(BL) Hunting The Field Guide novel Chapter 214

Chapter 214: A deal with the devil

The Captain stood up with a flourish, Kellen still in his arms. Kellen was surprised by the sudden movement, and threw his arms around the Captain’s neck in a panic. The Captain smiled, but didn’t comment on his surprised actions.

"If everything is in the clear, I want to get Kellen back up to his apartment." Rhys said, and the others nodded. Kellen’s Mom’s gaze was...complicated. It was clear she wanted both of them near, but was going to concede to Rhys. Brent remained seated, his gaze watching Kellen with a glint, and a small smile on his face.

"Don’t worry, I’ll stay here until I’l kicked out. You two go relax. Kellen has a big day tomorrow. Also, everything went fine today when we were visiting Miro. He’s ecstatic with the new Field Guides. Sent a fruit basket and everything." Brent told Kellen, who relaxed. He’d forgotten he’d even been worried about that.

"Ah. I’m glad to hear it. Thank you Brent." Brent waved his gloved hand, his scar pulling his expression into devious territory as he smiled.

"Ah, no worries. I’ll bum some shakes and more food from the cafeteria and Esper Green, so don’t worry. Get some rest. You should also chug some shakes. Your muscle definition isn’t as picture perfect as it usually is." Brent teased and Kellen rolled his eyes.

"Thanks. Have a good night everyone." Kellen waved at his family, who waved back.

"I’ll walk out with you two." Taylor said, holding the door open for them as they stepped into the hallway. Kellen half expected someone to come racing after them, not no one did.

Well, maybe he was expecting one person to come racing after him. But, given how stubborn she was, that was unlikely. He was going to have to corner her at some point. That was just too awkward of a situation for him to handle. Kellen was going to have to face it head on.

"Are you sure you’re okay?" Taylor’s voice cut through Kellen’s thoughts, and he turned to face her from where he was in the Captain’s arms.

"Hmm? Why would I lie to you?" Kellen asked, confused, and Taylor stared at him before she laughed. She pressed her hand against her stomach, laughing heartily. She smiled at him, shaking her head.

"Right. You were never that kind of guy when it came to your body." That only confused Kellen more. "You didn’t even notice you got shot, right? I want to confirm that." Kellen nodded slowly.

"I might have felt something, but I was too focused on Dad." Kellen told her sincerely, and she nodded.

"Of course. Well, that’s one thing I’m glad I don’t have to worry about." Kellen was confused by her words, but Taylor quickly cleared up his confusion. "I never have to worry about you lying about your physical condition, just your mental one." She gave a cheeky grin as Kellen gasped in shock.

"Taylor!" He protested and she laughed, dancing away. They had gotten to the intersection where the Medical Bay branched off. Obviously the Captain and Kellen were going to head towards the elevators, but he wasn’t sure which way Taylor was going to go. Taylor turned on her heel, walking backwards as she moved down the other hallway.

"Have a good rest! Take good care of him, and I mean it! He needs sleep to heal! No bending him like a pretzel!" She shouted her warning loudly, and Kellen felt his face heat. The Captain laughed.

"Alright. What about other shapes?" He called after her, clearly teasing Kellen. Taylor snorted.

"Nothing that hurts his wound, Captain. I mean it. I do not have the juice to fix him right now if you break him." That statement worried Kellen, but the Captain didn’t respond negatively. Instead, he nodded, accepting her words.

"Alright Green. You have permission to raid my office for the good stuff." Taylor covered her mouth, her eyes watering.

"You’re the best, Captain Thatcher!" He closed his eyes, shaking his head as he turned and continued down the hallway towards the elevators, Taylor turned down her own hallway.

"Yeah yeah." He muttered, and Kellen wondered what the hell had just happened. He felt like an exchange had been made, but for what...he wasn’t sure.

They got to the elevators quickly, the Captain’s long legs covering the distance easily. Kellen pressed the button since he was able to, and the two waited in silence until the elevator arrived. Even in the elevator, the two remained silent, and this continued until they got to Kellen’s apartment.

That was when Kellen realised he had nothing on him. Not his phone, his keycard, nothing.

"Uh, I don’t-" Kellen started, but Rhys shook his head with a chuckle. He pulled his keycard out and swiped it. The door beeped before unlocking, and Kellen wasn’t sure how he felt about that. "Have you...always been able to do that?" Kellen asked, and Rhys froze just as he was stepping into the apartment.

He turned his gaze towards the Guide in his arms who was now eyeing him suspiciously. Rhys blinked, before his cheeks flushed slightly.

"Well, yes, but I haven’t used my privileges until right now. I promise you. I’m an Esper, but not a creep." He stated a little too firmly for Kellen’s liking. Kellen narrowed his eyes.

"How can I trust you?" Kellen asked, and Rhys seemed hurt that Kellen would ask that. "Rhys, I know you aren’t telling me the whole truth about some things. That isn’t a criticism, I am new to the Guild, but you just...how do I put this nicely?" Kellen wondered out loud. Rhys let the door close behind him and Kellen didn’t even notice as they stood still in the entryway. "You strike me as the kind of Esper who would watch their Guide sleep. Does that make sense?" Kellen glanced at Rhys, and was surprised by the look of shock on his face.

"But I never broke into your apartment to do that." Kellen was stunned that he admitted it so easily. And readily.

"So you admit, you have watched me sleep." Kellen confirmed, and now Rhys had the balls to look embarrassed.

"Only once or twice. Right after we were first paired was the worst." Rhys mumbled, and Kellen stared up at the man. The longer he stared without saying anything, the more red Rhys turned.