(BL) Hunting The Field Guide novel Chapter 398

Chapter 398: We need to talk

Kellen fully expected that Casper was going to run away as everything was winding down. He didn’t expect him to linger. He didn’t want him to. Kellen was done for the night and wanted to head home to his apartment, get out of the Field Guide outfit, and maybe drink some tea and go to bed. He’d had a long day, and he wasn’t sure if his parents weren’t going to stop by after they caught up on sleep.

So, when Casper lingered after the last of the stragglers left, Kellen was quite surprised. He looked awkward, unsure. Kellen wasn’t sure how to approach this.

"Casper? Is something the matter? Did you have another matter to discuss with me?" Kellen asked and Casper sighed.

"Yeah. I do. Can we...talk somewhere private?" He asked and that really had Kellen worried. What was it that he wanted to speak in private? Was it something terrible? It had Kellen worried, and he nodded.

"How about the apartment? Is that okay?" Casper relaxed, nodding at Kellen’s suggestion. He was holding onto his tablet in front of his body like a shield, his shoulders tense. He was wearing his long white coat like normal, but he seemed...tired. Kellen knew what that was like. Casper had always had a lot on his plate, and when Kellen had benched him and had taken over his duties, he understood why.

Maybe...they should hire him an assistant? Someone who could take on the workload that wasn’t as crucial for Casper to handle? Would that be a bad idea, and if it wasn’t, how would Casper handle the idea?

Kellen didn’t think he would take it well. There was just something inside of him that Casper would think they were replacing him, when that wasn’t the case at all. Kellen just wanted to make sure the man wasn’t working himself to the bone. Like he was trying to do with Rhys, but he had a feeling he was failing miserably.

Granted, this wasn’t a normal situation, but also, as a Guild they should have policies and plans in place to make sure that in unusual circumstances, no one burnt out. That nothing like what had been happening to Gunther, Rhys, Casper, Hill, Pamela and Taylor didn’t happen. God, they were all control freaks. Kellen knew he was making a tall ask of them trying to delegate their workload.

He should consult his Dad about this once he was more rested. His Dad had managed to do that with his Mom, and they had both been active in helping with the Guild. They might know where to pull and poke.

His head filled with his own thoughts, Kellen led the way to the elevator with Casper at his side. Casper didn’t speak, clearly able to tell that Kellen had his own thoughts going through his head. That didn’t mean that Kellen couldn’t feel his gaze on him.

When they arrived at the mid level point, the gym, Kellen had to stop and chat with a few of the new recruit Espers that were in Gwen’s class. He sometimes saw them in the gym when he was there in the morning, and they were part of the groups that he and Brent had been keeping an eye on after the Guide incident.

They were happy to chat with him, check in with him, before they said goodbye, going their own way. Gwen wasn’t in sight, but Kellen found out she was out with a few friends for dinner that night. Casper remained beside Kellen, participating in the conversation but it was clear that he wanted to keep moving.

Kellen didn’t stay long, leaving quickly. He apologised to Casper, but Casper brushed it off. Casper told him it was fine. As the partner of the Captain of the Guild, he was totally allowed, no, expected to check in with the members of the Guild. Kellen didn’t like that response, but he understood why Casper said it.

Kellen kept his thoughts to himself about the issue, since it wasn’t like Casper was wrong. That wasn’t why Kellen was doing it, but he didn’t need to get into an argument with the man over his intentions. Did he think it would get to an argument level? No. But they were already on their way somewhere private to have a conversation. He didn’t want to provoke the man and then they didn’t even get to the apartment to talk.

Kellen got out of the elevator first, making his way towards the apartment with Casper in tow. It felt strange, this tension between them. Kellen didn’t like it, but friendships were two way streets. He was learning this. It was a tough thing for him to wrap his head around, since by his nature he just wanted to get along with everyone and help everyone.

It was how he ended up hurt in the first place. Yes, he knew that what his ’friends’ had done was far worse, and terrible, but through therapy Kellen was coming to understand that he had noticed that their relationships were transactional, but Kellen just hadn’t wanted to see the signs.

He was taken advantage of, but he needed to acknowledge he held some blame. His therapist didn’t like his approach, he could see it in their face when they spoke on the issue, but Kellen was so full of conviction when it came to his point that they just dropped it and let him speak. They let Kellen speak in circles, and then would add a point.

Kellen knew what they were doing, knew that they were trying to unwind the strings and wires that had gotten crossed, and it hurt the more they poked. Kellen didn’t like it, but knew that even if the process hurt during, the results were good.

After all, he was able to forgive Uncle Tom for his peace of mind and was able to continue on with his life. In fact, he barely cared about the man even if the others, like Rhys and Sakura were pissed at him. Kellen had gotten over the hurt he had caused, and that was a big thing for him.

All of this was to say that Kellen was a bit nervous as he unlocked his door, holding it open for Casper as he took off his boots and put them in their place.

"Did you want some tea, Casper?" Kellen asked as Casper closed the door behind him, locking it out of habit. Casper seemed just as nervous as Kellen.

"Are you sure? You weren’t doing it because you thought he was going to be a problem?" Casper asked quietly. Kellen felt legitimately stunned. Sure, Gunther was a problem, but he was their problem. He belonged to the Saturn Guild. Hell, the whole reason he suggested that he go away was so that he could take some time to cool his head and realise that he belonged here. They both did.