(BL) Hunting The Field Guide - Chapter 325

Chapter 325: The center can’t be everyone’s nightmare Chapter 325: The center can’t be everyone’s nightmare Kellen was doing his best to remain calm.  It had nothing to do with what he was about to do after he finished his classes.

It had nothing to do with the fact that he’d been shot outside of this building, twice, and it had nothing to do with the fact that his Dad had bled almost to death a few steps from the door.  He’d also been in the building since, but he’d been able to convince himself he wasn’t actually ‘in that part’ of the building.

But now, he was coming here willingly, and it wasn’t for his benefit this time.

It was for Charlie.  It didn’t seem to matter, as Kellen’s hands were sweaty, he knew his pulse was racing, and he was glancing around nervously.  He normally would have complained that the Rhys had come along after he’d asked for Hill specifically, but this time?

He was very grateful that the man had come.

He might have even known that Kellen was going to have this kind of reaction.  He’d even used the excuse that he could be the getaway driver, when they hadn’t even driven here and instead had done that jumping thing that they had done last time to get to the Center.  Charlie was excited, his gaze big and wondering.

He reminded Kellen of the children he had seen getting tested the first time he’d come in for a retest with the Guild.

The first time since he’d been in the building since he’d had his last retest before he went to the front lines.  Kellen could feel how damp his skin had grown all over his body as they walked under the giant chandelier, and Rhys, smiling still, tossed his arm around Kellen’s shoulder, pulling him close.

Hill had a close eye on Charlie, and after all, they were just here to witness everything that happened.  “How are you doing?” Rhys whispered into Kellen’s ear as they watched over Charlie chatting away to Hill.

Hill, knowing Kellen’s history with the Center, was doing a great job distracting the younger Guide.  “I’m fine.” Kellen told him, his body tense, his hands so sweaty he was begging that Rhys didn’t even think about grabbing them.

He couldn’t even see who was at the front desk waiting for them clearly.  Rhys had called in a favour, and Lieutenant Fisher had waved it off, saying that a test for a Guide was nothing compared to the dangers that Kellen and the Saturn Guild had gone through for the D.E.C.

His response alone told them about the differences that would happen when he took over for Uncle Tom.  At this point, Kellen just knew that it was a matter of time.

The way that the other S Classes spoke to him?

Yeah, Uncle Tom was on his way out, and Lieutenant Fisher looked like the next man for the job.

Kellen was appreciative that he was doing this for them, but he was still nervous.

What if someone who had been mean to him was working as well?

What if they were mean to Charlie?  Charlie was innocent.

He hadn’t done anything, and if anything, was a victim of several serious crimes.

He did not want him to have the same experience that Kellen had had, even once.

He knew it was wrong that they had treated him that way, but for some reason, Kellen didn’t think it was that wrong that it happened to him.

He’d tried his best to work through this in therapy, but parts of it still stuck when he was faced with situations like this.  He just didn’t want Charlie to go through the same treatment.  It was why he was here in the first place.

To make sure that didn’t happen, but he couldn’t do that if he was trembling like a leaf.

No one would take him seriously,  “We can leave.

Hill will make sure nothing happens to Charlie.” Rhys whispered and Kellen swallowed.

It was tempting.

Very tempting.

Kellen had finished his classes for the day, they had also finished their guiding session with Taylor and she had smirked at Kellen when she’d scanned him, but hadn’t said anything about his bruised bottom.  Kellen would have found it funny, or been embarrassed if he hadn’t been so focused on the fact that they were going to the Center today.  “I don’t want to leave him alone here.” Kellen told him.

“He hasn’t been to a Center before, to this Center before.

I want him to have a good experience.” Kellen insisted, and Rhys gave him a squeeze.  “Babe, you’re shaking like a leaf.

What if he notices?” Kellen frowned while Rhys stared at him, his yellow eyes scanning him thoughtfully.

“It’s going to take them a minute to get registered, since I am sure Charlie has nothing to his name.

Do you want to go make out in the bathroom to take your mind off of things?” Kellen jerked, nearly stumbling as the words just casually left his mouth.

Kellen turned to him, flustered.  “We can’t do that!” He whispered tersely, glancing towards Hill and Charlie.

Neither of them appeared to hear them, and he was sure that they would know if Hill did.

She wasn’t exactly known for being subtle when it came to those kinds of things.

Rhys grinned.  “Hill!” He raised his voice slightly, and Hill turned glancing back at them.  “Yeah Captain?” She replied.

Rhys jerked his head towards the bathrooms.  “Kellen and I are just going to take a small break.

You’ll be okay on your own for a minute?” He asked and Hill glanced at Kellen, taking in how pale he was, how his eyes were darting around nervously, and the colour of his lips, and nodded.  “Of course.

If you take too long, I’ll come knock on the door.” She told them, a sparkle in her amber gaze.

Rhys chuckled, squeezing Kellen again.  “Perfect.

We’ll see you shortly, Charlie.” Charlie nodded, glancing back and smiling.  “Sounds good!” He called with a small wave behind him as Rhys whisked Kellen off of the floor and into the bathroom.

He had the door locked, the sinks dried, and Kellen’s ass planted on those sinks in a matter of minutes.

Rhys closed in on him, his gaze concerned.  “You really hate the Center.” He murmured and Kellen tried to laugh, tried to smile.  “Well, I just…” Kellen swallowed thickly.

This was hard for him.

He didn’t like speaking about this to others.

It made him feel like an idiot.

Weak.

He knew that was the whole reason he’d even gone to therapy, but it still was hard to speak about.

He had written it down for his therapist first, and had taken him years to actually speak about this stuff out loud.  It was like he had a block in his chest, covering it.  In the end, Kellen just nodded, his lips tight and his eyes watering.

Rhys frowned further, before he wrapped his arms around Kellen tenderly, holding the back of his head with one hand, and the other wrapping around his waist.

He just held him, pressing him against Rhys’ body as Kellen grabbed for him, desperate for his body heat.  “Can you…kiss me to calm me down?” Kellen asked against Rhys’ throat.

“I-I know that’s not the most normal request, I just-” “It’s okay.” Rhys murmured, his fingers rubbing against the base of Kellen’s neck, soothing, calming.

“It’s okay, Kellen.

I’m not going to make fun of you for asking.

I never would.

I am honoured that you would ask me to help you calm down like this.

How do you want your kisses?

Do you want level 3s?” Kellen shook his head slowly, inhaling Rhys’ scent that was uniquely him.  “Can I get level 1s?

Maybe level 2s?” He asked softly and Rhys gave him a squeeze.  “Of course darling.

Come here.” Rhys pulled Kellen’s head back until they were only a few breaths apart.

Kellen met Rhys’ soft gaze, hesitating for only a second before he pressed his lips against Rhys’.

Rhys, true to his word, gave Kellen what he wanted.

Soft, nibbling kisses meant to curl Kellen’s toes for a different reason.  Soft, gentle, with slow strokes of his tongue.

He wasn’t devouring him, but tempting him, teasing him.

His hands were gentle, his eyes even more so as he kissed Kellen.

It wasn’t the same kind of kisses that they normally had.

The ones where Kellen felt cornered, pressed against, consumed.  It was…Kellen was having a hard time fighting tears.

It was a lot, but it was exactly what he needed.

He just couldn’t put it into words, and when he clung to Rhys a little harder, with a bit more force, Rhys didn’t say anything.

He also didn’t change how he was kissing Kellen, and kept the gentle seduction going.  The knock came sooner, rather than later and Rhys pulled away, pressing kisses against Kellen’s cheeks and face.

Kellen’s breath was shaky, his lips damp but not swollen as he sat holding onto Rhys.  “Do you need more time?” Rhys asked in between his gentle kisses and Kellen shook his head.

He held onto Rhys, his hands not shaking as much, and a part of his chest settled.  “I…I think I’ll be okay.” Kellen murmured.

“I just don’t want to leave Charlie alone.” Kellen told him.

Rhys pressed his lips against Kellen’s temple, holding himself there.  “Where…Where were your parents when you were going in for retests?” He asked and Kellen let out a shaky breath.  “They were busy.

I told them I was fine to go on my own, and they…trusted me.” Kellen said and Rhys bent, pressing another kiss against Kellen’s lips.  “You must have been a better liar back then.” Rhys said and Kellen chuckled.  “I was better when I was away from the Center.

The building makes me…react.” Kellen admitted and Rhys gave him a squeeze.  “But the D.E.C.

doesn’t?” Kellen shook his head.  “I’m able to think about them differently.

It took a while, but I am able to.” Kellen told him and Rhys sighed.  “We’ll make them come to us.

I don’t like seeing you like this, but I will also support whatever decision you come to.

Just know I will be there for you.” Rhys pulled back, holding Kellen as he smiled down at him and Kellen felt his shoulders relax.

He bent, pressing his head against Rhys’ shoulder and closed his eyes for a moment.  “I know.

Thank you.” Kellen murmured, his words sincere as he felt a part of him calm.  “You never need to thank me for this, but of course, Kellen.” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS CalyB Kellen was just good at keeping a straight face, and Gwen was always busy with her other things, like sports, friends, etc.

No one really noticed until the damage had already been long done.

It is a testiment to Kellen that despite that, he kept going back to get retested, even when he knew it was only going to hurt him.