(BL) Hunting The Field Guide - Chapter 270

Chapter 270: Side story- 6 years ago Kellen and the Captain part 5 Chapter 270: Side story- 6 years ago Kellen and the Captain part 5 “Taylor, this is-” Kellen protested as he was dragged towards the tent in the distance.

He didn’t think he would see anyone he knew like this, and he’d been so good at avoiding everyone so far, but Taylor?  She was never going to let him avoid her.

He had just assumed that she was never going to arrive at the front lines.  Apparently he was wrong.

He should have had his guard up more.  Kellen glanced around at the curious looks of the Espers in their Guild uniforms, and the Field Guides who were glaring at him hotly.

He swallowed, turning his gaze towards the angry woman dragging him towards the tent.  “If you try to break my grip right now, the lord help me, I will knock you out.” Taylor’s glowing green gaze turned to him and Kellen swallowed.  She meant it.  He held his tongue.

The anger from the moment before forgotten in the face of Taylor’s own anger.

He was never good with dealing with it, especially since Taylor used to get angry so rarely back in the day.  Taylor flipped open the tent flap, and Kellen found himself in a half emergency hospital, half regular tent.

Taylor marched him into the tent before turning and shoving him down onto one of the several beds set up in the tent.

Kellen bounced, his eyes wide as she placed both of her hands on his shoulders and stared into his eyes.

“Do your parents know?” She demanded and Kellen stared up at her in confusion.  “Do they know what?” He asked and she growled.  “The state that you’re in!

Do.

They.

Know?” She demanded and Kellen swallowed thickly.  “I haven’t…spoken to them in about a year.” Taylor’s grip tightened on his shoulders and he winced.

Her eyes were so bright in her face he had to look away.  “Are you a fucking idiot?

Are you stupid?

Kellen, why the fuck would you do this to yourself when you don’t have to?

Do you like being belittled?

Is this some kind of new kink that you got as soon as you awoke as a Guide?” Kellen frowned at her words.  “I didn’t get any kinks when I awoke as a Guide.

Does that happen when you awaken as an Esper?” He asked and she scoffed.  “No, of course not!

You don’t unlock kinks just because you’re an Esper or a Guide!

What the fuck did they teach you in Guide school?” She demanded, and when she stared down into Kellen’s face, she sighed, closing her eyes, and took several deep, calming breaths.

“Fuck.

I’m sorry.

I got worked up because of what Esper Hill said to you, and seeing you in such poor condition.” Taylor and Kellen sighed in unison.  “It’s alright.

I’m sure you were surprised to see me.” Taylor frowned.  “Of course I was.

You basically cut all contact as soon as you graduated.

Why?

It wasn’t like I cared what you awoke as, Kellen.

I’m not that shallow.” That was true.

Taylor was one of the few people who didn’t treat him any differently once he had awoken.

She’d remained normal, maybe they even got closer because of it.  Gwen certainly liked her, and Gwen was usually a good judge of character.

His sister was younger, and more social than him, so he tended to trust her judgement when it came to people.  “I know you aren’t that shallow, Taylor, but I’m not even talking to my parents.

Did you think I would speak to others?” Kellen said, and watched as Taylor’s lips tightened.

Her jaw clenched, and she exhaled slowly.  “I understand that, but that doesn’t explain why you cut contact before then, Kellen.” She tried to speak calmly, and Kellen wondered why she was so upset.

It wasn’t as if he was her only friend.

Taylor had been far more popular than he had been in high school.  “Well, I just…I didn’t think you’d want to be associated with me.” He told her and Kellen flinched as Taylor growled.

Because he was touching her, he could sense the fluctuation of her powers, and worriedly, he put his backpack to the side.

He placed his hand on top of hers.

“Taylor.” Kellen warned.

Taylor sighed.  “Goddamnit Kellen.

I could strangle you right now, and only regret it for a few minutes.” Kellen felt the colour fade from his face and without much concern for himself, he began to pour guiding power into her.  Taylor jerked her hands away from him, stumbling back.

She stared at him, almost as if she was betrayed.  “Don’t you dare guide me right now.

I am so mad at you.

You can’t even handle guiding anyone, let alone me!

When was the last time you ate?

When was the last time you had a shower?

Kellen, you’re falling apart, and you think everything is fine?

Your Father would weep if he saw you right now.

I can’t even imagine what your Mother would do.” If someone had sent Taylor to make him feel bad, they had sent the right person.

Taylor was one of the few people who knew how to guilt trip Kellen easily.  If she started crying, Kellen was fucked.  “I eat when I’m hungry, and I don’t need a shower.

I go bathe in the forest.

There’s this nice little water hole that everyone uses.

I’m doing okay, Taylor.” Her eyes remained green as she looked him over, and Kellen found he was actually missing the blue hue they usually were.  “Shut the fuck up.

I heard your damn stomach rumbling as you were doing your presentation.

And you don’t smell, but you don’t look well.

Fuck.

You’ve lost weight.

What are you eating?” Her voice was getting harsher and it sounded like it hurt to speak.  Kellen was no stranger to what it sounded like when someone was about to cry, and his body went on high alert.  “I’m really doing fine, Taylor.

You don’t need to-” “If you say you’re fine one more time, I’m straight up calling your Dad.” She yelled and Kellen shut his mouth.

She sniffed, wiping at her eyes as Kellen sat back down on the bed, tense as she stood over him.

“I can’t fucking believe you.

No word, no nothing.

You just disappeared.

If I didn’t keep contact with your family, I wouldn’t even know where you are.

You are so lucky your parents aren’t helicopter parents, or else they would be following you around everywhere.” Kellen, who couldn’t say that he didn’t have helicopter parents, coughed.  “Taylor…my Mom can turn invisible.” Taylor froze, before her shoulders started shaking.  “Oh shit.

I forgot about that.

My god.

Do you think she’s come to check on you?” Kellen’s face flushed and he sighed.  “I can’t say that she hasn’t, but I have…woken up a few times with new supplies nearby where only I would look.” He muttered weakly, and Taylor really started laughing.  “Okay.

That makes me feel a little bit better, but I’m not letting you turn me away right now.” She fumbled with one of the pockets on her jacket, before she popped it open and pulled out a credit card.

Kellen eyed it wearily while she smugly smiled at him.

“I’ll have you know, I got an allowance to be here.” Kellen rolled his eyes.  “You’re an adult.” Kellen told her and she scoffed.  “Not from my parents, or from the Guild.

This was from your Dad.” Kellen’s jaw dropped.

“He knew I would run into you, and even if I didn’t, I was just going to buy you some things and have someone send them to you.

Little did I know that we would fish you in with our posting.” Taylor’s eyes glinted and Kellen could feel his world sinking.  “Taylor, you can’t just-” “Yes I can.” She interrupted.

Kellen wasn’t going to stand for it.  “No you can’t!

I worked so hard to not be associated with anyone!

If you do anything for me, it’ll seem like-” “Oh, fucking come off of it, Kellen.

I’m your damn friend.

If I can’t at least do this for you, what the hell am I doing?

It’s not a hand out.

Trust me.

I have a feeling I’m going to ask you to do research for me since I know your methodology.

I have big plans, and I’ll need someone who can take detailed notes to help.” She stared at him, before she nodded, and finally, her eyes returned to their normal blue shade.

“Alright.

Get up.

We’re going to go get you some food, and then a new uniform and backpack.” She told him and he sighed.  It was no use to argue with her.

All of his blustering before he got here, and for what?

He’d lost the contract, everyone knew that he knew her, and she was going to pay for a bunch of new things for him.

Damn it.

This was awful.  “Esper Green?

Are you in there?” Kellen froze, still sitting down, as a voice called from the tent flap they had entered through.  “Oh!

Yes, Captain Thatcher!

I am still in here, with my friend.” Kellen ducked his head.  “Am I free to enter?” He asked and Taylor chuckled.  “I haven’t undressed him, if that’s what you’re worried about.

Kellen and I are just friends.” Kellen’s cheeks flushed.

He’d never even considered that someone would think that he was anything more than friends with Taylor, but that would make sense.  They were a man and a woman.

Some people did assume that.  The tent flap opened and several footsteps entered into the tent.  “Oh!

Lieutenant Gunther.

I didn’t expect to see you here as well.” Taylor commented and Kellen slowly raised his head.

He nearly flinched when the yellow gaze of the handsome man above him.

The man was looking at him, glancing over him and Kellen clenched his hands, his body tense.  “Did Esper Green take care of you?” He asked softly and Kellen flushed.  “I don’t-” “Captain Thatcher, Kellen and I attended high school together.

I’m sure you overheard us, but Kellen and I also attended middle school and elementary school together.

We’ve known each other our whole lives.

Therefore, I’m probably the only one here who can punish him for not taking care of himself.” Kellen wanted the ground to swallow him whole.  How could she embarrass him like this in front of her Captain?

In front of the guy he was sure she’d seen on his own walls when they’d grown up?

He was horrified.

Embarrassed, and could barely meet his gaze.  “I wasn’t aware childhood friends could do that.” Lieutenant Gunther said, and the Captain chuckled.  “How are you not aware of that?

Aren’t we the same, Gunther?

Have I, or have I not barged into your apartment when you went M.I.A.

for too long and our team lead needed someone to check on you?” The Captain said and Gunther grumbled, turning his head to the side and Kellen stared in shock.  That was where he recognised the other guy!

They had both been in the D.E.C.

together, and had a few spreads of the two of them in several magazines.

Fuck.  “Wow.

Hearing you speak like that really reminds me that you are also a human, Captain Thatcher.” Taylor said and Kellen gave her a scathing look.  “Of course he’s a human.” He said, and then froze as three sets of eyes turned to him.

The Captain tilted his head to the side, crossing his arms as he stared down at him.

“I didn’t realise you had such a firm stance on my humanity, Field Guide Woods.

Is there any particular reason for that?” Kellen opened his mouth, but no words would come out.

His face flushed, and he felt like a damn fool.  He looked away, begging for his brain to come up with an excuse, any kind of excuse.  “Well, I feel like the cat is out of the bag in some regard, so it’s not like I can hide my past forever.

I just…I grew up around a lot of pretty powerful Espers and it doesn’t matter your Class.

Everyone is human.” Kellen muttered and felt the yellow gaze staring at him.  “Is that so?

Is it safe to say that you’ve met some very powerful people then?” Kellen swallowed.  “Uh, well, I consider some of them…family.” Kellen muttered.

Brought in family, but family nonetheless.

“I call them aunt and uncles.

I just don’t…get to see them often.” Kellen muttered quietly.

The room remained tense for a long moment and Kellen wanted to bash his head against something hard.

All he was doing was embarrassing himself.

Fuck him.

He was never going to work with this Guild ever again.

There was no way.

He would never ask Taylor to get him a job, but there was now nothing she could say to twist any will they had towards him into good will.  “Hmm.

As I don’t have much family, I have a hard time imagining that.

Are we talking just A Class?

S Class?

SS Class?” Kellen winced.

Why was he so curious about this?

“Uh, well, my favourite Uncles are…S and SS Class.” Kellen muttered and Lieutenant Gunther whistled.  “Big baller.

I never would have guessed that from your ratty backpack.

Alright, let’s get this little Field Guide fed up.

Come on, that’s what we were doing, wasn’t it?” Lieutenant Gunther headed for the door and Kellen jerked his head up, surprised.

Captain Thatcher was smiling down at him before he turned and followed Lieutenant Gunther.  “Well?

Are you going to turn down our offer, Field Guide Woods?

While we eat, why don’t we discuss that plan of yours in greater detail.

I’ll make sure Esper Hill isn’t around this time.” He offered, turning and winking at Kellen.  Kellen felt his heart stop and his gaze darted to Taylor.

She was smirking.

“R-Right!” Kellen exclaimed, scrambling to get to his feet, almost racing after them without his backpack.

He rushed, turning, and grabbing the backpack in his arms and racing after the others.

He ignored how everyone was chuckling at him, and nearly froze when Captain Thatcher gave him a smile.

“No need to rush.

We aren’t going anywhere, Field Guide Woods.

Hmm.

That’s quite the mouthful.

Should I just call you Mr.

Woods?” Kellen found himself nodding before he could stop himself.

Kellen ignored the sound of a snort behind him, and the Captain’s eyes creased as he smiled at him.  Kellen knew he was going to be in trouble the more he interacted with this man, but he didn’t think he was going to be able to stop himself from being near him.

CREATORS’ THOUGHTS CalyB It was about, maybe a few months after this that they had the moment in the woods.

After all, Rhys wouldn’t be working out topless in the middle of winter, right?