(BL) Hunting The Field Guide - Chapter 360

Chapter 360: This is not goodbye
When Kellen and Brent headed downstairs, Gunther was finished being seen to by Taylor, and was now under his Father’s watchful gaze as Charlie held his hand. Casper stood nearby as well, Gunther, Casper, Rhys and Taylor all aware of what kind of Guide Charlie was.

Kellen paused, about to speak out and stop it when Casper looked up, meeting his gaze and shook his head. From the way his jaw was held, and the fact that his arms were crossed, it appeared that Casper had either agreed to this, or was keeping an eye on it. Or both.

Kellen shut his mouth and continued down the stairs, watching as Taylor patched Rhys up. Brent went over to the others, patting Kellen on the shoulder as he left, and Kellen headed towards the kitchen counter. Taylor was speaking quietly to Rhys, quiet enough that the others weren’t able to hear, but Rhys was.

Rhys was nodding along to her words, but stopped when he met Kellen’s gaze. He smiled, reaching out a hand that Kellen took. Rhys raised his hand, pressing his lips to Kellen’s hand.

“How did your chat with Brent go?” He asked and Kellen sighed.

“We’re going to have to revisit how soon the Field Guides go out to the front lines. Brent has…something he needs to do, and I suggested that we send the advanced group first. At least half of them at a time. That’ll give us small enough groups to manage inside of gates, plus a few Espers, and that way he can do what he needs to while working.” Rhys stared at him, before he nodded.

“So it’s time to mobilize the part of the Guild that has been on hold until now? Hill will be delighted to hear that.” He said and Taylor chuckled.

“Yes. She’s been getting pretty antsy. Especially because I’ve been harassing her about how much sugar she’s been eating.” Taylor said and Kellen chuckled.

“As you should. She has been eating a lot.” Taylor’s gaze sharpened and Kellen took a step back.

“Don’t you even start. I know you’ve been buying her more when she runs out.” She warned and Kellen looked away from her, avoiding eye contact. She growled. “Kellen Woods.” She started and Kellen gripped Rhys’ hand tightly, moving towards him. He’d protect him from Taylor, wouldn’t he?

Rhys chuckled, bending until his head was resting on Kellen’s shoulder.

“Don’t be too angry at him, Green. He’s gotten you things too, hasn’t he?” Taylor’s face flushed, and Kellen gasped. He knew? He knew it was him? Rhys grinned when Kellen spun his head, giving him a shocked look. He pressed a kiss against his cheek. “I’m sorry. You thought you were being sneaky, didn’t you? I’ll pretend I didn’t notice it, alright?” He was teasing him, and Kellen couldn’t pretend that he was unaffected by the way Rhys was smiling at him, touching him.

He sighed heavily, feeling sad to know that at the very least, Rhys and Taylor knew it was him. He was just trying to do something nice for them without them knowing it was him. He didn’t want to be thanked for it. He just…wanted to show that he cared. It was very similar to what he was doing for Gunther when he came back from his missions and needed some guiding, but on a smaller scale.

“Hey, don’t look sad. I-I didn’t say anything until now because it wasn’t a big deal. I-I just think she’s eating too much sugar, alright? Don’t get sad, Kellen.” Taylor panicked, and Kellen nodded.

“I’ll try to think of something else.” He muttered, his brain already trying to find another item that he could get the Esper. Hill was a hard one for him to shop for. It was illegal to get her people, since that was the other thing she liked to consume, so he was at a loss.

“A-Alright, so you plan to send the Field Guides you’ve been training to the front lines? Who are you planning to send first?” Taylor asked, clearly trying to change the subject. Kellen didn’t mind, since it was easier to talk about that than anything else.

“Well, the first class. Brent and I were planning for them to just draw straws since all of them are capable. They’re all going, so it doesn’t matter what order. After they go, I’ll consider when the second class can go. I’m thinking about a week on rotation. So Brent will remain there for a month if both classes rotate on the first time, and then I’ll give him a week off, maybe two where he can come back into town, and then we repeat, maybe switching. I’ll go down the second time, maybe?” Rhys nodded.

“Okay. I can work with that. No doubt if Tom heard you were going to the front lines he’d come back to the city.” Kellen gave him a strange look.

“Why would Uncle Tom be afraid of me?” He asked and Rhys chuckled.

“He’s not scared of you per se, but he is scared of me, and we’re a pair. We’re together, Kellen, so wherever I go, you go.” When Kellen didn’t nod right away, Rhys froze. “You know that, right?” It was like the man was asking for confirmation of their relationship and Kellen exhaled slowly.

“Yes. Sorry. We haven’t left the city yet so I just…I guess I forgot about that fact. No, I know you would come with me. I wouldn’t want anyone else guiding you. I know that the Guiding Center A would jump on that and call me incompetent for leaving you alone.” Kellen muttered, anger tinging his words and Rhys scoffed.

“They wouldn’t dare.” It was Kellen’s turn to look at Rhys and Rhys blinked. “Right?” Kellen shook his head in disbelief.

“They’ve already done it twice, Rhys, I wouldn’t put it past them for at least three more times before I put a fucking gun in their face.” Kellen’s voice was dark and Taylor nearly choked.

“Kellen, you aren’t allowed to do that.” She said. “Pamela would kill you if you did that to the Guild’s image right now.”

“Just cut out letters from magazines and send them a threatening letter like a regular psycho.” Brent said, smirking. Taylor spun to glare at him, and he winked. He even blew a kiss. “What? It’s better than him waving around his favourite gun, isn’t it?” Brent added defensively, and Rhys chuckled.

“The better solution is that we just travel together, isn’t it? That way my sweet boyfriend doesn’t have to pull out his weapons, nor does Guiding Center A get any threatening mail from Kellen or Brent.” He gave Brent a pointed look and Brent raised his hands defensively.

“Hey. I never said I wouldn’t still send them mail. Don’t put that promise in my mouth. Don’t try to take my hobbies from me.”

“Your hobby is sleeping with people, Brent. Don’t lie to Rhys to make yourself look better.” Kellen retorted and Brent gasped.

“Hey! I could have many hobbies. You don’t know that.” Brent protested and Kellen gave him a look.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you and an envelope in the same room since I’ve known you.” Kellen started and Brent placed his normal hand on his chest, gasping.

“How could you? Are you implying that I can’t write terroristic letters towards Guiding Centers? I can, and I will prove you wrong, Kellen. I’ll take it up as my part time job if I need to.” Gunther’s laughter filled the air.

“Kellen, the more I listen to this, the more I realise that you are like, one step away from starting your own terrorism organisation. Don’t corrupt the Saturn Guild while I’m gone, alright?” Gunther teased, and Kellen looked over at him.

His face seemed more relaxed, his eyes a little less stressed, and Charlie was pulling away from him, his eyes wide, blue, and Kellen’s Dad was there, helping him. Casper was watching Gunther, making sure that there wasn’t a strange attachment. Even Hill hadn’t been able to avoid it, but Gunther?

He didn’t appear to have that pull at all. He didn’t even glance at Charlie again after he’d guided him.

“I’m not capable of converting that many people.” Kellen said, and Gunther laughed. Taylor joined him.

“Sure. You tell yourself that. If that’s what is holding you back, I’ll rely on it.” Gunther said, smirking. He looked…better then when he’d come in. So did Casper, even if there was now a hardness in his gaze. He hadn’t really…looked at Kellen since Kellen had entered into the apartment. Kellen didn’t normally find that unusual, if it wasn’t for the fact that it felt blatant.

Kellen pushed it away. It didn’t matter. Whatever it was, it was probably justified.

Gunther let out a deep sigh, getting to his feet.

“Alright, while I didn’t really expect this, I appreciate it. Now, we must begin this in earnest. Rhys,” Rhys got to his feet, gently brushing Kellen and Taylor off as he headed over to his friend. Gunther nodded, before Rhys’ face shifted and he grabbed the other man, pulling him in for a hug. Gunther froze, before he sighed and eventually wrapped his arms around him.

“You call me, you send out the signal and I’ll be there in a heartbeat.” Rhys promised. “I will, Gunther. No hesitation.” Rhys promised.

“What if Kellen’s in trouble too?” Rhys froze and Kellen wasn’t going to let the other man ruin this moment.

“You know better than Rhys does that I can handle myself. I wouldn’t be the one surrounded by fucking crazy Espers who lack guiding, would I be? Focus on yourself, and on getting any information you can while there as well as your safety, alright Gunther?” Kellen commented and Gunther let out a snort.

“Of course, Captain Kellen sir.” Kellen rolled his eyes at his comment.

“That’s Vice Captain Kellen to you, Gunther.” Kellen joked and he laughed.

“Your safety is your priority.” Rhys insisted, pulling back to scan Gunther’s face. “I mean it. Fuck the D.E.C. if it means you get hurt. Am I clear?” Rhys said and Gunther swallowed. His expression softened and he nodded.

“Yeah. I got it.” Gunther slid his gaze towards Casper, before he glanced away. Rhys dropped his arms, and Gunther nodded, before he headed for the door. He was only gone a mere second before Casper was moving, rushing towards the door and yanking it open. It slammed behind him and everyone in the room shared a look, before they went back to their business.

Kellen did want them to work out in the long run, but they had a lot of work to do to get there. Who was Kellen to tell them not to do some smooching? He found out only recently that he really liked it. Gunther and Casper were adults. A few smooches wouldn’t hurt them in the long run.