(BL) Hunting The Field Guide - Chapter 281

Chapter 281: Not a funny joke Chapter 281: Not a funny joke Time drew closer and Kellen started to feel anxious.

He hadn’t felt anxious about the other two he had done, but this one felt like it was bigger.

While the other two had only influenced his future, this press conference did not.  They were speaking for the whole community.

Espers and Guides, especially from the city.

He had to make sure he didn’t mess up, and didn’t get injured.  Well, he’d do his best on the last part.

With Hill and Esper Blake here, he was doing his best to cover that ground.  Hill was dressed in her lieutenant uniform, shined and made to look brand new courtesy of the Captain.

Esper Blake looked like she was going to be ill, but also looked determined.

It was a confusing combination, but he believed in her.  It seemed that she’d had a good chat with Gwen when they had gone to pick up his Mom’s things, and a few of his Dad’s things.

Whatever they had talked about, it had seemed to shake away any doubt, and she had willingly taken up the mantle of making sure that Kellen was safe today.  He hoped that, like him, it was to rub it in their faces that they had failed.  Lieutenant Fisher was a rather efficient man, and they had a few minutes to spare after everyone was briefed before the press conference started.

Pamela, along with a few of the other Guild’s PR people were here, muttering to each other, all looking well put together, but worse for wear.  Of course, Pamela looked the worst, and while Kellen shoved a few shakes into his body, because he had time, he subtly slid up to Pamela, pressing a hand over her heart from behind and guided her.  She panicked immediately, but after throwing crazy eyes to Rhys, her Captain, and he only raised an eyebrow at her, she knew she was at a loss.

She was not allowed to complain about Kellen taking care of her, since he was clearly taking care of himself.  Kellen wasn’t sure how he had managed it, but over the last two days he had quadrupled the amount of calories he was supposed to eat.

He was a beast, doing his best to fill himself out for health reasons, and maybe a bit of intimidation.

Injured Guides were supposed to look weak, fragile.  Kellen looked almost as good as he had when he’d beaten up those other Guides, maybe a little smaller.

Rhys hadn’t seemed to mind.

He’d fallen asleep against Kellen’s abs the previous night before.  “Kellen, it’s time.” It was Sakura, who had shifted from her happy go lucky personality to a far more serious one.

A few of her Espers and a few of her Guides were around, and she stood out amongst all of them.

She looked like a mother hen, leading a group of chicks.  Kellen nodded, turning to look at Rhys.

His eyes were light bright, and almost hurt to meet.

Kellen had a feeling he was realising that when they were that he was either under duress, or feeling an intense emotion.  Rhys didn’t want to let Kellen step into danger, but he was fighting against his instincts to let Kellen do so.

Kellen was appreciative, but also wanted to tease him slightly.  So, Kellen made his way towards him, leaning heavily on the cane to rest his leg as long as possible.

Rhys watched him like a hawk, as if he expected Kellen to fall over.

Kellen, wanting to tease him, pretended to fall, but all hell broke loose instead.  Rhys reached for him, panic on his face, Sakura even faltered, and so did Hill and Esper Blake.

Rhys caught him, sweeping him off of his feet and Kellen stared at him blankly as he held him up like he was a bad child, his feet not touching the ground.  “Oh my god!

Are you alright?” Sakura rushed to his side, and Kellen looked between everyone’s tense, worried expressions and couldn’t help but laugh.

He was the only one laughing, granted, but it eased a part of him.  Reaching towards the man who was held together by a thin thread, Kellen pulled his head forward and planted a kiss on his lips, giving him the tiniest amount of guiding and pulled away.

Rhys’ face was flushed, his eyes giant pools of yellow as he did several passes over Kellen’s body.  “Please tell me that wasn’t your version of a joke.” Rhys choked out, and Sakura’s eyes went wide.  “Are you serious, Kellen?

I nearly had a heart attack.” She complained and Kellen at least attempted to look sheepish.  “Well, you were all so…serious.

I was just trying to lighten the mood.” Kellen muttered, and Rhys stared at him, stricken.  “By pretending your wound was acting up?

Please, don’t do that again.

I thought my heart beat out of my chest.” Rhys told him and Kellen softened.  “I’m sorry.” Kellen said easily, meaning the words.

“I was just trying to get that look off of your face.”  “What look?” Rhys asked carefully and Kellen smiled.

His hand gripped Rhys’ face tightly, before he gently slapped it.  “Like you’re sending me off to fight in a war unprepared.

Look around us, Captain.

We have so many people angry and upset for our sake.

I’ll be fine.

Did you forget that I’m not going in unprepared?

We’ll be fine.” Kellen comforted him and Rhys leaned into his touch, even as his skin turned a light pink shade from the slap.  “Kellen, I know you care, but sometimes…” Rhys sighed.

“Thank you.

I understand what you are saying.

I’ll…be here.

Waiting.” He told Kellen and he nodded.  “You can put me down now.” Kellen told him and Rhys hesitated until Pamela called for Kellen and Sakura.

Esper Blake was already waiting by the door.

Rhys finally put him down, and Kellen gave him another pat before he turned, and with Sakura by his side, he headed towards Pamela.  Pamela was going to take Kellen’s cane before he got into the public eye, and she had a rejuvenated look in her eyes.

Kellen wasn’t sure if it was due to the quick guiding he gave her, or if she was now pumped to tell everyone off.  He was filled with anticipation.

He didn’t want to worry Rhys, but he really wanted someone to fire at him.

His gun was burning a hole in his clothes.

He adjusted his outfit, his back straight as he shared a look with Sakura.

Sakura held out her fist, and Kellen bumped it against his own before they were given the signal.  Kellen handed over his cane to Pamela, who gave him a worried look as Kellen put his whole weight down on his leg.

His muscles ached, his body protesting, but Taylor had said this much wouldn’t hurt his healing.

Taking a deep breath in, Kellen made his way across the nerve-wracking lobby, making sure to not look in the direction of the Center and instead kept his eyes on the front doors.  Lights were already flashing outside, the press catching glimpses of them through the glass doors.  “Are you sure you’re ready, Kellen?” Sakura whispered to him and Kellen snorted.  “Sakura, when have I ever shied away from accountability?” Kellen asked of someone who had known him since he was young.

Sakura groaned.  “Yeah, but I mean, this is a lot.

You’ll be internationally known after this.

Especially by a terrorist organisation.” She told him and Kellen scoffed.  “Whose to say that I wasn’t already?

Plus, with Rhys as my pair, I was going to be known internationally whether I liked it or not.

Add in the fact that I’m one of the first public Guides to jump Classes, I was hooped from the beginning, Sakura.

I’ll be fine.

You just make sure you don’t stutter over your words, alright?

I’m now a pro at these.

This is my third one.” Kellen bragged and Sakura laughed, covering her mouth with her hand.  “Your third?

Oh that’s cute.

If you’re going to be like that, after I attempted to comfort you, you better not put me down, Kellen.

No staring blankly at the camera.

Keep that Guide smile on your face at all times.

Think of your Dad.” Sakura’s words held a hint of teasing, like Kellen’s had, but Kellen tightened his hands into balls at his side.  “Oh don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten my Father.” Kellen told her as Esper Blake got to the doors and opened them first, holding them open for the two of them while scanning the area.

She was really good at security, Kellen told himself, as Sakura left first and then Kellen.

Pamela followed behind them, her tablet in her arms instead of around her neck, and Kellen knew it was so that he had one extra Esper around him.  The crowd before them was huge.

Kellen hadn’t expected this many people to show up, but it was clear that some of them were protesters to what they found out.

The signs in the distance truly proved that to be the case.

Kellen couldn’t read them, but the three Espers around him tensed.  “Don’t look at them.” Sakura whispered and Kellen tensed.

Clearly, they weren’t anything good then.  Kellen moved slowly, his leg aching as he put pressure on it.

Thankfully, they had two podiums for this reason.

No one would notice that he was leaning against it for support if both of them had one.  “I won’t.” Kellen told her.

“I can’t even read them.” Sakura gave him a relieved smile.  “Oh good.

Esper Blake, how are we looking?” Sakura asked quietly and Esper Blake nodded.  “All clear so far.” She whispered and Sakura nodded.  “Perfect.

Shall I open for us, Kellen?” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS CalyB Kellen can’t tell jokes.

Please remember, he thought blackmail was funny.