(BL) Hunting The Field Guide - Chapter 240

Chapter 240: Normal is a silly dream Chapter 240: Normal is a silly dream The rest of the afternoon went smoothly.

Kellen finished his guiding sessions with the Espers he was in charge of, and did do an emergency guiding session for someone who had gotten a little too close to the sun.

It wasn’t anywhere near a surge, but they had forgotten to take care of themselves.  It was rewarding.  He hadn’t completely forgotten why he liked guiding others, only that it was a nice thing to remember while in such a shitty situation.  Kellen could feel the tension from everyone around him.

He knew that he should be feeling the same way that everyone else had.  Whoever had done this had attacked the core of the city.

Some of the Guides who were very important to a front line city like they were.

Everyone was upset internationally and locally.

Kellen completely understood that, and was deeply upset.  He just didn’t think showing it like everyone else was, and the Guild being on high alert were really…necessary.

He wasn’t going to tell that to the Captain, or anyone else who was quite upset, but those were his true feelings.

It was perfectly fine to be upset, but for something like this that was going to be prolonged?  It just felt exhausting to keep it up, you know?  So, between his afternoon class, his work as the temporary head of the Guiding Division, and trying to organise the acquisition of more Guides, Kellen was almost late for his guiding session with Captain Thatcher.  Thankfully, he made it in time, but he was frustrated at how slow he was moving.

It only invigorated him into prioritizing getting Guides sooner.

The Guild needed them, and he needed them so Taylor didn’t worry about her supply of powers.  Plus, it would be nice to have more Guides in.

Especially after their background checks.  Either way, he was slightly flushed in the face when he arrived for his guiding session.

Rhys was worried at first, but when Kellen explained that he had just rushed to get here as safely as possible, he sort of relaxed.

It was clear that both him, Taylor, and apparently everyone else in the damn Guild did not like seeing Kellen injured.  Taylor had only lectured him a little bit about being safe with his leg, and gave him a few shakes before his guiding session before they began.

Thankfully, the Captain might be upset, but internally he was doing okay.  He didn’t push Kellen away today, and that made Kellen feel relieved.

They felt together, united.

And seeing those shimmering, iridescent waves inside of the Captain soothed something inside of Kellen.  “Kellen.” Rhys said as Kellen was pulling on his shirt after the session.

Kellen glanced over at him in confusion as Rhys gave him a rather serious, sad look.

“I won’t be able to come home with you right away.

I have a few things I must finish for the day before I can go up to the apartment.

Are you alright with eating dinner a little later?

I’ll order something in so you don’t have to worry about cooking with a cane without me there.” Rhys told him, and Kellen blinked.  He hadn’t expected Rhys to come home with him right away, but it was clear that Rhys thought he would.

It was kind of cute to see him like this.

So worried and anxious over something so…small.  Grabbing his jacket and putting his arms through each of the holes, Kellen chuckled.  “How very kind of you, Rhys.

I appreciate that.

I have a little bit of work to do before I can head up to the apartment, and I’m going to stop in to see how Mom is doing and how well Gwen accomplished her task with Esper Blake.

Then I should be up in the apartment and relaxing.” Kellen told him warmly, and watched as Rhys’ shoulders relaxed.  “You’re not upset?” He asked, and Kellen gave him a strange look.  “Why would I be upset?

You’re the Captain.

You are a very busy person.

I appreciate you taking the time to tell me about it instead of just…not telling me.” Rhys flinched, and Taylor chuckled from where she was entering the data into whatever system she used to monitor them.  “Way to hit him where it hurts, Kellen.

That was ruthless.” Taylor said, and Kellen tilted his head in confusion.  “What do you mean?

I didn’t mean it as an attack.” Kellen said, and Rhys cleared his throat, bringing Kellen’s gaze towards him again.  “She’s saying that you managed to curb any desire I had to lock you up after this incident by making it clear you would not like that.” Rhys muttered, and Kellen stared at the Esper.

He hadn’t really thought about locking him up, had he?  No, he shouldn’t put anything past the man.  There was probably a reason he looked so sheepish after being told no in not so simple terms.

He had probably considered it.

Again.  “Well, I’m glad that I did it without being aware of it.

I would not like that.” Kellen reaffirmed, and Rhys seemed to grow smaller while Taylor laughed.  “I will keep it in mind, Kellen.

I should get going so that we eat at a reasonable time.

See you later.” Kellen nodded, expecting him to just wave and leave, so when he leaned in and pressed his lips against Kellen’s forehead, he was quite surprised.  The grin he gave him was devilish.

“That’s for earlier today.

You gave me quite the shock.

I bet the whole Guild was talking about it too.” Rhys told him and Kellen’s face flushed.  “I just…it was payback for lunch.” Kellen grumbled, and Rhys’ eyes widened.  “Payback?

What did I do?” Rhys asked, his eyes wide.

Kellen wasn’t sure if he was being serious or not.  “Don’t you have somewhere you need to be?

So that we can eat dinner at a reasonable time?” Kellen reminded him, and Rhys chuckled.  “Fine.

But I want an explanation when I get home, alright?

I didn’t think I did anything bad during lunch.” Rhys’ response told Kellen that he really, truly didn’t think he did anything wrong.

Kellen was going to have to tell him about it, and he wasn’t sure if he was going to be able to handle it.  Taylor and Kellen waved as Rhys left, and the door closed behind him.

Kellen turned to Taylor as he drank the shakes that she had given him after the session.  “How is she?

How are they both doing?” He asked, and she shrugged.  “Your Father should have woken up today, but so far he hasn’t.

Everything seems normal, he might genuinely be resting right now.

I did notice a slight change in his breathing patterns, but that’s it.

Your Mom…she’s a harder case.

I think once he opens his eyes once, she’ll be better.

She’s doing much better since new clothes and her laptops have arrived.

Gwen brought both, which I think was a good call.

She’s able to work, and a few of her friends who have been cleared by the Guild have been by.” Kellen had an idea about who they could have been, but he’d ask his Mom in person.  “That’s good.

Do you think she’d want to see me again?” He asked, and Taylor hesitated.  “Hmm.

I think shooting her a text to check in with her might be better.

Seeing you…well, I’ve noticed that she feels a great deal of guilt towards you.

It has been leading to a few spikes in her behaviour, and I’m not saying I’m an expert on your Mom, or that kind of professional, but maybe for tonight, just leave her be.

Visit her in the morning, but just…let her know you’re doing okay, but busy.” Taylor suggested.  Kellen wasn’t surprised by Taylor’s words, not given how everyone else in the Guild was behaving today.  Sighing, he hung his head for a second, before gathering himself.  “Ah.

This fucking sucks.

I just want everything to be normal for once.” He muttered, and Taylor chuckled.

She looked exhausted, and Kellen knew that he was part of that exhaustion.

He too, felt guilty for it.  “Come on, what do you mean?

Wouldn’t it be boring then?

You’d be back on the front lines if being in the city wasn’t so fun.” Taylor said, and Kellen rolled his eyes.

Yeah, fun.

This was so much fun.  Getting to his feet, his thigh aching, Kellen felt Taylor’s gaze on him.  “Yeah, this is so much fun.

It wasn’t like I was basically retiring when I left the front lines.” Kellen joked, and Taylor smiled slightly at him, getting to her feet and quickly making her way towards him.

Her eyes were glowing green before she even touched him.  The pain faded from his wound, and he glowered at her.  “Just a little bit.

It’s healing, but I can provide at least this much help.

I said I can’t heal you completely, not that I couldn’t help you sparingly.

Now, go finish up for the day.

Maybe take your work up to your place if you can.

Oh!” She moved towards the door.

“I have some cream that should help.

I rarely give it out because I rarely have to leave people in this state, but it should help with any soreness or tightness.

Follow me, and I’ll give you some.”  Kellen and Taylor chatted as they headed for her office and she handed over the cream.

It was in a little plastic bag that already had a sheet of instructions inside.

It was quite cute how far she planned ahead, and Kellen told her so.  He got to watch as she blushed, and brushed it aside.

Kellen was very appreciative of her level of care, and knew that he was going to have to bake up a storm to show how much he cared.

He was already three dozen cookies in debt, a few more dozen couldn’t hurt him more, right?

CREATORS’ THOUGHTS CalyB I am very excited for the next few chapters.

I’ve had an idea for a while, and finally I’m able to put it into place