(BL) Hunting The Field Guide - Chapter 364

Chapter 364: The room is too small for such big personalities
Kellen had the little paper bag he had prepared in his hand, the handle paper and twisted. He fidgeted nervously, shifting from one foot to the next as he tried not to play with it as he waited for everyone else to arrive.

Rhys was holding onto his other hand, smiling, whistling to himself as they waited in the small, secluded room in the airport where they were supposed to meet. Kellen thought it was only fair that he met them where it was convenient for them, and then he’d head back to the Guild. He had Rhys, so they could get back home easily.

His parents had a bit of a harder journey ahead of them, plus, it wasn’t as if Kellen and Rhys were alone in this room. Sakura was also here, with the briefcase made from monster materials. It was meant to preserve what was inside of it, and so that Kellen’s Mom could turn it invisible as well.

Sakura looked exhausted, and Kellen had a sneaking suspicion that was probably related to Carlos and his constant nagging and perfectionism. She had her hair up in a messy bun, and she wasn’t even wearing her uniform. She was wearing civilian clothes, like Kellen and Rhys were, but she looked tattered. Worn down.

She was also by herself, without anyone else around. No Lieutenant Spencer, no scientist. Kellen hoped that she was going to a bed after this. She needed it.

“Your sister is late.” Rhys commented after a moment and Kellen nodded, his grip tightening on the hand he held.

“She read my message.” Kellen told him, so they both knew she was awake. Why she was late, he couldn’t know.

“Hmm. Should we have picked her up?” Rhys asked and Kellen glanced at him.

“Can you handle carrying both of us?” He asked and Rhys turned his yellow gaze down to Kellen, his expression happy, before it dipped and he bent towards Kellen.

“Babe, are you really suggesting that I can’t carry two people when you could do it years ago and as a C Class?” Kellen stiffened.

“T-That and this are completely-” Rhys’ smirk had Kellen’s lips slamming shut. He scanned Kellen’s body, before he raised his gaze back to Kellen’s.

“Hmm. They might be different, but you still challenged my honour. I work out too, don’t I? Or do you need another, closer look?” Kellen felt his face warm and he slid his gaze towards Sakura. She glanced at the pair, rolled her gaze, before she looked away.

“I’m not helping you if that’s why you’re looking at me. I’m too tired to get involved in a lover’s spat. Maybe if it was Bella who was asking, but she’s doing just fine.” She let out a deep, soul-weary sigh. “Man, I want my pair to show up.” She complained, and Kellen turned his gaze back towards Rhys. He was watching Kellen, his gaze soft, but Kellen knew he was always a second away from danger. His gaze could change between one heartbeat and the next.

“Well? You didn’t answer, Babe. Do you need another example?” Kellen tugged on his hand, trying to break free but Rhys wouldn’t let him. He exhaled sharply.

“This is neither the time nor the place to have this kind of conversation! We aren’t even alone here, Rhys!” Kellen protested, and it was on that protest that the door opened and no one entered.

At least, no one that they could see. Kellen held his breath as he turned, watching, waiting as the door closed and then Gwen’s body revealed itself. She wiped the sweat off of her forehead, her eyes purple as she gathered herself.

“Jeez. That was crazy difficult to do.” She exclaimed, leaning against the wall as she held her hand against her chest. Sakura blinked, before a slow, knowing smile crossed her face.

“You tried to be sneaky and go through the back instead of the front door, didn’t you?” Sakura accused and Gwen froze, before her face heated. “Of course it was difficult. You’re an A Class, Esper Woods. That’s not a discredit towards you, but more a statement. They had to crank up security because of your rogue Lieutenant causing mayhem, and most S Classes try to do the same thing. There was no way you were going to have an easy time. No doubt Kellen told you this, but considering you’re the younger of you two, you didn’t listen, did you?” Sakura’s call out was on point, and Kellen watched as his younger sister was dressed down by a different Captain.

Gwen sputtered, her mouth opening and closing before Sakura tilted her head back and laughed.

“It’s kind of refreshing to see this. Kellen always had a damn comeback, even when we were kids. If you had given me half of what Esper Woods is giving me, you would have been very cute.” Sakura said, turning towards the pair. Rhys wrapped his free arm around Kellen’s shoulder, pulling him a few steps away from Sakura.

“Hey. Hands off, even if it is past Kellen. He’s mine.” Rhys warned and Sakura scoffed.

“Please, Captain Thatcher. Don’t sully my name. I like Kellen, but as a challenger, and a friend. Sexually? I’m not interested in a man.” She sounded offended, and Kellen glanced towards his sister.

“Keep your hands off of Gwen.” He warned next and Sakura gasped, raising a hand to her chest.

“What do you think I am? She’s your sister. I would never do that! Plus, I have no hope in hell poaching your sister from your pair’s Guild. She’d stay in your Guild no matter what, wouldn’t she?” Gwen, who had been only a few seconds before being scolded, had the whiplash of being involved in the conversation. She was pink in the face, her eyes wide, and Kellen found it a little comical. It took the fear out of his shoulders, watching her stuttering through a response.

“U-Um, well, I joined the Saturn Guild because they treated Guides well. Outwardly.” Sakura spun, her face awash with anger.

“You fucking fucker. You always ruin my plans, Captain Thatcher! I was supposed to be the Guild that was good to Guides, and then you just had to fall in love with a badass Field Guide, didn’t you? Ruining my damn plans before I had even started them.” Gwen seemed surprised to hear that, and honestly, it was a bit of a surprise to Kellen as well. He had no idea.

Rhys laughed darkly.

“That’s right. I’m always going to be a few steps ahead, so why don’t you just…merge with the Saturn Guild already?” Sakura gave him the middle finger.

“Over my dead body.” She declared and Rhys laughed.

“Well, I’m sure Kellen would be upset, but it can be arranged.” He said cheerfully. Kellen groaned. They had been alone together and well behaved for quite some time. He should have expected something like this.

There was a reason they didn’t have meetings in person if they didn’t have to.

Gwen looked confused, unsure what was happening and Kellen sighed. He was about to interrupt them, when the door opened again and no one entered for the second time.

A few beats went by before the door closed and Kellen and Gwen’s parents revealed themselves to the rest of the room. Kellen’s Mom chuckled.

“What’s with the tension in the room? Could you two not even keep your cool for this long in a room together?” She teased and Sakura huffed, turning her head away from Rhys.

“He started it. He’ll deny it, but he did.” She accused. Kellen shook his head, meeting his Dad’s gaze, who was also laughing silently.

“They were very well behaved for a very long time.” Kellen told the older couple and his Mom laughed.

“So democratic. You should be going instead of us.” She joked, her eyes zeroing in on the briefcase. “Is that the goods?” She asked. As she did so, Kellen took a moment to look them over. The pair were wearing an older version of the D.E.C. uniform, but it looked fresh. Pressed. They had clearly kept the same uniform, in the grey and darker grey style, with silver buttons. It…suited both of them.

His Dad carried another bag, a small one, that probably had all of their travelling equipment in it. He was sure that it was very expensive, and probably much bigger on the inside than the outside. That bag alone was probably the same price as their family home.

His Mom had her hair pulled back into a slick bun, her eyes bright and the same purple colour as her daughter. Kellen felt a tinge in his chest, an ache, knowing that this could be the last time that he sees either of them.

Exhaling slowly, he took a step towards them and held out the bag.

“I…got these for you.” Kellen said, ignoring the flow of conversation around him. It wasn’t exactly like him, so it drew the attention of the others towards him. The others turned to him, and Rhys squeezed his hand. Kellen swallowed. He wasn’t a sentimental man. He’d never allowed himself that kind of behaviour, but this…

Things had changed after he’d held his Dad, dying in his arms.

The same man turned and reached out, taking the small, paper bag.

“What did you bring us, Kellen?” He asked softly, his eyes warm, and Kellen swallowed.

“Just…some things.” He mumbled, unable to keep his eyes on them for long. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to watch them open it or not, so he kept glancing at them as they looked into the bag. Gwen shifted nervously.

“I…also got you something.” She mumbled, embarrassed, and the parents seemed surprised that both children hadn’t come empty handed. Kellen swallowed, waiting.