(BL) Hunting The Field Guide - Chapter 263

Chapter 263: Enough booze to get an elephant drunk Chapter 263: Enough booze to get an elephant drunk “I spoke to the cafeteria.

They are going to drop something off for us.

I also asked an Esper when they were out to pick up some liquor and drop it by my door when they could.

I hope that’s okay with you.” Rhys said, and Kellen nodded, trying not to laugh at him.  Rhys was being cute.

He was a little nervous about Kellen’s reaction to both things, but he really shouldn’t be.

The man was the Captain of a Guild, and was an S Class, he was going to be a little bossy no matter what.

If Kellen had a problem with that, he wouldn’t have gotten involved with him.  Plus, it wasn’t a bad thing that he’d planned ahead.

Kellen didn’t have time to even do that, and if Kellen was honest with himself, he just wanted to spend the most time making sure that Rhys was okay.  After that, it was making sure that they took care of Gunther, and making sure that Casper didn’t flee from the Guild, but that could wait.

Rhys was first.

Rhys was his priority.  It felt weird saying that, but not in a bad way.

Just…unfamiliar.

Rolling it around in Kellen’s mind, he felt a warm, tingling feeling fill his body.  Yeah.

It was nice that Kellen could do that.

That he had the ability, and the privilege to prioritize Rhys.

He hadn’t for a long, long time.  “I’m fine with whatever you decided.

Tonight is something you need, and I’m okay going with your flow.” Kellen told the nervous man as they rode up in the second elevator, almost home.

Rhys heaved a heavy sigh, and Kellen chuckled.  Rhys’ gaze was flustered, his actions jerky.

He wasn’t used to Kellen being so agreeable, so understanding.

Kellen being pliant usually only happened at specific times, and Rhys hadn’t done anything like that.  “Are you sure?” He asked, making sure Kellen was absolutely fine with everything and Kellen chuckled.  “Rhys, if you ask me one more time if I’m okay, I’m going to get angry, alright?

When I said I was fine, I wasn’t lying.” Rhys nodded, the doors opening and he stepped out of the elevator.  “Okay.

Alright.

I’m just…I think I’m allowed to be nervous, alright?

We haven’t really drank alone together, and I’m not going to have my shit together.

I’m worried you are going to fall out of love with me.” He muttered and Kellen jerked his gaze towards the other man.  His cheeks were flushed, his lips wet and slightly pouted, the chords of his neck tense and tight.

His jaw was clenched, and Kellen realised he was holding him a little too tight.

Kellen hadn’t noticed because he didn’t mind, but it was obvious now that he’d seen the signs, and that Rhys had told him.  Kellen wrapped his hand around the back of Rhys’ neck, lifting himself up until his lips brushed Rhys’.

Rhys froze, shocked and his gaze jerked to Kellen’s smiling one.  “You silly man.

That’s not going to happen.

I can’t even imagine what you would have to do for that to change.

Stop worrying about that.

Unless…you are hiding something serious from me?” Rhys shook his head, his eyes shifting to gold slowly.

It was mesmerizing to watch.  “No, uh.

Not anything I can think of.

I don’t, well, I don’t think Gunther thinks he’s hiding anything.” Rhys murmured thoughtfully and Kellen nodded.

He tightened his grip on the back of Rhys’ neck and Rhys kept his gaze on him.  “I agree with you there.

Gunther may play as if he’s mysterious and no one knows anything about him, but I don’t think this was intentional.

Sometimes we keep things from the people we care about for their mental health and safety, but he thought you went through the same thing.” Kellen told him easily, readily.

Rhys, who had been keeping himself together by strands was slowly unraveling as they spoke.

“Let’s save the rest of this for when we’re in the apartment.”  Rhys nodded, his breath shaky as they headed down the hallway.  Kellen laughed as he saw the piles of alcohol outside of Rhys’ door and Rhys came to a halt in shock.  “Clearly, they thought you were going to host a party.” Kellen joked, turning his laughing gaze towards Rhys only to find the man looking a little uncomfortable.

Kellen felt the humour slowly leaving his body.

“Rhys, you are not about to tell me you are going to drink all of this tonight, are you?

You’ll get alcohol poisoning!” Kellen said, and Rhys looked even more uncomfortable.  “I’m…probably going to have to reset myself a few times tonight, and that resets the condition of my body.

I…I will need this much at least to remain drunk constantly.” Rhys told him, a little nervously and Kellen stared in shock.  He hadn’t considered what resetting actually meant.

What that would mean for the man besides the insanity part.

Kellen had assumed it was just the brain, but clearly, he had been wrong.

Nervous now, Kellen stared up at Rhys.  “What does resetting actually mean?” He asked.

He hadn’t asked because he thought he knew, but clearly, he didn’t.

Rhys’ face fell and he swallowed.  “Uh, let’s get to the apartment first.

Like you said earlier, we shouldn’t…discuss that out in the open.” Kellen nodded.

Even if they were in high alert, and most people in the Guild respected him, that didn’t mean that there weren’t bad actors.  They had all found that out rather rudely when Kellen joined the Guild, after all.  “Okay.” Kellen agreed, and thankfully, Rhys rushed them forward.

Kellen found the door open, him placed down on the couch, and the Captain kneeling before him to take of his shoes in between one blink and the next.  His head wobbled as he grappled with the idea that Rhys probably just used his powers to speed up time.

It would make sense, and Kellen was pretty sure that it wasn’t the first time he’d done it.  “Do you…ever get motion sick?” Kellen asked softly, raising his hands up to play with Rhys’ hair as he took Kellen’s shoes off for him.

Kellen made no comment on it.

It was a nice thing for him to do since these boots were strappy and meant to keep your ankle together, at least somewhat, in case something happened inside of a gate.  Not exactly the easiest set of shoes for him to get off right now.  “Mm, I did when I first was testing my abilities.

Now, it doesn’t bother me.

Wait, did you just-” Kellen tightened his grip warningly in Rhys’ hair.  “I was just asking a question.

I wasn’t implying anything.” Kellen told him and watched as Rhys’ shoulders relaxed.  “Sorry.

I’m just-” “Stop apologising for feeling, alright?

I’m not mad, I’m not upset, nothing of the sort.” Kellen smiled.

“I’m just curious.

We haven’t really talked about your powers after you revealed them, or how they work.

I’ve seen you reverse time on a door you kicked in, or turn on lights, and I know you see probabilities, but that’s it.

I’m sure it has many more nuances to it since it’s a rare ability.” Kellen told him, and Rhys sighed.  He hung his head.

Kellen didn’t stop running his hands through his hair, taking the moment to comfort him, pet him.  “I’m just tense.

I didn’t…Fuck.

I don’t think anyone would anticipate something like this.” Kellen agreed with his impassioned words.

No one would anticipate that a friend’s homelife, which you knew was bad, was even worse than what you had originally thought.

Nor that said friend hadn’t realised it, even so many years on.  It was a little strange, considering that Gunther had been around other Espers who’d had relationships.

Did he just…think that they were sweet and kind to each other in public, and then hitting and kicking each other behind closed doors?  It was a horrible thought, and Kellen didn’t voice it.  “Did you grab anything for me to drink?” Kellen asked and Rhys’ shoulders shook as he laughed quietly.

He raised his face, his eyes meeting Kellen’s and Kellen smiled at him.  “Of course.

I only got you a few ciders.

Is that alright?” Kellen nodded.  “I need to be of sound mind tomorrow.

Not all of us can reset ourselves out of a hangover.” Kellen teased and Rhys stared at him.

Kellen grew uncomfortable as the man didn’t say anything for a long, long moment.

“What?” Kellen finally asked, embarrassed and Rhys sighed.  He reached up, his hand cupping Kellen’s face and his thumb rubbed against the skin of his cheek.  “I just care about you so much.

I’m having a hard time putting it into words.

Thank you for forcing me to see that I was being an idiot worrying that I would hurt you again.” Kellen felt his whole body soften, and his fingers paused.  “Rhys…” Kellen said, unable to think of the right words to say.

Rhys’ smile, which had been soft, warm, vulnerable, shifted.  “Had I known you liked to be hurt a little earlier, it would have eased my mind.” Kellen’s face flushed and he yanked on his hair.

Rhys laughed.  “Captain Thatcher!” Kellen practically roared, and Rhys’ eyes creased in the corners as he laughed.  “On that note, I’ll go grab the liquor.

Be a good boy and wait for me, alright?” Rhys easily detached Kellen’s hands from his hair and Kellen fumed as the man strolled for the door.

He had ruined a good moment.

Damn him.

CREATORS’ THOUGHTS CalyB Rhys is a little too flustered to sit in the happy moments right now.