(BL) Hunting The Field Guide novel Chapter 123

Chapter 123: This isn’t a romantic relationship

When Kellen looked over the food containers as they were revealed, a strange feeling came over him. He looked over the steaming meatloaf, potatoes and other dishes of similar high calories and he grew puzzled. It was almost as if...

"Did Taylor send you the list of everything I should be eating?" Kellen asked and the Captain gave him a strange look.

"Of course she would. Anything involving you is my business, Mr. Woods. Especially if I am the reason you have to eat such a diet. I should know this at the very least." Kellen was surprised by his response. The Captain’s slight improvement in mood disappeared and he was now glowering at the container containing a vegetarian curry in front of him. It seemed that Kellen had offended him.

"I, uh, well, I wasn’t sure if you would care." The Captain froze, before turning his gaze towards Kellen. From his expression it appeared as if he wasn’t only upset, but now hurt.

"Mr. Woods, why on earth would you think I don’t care about you? Have I not made it obvious that I care a great deal about you? That I always have?" There was something in his tone that made Kellen’s heart throb. Kellen stared up at him for a moment, silent, before he opened his mouth.

"I-It’s not that I didn’t believe you," he started, and the Captain’s face darkened further. Kellen licked his lips. "Okay, maybe I didn’t quite believe you, but I’m still trying to wrap my head around this. I feel like you know so much about me and about all of my bad habits now, and I know next to nothing about you. You’re looking out for me and I feel like the balance in our relationship isn’t fair. I don’t feel like I’m doing my part here." The Captain seemed surprised by Kellen’s words. He reached out, cupping Kellen’s face in his hand, making sure that Kellen was meeting his gaze.

"You’ve spent a very long time looking out for everyone else around you. I thought it was time for someone to look after you, Kellen. Are you upset that I am trying to do that?" He was, but he didn’t want to say it out loud, because it wasn’t just a feeling of upset. It was a strange, tingly feeling. Knowing that the Captain was trying to take care of him stirred up that feeling, but he didn’t know what it was. Even with that feeling, that felt tingly and warm, Kellen still meant his words.

"That may be true, but it’s the same for you, Captain. How long have you been taking care of others?" The Captain smiled warmly.

"Just the thought of you wanting to look out for me is enough." Kellen frowned.

"That’s a cop out and you know it. If I said that right now you’d get upset, saying something absurd like I was trying to put distance between us." The Captain’s smile didn’t change as he began to rub his thumb against the skin of Kellen’s face. Kellen swallowed.

"You’re right. I would protest if you said that. Alright, so, how do you want to look out for me? Do you have anything in mind?" He asked and Kellen felt himself shrugging.

"I just said I don’t feel like I know anything about you. I know you’re primarily vegetarian, and you like oranges. You also like fancy clothes and cars, and you like to tease me. Y-You like m-me, and you like muscles. I am learning that these two things are not linked together, but you enjoy when they are.

Oh fuck, he was angry.

"Sometimes, Kellen, I wonder why you’re so fucking dense, but then I get moments like this and I am reminded why I love you all over again." His heart began to thump away in his chest at the Captain’s casual way of speaking. L-Love? The Captain moved closer to Kellen, and Kellen felt his hand on his lower back, pressing him forward.