(BL) Hunting The Field Guide novel Chapter 360

Chapter 360: This is not goodbye

When Kellen and Brent headed downstairs, Gunther was finished being seen to by Taylor, and was now under his Father’s watchful gaze as Charlie held his hand. Casper stood nearby as well, Gunther, Casper, Rhys and Taylor all aware of what kind of Guide Charlie was.

Kellen paused, about to speak out and stop it when Casper looked up, meeting his gaze and shook his head. From the way his jaw was held, and the fact that his arms were crossed, it appeared that Casper had either agreed to this, or was keeping an eye on it. Or both.

Kellen shut his mouth and continued down the stairs, watching as Taylor patched Rhys up. Brent went over to the others, patting Kellen on the shoulder as he left, and Kellen headed towards the kitchen counter. Taylor was speaking quietly to Rhys, quiet enough that the others weren’t able to hear, but Rhys was.

Rhys was nodding along to her words, but stopped when he met Kellen’s gaze. He smiled, reaching out a hand that Kellen took. Rhys raised his hand, pressing his lips to Kellen’s hand.

"How did your chat with Brent go?" He asked and Kellen sighed.

"We’re going to have to revisit how soon the Field Guides go out to the front lines. Brent has...something he needs to do, and I suggested that we send the advanced group first. At least half of them at a time. That’ll give us small enough groups to manage inside of gates, plus a few Espers, and that way he can do what he needs to while working." Rhys stared at him, before he nodded.

"So it’s time to mobilize the part of the Guild that has been on hold until now? Hill will be delighted to hear that." He said and Taylor chuckled.

"Yes. She’s been getting pretty antsy. Especially because I’ve been harassing her about how much sugar she’s been eating." Taylor said and Kellen chuckled.

"As you should. She has been eating a lot." Taylor’s gaze sharpened and Kellen took a step back.

"Don’t you even start. I know you’ve been buying her more when she runs out." She warned and Kellen looked away from her, avoiding eye contact. She growled. "Kellen Woods." She started and Kellen gripped Rhys’ hand tightly, moving towards him. He’d protect him from Taylor, wouldn’t he?

Rhys chuckled, bending until his head was resting on Kellen’s shoulder.

"Don’t be too angry at him, Green. He’s gotten you things too, hasn’t he?" Taylor’s face flushed, and Kellen gasped. He knew? He knew it was him? Rhys grinned when Kellen spun his head, giving him a shocked look. He pressed a kiss against his cheek. "I’m sorry. You thought you were being sneaky, didn’t you? I’ll pretend I didn’t notice it, alright?" He was teasing him, and Kellen couldn’t pretend that he was unaffected by the way Rhys was smiling at him, touching him.

He sighed heavily, feeling sad to know that at the very least, Rhys and Taylor knew it was him. He was just trying to do something nice for them without them knowing it was him. He didn’t want to be thanked for it. He just...wanted to show that he cared. It was very similar to what he was doing for Gunther when he came back from his missions and needed some guiding, but on a smaller scale.

"Hey, don’t look sad. I-I didn’t say anything until now because it wasn’t a big deal. I-I just think she’s eating too much sugar, alright? Don’t get sad, Kellen." Taylor panicked, and Kellen nodded.

"I’ll try to think of something else." He muttered, his brain already trying to find another item that he could get the Esper. Hill was a hard one for him to shop for. It was illegal to get her people, since that was the other thing she liked to consume, so he was at a loss.

"A-Alright, so you plan to send the Field Guides you’ve been training to the front lines? Who are you planning to send first?" Taylor asked, clearly trying to change the subject. Kellen didn’t mind, since it was easier to talk about that than anything else.

"Well, the first class. Brent and I were planning for them to just draw straws since all of them are capable. They’re all going, so it doesn’t matter what order. After they go, I’ll consider when the second class can go. I’m thinking about a week on rotation. So Brent will remain there for a month if both classes rotate on the first time, and then I’ll give him a week off, maybe two where he can come back into town, and then we repeat, maybe switching. I’ll go down the second time, maybe?" Rhys nodded.

"Okay. I can work with that. No doubt if Tom heard you were going to the front lines he’d come back to the city." Kellen gave him a strange look.

"Why would Uncle Tom be afraid of me?" He asked and Rhys chuckled.

"He’s not scared of you per se, but he is scared of me, and we’re a pair. We’re together, Kellen, so wherever I go, you go." When Kellen didn’t nod right away, Rhys froze. "You know that, right?" It was like the man was asking for confirmation of their relationship and Kellen exhaled slowly.

"Yes. Sorry. We haven’t left the city yet so I just...I guess I forgot about that fact. No, I know you would come with me. I wouldn’t want anyone else guiding you. I know that the Guiding Center A would jump on that and call me incompetent for leaving you alone." Kellen muttered, anger tinging his words and Rhys scoffed.

"They wouldn’t dare." It was Kellen’s turn to look at Rhys and Rhys blinked. "Right?" Kellen shook his head in disbelief.

"They’ve already done it twice, Rhys, I wouldn’t put it past them for at least three more times before I put a fucking gun in their face." Kellen’s voice was dark and Taylor nearly choked.