(BL) Hunting The Field Guide novel Chapter 203

Chapter 203: 3 millimeters away

Buckling himself in, and making sure that Esper Blake had done the same thing, Kellen was driving down the road when he noticed a familiar car with a lightning bolt down the side pulling in front of the center. Shocked, and checking his watch to see if he had time, he pulled around the corner, reversed, and pulled in behind them.

Esper Blake, who was confused, watched as Kellen barely turned off the car before he got out of it, rushing to the driver’s side of the other car.

"Dad!" He called, and the older man laughed when he heard Kellen’s voice. His Father hadn’t even opened the door to the car yet, and instead rolled down the window so he could speak to his son. Kellen reached in and hugged the man, much to his Dad’s amusement.

Kellen’s Father looked good. He didn’t seem tired, and was in good health. His frame was full, his eyes weren’t sunken, and honestly, he was glowing compared to all of the other Guides Kellen had seen. It was nice to know that he was in good health. It was one less worry.

"It has been a while since we have last seen each other. How is my favourite son doing?" He asked warmly, and Kellen chuckled. He gave him a squeeze in his arms.

"I am your only son, Dad." He responded tartly, and his Father gently rubbed circles into his son’s back, a smile on his face and warmth in his tone.

"Well, I have a son-in-law now. If you make me too mad, I’ll raise him up in ranks." His Dad teased, and Kellen’s body tensed for a moment, before he relaxed his shoulders.

"I think Rhys would like that if you did." Kellen said, and his Dad froze.

"Rhys? Did you just call him by his first name? Let go of me, I need to get a good look at you." Kellen laughed as his Father pushed him away so that he could look at him properly. He even shoed Kellen far enough away that he could open the door to his car.

Kellen stood still for his Dad’s inspection, smiling as Esper Blake came to stand at the end of his Dad’s car, a smile on her lips. Kellen even did a spin for him. His Dad was shaking his head, affection on his face.

"What on earth happened for this sudden change? You two are still a pair, yeah?" His Dad demanded, and Kellen nodded. He knew his face went red as he considered what to say. Scratching at his cheek, he felt a slightly goofy smile cross his face.

"We...I admitted my feelings to the Captain." Esper Blake’s expression froze, since she had no idea that the two hadn’t been romantically involved this whole time, while Kellen’s Dad gasped. He shifted in his seat, taking off his seatbelt so that he could turn and face Kellen properly. He covered his mouth, his eyes glittering.

"You had feelings for the Captain? Romantic ones?" With each of his questions, Kellen nodded. He let out a wry laugh, darting his gaze away.

"I uh, needed help realising them, but yeah. I’ve always had a crush on him." Kellen admitted, while his Dad seemed to be wracking his brain for evidence.

"Well, you did mention him a lot in your letters home...and you did buy a lot of his posters in your teens...Oh! I remember a time when you waited in line to buy one of the limited edition releases of a magazine. Was it because he was in it?" Kellen, who had had that poster in particular up in his closet until recently, felt his face turn bright red. His Dad clapped his hands, his eyes dancing.

"I was hoping you wouldn’t remember so much." Kellen muttered, and his Dad laughed. _{freewebnøvel.com}

"Oh Sweetie, how could I not? You were such a quiet child unless you were up to no good. I remember all the little weird things that you did. So when did this happen? Why did this happen? And who helped you? Was it that Guide friend you have? Or Taylor?" He asked as he slowly got out of the car. Kellen helped him up, not asking any questions.

His Mother would not let his Father go out if he was injured, especially alone, and there were some things he never wanted to know.

"Well, it happened recently. We did a photo shoot for the Guild. You know that the Saturn Guild does a charity calendar every year, right?" His Dad nodded. "Both Gwen and I will be in it this time. So will Brent. They wanted...the Captain there to do some shots with me." Kellen felt his face heat again as he explained it to his Dad. His Dad nodded along as his son continued to talk.

He was holding onto Kellen’s arm, not for support, but for comfort. It didn’t slip past Kellen’s mind that it had been a while since he’d seen his parents. Or spoken to them. Both of them had been busy helping out the Guild, and then they also had their own things they were obligated to.

Kellen felt like a bad son for not reaching out to them sooner. It had been different on the front lines. Phones didn’t really work, so letters were the best way to communicate there. He had been gone for a while, but habits die hard. Especially since Kellen had moved back in with them when he had come back, so he hadn’t needed to change them. He could just walk over and talk to them in person.

Kellen stopped his story, looking at his Dad with a slightly sorrowful expression.

"I’m sorry for not reaching out to you sooner. It’s an excuse, but I’ve been on the front lines for so long that communicating through text is still...strange to me." Kellen admitted, and his Dad smiled. Turning, he reached up and cupped his son’s face, giving it a squeeze.

"You are my son, Kellen. I know your habits, and what you are like. Your Mother is ten times worse, and Gwen is slowly making her way there too. I know you care for me, as evident by the care package you sent to the house." His eyes sparkled as Kellen glanced away. "I appreciate all the ingredients you sent, and I know it was you Kellen, so don’t feel bad. It’s a busy time for everyone, and I’m not upset about it. You’re still thinking about me, and caring for me, and for me, that is enough." Kellen turned and hugged his Father tightly.

"I do not know how you can stand it. Being the one who is constantly left behind." Kellen whispered. His Dad laughed.

"I have a big heart, Kellen, and I’m stronger than my wife and children think." His Dad teased, his gray eyes filled with warmth as he stared at his son. Kellen’s body relaxed, warmth filling him just being near the man. If he could become half of the A Class Guide his Father was, he would be an amazing Guide.

"Why are you stopped at the Center anyways?" Kellen asked, the two of them standing in the cement circle filled with benches and like, three trees. His Dad smiled.

"Well, I’m actually here to speak to the D.E.C. They needed some information from an old case, and as I was a witness, they requested I come in. I had no reason to turn them down." He told Kellen. Kellen frowned. An old case? What could that mean?

"Is it something to do with your old partner?" Kellen asked, curious, and his Dad shook his head.

"No. A Guide related issue. I can’t tell you specifics, but it did involve a Guide being abducted." Ah. One of those.

Kellen nodded, understanding washing over him. Kellen’s thoughts went back to Guiding Center C and he frowned further.

"Ah. I’m going to have to report to the D.E.C. too, so I might as well join you." Kellen muttered. He checked his watch, checked the time, and turned to Esper Blake. "Esper Blake, could you give Guiding Center D a call and let them know that I’m running a bit late? You can even tell them I had to drop into the D.E.C. so that they know I am on the way there." Esper Blake nodded, stepping away as their shadow as the Father and Son stood still.

Kellen’s Dad watched him with a soft gaze, giving Kellen’s shoulders a squeeze.

"You’ve filled out more since I last saw you. How is Rhys keeping his hands off of you?" His Father muttered. "Is my son not attractive enough?" He grumbled, and Kellen laughed.

"It’s nothing like that. He’s aware of why I am eating as much as I am. The demand for higher level guidance hasn’t gone down much, so he’s being...patient, I guess?" Kellen offered, and his Dad’s eyes widened.