(BL) Hunting The Field Guide - Chapter 54

Chapter 54: A vow, Once Made Chapter 54: A vow, Once Made As someone who liked to keep a firm image of himself, even at Guiding Center B, Kellen hated the fact that it felt like he had to rush towards the Captain.

He knew any behaviour that could be perceived as enthusiasm on Kellen’s part towards the Captain could get him in trouble.

As much as the Captain was sane, Kellen did not forget about the fact that the Captain had locked him into a contract where he had to live next to him, and had also verbally locked him into a visibly romantic relationship.

One where Kellen was constantly uncomfortable with his open displays of affection.  Keeping all of these things in mind, Kellen worked very hard to keep his movements smooth, and not jerky as he made his way back to the table alone.

He noticed that another had joined the table, taking up the spot Hill had previously occupied.

Pamela had joined them, and she had her hair in two braids once more.

Her eyes were glowing pink still, but seemed to be dimmer.

She looked exhausted, and Kellen felt that it had to be related to the terrorism fiasco of the previous day.

All of the Guilds must be dealing with harsh criticism, and here Kellen was, worried about how others perceived him and his own side effects.

Guilt filled him, and he couldn’t find it in himself to sit back down at the table.

Instead, he placed his hand on the Captain’s shoulder, keeping contact with him but allowing himself to stand.

Pamela gave a soft smile towards the Guide.  “Ah, Guide Woods.

I trust you’re feeling better this afternoon?” She asked and Kellen nodded.

What else could he do in the face of obvious overworking?  “How are you doing Pamela?

Are you doing okay?” He asked and she chuckled.  “Well, I knew what I was getting into when the Captain approached me, or at least I thought I did.” She saw the concern cross Kellen’s face and she waved it off easily.

“Don’t worry, it’s not more than I can handle.

Even Captain Thatcher wouldn’t let me kill myself for the Guild.” Captain Thatcher sighed heavily.  “The fact that several people think that it’s okay to consider overworking as an option concerns me.

I don’t overwork myself, so neither should you.” He warned, and Casper and Pamela chuckled.

“You do overwork, you just lie and say you don’t.

I knew we shouldn’t have added an office to your apartment.” Casper confidently ratted out the Captain of his Guild, who shrugged, unrepentant.

“It’s my Guild, of course I’m going to work hard for it.

But I made it by myself, meaning none of you have the right to outrank me, even in overworking.

And as everyone knows, I am a power hungry, overbearing, scary, greedy Esper, and I take those allegations very seriously.” Kellen snorted.

He believed that even if half of those allegations were true, the Captain was still a better Esper than most.

Speaking of being better than other Espers, Kellen glanced at Gunther.  For his part, Gunther at least looked like a moody teenager.

He had his arms crossed, and his long silvery-white hair covered half of his face.

Kellen also noted that Casper wasn’t looking at him, and even Miro was ignoring the Esper.

The aura around Gunther was dark still, and Kellen wasn’t feeling generous.

Normally, he’d try to soothe or calm an Esper in his state, partially because an emotional Esper was a dangerous one, but also because he was a good guy.

In this case, Gunther could go get comfort from one of the Guides from the Guiding Centers he frequented.  “Well, I am happy to know that you know that about yourself Captain.

The first steps to recovery and overcoming your flaws is to know them.” Kellen said, his face flat.

Brent snorted, covering his mouth with his hand as the Captain’s lips turned up.  “Awe, thank you Mr.

Woods.

Do you know the steps because you’ve gone through them?” Kellen was shocked.

What a low blow.  “I’ll have you know, I didn’t have to go through them, but my therapist did mention them in passing.” Kellen sniffed, his body stiff and the Captain patted the hand he had on his shoulder.  “Mmhmm.

Did you stop going to therapy shortly after they brought that up?” Kellen didn’t like the tone he had to his voice, and since he was now worked up, he missed the smirks on a couple of the faces at the table.  “I kept going to therapy for another six months, I’ll have you know.

I have no weaknesses I am not willing to deal with.” Kellen stated boldly, which only made Brent snort again.  “Oh, what a good little Guide you are.

There is no way you were in therapy while on the front lines if that’s the case.” Kellen frowned deeply at Brent’s comment.  “I was in therapy the whole time I knew you Brent.

I only stopped when I came into town because my therapist is on the front lines.” Brent, Gunther and the Captain seemed stunned.  “That was you with therapy?

What the hell were you like when I didn’t know you?” Kellen shrugged and Brent’s incredulous words.  “Worse, I guess?” He offered dryly and even the Captain knew it was time to tone it back now.  “You weren’t worse, Mr.

Woods, but you were…uh…” “Entitled?” Gunther offered softly, glancing at Kellen before darting his gaze away.

“Not in a bad way, I should add.

But in the classic, new Guide way?” Gunther offered.

Kellen wondered if he was actually faking this whole thing and was actively choosing to be the villain of the day.

Why else would he be speaking right now?  “I’ll agree with Gunther on this.

When I first met you on the front lines I was worried you were going to get seriously injured on your first mission.” Hill’s cheerful voice washed over everyone as she came to a stop next to Kellen, in between him and Casper.

She placed a hand on Kellen’s shoulder, giving it a squeeze.

“That might have been my prejudice at work as well, so take that with a grain of salt.

And it’s not really a mark against your character Kellen.

All new Guides are like that.

Everyone who’s spent time on the front lines thinks that way.

I’m sure you’re the same.” Hill easily diffused the situation, and Kellen’s tense shoulders relaxed.

Hill was right.

Kellen had thought the same thing, and had been right in a few circumstances.

Hell, he’d had the same thought about Brent, and look where he was.

He’d just been recruited as Kellen’s right hand man on a fairly large project for the top Guild in their country.

Well, Kellen’s country.

Kellen was fairly certain Brent wasn’t actually from here.  “Kellen was.

I remember how many times he warned me about being careful before I went into my first gate.

I was a shithead then, so of course I didn’t listen to him.

Plus, he was scary scary.

Like, in a really hot way, but I was too much a chicken back then to try and hit on him.” Brent admitted easily.

Kellen knew that wasn’t the truth, since right out of the gate the younger man had been flirting with him quite obviously.

But Kellen felt the Captain’s shoulders tense under his hand, and he was sure that Brent said it for the Captain’s sake.

“But, I’ve learned my lesson.

Three years of getting shot down was enough, and now he’s taken.

I don’t poach, so don’t even think about worrying Captain.” Brent shot a wink over to the tense Captain, who only stared at the Guide.

Brent chuckled.

“I’m serious, Captain Thatcher.

Kellen’s all yours.” He added, and when Kellen gave the Captain’s shoulder a squeeze, he glanced behind him at his Guide.  “I also am not the kind of person who would let others approach me with those intentions.” Kellen felt a small, self deprecating smile cross his lips.

“If we’re honest with ourselves, I wouldn’t notice if someone else was hitting on me anyways.” Pamela, who had been taking a sip from a water bottle, choked.

Miro patted her back to soothe her.

Hill threw her head back and laughed, patting Kellen’s shoulder a little too hard.  “Awe, that’s cute of you to try and soothe the Captain.

I think he deserves it though.

From what I remember, you had more courage than he did.” She winked, leaving Kellen in confusion as she moved onto a new topic swiftly.

“You don’t normally join us peasants in the cafeteria Pamela, so to what do we owe the pleasure?” She asked, the smile on her face not fake like before.

Kellen was glad for it, even if he was confused by her previous remark.

He’d had more courage than the Captain?

When?

“Well, it wasn’t for any urgent reason.

I’d gotten notification that the Nemesis Guild and the D.E.C.

met earlier this morning at the site for the clean up, and only recently the Captains were spotted heading towards the Center.

I know that we’re a shoe in for the new gate, but the media is blowing up saying that because the Captain wasn’t spotted with them it meant the Nemesis Guild was getting the gate.

I messaged Captain Thatcher about it 15 minutes ago, and when I didn’t hear from him I decided to go looking for him.” She shrugged as she met Hill’s gaze before smirking at the Captain.

“I didn’t realise that Guide Woods had kept you occupied this whole time, and was just giving you space as Green had ordered.” The Captain cleared his throat, pulling out his phone to look over his messages.  “Ah, I didn’t get the notification that you’d messaged me.

I must have forgotten to turn that back on when Mr.

Woods and I were occupied.” Kellen felt his face heat at the casual way the Captain referred to Kellen’s side effects.

Casper’s cheeks turned slightly pink while Brent grinned.  “I’m glad to know you put Kellen first, Captain Thatcher.” Brent teased, and the Captain had the decency to at least appear like he was blushing.  “Well, of course Mr.

Woods is my top priority.

Without his help I feel like my Guild would only be a portion of what it currently is, and he’s my pair.

He also got quite angry at me when I last left to speak with Captain Sergei.” Kellen felt his expression darken as he remembered.  “As far as I am aware, using your powers to that level is not a simple discussion, Captain Thatcher.” The Captain patted Kellen’s hand soothingly.  “I am aware of it now, Mr.

Woods.” He turned and smiled up at the Guide.

“I was thoroughly disciplined.

I will think twice before I do it again.” He said.

Kellen didn’t fully believe him, since the Captain had been so pleased to have him in his lap.

Narrowing his eyes, he was about to respond to him when Pamela spoke up.  “Enough you two, you can have a lovers spat later.

What I need the Captain to do is go to that meeting.

Make people question who is going to get the rights to the gate.

Maybe even get Captain Sergei to sign the papers or something, or get information about the attack itself.

You just need to be spotted out and about.” Pamela stated, glancing up at the new pair before turning her attention back down to her phone.

She’d had it in her hand the whole time she’d been at the table, and was clearly scrolling through news articles while sitting with them.

Kellen was getting curious about her powers again.

How were they related to PR?

Obviously, not all positions occupied by Espers were related to their powers, but Kellen was certain that Pamela’s were.  “Pamela, I’m not leaving Mr.

Woods alone to go to a meeting with those fools.” The Captain stated and she sighed.  “Then take him with you.

Go on a public date or something.

Prove that even after the terrorist attack you’re perfectly fine.

I just need you near the Center building to spread rumours.” She stated and Gunther huffed.

“Pamela, you aren’t honestly suggesting that the Captain take Kellen with him, are you?

That’s not a good look, and you know it.

Especially after the attack.

The Captain’s eyes are always yellow, and taking a Guide with him, even his pair, will make him look weak.

I can’t approve of an action like this.

It’ll only make people doubt him, doubt us.” Casper stared at Gunther, disgust on his face.

Kellen was shocked.

Gunther, in all the time Kellen had known him, had never before behaved this way.

This felt…personal.

But Kellen wasn’t sure why.

Pamela frowned at the Lieutenant, while Hill frowned deeply in concern.  “Gunther, who would ever think the Captain was weak for taking his new Guide around town after a terrorist attack?

Especially given the fact that his new Guide is the son of two prominent people in the city?

Who grew up in said city and showed up at the scene yesterday?

To help the Captain save people?” Pamela fully faced the moody Esper.

“Gunther, are you alright?

What’s going on here?

You’ve never before made a comment like this.” Gunther stood up roughly, jerking the chair around as he shoved it back against the table.

He picked up his tray, his eyes hard.  “Fucking forget I said anything.

It’s clear my opinion doesn’t matter here.” He stormed off, his jaw clenched and Pamela only seemed confused.

She glanced around at the others, stunned.

She only became more confused as she noticed how hard everyone else’s faces were.  “What happened when I wasn’t here?” She asked and Hill sighed.  “Gunther’s in one of his moods.” Hill added and Brent snorted, crossing his arms.

“Is he not getting laid or what?” Brent’s words felt eerily similar to what Kellen wanted to say, but he’d held his tongue.

Glancing around the table, Kellen noticed Casper turn white, while the Captain had kept a rather neutral expression.

Kellen squeezed his shoulder.  “Is Gunther okay?

He got really upset when pairs were brought up.

Does that have anything to do with his behaviour?” Kellen asked tentatively and the Captain gave a sigh in response.  “Well, that might have something to do with it, but in my opinion he’s just a coward.

He also, unfortunately, takes his anger out on his friends when he gets into this kind of a mood.” He shrugged, behaving as if he was rather indifferent, but Kellen, who had his hand on his shoulder still, could tell his powers were fluctuating inside of him.

“You’re right, Guide Jameson, he hasn’t been laid for quite some time.

A vow of celibacy from my understanding of the situation.

And I also believe he was asked to do it too.” The Captain didn’t make any obvious movements, but Kellen noticed how Casper’s hands shook as he took a sip from his water bottle.

“Alright, so forgetting everything that Gunther said, how do you feel about visiting the D.E.C.

with me and checking on the rebuilding of the damaged area, Mr.

Woods?” The Captain did turn his head to glance at Kellen, who gave his shoulder a squeeze.  “Sounds like a reasonable plan.

This is for publicity, correct?” The Captain’s eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled at him.  “Of course it is.

I’ll message Green we’ll be a little late and why so she doesn’t worry.

Is there anything you need to grab before we head out?

A snack or something?” He asked and Kellen chuckled.  “No, I should be okay on that front.

Brent, I’m going to give you my keys to my office so you can begin going over the rough draft I created.

I’m still logged into my laptop so you should have access to it.

If you have any questions, just ask Casper.” Brent saluted Kellen.  “Alright Bossman.

I am but your willing slave now that I’ve signed the contract.” He gave Kellen a lopsided grin and Kellen shook his head.

That was not true, but he’d let Brent be himself.

Everyone, as a unit, headed for the elevators, getting off at their respective levels.

The Captain kept Kellen pressed against him, wrapping his arms around his chest as he typed away on his phone, messaging everyone he needed to.

Kellen refused to look at his phone, keeping his eyes forward.

Actually, curious, he checked his own phone, seeing if he had any messages.

He had a few, mostly from his Mom, but a couple from his Dad.

Both were checking in on him, but he didn’t have any from his friends.

Odd, since they had been kinda chatting all week.  Brent got off the elevator, one last wave to Kellen and the Captain before the two were left alone.

It was a pleasant moment, and Kellen enjoyed the silent, but comfortable moment.

Even as he felt as if something was looming behind him.  CREATORS’ THOUGHTS CalyB Hey guys!

I’m offically back from the funeral.

I hope everyone continues to enjoy the story~