(BL) Hunting The Field Guide - Chapter 248

Chapter 248: An early morning phonecall Chapter 248: An early morning phonecall The call came early the next morning.

His Dad had woken up for the first time early in the morning, around 1 am, and then had woken up a second time around 5.

His Mom hadn’t called him after the first time since he was only awake for a few minutes, but after the second time, she called.  Kellen was so glad to hear the relief in her tone.

He even got to hear his Father over the phone.  “He’s been asking about you.” She told him.

“Of course, I told him you’re fine, but he won’t calm down without seeing you.” She was exhausted, but happy.

Kellen hoped that she’d at least be able to sleep after this, but he doubted it.  His stubbornness came from both sides, after all.  “Is that Kellen?

Is he okay?” Kellen felt his eyes water as he heard his Dad’s voice over the phone.

He took a shuddering breath as Rhys sat up in bed beside him.  “Is that?” He asked quietly and Kellen nodded, fighting for his life to prevent the tears from spilling over.

Rhys placed his hand on his stomach, moving in and placing a kiss against Kellen’s shoulder.

“You’ve got this.” Rhys told him warmly, smiling at him and Kellen’s whole body flexed.  His support was something he had never expected, something he didn’t know was part of being a pair, of being in a relationship.

He was worried he was going to get addicted to it.  “Hi, Dad.” Kellen got out.

He knew his voice sounded strained, but there was nothing he could do.

His throat felt so tight he was worried he was going to squeak.

Rhys’ hand on his stomach was comforting, if not a little distracting.  “Oh.

It’s so good to hear your voice, Sweetheart.” That was it.

Kellen felt the tears spill over and he blinked rapidly.

Rhys leaned over to turn on one of the lamps as Kellen felt the tears run freely from his eyes.  “It’s good to hear your voice too, Dad.” Kellen whispered.

He was cursing himself.

He had wanted to remain strong for his Dad, yet here he was, two seconds away from sobbing like a baby.

He’d already done that once.

He didn’t need to do it again.  “Oh Kellen.

I am so sorry that you had to-” “No.” Kellen cut him off.

“Don’t you dare.

You don’t get to apologise.

You did nothing wrong.

The people who did something wrong are the fuckers who shot you.

I don’t want to hear your apologies, and I’m sure Mom doesn’t either.

I know you know we’re upset, but that is only going to make us more upset.” Kellen told him and heard his Dad gulp on the other end.

He even laughed lightly.  “My strong, strong baby.

I wasn’t going to apologise for that.

Your Mother has already torn into me for trying to.

I wanted to apologise for having to do everything you did.” Kellen was shaking his head, a sob escaping his mouth and Rhys wrapped both arms around him from behind, trying to comfort him as Kellen tried to speak.  “No.

Don’t do that.

It wasn’t…I wasn’t going to let you die, Dad.

You don’t need to-to-” Kellen’s throat caught on the word and he had to take a second to gather himself.

“You don’t need to thank me.

It wasn’t going to happen.

I am incredibly grateful for my Field Guide training.

If I hadn’t been doing this for so long, I would have panicked and-” Kellen cut himself off, shaking his head again.

“I don’t want your thanks.

Just get better.” Kellen told him.  Kellen could hear that his Dad wasn’t doing much better on the other line.

“Then what am I supposed to do with these feelings, Kellen?

I heard you were shot too, and you gave me your blood.

You are the only reason I am alive right now.

That’s too big of a burden for my son.” His Dad sobbed and that was all it took.

Kellen was fumbling with the sheets, trying to throw them off but his hands weren’t moving fast enough.  Rhys was there, his hands gentle but still helpful.

He helped Kellen get out of the bed, put on a shirt since they had both gone to bed topless and then scooped Kellen up, slippers and all, and raced down the stairs.

He made sure to take his keys with him and grabbed some tissues for Kellen before they began to move towards the elevators.

It was the fastest way at the moment, and with no one quite up yet, Kellen and Rhys got to the Medical Bay quickly.  Kellen’s Mom was already waiting for them.

She wasn’t unaffected by what was going on and Kellen could tell that she had been crying too.

She’d wiped her tears away, but her eyes were slightly red and still watery.

Kellen took her hand in his, Rhys acting like he was his mobility at the moment as the three of them stepped into the room that they had been watching over.  HIs Dad looked pale, thinner than usual, and tears streamed from his grey eyes.

Rhys knew what Kellen wanted, but he wasn’t going to put him down on his own.

Instead, he placed Kellen down in the chair pulled up against the bed and Kellen and his Dad hugged.  It felt so good to hold him, to feel him after only being able to see him before this.

He’d been so still, and Kellen had felt his life blood coat his hands.

He didn’t want to let go of the breathing, moving Dad that he had before him.  “Kellen, your grip.” Kellen pulled back immediately, horror filling his bones since his Dad was so injured.

His Dad didn’t appear to mind, placing his hand on his cheek and smiling warmly at Kellen, even as tears ran down his face.

“It’s okay.

You were just squeezing me too tight.

You get it from your Mother.” He joked and Kellen let out a wet laugh.  “I get a lot of things from my Mom.” Kellen replied and watched as his Dad smiled at him, before it dimmed.

His Dad yanked him close again, holding him tightly.  “You did a good job.” He told him.

“You are so brave, my little Guide.” His voice cracked.

“The world cannot even fathom how much I love you.

Thank you, Kellen.” Kellen’s shoulders shook as he cried.

His Dad meant every word, and that was the hard part.  He’d only really collapsed in front of Rhys.

His Mom had needed him strong, so had everyone else.

Of course it was his Dad who saw through him.  “I am never going to forget it.” Kellen whispered to him quietly and his Dad’s grip tightened.  “Was it bad?” He asked and Kellen’s grip tightening around him was his answer.

His Dad let out a shaky sigh.

“Oh my baby.

What a strong man you’ve turned into.” Kellen sobbed, holding onto the man that someone had wanted dead.  It was clear to Kellen that he’d been targeted and he just couldn’t understand.

Who would want to kill a man who was this good, this kind?

Who helped strangers on the street?

Who had no dark past?

Just lovers who couldn’t get over him?

Kellen couldn’t understand.  “I’m going to have to kill them.” Kellen whispered.

“They tried to take a life.

They should expect that much.” Kellen told him and felt his Dad sigh again.

He gave Kellen a squeeze.  “I hoped you, no, both of my kids would never have to worry about such things, but yet here I am, the reason that you are out for blood.” Kellen jerked, moving so that he could glare at the man but his Dad wasn’t angry.

Just sad.

“I understand, Kellen.

I’m not upset, I just hate that the world is proving to be exactly what I feared it to be.

I won’t stop you.

I don’t think I can.

I too, am angry, but I don’t want to be there like you and your Mother do.”  “Do you want me to-” “No.

If you are about to ask if I want you to hit them for me?

No.

If you’re about to ask if I want you to film it?

The answer is also no.

You need to stop recording your potential crimes, my sweet boy.” He pulled a laugh out of Kellen, and the two Espers in the room with them.

Kellen had all but forgotten about them.  “Okay.” Kellen agreed and felt a hand plant on his shoulder, giving it a squeeze.  “How are you feeling, Mr.

Woods?” Rhys asked behind him, and watched his Dad close his eyes and sigh.  “Like I was at death’s door, but I know I’m in capable hands.

Taylor only stepped out to give us a moment.

She’s been here both times I’ve woken up.” She was dedicated to her job, that was sure.

Kellen couldn’t have asked for a better person to be looking after his Dad.  “Good.

I’m glad to hear it.” Rhys told him warmly, and his Dad chuckled.  “Why am I getting the sense that you’re the most dangerous person in this room right now?” His Dad asked, clearly teasing him and Rhys chuckled.  “Well, my partner’s Father has been injured, and for once, I’ve caught a whiff of who it might be.

I was worried that my sight would extend to you and I wouldn’t be able to help, but being here, in this room has helped significantly.

And who am I to stop my partner’s family from getting revenge?” Rhys shrugged, his smile still warm and his Dad shook his head.  “Come here.

Partner’s family?

Shut up Rhys.

We’re your family too now.

Kellen, let me give Rhys a hug.” Kellen did as he was told and couldn’t put a name to the feeling that filled him as he watched Rhys and his Dad hug, his Mom in the background.

Kellen opened his hand, motioning for his Mom to come take it and when she caught sight of him, her eyes creased with a smile.  She came over, taking his hand in his as they both watched Rhys and his Dad chat to each other.

It was a good moment.

A soft moment.

Before everyone had to get to work and punish those who had done this to him.

To them.

CREATORS’ THOUGHTS CalyB I too, might have cried like a baby writing this chapter.

I hope you guys like this one.