(BL) Hunting The Field Guide - Chapter 234

Chapter 234: Kellen’s great plan Chapter 234: Kellen’s great plan Kellen wasn’t expecting the look of shock and horror that crossed his trainee Field Guide’s faces when they saw him with a cane, but Brent seemed to expect it.

His expression was hard as the Guides entered into the smaller meeting room, their expressions aghast and horrified.  “He’ll be fine.

The Captain is dealing with it.” He informed everyone once they had arrived, and that seemed to soothe them.

Kellen, however, was not soothed, since he didn’t understand why they were so upset in the first place.  He had been frequently hurt on the front lines.

Was this just a city Guide thing?

If that was the case, why was Brent behaving like this?

For goodness sake, Brent only had one arm, and Kellen had never treated him like this.  It all worked out in the end, and the first class went smoothly.

It was interesting to hear what they had noticed when they had first seen plants that normally would only exist inside of gates.

He could see that a few of them were very interested, while several only kept up the basic level of knowledge.  Miro had converted a few he could see.

That wasn’t a problem.

They’d probably bring back samples for the cute Esper.  His first class bled into his first guiding session, which went smoothly as well.

Because he was in the Tower a lot today, he had quite a few lined up.

It was actually nice to guide after that awful experience with that other Esper.  Kellen had worried briefly that there was something wrong with him, but when he guided another Esper, someone who he didn’t know, it didn’t feel the same.

There had to be something wrong with that Esper in particular.

He hoped that the Guiding Center kept records, because they were supposed to.

But given how it was being run at the moment, he didn’t have high hopes.  It was around lunch time that he got notice from Gwen that they were heading off to the house after Blake had gathered a few other Espers to help and gotten them approved by the Captain.  Kellen was happy to hear that.

The sooner Mom had new clothes, the sooner he felt her mentality would even out.

There was also the chance that his Dad would wake up today, which would help, but smelling blood for so long never helped anyone.  So, it was with a slightly lighter heart that Kellen contacted the cafeteria, asked about what the Captain had suggested a few days ago, and made sure that it happened today.

It was lunchtime, and he had already confirmed with Hill’s help that he was in the conference room, so Kellen made his way there, his laptop in hand.  Or, well, slung over his shoulder.

It was easier to walk, and Brent had almost killed him with the look he’d given when he tried to carry it under one arm.  Despite everything that was going on, Kellen didn’t feel weighed down right now.

In fact, he felt like he should feel guilty with how happy he was.

He knew that he should because his parents were in an awful position, but this was the first time he had a partner he could rely on.

And someone who was so obvious with his affection.  So he was on his way to seduce his partner.

Well, at least attempt it.

He was only following what the Captain had said before, not anything he’d thought up on his own.

He was going to have to sit down and brainstorm some ideas later, but for now, he had a lunch break, and the Captain did too.  ~ The conference room always seemed so busy whenever Kellen stopped by to visit.

It was always full of Espers, civilians and Guides just working away on laptops like their lives depended on it.

There was also Hill who was here frequently, and Casper who would have been here if he had paced himself.  An exhausted looking Pamela had joined the main room instead of sitting outside, and for once, the Captain wasn’t in a meeting where he was talking to screens.

Instead, he was sitting next to Hill, working away on his own computer with a rather serious expression.

Kellen could tell he’d been running his hands through his hair, or he hadn’t fixed it since Kellen had disrupted it.  Either option was an oddity, and Kellen felt his cheeks heat.  As if able to sense him, the Captain looked up and noticed Kellen as soon as he stood in the doorway of the conference room.

His eyes went wide, and a bright smile crossed his face.

He pushed his chair back quickly, and moved towards Kellen at a fast speed.  “Mr.

Woods!

To what do I owe the pleasure?” He asked, a little breathless and Kellen wondered why.

He hadn’t done anything too strenuous, had he?  He could feel the sharp, probing gazes of the others in the room on him, and he swallowed.  “W-Well, you suggested that we should share our lunch breaks and that you would help me eat so that I could get my work done.

Is that offer still available?” Kellen asked and Rhys glanced down Kellen, before meeting his gaze.  “Just eat?” He asked, and Kellen felt his cheeks heat.  “Just eat.” Kellen confirmed, and Rhys swallowed.  “You’ll let me feed you?” He asked, shifting on his feet and Kellen’s grip on his cane tightened.  “Captain, why on earth would I be here if I expected you to interrogate my intentions?” Kellen demanded, and watched as the taller man’s face heated.

He raised a hand, covering his own mouth as he glanced away from Kellen.  “I…I’m sorry.

I just…I’m so happy I feel like I shouldn’t be.” He muttered and Kellen felt his face break out into an uncontrollable smile.

Shifting closer to the Captain, he motioned for him to duck his head slightly.

The Captain did so eagerly.  “I feel the same way too.

Now, are you going to keep me standing here, or are you going to help me find a spot?” Rhys sucked in, pulling away from Kellen, his yellow eyes wide.  “You’re sitting next to me.” He stated, and heard Hill’s laughter behind them.  “I don’t want to take Hill’s spot.” Kellen protested, and the Captain glanced around the room.  “Hmm.

We should do this in another room.

I should have planned ahead.

Fuck.

I haven’t even ordered food yet!” He was clearly upset with himself, and Kellen chuckled.  “I already spoke to the cafeteria, and they are on their way with food for both of us.

And it wouldn’t feel right if we didn’t sit with everyone in the conference room, would it?” Rhys’ eyes seemed to be conflicted, and Kellen felt warm watching him panic in front of so many people.  It was like him asking him on a date all over again.  “I don’t mind moving, Kellen.

Not if it’s for you.” Hill blew him a kiss, and Kellen laughed.  “That’s very sweet, Hill.

Thank you.” Hill swooned.  “Oh, look at this guy!

He’s so cute!

He says thank you so easily.

Thank goodness he’s the pair of our Captain.

Who else would manage such a foul tempered man?” Hill giggled, along with Pamela as the Captain turned pink.  Kellen’s eyes went wide as he stared at the contrast between the Captain’s yellow eyes and pink face.

He was pretty sure he’d never seen him this colour before.  “What do you mean by that, Hill?” Kellen asked, watching as she began to shuffle her things over to the next available spot.

It happened to be right next to her previous spot.

She chuckled, shaking her head.  “You should have seen him, Kellen.

He was like a damn storm.

Everyone was damaged in his path.” Kellen, feeling suspicious, glanced at Rhys, who was now covering his face.  “I can feel the way you’re looking at me.

Please stop.” He muttered, and Kellen burst into laughter.  “Did you have a hard time?

Hmm?” Kellen asked, slightly teasing, but also asking if he was okay.

Rhys glanced at him between his fingers, before he covered his face again.

It took him a few minutes of Kellen smirking at him warmly before he sighed and uncovered his face.

He leaned forward and pressed his lips against Kellen’s temple.  “…You were hurt, and I had no target.

I know I have mood swings, but I feel like it was understandable.” He muttered, and Kellen wasn’t sure what to call the emotions welling inside of him.

They were sitting on the tip of his tongue, but the words weren’t coming to mind.

It hurt, suppressing them, but there weren’t enough words in his vocabulary to properly explain them.  Thankfully, it was around that time that the food arrived from the cafeteria, so Kellen and Rhys hustled towards their seats.  Well, Rhys hustled, Kellen was slower.  He could feel how the mood shifted in the room as soon as everyone saw him walking with the cane.

Even Hill, who had been joyous to see him, drooped.  “Stop.

You’re all looking at me like this is permanent.” Kellen warned, and Hill and Pamela dropped their gaze.  “Well, can you blame us?

You’re just…so big that it’s hard to watch.” Kellen’s heart jerked, and Hill realised.

“N-Not like-You’re very important to us, Kellen, so it’s hard to watch.

No one likes to see someone they care about injured.” Hill was falling over herself, trying to recover it, and Kellen chuckled.

Rhys had already pulled out his chair for him, and Kellen stared at the gap between the desk and the chair and sighed.

It was going to hurt, no matter what, and he was in a room of overprotective Espers.  He was pretty sure he was just going to end up in the Captain’s lap with the way the man was staring daggers into him.

But, he should at least attempt it.

CREATORS’ THOUGHTS CalyB It does hurt that Kellen doesn’t understand why everyone is upset that he’s hurt.

He’ll get there.

Eventually.