(BL) Hunting The Field Guide - Chapter 257

Chapter 257: A small, enclosed space is perfect for interrogations Chapter 257: A small, enclosed space is perfect for interrogations It looked like Casper was going to run.

Kellen could see it in his eyes, and honestly, because he was still confused, he couldn’t blame him.

Rhys was behaving strangely.

Even if it appeared as if Rhys knew what was bothering Casper, it appeared as if Casper didn’t want Rhys to know.  Or anyone, it appeared.  “You can leave those there.” Kellen told the Espers.

They were frozen in place, unsure what to do prior to him speaking.

What could they do?

Espers had big ears, like Guides, and it was clear that this?

This was juicy gossip.  Kellen wanted as few people as possible to speak of this.

First step?

Get rid of witnesses.  The Espers were clearly hesitant to go, but with a firm look from Kellen, they put the bags down and ran out of there.

Kellen then turned to the two men who were still in a stare off.

He shuffled forward until he was touching Casper by bumping into him, but hadn’t put a hand on him.  Because his hands were full.

He was slightly regretting getting a latte now.  “How about we have this discussion in my office, hmm?

Captain, grab the bags please.” Kellen smiled at them, the perfect smile, and Casper flinched.  “Y-Yes.” He squeaked out, rushing for the research department door while Rhys stared after him.

Casper fumbled with the door until Kellen stepped forward and scanned his card.

Casper gave him a relieved look before scurrying inside, hiding himself from Rhys’ gaze.

Rhys sighed, closing his eyes and covering his face with his hands.

He then dragged his hands down his face, drawing lines with his fingers across his skin.  “Holy shit.” Rhys muttered and Kellen stayed where he was.  “What’s going on?” He asked.

He didn’t like not being in the know, and this?

This was Kellen not being in the know and no one hiding it.  “I…fuck.

I just found out.” Rhys said and Kellen realised that he was still reeling from the news.

If he was, the man who hadn’t seemed phased several times when scouting gates had taken a turn, including this most recent one, it made Kellen worry about what news he was about to find out about.  “How bad?” Kellen asked and Rhys shook his head.  “Bad.

So unimaginably bad.

I can’t-let’s make sure Casper doesn’t escape.” His thoughts appeared scattered, confused and that only worried Kellen more.

The only other times Rhys had been like this was when Kellen had his hands on him.

Kellen’s hands were currently full of everything but Rhys.  He didn’t like the feeling that filled his chest when he realised this.  “Alright.

You grab the bags, and I’ll make sure I corner Casper in my office.” Kellen told him and Rhys nodded.

His expression didn’t look good, and before Kellen could scan his card again Rhys did a quick check of the hallway before he reached out and wrapped his arms around Kellen, giving him a hug.  “Fuck.

I fucked up.

Just give me a sec.” Kellen held his arms out, letting Rhys squeeze and hold him, but wasn’t able to do the same in return.  “You have me really worried here, Captain.” Kellen told him and Rhys gave a dry chuckle.  “Honestly, you should be.

We’re…dear lord, I don’t know if the poison gate is worse than what I’ve just found out.” Kellen’s body tensed.  “Are you sure?” Rhys swallowed.  “My Guild…god, I just…fuck.” Rhys was tongue-tied and that alone worried the hell out of Kellen.

The man was never tongue-tied.

Ever.

Clearly, this was something that was close to him, involved at the very least, Casper, probably Gunther given his reaction.

Kellen knew that if it was something so serious, it probably had to involve the two of them.  They were, after all, the original trio that was the beginning of the Saturn Guild.

Most people knew that the Captain and Gunther had been together for a long time since there was a long record of them being together in the D.E.C.

It was only when Kellen joined the Guild that he remembered that Casper had been there too.  The magazines that he’d flipped through for two whole weeks while the Captain had been too busy to see him had also helped jog his memory, but that was something he was going to take to his grave at this point.  Rhys released him, stepping back and nodding.  “Alright.

Let’s do this.” He muttered.

It was clearly more to himself then it was to Kellen, but Kellen nodded anyway.  “It’ll be okay.” Kellen told him and Rhys gave him a tight smile.  “I don’t think you should try to comfort me until after you hear what this disaster is.” Rhys told him and Kellen nodded.  “Okay, but I want you to know that I’m here.” Kellen told him and he swore Rhys’ eyes began to water.  “Get in there and make sure he doesn’t run away.

I’m sure he knows some way to get out of here without passing us.” Kellen nodded at his words, scanning his card before stepping into the room.  Thankfully, if Casper was trying to run away, he forgot to account for the fact that he looked ill, the scientists here were still learning about how Guides fully worked, and Maeve was slowly becoming Kellen’s friend.

If Casper was trying to cut it and run, there was no way they were going to let him.

Intentionally or not.  Casper was standing there, his arms full of snacks and a bewildered look on his face.

It brought a smile to Kellen’s face, even in the situation he was in.

He was in the dark, the Captain and Casper were acting strange, he couldn’t move his body in the way he wanted, but it was nice to see it was a universal experience.  “Hey, could one of you shove a few of those marshmallow things into one of the pockets of my jacket?” Kellen asked as he stepped into the room.

Several of the scientist’s faces lit up and he had three of them rush to him with fistfuls of the ‘marshmallow things’.

His pockets were overflowing as he unlocked the door to his office and Casper marched in, a dazed look on his face.  Maeve, who had been overseeing this whole operation, dropped the smile from her face as Rhys entered the office carrying a duffle bag and several other bags.

She made her way towards Kellen, turning her back to the door so that Casper couldn’t see her face.  “Is everything alright?” She asked and Kellen shook his head.  “No.

Mind keeping an eye on the room while we talk?” He asked and she nodded.  “Is Guide Jameson allowed in?” Kellen glanced at the two men who looked like they’d both seen something they hadn’t wanted to.  “I’m going to have to say no, I think.” Kellen pulled out his phone.

“I’ll just send him a text now and let him know I had a sudden meeting in the office.” He put all of his weight on his other leg, tucking his cane under his arm so that he was able to text.

Or, he was about to, when Maeve took the latte out of his hand.  “Let me take that.

You message him.” She muttered, clearly not pleased with his behaviour.

Kellen made quick work of it, before he tucked his phone away again and grabbed his drink back from her.  “Alright.

Wish me luck.” He told her and she gave a serious nod.  “Good luck, Kellen.” Her words were sincere and did not comfort him.

What was she seeing that made her react this way?

Turning, Kellen entered the room and found it was incredibly awkward.

He hadn’t expected this from the two of them, but here it was.

Casper was sitting down on the small couch while Rhys stood near Kellen’s desk.

Kellen shut the door behind him, locking it and looked over the two of them.  He sighed.  He shuffled past Rhys and Casper to his desk, slowly emptied his pockets of all of the marshmallows and then took a slow seat into his chair.

He sighed when he was done, looking up at the two men who had watched him the whole time he’d done that.  “Alright.

Let’s start from the beginning.” Kellen said.

“Rhys, I think you should start since whatever this is?

It clearly didn’t start a few days ago.” Casper’s face flushed and he dropped his head.

Rhys’ expression hardened.  He put his hands on his hips, turning his gaze towards his feet before he sighed, closing his eyes.

Kellen gave him a few moments, even tossing a few of the marshmallows into his mouth while he waited.

He had time.

Brent wasn’t incapable of leading a class like today by himself.

Especially with the ‘normal’ class in the afternoon.  When the Captain raised his gaze, his expression was…complex.

He licked his lips, glanced at Kellen, before he turned his gaze towards Casper.  “Casper, I know you and I have discussed this before, but I think…this might be new information to you, Kellen.” Kellen’s heart squeezed as he tried to remain calm.

Casper swallowed too.

“I…I grew up with abusive parents.” Rhys said and Kellen heard what he said, but didn’t interrupt him.

“I was able to tell that this wasn’t normal behaviour.

I learned that what our family was, what my home life was, wasn’t normal.

It made me realise that my parents should have treated me better, should have loved me, but they didn’t.

I’m not asking for pity, I’ve done exceptionally well in the face of their neglect, but I think this is important for me to bring up again.” Rhys swallowed, glancing at Kellen nervously.  “I-I remember talking about this before.” Casper whispered quietly, the snacks in his arms rustling as he squeezed them.

He hadn’t put them down at all, and had sat down with his armful.  “Good.” Rhys said, before licking his lips again.

“Gunther…Gunther grew up with what I thought was a similarly dysfunctional family.” He started.

Casper winced, but nodded.

“I thought that, but it wasn’t until about uh, 20 minutes ago, I guess?

That I realised that I was wrong.” He let out a shaky breath.

“I didn’t make Gunther go to therapy because I had processed it.

I had gotten through it.

We had lived in the same apartment building, had seen the same bruises on each other, I thought he was fine.” Kellen was doing his best not to fucking cry.  The same bruises?

What the fuck had Rhys gone through as a kid that he was saying he was fine with?

Forget Gunther, but Rhys shouldn’t be talking as if he was fine either!  Rhys glanced at Kellen again.

It was clear the man was having a hard time talking about this, but Kellen remained silent.

He needed to speak, Kellen didn’t want to interrupt him.  “I was wrong.

So, so wrong.

Casper, I know you like Gunther.” Casper flinched.

“I also know that Gunther likes you.

I never understood why you two never started dating when to me, it was clear that you two had feelings for each other.

I am sure you must have felt the same at some point.” Casper looked pale and ill hearing the words coming out of his mouth.

Rhys gentled his voice.

“I am not mad at you.

I would never be mad at you, alright?” Casper swallowed, and Kellen watched as his eyes watered and tears spilled from his eyes.  “I’m a damn monster, Captain.” He whispered and Rhys dropped down to be eye level with him.  “Hey, no you aren’t.

Not any more than me.” Casper let out a choked sob.  “That does not comfort me!” Casper exclaimed and Rhys smiled before it fell from his face.  “I found out why you two never started dating.

Gunther was…he was waiting for you to make the first move.” Casper sputtered.  “Make the first move?

We’ve had sex before!

What the fuck did he mean, make the first move?” Rhys’ face was white.

He looked ill as well.  “Casper, did Gunther ever talk to you about his parents before?” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS CalyB Kellen feels like a fly on the wall.

He might also, with the help of his parents, dig up the ashes of Rhys’ parents and yell at them.

Or attempt to.