(BL) Hunting The Field Guide novel Chapter 27

Chapter 27: Societal condoned harassment

With the food drop sorted, since the cafeteria workers were quite professional and orderly, Kellen headed for the Guiding Division as he had promised. Kellen had assumed that the Captain would have to get back to his own work after this, considering the Guild was in the middle of negotiating the rights to an A Class gate, but no. The man was following after him like a puppy, the same way he had followed him when they left the Medical Bay. It was unnerving, having the man at his back. He felt like he was going to be swallowed up by a giant predator. But after the stunt he pulled in the cafeteria, Kellen was determined to ignore him. On the walk to the elevator, in the elevator, and even on the way to the Guiding Division proper. At least, that was his plan.

Until he felt a hot breath on the back of his neck and Kellen let out a high pitched scream in the lobby of the Guiding Division. Kellen spun, slapping his hand over the back of his neck to stare in surprise at the stunned expression of the Captain. Before a shit eating grin split his face.

"W-What was that for?" Kellen demanded, and the Captain moved closer to the now extra cautious Guide.

"Why did you scream? Is your neck sensitive?" He countered and Kellen could feel his mouth opening before he could think properly about what to say.

"Anyone would react that way if someone suddenly blew on their neck, Captain Thatcher!" The Captain didn't seem phased by Kellen calling him by his title. In fact, the man seemed...excited? That only made Kellen more angry.

"So you're sensitive around your neck. Noted." Kellen wanted to scream at the smug look on the Esper's face. He looked like he was having a great time, while Kellen wanted the ground to swallow him up. He was thankful that no one else had arrived on the floor while the two of them had this interaction.

Still covering his neck, Kellen spun on his heel and made his way towards the Guiding Division proper. Kellen had forgotten that there were windows into the hallway from the Division's main room, so as they approached people could see Kellen storming towards the main doors while the Captain grinned happily behind him. It was clear from Kellen's tense jaw and flushed cheeks that something had happened between them, and Kellen hated that more. He really needed to get a grip on his anger around this man, because he had a feeling the Captain enjoyed it. Kellen fumbled for a second while scanning his keycard to open the door, and he went to slam it behind him out of frustration but the Captain's hand stopped him. "That's not very nice Mr. Woods. Locking me out over something like that? I'm heartbroken." He turned to stare incredulously at this powerful man who had the audacity to behave like Kellen had actually hurt him. What really got to Kellen were the still hazel eyes. The Captain clearly hadn't used his powers yet, which meant Kellen had been staring at the gorgeous hazel eyes in that damn handsome face. The Captain who had yellow eyes was attractive in a way Kellen couldn't put his finger on, but the Captain with hazel eyes...Kellen wasn't sure, but if they became a common occurrence, he might find himself in a lot of trouble.

"You have access to anywhere in this building. How the hell am I keeping you out of anywhere?" The Guide put on a brave tone, aware that the room had gone silent behind him. Everyone held their breath as they waited for the Captain's response. The Esper smirked, before raising his hand and pointing a finger at the Guide's chest, hovering over his heart.

"You're keeping me out of here, aren't you?" Gasps sounded behind them and Kellen felt his mouth open in shock. He was speechless at what the Captain implied. In public, no less. He was sure he knew that Guides were the hubs of gossip, so Kellen knew that this would spread like a wildfire. Glancing around to see if there were any other Espers around, and noticing none, Kellen pulled him back out into the hallway for some privacy. Even if everyone could see them, they couldn't hear them. Kellen pressed the Captain into the wall, glaring up at the man angrily as they hid from the windows.

"It's my second day here, why are you making it so difficult for me?" He hissed and received a smile in return.

"You shouldn't have called me a coward, twice, Mr. Woods." Kellen wanted to kick his dumb self. Of course this was about that. The man was going to drag this out for his own enjoyment.

"So you want everyone to gossip about how I'm neglecting you on my second day here? And not just neglecting you, but," Kellen dropped his voice further, "sexually and emotionally neglecting you? Because that is what every Guide in that damn room is going to spread." He asked, genuinely concerned. That was an awful thing to spread about your pair, and he wasn't sure why the Captain thought it was okay. The Captain reached out, tugging at the collar of Kellen's shirt, his eyes slightly narrowed. Kellen swallowed.

"Well, it's not a lie, is it?" He said and Kellen felt his face heat.