(BL) Hunting The Field Guide - Chapter 72

Chapter 72: At least he’s not an elemental Esper Chapter 72: At least he’s not an elemental Esper Dinner was a huge event, but thankfully it went smoothly because everyone stayed out of Kellen and his Father’s way.  The gnocchi took the longest time to make, but all the side dishes were thankfully fairly easy and took up the time while they were waiting for the potatoes.

Kellen and his Dad came up with the idea of caramelizing some squash with almonds, brown sugar, raisins, kale, and feta cheese.

They stuck with the chicken suggestion and preference, and made a nice pesto chicken that would go well with the cream sauce they were making for the gnocchi.

All in all, it was a delicious looking meal, and Kellen was happy that everyone was enjoying the food.

The one thing he hadn’t considered was the lack of chairs, and tablespace.

But others had.

They squished two more chairs around the island, and everyone else went for the couch.  The Captain was busy making himself a plate of food, and then making Kellen one.

He then hustled the younger man over to the couch, and made sure that they had everything they could possibly need so Kellen would sit down to eat.

Cutlery, drinks, napkins, everything.

Kellen wanted to complain, but noticed that everyone else was busy.

His Mom was busy doing the exact same thing to his Father.

Casper was busy making sure everyone else had their own plate, and Gwen was busy chatting with the group of people she had been panicking about being around about an hour ago.

Brent finally looked relaxed, and was chatting calmly with the others as well.

It was only Kellen and his Dad who were boxed in and forced to sit down and eat.  After that embarrassing defeat, Kellen and his Dad tried to go clean up when Gunther and Hill gave them death glares and wouldn’t allow either one of them to do so.

Kellen hadn’t realised it, but Hill and Brent had been moved to tears over the food.

Hill swore that she was going to mooch food off of Kellen at any chance she could get.

Brent swore he was going to follow Kellen home for family dinners, and Hill agreed.

His parents had just chuckled, clearly pleased with the praise.

It was a fun night, where everyone was joking and talking, and it was a great distraction for Kellen.

Most of the night the Captain was very touchy feely, until Kellen finally pushed his hand away.

The Captain stared down at his palm, closed his eyes, and sighed.  “So the side effects are finally done, huh?” He sounded not just sad, but devastated.

Kellen chuckled.

Kellen shifted on the couch, where he was sitting next to the Captain, his parents sitting on the other end of the couch, and the rest of the group having pulled up the stools in a circle so they could all chat.

“Do you miss them already?” He asked, wanting to tease the man, but his yellow eyes were serious, even as he clenched his hand.  “You know how I feel about them.” He said firmly, and Kellen’s Mom laughed.  “What?

Did he push you away>” She asked, a smile on her face and the Captain shook his head.  “No, it was the fear that hurt the most.

He was so scared to be alone and I hated that.” Kellen felt his face flush as the dirty laundry was aired and Hill seemed surprised.

Kellen turned, and hid his face in the Captain’s shoulder.

He was too used to touching him now, and the Captain’s slight smile was hidden from Kellen as the Captain began to run his fingers through Kellen’s hair comfortingly.

“I didn’t hate that he had side effects, but I would much rather him not have them.” It was Kellen’s Dad who broke the silence, snorting.  “Well, I’m glad to see that Kellen is still like me in more ways than just guiding and cooking.” Kellen hated knowing that.

Gwen made a disgusted noise in the background too.  “Rhys, some advice if I may?

Don’t let it scare you.

Kellen has a habit of pushing himself too hard, so I can only imagine that he’s going to do this again, especially if you’re involved.

So, I wouldn’t be scared of it, and instead think of it as a reward.

That’s how I got through it before we were imprinted.” Mrs.

Woods chuckled, taking a sip of her beer as her gaze was far off, remembering a time almost 30 years ago.

The Captain didn’t say anything for a moment, and curious, Kellen turned his head to catch a glimpse of the Captain’s face.

He found the Captain with a thoughtful expression, before he raised his beer can towards Kellen’s Mother.  “I appreciate your insight.

Thank you, that does help with the way I’ve framed it in my mind.” He took a sip before smiling.

“I’m also glad that I’m not an elemental Esper, since now Mr.

Woods won’t bring shame to the family.” Kellen flushed, but his parents grew curious.

They shared a look.  “What are your powers, if you don’t mind me asking?

You know what mine are, and I can take a guess at everyone else’s.” Hill huffed, but she wasn’t shy about her powers, and Gunther had given up in defense of his character.

Kellen stared up at the Captain, also curious, but instead of answering, the Captain turned his face towards Kellen, a grin on his face.  “Well?

What are my powers, Mr.

Woods?” He asked, and Kellen frowned at him.

Clearly he was having fun at everyone’s expense, and he knew that Gunther and Hill weren’t going to rat him out easily either.

Kellen sighed.

“From what I’ve witnessed, they have something to do with time, and maybe probabilities?” Kellen suggested and he seemed surprised.

He moved his fingers from Kellen’s hair to cup his neck in a very possessive hold.  “Ah, you are mostly correct.

I generally describe them as related to time, but they are more than that.

Time can be very faceted, and there are very, very few who have powers along the same spectrum as me, and they usually go insane.” He smiled warmly at Kellen after he said that.

Kellen hated what that implied, and how unbothered the Captain was by it.

Kellen sighed.  “Then you cannot run away from me without proper guiding, Captain.” Kellen warned him.

The Captain didn’t say anything and Kellen raised his hand, pinching the skin on the hand that held his neck.

“I mean it.” Kellen made eye contact with the Esper who smiled down at him.

He removed his hand from Kellen’s neck to take his hand in his, placing a kiss on his hand while maintaining eye contact with Kellen.  “I promise, sir Guide sir.

I am at your whims and wishes.” His eyes danced and Kellen frowned.

Using their connection, Kellen checked his levels and he chuckled.

“Worried?

I’ve been with you all day, Mr.

Woods.” He said, smiling.  “I know, but I also know our guiding session earlier wasn’t great.” Kellen admitted and he should his head.

The two of them behaved as if no one else was in the room, and everyone watched on, pleased, even if a little annoyed.  “That wasn’t your fault, and it wasn’t too different from normal.

I can’t guess exact numbers, but I’d say maybe there was a 10% decrease?

That’s not too bad.” He was trying to soothe the Guide, but Kellen sighed and closed his eyes.  “I shouldn’t let my emotions interfere with my work, Captain.” The sound of a beer can hitting the table caused Kellen to flinch.

He opened his eyes and turned his gaze towards the noise.

Gwen and his Mother had a very similar look on their faces and Kellen knew he was fucked.  “What do you mean emotions interfered with your work?

What happened?” Glancing around, Kellen realised that it wasn’t just the two of them who had the same expression on their faces.

Kellen had forgotten that he had worked with most of these people for at least 3 years, and some of them the whole 7 he’d been on the front lines.

They all knew him to be a professional.

They all knew what his policies were in regards to his guiding.

Kellen, who had been holding a cider bottle in his other hand, tightened his grip on it.  “Uh, it wasn’t really much, I swear.” Kellen was desperate to get the worry away from him.

He was hoping that the Captain wasn’t going to reveal anything, and after a moment of silence he realised that the Captain wasn’t going to do it.

Relaxing slightly, Kellen met Gwen’s eyes which was the wrong idea.

She didn’t believe him, and she could always get the truth out of him.

Fuck.

“It really wasn’t anything.” He told her, faking a smile.

Brent was the one who spoke next.  “Nothing my ass.

You only put that smile on when you’re hiding something.

So?

What happened?

And don’t think I wasn’t going to bring this up later.

You’ve had a weird energy ever since I saw you in the gym.

I knew something was up, but it clearly didn’t have anything to do with Captain Thatcher or you wouldn’t let him corner you or take care of you.” Gwen cast a look at Brent, clearly impressed about his read on Kellen, while Kellen felt his face go white.

He hoped, no, begged, that those two didn’t get together.

He would never have a peaceful night for the rest of his life otherwise.  Kellen’s dad let out a huge yawn.

“Oh, look at the time.

Shouldn’t we be heading out my dear?

Leave the younger crowd to continue the night while we hit the sack?” He pretended to stretch as she got up, winking at Kellen as his Mom stared at him in confusion.  “No, but, honey!” His wife protested while her husband quickly got them ready to leave.  “We’ll talk later, Kellen.” His Father warned before hugging his daughter.

“Stay safe, don’t make any choices I wouldn’t.” He kissed her hair before whisking his wife out of the door and Kellen was left with Gwen, hill, Gunther, Casper and Brent.

Three of them turned their eyes towards Kellen as soon as the door closed completely behind his parents.

Kellen knew he was in trouble, and he could feel his hands begin to sweat.  “Well?” Brent prompted, and Kellen sighed.  “I’m not really comfortable discussing this.” He told them softly, and the Captain gave him a squeeze.  “Do you want me to?

I don’t mind.” He said sweetly, and Kellen felt his heart squeeze.  “How would you even describe it?

You weren’t really there.” Kellen told him, and he shrugged.  “I can just describe it from how I saw it, and if you feel so inclined you can jump in and correct me where I was wrong.” Kellen had been drinking, as evident by the fact he had a cider bottle in his hand.

Add in the intense stares he was currently receiving from the others, this didn’t sound like a bad plan.

Swallowing, he nodded in agreement, before moving so he wasn’t tucked away and was instead sitting next to the Captain on equal footing.  So, Rhys is going to explain what happened?” Gunther confirmed, and Kellen nodded nervously.

Gunther shared a concerned look with Casper, before sighing.

“Well, go ahead then.” He suggested, and by the tone he had Kellen felt like he had done something he shouldn’t have.

When he glanced at Casper, he noticed that he was shaking his head.

Casper even took off his glasses and began cleaning them on his long jacket, before spiking his hair up to the heavens, and putting them back on.

That only made Kellen more worried, but it was too late.

The Captain had asked permission, and Kellen had granted it.

Besides that, he really, really, really didn’t want to say it with his own mouth anymore.

Twice was already too much today.

CREATORS’ THOUGHTS CalyB And so, here begins the Captain’s retelling of what happened.

May he have mercy on Kellen.