(BL) Hunting The Field Guide novel Chapter 182

Chapter 182: We aren’t even boyfriends, let alone lovers

Gunther had a strained, angry look on his face as he looked over Taylor and Casper. Added to his look was the fact that his arms were crossed, and a muscle was twitching in his jaw. If he didn’t look worse than Hill, Kellen might have found this situation funny. Might have.

"Gunther, if you don’t sit down willingly, I will force you to." Gunther’s head jerked at Kellen’s firm tone, as if he had forgotten about the Guide. His cheeks flushed, and after a glare from Kellen, he did as he was told. Gunther didn’t take his eyes off of Casper, and Kellen sighed. "If you make it that obvious, anyone can tell." Kellen muttered as quietly as he could, and watched as Gunther’s sunken face flushed.

It was clear once Kellen took his hand, how dire Gunther was. He needed guiding, but clearly hadn’t been going to get it from Casper, or anyone else. Kellen clenched his teeth, hating that these two had probably been doing this for much longer then anyone could probably guess, and that it hadn’t been affected until now.

"Next time something like this happens, you need to let me or the Captain know immediately. Preferably me. I’m the only Guide who can take over Casper’s position." Kellen told Gunther, and Gunther at least had the decency to look chastised.

Sighing, Kellen began their guiding session, and he was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to guide him. He was still an elemental Esper, but because he wasn’t a wind Esper, it felt like he was guiding any other Esper. Of course, like Hill, he needed the full 15 minutes, maybe even 16 minutes, but no one was going to blame Kellen. Especially when he stepped into Gunther’s powers and was faced with a giant tiger made of water, and Kellen had to throw his powers in the form of toys at it, since he didn’t think it would allow him close enough to pet it.

He had a feeling that was reserved for only one Guide.

Releasing Gunther, Kellen turned to check on Casper to find Casper glaring at him. Surprised, it took Kellen a few seconds to understand why. Casper hadn’t been angry when Kellen had chewed him out in front of all of these people, so why-

Ah.

Grinning, Kellen reached out and ruffled his hair, and knocking his headband off.

"Don’t be so cute, Casper. If you don’t want that to happen, take better care of yourself." Kellen’s shoulders relaxed as he chuckled, and Casper’s sallow cheeks flushed. Taylor gave Kellen a strange, confused look. "Not even the Captain is glaring like that. Right, Rhys?" Kellen asked for his input, a slight teasing tone to his voice, and turning his head to look at the Captain.

He had moved shortly after Taylor had arrived, and was in an impromptu meeting with some of the Espers and scientists of the Guild. At the mention of his name though, he turned his gaze to Kellen. As soon as he met Kellen’s blue eyes, his expression softened.

"Kellen, I’m only upset that your pants aren’t going to be as tight as they were yesterday." Kellen had been trying to tease him. Granted, it was a light teasing, but from Hill’s snort, and Taylor’s shaking shoulders, Kellen had clearly lost. Kellen felt his face flush, and he sighed. What could he say back that he might get a reaction out of?

"Well, I guess that’s true. They are going to be a little loose for a while. But, that black apron still fits fine, right?" A loud shattering sound punctuated Kellen’s words behind him, and Kellen glanced over to find that a row of coffee mugs had exploded. Kellen glanced back at the Captain, who’s cheeks were pink and he had a hand covering his mouth.

Kellen was surprised at his action, and when the Captain slid his gaze towards him, Kellen felt his heart race at the deep, golden shade that stared back at him. Rhys waved his hand, and the mugs were back in their row, as if nothing had happened, and Hill whistled. Kellen couldn’t tear his gaze away from the Captain even as she patted Kellen on the shoulder.

"Good one." She whispered as the Captain ducked his head, hiding his face before he looked up again and pushed his fingers through his hair. Kellen found his own fingers twitching as he watched him. The look he leveled at Kellen had Kellen’s heart pounding in his chest.

"The black one?" Rhys asked, confirming, and Kellen nodded. Rhys let out a shaky breath. "I hope you are prepared, Mr. Woods." He warned and Kellen’s hands shook slightly. Gunther had long dropped his hold, and now Kellen pressed them into his lap.

"I am aware of what I said." He stated boldly, swallowing thickly. "Didn’t I warn you yesterday? Even if I am a little awkward about this, I am very sincere, Rhys." Kellen watched as the Captain’s face went bright red. He coughed, and was the first one to break their eye contact. The Captain looked...uncomfortable, and Kellen watched as he undid the top two buttons on his dress shirt, fanning his face.

"I told you that you don’t need to." Rhys muttered quietly, and although Kellen couldn’t hear him, he had a feeling he knew what he said. A slight, playful smile touched his lips.

"Rhys, are you saying you don’t like it?" Kellen asked and watched as the most powerful man in his life was folding like a piece of paper. His eyes darted around nervously, and he let out a shaky sigh.