(BL) Hunting The Field Guide - Chapter 262

Chapter 262: A dangerously good actor Chapter 262: A dangerously good actor “How is everyone doing?” Kellen asked as he opened the door to his Dad’s room.  Kellen wasn’t surprised when he found that his Mom had been let back into the room and Casper and the new Guide were near his Dad’s bed making arts and crafts projects.

Casper had glue in his hair, his brows furrowed in concentration, while the younger Guide held up his string of misshapen creatures up for his Dad to see.  Kellen’s Dad’s complexion looked better.

His eyes weren’t as stressed, his shoulders were relaxed, and the large, awful bandage around his neck was on full display.

Kellen swallowed thickly as everyone turned their gaze to look at him.  His Dad broke out into a large smile, pulling down his own craft project and held out his arms, asking for a hug.

Kellen couldn’t resist him, and made his way over, wrapping his arms around his Dad delicately, much to his laughter.  “You are about as bad as your Mother.

At least your sister hugs me like she means it.” He grumbled, but clearly didn’t mean it.

Kellen pulled back, checking him over with his gaze and watched as his Dad did the same.

His Dad gave him a squeeze.

“Kellen, stop it.

I’m fine.”  “Then stop checking on me in the same way.” Kellen replied and his Dad laughed.

Kellen was glad to see that he was in such high spirits after everything that had happened, but he also knew the secret ingredient.  Kellen glanced at the two damaged Guides next to him before meeting his Dad’s gaze.

His Dad gave him another squeeze until Kellen pulled back, worried he wouldn’t be able to hold the position for long with his injured leg.  “You look okay for someone who is basically holding this Guild up by its bootstraps.” His Dad joked, and Kellen flushed.  “There are so many people involved in this Guild.

I’m barely doing anything.” Casper gave Kellen a look, and Kellen felt the warning before the Captain’s arm wrapped around his shoulder.  “Don’t sell yourself so short, Mr.

Woods.

Who knows how we would have handled everything up until this point without you here?

I honestly can’t even imagine it.” Rhys told him, pressing a kiss against Kellen’s cheek.

Kellen made a face, and his Dad laughed.  “Oh, openly showing affection now huh?

Did Rhys wean you down?” His Dad teased and Rhys grinned proudly, pushing out his chest.  “Why yes I did.

He even lets me hold his hand sometimes in public.” He bragged and Kellen flushed even more.

Even Kellen’s Mom laughed.  “You’ll never believe it.” She whispered loudly to her husband.

“But I interrupted them in Kellen’s office.” She had a wicked grin on her face.

It was a complete lie, or, the context was wrong since Casper was also there, but his Dad didn’t need to know that.  “Mom!” Kellen protested loudly, and his Dad covered his mouth, his eyes wide and sparkling.  “My goodness!

He really weaned you down so quickly.

One minute, you’re complaining to me about different levels of guiding, and next you’re holding his hand in public without guiding involved?

Kellen, slow down.” He teased and Kellen felt his heart jerk at the reference to what they were discussing right before the attack.  Rhys turned to Kellen, his bottom lip sticking out.  “You were complaining about different levels of guiding to your Dad?

What?

Was I not good enough?” Kellen choked on air, coughing into his arm while his face flushed.

Kellen’s Dad laughed at his reaction.

He reached for his wife’s hand, taking it in his own and Kellen’s Mom relaxed.

She smiled at her only son as he recovered.  “No no, it wasn’t anything like that, Rhys, but I don’t think I should speak about it in detail.

I wouldn’t want to embarrass him.” He winked, and Kellen wanted to suck that smug look off of his face.

It was far too late for that, Dad!

“Oh, thank goodness.

I was worried there for a minute.

We’ve been working it out in our free time, but it would be quite disheartening if he wasn’t being honest with me.” He was putting on a good act, Kellen would admit.  He didn’t look like he needed to get drunk to forget everything.

He almost had Kellen fooled.

Too bad the man was touching him and Kellen could feel the wave of his powers, his emotions, beating down on him from behind.  Kellen’s Dad raised his hand, motioning for Rhys to come forward on his own with a kind, tender smile on his face.

Rhys glanced at Kellen, who motioned for him to go forward, and Rhys did.

When he did, Kellen’s Dad wrapped his free arm around him, patting his back.  “It will be okay.

Whatever is bothering you will pass.

My son is a good man, he’ll be there for you.” Rhys froze and Kellen could feel the temperature in the room drop.

Both Casper and the new Guide gasped, which told Kellen that he could feel the fluctuation of powers as they happened.  Kellen was fine.  “How can you be so sure?” Rhys said, his voice dangerously calm and he laughed, patting his shoulder still.

It spoke highly of his Mom that she didn’t react negatively to Rhys’ drop in emotions.  “Because I know if things were truly dire, Kellen would have already asked for help.

More so than he already has.

He has faith in you, Rhys, and I know you are a strong, powerful man.

My son wouldn’t select just anyone as his pair, even if the compatibility was high.” Rhys pulled back and Kellen wondered what his face looked like.

He could only see the back of his head.

He could see his Dad’s face.  It didn’t look too different to him.

Kind, soft, warm.

It was just his Dad to him, but he wondered what Rhys saw in it.  Rhys sighed, leaning in and giving him another hug and Kellen’s Dad closed his eyes, chuckling.  ‘I take that all back.

You’re a softie, Rhys.” Rhys chuckled at Kellen’s Dad’s soft words.  “I blame your son.

I used to be a lot rougher around the edges.

Kellen softened me.” Rhys told him before pulling away finally, glancing at Kellen’s Mom.

They inclined their heads to each other, before Rhys went to Casper.  Casper froze, unsure what Rhys was going to do, and relaxed when he gave him a side hug.  “Stay as long as you need.” Rhys told him softly, and Kellen watched as Casper ducked his head quickly, clearly emotional.  “He’s welcome here for as long as it takes.” Kellen’s Dad said and Casper flushed.  “I wouldn’t want to-” “Hush.” Kellen’s Mom said, silencing the other Guide with a soft voice.

“No Guide who needs to heal is allowed to leave this room without Taylor’s permission, and I doubt she’s going to give it to you.

I saw the size of the cooler she wheeled into the room while I was gone.” She said and Casper cleared his throat.  “It wasn’t just for me.” He protested and Kellen laughed.  “I feel like she’s just being kind to all three of you.” He said, before moving towards the third Guide in the room.

“Are you okay?

Comfortable?

I’m sure that this must be a little overwhelming for you, but you’re safe here.” Kellen told the younger boy who, after a few hours of being in his Dad’s care, seemed to be opening up slightly.  The more that Kellen looked at him, the more he realised that his eyes weren’t just brown, but were a soft amber colour, and his hair had been dyed.

He could see his roots peeking out from the black hair he’d had before, but it was still too murky for him to pick out the shade yet.

He wondered why his hair had been dyed, but that was a question for a later date.  For now, he just needed to eat well, get better, and then they could look at some other options for him.

Kellen felt very compelled to make sure this kid was okay.

He wasn’t sure why, but something drew him towards him.  It was probably his protective instinct.

He was just so small and weak-looking, and with how Kellen had first met him?

Kellen didn’t think that there was anyone who’d walk in on a situation like that and who wouldn’t be protective of him.  “O-Oh.

I’m fine.

More than fine.

This is-I didn’t expect you to have people so famous look after me.” Kellen blinked.  Oh.

Right.

Yeah, he knew that his parents were famous but he forgot the depth of it sometimes.

Yeah, he knew that the city was upset that they had been attacked, but it had been a while since someone had reacted like this.

To him, they were just parents.  “Well, I just call them Mom and Dad, so I forget about that sometimes.” Kellen told him with a grin, and his cheeks flushed.

Rhys frowned.  “Hey.

None of that.

You aren’t allowed to flirt with others in front of me, Kellen.” Kellen blinked at the tone Rhys was using, and gave him a confused look.  “Flirting?

How so?

I’m just speaking the truth.” Kellen replied, and Rhys narrowed his gaze while Casper chuckled.  “Don’t worry Kellen.

Everyone’s keeping an eye out.” Kellen nodded, glad for Casper’s words, even if Casper really should be worrying about himself right now.

But, probably like his Dad, Casper needed something to distract him.

The kid was a good option in that regard.  Someone smaller and weaker to take care of.

And boy, did he need it.  “Thanks Casper.

Well, you heard him.

Your first job is to eat, drink and sleep.

That’s it.

Once you’re well enough that Esper Green gives you the ‘green’ light, we’ll discuss the next step.” Kellen told him with a grin, ruffling his hair and the kid’s cheeks flushed.  “O-Oh, alright!” His response was jerky, stuttered, and his eyes were bright.

Rhys groaned, coming around and wrapping his arm around Kellen.  “Enough.

That was an awful joke.

We’ll take our leave now.

I need my Kellen time.

We’ll let you know any new information.

Both of you.” Rhys said, and watched as Kellen’s Mom’s mouth firmed and his Dad chuckled.  “Oh my, Rhys.

You don’t need to try so hard to be my favourite son-in-law.” He teased and Rhys chuckled.  “I need to get in my good moves now before anything else can pop up and ruin my good name.” Rhys told him, leading Kellen out of the room.

Kellen waved to everyone who waved back and the door closed behind them.  Rhys’ smile fell off his face as soon as the door closed and Kellen felt like giving the man a bone.

He sighed, and then held out his arms.  “Come on.

I won’t even complain.” Kellen told him and Rhys’ face crumpled.  “Damn it.

I’m doing my best to hold back right now.” Rhys whispered and Kellen gave him a smile.  “And I’m telling you, at least this much is okay.” Rhys shuddered, before he bent and picked Kellen up gently, carefully, and Kellen tucked his can out of the way as the Esper held him in his arms.

They didn’t speak as Rhys took a few deep, steading breaths.

And then, they made their way back to Kellen’s apartment.

CREATORS’ THOUGHTS CalyB Kellen’s Dad being able to see right through Rhys is adorable.

And I also love how they put up such a hard front and then folded when they realised that he wasn’t a bad man.