(BL) Hunting The Field Guide novel Chapter 32

Chapter 32: You're not allowed to Guide (m)

Kellen finished cooking, and with the help of the other four they carried everything to the coffee table so everyone could sit down, drink, and enjoy each other's company. He knew that Hill and Gunther were going to be a riot as the night went on since he'd drunk with them before, but the more reserved Miro had everyone laughing heartily throughout the night. Hill and Gunther seemed to want to reminisce about their times on the front lines with Kellen, while Miro would pipe up and surprise everyone with his wit. Hill and Gunther sat on one side of the couch, while Kellen and the Captain sat on the other. Miro sat in between everyone, like a buffer. Kellen knew that the Captain wasn't going to keep his distance, and as the night went on, he began to care about it less and less. Why was Kellen so concerned that the Captain was getting closer to him? Who knows! Why was the Captain treating Kellen like a weary animal? Who cares! What was so wrong with the Captain kissing and touching Kellen? Nothing! He liked it, so why was he protesting so much? It was just guiding.

At some point, the beers were finished, the snacks gone, and it was getting late. Kellen didn't know how late because he knew he'd drank more than he should have. He was having a hard time keeping his eyes open, and Gunther was the first to point it out.

"Well, we should probably get going now. We still have work in the morning." He shoved Hill with his shoulder and gestured to where Kellen's head was dipping. Miro wasn't faring any better. Kellen yawned, covering his mouth before snuggling back into the warm embrace of the Captain.

"Oh, it's okay. You guys can stay longer." Kellen told them and Captain chuckled. He'd somehow managed to get Kellen pliant enough that the man was resting his head against the Captain's shoulder, the Captain's arm around his waist.

"You can tell them to leave Mr. Woods. They've finished all the beer anyway, so it's only right." He said and Kellen sighed, his eyes barely open.

"I still have ciders left." He offered sleepily and Gunther laughed. Both of the Espers were delighted at seeing a side of Kellen they hadn't seen before, even on the front lines.

"We can save those for next time. You look tired. We'll take care of cleaning up and getting Miro home safely, Captain. You can help Kellen to bed." Gunther offered, a smirk on his face.

"No, I'll clean up since I'm just next door. You guys take Miro home and make sure he gets there safely. I'll see you tomorrow." The Captain helped Kellen to his feet, a soft look on his face. He scooped up the man, who he knew would normally protest. Instead, he rested his head against the Captain's shoulder, waving sleepily at the others. They met his smile with a smile of their own, waving in return.

"Night!" Kellen called, and got varying responses back while he tucked his head into the Captain's neck. With a huge sigh, he closed his eyes while the Captain carried him up the stairs. Listening to his heartbeat, Kellen felt calm and relaxed.

"Mr. Woods, are you awake?" The soft voice of the Captain made him groan.

"Mmhmm." He murmured and the Captain laughed. He gave Kellen a squeeze and he protested.

"We're at the top of the stairs. Where do you want to go first?" He asked and Kellen opened his eyes, the world spun, and he sighed.

"Gotta brush my teeth." He murmured and the Captain turned and headed for the bathroom. He helped Kellen to his feet and got his toothbrush ready while Kellen clung to the sink for dear life as the world spun. He didn't question for a second as the Captain brushed his teeth as well. Then, after he helped Kellen spit and wiped his face, he led him into the bedroom and into the walk-in closet. He tsked at the empty space.

"Do you even own clothes?" He asked, more to himself. Kellen felt he needed to stand up for himself.

"I own sweatpants and t-shirts." He protested as he attempted to pull his shirt over his head. He struggled and the Captain sighed.

"Now what on earth are you trying to do?" He asked himself as he helped Kellen undress. Kellen's fingers fumbled with his sweatpants next as soon as he got the t-shirt off.

"I sleep naked." He told the Captain. The Captain stopped his hands.

"Mr. Woods, I am not a saint. Keep your sweatpants on if you don't want to regret it in the morning." He warned, and for a moment that wiped the fog that had invaded Kellen's mind. He was topless with the Captain in his closet. His cheeks heated and he ducked his head, almost stumbling over his feet if the Esper hadn't caught him.

"Oh, uh, how long are you planning to stay?" Kellen asked and he smiled down at him before poking his nose.

"However long it takes for you to go to sleep, and then I'll clean up downstairs. It's the least I can do since you cooked for us." Kellen swallowed, nodding.

"That long, huh?" Kellen said, and he smiled.

"Why? Do you not like it when I'm here? Do I make you uncomfortable?" He questioned the Guide, and Kellen raised his head to look up into his face. It was a little blurry, but he could still make out his facial expressions. He wasn't upset, and instead was teasing him.

"You do, because I don't know why you want me." Captain sighed, shaking his head.

"Didn't we already go over this? I explained this already." Kellen nodded, agreeing that he had explained it.

"Yeah, I understand what you explained, but I'm not able to comprehend it. Does that make sense? Like, I understand, but I don't know how they apply to me. I don't consider myself in the same context as you do. I don't understand romance." He admitted and the Captain pulled in, hugging him against his chest. Kellen inhaled his scent from his neck and the Captain let out a shaky sigh.

"I fucking hope you remember this conversation tomorrow, Mr. Woods, or I am going to be very cross with you." He muttered, giving Kellen a squeeze. "I know you don't understand romance, that's why I am working so hard to get reactions out of you. I don't like others seeing you after I've kissed you, but I need witnesses so you don't brush it off. I feel like you would if we did it behind closed doors." Kellen tightened his arms around him.

"I would not." He protested, before licking his lips. "Do...Do people normally guide with kisses like the one from before?" He asked tentatively, and the Captain froze.

"Well, I've heard that most do. Something about the proficiency going up the more your skin touches." Captain muttered something under his breath, but Kellen wasn't able to catch it.

"...That's the first time I've kissed like that." The Guide admitted, shy, and the Captain patted his hair.

"Oh, I knew that." He sounded pleased and Kellen frowned, pulling away slightly.

"Was I bad at it?" He asked and the Captain laughed. It sounded dangerous.

"Mr. Woods, you weren't bad at it, just inexperienced. I don't mind, since I like teaching you." Kellen huffed. That wasn't a no.

"I hate not being good at something the first time, and it isn't as if this is something I can research on my own. I don't think there is kissing porn." He muttered angrily and the Captain's shoulders shook.

"Did you watch porn as research?" He asked and Kellen nodded, very serious. Unaware of the Captain drawing circles in Kellen's skin, pleased the man was still pressed against him, topless.

"Of course. I watched all kinds of types because I didn't know what my pair would be into, or if they were even going to be a man." Captain squeezed him.

"You were prepared to be with a woman even though you aren't attracted to them?" The Captain was shocked at Kellen's simple acceptance.

"My personal feelings wouldn't have mattered in the grand scheme of things if I had a good match rate with someone. I was prepared to push that to the back of my mind and never think about it again." Kellen glanced at the Captain and found he had a somber expression, almost thoughtful.

"Mr. Woods, you don't need to watch porn to prepare for me. I don't care if you have no experience and as I said, I am happy to teach you." Kellen shook his head stubbornly.

"It's important to know as a Guide because what if you need the highest level of guiding and I can't do it right because I don't know? Don't worry, I know that we need to prepare as males more than females. I even made sure that ever since I became a Guide I carried around a little kit for it, just in case." The Captain turned yellow eyes towards the smiling, happy Guide.