.

Kellen’s thoughts went back to Guiding Center C and he frowned further.  “Ah.

I’m going to have to report to the D.E.C.

too, so I might as well join you.” Kellen muttered.

He checked his watch, checked the time, and turned to Esper Blake.

“Esper Blake, could you give Guiding Center D a call and let them know that I’m running a bit late?

You can even tell them I had to drop into the D.E.C.

so that they know I am on the way there.” Esper Blake nodded, stepping away as their shadow as the Father and Son stood still.  Kellen’s Dad watched him with a soft gaze, giving Kellen’s shoulders a squeeze.  “You’ve filled out more since I last saw you.

How is Rhys keeping his hands off of you?” His Father muttered.

“Is my son not attractive enough?” He grumbled, and Kellen laughed.  “It’s nothing like that.

He’s aware of why I am eating as much as I am.

The demand for higher level guidance hasn’t gone down much, so he’s being…patient, I guess?” Kellen offered, and his Dad’s eyes widened.  “How much is it still?” He asked, concern lacing his words, and Kellen chuckled nervously.

The two hadn’t moved from the cement circle.  “A lot.

Like, 16 000 still I think.” Kellen opened his mouth to speak more, but hesitated.

His Father narrowed his eyes.  “Speak.” He ordered, and Kellen flinched.  “Well, I also haven’t done higher level guiding before and…I don’t think I was ready for it.” Kellen muttered, his face flushing.

His Father’s eyes widened, before he started laughing.  “Right.

The fucking S Class Captain of the Saturn Guild is your first.

I don’t know how I forgot that.

Is he treating you kindly?

Are there any problems in that regard?” He asked softly, and Kellen felt like could die from embarrassment.

This was not a conversation between Father and son.

This was a conversation between two Guides.  “He…is.

He made fun of me though.” Kellen sighed.

“It’s annoying that he has more experience than me when it comes to physical things, and emotional things.

I feel like a baby foal, out in the world with wobbly legs.” Kellen’s tone held a hint of bitterness to it, and his Dad gave his arms a squeeze again.  “Oh Sweetie, if you feel like he is getting too cocky, or too sure of himself, send him over to me.

I’ll make sure that I knock him down a peg.

Who is going to deny me my rights?

Just because your Mother is an Esper, does not mean I am not the man of the house.” Kellen’s eyes widened.

He would never have even said anything so outrageous, and Kellen’s Dad chuckled.

“I am glad my son does not belittle my manhood, but there are some who would.

I was the one who taught you how to shoot, remember?” Kellen nodded, softening.  “Thanks Dad.

I actually recently threatened someone by saying I would send you to them.” His Dad smiled, tugging on Kellen’s arm so that they could begin moving again.  “Oh?

And who was that?” He asked, glancing at Kellen with a warm smile.

It happened too quickly.  Suddenly, the feeling Kellen had had this morning smacked into him, taking his breath away.

He physically stumbled from the impact, causing concern for his Father.

Unsure why, Kellen’s gaze glanced around, and it was already too late when he heard the shot.  He moved, pushing his Father to the ground, but it was too late.  The bullet, which had been meant to be an instant death, missed, but grazed his Father’s throat.

Blood poured out, and Kellen pressed his hands to the wound without a second thought, adrenaline kicking in and his instincts taking over.  “Blake!

Get Taylor!” Kellen screamed, his hands firm, but shaking.  No no no.

No no no.  This could not be happening.  Esper Blake didn’t respond, and Kellen couldn’t move his hands from his Father’s wound.

He was losing blood.

A lot of it.

Normally, this would be a death sentence, but Kellen knew how quickly Taylor could get here, knew that the Captain could control time, and knew that they would not leave him alone.  He watched as his Father’s chest continued to rise and fall, and ignored the awful, dredging, painful sound of his breaths.

Tears filled his eyes, but he shook them away.

He could not be weak.

He could not.  Noise began to fill the air as more shots rang out, but Kellen didn’t give a goddamn.

He was focused on keeping his Father alive.  “They’re almost here.” Esper Blake gasped, coming to stand in front of Kellen, using her body to block out the rest.

Kellen nodded.  “The shooter?” “Dead.

Took their own life.

The fucker.” Kellen couldn’t help but agree.

He had wanted to suffocate them himself.  Each second that ticked by filled him with dread.

More blood coating his hands and his Father’s breath becoming weaker.

As soon as the shot had hit him, his Father hadn’t said a thing.

His gaze had gone towards the sky, and Kellen’s stomach had dropped.  He was so scared.

So, so scared, but he could not let it show.

It wasn’t the time.  “Kellen, we’re here.” Rhys’ voice washed over him, and Kellen hardened his expression.

He was not letting go until he had to.  A gentle, yellow glow surrounded his Father as Taylor fell to her knees beside him.  “Kellen, we’ll need your blood.” She told him, and it wasn’t a question.

Kellen would do anything in this situation for his Father.

Taylor’s hands covered Kellen’s bloodstained ones, a soft, green glow blending with the yellow one.

Kellen gulped.

“You can let go now Kellen.

I need your blood immediately.” Kellen nodded, thankful that Taylor’s tone was still forceful.  Kellen fumbled with the buttons on his jacket, his fingers slippery with his own Father’s blood and in frustration, he ripped it off.

He did the same with his shirt, unsurprised by his own strength and in seconds someone was there to take his blood.

He was familiar with an emergency transfusion, and followed along with the quiet directions.

His gaze was stony as he stared down as Taylor worked.  “Did someone call my Mother?” Kellen asked quietly, and felt a gentle hand touch his shoulder.

Only one person would do so in this circumstance.  “Of course.

She’s on her way.” Rhys told him, and Kellen nodded.

As soon as Kellen’s blood was hooked up to his Father, and he saw his blood reach him, he let out a slight sigh of relief.

It was the first step.

He would give everything to his Father to keep him alive.  “You did a good job.” Taylor told him, sweat dripping from her forehead already.

He knew it was delicate work, and reaching out, Kellen placed his hand on her shoulder, guiding her.

Taylor’s face immediately dropped into a scowl.

“Stop that.

I have more than enough power to do this.

Save your strength.” She ordered.

Kellen, who had offered it readily, had a hard time stopping himself.

It was the Captain who took his hand away from Taylor.  “It’s okay.

We got here in time.

Your Father will be fine.” Rhys whispered, but Kellen didn’t respond.

He couldn’t.

He just stared down at the pale face of his Father in a pool of his own blood as his best friend worked to save him.

They had to save him.

There was no other option.

Kellen could not lose his Father and his Mother right now.

They were too young.

He was too young.

He was not going to allow it to happen.

CREATORS’ THOUGHTS CalyB Uh….hope you guys liked the chapter?