(BL) Hunting The Field Guide novel Chapter 36

Chapter 36: Gym with the Espers

The Captain and Kellen stopped in briefly to say goodbye to Taylor and Miro, but found neither of them in her office. Not worrying about it, they headed towards the elevators and Kellen half expected the Captain to follow him to his office, but he didn't. He stayed on his side of the elevator and even waved goodbye to Kellen as they got to his floor. Confused, he went about his day without the Captain or anyone else bothering him. Well, except the scientists when they caught sight how how skinny Kellen had become since they had last seen him. Maeve was particularly upset. Kellen had a feeling he had become their pet Guide and now that they had seen him this way, they were going to try to treat him like a delicate flower.

It was only after he'd consumed several of the snacks from the snack pedestal that they let him go, all concerned.

Kellen spent the rest of the afternoon working on the program with only a few interruptions from his parents asking about his well being. He'd asked his Dad about a few things related to Guides since he'd had his attention, but all in all, he thought he had created a good entry-level program which wouldn't interfere with a Guide's regular work schedule.

If they were fit.

If someone wanted something a little more intensive, Kellen could always add to the program, take up more of their time in the day. Add in some personal one on one lessons. Realistically, as much as he had created this program to range from 3-6 months, most Guides would only last a month. Knowing that, he had to make sure that the most important parts could be achieved in the first month, while the other 2-5 months built upon that knowledge. It was a tricky task, simply because they were in the city. They were in a safe zone. No normal person was going to want to continue if their life wasn't actively on the line. Hell, it was the only reason Kellen was as good as he was. He didn't want to die while out on the front lines.

Kellen sent off the rough draft to Casper's Guild email, making sure to note all of the important things they would cover in the first month in bullet point. Then, he sent an expanded bullet point explaining how each point would be built upon over the next 2-5 months. Finally finished, he sent Casper an email explaining that if he needed to reach him to go over the rough draft after hours he was up in the upper gym. Then, he packed up everything, said goodbye to the others in his office, and left for the day.

Heading up to the gym floor, Kellen almost went right to the gym but thought better of it. He didn't want to leave all of his things just lying around, even if this was the Captain's Guild. That and he didn't want to work out in his uniform. So, he only hesitated at the door briefly before turning towards the second set of elevators. Along the way, he noticed several A Class Espers that he'd worked with and were well known in the community. Hill and Gunther were inside chatting to the A Classes, and Kellen smiled to himself as they didn't notice him.

Kellen made his way to the second set of elevators without interruption. He even made it to his apartment without seeing another soul. Once inside his apartment, he headed upstairs and changed into a clean t-shirt and pair of sweatpants. He had to search in his closet for his normal gym bag, finding the headphones he liked to wear when he worked out and slung the corded headphones around his shoulder. They were the kind that were attached to each other, but were still Bluetooth. It meant he didn't lose one if they popped out. He switched out his shoes for a pair of sneakers he used for the gym before making sure he had his key card on his person, then headed back towards the gym.

Heading back towards the door, obviously having changed, Kellen got some curious looks as he scanned himself in. When he opened the door to the gym, clearly not in his Guide uniform, more furrowed their brows in confusion. Hill, noticing something was strange, looked up from where she was curling an absurd amount of weight, and her eyes began to sparkle when she noticed who it was.

"Oh little Guide! What are you doing here again?" She asked, putting down the weight easily, much to Kellen's envy. She bounced over to Kellen, who smiled at the woman. Clearly she was actually working out, even if it looked like nothing. Her clothes stuck to her body, showing her exertion.

"Captain told me that if I was going to work out that I should do it here. Knowing he's an S Class, it might just be his way to keep an eye on me." He laughed at his own words, while Hill smirked.

"Or he just wants to have easy access to see you all sweaty. The walls are glass. Have you thought of that?" She teased and Kellen waved his hand dismissively.

"Please, there are so many other ways he could see me sweaty, and they would all be easier." He told her, and Hill seemed shocked. Hell, everyone around them did as well. Kellen, however, was thinking back to their guiding session earlier, where he'd had to pat himself down with a cloth he'd sweat so much. Hill smacked Kellen's shoulder, causing the man to stumble.

"Woooow. I didn't realise how wild you were Kellen. You always seemed like such a stick in the mud when I knew you on the front lines. I thought the Captain was going to have to fight for his life to get physical affection from you. Sorry for being prejudiced without knowing you." Kellen gave her a confused look, while she wrapped her arm around his shoulder, giving it a squeeze. It was a slightly awkward angle, with her being shorter than him, but it somehow worked. "So? What happened after we left yesterday? Hmm? You seemed, uh, pretty interested in the Captain yesterday? Any juicy moments you want to tell me?" Her eyes sparkled as Kellen's turned red. "Anything like the reference material I gave you?"

"Uh, I-I don't know what you're thinking, but the Captain helped me get ready for bed and cleaned up the kitchen. That's all, Hill. Get your mind out of the gutter." Hill knew the man was lying, hell, anyone would from his obvious reaction. Plus, there was the Captain's suspicious behaviour as well. But, it was also clear that Kellen was a shy man and probably didn't like talking about it in front of so many people. Grinning, she watched the man change colour, amused, before she gave him another squeeze.